by Hunter Frost
CHRISTMAS CAN KISS MY DICKENS
Bah Humbug!
Tim Cratchit hates everything about Christmas—the gaudy decorations, the sickeningly cheerful music, and the pathetic tradition of exchanging meaningless gifts. Not to mention the lousy memories of holidays passed. When Santa gave other kids Barbie dolls and Tonka trucks, Tim got stuck with a wheelchair. Now, the one thing Tim looks forward to on Christmas is catching up on work and ignoring all the festive drivel.
That is until Henry Scott, Tim’s star employee, interrupts his boss’s plans to give him a present. Tim unceremoniously shows the man the door, but Henry won’t go so easily. Inspired by liquid courage, Henry finds the guts to tell Tim exactly what he thinks of him—and it’s anything but merry. Except for that kiss…
What follows only makes Tim question his sanity. A near death experience, flashbacks, premonitions, and visits from his deceased godfather show Tim how lonely and depressing his life has become. Will Tim be able to recapture the spirit of Christmas or will he forever remain a bona fide Scrooge?
CEMETERIES BY MOONLIGHT
When a serious bout of writer’s block threatens to delay mystery author Drew Daniels’s newest book, his aunt offers her New Orleans apartment in the heart of the French Quarter as a writing retreat. She neglects to mention that it’s occupied by the enigmatic and sexy Finn Murphy, a cemetery tour guide with a penchant for Victorian attire and a Cajun accent.
A body discovered in an open crypt forces reclusive Drew to deal with Finn’s eccentric group of friends and his underlying attraction to the hot Cajun—despite warnings about Finn’s violent past. Drew might write this stuff, but he’s never had to solve a real-life murder. With a deadline looming and a killer on the loose, this retreat is proving to be anything but helpful for Drew’s novel. Drew can only hope he won’t end up a tragic tale for the Ghostly Legends & Lore, Inc. haunted tour.
States of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the United States.
AN ANGEL IN EYELINER
All Mitch wants for Christmas is a quiet holiday free from grief. Patching up the face of the target of a mugging in the back alley of his bar seems to throw that wish right out into the cold Chicago night. But the tatted, pierced, and skinny-jean wearing Keller Graham is fearless and proves to be more than a pair of icy blue eyes lined in black. Keller may be a thief, but Mitch never expected him to steal his lonely heart.
A story from Boughs of Evergreen: A Holiday Anthology
WAKING UP IN VEGAS
Officer Reed Weston has come to expect the unexpected during the graveyard shift in the City of Sin. But this time, it’s Reed’s partner who throws him for a loop, using him as bait to get a drunk Midwesterner safely back to his hotel. Reed goes along with his partner’s plan only because he’s too tired to argue, not because the attractive lawbreaker is easy on his weary eyes.
After waking up hung-over and ashamed of his behavior (the little that he remembers), Grant Carroll wants to make amends. Partying until he literally drops just to forget his no-good ex is not who he is at all. Treating the gruff officer that escorted him home to an apology lunch, Grant soon realizes Reed has everything his ex doesn’t—compassion, intelligence, and gigantic biceps.
Gambling has never been either of their strong suits, but taking a risk on each other may come with the best payoff yet.
Part of "Summer Bigger Than Others - A Summer Anthology" from Beaten Track Publishing.
