One friendship. One heartbreak. One messy past. One open-ended future. One chance to fix regrets. Multiple hurdles to jump.
Rian:
I knew returning home was never going to be easy. I hurt people when I abruptly left seventeen years ago. I hurt my brothers. I hurt the woman I loved. I lost touch with everyone and have missed so much. But running away can’t last forever. It’s time to face my demons and fight for the one person I can no longer live without.
Love:
Everyone knows me as the lovable, bubbly, happy girl. It isn’t untrue. Years ago, I had my heart broken and have hidden just how much that moment destroyed me. Every day that we have been apart has felt like a piece has been missing from me. But when Rian returns, I can’t bring myself to trust her. I can’t pick up the pieces of me that she carelessly broke and pretend everything is okay again.
However, when a story drifts into dangerous territory and someone important gets caught in the crossfire, sometimes you have to let the past stay where it belongs and forge a new future. There will be missteps, and maybe some tears, but fate cannot be stopped.
So, what does fate have in store for us now, and what are the chances we will survive it?
“Sounds like you want to hang around here.”
“I do. I know I’m incredibly late on coming back here, but I do want to make Midsummer my home again. I’ve missed this place. I’ve missed you.”
I watch the impact my words have over Love, and they aren’t necessarily good. She looks gutted by my admission.
“I have to get back.” She holds up her hands that just have tape and no fliers left. “Thanks for keeping me company.”
“Of course. It’s been good to see you. I don’t suppose you’d be interested in hanging out again? I know I hurt you by leaving, but I’d appreciate the chance to tell you my story and, if you are open to it, becoming friends again.”
I want much more than friendship with Love, but I know I have to tread lightly. I have to gain Love’s trust again before I promise her more. If we don’t get this new foundation right, then we’re doomed before we get a chance to start.
Love doesn’t immediately respond, which has my heart jacking up in tempo, but soon, a smile graces her soft lips.
“I’d like that. I’m sure we can make some time next week. I’d love to hear about how the teaching goes. I might have a favor to ask of you.”
“Anything!” I quickly agree, knowing I would still do anything for Love. “And let’s lock next week in. Do you still have my number?”
Over the years, we emailed to keep in touch, though those emails turned few and far between in recent years.
“Will you actually leave your phone on? From memory, you were notorious for letting it die for weeks on end.”
“I traveled far and wide, often in places where electricity wasn’t common. I got used to living without it,” I admit, knowing I wasn’t the best at it when I was a teenager, either. I had to hide even having it from my parents, which meant I couldn’t always leave it out charging.
“Luckily, The Last Resort boasts electricity!”
“Yes, I was very impressed to see many outlets in my room. Very fancy.” I lightly elbow her and smile when she laughs.
“Yeah, I have your number. I’ll text you when I’m free.”
“I look forward to it.” I don’t exactly keep the wistful note out of my tone, and Love sure doesn’t miss it, given her widening eyes and the way they dart to my lips. She looks away quickly, but I catch it.
“It’s good to have you back.” She gives me another hug, though it’s less surprising, and I’m able to focus more on how it feels to have her in my arms and to have her body against mine.
I probably hold on too tightly and certainly for too long, but I can’t help it. I missed Love more than I ever realized, and being back, close to her, is like finally feeling fiery warmth after being out in a wintery storm for years.
She pulls away, and then I watch her walk back in the direction of the hotel. I get the feeling she wants some space, so I let her have it. I have a date to look forward to next week, and I need to make sure it goes off perfectly.
