Bøger af L a Witt

When paramedic Nick Swain responds to a shooting in a seedy neighborhood, his entire world is thrown off its axis. His life is threatened...twice. Allegations of racism and medical neglect threaten his career and his ability to sleep at night. Not that he'll be sleeping any time soon after the incident throws him into the path-and arms-of Detective Andrew Carmichael.One hot night after another with Andrew may help Nick relieve some work-related stress, but sex won't solve every problem in his life. With the media hounding him and the city watching his every move, he starts to wonder if the world is out to get him. The world may not be out to get him, but someone is. And that someone wants Nick dead.

In the beginning, Detective Andrew Carmichael and paramedic Nick Swain barely escaped Nick's delusional stalker with their lives. Now, months later, the physical scars haven't quite healed, and neither have the emotional ones. Lingering guilt and resentment threaten to tear their relationship apart, but Andrew isn't ready to give up. He's nearly lost Nick once, and he's not giving him up this time without a fight.In a last ditch effort to keep them together, Andrew suggests a weekend away, but is that enough time to find a reason to keep their relationship alive?

Detective Andreas Ruffner is no fool-he's found a man who loves him, puts up with him, and has stuck with him through hell and back, and it's time to put a ring on it. Darren Corliss is the love of his life, and he wants the whole world to know it. Now the fun part-the wedding! Well, after the not-so-fun part of planning the wedding in between dealing with overbearing and impossible-to-please family members. With future mothers-in-law driving them both up a wall, the guest list growing out of control, and the wedding getting ever more complicated, Darren and Andreas have to wonder if they're in over their heads. But they're going to make it to the altar if it kills them... and at this rate, it just might. This book was previously published.

Rich Cody joined the U.S. Marshals to hunt down bad guys, not babysit witnesses. Orders are orders, though, and now he's protecting a hacker with ties to the Albanian and Sicilian mobs. It's just another exciting day in WITSEC. Leotrim Nicolosi was born into a world of crime and bloodshed. When that bloodshed hits too close to home, taking down Leo's boyfriend-the son of a notorious mob boss-Leo is determined to destroy the Grimaldi family. He's got evidence that will send every last Grimaldi to prison, he's got the family's wealth in an electronic chokehold, and he's got a vendetta that can only be settled with the blood of the man who killed his lover. When a routine transfer to a safehouse goes horribly wrong, Rich and Leo narrowly escape with their lives. With the Marshals compromised and Leo being framed for murder, he and Rich are on the run from criminals and law enforcement alike. They have no one to trust except each other, and nowhere to go that their enemies can't reach. And the only way out might mean making a deal with the Devil.

Welcome to Cathia University, where school is in session! Nine of today's hottest gay romance authors have crafted brand-new interrelated novellas celebrating everything wonderful about college, including sophisticated professors, sexy teaching assistants, ambitious grad students, and spirited undergraduates, all looking for the same thing: an A+ in true love. Bianca Sommerland: Solid Education Gage Tackett comes off as a bad boy-detached and maybe a little dangerous. Definitely not Vet Sciences Professor Derek Paulson's type. When Gage arrives at Derek's veterinary clinic with a frostbitten stray dog, Derek realizes his most difficult student has a few things to teach him. Things he's more than willing to learn. LA Witt: Did Somebody Order a Pizza? Paul Switzer has been miserable ever since his childhood love, Cory Bowman, chose a fraternity over him. When a pizza delivery to the frat house lands the exes face to face for the first time in eighteen months, the wound is reopened... and so are Paul's feelings for the only man he's ever loved. Annabeth Albert: Winning Bracket Metrics and tournament brackets-who knew they were sexy? When competing dorm advisors Edwin and Ollie bet on a basketball tournament, neither expects he's risking his heart. As the challenge becomes a hot bedroom battle to avoid real feelings, the two "frenemies" must change their definitions of losing to win a shot at lasting love. Whitley Gray: Artistic Endeavor When friends ask one-night stand connoisseur Michael Esteban to introduce shy virgin Cobey Miller to the joys of sex, Michael balks-lust is his thing, not teaching. But Cobey's problem meeting men fuels Michael's decision to help Cobey become a gay-sex-loving guy. It'll all be fun and games-unless someone falls in love. Dalton Diaz: Lesson Learned Adam Warren is counting down the days until he can put "Professor" next to his name-and his disastrous past with Tyler Ford behind him. When a fluke puts Tyler in Adam's class, the graduate assistant faces some hard choices while Tyler faces an uphill battle for a second chance at first love. NOTE: The first four stories in this anthology can be found in Volume I.

