New reviews for Once Upon a Fairy Tale

We hope everybody had a wonderful holiday! It was a bountiful one for AmberPax authors as a number of great reviews came out for the Once Upon a Fairy Tale pax.

Lucy at Hearts on Fire Reviews gave Rick R. Reed's Beau and the Beast 5 hearts and said, "...this short story is as close to a perfect fairy tale as I’ve read."

At Literary Nymphs Reviews, Chocolate Minx called Griff and Ash by D.J. Manly a "superb dark fantasy."

Tam at Tam Reads, Writes & Rambles said Waking the Prince by Shawn Lane was "a treat."

At Hearts on Fire Reviews, Don liked both characters of Deirdre O'Dare's Hanson and Graber: The Price of Magic "for both their innocence and determination."

If you liked That Old Gang of Mine...

One of the best parts about the AmberPax collections is the wide variety of stories that can arise from a single theme. If you liked That Old Gang of Mine, there's even more at Amber Allure that might interest you.

I Remember You is a collection of five m/m stories, ranging from action/adventure to mystery to straight-up contemporary, all centered around the theme of reunions. Stories include:

Copperhead Road by T.D. McKinney & Terry Wylis

Forget Me Knot by Adrianna Dane

I'm Sorry by Christiane France

Jake's Regret by Shawn Lane

Still, Life by Vivien Dean

Who knows? You just might discover a new-to-you author, writing on a theme that you love.

That Old Gang of Mine winner

It's the end of our first full week, which means it's also the end of our giveaway. The winner of the complete That Old Gang of Mine pax is...

Tiggybubba!

If you could please email me at vivien_dean@yahoo.com, we'll get that to you as soon as possible!

More about Wallflowers

This was my first time participating in a PAX (yes, amber got one of the few cherries I have left!) and I enjoyed it. It’s a neat concept – having five authors writing from a common theme, but obviously the stories wind up being quite different.

The theme of That Old Gang of Mine was appealing to me, because I enjoy the trope of old lovers meeting again unexpectedly and maybe not being as over each other as they’d assumed they were.

Wallflowers also has a blind character in it and it was really neat imagining what effect that would have on all the other senses – would sex be better because you weren’t looking, just feeling and smelling and hearing?

Ryan Coulter is a sports science graduate, who's deep in the closet. Returning to his college town to be in a frat buddy's wedding, he discovers he still has feelings for his old college lover, Daniel James Delout. Too bad he's still in the closet and DJ most definitely is not, the main reason why they broke up in the first place. To complicate matters further, DJ is now blind, and is, somehow, almost maddeningly Zen about the blindness, Ryan, everything.

Can Ryan ignore his stronger than ever attraction to DJ and just get through the rehearsal, wedding and reception? Does he even want to? And what happens if he and DJ do reconnect? After all, he¹s still in the closet, right?

*_*_*_*

Adult excerpt:

He dumped his bag in his room, pocketed the key, and knocked on DJ’s door.

“Ryan?”

“Yeah, it’s me.” It was a little unreal, being in a hotel room with DJ.

“Come on in.” The lights were off and the curtains closed, the room super dark. Walter woofed at him, softly, the sound almost friendly.

“Hi, Walter. Is it okay to pet him?” He knew it wasn’t always okay to pet a working animal. “And can I turn on the light?”

“Absolutely. He’s not working and sure. I couldn’t find the switch.”

“It’s over here, on the wrong side of the door.” He took DJ’s hand and showed him where the switch was and they flipped it on together. He told himself he was ignoring the way his hand seemed to tingle where their skin touched.

“Thanks, Ry.” DJ smiled, and the man was right there, so kissable.

He blinked at the thought and froze for a half second. Then he groaned, and pressed their lips together. DJ went stiff, hands flailing for a second before they found his shoulders. His own hands found DJ’s trim waist, slid around it. Oh, fuck. He was kissing Daniel James Delout. Again.

It was just as hot as he’d remembered, on those nights where he jacked himself in the dark, lost in memories. Moaning into the kiss, he slid his tongue along Daniel’s lips, begging entrance. Those sweet, hungry lips opened up to him, let him in, let him taste. That had him moaning again; no one had ever tasted as good as DJ.

DJ’s hands moved, slowly, down his arms, the touch burning, heated, and he felt like he was starving for it. He leaned forward, gently pushing DJ up against the wall, his prick firming up quickly.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” DJ murmured the words against his lips, so soft.

“Yes.” It was the first thing that popped into his head, and out of his mouth. It was the truth. No matter what else happened, he still loved DJ and he still wanted the man. Badly.

And what if DJ didn’t?

Gasping, he took a half step back. “But if you don’t…”

“Honey, I’m willing to have a nice, friendly fuck. I won’t out you.”

“Shh.” He didn’t want to talk about it. He didn’t want to think about it. He just wanted to feel, he wanted to touch and to kiss and to have DJ in his arms. He closed their lips together again, hands moving around to grab DJ’s ass. DJ dived in, the kiss sure and confident, hands cupping his face. He pulled DJ to him, the long, slender body fitting just like he remembered.

DJ’s fingers moved over him, like the man was mapping him. A part of him wanted to hump madly against the wall, but a bigger part wanted him to take his time, to explore and enjoy, so he started slowly walking them back toward the bed.

