Authors: Nicholas Bella, E.B. Burns, Abrianna Denae, Elouise R East, Taylor J Gray, Mandy Greenwood, Rorie Kage, Leigh Kenzie, Davidson King, Claire Marta, Faith Ryan
Cover Artist: Teased by Antonette
Release Date: November 15, 2022
Genre: Dark M/M
Tropes: Various
Themes: Dark content featuring holidays. Includes topics from mafia to erotic BDSM and more. Content warning for some pieces include non-con, dub-con, torture, murder, and potentially other dark elements.
Heat Rating: This will vary. Some will be 5 flames.
Length: approx. 165 000 words
As it’s an anthology, some stories may end in a cliffhanger
Sometimes the happiest season of all is hiding the darkest secrets.
Twinkling lights and festive songs are in every shopping center and on every street corner. But what lurks in the dark alleys beyond the main street decorations? Who hides behind the joyful enthusiasts with a dangerous bah humbug attitude?
Join eleven dark MM authors as they explore the darker half of the holidays while also spreading cheer and support to LGBTQ youth.
*O Deadly Night is a Dark MM anthology with all proceeds to be donated to The Trevor Project.
His band, Embrace the Fear, were living the rock ‘n roll dream as an up-and-coming band under Masterson Management. They weren’t rolling in the dough like the guys from Social and Maiden were, but things were good.
Outside of his love life that was.
David wasn’t a player, unless you count video games. He grew up in a middle-class family. Both his parents worked and were supportive of him in every way. To this day they were still head over heels in love with each other.
The one thing missing from David’s life was the same kind of connection his parents had.
But David’s needs were a bit unorthodox and not always welcome with guys closer to his age. Would an older man look past the number and trust David to take care of them—body and soul?
Jordan Wright has a thriving business thanks to being awarded the contract to manage the catering for Rocktoberfest for a second year.
He’s thrilled to be back at the venue again—maybe this is the year something special will happen, although he’s not counting on it.
Since Jordan’s last failed attempt at a relationship, he’s sworn only to engage in meaningless hook-ups.
But Jordan longs for a daddy of his own.
Will he ever be able to open his mind, and his heart, again? Enough to trust another man, not only with his body, but to catch him when he falls.
David’s Disaster is part of the multi-author The Road to Rocktoberfest 2022 series. Each book can be read as a standalone. Hot rockstars and the men who love them, what more could you ask for?
Excerpt
“Guinness in a bottle if you’ve got it?” I didn’t want to risk someone trying to roofie me, not that I wasn’t down for almost anything though I preferred to have my wits about me when it came time to perform. Sammie dug one out of the freezer, popped the top, and slid it my way. “Place is packed for a Sunday night.”
“Yeah, Joe’s got the dancers working Sundays now. They come in at nine,” Sammie said, wiping the counter between customers. Joe was Sammie’s partner, and they owned the club. Sammie managed the food and beverage staff while Joe oversaw operations, including the entertainment. Some of those boys’ moves should be illegal. “Looks like your entourage is here,” Sammie nodded toward the door. Following his line of sight, two very angry bodyguards shot daggers at me. “Here,” Sammie handed me a pass, “take this up to the mezzanine.”
I grabbed the red disc, “Thanks.” Just as I turned, two muscular hands gripped my forearms like vices.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Sikes asked.
Flashing the red card, I announced, “To the mezzanine, kind sir!” in the most terrible British accent I could’ve done. Accents clearly are not my forte. Sikes and Snipe groaned in unison but relinquished their grips. Sikes walked in front of me while Snipe held up the rear. Hehe, rear. If I made that joke to them, they’d likely knock me on my ass.
The bouncer manning the upper VIP level, or the mezzanine as Sammie had called it, nodded, snagged the card, then grunted. What was it with these overgrown protectors and grunting? I’m waiting for one of them to grab a rock and start drawing caveman-style all over the walls. How do they even understand each other?
It was much easier to breathe up here with a lesser body count though the music and vibrations still flowed. The view was fantastic, staring down at every sweaty, writhing body on the dance floor. This was front-row seating when the dancers hit the stage. “Would you like another drink, sir?” I turned to face the flirty voice, and there stood a five-foot-nothing cutie chewing his bottom lip and eyeing me like a lollipop. “Hello gorgeous, I’ll have one more, please.” He turned and winked over his shoulder, swinging those hips like the moneymakers they were. He knew the value of his…asset.
