Shadows and Ash: Pulp Friction 2014 Finale

by Harner, Laura

Charlie Turner walked away from college, his boyfriend, and his dreams to step into his late father’s shoes. When you’re nineteen those shoes can be pretty damn big, but ten years later, he’s feeling the pinch.

  Turner and Sons Construction is a success, but he hasn’t had a date since…he doesn’t want to remember. When he’s hired to do renovation work on an art gallery, he had no idea sparks would fly so quickly with the owner. Amos Greene—arrogant, pushy, and an all-around jerk—is one of the sexiest men Charlie can imagine. But it’s not a good idea to get your honey where you get your money.

  Determined to make some changes, Charlie moves to Mountain Shadows in Flagstaff, but how will that impact the fragile relationship he has with his brother, Damon? Keeping the brat out of juvie is practically a full-time job, and the changes Charlie is making might just blow up in Damon’s face.

  ~*~

  Kismet and Cartwheels (Bonus Book)

  For the free-spirited Park Williams, leaving the relative safety of the Willow Springs Ranch for a remote cabin near Flagstaff to spend some quality alone-time with his new boyfriend seems like a no-brainer. They can get to know each other while hiding away from the bad guys who may or may not be looking to kill his lover. At least it seems like a good idea right up until the minute he is standing on the front porch, with a man he’s known less than three weeks, and who spent two of those weeks in police custody. Oh shit.

  Tanner Triplett is having a bad month. After two attempts on his life, he’s helped put his father and brother behind bars, lost his beloved ranch, and oh yeah…stepped out of the closet in a big way. But it remains to be seen if he’s in bigger danger from the men he’s agreed to testify against, or the golden-haired, cosmic-quoting devil trying to kill him with soy-gurt.

  Join Park, Tanner, and their dogs Scooby and Taco as they make the move east to the Mountain Shadows Resort to meet up with their new neighbors and join in the fun that is Pulp Friction 2014.

  Round Two:

  Controlled Burn

  Twelve years ago, it was the beginning of the end of their relationship when Robby was outed to his ultra conservative parents by his college lover, Scott.

  A lifetime later, a tragic accident has drawn Robby back into Scott's life, but time and experience have created a chasm as big as the Grand Canyon. Not that Robby is trying to keep secrets from his old lover—not exactly. It's just with so many assumptions between them, sometimes it's hard to know where to begin. How do you make an old friend see you for who you really are?

  Trained as a firefighter, Scott has spent his life rushing headlong into dangerous situations and examining the consequences later. Now he’s surrounded by reminders of his impetuous nature. Despite the choices he’s made in the past, fate has given him a chance to start over—if he can only show Robby the truth, they can finally have the life Scott envisions.

  One man is certain they can work things out—the other knows why they can’t. Only one of them can be right.

  ~*~

  Cold Comfort

  Prince Charming wannabe Finn Lorensson is living his own fairy tale. Sure, his intended is more frog than princess, but what's love worth if you don't have to slay a few dragons on the way?

  Cannon Malloy is adapting…to life in Flagstaff, the cold, teaching…and to Finn. He's about decided that letting himself be loved isn't such a bad thing after all.

  When an opportunist from Finn's past threatens both love and career, can the frog save his prince?

  ~*~

  Blown Kisses

  Nature lover. Wildlife protector. Loner. Not necessarily in that order. Rowen Smithe’s top priority might be to keep the voice in his head on mute, but even the inner demons are forced to step aside when a cruel crime is discovered and danger stalks the creatures of Mountain Shadows. Particularly one stray cat that likes to hang around a curly-haired pain in Rowen's ass.

  They might appear to be polar opposites, but Mick Rutger is determined to knock down the large wall Rowen hides behind…and he'll start making his moves soon, too. Just as soon as he knows their adopted cat is safe and they find out who's been playing pin the tail on the woodland animals…with very deadly pins.

  ~*~

  Moving Earth

  Now that Charlie Turner has control of his life again after ten years of watching out for his mom and younger brother—Damon—his eyes have re-opened to his buried wants and needs. His late father always told him to go after what he wants in life—to move heaven and earth to get what’s important to him—and what he wants now is Amos Greene.

  Amos Greene screws like a god, loves art and money, and figures that’s all anyone needs to know about him. Until he meets Charlie Turner and the earth moves under his feet. The walls he’s built around his heart are no match for Charlie’s huge, open spirit.

  After listening to Damon and Amos set up a plan to catch a group of teen psychos-in-training, Charlie finds himself on the ass end of an amateur stakeout—but what he discovers could change Charlie’s—and Amos’s—life forever.

  ~*~

  Round Three:

  Backburn

  Scott refuses to accept his mistake dealt a final blow to his troubled relationship with Rob, so he’s working hard to finish the apartment he plans for them to share. With odd occurrences of vandalism, a poacher, and an increasingly active inner demon named PTSD, he has plenty to keep him busy while he waits for Robby to come around.

