Holly Day

J.M. Snyder

Kris T. Bethke

Pat Henshaw

Jamie Craig

A.C. Katt

K.L. Noone

Shawn Lane

Wayne Mansfield

Nell Iris

Ofelia Gränd

2021 Top Ten Gay Romance brings together the best-selling short stories published by JMS Books that year. 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. With stories by Kris T. Bethke, Jamie Craig, Holly Day, Ofelia Gränd, Pat Henshaw, Nell Iris, A.C. Katt, Shawn Lane, Wayne Mansfield, and K.L. Noone, 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! Contains the stories: Gingerbread and Good Tidings by Kris T. Bethke, First and Always by Jamie Craig, Blown Away by Holly Day, Kisses and Cabins by Ofelia Gränd, A Kiss in Time by Pat Henshaw, Wake Him with a Kiss by Nell Iris, A Permanent Arrangement by A.C. Katt, Holly Jolly by Shawn Lane, Ugly by Wayne Mansfield, and Cinnamon and Strawberries by K.L. Noone.

2021 Top Ten Gay Romance

Lucien has been shipwrecked on a remote south Pacific island. For the first few months he is alone. When Edgar arrives, Lucien is elated he finally has someone to talk to, to share experiences with. Through Edgar, Lucien even discovers things about himself he’d long since forgotten. A massive tropical storm brings with it more than wind and rain. It brings a man called Abel. Strangely, when Abel arrives on the island, Edgar disappears. Despite searching for his dear friend, Lucien cannot find him, but the forbidden feelings initially unlocked by Edgar are further explored with Abel, and Lucien finds himself falling in love. Then the cannibals arrive, bringing with them a second shipwreck survivor. What Lucien and Abel witness is unspeakable, but being unarmed and with danger so close, can they themselves survive? Or is their love doomed before it has a chance to blossom?

Under Azure Skies

Sequel to The King's Prize Pan is poisoned and, though he recovers, King Seronisis will not let the matter rest. There is a would-be killer in the palace and the culprit must be brought to justice. An afternoon spent with the royal accountant gives Pan the perfect opportunity to investigate the crime himself. Will he find the person or persons who want him dead? Or is there a deeper secret he runs the risk of uncovering?

The King's Justice

At thirty-nine, Dane has begun to think that life holds no surprises for him. His last relationship was twelve years ago and, apart from a couple of flings, there has been no one special in his life for so long, he has given up even thinking about meeting anyone. His work keeps him busy and he's used to going on holidays by himself or with friends. He hasn't really missed having someone to love, and to love him back. Although sometimes ... One day, he's cleaning the sliding door when he notices movement in the villa next to his. It's his new neighbour. His handsome new neighbour. He pretends he isn't watching the hot, semi-naked man. Later when he bumps into the man, Tassos, he's invited in for a juice. Who is this man?

When You Least Expect It

As Clayton stares mournfully into the full-length mirror, he sees a 48-year-old stranger reflected back, an aging man whose paunch and saggy skin make him hard to recognize as the toned, athletic man he once was. In the youth-obsessed gay world, the older, more unattractive, and more overweight you are, the more difficult it is to find love and companionship. The prospect of having to endure his twilight years alone terrifies Clayton. Then two events occur, both of which impact on his life. The first is the arrival of a new neighbor. Dean is a hot young man in his early thirties -- more than fifteen years Clayton’s junior. That doesn’t stop Clayton from fantasizing about something intimate, and even romantic, happening between them. But in his haste to make his fantasies real, he commits a terrible faux pas. The second, and infinitely more devastating, event is the bombshell dropped by his oldest and best friend, Emmett. Neither he nor Emmett has any way of knowing the end result. But even in their wildest imaginations, they couldn’t come close to guessing the eventual, and wholly surprising, outcome.