“Don’t let me fall.”

“Won’t.” He had DJ.

DJ nodded and held onto him until they hit the mattress.

They sat together and he started working DJ’s clothes off, fingers finding the man’s buttons and pulling them out of their holes. DJ’s fingers traced his lips, his jaw. He chased them with his mouth, nipping at them. Oh, fuck, this felt better than anything had in so long.

“Stop it, man. Let me see you.”

“What?” It took him a minute to figure out what DJ had meant by that. “Oh. Sorry.” God, he kept screwing up.

“Don’t apologize. I just…I want to see if you look the same.” DJ winked. “You’ve gotten more nervous.”

“It’s been seven years and I was an ass. Plus I did slam your head against the car window back there…” He was lucky DJ wasn’t calling him a fucking coward asshole and kicking him to the curb.

“I learned that you can’t make someone come out. Kiss me again.”

Ryan decided to just shut up and do as DJ asked. He brought their mouths together and focused on how good the kiss was.

Sean Michael

Smut fixes everything

www.seanmichaelwrites.com

*_*_*_*

Available now at Amber Allure.

If you'd like the chance to win the entire pax collection, just leave a comment on today's post. On Saturday, a winner will be picked at random from all the comments made this week on the blog. Comment on all five, and that's five chances to win!

The Story Behind the Story: DOORS OF TIME by KC Kendricks

One of the biggest blessings in my life has been living in a small community. Life in the country has made me who I am today. Maybe city slickers would consider me a “hick” because I still ride my bicycle and I still play in the creek, but simple country pleasures are deeply ingrained in my way of life. That's not to say that we don't have our share of culture. There are several larger towns within easy driving distance of my home. In fact the District of Columbia and Baltimore, Maryland, are each about an hour and a half drive away, depending on traffic.

When I was growing up, my parents were more than willing to drive my girlfriends and me into town on Saturday afternoons for a movie, and the place we frequently went was the Maryland Theatre. My friends and I were bad moviegoers- we talked a lot - and I’ve noticed teenage girls haven’t changed much since the 1970s. But all that aside, the Maryland Theatre was a special place for all of us.

I remember the day in 1974 the Maryland Theatre burned. Living on the side of the mountain way we do, we could see the smoke as it blanketed the town. A few quick phone calls to relatives living in town got us the story on what happened. An arsonist did the dirty work in the night. We weren't sure how badly the theater was damaged but as it turned out the fire had burned to the front of the building. What came after when the building sat empty and open to the elements was just as destructive as the blaze. For all intents and purposes the Maryland Theatre was gone.

But now remember when I said what a blessing it is to live in a small community? A local funeral director bought the building to save it from being demolished for the one million bricks the structure held. A community group got to work on restorations, and in 1978 the Maryland Theatre reopened in all her neoclassical glory and she remains open to this day. She is now home to the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, and the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts, as well as hosting musical productions and shows such as Ron White's Comedy Tour.

The creative process is often a mystery. I don't know why I thought about the Maryland Theatre when I sat down to plan the story, Doors of Time. But like with many of my stories all I needed was that one little kernel for the characters to spring to life. So there's a little bit of real life in this one, and at the heart of it sits the old movie house and the echoes of friendships forged that have lasted a lifetime. I hope you'll enjoy Doors of Time.

*_*_*_*

Calvin Lawson arrived in Clear River to rebuild bridges with his ailing father, not hook up with Emory Fleming, although being an honest man, he has to admit Emory’s on his mind. But first things first, and before he goes looking for his boyhood friend, he needs to find a restoration project to generate personal income so he’s not sponging off his father. Gutted by an arsonist, the Clocktower Theatre, affectionately called the Time by everyone in town, is in dire need of his special skills.

As an on-the-air journalist, Emory Fleming is making a name for himself and getting noticed. He’s back in Clear River at the local network affiliate, preparing for the move up to a major market in a few years. When Calvin Lawson rolls back into town, Emory’s stunned. The old pal he worked with at the Time kept a big secret - he’s gay. All the fantasies Emory had as a teenager about Calvin suddenly become real as he and Calvin reconnect and quickly become lovers.

Calvin’s planned restoration of the Clocktower Theatre may not be a practical possibility. He has to secure a lot of funding to do the job properly, and money is tight everywhere. When Emory’s big break comes faster than anticipated, Calvin sees only one option - step aside so Emory will accept the job he’s always wanted. It doesn’t take for Emory long to figure out why Calvin walked out, and put in action a plan to win him back before the doors of time close between them permanently.

*_*_*_*
Available now at Amber Allure.

If you'd like the chance to win the entire pax collection, just leave a comment on today's post. On Saturday, a winner will be picked at random from all the comments made this week on the blog. Comment on all five, and that's five chances to win!

KC Kendricks
website at: http://www.kckendricks.com
blog: http://www.kckendricks.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks
mailing list at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/betweenthekeys
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1989106.K_C_Kendricks
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Kc-Kendricks/1439574042
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kckendricks

Another taste of Choices

‘Choices’ is my first Pax release and I can still remember how good it felt when I received the invitation to write for the Pax collections. I also remember how many ideas I trawled through before I found one that I wanted to work on. I know from experience how choices – good and bad – can affect one’s life and having made a spectacularly bad one once I know precisely what I’m talking about! Luckily I was able to work my way past that and get my life back on what for me equates to an even keel.