  Rob is working a lot of overtime in order to qualify for a new position as a wildland firefighter—a minor detail he decides to withhold in light of Scott’s frequent nightmares. Of course there are a couple of other details Scott has a right to know about—if only Robby hasn’t left things too late.

  Just as one man discovers his truth—the other realizes everything he’s believed is a lie. One is certain they can work things out—the other knows why they can’t. Only one of them can be right.

  ~*~

  Cold Feet

  A visit from the fairy godfather has instilled in Cannon Malloy a newfound sense of self-appreciation. Radiating confidence and allure, he's drawn once again to Finn Lorensson's cabin. A night of passion is one thing…a life time of love another. How far will a little glamor go in changing a man's attitude?

  Cannon's change of heart couldn't have come at a worse time for Finn. The professor is facing an identity crisis his own. Since compromising his principles, Finn's armor weighs heavy and looks a little tarnished, at least in his own eyes.

  How can a knight in dented armor resist dreaming of happily ever after when his frog prince is more charming than ever?

  ~*~

  Blown Hard

  Today's the day, Rowen and Mick finally have their date. At least that’s Mick's plan, but plans are meant to be broken.

  What could possibly go wrong when Rowen and Mick get together to enjoy that dinner Mick's been pushing—shoving, threatening, begging—for? Well, Mick could try to make small talk—that’s never good.

  Miscommunication between the two leads to a very different outcome than expected. But that’s nothing compared to what happens once danger blows in from the west. The winds of change hit with all the gentleness of a cyclone. A disastrous dinner date, midnight marauders, enigmas exposed.

  When the winds die down, who will be left standing?

  ~*~

  Taking Chances (Bonus Book)

  When a phone call to check up on an old friend ends in an abrupt "What the f*ck", Chance DuMont and his young lover, Rory Gaines, drop everything and fly off to Arizona to the rescue.

  They've been through too much in the past year, and when it comes to the men they consider family, Chance and Rory aren't taking chances.

  ~*~

  Wicked Winds (Bonus Book)

  Wick Templeton and Ned Harris have grown quite comfortable in the life they've built together. So comfortable—in fact—that when Ned decided to go cross country to check on an old friend of his, Wick can't bear to be apart from him and tags along.

  Ye
ah, that's the story Wick gives. In reality, Wick doesn't share and he just wants to make sure this old friend understands that.

  Three days to spend not jealously watching over his lover's every move—at a campground in Flagstaff, Arizona, no less. How much trouble could Wick possibly find?

  Tremors

  Charlie Turner's worked hard to turn his life in the right direction. His smoking hot boyfriend, Amos Greene, is finally settling into their relationship, his doted-on and throttle-worthy teenage brother is straightening up his act, and his long lost ex-boyfriend is back in his life and friends with everyone.

  Unfortunately for Charlie, just when things start looking up, they always manage to crash land right in front of him. This time, his darkest terror comes true and one of the most important people in his life is missing. Charlie doesn't know what to do—surrounded by his fast growing group of friends at Mountain Shadows and his loved ones, Charlie can't seem keep it together.

  Just in case a missing person wasn't enough to tear him up, his old demons are clawing at him for their pound of flesh. How does a man deal when tremors threaten to shake the very foundation of his life? And if he falls, can anyone put Charlie Turner back together when he breaks?

  ~*~

  Round Four:

  Flare-Up

  For Rob Hammond, the last two months have been a high stakes waiting game. Scott’s attempt to swan dive into an arsonist’s fire and his subsequent desire to be more independent didn’t sit well. Unfortunately, Rob’s other obligations wouldn’t wait. Now after a long separation, Robby is finally reunited with his kids, and on his way to introduce them to their new home and the man he loves. This time, he’s going to make Scott see reason—even if he has to fight dirty.

  With the recent trouble at Mountain Shadows and the increasing frequency of his nightmares, Scott McGregor has to wonder if this is the best time for a relationship with Robby to go forward. Still seeking absolution for a guilt he shouldn’t carry, Scott worries he’s not fit to meet the children—let alone live with them. Despite arranging a special day to make the kids feel welcome, Scott still intends to protect his heart.

  One man knows they will work things out—the other is afraid they can’t. Only one of them can be right.

  ~*~

  Out In The Cold

  They say all good things must come to an end, and Cannon Malloy is dreading the end of summer, the end of this job, and saying good-bye to Finn. So the frog prince makes grand plans to turn the tables, romancing and seducing his Prince Charming into waiting for him.

  But Finn seems a little cold…a little distant, and a lot more eager for his departure than Cannon expected. Could there be something Prince Finn needs that Cannon isn't giving him?