*** LARGE PRINT EDITION *** Ever since Robert Belton gambled away the money to stake his claim in the Klondike gold fields, he's been stranded in Seattle working as a prostitute. When an attractive customer needs help hauling provisions to the frozen north, Robert eagerly volunteers. Dr. John Fauth is only searching for one thing, and it isn't gold. He needs platinum for the prototypes of his revolutionary inventions, and if he doesn't find it in the Klondike, his university career-and his research-is over. Getting to the Klondike is a grueling, dangerous journey, and just hours after leaving Seattle, John and Robert find themselves in over their heads. John is carrying an invaluable device that his competitors will do anything to get their hands on. And as the cold nights and mutual desire pull John and Robert closer together, they discover that they have much more to lose than gold or platinum. This 52,000 word book was previously published.

Before they were Doms... Before Ryan was Angel... Before there was Jordan...Delhi, 1999 - On assignment in India, photographer Ryan Morgan has one focus-his job. Then hot bachelor Dante James quite literally stumbles over him, and suddenly Ryan's not concentrating on anything except him.From the start, the chemistry between them sizzles. From Delhi to Seattle to Pittsburgh, the chance encounter blooms into something much deeper. But as the two young photographers learn who they are as men and as a couple, Ryan worries Dante will learn who he is. Because if his ex-wife and ex-boyfriend couldn't live with him, what makes him think Dante can? Or that he'll want to?Before There Were Three: Angel & Dante is the prequel to (and is best read after) Out of Focus.

BONUS CONTENT: This edition now includes the short story, Cuddly Behavior! Detective Mark Thibedeau is perfectly happy doing his job in Internal Affairs and going home to his cat. Still, when his assistant wants to set him up on a blind date, he can't help but be intrigued. Dr. Ryan Campbell loves the frenetic pace of working in an emergency department. He likes his life and doesn't need anyone. But that guy his colleague wants him to meet does sound pretty interesting. It's instant chemistry when they meet-and instant chaos. That chaos isn't just phone calls interrupting dates. When a patient comes into the ED rapidly bleeding out from a gunshot wound, Ryan suddenly finds himself in possession of evidence that could very well put two white cops in jail for killing an innocent black man in cold blood. Not sure what else to do, Ryan takes the evidence to the only cop he can trust-Mark. Now Mark is investigating a delicate case, and Ryan is a material witness, and putting their fledgling relationship on hold is the least of their problems. Dirty cops stalk Ryan and his colleagues. Higher-ups question Mark's investigative integrity at every turn. Worse, he's tugging at threads of a citywide systemic problem of cops getting away with racially motivated murder. And there are cops with blood on their hands who will gladly kill to keep that system running. CW: Racially motivated violence, white cop-on-black civilian violence

Josh Carver would do anything for Michael Adair, his childhood best friend. In the five years since Michael finally left his abusive ex-partner, Josh and his husband Ian have helped him leave that horrific past behind him. Michael seems to have adjusted well enough...until he admits he's afraid to date because the abuse has left him terrified of physical intimacy.Josh is stunned again when Ian proposes a solution-Josh can help Michael learn to enjoy sex again. It isn't like it would be the first time. After all, Josh and Michael lost their virginity to each other years ago. Michael hesitates, but then takes him up on the idea. It isn't long before Ian's getting involved too... and it's all fine and dandy until emotions come into play that threaten their friendship, as well as Josh and Ian's marriage.Warning: Contains three guys who will do anything for each other, a hot tub that's always the right temperature, and a cat with an attitude problem.This book was previously published.

After too many years of putting his job first, Detective Andreas Ruffner is getting his priorities straight. He's ready to spend some quality time with his adult kids, not to mention come clean about some things he should've told them a long time ago. And introduce them to his partner and boyfriend, Darren Corliss. But in a heartbeat, a family dinner turns into Andreas's worst nightmare. When the dust settles, one of his kids is hurt, and the other three have been abducted. Andreas is going to find his kids, and nothing, not even a broken ankle, is going to stop him. Thank God for his sharp, level-headed partner... who has a crisis of his own pulling him away when Andreas needs him the most. As both men try to support-and lean on-each other, they get no closer to finding the kids. And the longer the children are missing, the less likely it is they'll ever be found. This book was previously published.