Here’s another glimpse into my novella, ‘Choices’:

*_*_*_*

Everything seemed to have come to a head in his life over the last few weeks, with a promotion at work, a new place to live and the acceptance he most definitely and exclusively liked guys.

With a contented smile, James pulled open the drawer in the hall table and started sorting through it, tossing stuff he no longer wanted into the waste bin and placing things he wanted to keep in the small cardboard box. Stuffed under the take-out leaflets at the right side of the drawer, he found an envelope. He frowned, not remembering how it got there. He was surprised to see it was unopened and, turning it over, he immediately recognized the writing as Ben’s. He glanced at the post date and realized he’d had it for over six months and had never even opened it.

He remembered coming home from work late one evening, with just enough time to get changed and meet a date for dinner. There had been a few letters waiting for him and he’d just chucked them in the hall table drawer to read the next day. Which he had done, or thought he had. Somehow, when he removed the envelopes, this one had been left behind and it must have eventually become mixed in with the menus, until it ended up at the bottom of the pile.

With a sense of guilt, it occurred to James he hadn’t received any more letters from Ben. He had written regularly since James had left, tailing off to once a month over the last year, clearly in response to James’ increasingly dilatory letter writing habits. With a twinge of guilt, James admitted he could hardly remember the last time he had written to Ben. Obviously, Ben had had enough and stopped writing. James’ guilt jumped up a notch.

*_*_*_*
Available now at Amber Allure.

If you'd like the chance to win the entire pax collection, just leave a comment on today's post. On Saturday, a winner will be picked at random from all the comments made this week on the blog. Comment on all five, and that's five chances to win!

Have you played CHASE THE ACE?

This is my first contribution to the Pax Collections - and what a great opportunity it is! I've read collections in the past as an avid reader, and I was thrilled to be invited to join in this Party. It's been both fun and empowering - though always well managed by both Amber Quill Press and the group itself :). I loved the idea of five authors bringing five different interpretations to the one theme.

That Old Gang of Mine was the first theme to catch my eye. It's always been fascinating to me to see how people I knew long ago have ended up today. Many are still totally recognisable, the same as they always were, following the dreams and plans they had as teenagers. And some have changed so significantly it's a shock - either pleasant or disturbing.

Time moves on for us all, but I've dedicated this novella to "everyone's happy memories" and that's what the story is about. Dan is looking for adventure and thinks he might find some answers in following up his friends from a teenage sports club, many summers ago. He has fond memories from that time - and maybe a few questions, too. With the support and companionship of his new - and attractive - friend Nick, he sets out on his Quest :).

And Chase the Ace? It's a childhood card game that I used to play, that I imagined Dan and his friends played at that sports club on rainy days. It's all about chasing the lowest card around the group so you never end up with it, thereby losing the game. And if you read the story, you'll find out why Chase the Ace is a critical part of Dan's Quest - and one particular game has strong and secret memories for him!

Have you ever wondered what happened to particular friends or acquaintances from long ago? And more interestingly - have you ever acted on that curiosity? Feel free to share it with us!

Clare London

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


As a Release Day treat, here's another glimpse of the story that you saw here FIRST! :D

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“So tell me about Gerry. You met him at SSSC, right? What was he like?”

“Gerry?” The idea of describing him was intriguing. “He was very good at football but he was always messing around so he got left as a reserve for most of our local matches. But he was a good supporter and kept us entertained with jokes. He had a really wicked sense of humour. Everyone liked him, or if they didn’t, he never seemed to care. When we had more artistic sessions—music, drama—he was always the best. He was very bright. But apparently he’d been excluded from school several times, and he wasn’t going back after that summer. He told us he was dating an older man, who was getting him a great job in show business.” I glanced around the Sea Spray bar with its slightly dusty picture rails and scuffed chair legs. “Maybe that’s still a work in progress.”

“He was out, then?”

“I think he was trying, if you know what I mean. We were sixteen. We didn’t talk frankly about things like that, so he never got to put a name to it. I’m not sure he was bothered about that, anyway. He was just…Gerry. But we knew Gerry with his older boyfriend was closer to us than the other boys and their lusting over the female netball coach.”

Nick grinned and gestured at my glass. “Another drink?”

I was surprised to find we’d finished the bottle between us already. We ordered a selection of bar snacks including nachos and mini samosas, ordered more wine, and agreed to split the bill. I hadn’t realised how hungry I was—we demolished the lot while we went on chatting about school, and the SSSC, and what Nathan was doing nowadays, and how Nick had built up his business after doing work experience with a local architect. Before I was even aware of how much time had passed, we started to see bustling behind the curtain. The spotlights clicked on and off in testing, and we heard a hum of excitement building around the room.

The music started, a fanfare on the PA system. I had to lean over toward Nick to see between two large men at the table in front of us, one of whom was wearing a huge blonde Marilyn Monroe wig for some reason. A young man in top hat and tails slipped through the opening of the curtains at the back of the stage. He wore a dress shirt and bow tie over a pair of sparkling green shorts—perfectly named for their brevity over a very fine, tight pair of buttocks—and he called the room to order.

