Short Stories/Novellas

Nothing cracks Army Ranger "Stone Man" Vic Black's granite front. A mission to retrieve an injured Navy SEAL from the treacherous mountains of Afghanistan is all in a day's work -- until he learns the missing SEAL is his former lover. This time it's personal. (This short story was previously published in the Because of the Brave anthology.)

It’s the Roaring Twenties. Skirts are short, crime is rampant, and booze is in short supply. Prohibition has hit Little Egypt where newspaper man David Flynn has come to do a follow-up story on the Herrin Massacre. But the massacre isn’t the only news in town. Spiritualist Medium Julian Devereux claims to speak to the dead--and he charges a pretty penny for it. Flynn knows a phony when he sees one, and he’s convinced Devereux is as fake as a cigar store Indian. And he’s absolutely right. But when Julian begins to see bloodstained visions of a serial killer, the only person he can turn to for help is the cynical Mr. Flynn.

“A fun and flirty story . . . I can’t resist a good romance between a staid lawman and a cheeky, sly thief and Josh Lanyon delivers that and more.” — Joyfully Reviewed (Recommended Read) On the eve of the new millennium, diamond thief Noel Snow seduced FBI special agent Robert Cuffe, then fled into the dawn. Now a successful novelist, Noel uses his capers as fodder for his books, and has modeled his hero’s nemesis (and potential love interest) on Cuffe. Though he leaves Robert a drunken phone message every New Year’s Eve, Noel hasn’t seen or heard from him in a decade. So he’s thrilled when his former lover shows up at his upstate farm one Christmas Eve. Elation quickly turns to alarm when Robert accuses Noel of being responsible for a recent rash of diamond heists. Robert is all business and as cold as ice: it seems his only interest in Noel is to put him behind bars. Innocent of the crimes, and still as attracted as ever to the oh-so-serious lawman, Noel plans a second seduction—providing he can stay out of jail long enough! “The story was sweet in the men’s awkwardness but it was a step toward what could be and it was very heart-warming.” — Book Binge

Recovering from a near fatal accident, artist Finn Barret returns to Seal Island in Maine to rest and recuperate. But Seal Island is haunted with memories, some sweet, some sad; three years ago Finn found his lover in the arms of Fitch, Finn's twin brother. Since that day, Finn has seen neither Conlan nor Fitch. In fact, no one has seen Fitch. What happened to him? Did Fitch run away, as everyone believes? Or did he meet a more sinister fate? To put the past to rest - and see if there's any chance of a future with Con - Finn must discover the truth. But the deeper he digs, the more reason he has to fear Con is the only one who knows what truly happened to Fitch.

Growing up in rural Texas, Mitchell Evans's ambition to be a dancer made him a target. Though he found success in New York City, Mitch is at a crossroads, and heads home for the first time in twelve years to figure things out. When what appears to be a reindeer jumps out in front of his car, he drives off the road and into the path of the one man he hoped to avoid. The last person Texas Ranger Web Eisley expects to see four days before Christmas is his first love. He hasn't seen Mitch since they quarreled over coming out to their friends and family years ago. Though he's not in the closet now, Web has worked hard for the respect of his fellow officers, but he still regrets the loss of Mitch in his life. And his bed. The attraction between them is as strong as ever, and it doesn't take long for the men to pick up where they left off. But is love enough to keep Mitch in town in the New Year? 26,000 words

You're future lies in the Cards... Fifty years ago, a glamorous Hollywood party ended in murder—the only clue a bloody Tarot card. Timothy McShay is not the first journalist to dig into the details of what really happened that long-ago summer's night, and he's not deterred by the grim fate of his predecessor. Tim has a book to write. But when a Tarot card turns up pinned to his front door, Tim recognizes the warning for what it is. He needs help—and the only person he can turn to is his ex-lover, Detective Jack Brady.

Yesterday is but today's memory, and tomorrow is today's dream. He was chuckling, a deep, sexy sound as he pushed Peter back on the satiny cushions. Was this for real? Was he going to go through with it? Peter blinked up as his tie was unfastened, tossed aside, his shirt unbuttoned, laid wide. The evening breeze—scented of smog and jasmine—felt cool against his overheated skin, like the lightest breath… Peter Killian, curator at Constantine House in Los Angeles, wakes in the hospital to find himself accused of stealing a Tenth Century Chinese sculpture. Peter knows he’s not a thief—but that’s all he knows. The rest of his memory is MIA. Nothing makes sense, including why is handsome hardass LAPD Detective Mike Griffin so sure he’s guilty—and so bent on seeing Peter arrested? As if all that wasn’t confusing enough, why in the world is Peter having these weird dreams about an unseen lover who somehow reminds him uncomfortably of Detective Griffin?

Part-time parapsychologist Professor Rhys Davies is writing a book on California hauntings. He believes a visit to the crumbling ruins of Berkeley House on the northern California coast will make a terrific chapter--and help him get over a bad romantic breakup. The only problem is gaining access to the house and grounds of Berkeley House. Self-appointed caretaker, big, brooding Sam Devlin is turning out to be one heck of an obstacle. But you know what they say. The bigger they are, the harder they fall...

Nash didn't believe in love until it was too late. Now he's looking for reasons, for answers, for meaning. Sometimes the truth is right in front of you the whole time. (This 10K+ short story is also available as part of the In Sunshine or In Shadow anthology)

Connor loves teaching. He loves working with kids, he loves feeling like he’s making a difference. And the kids—and parents—seem to love him. Until the afternoon he makes a small error in judgment, and an angry father’s thoughtless comments start the kind of rumor that destroys careers. And lives. Everything Connor thought he knew about himself and his world is now in doubt. But sometimes help comes from the most unexpected direction.

