Byron, PhD student and waistcoat admirer, knows about yearning and betrayal. It's been four years since the love of his life, Ruben, walked off without explanation. Byron dreams of midnight sex he can't fully remember and a beloved man with dancing eyes. If only Ruben would return… But life moves on. At least it did until you-know-who unexpectedly pitches a tent in the garden, provoking ghosts from the past as well as Byron's aching heart.Ruben understands how to push Byron's butto...

What's a butch to do? Ignore everything she believes or listen to her heart?Shelly is a straight-talking gardener who doesn't believe in anything she can't see. Give her a square patch of earth, and she'll bring it to life. Hand over a power drill, and Shelly can knock together a fancy bedroom in under a day. Physical tasks are easy. If only people were as straightforward!The problems arise when she begins work on a garden near the sea. The owner insists the property has a ...

A gangster's life is hard. As the youngest son of a Chicago mobster lord, Fionn O'Grady is no stranger to crime, even though he's clean and renowned for kissing rather than fighting. It's a lonely life for a pizza-loving redhead. All he's ever wanted is an easy-going boyfriend who doesn't take life too seriously. It's too bad that no man will date him because of his family.Trouble comes when a UK undercover cop infiltrates the O'Grady mansion. According to the family, it's up to Fi...

According to ancient rhymes, the islanders of Ansar and Skarle are children of the volcano, born of fire and destined to be lovers. After the eruption, the prophecies are forgotten as all are forced to flee. Nobody cares about silly nursery rhymes now, certainly not Jalob.When shy medic Jalob Baleine heads to war, it isn’t for romance. She only wants to help refugees who have no home or allies. Because they are kin. Jalob was born under the same glowering volcano, on an idyllic isl...

Mave Kitten is ecstatic when she lands a dream job as a paranormal journalist for a local newspaper, the Echo. It's a chance in a lifetime for a neurodivergent Witch. She's a little nervous about the boss, leather-clad motorcyclist Lisa Blonde. But Lisa's got a heart of gold, and Mave soon settles into her new role. There's even an office cat to help out. Only one tiny problem remains—Lisa doesn't believe in the paranormal. How is Mave to change her mind?Her Little JokeMave...

Cora 'I am all that I need' Richards has a prison reputation for being an ice queen. She exists via a strict code of survival: people equal pain—the end. Surprises lead to disappointment; therefore, Cora won't tolerate the unexpected. Friends? No. Lovers? Never. A hollow nighttime ache in her chest is bothersome, true, but the issue certainly isn't caused by loneliness. Cora knows who she is and what she isn't. She gladly accepts a placement at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, not to meet the...

A knocking. A ringing. A steady drip-drip-drip. These are the sounds that haunt us. Drive us mad. Draw us in like the songs of sirens, hypnotic and deadly. And we must either give in, or resist with everything we have…and hope it's enough.Listen: The Sound of Fear offers ten stories written exclusively by trans and nonbinary authors that explore the chilling, perplexing, terrifying nature of sound.Kill Your Darlings. When two shop workers in 1894 New York discover a haunted...

Downtrodden charity worker Brenda can't believe her luck when she gets a new job on a medical trial. It's a dream position with a generous wage—almost too good to be believable. Life has never been better…Until Brenda discovers some concerning facts about the company facilitating the trial. Why is FixMe so impatient for results? She keeps telling her manager you can't change lives overnight, but Thomas doesn't listen.She should have noted the red flags.Fort...

Poor Valeri! With no job or girlfriend, the new year starts badly. Her flat's a mess and she's broke. She dismisses a job advert for a pest controller as the worst idea ever. Valeri is scared of spiders and bugs and isn't great with rodents, either. When she sees a creepy crawlie, she's forced to ask for help from the grumpy girl next door, Pippa. Pest controller? Nope. Until Valeri notices an image of the uniform ... gold catsuit and matching bracelets. Before she can think better, Valeri...

The rules for ex-undercover cops are clear: No girlfriend, no sex, no snuggles—too risky for everyone concerned. After a year of spying on gangsters, tough Charlie couldn't agree more. She doesn't want a girlfriend or a relationship; she only needs power tools and a job in her brother's bike shop.Still, it's difficult to leave the past behind. Charlie feels bad about betraying the gangster's trust. Guilt comes with the job. So what? When a gorgeous gin artist becomes a neighbour, w...

A snowy story of healing, birds, and the magic of connection.The Wall? Who gives a snowman's kiss about when the wars ended, or who built the divide that goes all the way around the planet? Whatever!All anyone cares about is Christmas, when one lucky person gets to date someone from the other side. Who will it be this year?Eighteen-year-old Kite Ripples loves birds, animals, and gazing at stars. He's a good brother to leader, Mal. Mostly. As teacher, it's K...

Sugar, ice, and bumps in the night…After a thrilling year of ghost-whispering, monster-chasing, and blogging for the Echo, Mave Kitten is keen to abandon her witchy hat for a well-earned break. Snowflakes are drifting in; the office is stuffed with fruit cake. How to win the pub karaoke without cheating (too much) is all that's left to worry about.Aside from fiddling the office's debts and choosing a suitable karaoke costume, Lisa Blonde is also ready for the party season, ...