Frank Carlson Library

Meeting at the Golden Moments spa, four women - Polly, Beth, Julia, and Carolyn - discover that they share a mutual problem with meddling, scheming, toxic in-laws, and come up with a scheme to help one another resolve their problems.

When a long-time spa client asks the gals of the Hot Flash Club to housesit her Nantucket hideaway for the summer, they're beyond thrilled; the cozy island enclave is the perfect place to shop, swim, chill, and plan Marilyn's upcoming wedding to Ian, her Scottish fiancé. And Marilyn desperately needs the break, since Ian's grown son has crashed at the couple's place with no departure date in sight. Soon after they arrive, the other hot flashers surrender...

Nine months ago, Tommy, a nurse, and Jared, a fire fighter met at by accident, literally. Their relationship is red hot from the start, and Tommy can hardly believe how lucky he is. But after nine months together, Tommy has a big fight and doesn't talk to Jared for two days. Is it over? Tommy was never really sure he was the hot fireman's type anyway, especially when Jared has been stingy with declarations of love. But when they finally reconnect,...

Dan and Steve, two ships passing in the night, so to speak, find each other and a lucky penny before heading into a private airline-club room. Their encounter is brief yet intense, the attraction off the charts, but the lay, like the layover they're both on, is all too short for either of their liking. Fate, plus a little bit of luck, brought them together, but will they ever dock at the same port again? Note: This short story was originally published...

Chris Buckner hasn't seen or heard from Nick Stewart in a decade. When Nick returns to town, Chris isn't sure what to think. He certainly doesn't know if having dinner with his former friend is a good idea, but what does he have to lose? Nick Stewart has kept a secret for many years, and now he's ready to come clean. But how will the one man who really deserves to hear it react? Note: This short story was originally published in the charity collection,...

Six months ago, Angie Cross had a fantasy she never thought would come true. Now she's the happiest she's ever been with two men she adores. But Charlie and Justin are being secretive, and Angie really wants to know what's going on. Knowing her lovers, it's likely something to do with their anniversary, and depending on what it is, she may end up killing them in the end or falling deeper in love. What's a girl to do? Note: This short story was originally...

Sequel to The Nutcracker. P is for Penne Alla Vodka and Garth Morgan and Tony Luciano are determined not to let the horrors of the Pulse nightclub shootings prevent them from celebrating their eighteen-month anniversary with the next dish on their A-Z list of pasta dishes. Garth knows he'll be eating ziti on his wedding day, but before then he has one other important question to ask Tony, one that affects not just his life but also that of Adam, Garth's...

In a world where hip-hop is life, you're only as vital as your last track. Mar'Bo, a young songster, lives in Master T's harem of skerrters. There's only one house rule -- keep the music flowing. Mar'Bo's been suffering from writer's block for weeks. Master T is owed a melody and he's come to collect. What do you do when you've lost the beat?

I never rethought my decision to move halfway across the country to be with the most amazing woman I ever met. It was true love. She and I went through a lot together. We juggled a house, two businesses, and three kids. Sitting down for a quick lunch at the Food Court to reminisce brings up all sorts of memories from the past two decades. Then we turn our thoughts to the future.

Beware of Groom'thulu. Ethan won't let anything spoil his wedding to love-of-his-life Caleb; not the complications of a Pagan wedding, not the snarky attitudes of his relatives. But when tragedy strikes Orlando mere weeks before the wedding day, Ethan is reminded how unkind the world can be. Portland, Oregon, is a far more open-minded place than Florida, but there's nothing to stop a crazed conservative maniac from hearing about the gayest Paganest...