“Gentlemen, ladies, and our very awesome others! Welcome to the Sea Spray tonight for our much maligned yet persistently praised floor show. And tonight’s mistress of ceremonies will be—”

“We want Dina!” yelled a squeaky-voiced young man in a mesh shirt from the other side of the room. Everyone laughed and the announcer bowed in his direction.

“And you shall have her. May I introduce the star who will shine your way through the programme tonight.” He waved his hand back toward the curtain. Someone tweaked it from behind, getting ready to sweep it open.

Nick put his hand on my arm and whispered, “Dan…”

“The lovely, the lascivious, the loquacious diva—our own Burly Chassis—our darling Dina!”

The star of the show swept through the curtain, dressed in purple sequins from neck to toe, the sumptuous dress fitting closely over high, shapely breasts, skimming over the waist and down over slim hips to a swirl of feathers around her feet. Down one side was an outrageous split from thigh to ankle, showing a strong and shapely leg. Her makeup was stage-heavy but sexy, her mouth a wide pout and her eyes sparkling under thick lashes. Her hair was a high pile of artfully-styled dark curls, a la Bassey herself. The crowd was cheering, some of them on their feet and whistling appreciation. Dina was obviously a popular favourite.

“I know,” I whispered back to Nick, who’d obviously guessed a few seconds before I did. “I can see.” The way that Dina tossed her head at the audience’s adulation; the way she winked and blew a kiss to the young man in the mesh shirt… I recognised the gestures even though I hadn’t seen them for twelve years. Gerry had come out in a rather spectacular and star-spangled way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Available now at Amber Allure.

If you'd like the chance to win the entire pax collection, just leave a comment on today's post. On Saturday, a winner will be picked at random from all the comments made this week on the blog. Comment on all five, and that's five chances to win!

LATEST PAX RELEASE - That Old Gang of Mine

Visit the links to take advantage of our

That Old Gang of Mine  An AmberPax™ Collection of Reunions Gay Erotic Romance  by Various Authors  Genre: Gay (M/M) Erotic Romance  Cover Copyright ©2012 by Trace Edward Zaber

Included in this collection of erotic romance...
(For more information on each title, or to purchase separately, click on the book covers below!)

Chase the Ace by Clare London Novella (Gay/Contemporary)

Choices by Stevie Woods Extended Amber Kiss (Gay/Contemporary)

Doors of Time by KC Kendricks Novella (Gay/Contemporary)

Just Between Us by Aislinn Kerry Extended Amber Kiss (Gay/Contemporary/Menage)

Wallflowers by Sean Michael Extended Amber Kiss (Gay/Contemporary)

  In conjunction with our newest release, we will be having a giveaway! Starting tomorrow, leave a comment on any post made during the week (12/17-12/21), and you'll be eligible to win the entire pax collection. A winner will be picked at random on Saturday from all comments received.

Wallflowers by Sean Michael

Ryan Coulter is a sports science graduate, who's deep in the closet. Returning to his college town to be in a frat buddy's wedding, he discovers he still has feelings for his old college lover, Daniel James Delout. Too bad he's still in the closet and DJ most definitely is not, the main reason why they broke up in the first place. To complicate matters further, DJ is now blind, and is, somehow, almost maddeningly Zen about the blindness, Ryan, everything.

Can Ryan ignore his stronger-than-ever attraction to DJ and just get through the wedding rehearsal, ceremony, and reception? Does he even want to? And what happens if he and DJ do reconnect? After all, he’s still in the closet...right?

Genres: Gay/Contemporary
Heat Level: 3
Length: Extended Amber Kiss (16k words)

Read a short excerpt...

...Ryan walked into St. Ignatius church. He knew he was late for Brian and Anne’s wedding rehearsal, but there was little he could do about it. His flight had been delayed by more than four hours and, frankly, he was lucky to have made it here at all.

At least he wasn’t the best man, just one of four ushers to stand with Brian, frat brothers all of them.

He looked to the front of the church, grinning at Brian. He would have recognized the man anywhere. Sure, Brian had put on some weight, but he still looked pretty much just as he had when they’d been in Phi Kappa Epislon together.

Next to Brian was a man he didn’t know, but guessed was Anne’s brother, the best man. And next to him the three other ushers. Derek, Will, and DJ.

Daniel James Delout. Fuck, the man looked good.

Not that Ryan was biased or anything. In fact it would have been easier if DJ was the one with the extra weight or something, anything to take away from the blond, blue-eyed good looks.

They’d had a thing back in college. Okay, it had been more than a thing, but he’d been so scared back then, refusing to come out, worried all the time that someone would discover their secret.

He thought he’d put it behind him, thought that seven years was more than enough time to erase the old feelings. He’d thought wrong. The minute he saw DJ his belly clenched, and his heartbeat sped into a rapid tattoo.

If Brian hadn’t already caught sight of him and started waving for him to come up and join the wedding party, Ryan might have slipped out and skipped the rehearsal altogether.

It was too late now, though, and he headed for the wedding party, taking his place at the end, beside DJ. He aimed a quiet, “Sorry, I couldn’t help it,” to the bride and groom.