Entering Autumn

Brad can’t believe his luck when he finds the perfect place to live at the perfect price. It’s a pity his new landlord Douglas is such a miserable grump. It isn’t long before he wonders if it’s a good idea to be living in such close proximity to such a moody ogre. Fortunately, his life at work is looking up with the arrival of a new employee named Enzo. Brad falls immediately in lust with the hot Italian. They start dating, though it soon becomes apparent there are going to be problems. Enzo starts exhibiting some unlikeable traits and, while Brad finds himself slowly falling in love with the man, he also realizes Enzo has problems not just with commitment, but also with his sexuality. Brad has a dilemma. Does he persist with Enzo, tolerate his bad behavior, and pray for a miraculous, happy ending? Or will the love he seeks come from an entirely different direction?

The Grump

Clay and Vincent are making a life together, and it is working out surprisingly well. They have completely different routines, but so far there have been no hiccups. Even better, the lockdown has come to an end and they can finally go out explore the world together. When a travelling carnival comes to town, Clay takes Vincent for a fun, romantic evening. That is until Vincent thinks he spots Bluekin, the vampire who, without his permission, turned him and then abandoned him all those years ago. Clay takes an immediate dislike to the man. Unfortunately, Bluekin’s feelings for him are the exact opposite. When Bluekin turns up unannounced at the home Clay shares with Vincent, Clay knows things aren’t going to end well. How can he hope to defend himself against Bluekin’s muscular bulk? What will Vincent find when he returns home?

The Visitor 3

Cody has never been lucky in love. In fact, he isn’t feeling very lucky at all. Losing his job and all his money means he has to sell his home. He feels overwhelmed at having to start from scratch again. Cody decides to get away from it all, and retreats to a secluded forest for some peace and quiet. But two days into his journey, he’s hit over the head as he’s emerging from his tent. When he wakes up, he discovers he’s tied to a chair in a dark room. He struggles against his bonds, and when he hears someone approaching, he begins to panic. Who kidnapped him? What do they want from a man who has nothing left?

Tied Up In Knots

For the past twenty years, Dane has taken care of his wealthy Aunt Beatrice. One rainy day, she’s killed in a car accident, and Dane is devastated. When he returns to the large, luxurious home they once shared, he falls into a depression. Lonely, he places an advertisement on Craigslist, in part to find someone to keep the house clean and take care of maintenance, but also to keep him company, as he did Aunt Beatrice. The next morning, Ryan is at his door to claim the job. Soon Dane finds himself falling in love with the handsome handyman. But there’s more to both men than first meets the eye. Secrets and shocks culminate in a decision no one should have to make. Especially without all the answers.

Ryan

Karl and Daniel are driving back to their small farm after celebrating Daniel’s birthday when they strike something in the road. Whatever it is lands on the roof of their pick-up truck. Not keen to find out what it might be, Karl floors the accelerator as Daniel leans out of the window. Despite the light from a full moon, nothing is seen on the road behind them. When they arrive home, their relief is short-lived. As Karl turns into their driveway, Daniel disappears out the window of the truck. Karl hurries after his lover, and manages to catch sight of a dark shape flying through the night sky. Dangling beneath it is his beloved Daniel. Before he can call for help, he's knocked off his feet. A minute later, he finds himself in the air, too, held securely in the grip of a nightmarish beast. The best Karl can hope is both he and Daniel will survive the night, but that might be easier said than done.

Out of Light and Into the Night

Liam’s life could be better. He’s recovering from a divorce and a bitter custody battle, which he loses. He dearly loves his six-year-old son, Lucas, but seeing him every second weekend is never enough. His one salvation is the sea. When he’s sitting on the sand, watching the waves rolling in, he feels at peace, calmed and restored. One day, the waves are particularly high, and the sea particularly rough. He’s surprised to see someone swimming in such choppy seas. When Liam calls out to the man, asking if he needs help, the man simply waves back. Liam thinks he must be an idiot. Little does he know the person he sees is no man, which he discovers two days later. When they meet, Liam is both horrified and fascinated. His curiosity produces a strange attraction that changes their lives irreversibly forever.