  Finn Lorensson is torn…while he'd like nothing better than to crawl in bed with Cannon and never come out, he's got real world villains to deal with, and Cannon is a lot safer in Atlanta. So he steels his resolve, and pushes Cannon away, feeling the pain of a broken heart is the just reward for his perceived misdeeds.

  Sometimes, even the kiss of a frog prince isn't enough to repair a rusty suit of armor.

  ~*~

  Blown Chance

  Rowen Smithe's two worlds collide when an old friend finds his hiding spot in Flagstaff. Surprisingly enough, it doesn't prove to be the end of him. His family at Mountain Shadows rallies around him, giving Rowen the first glimpse of hope he's had in over a dozen years. Hope and perhaps a future that might include a sexy curly-haired man with piercing blue eyes.

  Learning Rowen's hard truths rips Mick Rutger's heart out. Mick wants to embrace Rowen, protect him so nothing and no one can ever hurt him again, and maybe use this breakthrough as a turning point for their tangle of a relationship.

  All of that will have to be put on hold, though, when the surprise guests keep showing up…and not all of them are welcome.

  ~*~

  Frankie’s Knight (Bonus Book)

  Teenage boys are disappearing from the streets of Atlanta, and Detective Frankie Prater is resolved that, this time, one will make it out alive. The trail leads to Flagstaff, Arizona, and a man suspected of being a sadistic rapist and killer.

  Brady Owens lived six years as a prostitute after his parents threw him out at the age of twelve. After surviving a vicious attack, he found a home with Frankie and his kids. Now he’s eighteen and tired of Frankie’s excuses for not taking their relationship to the next level. Perhaps a trip with just the two of them—even if it is a business trip—is what Frankie needs to see Brady as a man and not a victim.

  From the hard streets of Atlanta to the Painted Desert of Arizona, the race is on for Frankie to find not only a missing boy, but his own Knight.

  ~*~

  Aftershocks

  Everything was going so great for Charlie Turner…his relationship with Amos Greene took off and his brother resembled a human being again. Then all hell broke loose, and Charlie was left standing amidst the ruins of his life.

  But that’s not the end of the damage. To truly heal, all the makeshift bandages Charlie applied to his hurts over the years must be ripped off. Without Amos and his family at Mountain Shadows, he might fold under the weight of all the pain.

  But Charlie’s willing to stand and fight for the people who are important to him…can the same be said of them?

  ~*~

  Round Five:

  Radiant Burn

  Living with the man he loves and helping to raise his two children isn’t something Scott McGregor can be sure he deserves—at least not until he learns the truth behind the nightmares. Uncertain whether the knowledge will fan the flames or finally bring the fire under control, Scott heads to Phoenix, only to realize time and distance may not have been enough to prepare him for what he discovers at the home of the only other firefighter to survive the Prescott blaze.

  For Rob Hammond, the last two months have been a preview into heaven. With his children home, and Scott in his bed, he finally has the family he’s always dreamed of. All he has to do now is help Scott through the last of the shadows left from his close encounter with death. If Rob can keep everything on an even keel, Scott will conquer the PTSD demons that haunt him and finally get the happily ever after he deserves.

  Twelve years ago, nothing could have prevented their relationship from imploding, but as each of their self-imposed barriers falls away, the battle lines shift, and Scott and Rob need each other as never before as they fight to make Mountain Shadows a home for their family.

  One man is certain things will work out—the other is afraid they can’t. Only one of them can be right.

  ~*~

  Cold Day In Hell

  You've got to kiss a lot of frogs…

  The long hard journey is over. Cannon Malloy's done hopping around, chasing after golden balls and elusive dreams. He's faced his demons, made his peace with his past. It's time to stop hiding, get out that suit of armor, try it on for size, and ride off into the sunset with his Prince Charming.

  So why is Finn Lorensson suddenly more ogre than prince?

  The beast on Finn’s back turned out more pathetic than ferocious, but still he can't break free from the chains that duty and self-image impose. He may be forced into the shadows, but it'll be a cold day in hell before this knight errant turns his back on love.

  Because when you find that one in a million frog, who's a cursed prince in disguise…

  Well, some things are worth fighting for.

  ~*~

  Final Blow

  Mick Rutger is a happy-go-lucky type of guy and he likes it that way. Now that Rowe has finally opened up to him, he has hope for their future together. But when feelings of hatred and rage overrule Mick's happiness, he doesn't know how to cope. Unaccustomed to such hostile emotions, his mind closes off to the outside world in a drastic measure of protection.

  Rowen Smithe fought his demons and escaped the darkness, prepared to start living again with Mick, the man who helped free his soul and stole his heart. Un
fortunately, the darkness won't be ignored so easily now that it has found a new target.

  If Rowen truly loves Mick…if Mick honestly wants Rowen…both men will have to battle the darkness one more time and trust that their sanity won't be lost forever.