Maybe a dark, secluded storage room cocktail server ass was in the cards for me tonight.
Leaning over the iron mezzanine railing, lost in thoughts of the firm ass beneath the shiny black boy shorts fetching my drink, I scanned the overcrowded dance floor. Memories of once being able to be a part of it that seemed like so long ago when it really wasn’t. Our lives changed overnight by winning that Battle of the Bands competition. Did I miss not being a part of our old scene? Meh, not so much. The view from up here was much better, like having your pick of the crop. Lower level was all sweaty, grinding bodies. Most of the time, you couldn’t see past the face in front of you. No, I think I liked my odds from this angle much…
Better?
No, it isn’t.
“What the actual f*ck?” I said loud enough for Sikes and Snipes to hear. Instantly, each large body took its place at my sides. There was no stopping this primal, animalistic need to seek and destroy. Alarms inside my brain actived, yet I couldn’t stop myself.
“Where’s the threat?” Sikes asked. Both sets of eyes scanned the floor for trouble.
Down the stairs I went, nearly bowling over the poor guy with the full drink tray heading in the opposite direction. I knew I wasn’t alone, though I couldn’t hear Sikes or Snipe’s footsteps. It amazed me how those two over-muscled guards could move like the wind. I'd descended upon my prey in fewer steps than it should’ve taken.
I swear, all life, all sound, all music stopped when the three of us hit the dance floor. Bodies moved aside, primarily out of fear of the two men who were with me, I’m sure. But I was locked on a specific target. Dumbass one and dumbass two blocking my path weren’t too bright. They hadn’t even noticed that everything around them had come to a stop as they continued to feel up the body tangled between them. “Enough!” I ordered.
“Hey man, we saw him first,” dumbass one said, coming toward me. Sikes and Snipe cut him off, and he threw his hands up in surrender. “We don’t want any trouble,” he pleaded as he and dumbass two backed away. At that point, said target turned, and our gazes met.
“What the f*ck, David?”
About the Author
TL Travis is an award-winning published author of LGBTQIA+ contemporary romance and erotic musings that have earned “Best-Selling Author” flags in the US as well as Internationally.
When she’s not busy spinning steamy webs, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to concerts, wine tasting, and people watching. With every face, there’s a story and half the fun is dreaming up what it could be.
TL is surrounded by her extensive 4-legged rescue family, her sons, and adorable grandkids. She will continue saving furry friends in need for as long as she lives. TL would like to remind you to “Adopt, not shop.” Saving that lost soul may very well be the one you need.
Dean quickly spirals out of control, knowing Luka will be there to pick up the pieces. Again. It’s a good thing he has a friend like Luka.
Luka
How many more times will Luka have to put Dean together again? Staying with the band, taking care of Dean's dog - who's really Luka's dog - while Dean chases after the next girl who is 'the one' and then crashes and burns. Again. It's all taking its toll.
And why does his stupid heart keep insisting Dean is the only one it wants?
This time is IT. Luka is done with the Dean Drama, the soul-mates-of-the-month, even the band. He loves Dean, he has since they met, but Dean is straight as a ruler. And unless something changes, he’s going to self-destruct something Luka can’t bear to watch.
When Luka throws down an ultimatum, Dean begins to question everything—including his sexuality.
Can he live without his best friend? Does he even want to try?
There's only one way to find out; he has to live with him first.
In Tune is part of the multi-author The Road to Rocktoberfest 2022 series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not read them all and see who hits the stage next? Hot rockstars and the men who love them, what more could you ask for? Kick back, load up your kindle and enjoy the men of Rocktoberfest!