Die Hardrock-Band Schadenfreude steht kurz vor ihrem Durchbruch, der ihnen in den letzten paar Jahre nicht vergönnt war. Mit Aaron McClure als ihren neuen Leadsänger, kann sie nichts aufhalten ... außer vielleicht eine leidenschaftliche, geheime Beziehung zwischen Aaron und dem Band-Bassisten Bastian Koehler. Aaron weiß nur zu gut was passieren kann, wenn sich Bandmitglieder aufeinander einlassen. Immerhin ist seine letzte Band an seiner alten Beziehung zerbrochen und Schadenfreude verbietet Beziehungen innerhalb der Band, aus genau diesem Grund. Aber Bastian ist zu attraktiv um ihm widerstehen zu können und abgesehen davon, ist es nur Sex, also wo liegt das Problem?Bastian kommt gerade aus einer langen Beziehung mit seiner launischen Ex-Verlobten, als Aaron seine Aufmerksamkeit erregt. Der sexy Sänger ist unwiderstehlich und trotz dem Potential für Streit in der Band, wenn das rauskommt, kann Bastian nicht anders.Ihre Leidenschaft im Schlafzimmer konkurriert jedoch mit ihrem Bestreben als Musiker und recht schnell, wird es sie und Schadenfreude zerreißen, wenn sie nicht in der Lage sind in der Band zu spielen.

Before Kieran... Seattle, 2000 - Ethan Mallory is counting down the days until he moves back to Toronto. He loves Seattle, but it's time to go home. So it's just his luck that, with a month to go, he meets Rhett Solomon. Their chemistry is off the charts, and in bed, Rhett is everything Ethan's been craving. He's witty and charming outside the bedroom too. Ethan's not about to change his plans for a man he's just met, but... what could this become if they had a little more time? Is this just a sizzling hot last hurrah before he returns to Canada? Or is leaving Rhett behind a huge mistake? Before There Were Three is a series of prequels to ménage stories written by L.A. Witt or Lauren Gallagher. Ethan & Rhett is the prequel to The Distance Between Us.

Detective Darren Corliss is hanging by a thread. In between recovering from a near-fatal wound and returning to work at a hostile precinct, he's struggling to help care for his ailing brother. His partner and boyfriend, Detective Andreas Ruffner, wants to help, but doesn't know how. And with his own family crises brewing, Andreas is spread almost as thin as Darren. For cops, though, life takes a backseat to the job. When a stack of unsolved homicides drops into their laps, Andreas and Darren think they're unrelated cold cases. But when a connection surfaces, they find themselves on the tail of a prolific serial killer who's about to strike again. Except they've got nothing. No leads. No suspects. Just a pile of circumstantial evidence and a whole lot of hunches. Time is running out to stop the next murder-and to pull themselves back from their breaking points. This book was previously published.

August 1939. Roger Miller and Jack O'Brien have been close since childhood. By the time they realize there's more between them than friendship, Jack is leaving their sleepy Iowa town for college. But they console themselves knowing he'll be home for Christmas. Right? It is Christmas before they see each other again, but that Christmas comes six years and a world war later. Aged, beaten, and shaken by combat, they're not the boys they were back then, but their feelings for each other are stronger than ever.Neither know the words to say everything they've carried since that peacetime summer kiss, though. Even as they stand in the same room, there's a thousand miles between them. But maybe that's some distance the little angel in Roger's rucksack can cross.This 24,000 word novella is part of the Christmas Angel series, and can be read as a standalone.

Months after his husband's death, Garrett Blaine desperately needs a fresh start. He sells his house in Seattle, leaves his accounting job, and starts bartending in Bluewater Bay. There he meets a man who wakes up his nearly forgotten libido. Jesse Connelly's friend with benefits bolted after Jesse disclosed his HIV status. Stood up and stinging, Jesse tries to drown his sorrows . . . and finds an unexpected connection with a lonely bartender. Jesse and Garrett quickly bond over a shared love of comics and card games, and they can't get enough of each other between the sheets. Not even a bumpy start and a fifteen-year age gap can derail them as they go from strangers to lovers, then friends, then much more. But as Garrett's feelings for Jesse deepen, so does his grief for the man he lost-especially as he sees hints of his late husband in his new boyfriend. Now Garrett has to figure out if Jesse is his second chance at true love, or if Jesse's just filling in for the man he's never fully grieved. And he needs to figure it out soon, because Jesse's starting to wonder the same thing. This book was previously published.