“We got the text. No stress.” Anne was as pretty as a picture, with a smile that would stop a clock. “Besides, DJ was in the same pickle. Both of you stuck in Toronto; that stinks.”

He glanced over at DJ, surprised. There’s no way they could have been on the same flight into town; he would have noticed the man. DJ shrugged, but didn’t look over, just smiled a soft, almost secretive grin.

Well, that wasn’t awkward at all.

He sighed and shot Anne a smile. If this had been anyone but Brian, he would have found an excuse not to come. Now he was wishing he hadn’t been able to get time away from the team or something.

“Okay, DJ, is Walter going to be with you for the ceremony?”

“He doesn’t have to be, but he is helpful.”

Oh wow. Ryan hadn’t expected to be as affected by DJ as he was when he saw the man again, but he really hadn’t anticipated the kick in his gut to hear that DJ was with someone and had not only brought the guy, but Anne was offering to have him at the fucking ceremony.

“Brian?” Anne asked, turning to her husband-to-be.

“Honey, it’s your day. Is it going to bother you?”

Anne’s laugh rang out. “Well, it’s not like he’s going to pee on the alter, he’s better trained than DJ.”

Ryan’s mouth dropped open at her comment. He’d walked into fucking wonderland here.

Everyone else laughed, though, then DJ whistled. “Walter, get your fuzzy butt over here.”

A beautiful, large golden retriever with a service dog harness stood and headed right for DJ.

What?

WHAT?

“What?” The word shot out of Ryan’s mouth and it was everything he could do not to clap his hand over his lips...

Just Between Us by Aislinn Kerry

In high school, Alex, Matt, and Gavin had been an inseparable trio, but all that changed when Matt and Alex started dating, and Gavin turned his back on both of them. Now in their late twenties, Alex and Matt are still together, but years of routine have worn their relationship into a rut.

When Alex unexpectedly runs into Gavin during a boys-night-out for the first time since high school, he's shocked to realize just how hot the other man has become. Alex loves Matt, but he can't deny his attraction to Gavin. And the more the three friends reconnect, the more Alex starts to suspect that the unrequited crush that drove Gavin away isn't quite a thing of the past that they thought it was.

And that crush might not have been as unrequited as it originally seemed, either. In fact, Gavin might be just the breath of fresh air that Alex and Matt need to breathe new life into their struggling relationship...if their hearts can survive it...

Genres: Gay / Contemporary / Ménage (M/M/M) / Group Sex
Heat Level: 3
Length: Extended Amber Kiss (16k words))

Read a short excerpt...

...The sound of the bedroom door latching shut behind Matt and Gavin made Alex’s shoulders twitch as though it had been a gunshot. He turned, halfway into the room, nerves crawling through his stomach.

Gavin kept his gaze turned somewhere halfway between the two of them, angled more or less at the floor. He had his hands shoved deep in the pockets of his jeans, curled into tight fists. Behind him, Matt looked just as at a loss. He moved away from the door slowly, his steps quiet on the carpet, as though a loud sound might cause any one of them to bolt.

Alex wasn’t entirely sure that he was wrong about that, either. Matt mostly looked uncertain, but Gavin’s gaze was tense, roving, the restlessness of an animal trapped in a cage.

“I’m sorry,” he said abruptly, making Matt and Alex both jump.

For a sinking moment, Alex thought he’d been even more right than he knew, that Gavin had decided he wasn’t up for this after all and was about to run.

“I’m not…” Gavin pulled his hands out of his pockets and made a helpless gesture. “I do this all the time,” he muttered, frowning. “It shouldn’t be a big deal. I don’t know why I’m being so weird about it.”

Matt startled at the reminder of Gavin’s job. Alex pressed the pad of his thumb against the center of his brow and tried to just keep breathing evenly. “It’s not just you,” he muttered. Gavin shot him a look like Alex had just thrown him a lifeline. “But maybe we’d better not get into your work experience just now.”

Color washed across Gavin’s face. It was endearing. Combined with his too-loose jeans and his There’s no place like 127.0.0.1 tee, he looked much more like the Gavin Alex remembered from high school, shy and awkward and fiercely defensive of his geekiness. Alex wasn’t sure if that made doing this easier, or harder.

Matt let out a heavy sigh that made them both jump. “All right,” he muttered. “First step is the hardest, right?” He grabbed the collar of his shirt and dragged it off over his head, then wadded it up into a ball and tossed it at the laundry hamper.

Relief washed across Gavin’s face. Alex waggled his brows at Matt, whistled and catcalled to break the tension. Matt laughed and gave his hips a little wiggle.

Gavin took his shirt off next. He folded it and laid it neatly on a chair as though Alex or Matt might scold him for making a mess of their room. But then he went for his belt, and Alex froze. Matt flinched a little bit as color burned across his cheeks. “Oh. I didn’t mean—”

Gavin glanced up at both of them and stilled with jeans halfway down his hips. Color washed across his cheeks, burned fierce and bright as his expression fell. “Fuck,” he muttered, scrubbing a hand across his face. “Fuck me. I thought— I thought we were just going to jump straight into the deep end, get it over with.”