Excerpt
“Dean’s calling. I should take it.” “Okay, friend, but one of these days you need to not ask ‘how high’ when Dean says jump.” “I’ll talk to you in a couple days,” Luka said before switching to the incoming call. “Luka! Where are you?” “Obviously not wherever you are.” Wherever Dean was, it sounded loud. “We’re at… Where are we?” Luka heard Dean ask someone nearby. Jerome’s deep voice came over the line. “Bronco Bill’s Billiards.” Nope. Luka was not interested in going out and braving crowds, he’d done his part for the band already that night. “Yeah… no. Frank and I are hanging out watching CSI reruns.” Luka quickly used the remote to turn on the TV hanging on the wall across from the couch so he wasn’t actually lying. Jorja Fox’s face filled the screen as she thought deeply about something. Dean was quiet for a moment before replying. “Text me the address again and I’ll grab a ride there. I’m kind of tired of all this.” “What about Cassidy?” Luka didn’t think she’d be happy that Dean chose to hang out with Luka instead of her. “She’s not here. I think she went back to her hotel.” She didn’t even stay in the same hotel as the band, for godsakes. At least Luka had an excuse. Chris wanted the band to stay together but since Luka was just a tech, he stayed with Frank. “And she’s not gonna be pissed if you hang out with me?” She would be if she knew. The way she watched the both of them when they were all together made Luka twitchy. Like she was seeing things she shouldn’t, except there was nothing to see. Luka loved Dean but he’d tucked his feelings away a long time ago, settling for friendship instead. “Nah, she’s good,” Dean assured him. “Plus, I want to see my good boy.” He crooned the last three words, and Luka swore Frank heard them because his ears perked up. Luka ignored the fact that his heart skipped a few beats too.
Another CSI was just starting when Dean knocked. Frank burst off the couch and rushed to the door like he knew who was on the other side. Once inside, Dean fell to his knees on the carpet and greeted Frank by ruffling his ears and humming Strangers in the Night. This wasn’t enough for Frank, who definitely missed his person. Luka watched from the couch as the human and the dog wrestled for a few minutes—Dean cheating by tickling Frank’s stomach—until Frank couldn’t stand it anymore and had to run circles around the living room with his tail tucked between his legs while Dean lay on the floor laughing his head off. Luka watched the shenanigans with a smile on his face but not really feeling it. What he wanted and what he couldn’t have were the same thing: Dean Blanchett. Ben was right. It was time to go home. It was time to stop wishing for Dean to suddenly wake up and see Luka waiting for him.
Carra's Review
I love best friends-to-lovers stories. Here with In Tune, there is that plus the bi-awakening of a truly oblivious and clueless main character which was a good combination and made for an entertaining read.
I really liked Luka, so it was a bit heartbreaking that his best friend Dean really had no idea about Luka’s feelings for him, and that Luka had to endure Dean continually going through women. And not even ones that made for good matches. Meanwhile, Dean has his own issues on top of his disaster of a love life, mostly in the form of his truly annoying mother and sister. Thank goodness Frank, Dean’s husky dog, was around to help make us all smile.
Up to the point when Luka breaks away from Dean’s crazy life, the story has a bit of angst (expected with this kind of situation). After that, when Dean finally embarks on his relatively short journey of self-discovery, things quickly smooth out.
Overall, In Tune was a pretty quick 4-star read for me. It is a great addition to the Road to Rocktoberfest 2022 series, and if you’re a fan of friends-to-more this will also be a great addition to your library. This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.
About the Author
Elle Keaton writes entrancing, compelling, contemporary gay romance and unputdownable MM romantic suspense. Elle’s books are known for their hot mm romance, complex characters, and unique sense of place.
Elle began publishing in 2017, and now has over twenty-five books available for you to read or listen to. She loves cats and dogs, Star Wars and Star Trek, pineapple on pizza, and has been known to start crossword puzzles with a ballpoint pen. She also travels as much as she can and has a collection of coffee mugs that fills two cupboards.
What happens when I return early from a work trip to find my son throwing yet another party?
Annoyance. Exasperation. Temptation...
I'm tired, yearning for my bed, but I hadn't counted on the games my son and his friends play--or the one person who'd be waiting in my closet after everyone else is gone.
The guy who's been haunting my fantasies lately.
He's too beautiful. Too young. Too off-limits, being one of my son's best friends.
And...on his knees for me.
Oh god.
7 Minutes in Kevin is a son's best friend romance with a bi-curious dad, an androgynous beauty who opens his eyes to a whole new world, and a quirky small town full of people who might lose their minds if they find out just how close these two are getting …
Excerpt - Garrett’s POV
“There’s, uh, someone in the closet. You should probably get them out.”
I glanced at the living room coat closet. “That one?”
Linc nodded and hurried away, a smile playing on his lips. Something about his expression struck me as strange. I turned on my heel and crossed the room to the closet. I pushed open the door but didn’t see anyone immediately. Then a shadow shifted in the back corner.