For Constable Paul Benson of the North-West Mounted Police, monotony is a blessing. As a provision inspector below the Chilkoot Pass during the Klondike Gold Rush, he's seen miserable conditions and gold fever turn civilized prospectors into madmen. Joseph Starling is on his way to the Klondike to find the men who savagely beat him, murdered his eldest brother, and stole their mining machine. They'll kill his youngest brother if Joseph doesn't operate the machine for them-it won't work without him. With time running out, Joseph must purchase an expensive ticket aboard a crash-prone airship. But the station is miles away through dangerous terrain. Under orders, Paul grudgingly escorts Joseph, but quickly finds himself intrigued by the young man. As they make their way toward Juneau, it's not just the need for warmth that drives them closer together. But neither man can draw an easy breath until they make it to the gold fields...and there's no guarantee that Joseph's brother will still be alive when they do. This 42,000 word book was previously published.

Riding the unexpected success of his video channel for as long as it holds out, reluctant influencer Marcus Holloway is on a road trip to find the best pizza in each state. It's a solitary journey, but he has his dog and kitten for company. What more could he need? When he interrupts another influencer trying to exploit a homeless person for clout, though, he finds himself on a most unexpected detour. Blake Wyatt is already down on his luck, living out of his car a thousand miles from anything he might call home. And it only gets worse when someone steals the car. The obnoxious jerk with the camera is just more humiliation. Then a softspoken savior intervenes... and turns Blake's world on its head. Now they're riding together, and as the miles fly by, both men realize how badly they've longed for connection and companionship. Blake adores Marcus's kindness and his laidback vibe. Marcus melts every time his kitten falls asleep on Blake. And that's to say nothing of the chemistry steadily heating up between them. But this isn't forever. Blake has to get his life back in the rails. Marcus still has thousands of miles to travel. They can avoid it for a while, but sooner or later, their paths will diverge. As goodbye looms, though, neither is ready to let go. Maybe they don't have to. Deep Dish is a standalone slow burn road trip romance. CW: moderate childhood trauma, past parentification, discussion of Covid-19/pandemic, homelessness, smear campaigns/accusations of abuse, brief mentions of a neglected animal, mild trauma responses in a rescued pet. If you have questions about this content warning or are concerned about specific content/triggers, please do not hesitate to email the author.

First class petty officer Eric Randall is less than thrilled about taking orders to Okinawa. Three long, lonely years on a crappy island that's thousands of miles from his daughter? Oh. Yeah. Sign him up. But as long as he's stuck here, he might as well make the best of it, so he discreetly checks out the local gay scene, where he meets Shane Connelly. What starts as a one night stand leaves both of them wanting more, but then Eric finds out Shane doesn't just outrank him, he's an officer. DADT may be repealed, but an enlisted man getting involved with an officer falls under conduct unbecoming a gentleman and could cost both men their careers. They both have kids to take care of, future civilian careers to consider, and retirements on the line.Still, they can't resist each other. They discreetly spend nights together, and their mutual desire to explore the beautiful island of Okinawa is a perfect excuse to spend days together. As long as no one asks and they don't tell, there's no reason anyone has to find out.But secrets like this tend to make themselves known...This 95,000 word novel was previously published.

Senior Chief Will Curtis is as straitlaced as they come. While his fellow Sailors have partied their way through their enlistments, he's had his eye on the prize-making master chief and retiring after thirty years of service. Lieutenant Brent Jameson is a Navy brat turned Annapolis grad. He's lived and breathed the military his whole life, and he knows he's destined for great things-once he's done paying his dues at the bottom of the ladder. When their paths cross, both men know better than to give in to temptation, but that doesn't stop them. It also doesn't keep them from coming back for more, even though being discovered would sink their careers. Something has to give-Will can retire, Brent can resign, or they'll both face court-martial. But there's also the option neither wants to acknowledge: jump ship and walk away from each other instead of ending their careers over a fledgling relationship. And they should probably decide before they fall in love. Except-too late. This book was previously published.

The first Wilde's book. Go back to where it all began....Jon Beatty thought he'd found the best man for him until Craig walked out. To add insult to injury, Craig's got a new lover - a woman - and wants Jon to be a different kind of best man...at his wedding.Reasoning that the only way to get over one man is to get under another, Jon heads out to Wilde's, the night club on Capitol Hill famous for its hot clientele and hotter bartenders. Jon just wants to get drunk and get laid, and bartender Liam Sable is more than willing to help with both.Their one night stand turns into a rebound fling, but as Jon moves on with Liam, Craig starts having second thoughts about the break-up. His tiresome antics are the least of Jon and Liam's worries, though. The least annoying, and the least dangerous....Note: This book was previously published.