For now, I’m going to go off in search of Reed and tease him relentlessly about the fact that he’s going to be a father to twins.
 | One small town. One hot sheriff. One night of passion. One massive cold shoulder. One murder. One suspect. One chance. I’m furious when my car breaks down in the small, quiet town of Midsummer, Arkansas. Then I meet the incredibly hot town sheriff and hope that things might be looking up. Unfortunately, that encounter sours fast, leaving me ready to put this town in my rearview mirror. That won’t be easy though, since my car has left me stranded here. Now I’m trapped in a town that has nothing to offer me. Or does it? When an opportunity presents itself that could see me staying longer than expected, I begin to notice Midsummer’s charm. I start to wonder if maybe staying won’t be such a bad thing. Even the sheriff is beginning to thaw toward me. That is until someone commits murder and I become the number one suspect. Can I convince everyone I’m not the murderer? Or will the real killer walk free? Authors Note: Stranded is the first book in a steamy m/m romantic mystery series. There are sex scenes between two men, occasional violence and coarse language. It is recommended for readers 18+. While this book ends with the mystery solved, the romance will develop over several books. It is recommended that each book in the series be read in order. Professionally edited and formatted by C&D Editing Word Count: Approx. 69,000 |
 | One jealous sheriff. One pushy Hollywood hunk. One threat. One undeniable attraction. One messy situation. One chance to fix it. I’ve guarded my heart the same way that I’ve guarded my hometown of Midsummer—with unwavering compromise and integrity. I’ve never even once been tempted to let my guard down. That is … until I met Conner Sherwood. It didn’t matter that I swore off all romantic relationships. Or that I wasn’t interested in opening myself up and likely getting hurt. Like a moth to the flame, I can’t resist him. I can’t stop myself from wanting something I shouldn’t. Even pushing him away didn’t stop me from wanting him. Unfortunately, I’m not the only one who wants Conner. He has caught the eye of a Hollywood heartthrob. How can I compete with that? But when Conner starts to receive death threats and an attempt is made on his life, I begin to realize that there is more at stake here than having my heart broken. Conner is in danger being in Midsummer, and whoever is threatening him won’t be satisfied until Conner is no longer breathing. What I know for certain is that I won’t stop until I catch the person responsible for harming the man I’m coming to realize that I cannot live without. Authors Note: Separated is the second book in a steamy m/m romantic mystery series. There are sex scenes between two men, occasional violence and coarse language. It is recommended for readers 18+. While this book ends with the mystery solved, the romance will develop over several books. It is recommended that each book in the series be read in order. Book One: Stranded Book Two: Separated Professionally edited and formatted by C&D Editing Word Count: Approx. 51,000 |
 | One jealous sheriff. One pushy Hollywood hunk. One threat. One undeniable attraction. One messy situation. One chance to fix it. I’ve guarded my heart the same way that I’ve guarded my hometown of Midsummer—with unwavering compromise and integrity. I’ve never even once been tempted to let my guard down. That is … until I met Conner Sherwood. One screaming baby. One too many diaper disasters. One surprise shooter. One victim. One perpetrator. One blast from the past. Having a surprise baby dropped at your doorstep has to be the worst kind of relationship buzzkill in history. Instead of dating, now Rocky and I have shifted into becoming exhausted parents with zero time for any kind of fun. Everything is moving so fast that something has to give. I just hope that something won’t be us. Then, when a shooter comes after Rocky and their aim is a little too close for comfort, important questions need to be answered. Who wants Rocky dead? How far are they willing to go to make it happen? How much luck can one person have before it runs out? And where on earth did Rocky put those spare baby diapers? With someone gunning for not only Rocky but also our relationship, one has to wonder just how many hits we can take before it all falls apart. Authors Note: Stay is the third book in a steamy m/m romantic mystery series. There are sex scenes between two men, occasional violence and coarse language. It is recommended for readers 18+. While this book ends with the mystery solved, the romance will develop over several books. It is recommended that each book in the series be read in order. Book One: Stranded Book Two: Separated Book Three: Stay Professionally edited and formatted by C&D Editing Word Count: Approx. 64,000 |