Matt cleared his throat carefully. “I had been thinking more along the lines of dipping our toes into the water.”

“I’m sorry.” Gavin turned blindly, took two short steps back to the chair and reached with unsteady hands for the clothes he’d just shed. “I’m just making a royal mess of this, aren’t I? Maybe I should—”

Alex moved toward him, caught his hands, fingers circling his wrists and stilling him. He took the shirt out of Gavin’s hands and tossed it over the back of the chair. “You should stay.” He put a firmness into his voice he wasn’t sure he felt.

Gavin hesitated, then dropped his gaze down to the ground. “I’m really not sure I should,” he whispered.

There was hesitancy in him now, an uncertainty to his movements, as though he doubted every gesture. His fingers curled into half-formed fists, then straightened out again. He cast a sidelong glance past Alex, toward his shirt. He moved his hand as though to reach for it, then stilled and lowered it haltingly back to his side.

Fuck. The painful uncertainty in him hit Alex like a blow to the gut. It was wrong. He’d been so strong at the club, powerful and sure of himself, immune to any shock or scorn anyone might have thrown his way. Now he was here, and if Alex hadn’t known better, he might have thought Gavin had never taken his clothes off in front of another guy before in his life.

Yes, well, of course he’s uncertain, Einstein...

Doors of Time by KC Kendricks

Calvin Lawson arrives in Clear River to rebuild bridges with his ailing father, not hook up with Emory Fleming, although being an honest man, he has to admit Emory’s on his mind. But first things first, and before he goes looking for his boyhood friend, he needs to find a restoration project to generate personal income so he’s not sponging off his father. Gutted by an arsonist, the Clocktower Theatre, affectionately called the Time by everyone in town, is in dire need of his special skills.

As an on-the-air journalist, Emory is making a name for himself and getting noticed. He’s back in Clear River at the local network affiliate, preparing for the move up to a major market in a few years. When Calvin rolls back into town, Emory’s stunned. The old pal he worked with at the Time kept a big secret—he’s gay. All the fantasies Emory had as a teenager suddenly become real as he and Calvin reconnect and quickly become lovers.

Calvin’s planned restoration of the Clocktower Theatre may not be a practical possibility. He has to secure a lot of funding to do the job properly, and money is tight everywhere. When Emory’s big break comes faster than anticipated, Calvin sees only one option—step aside so Emory will accept the job he’s always wanted. It doesn’t take Emory long to figure out why Calvin walked away, and he puts into action a plan to win him back before the doors of time close between them permanently.

Genres: Gay/Contemporary
Heat Level: 3
Length: Novella (29k words)

Read a short excerpt...

...“You don’t know what do when someone acts all gentlemanly toward you, do you?”

Emory reached out and squeezed his shoulder. “Not really, but I’m willing to work on it.” He climbed into the car, and Calvin closed the door.

If he were lucky, his knees wouldn’t buckle as he walked around to the driver’s side of the Charger and got the vehicle moving.

It wasn’t news to Calvin that Emory liked to lead, but some habits were hard to break. From an early age, his mother had drilled polite manners into him. A man opened doors, carried packages, pulled chairs out from tables, and held umbrellas. As far as Calvin was concerned, being genteel applied to gay men as much as straight guys. But maybe Emory didn’t see it that way.

“I won’t open the door for you if it makes you that uncomfortable.”

Emory pulled his keys out of his pocket and fidgeted with them. “It’s been a long time since anyone did it. It’s not all good memories, Calvin.”

Had one of those older men who swarmed around Emory hurt him? “What’s that mean, or don’t you want to tell me?”

“As a younger man, I seemed to attract a macho element intent on making me their bitch.” Emory looked at him and lifted his hands, palms up. “And there you sit, only gay for a few hours.”

Calvin snorted. “Disconcerting, isn’t it?”

“You don’t know the half of it. I mean, I tell you you’re dessert and that makes you decide to have dinner with me?”

Calvin parked the car beside Emory’s little sports coupe. “I was leaning toward dinner without dessert, but your way sounds more interesting.”

Emory scrambled from the car as he reached for the door handle. “I’ll leave your name at the front desk.”

Calvin hurried after him and blocked his escape into his own ride. “Wait a second! What are you scared of, Emory?”

“Feeling sixteen and clueless again.”

He was familiar with what Emory described. He had a case of it right now, but Calvin wasn’t going to let it stop him. He’d thought about Emory for so many years, and in the blink of an eye, he had a chance. Even if he screwed it up royally, he had to take his shot. Calvin cupped the back of Emory’s neck and kissed him.

Shock jolted through Calvin, an electric current that left heat in its wake. Emory’s soft lips opened and his tongue flicked across Calvin’s upper lip. His mouth opened, and Emory dove in, his silky tongue gliding over Calvin’s with invitation and promise. Calvin’s body tightened as blood rushed through his veins to deafen him. His cock filled, rock hard in just a few throbbing beats. He pushed Emory back against the side of car. Emory’s thighs strained against his as he arched his pelvis against his, the ridge of his dick riding along Calvin’s hard-on. Stars danced behind Calvin’s closed eyes.

This is what had been missing when he kissed other guys. They weren’t Emory. How could he have known the man’s taste and smell when they’d never been this close before? But he’d known all the others weren’t “right.” And Emory was.