I stepped inside, the trickle of living room light spilling in to splash over the guy’s face.
“Finally,” he said, tone exasperated.
I blinked as recognition hit me, followed quickly by surprise as he fisted my shirt and yanked me close.
“Kev—” I started to say.
My words were cut short as he went up on his toes, his mouth catching mine. I gasped, shocked to feel his full lips at last, that slender frame pressed tight against me.
Then his tongue swept into my mouth.
That was when my mind shut off and my body took over. I grabbed his face and kissed him back with every ounce of pent-up need I had. Years’ worth of longing and lust poured forth as we stumbled into the back wall, mouths still latched, hands roaming.
I palmed Kevin’s ass, squeezing it with a groan of delight, and he slid his hands under my shirt, caressing my back.
By the time we broke apart, we were both gasping for air, eyes wide with shock.
“You’re not Mark,” Kevin said, stunned. “I mean, of course you aren’t. You’re too tall, and too broad, and too…” He licked his glossy lips, his gaze eating me up, blue eyes shockingly vivid in contrast to his dark eyeliner. “He said he would join me in a minute, but you— You’re not him.”
“No,” I rasped. “I, uh…the party was over, and I heard someone was in here so…”
My eyes lingered on his lips. I couldn’t help myself. I wanted to kiss him again.
Kevin smiled coyly, and it reminded me of an expression I’d only seen on his face once before, when he’d been dressed in drag. It was bold. Flirtatious. Maybe a little challenging.
“We were playing Seven Minutes in Heaven. We’ve only used about two minutes so far. That leaves five more…” He raised an eyebrow. “What do you say, Garrett? Want to play?”
Hearing him say my first name in that tone sent a shiver down my spine. Watching him sink to his knees in front of me destroyed any sensible thoughts I might have had about not crossing lines.
With shaking hands, I unfastened my jeans and watched as the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen licked his shiny red lips.
I’d been hesitant to explore my attraction to men. Something had held me back, and now I knew for certain exactly what it had been.
I’d been waiting for the most beautiful person I’d ever met.
Waiting for Kevin.
Carra's Review
It’s another great entry in this author’s Games We Play series! I love Kevin’s character and how open and true to himself he is. A budding drag queen he may be, but he is also a selfless and thoughtful person always willing to help friends and family when needed. He’s such an easy person to like.
Garrett is Kevin’s best friend’s father, and therein lies the wrinkle in the relationship he and Kevin embark on after they have a steamy but quick encounter thanks to the Seven Minutes in Heaven party game. There’s also that twenty-year age gap to consider, and the fact that Kevin doesn’t conform to gender norms when it comes to how he dresses—makeup and all…and not just when he’s doing drag.
The wonderful thing though is that neither of them cares about all of those things when it comes to each other. They only have eyes for each other, it’s mostly overcoming their own doubts that gets in their way. Thankfully they both have good heads on their shoulders, and a lot of faith in what they each feel for the other. It’s obvious when they’re together that they’re a fantastic match.
7 Minutes in Kevin was a solid 4-star read for me, with my only niggle being that it felt longer than it needed to be to tell the story. That said, this is a really good read and while it’s part of a series and characters from the series do play important supporting roles, you can still read this as a standalone. This story is for readers 18+ for adult language and steamy sexual content.
About the Author
DJ Jamison writes romances about everyday life and extraordinary love featuring a variety of queer characters, from gay to bisexual to asexual. DJ grew up in the Midwest in a working-class family, and those influences can be found in her writing through characters coping with real-life problems: money troubles, workplace drama, family conflicts and, of course, falling in love. DJ spent more than a decade in the newspaper industry before chasing her first dream to write fiction. She spent a lifetime reading before that and continues to avidly devour her fellow authors’ books each night. She lives in Kansas with her husband, two sons, one snake, and a sadistic cat named Birdie.
Release Date: October 20, 2022/November 10, 2022 on Amazon
Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance with a touch of magic, small town romance, holiday romance, coffeeshop romance
Tropes: slow burn, characters with cats, characters with special gifts, home-made family, a touch of hurt / comfort, coffee fixes everything, love and baked goods, you’re never lonely with a cat
Themes: saving each other, we’re all special, finding the courage to start over
Heat Rating: 3 flames
Length: 64 000 words/244 pages
It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger.