The Sound of the Sea

Night falls. Passions are released. Yet human desire isn't the only thing the darkness brings with it. When the moon is high and the land is sleeping, gods descend and transform into men of such beauty, they are irresistible to mere mortals. Vampires hunt, not just for blood but for men worthy enough to join their ranks. And the Devil himself is free to roam and take what he wants from those who don't know any better. Other creatures tread bolder paths. They walk amongst us during daylight hours -- creatures like an ancient demon from the sea, ghosts of pirates long since dead, and a beast of blackbirds whose hunger is not for love or lust, but revenge. Even other worlds are not safe from creatures of the night. Many centuries into the future, man-love is illegal. Men caught coupling with other men are exiled to a verdant planet in whose breathtaking jungles lurks the last of an ancient race. And finally there are the creatures within ourselves. Borne from the desire for youth and beauty, a man can be driven to extreme lengths. He can become a beast as wicked and evil as anything hell can expel. Some men have no control over the beast within, while others endure the wickedness of a curse. One way or another, this book will keep you up until The Stroke of Midnight. Do you dare?

The Stroke of Midnight

When Armand happens to look down into his new neighbour’s yard one night and discovers him lying on his back, staring up at the night sky, he doesn’t know what to think. It doesn’t happen every night, but it happens often enough for Armand’s curiosity to be piqued. When they finally meet, Armand falls instantly in lust with Ben, a dentist with an interest Armand can only describe as out-of-the-ordinary. As they get to know each other, Armand’s feelings towards Ben blossom into love. Yet Ben reveals he has recently come out of a six-year relationship and isn’t quite ready for anyone special in his life. Armand is disappointed but learns to live with the fact he and Ben might only ever be friends. But the future is a strange and wonderful thing. When Armand starts to show a fondness for Ben’s unusual interest, it leads to more than one surprise event.

The Sky at Night

Daniel Greene is an artist with an exhibition coming up which he should be excited about, except he isn’t. He can’t sleep, he has no enthusiasm for social activities, and his constant tears and dark thoughts alarm him. When he’s finally diagnosed with depression, he starts the slow process of resisting the dark lure. One day Oliver Campbell arrives at Daniel’s gate to deliver art supplies. He’s tall and muscular, and for the first time in a long while, Daniel feels there might be light at the end of the tunnel. Yet Oliver has a secret. He has a son, five-year-old Cameron. When he reveals this to Daniel the morning after their first date, Daniel has the courage to reveal his own secret battle with depression. Will these two men be able to accept each other’s secrets and go forward together?

The Darkest Hour

Upon arrival at Barton Prison, Julian is processed and taken to a cell occupied by a prisoner named Gordon, who soon becomes his lover. However, six months later, a jealous guard sends Gordon to another wing of the prison, separating the lovers. Not to be deterred, Julian sends a message to Gordon via Lanky, another prisoner, which starts a long correspondence between them. Through their letters, readers learn more about the two men -- their backgrounds, their secrets, their hopes and dreams. The letters reveal the story of two lovers trapped inside a prison, separated from the world outside and from each other. But prison life is hard. There are bashings and murders. There are corrupt prison officers and violent inmates. How can Julian, who comes from an upper middle-class family and is incarcerated for an accident, hope to survive against such odds, especially when he becomes the target of a particularly corrupt and vicious screw?

Letters from the Inside

Alexander Monroe lives in Grasspatch, a town so small, the founders couldn’t even be bothered thinking up a proper name for it. He works at the newsagency/post office, where his duties include ordering newspapers and magazines, printing Lotto tickets, and delivering the mail. One morning he has to deliver a parcel to the mysterious Mr Christian O’Neill, who lives in an oddly-shaped mansion on the outskirts of town. Not much is known about Mr O’Neill, although there is certainly an abundance of rumours -- a faded rock star, a media-shy actor. Alexander can’t wait to find out the answers for himself. Rather than being odd, Christian turns out to be the most interesting person Alexander has ever met. In fact, he asks to come back, and with each consecutive visit, he learns more and more about Christian, and about the power of the mind and the wonders visualisation can bring. But even as Alexander learns how to get what he thinks he wants, he loses Christian. Is it too late to find him again? And if he does, will what they had still be there?

Wayne Mansfield

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