Calvin pulled away and sucked in a desperate breath before he did something silly like pass out from lack of oxygen. Emory blinked at him, his blue eyes gone black and wild.

“Why didn’t you do that ten years ago?”

Calvin opened his mouth to speak and finally managed to shake his head and shrug. He swallowed and tried again, but the words wouldn’t come, so he did the only thing he could think to do. He cupped Emory’s cheeks with his palms and kissed him again. Calvin had no doubt where they were headed when Emory moaned softly into his mouth and gripped his hips to pull him closer. He ended the kiss and rested his forehead against Emory’s.

“We, um, should get moving.”

Emory’s hands slid up his sides in a slow caress. “To where? The station or my place?”

Calvin took a moment to breathe. “I don’t want to be in an unseemly hurry, but your place...”

Choices by Stevie Woods

Best friends since kindergarten, Ben and James are separated after college graduation by their different choices. Ben stays in their small hometown while James heads off to New York with dreams of money and success. Ben works to make his life follow the path he wants, and dreams of the day when James realizes he made a mistake and comes back home.

Each man promises to stay in touch, but this pledge falls by the wayside as James’ life in the big city takes off, leaving Ben yearning for a dream that gradually fades as the years pass.

But in New York, James finds that not all dreams are worth the cost of a wrong choice...

Genres: Gay/Contemporary
Heat Level: 2
Length: Extended Amber Kiss (16k words)

Read a short excerpt...

...“Keep an eye on Suzie, though,” Ben said. “That sister of mine is just at the age to develop a crush and I think she’s picked you.”

“Suzie? But she’s just a kid.”

“She’s almost fourteen.”

“I can remember her being born,” James said softly. “I can hardly believe it’s been fourteen years.”

“I know, or seventeen years since that fateful day when you tried to stick your square peg in my round hole.” Ben fought to keep the smile from his face. That was exactly what had happened when the five-year-old James burst into his life, but the way he felt now it carried so much double entendre it was ridiculous.

“Seems like that should’ve told us something about the different ways we view life, instead of making us band together against the world.”

And now they were going their separate ways. Ben sighed. “I can’t say I truly understand your choice, but I do see it’s what you want and I’m happy you got your wish. As far as I’m concerned, you’ll always be a part of my family and you’ll be welcome any time you want to come home for a visit.”

Ben didn’t say what he really wanted to. He didn’t believe it would be appreciated just then. Ben hoped that one day, hopefully not too far distant, James would realize he’d made the wrong choice and move back home.

“That could be a while,” James said. “I want to put down strong roots, and running back home for every holiday isn’t the way to do that. Anyhow, you’ll be too busy sorting out your own life, won’t you? You thought any more on taking up that architecture course your Dad recommended?”

“No. I looked at the syllabus mostly to please Dad, but the truth is I’ve had enough with schools and teachers. I want to learn by doing. There’s something about creating with one’s own hands, you know? I want to build stuff, not just draw diagrams on paper for other folks to work with.”

James shook his head. “For someone who gives the appearance of being so laid back, you always seem to choose the hardest path.”

“It’s only the hardest path if it’s not the one you want to take.”

He didn’t think James would ever understand the way he felt, but then he couldn’t follow James’ thinking either. Why would he want to put his future under someone else’s control? It made more sense to Ben to be his own boss one day. Offer up bits of himself on his own terms—that way he could maintain control of his life.

James thought going to the big city and starting out being a small cog in someone else’s wheel would eventually bring him what he wanted: money and success. However, to Ben’s way of thinking, it would also tie that success to another person’s wheel, without having any control over its ultimate direction. It was an old argument between the two of them and Ben knew James would never understand his point of view because James couldn’t see that, to Ben, power and money were the least valuable things. Ben saw value in the small things in life—small to some folks’ thinking that was—family, home, trust, peace, and perhaps most important of all, knowing his place in the scheme of things. Contentment perhaps summed it up. There was only one thing missing and Ben hoped it would come with time: the love of that one person who was the other half of his soul.

“It’s not as hard as chasing a rainbow, James.”

James scowled. “Not chasing a rainbow; setting out to live my dream. I have a skill I can use to get what I want from life and I intend to make the best of it.” James took the last item from the closet and slipped his coat on. “Time to go if I’m going to catch that plane.”

Ben picked up the suitcase, grunting a little because it was so damned heavy, as James slung a backpack over his shoulder. James took a last look around, and Ben noted only relief in his expression. James was standing in profile to Ben and Ben couldn’t help but admire how handsome James was. He was almost six feet tall with a slim, athletic build. His nose wasn’t quite straight, as it had been broken playing football, yet somehow it added to his good looks rather than detracted. His eyes were hazel and his hair, which James wore long enough that it curled on his collar, was a warm brown. Ben longed to run his fingers through it as he kissed James, a fantasy to which he often fell asleep...

Chase the Ace by Clare London

Newly single in his late twenties, and looking for more fun than he gets from his boring job, Daniel Cross soon discovers the lure of social media. After a few hiccups, he’s excited at the chance of tracking down his old mates from the Scorching Summer Sports Club of 1990. He lost touch with his “Gang of Four” after that summer, but now he launches a personal quest to find out what kind of man each boy has become.