Talk about Kitchen Nightmares! TV Chef Rocky and Foodie Blogger Jesse have been pals forever, so it should have been the most natural thing in the world to kick their relationship up a notch. Instead, it turned out to be a disaster. But Christmas is the season of love, and someone’s cooking up a sweet surprise… (This story can also be found in the COMFORT AND JOY anthology)

Clever and ambitious, Special Agent Adam Darling (yeah, he's heard all the jokes before) was on the fast track to promotion and success until his mishandling of a high profile operation left one person dead and Adam "On the Beach." Now he's got a new partner, a new case, and a new chance to resurrect his career, hunting a cruel and cunning serial killer in a remote mountain resort in Oregon. Deputy Sheriff Robert Haskell may seem laid-back, but he's a tough and efficient cop -- and he's none too thrilled to see feebs on his turf -- even when one of the agents is smart, handsome -- and probably gay. But a butchered body in a Native American museum is out of his small town department's league. For that matter, icy, uptight Adam Darling is out of Rob's league, but that doesn't mean Rob won't take his best shot.

Christmas on Catalina Island—it’s just what the doctor ordered. Injured in the line of duty, FBI Special Agent Shane Donovan is longing for a few days of peace and quiet. Some nice meals, a couple of good books, and maybe a bottle of the best. No family, no friends, no fa la la la la …just a little time on his own to think things through. But an offshore storm, a geriatric treasure hunter, and the guy who dumped him without a word two years earlier are about to unwrap all Shane’s carefully laid holiday plans

Three years ago investigative reporter Parker Davidson barely survived a brutal attack by his psychopathic ex-boyfriend. It’s given him a dim view of romance. When Parker’s ex escapes from a maximum security prison, LAPD Lieutenant Henry Stagge is tasked with making sure that Parker doesn’t end up a victim a second—and final—time. Most cops believe Parker got what he deserved, but over the course of a few very tense hours, Henry begins to wonder if there’s more to Parker than he thought. Second chances happen in the strangest places—and at the strangest times.

Best of Enemies, Worst of Allies—and Now the Killer is After Them ! When the notorious author of sure-to-be scandalous roman à clef is shot dead by an invisible assailant during a signing at Concord’s staid and stately Marlborough Bookstore, it falls—for reasons still hard to explain—to feuding mystery authors Felix Day and Leonard Fuller to solve a real life murder. Despite the fact that they’re technically both suspects, it’s the perfect opportunity for Felix and Len to match wits and sleuthing skills. But while they’re busy trying to outsmart (and impress) each other, a ruthless murderer is closing in on our two intrepid investigators…

Finn loves Blair. Blair loves Finn too, but he’s not *in love* with him. How can you be in love with someone you’ve known your entire life? Shouldn’t *in love* feel...different? Newer. Bigger. More…exciting? Sure, maybe Blair is too romantic—but wasn’t Finn the one who always said there were plenty of fish in the sea?

When his enigmatic partner takes off on an annual fishing trip, City of Angeles gumshoe Barry Fitzgerald is left to handle an All Hallows’ Eve kidnapping case on his own. The victim? A murdered millionaire’s penny-pinching son and heir. The culprit? That’s where it gets tricky. According to the missing man’s sister, vampires are behind Patrick O’Flaherty’s disappearance. Barry doesn’t believe in ghosts, goblins or vampires, but when the case goes—literally—to hell…well, who you gonna call?

For the last fourteen years, former celebrated Boy Detective Merle Madison has been trying to build a grown-up career for himself as a private investigator. There are just two problems: there’s not a lot of serious crime in the small town of Hayvenhurst—and Police Chief Isaac Ramsay keeps denying Merle’s application for a PI license. Merle and Isaac have history, some good and some bad, so when someone seems determined to put Merle out of business—permanently—he naturally turns to his former sidekick for help. But Isaac’s days of playing second fiddle to a Junior Sherlock Holmes are long past. In fact, Merle will be lucky if Isaac doesn’t kill him himself.

To live and draw in L.A. Now living in L.A. with former Navy SEAL Nick Reno, artist Perry Foster comes to the aid of elderly, eccentric horror film star Horace Daly when he's set upon my skeleton-clad assailants wielding swords. Then it really gets weird... Horace owns the creepy, run-down Hollywood hotel Angels Rest, rumored to be haunted. But as far as Perry can tell, the scariest thing about Angels Rest is the cast of crazy tenants--one of whom seems determined to bring the final curtain down on Horace--and anyone else who gets in the way.

Home is where the heart is? Miles Tuesday’s memories of Montreal are happy ones, but now that he has inherited the mansion at 13 Place Braeside, everything feels different. Was Madame Martel’s fatal fall really an accident? And who is stealing her treasures? One thing has not changed: Miles still wants handsome and sophisticated art dealer Linley Palmer to have a place in his life. (This novella was previously published as part of the FOOTSTEPS IN THE DARK anthology)

A new short story from Josh Lanyon! “Maybe you’ll be next, Mr. Busybody!” From well-respected investigative journalist to resident busybody. When former crime reporter Michael’s elderly friend Maurice suddenly disappears, he fears the worst. But Michael is unable to investigate, and no one is taking his suspicions seriously—least of all Nico, Maurice’s too slick, too smooth, possibly guilty boyfriend. The only person Michael can think of who might listen is Leonard Drake, now a Lieutenant Detective with NYPD. In fact, this excuse to contact his ex might just be what Michael has been waiting three years for.