 | One storm. One Santa Claus. One stalker. One secret. One surprise. One question. One answer. Christmas is meant to be a jolly time of year, right? So, why is everyone acting like the plague is around the corner? Every year, I’m always the grumpy guy. Yet, this year, I might as well be sunshine personified. Conner is definitely hiding something from me, River is unusually moody, and the townspeople have clearly lost their minds. Unfortunately, I can’t arrest everyone in my life and demand they explain themselves … can I? Since my relationship with Conner is becoming more vital to me than ever, I need to find out what has everyone acting so strange. This Christmas will be the first for Conner and me together. I need to make it special. That means I have to ensure nothing can come between us. Not a Hollywood hunk, not a creepy stalker, and definitely not a snowstorm. So, will we make it through our first Christmas together? Or will this end up being the worst day of the year? Authors Note: Secrets is the fourth book in a steamy m/m romantic mystery series. There are sex scenes between two men, occasional violence and coarse language. It is recommended for readers 18+. While this book ends with the mystery solved, the romance will develop over several books. It is recommended that each book in the series be read in order. Book One: Stranded Book Two: Separated Book Three: Stay Book Four: Secrets Professionally edited and formatted by C&D Editing Word Count: Approx. 47,000 |
 | One big day. One missing groom. One answer. One life-changing event. One life-threatening disaster. Multiple targets. Conner: I never pictured myself getting married, but then I met Rocky and knew I found my perfect match. So, why are so many people determined to ruin our happiness? Why can’t we just have some peace and quiet? And why has Rocky disappeared on our wedding day? Rocky: I never thought I would get married again, but that was because I never knew what true love really was until Conner. I never had a true partner who was always there for me. And now I can’t wait to be married to him. I can’t wait to start the rest of our lives together. But, just like our entire relationship has had hurdles, why should this event run smoothly for us? Between sabotage, grabby fans, exes, and an unwanted wedding planner, our wedding is looking more impossible by the minute. However, we’re both determined enough to get down that aisle and say I do. We will be married, and not even a crazed killer will stop us. I hope. Hell, are we going to survive this wedding? Authors Note: Safe is the fifth book in a steamy m/m romantic mystery series, and also the final book for Conner and Rocky. There are sex scenes between two men, occasional violence and coarse language. It is recommended for readers 18+. Each book in the series should be read in order. Book One: Stranded Book Two: Separated Book Three: Stay Book Four: Secrets Book Five: Safe Professionally edited and formatted by C&D Editing Word Count: Approx. 46,000 |
 | One movie star. One bodyguard. One seductive attraction. One deadly obsession. One chance to have it all. One shot to lose it all. Henry: Falling for your bodyguard is so cliché. I cringe at myself sometimes, but then I just have to look at him to understand. How can you not fall for a man like that? Heroic, smart, stubborn, funny, sexy … how could I ever have resisted? Bryan: Falling for your movie star client is incredibly cliché. I have heard of people in my position doing just that and used to scoff at them … but then I got placed as Henry Prince’s bodyguard. Unfortunately, his irresistible charm and undeniably sexy self has claimed me, heart and soul. I have no chance of getting out of this unscathed. Then just as things begin to get red hot, a stalker from the past escapes with the intent to destroy us both. I won’t let anything bad happen to Henry, but what am I supposed to do when potential danger lurks behind every corner, behind every stranger? Will our cliché beginning blossom into something more? Or are we destined for the typical Hollywood crash and burn? Authors Note: Protecting Prince is a standalone story set within the In Midsummer series. It takes place after the fifth book and therefore there will be some spoilers for the previous books as those characters will pop up in this story. Please note this is a m/m romance and therefore there are sex scenes between two men, occasional violence and coarse language. It is recommended for readers 18+. Book One: Stranded (Rocky & Conner) Book Two: Separated (Rocky & Conner) Book Three: Stay (Rocky & Conner) Book Four: Secrets (Rocky & Conner) Book Five: Safe (Rocky & Conner) Book Six: Protecting Prince (Henry & Bryan) Professionally edited and formatted by C&D Editing Word Count: Approx. 47,000 |
Sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteSounds really great
ReplyDeletelove the cover !!
ReplyDeleteThey say you can't go home again but I guess you can, really.
ReplyDeleteJessica Frances is one of my favorite authors. I love her book series, "In Midsummer".
ReplyDelete