It starts well with a link to the first boy’s current address, through a mutual friend on Facebook, until Dan realises he’s been chatting online to the wrong man—Nick Carson isn’t an old school friend at all. It’s a genuine mistake, and Nick isn’t offended. He offers to accompany Dan on the trip to find the others. It’s the first step to friendship and something more for both of them.

For Dan, the reunions with the “Gang of Four” range from startling, heartening and disturbing. Nick’s company is a constant support, though neither of them are prepared for the exposure of personal secrets they’d thought were long-hidden. Dan begins to suspect that he’s really looking for a direction in his own life—and the excitement and purpose he craves may be closer to home than a quest with its roots in a boyhood dream.

Genres: Gay/Contemporary
Heat Level: 3
Length: Novella (24k words)

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...I glanced at my watch. “My lift’s arriving at eleven.”

“That’s another thing. Why aren’t you getting a taxi?” She looked worried again. “Driving off with some stranger, it’s odd. And potentially dangerous. You know, I could drive you wherever you want to go.”

God forbid. “It’s not a stranger, it’s another kid who was in the summer club. Well, he’s an adult now of course. I found him online and we’ve chatted a few times already. He’s got a current address for one of the people I’m looking for.”

“One of your Gang of Four?” Alice caught my look of surprise and smirked. “You talked a lot about them that year. I was always sorry you didn’t get to go back to the club…” Her voice trailed off and she looked suddenly sad.

“I’m fine.” I gave her a quick hug. “And looking forward to getting started on my quest.” The doorbell rang. Glancing at my watch again, I saw he was early.

“Shall I let him in?” Alice asked, already sidling toward the hallway.

I darted past her with a glower, and opened the front door myself with a ready smile. Then paused. My smile remained in place but it wasn’t quite as ready.

The man on the doorstep nodded slowly. “I’m not the person you expected, am I?”

I gaped. “I’m…well…no.”

He smiled ruefully. “Look, it’s okay. I thought so. I think you got me mixed up with my brother, Nathan.”

“Nathan Carson?” I was still gaping, like an impression of a hungry goldfish.

“Yes. I’m Nick Carson, Nathan’s older brother.” He peered at me. “You were looking for anyone who knew the Scorching Summer Sports Club? Who went there in the summer of 1990? I didn’t, but my brother Nate did.”

Things were starting to make horrible sense. “I friended you on Facebook!”

He nodded again.

“By mistake?” My voice came out in a squeak.

He shrugged. “It happens. Same initial. You know how it is.” He looked as if he doubted I did. There was high colour in his cheeks. It was actually very attractive. “I replied because I did know the club. And Nate’s not on Facebook, you see. But when you went into details about wanting to find your friends, I thought it was time to come along and…uh…meet you. Let you know the mistake. A face to face explanation felt better to me than just shooting you down online.”

“Um…thanks,” I said, feeling like the greatest idiot that had ever lived. I sneaked a better glance at the man on the doorstep. He didn’t look much like Nathan, even if I only had my memory to extrapolate what Nathan would look like now, at sixteen plus some twelve years. My visitor—Nick Carson—was taller than me by a couple of inches and leaner. His hair was short and he was clean-shaven. Clothes were smart/casual¬—a polo shirt, fitted jeans and Converse Hi-Tops. I’d wanted a pair of them myself a couple of years ago, but one of my exes who wore nothing but Hollister persuaded me they weren’t for old farts like me. Yes, and that was one of the reasons why he was an ex, but the caution had persisted.

I glanced back up and caught Nick’s gaze on me. His dark hair looked thick and natural, and his smile was striking. For a brief second, I saw the resemblance in that smile to my old football mate. But during that summer I spent at the SSSC with Nathan and all the other kids, I didn’t remember ever thinking Nathan was my type, even if he hadn’t been straight. Whereas Nick...

COMING SOON - That Old Gang of Mine

Do you have old friends you miss? Maybe it's the kids you hung out with on the playground, or your pals from the neighborhood where you grew up. That's the theme behind the next AmberPax Collection from Amber Allure, coming out next Sunday, December 16. Get lost in the love stories that spring up when you run into someone from your past, whether on purpose or by accident.

Each day this week will highlight one of the stories in the collection. See the cover, read the blurb, and sample an excerpt.

Five authors, five romances, one amazing AmberPax!

LATEST PAX RELEASE - Once Upon A Fairy Tale

Visit the links to take advantage of our

Once Upon A Fairy Tale An AmberPax™ Collection of Gay Fairy Tale Romance by Various Authors ISBN-13: 978-1-61124-345-1 (Electronic Set) Genre: Gay (M/M) Fairy Tale Romance Cover Copyright ©2012 by Trace Edward Zaber

Included in this collection of erotic romance...
(For more information on each title, or to purchase separately, click on the book covers below!)

Beau And The Beast by Rick R. Reed Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

Griff And Ash by D. J. Manly Novella (Gay)

Hanson And Graber: The Price Of Magic by Deirdre O'Dare Extended Amber Kiss (Gay)

Waking The Prince by Shawn Lane Novella (Gay)

Wild Rose, Silent Snow by Angel Martinez Extended Novella (Gay)