Showing results by author "Avon Gale" in All Categories

Drafted to play for the Jacksonville Sea Storm, an NHL affiliate, 20-year-old Lane Courtnall's future looks bright, apart from the awkwardness he feels as a gay man playing on a minor league hockey team. He's put his foot in his mouth a few times and alienated his teammates. Then, during a rivalry game, Lane throws off his gloves against Jared Shore, enforcer for the Savannah Renegades. It's a strange way to begin a relationship.

Despite a flourishing career as a defenseman for the Atlanta Venom, Tristan Holt knows he can’t play hockey forever. One day he’ll retire and finish his business degree. But he doesn’t count on a very inappropriate attraction to his standoffish sociology professor, Sebastian Cruz. Sebastian has his sights set on tenure, and he can’t afford to be distracted, especially not by a sexy student with a body straight out of Sebastian’s dreams. No matter how much Tristan tempts him, that’s one line Sebastian won’t cross. At least, not until summer classes end.

Spartanburg Spitfires' goalie and captain, Isaac Drake, ended last season with an unexpected trip to the playoffs. He's found a home and a family with his coach and mentor, Misha Samarin, and he's looking forward to making a serious run for the Kelly Cup. But things take an interesting turn when Isaac's arch-nemesis, Laurent St. Savoy, is traded to the Spitfires. After Laurent's despicable behavior in the playoffs last year, Isaac wants nothing to do with him - no matter how gorgeous he is.

It’s been decades since blackmail forced Troy Callahan to retire from playing professional hockey, and he’s built a successful career behind the bench. When he’s offered the opportunity to coach the Asheville Ravens—the most hated team in the ECHL—he’s convinced that his no-nonsense attitude is just what the team needs to put their focus back on hockey. But Troy is disheartened when he finds that the Ravens have signed Shane North, a player known for his aggression. And it only gets worse when Shane’s rough good looks give Troy inappropriate thoughts about a member of his team, even if Shane’s set to retire at the end of the season. Shane’s career in the majors never quite took off. Wanting to quit on his own terms, Shane agrees to a one-year contract with the Ravens and finds himself playing for a coach who thinks he’s an aging goon and with a team that doesn’t trust him, the coach, or each other. Despite his determination to not get involved, Shane unwillingly becomes part of the team… and is just as unwillingly drawn to the gruff out-and-proud coach. As the Ravens struggle to build a new identity, Shane and Troy succumb to the passion that might cost them everything.

A freak accident during the Stanley Cup Playoffs put an end to Max Ashford's hockey career. Despite everything, Max gets back into the game as an assistant coach of the Spartanburg Spitfires. But nothing prepares him for the shock when he learns the new head coach is Misha Samarin, the man who caused Max's accident. Misha has no idea what to do when he's confronted with Max's presence - or the fierce attraction that springs up between them.

After last season's heartbreaking loss to his hockey team's archrival, Jacksonville Sea Storm goalie Riley Hunter is ready to let go of the past and focus on a winning season. His new roommate, Ethan Kennedy, is a loud New Yorker with a passion for social justice that matches his role as the team's enforcer. The quieter Riley is attracted to Ethan and has no idea what to do about it.

Daniel “Bellzie” Bellamy should be on top of the world - a Stanley Cup is the perfect topper to his 14-year NHL career. But despite the post-win high, something’s missing. When the chance to play for his hometown team, the Miami Thunder, comes along, he’s open to it. And when he runs into an old friend from his past soon after he makes the move, he wonders if it might be kismet. Micah Kelly never thought he’d see his childhood crush - and first kiss - again. Danny Bellamy moved on to bigger and better things when they were teenagers....

Avery Hextall, a junior architect at a prestigious firm, is thrilled when his design is chosen for a new performing-arts center - even if it means working closely with his insufferably uptight project manager, Malin Lacroix. When a chance encounter in the boss's office proves that Lacroix is anything but cold, Avery is determined to learn more about the real man beneath the aloof veneer.

Ryu Mori has had a stellar season as goalie for the Atlanta Venom. So when he’s called into management’s office, he’s expecting to hear he’s the new starting goalie for the team, not that some new guy - an incredibly hot, annoyingly bratty rookie - is here to compete for his spot.

Responsible, disciplined William Fox channeled his love for art and his faith in the rules into being an FBI Art Crimes agent. Right and wrong, justice and injustice - the differences are clear, and Will has spent his career drawing a line between them. Maybe his convictions have cost him relationships, but he’s not willing to compromise what he knows is right. Until the night he meets Amory Vaughn. As the head of his family’s philanthropic foundation, Vaughn knows very well that being rich and powerful can get him almost anything he wants.

At 23, Poe Montgomery is going nowhere. He still lives in his father’s basement and spends most of his time tagging with his friends. When an arrest lands him in debt, Poe accepts the front desk job at Permanent Ink, the tattoo shop owned by his father’s best friend, Jericho McAslan. Jericho is nearly twice Poe’s age, but with his ink and prematurely graying hair, he quickly takes the starring role in Poe’s hottest fantasies.

When Nick Miles is traded from Buffalo to Philadelphia, he's thrilled - having spent most of his career in the AHL, Nick is looking forward to playing full-time in the majors...even if it is for the worst team in the National Hockey League. Upon arriving in Philly, Nick learns he'll be sharing a house with Everett Sparrow, the popular forward from Buffalo's NHL team who isn't quite as excited about the trade as Nick. v

Ryder Waites will do anything to keep the tiny town of Gallows Grove, Kentucky, from vanishing off the map - even sell his family's whiskey recipe to Bluegrass Bourbon in Lexington. Hopeful that the larger company can provide necessary improvements to the distillery, Ryder aims ultimately to get Gallows Grove on the Bourbon Trail...and bring in much-needed tourism revenue. But to keep producing Hanged Man Bourbon in Gallows Grove, he'll have to convince the company liaison.

Indie rocker Victoria “Vix” Vincent knows a good thing when she hears it. The moment Sawyer Bell picks up her fiddle, magic happens. Beautiful and wildly talented, Sawyer is the perfect match for Vix’s band - and just maybe, for Vix. The dynamic in any group is a delicate thing, but with Sawyer and Vix thrown together on tour, it’s not long before the line between bandmates and lovers gets a bit blurry.

It’s Valentine’s Day, and grad student - and male escort - Levi Barron expects to spend his evening with a client who’s paying him for his services in bed...not an assassin who needs to borrow the view from his hotel room in the morning. With nothing to do but endure the company of his unwanted guest, Levi and the assassin, Sinjin, spend some time bonding over HGTV, minibar beverages, Flannery O’Connor short stories, terrible Valentine’s candy, and the necessity of lying about their jobs.

Staff Sergeant Jason Essex, you have received the following orders from the United States Marine Corps: Guard an entity currently held in an enclosure at the Cain Institute. Record daily measurements. Keep any and all persons from entering or leaving the facility. Ensure the entity remains completely incarcerated. Observe the entity without engaging. Additional instructions: This assignment will be carried out in full isolation. Please be advised.