Lambda Literary Award FinalistAfter a Marine roughs him up at a gay bar, Ensign Aiden Lange has some cuts and bruises on his face that are sure to raise questions at work. At the urging of a sympathetic cop, he spends the next day hiking to Okinawa's Hiji Falls where he'll claim he hurt himself in a fall. But at the end of the trail, he's in for a pleasant surprise-a gorgeous young guy in a pair of swimming trunks.Connor didn't come up to the falls to find a man, but when the ensign with the bandaged eyebrow finds him, he's instantly intrigued. A hike turns into dinner, and before either of them know it, they're inseparable. Connor's experience with men is limited, but Aiden is gentle and-in spite of their mutual hunger for each other-infinitely patient.It's a small world, though, and an even smaller island, and when Connor's father catches the two of them together, he's more than just an overprotective dad-he's one of Aiden's high-ranking bosses. With a few phone calls, he can derail the Naval Academy grad's carefully planned career trajectory. The ultimatum is simple-stay away from Connor, or kiss his dreams of advancement goodbye.Aiden's not so easily deterred, though, especially when it comes to someone like Connor, so the two continue seeing each other in secret. But there are only so many places to hide on a tiny island, and sooner or later, Aiden's going to have to choose-Connor or his career.This 63,000 word novel was previously published.

Second-class petty officers Dalton Taylor and Chris Ingram have been best friends since coxswain's school. Now they're stationed together in the Harbor Patrol Unit of NAS Adams. They're content as friends, but secretly, they both ache for more. Neither makes a move, though; while Dalton is out and proud, Chris is closeted-even from his best friend. Then another coxswain's negligence nearly drowns Dalton. After a taste of how easily they could lose each other, neither man can keep his feelings hidden anymore, and it turns out love and sex come easy when you're falling for your best friend. Things aren't just heating up between the friends-turned-lovers, though. The Navy is investigating the accident, and the Harbor Patrol chief isn't going to let his star coxswain go down for dereliction of duty, even if saving him means throwing Dalton under the bus. As the threats and gaslighting pile up, Chris and Dalton need each other more than ever-as shipmates, friends, and lovers. But if their chief prevails, the only way they can save their careers is to let each other go. This book was previously published.

Holden Russell let his job consume his life for too long, and it took his wife leaving for him to realize it's time for a change. His marriage is over, but he's determined to do right by his kids, starting with fewer hours at work and more with them. Except it's no longer the kids competing with his job for his attention. It's Holden competing for their attention... with their new live-in nanny. Their very hot male live-in nanny.Porter Blake never saw himself becoming a nanny, but okay. After burnout and PTSD drove him from his job as a paramedic, he's desperate for something new, and it turns out the nanny gig isn't so bad. The pay is decent, the stress is manageable, the kids are great, and their mom is cool. It's the ex-husband he's not so sure about.The situation is awkward enough when Porter and Holden are butting heads. When they find some common ground and their mutual attraction becomes too much to ignore, things are bound to get complicated. And unless they want Porter to lose his job, they're going to have to fly under the ex-wife's radar. Except secrets like this have a way of coming out... This standalone novel is approximately 115,000 words long.

Their biggest challenge is balancing one's vanilla with the other's kink.Joel has finally walked away from his abusive ex and is ready to meet new people. But that isn't easy for a guy who's shy, self-conscious, and struggling with his body image. Andre has wanted Joel since the first time he laid eyes on him, and finally Joel is single. But Andre is a Dom and a sadist, and Joel is unapologetically vanilla. There's no happy medium-either Andre reins in the kinky side that took him years to accept, or Joel grits his teeth and subjects himself to kinks that aren't his thing. No matter who bends, someone's going to be unhappy. They agree to walk away, but they keep circling back to each other. Though their kinks might not line up, the chemistry between them sizzles and the emotional connection keeps getting deeper. But none of that will get them anywhere if they can't find some kind of middle ground in the bedroom. This 40,000 word novella was previously published.

Graham and his roping partner, Jackson, have been friends since they were boys. They've ruled the rodeo scene for ten years running, but lately, Graham's heart isn't in the game. He's tired of the bruises, the cowboy mentality, and the animal rights activists who picket every event. He's also tired of being in love with Jackson, and nothing's been the same between them since their disastrous drunken encounter the year before. Then Graham has a run-in with one of the rodeo protesters, and everything changes. Kaz is young, idealistic, and sexy as hell. But he's also a know-it-all, animal-loving vegan, bent on saving the world one cow at a time. They have next to nothing in common, but Graham can't stop thinking about what might happen if they can stop butting heads long enough to give it a try. Unfortunately, no matter how attracted Graham is to other men, he always panics and runs when the clothes start to come off. But Kaz has an idea for getting Graham past his nerves and into bed. All they need is a bit of rope. This 41,000 word novella was previously published.

Three's a disaster when things come unraveled. Rock star Nate Keller is on top of the world, but his headlining tour has one drawback. It keeps him away from his boyfriends Theo and Cameron for weeks at a time. They make every effort to come see him as often as possible, though, and after four and a half years as a trio, things are still going strong. But then Cam comes alone, bringing news that stops Nate's world on a dime-after seventeen years together, he and Theo are separating. It's a trial separation, but nevertheless, Nate is devastated. He tries to pull them back together, but there's only so much he can do from the road. At home, Cam tries to carry on, but feels like his whole life is spiraling out of control. Theo struggles to cope with the split and his worsening depression. They're both quickly losing hope for a reconciliation... and keeping the man they both still love. When Nate makes a desperate last ditch attempt to pull their trio back together, it's make or break time. Is their trial separation just a temporary hiatus? Or is this the end? This novel was previously published.

Jeremy Rose came to Bluewater Bay to work as Anna Maxwell's bodyguard, not to escape his increasingly bitter relationship with his estranged kids. He just wants to focus on his job and be alone for a while. He's done with love, especially now that three years after his long overdue divorce, he's got a front-row seat to the rapid deterioration between Anna and her girlfriend. Cynical doesn't even begin to describe him. Then Anna and Leigh's attempts to reconcile put him in the crosshairs of marriage counselor Scott Fletcher. Scott's exactly what Jeremy needs right now: gorgeous, hot, horny, single, and 100% uninterested in a relationship. The problem is, too much no-strings-attached sex-and too much time in each other's company-inevitably builds emotional connection. Except Jeremy refuses to seek counseling for his broken family, and Scott refuses to get seriously involved with men who work dangerous jobs. They both need to realize they can only hide for so long from the pain they came here to escape. They must face their pasts before they lose their shot at a happy future. This book was previously published.

*** LARGE PRINT EDITION *** When paramedic Nick Swain responds to a shooting in a seedy neighborhood, his entire world is thrown off its axis. His life is threatened...twice. Allegations of racism and medical neglect threaten his career and his ability to sleep at night. Not that he'll be sleeping any time soon after the incident throws him into the path-and arms-of Detective Andrew Carmichael.One hot night after another with Andrew may help Nick relieve some work-related stress, but sex won't solve every problem in his life. With the media hounding him and the city watching his every move, he starts to wonder if the world is out to get him. The world may not be out to get him, but someone is. And that someone wants Nick dead.This book was previously published.

On the scene of a multiple murder that's grisly even for a veteran homicide detective, Brian Clifton is stunned when one of the victims bears an uncanny resemblance to his boyfriend, James. As the similarities keep piling up, so do the bodies... and the evidence pointing to James as the killer. Since long before the shooting, James has been dishonest. He's been evasive. Oh, and there's that minor detail he withheld from Brian about being a gambling-addicted drug dealer. James may not be the best boyfriend in the world, but he begs Brian to believe he's no killer. In fact, whoever did pull the trigger undoubtedly wants to finish what they started, and Brian is the only one James trusts to keep him safe. But how much is Brian willing to risk to protect a man he may not even know?

Gene Caldwell has given up on love. After two messy divorces and countless failed relationships, he's sixty-one, he's single, and he's done trying. Terry Hanson still believes in love, but after burying two partners in thirty years, he's prepared to spend the rest of his life alone. Even if the nights get cold, he refuses to go through that heartbreak a third time. At a mutual friend's wedding reception, the two men bond over their loneliness and cynicism. They spend the evening commiserating... and the rest of the night pretending they'll be able to walk away from each other in the morning. Neither can help coming back for more. They can't get enough of each other's touch, the affection they've both been starving for, and the companionship they both crave and fear. If they lower their decades-old defenses, they'll risk more heartbreak. If they don't lower those defenses, though, they'll miss out on love that was worth waiting half a century to find. This 97,000 word Las Palmas Fencing Club novel is the sequel to The Master Will Appear, and can be read as a standalone.