You build a house from walls and beams. You make a home with love and dreams.
Blurb
Does Fate Grant Wishes?
Ryan O’Shaughnessy, owner of the Top o’ the Morning Coffeehouse, is convinced of it. Besides brewing the best coffee in Rothcote and baking delicious pastries and cakes, he helps Fate with her errands, never minding that it's always someone else’s turn to catch a bit of happiness. Not until he meets a man who takes his breath away.
Detective Sergeant Ben Hobart has made a career of helping others. He never asks help for himself. Not even when a bad breakup leaves him lonely and with only his cat for company. Until he sets foot into Ryan’s coffeehouse to investigate a break-in and finds what’s missing from his life.
Fate may grant wishes, but she doesn't hand them out for free. Can Ben let go of the past? And will Ryan find the courage to make a wish of his own?
A sexy, slow-burn, mm coffeeshop romance with a touch of magic and a cat.
Excerpt
When the party thinned out, Ben found Ryan, and they escaped from the cheerful uproar into the dark courtyard where the white tree with its single red bauble glowed and glittered.
Ben poked the bauble with a fingertip and watched it swing back and forth. “The first time I saw this, I wondered if it was a signal.”
“I knew you were a clever man.”
“You mean it is a signal?”
“Of course. It’s our way to say that everyone is welcome, whether you’re like everyone else or one of a kind, whether you’re in a crowd or on your own. That’s what hospitality is all about. We always make room for one more. Or two.”
Ben swallowed past the lump in his throat. He reached for Ryan and smiled when Ryan leaned against him with a deep sigh. “Tired?”
“You said it. I could happily sleep standing here.”
“Recovering from exposure isn’t pleasant. And if you fall asleep right now, you’d miss… this.” He didn’t give Ryan a chance to ask. He wrapped his arm around Ryan’s shoulders, drew him close, and kissed him.
Ryan’s lips were dry, and a little rough, but he leaned into Ben’s hold and kissed him back, sharing the taste of cinnamon and custard, and the elusive flavour of Earl Grey tea.
It was the most perfect end to a perfect day.
Ben hadn’t forgotten that they stood in front of a lit Christmas tree, that anyone who cared to peer out into the courtyard could see them, wrapped around each other.
He didn’t mind.
Carra's Review
I was drawn to the concept for this story right away. There’s that touch of supernatural to it, plus a bit of a holiday element too. I liked that the relationship development between the main characters happens at a normal pace without rushing, and that the two of them fit together so well.
Ryan and Ben each help others in their own way; Ryan through his gift and Ben as a detective. Both are single and I would classify them as lonely, though they might push back at that moniker. They’re good for each other, and easily slip into being friends and eventually more. How Ryan’s gift works is not fully clear; he can tell when others need help, but the mechanism of exactly how that help comes to be is not really explained. It’s left as being attributed to “fate”, which for me felt slightly unfinished.
The story itself isn’t rushed, and I did feel at times it felt a little calm and slow. Some uncertainty is added with strange accusations against Ryan by anonymous sources, though to me this aspect of the story just felt like a mechanism to add drama.
There were some strong supporting characters, in particular Ryan’s cousin Alastair whose own story has me on the hook for more in this series thanks to his intriguing character. Just from what we learn about him here I’m already invested in whatever his story will be.
Overall, A Box of Wishes was a 4-star read for me, and I think any M/M romance fan would enjoy reading this. While there is a tiny bit of steaminess, the story concentrates more on relationship and character development, but I’d still say it’s meant for readers 18+.
About the Author
Jackie Keswick was born behind the Iron Curtain with itchy feet, a bent for rocks and a recurring dream of stepping off a bus in the middle of nowhere to go home. She's worked in a hospital and as the only girl with 52 men on an oil rig, spent a winter in Moscow and a summer in Iceland and finally settled in the country of her dreams with her dream team: a husband, a cat, a tandem, a hammer and a laptop.
Jackie loves unexpected reunions and second chances, and men who write their own rules. She blogs about English history and food, has a thing for green eyes, and is a great believer in making up soundtracks for everything, including her characters and the cat.
And she still hasn't found the place where the bus stops.
For questions and comments, not restricted to green eyes, bus stops or recipes for traditional English food, you can find Jackie Keswick in all the usual places:
