Together for the first time, twelve short stories of women loving women from award-winning author JL Merrow. Some are funny, some are sweet, some are steamy -- and some are haunting, with genres ranging from steampunk through paranormal to fairy tale, and from contemporary erotic romance to historical. Meet shapeshifters and spirits of the forest, enjoy a lovers' reunion and watch friends become something more. Encounter strange creatures, automata, and women on both sides of the law. See two of Jane Austen's minor characters find love together, and others find hope amid the ruins, as JL Merrow explores the feminine side of life -- and love. Contains the stories: London Lark, First Time, Nine Days and Seven Tears, Capture the Moon, Her Particular Friend, Wild Flowers of Berlin, Trolling for Cupcakes, Little Bit of Ivory, Ice Maiden, Dance With Me, Belling the Kat, and Blazing June.

"Ever since his one-night stand with big, butch, bisexual Bill, Marty’s been in the hopeless grip of a passionate yet seemingly unrequited love. Housesitting for the object of his affection, all he can do is cry on the scaly shoulders of Bill’s exotic fish ... until he meets the tipsy time-traveler who lives upstairs. Arthur Prefect (not his real name) is a refugee from a dystopian time, and he’s pining, too, for the man he left back in the future. Over the course of a drunken evening, Marty dreams up a plan to reconnect the lonely young man with his lost love ... but he’ll need to do more than dream to fix his own future with Bill."

"Adopted as a baby, Giles Frobisher has grown up with every privilege. Encouraged by his best friend—and secret crush—Oz to seek out his birth mother, he’s appalled to discover she’s loud, lower-class, and insists on calling him Wayne! Giles’ snobbier-than-thou, none-too-faithful boyfriend Hugh is equally horrified, and Oz, who’s always been secretive about his own family, starts acting very strangely. It seems Giles is about to learn that good breeding has nothing to do with who your parents are!"

Twenty-one-year-old Briony is stagnating, living at home with her parents and younger brother. That is, until a mysterious, beautiful visitor from the sea brings her new hope of happiness.<br><br>But Freyja’s not meant to be on the Isle of Wight, and she’s about to leave for home shores. Can Briony find a way to keep her selkie lover by her side?

Together for the first time, twelve short stories of male/male romance from award-winning author JL Merrow. Ranging from gritty to giddy, all feature two men finding their happy ever after -- or at least for now -- with a dash of the author’s trademark humour.<br><br>Read about boys from the wrong side of town, boys from the right side of town, and boys from a town you really wouldn’t want to live in. Meet a rent boy with a secret, a very earthly version of Cupid, and men with a definite tinge of the supernatural. Opposites attract, wishes come true, and old enemies find forgiveness in this variety pack of eight contemporary stories and four paranormal tales that’s a perfect introduction to the writing of a very British author.<br><br>Contains the stories: <i>Love Found on Lindisfarne, Free Ride, Light the Fire, Dead Shot, Stronger Where it Counts, Jack in the Green, A Ghoul Like You, Batteries Not Included, Making it Pay, Trick or Treat, Good Breeding,</i> and <i>A Pint of Beer, a Bag of Chips, and Thou.</i>

Local news photographer Ethan is pretty sure there’s no such thing as a jackalope. Every bunny he's ever seen has been a cute little furry creature, not a dangerous, horned beastie. But somehow he lets big, tough American hunter Logan drag him into Parkhurst Forest on the Isle of Wight on what Ethan’s convinced is a wild goose chase. Logan’s on a mission to wipe out the jackalope colony he’s convinced has been brought to the island by a madman. He’s got a healthy respect for the vicious critters, which is more than he seems to have for the less physically imposing Ethan. But when an escaped convict from a nearby prison bursts into the mix, all their plans are thrown awry. Seeing Ethan at the mercy of the violent criminal brings Logan’s true feelings for the smaller guy out into the open ... and what happens next could lead to a change of heart about the jackalopes, as well!

Pint-sized Dave Tanaka, coxswain of his Cambridge college's rowing team, loves having eight strapping athletes hanging on his every word, their strength at his command. But there's one in particular whose attention he craves: Archie, who rows stroke for the side. Six-foot-six Archie acts like he's just one of the lads -- although the way he calls out some of the other rowers on their thoughtless comments makes Dave's heart beat harder for him. But is there anything personal in it? Tensions rise as they compete in the inter-college races, the Bumps ... and as they prepare for their final race, the one that will determine if they win their oars, Dave still doesn't know if Archie is in the same boat as him, in more ways than one! Includes the short story mini-sequel, Firm Pressure.

Investigative journalist Frank would do anything for the next big scoop, and a chance to break the news to the world that vampires really exist is too good to pass up. But his fact-finding mission to an undead hangout takes a terrifying turn when he’s locked in a cellar with a starving -- if sexy -- bloodsucker and no escape in sight. Forlorn vampire Viktor hasn’t had a bite in months, ever since falling foul of über-vamp The Mistress and being imprisoned for his sins. Delivered to his cell like Meals on Wheels, Frank’s the tastiest morsel he’s seen in a long time. Viktor can’t wait to get his fangs into him -- and there’s something about Frank that makes Viktor lust for more than just his blood. To escape the mysterious Mistress’s prison, predator and prey will have to work together -- if, that is, they can manage to rein in their baser appetites for long enough! Note: this short story was previously published under the title Becoming the Spoils.

Office worker Kat didn't think the statuesque Belle was her type ... until she saw her friend rocking a slinky satin bridesmaid's dress. Now Kat can't get the gorgeous image out of her head, but dare she risk losing Belle's friendship by trying for something more? To add to her woes, ever since a close encounter of the feline kind, Kat's had an embarrassing little problem that keeps recurring. Surely someone as beautiful as Belle won't fall for a woman who occasionally sprouts whiskers ... and a tail! This mini-collection also includes three more super-quick reads featuring women loving women: contemporary romance "Little Bit of Ivory," Japanese fairy tale "Ice Maiden," and the haunting "Dance With Me."

Skipping through the Mirkwood on her way to buy cupcakes, Billie finds her way across a bridge barred by a gruff, if gorgeous, troll demanding a toll. Worse, there's a strong hint the herculean hermit will be happy to take a pound of flesh as her tribute. Lonely troll Granita may be more bluster than bite, but if Billie can't persuade the comely colossus of the copse to accept another form of currency, her sweet treat could cost her an arm and a leg -- literally! She'll have to hope she can find something even sweeter with which to tempt her Titan.

In post-WW2 Berlin, Henny grieves for her fallen lover, Anna, killed by an Allied bomb. As she joins other women rebuilding their shattered city from its ash-grey ruins, Henny recalls happier times and finds her eye caught by a young woman in a green dress. Ruth is too young to remember the heyday of pre-war Berlin, when the bars were full of handsome women and pretty boys, but perhaps her youthful spirit and optimism can bring Henny to hope for the future.

Jason loves working at the Bright Eyes nursery, but he's not so keen on what happens at the kids' Christmas party. As if having to don an ancient, tacky Santa costume isn't bad enough, he's mortified when he suffers a costume malfunction. Especially as it happens right in front of the hot -- and impeccably dressed -- Alec, a single dad he's fancied for ages. But when Alec's daughter Poppy invites Jason round for tea, he finds Alec was only too pleased to get a glimpse of Jason's naff underwear. In fact, he'd like to see a whole lot more of it. A Christmas miracle? Maybe ... but there's one more embarrassment in store for Jason next morning.

In this M/M retelling of the Grimm fairytale, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, Reuben, a soldier, is on his way to the castle to offer his services to the king, who is sorely troubled with the question of his family’s honour. His wayward daughters go out dancing every night, and refuse to tell how or where. Walking through the forest, Reuben meets a handsome woodcutter, Corin, who offers to help him unravel the mystery of the dancing princesses. With the magical aid of Corin’s grandmother, the two set out together, mindful that their journey could end in sorrow. The king offers a rich prize to anyone who can discover the princesses’ secret—but the penalty for failure is death.

Struggling single mum Carla does her best to look after her elderly neighbour, but has to call the police to help when Mrs MacReady suffers a fall and she can’t get in to help. A good deed brings its own reward when one of the constables who turns up is the beautiful, red-haired Ellen. Ellen cuts her hand breaking into the flat to rescue the old lady, and as Carla tends the wound, she falls half in love with the golden stranger. She doesn’t expect to ever see her again ... but Ellen might just surprise her.

Eighteen-year-old Londoner Josh feels all at sea, holidaying with his family on the Isle of Wight. He’d rather be living it up in Ibiza, dancing until all hours, and maybe finding out what it’s like to be with another man. What chance does he have of getting lucky with his newly-single mum and little sisters in tow? Cambridge student Rupe is making the most of his summer job at the boating lake, charming customers with his good looks and theatrical manner. Life looks even sunnier when he meets the cute, inexperienced Josh and asks him out for a date on a boat. But there are dark clouds in Rupe’s life, and even love on an island isn’t always plain sailing.

When Susan Price leaves Mansfield Park to accompany her aunt, Lady Bertram, to take the waters in Bath, she little expects to meet an old “friend” of the family. Initially scandalised, Susan finds herself drawn to the former Mary Crawford, now a widow, Mrs Lynd. Mary has lost none of her playful spirit in the ten years since her family’s acquaintance with the Bertrams ended amid elopement and scandal. Her interest, first piqued by Susan’s resemblance to her older sister Fanny, only grows on discovering Susan’s very different character. But Lady Bertram will surely never countenance Susan’s intimacy with the woman whose brother caused her daughter’s disgrace -- and Mary’s true identity cannot be kept a secret forever.

When jaded old lag Mel meets pretty new prison inmate Ella, she’s quick to take her under her wing and show her how to survive in the system. In prison, everything has a price -- but Mel finds herself strangely reluctant to take advantage of Ella’s gratitude, no matter how much she wants her. Ella’s not so reticent, and their nights turn passionate. But the outcome of Ella’s appeal could part them forever.

"Twenty-one-year-old Briony is stagnating, living at home with her parents and younger brother. That is, until a mysterious, beautiful visitor from the sea brings her new hope of happiness. But Freyja’s not meant to be on the Isle of Wight, and she’s about to leave for home shores. Can Briony find a way to keep her selkie lover by her side?"

"Apprentice tinkerer Harriet Hodgkins is skilled in the construction and maintenance of intricate clockwork contrivances. She’s also rather good at masquerading as a man ... for of course, no self-respecting craftsman would hire a woman. Repairing a salvaged automaton becomes a labour of love for Hodgkins, and the object of her affections, Miss Pandora Piper, comes to hold her rescuer in equal esteem. But Hodgkins has yet to confess her true gender, and moreover the clockwork coquette is destined for resale. If Hodgkins can’t engineer a more auspicious ending, Miss Pandora’s restoration will signal their separation."

"IT guy Michael figures he's in for an awkward evening when a client takes him to a girlie bar. When he gets talking to big, blond Kyle, it seems like it's his lucky night after all. But they have a shared past Michael's managed to forget and Kyle is hoping he won't remember. Kyle's deeply ashamed of his weakness back in high school, when he stood by and watched as Michael became the victim of a gay-bashing -- by new boy Kyle's group of friends. He's going to have his work cut out to persuade Michael to take a chance at trusting him now."

"How do you know if you’re one of the damned? As a child, Don wanted to become a priest. Now a grown man mostly at ease with being gay, he’s left the Catholic Church and has chosen instead to help people through his work as a parole officer. His strong faith is shaken when his latest assignment turns out to be Michael, a young man Don hasn’t seen since he took Michael to church as a child -- and saw his parish priest cast Michael out of the church as a demon. Meeting him as an adult re-ignites the obsession Don had with the boy he couldn’t save. But can Michael be saved at all? Or is the strangely compelling demon with a taste for risky sex as damned as he believes himself to be?"

"Stranded in a remote country village in 1920s England when his car breaks down, shy young Arthur finds himself drawn to the rough mechanic who comes to his aid, Bob Goodman. Forced to stay until the May Day holiday is over, Arthur makes the best of it, enjoying the village procession and fete. But the villagers seem to know more about him than they should, and there’s a second, darker, May celebration that starts when the sun’s gone down. In the drunken revelry that follows, Arthur is whisked off in a wild dance by Goodman, who plays the part of Jack in the Green, the spirit of the greenwood. Dancing turns to loving, but is everything what it seems? And is one night all Arthur can have?"

"Nothing says “I love you” like a stake through the heart. Niall’s just looking for a quiet life, ever since the botched vampire attack that turned him into a ghoul. He’s even trying to stay off the pleasures of human flesh. Jamie’s a revenge-driven kid on a vampire killing spree, and he needs Niall’s help to survive. Somehow Niall finds his long-dormant conscience -- and his libido -- waking up. But Jamie’s luck can only last so long. This is a visceral story of love (or something like it) among the undead."

"Wounds of the heart are the hardest to heal. Solicitor’s clerk George Johnson has a secret goal when he moves into a London boarding house in the winter of 1920: to find out if his fellow lodger, Matthew Connaught, was the wartime traitor who cost George’s adored older brother Hugh his life. Yet the more he gets to know his quarry, the more George loses sight of his mission -- and his heart. Blessed with boyish good looks and charm in abundance, ad man Matthew is irrepressibly cheerful despite having lost an arm in the Great War -- and soon makes plain his attraction to George. As George’s feelings for Matthew grow, so does his desperation to know the truth about what happened that day in Ypres. Even if bringing all their secrets to light means he’ll lose the man he’s come to love."

"Cursed by an impatient witch to turn into a tortoise at inopportune moments, Tip is horrified to find himself tortoise-napped by a customer at the Isle of Wight cafe where he works. Things start to look up when Tip ends up very literally in the capable hands of drop-dead gorgeous Steve, but Tip soon begins to wonder just how far he can trust Steve, who turns out to have a close connection with his kidnapper. Tip’s attempts at a normal life -- and love life -- seem doomed to remain frustrated in more ways than one! Inspired by a real-life incident. Yes, really."

"How would you react if you woke up one morning to find you were in bed with your favorite rock star? More to the point: how would the rock star react? Animal rescue worker Sam is content to dream of rock sensation Cain Shepney. Trouble is, his meddling mother Lillith thinks he deserves to have all his dreams come true -- and she isn’t above performing a little magic to achieve her ends! Sam’s shocked to wake up one morning to find himself actually in bed with his celebrity crush -- but that’s nothing to how Cain feels about it! Suddenly Sam’s got to deal with an irate, naked, and very distracting rock star in his bed. Cain has it all -- he’s good-looking, famous, and adored by millions. But his life takes a turn for the surreal when he wakes up in bed with Sam. Expecting everyone to be worried sick by his disappearance, Cain’s horrified to find his manager -- and even his mum -- insisting he’s an imposter, and the real Cain Shepney is right where he belongs. Sam just wants to help, but with Cain convinced he’s a crazed, celebrity-kidnapping stalker, Sam’s got his work cut out for him. Can he get the object of his affections to trust him long enough to find out just what the hell’s going on?"

"Simone isn’t having an easy time of it right now. Her parents have split up, everyone thinks she’s gone mad, and there’s a Greek god visible only to her who won’t stop trying to fix her up with boys. But when her father finally meets Eros -- or Eric, as he prefers to be known -- matters take a twist none of them were expecting!"

"Sometimes you can’t see the silver lining for the clouds. Abandoned as a baby and now working as a rent boy, Daniel finds it hard to let people get close to him. But nightclub bouncer Rob has a kind face and he’s helped Daniel out once already, so when he catches Daniel on a bad night, Daniel accepts his offer of money and goes home with him. Even though it breaks his heart. Letting Rob pay him for sex may have wrecked their friendship just when Daniel needs all the friends he can get. But there are more reasons why he hasn’t seen Rob since that night -- and one in particular that makes building a relationship seem almost too much to hope for."

"What’s the best gift a young, single man could receive for Christmas? Mohawked punk Liam wouldn’t have picked the hideous collection of homemade knitwear he’s presented with by his well-meaning mum and aunties. He’d much rather have the gorgeous older man he sees every day while busking at King’s Cross station. Liam’s been doing his best to seduce the guy with his saxophone playing -- the trouble is, with the holidays coming up, he’s beginning to despair of his message getting through. But with a little Christmas magic in the air, maybe those garish garments will be just the thing for attracting the attention of a silver fox ..."

"In this fairytale inspired by a classic children’s story, weaver’s daughter Adrien is tired of turning down marriage proposals. So she disguises herself as a boy and sets out on a journey of discovery, accompanied only by her faithful piglet Ferkel. Rescuing a young monk named Felix from brigands, Adrien agrees to act as bodyguard on his journey to the King’s castle to present the princess with a telescope. The lovely Princess Selene has also had more than her fair share of suitors, but she refuses to marry until someone gives her the moon. Felix’s telescope could grant her heart’s desire, but it’s Adrien who finds herself in love with the lively, beautiful princess. Astonished to find Selene loves her in return, Adrien’s joy is short-lived. Surely Selene’s love will die when Adrien reveals her true gender? And in any case, two women cannot be married -- can they?"

"There’s no such thing as a free ride. Aidan may be only twenty, but he’s already learned that the hard way. Hitch-hiking up from London to Glasgow to keep a promise to a man he’ll never see again, Aidan’s fully prepared to offer payment in kind for his lifts. He’s not expecting a good-looking older bloke to pick him up in a Mercedes -- nor that he’ll find John such good company. After a few short hours together Aidan’s already starting to care what John thinks of him. When slow traffic forces them to get a room for the night, Aidan’s not sure what to do. Putting out as a thank you to a stranger is one thing, but can he really go through with it with the first person he’s come to care for since he made that promise? And what’s going to happen when they reach their destination?"

"The memory of this party could haunt him forever ... Dragged along to a haunted house by his mates, Sam’s at the Halloween party from hell -- the guy he fancied has turned out to be a bigot, and Sam has just outed himself to his whole football team. Escaping to the garden, he meets James, an enigmatic stranger with a mischievous smile, and the evening soon takes a turn for the better. The night may be chilly but the heat between Sam and James is hotter than Hades. But James has a role to play in the evening’s ghostly entertainment, and it’s a story with a deadly ending. Unless Sam can change the script and stop history repeating itself, “till death do us part” will come sooner than he thinks."

"Two years after the death of his lover at the hands of bigots, Kurt’s still not looking for another relationship, even though the big old house he bought with Raoul seems cold and empty these days. But there’s a perky kid at his gym who just won't take no for an answer. Matt can tell there’s more to Kurt than just a great set of pecs. He’s drawn to the big guy’s caring, protective attitude as much as to his muscles. But when push comes to shove, can Matt show Kurt he’s not just a big mouth in a small package?"

"Together for the first time, twelve short stories of male/male romance from award-winning author JL Merrow. Ranging from gritty to giddy, all feature two men finding their happy ever after -- or at least for now -- with a dash of the author’s trademark humour. Read about boys from the wrong side of town, boys from the right side of town, and boys from a town you really wouldn’t want to live in. Meet a rent boy with a secret, a very earthly version of Cupid, and men with a definite tinge of the supernatural. Opposites attract, wishes come true, and old enemies find forgiveness in this variety pack of eight contemporary stories and four paranormal tales that’s a perfect introduction to the writing of a very British author. Contains the stories: Love Found on Lindisfarne, Free Ride, Light the Fire, Dead Shot, Stronger Where it Counts, Jack in the Green, A Ghoul Like You, Batteries Not Included, Making it Pay, Trick or Treat, Good Breeding, and A Pint of Beer, a Bag of Chips, and Thou."

"In early twentieth century England, a good valet can be damned hard to come by -- at least, when one’s requirements are quite so specific as Lord Algernon Huffingham’s. Algy likes a man with a firm hand. Preferably work-calloused, and applied with vigour to Algy’s aristocratic buttocks. He’s beginning to despair of ever finding a man who can give him what he needs and still respect him in the morning. Disgraced footman Robert likes a roll in the hay as much as the next man. Preferably with the next man. But he’s more accustomed to following orders than issuing them -- and some of his lordship’s requirements are a bit more extreme than he’s used to! Robert may be easy on the eye and flexible in his morals, but will he be able to rise to Algy’s challenge?"

"Sometimes Cupid has his own agenda. Carpenter Peter takes his hyperactive ten-year-old nephew to play in the park with his home-made bow and arrows -- but makes the mistake of closing his eyes for a minute. Alerted by a yell of pain, he’s mortified to find that Kevin has shot a tall, handsome stranger in the rear end. Especially when Kevin suggests Peter should kiss it better! Cultured lawyer Edward doesn’t seem to mind. An embarrassing encounter leads to a hot date -- but Peter's guilty secret about Kevin’s father could undo all Cupid’s good work, and Edward’s flair for the dramatic isn’t exactly helping!"

"The bigger they come, the harder they fall ... in love. Cambridge academic Larry Morton takes one, alcohol-glazed look at the huge, tattooed man looming in a dark alley, and assumes he’s done for. Moments later he finds himself disarmed -- literally and figuratively. Next morning, he can’t rest until he’s apologised to the man who turned out to be more gentle than giant. Larry’s intrigued to find there’s more to Al Fletcher than meets the eye; he possesses a natural artistic talent that shines through untutored technique. Unfortunately, no one else seems to see the sensitive soul beneath Al’s imposing, scarred, undeniably sexy exterior. Least of all Larry’s class-conscious family, who would like nothing better than to split up this mismatched pair. It’s deliciously physical, but also much more -- which makes Larry’s next task so daunting. Not just convincing his colleagues, friends, and family that their relationship is more than skin deep. It’s convincing Al."

"When single father Chris meets a Viking re-enactor on Lindisfarne, he thinks it’s the perfect recipe for a holiday fling -- and nothing more. Ian, or Ulf, as he’s known when in character as a Viking berserker, is a dreadlocked nomad who never stays in one place for long. Chris had a relationship with a free spirit like Ian before, and it didn’t end well for him or for his bright but troubled daughter Kelis. He’s determined not to risk the stability of her home environment for Ian, no matter how well she gets on with him -- and no matter how much Chris is drawn to the man. But Chris hasn’t reckoned with the Viking way of taking all you’re willing to give -- and coming back for more."

"Only half the man he used to be -- but maybe that’s enough The Taliban may have taken both Chris’s legs, but he came back from Afghanistan with his sense of humour and his lust for life firmly intact. The one thing that can shake his confidence is meeting Josh, the one-night stand from before his tour of duty he hasn’t been able to forget. It turns out Josh hasn’t forgotten Chris, either. He spent the time they were apart fearing the worst every time a soldier was reported killed in action -- and wishing Chris would use the number Josh gave him, and call. Josh’s delight on seeing Chris again quickly turns to shock on seeing his injuries. With Chris such a changed man, can they still have a future?"