HOT TOPIC: National Coming Out Day Featured Reads with Giveaway - Part 1
Happy National Coming Out Day!
This year marks the 29th anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.
“Coming out - whether it is as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or allied - STILL MATTERS. When people know someone who is LGBTQ, they are far more likely to support equality under the law. Beyond that, our stories can be powerful to each other.”
What’s that you say, stories can be powerful? You betcha!
We here at KEBB whole wholeheartedly agree and in celebration of that power we have partnered with some of your favorite M/M authors to showcase their titles with characters who want you to read all about their coming out journey.
So sit back, relax, peruse the blurbs, check out the authors, and pick up a book that has the power to inspire you by clicking on the book photo for the buylink.
While you’re here don't forget to ENTER for your chance to WIN 1 free eBook of your choice from the 10 titles listed below!
Title: Moment of Silence
Series: Moments in Time #4
Narrator: Robert Nieman
Published: December 18, 2015
Audio: August 31, 2016
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Anna Sikorska
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Erotic Romance; New Adult
Length: 230 Pages/8 Hours and 4 Minutes
Tags: Gay; M/M; Coming Out; Angst: Light; Friends to Lovers; First Time; Family Drama; HEA; Audiobook; Religion/Faith; Holiday: Christmas and Hanukkah; Standalone
About Moment of Silence
Growing up, Jason Stern led a charmed life complete with devoted sisters, a father who was one of Brooklyn’s most respected rabbis, and a mother who made the world's best babka. He headed to NYU ready for anything—except falling for the wrong guy, coming out, and getting disowned by his once-loving family. In spite of that, Jason managed to graduate with honors. He's got friends who treat him like family, and he's proudly running the largest LGBTQ teen shelter in Manhattan. Life is good, but he's still falling for the wrong men.
When charming, sexy Quinn Fitzpatrick begins work at the shelter, Jason falls hard and fast. Quinn is tall, blond, funny—damn near perfect. Only if Quinn’s gay, even he doesn't seem to know it. If he does, he's not telling anyone. And he's about one ceremony away from becoming a Catholic priest.
Long hours of work turn to long nights of talking and laughter, and Jason dares to hope this time he's falling for the right guy. But Quinn's got a past to deal with and major decisions to make about his future. When Quinn leaves for a silent retreat, Jason knows the silence may change everything.
Title: Run for the Roses
Series: Circles #1
Published: May 2, 2014
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: TL Bland
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Mystery/Thriller; Suspense
Length: 164 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; Coming Out; May/December
About Run for the Roses
Wanting to end his pattern of choosing controlling and abusive men, Vladimir ‘Val’ Mihalic figures it’s better to live alone than live in fear. Just when things are settling down—his biggest trouble recently is a Kentucky Derby hopeful that won’t load into a starting gate—his best friend Janelle’s violent ex-boyfriend kidnaps her. After she’s seriously injured in a car wreck, Wyatt Harig, Janelle’s estranged father, comes around to tend to his daughter. Despite Val’s determination to avoid relationships, Wyatt interests him in ways that make his resolve waver. As complications and repercussions pile on in the aftermath of Janelle’s kidnapping—including a gambling charge and a murder—Wyatt and Val must work together to seek answers. And the closer they get to each other, the more Val wants them to stay that way.
Title: The Tin Box
Published: September 20, 2013
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Anne Cain
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 210 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; Coming Out
About The Tin Box
William Lyon's past forced him to become someone he isn't. Conflicted and unable to maintain the charade, he separates from his wife and takes a job as caretaker at a former mental hospital. Jelley’s Valley State Insane Asylum was the largest mental hospital in California for well over a century, but it now stands empty. William thinks the decrepit institution is the perfect place to finish his dissertation and wait for his divorce to become final. In town, William meets Colby Anderson, who minds the local store and post office. Unlike William, Colby is cute, upbeat, and flamboyantly out. Although initially put off by Colby’s mannerisms, William comes to value their new friendship, and even accepts Colby's offer to ease him into the world of gay sex.
William’s self-image begins to change when he discovers a tin box, hidden in an asylum wall since the 1940s. It contains letters secretly written by Bill, a patient who was sent to the asylum for being homosexual. The letters hit close to home, and William comes to care about Bill and his fate. With Colby’s help, he hopes the words written seventy years ago will give him courage to be his true self.
Title: Bonfires
Narrator: Nick J. Russo/Dark Night Sound
Published: March 24, 2017
Audio: June 9, 2017
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Anne Cain/Deviant Art
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Erotic Romance
Length: 280 Pages/9 Hours 34 Minutes
Tags: Gay; M/M; Bisexual; Coming Out; OFY; Mystery; Cops; Children; Audiobook; HEA; CW: References to Murder
About Bonfires
Ten years ago Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron George lost his wife and moved to Colton, hoping growing up in a small town would be better for his children. He’s gotten to know his community, including Mr. Larkin, the bouncy, funny science teacher. But when Larx is dragged unwillingly into administration, he stops coaching the track team and starts running alone. Aaron—who thought life began and ended with his kids—is distracted by a glistening chest and a principal running on a dangerous road.
Larx has been living for his kids too—and for his students at Colton High. He’s not ready to be charmed by Aaron, but when they start running together, he comes to appreciate the deputy’s steadiness, humor, and complete understanding of Larx’s priorities. Children first, job second, his own interests a sad last.
It only takes one kiss for two men approaching fifty to start acting like teenagers in love, even amid all the responsibilities they shoulder. Then an act of violence puts their burgeoning relationship on hold. The adult responsibilities they’ve embraced are now instrumental in keeping their town from exploding. When things come to a head, they realize their newly forged family might be what keeps the world from spinning out of control.
Title: Waking the Behr
Series: Foothills Pride #7
Published: September 20, 2017
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: AngstyG
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 88 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; Coming Out; Novelette
About Waking the Behr
Both Ben and Mitch think they know exactly what they want. Turns out, they don’t even know their own hearts.
Good old boy Ben has dated women his entire life, while gay nightclub owner Mitch has never considered unsophisticated country boys his type. But after they start hanging out, the small-town contractor and the urban entrepreneur are both stunned by the electricity sparking between them.
As they step outside their comfort zones to spend time together, Mitch finds he enjoys rural car rallies, and Ben is intrigued by the upscale bars Mitch owns in San Francisco. When they share their lives and grow closer, they start to question the way they’ve always defined themselves. Then they kiss and fling open the door to love. Now they must step up and travel the road that may lead to happily ever after—even if that path isn’t one they ever expected to walk.
Title: Curious Heat
Series: A Fairview Story #1
Published: March 31, 2016
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 137 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; Bisexual; Humor; HEA; Coming Out; Fireman; Bartender; First Time; Novella; Standalone
About Curious Heat
He’d always been curious… A long time ago, fireman Grant Westerman kissed another guy, but the contact was too brief for him to really feel anything. When he meets a man who offers him a second chance, Grant has to know if he’s gay or just curious. He’d always craved heat… No stranger to bi-curious straight guys, bartender Conner Dunn is willing to be a part of Grant’s experiment. But when a harmless kiss sparks an almost explosive heat between them, Conner retreats. Given his last relationship, Conner simply can’t risk being vulnerable again. To move forward, they have to let go of the past… Determined to prove that a one and done can become an ever after, Grant shelves his lust in order to romance Conner. Exposing their deepest longings brings them together, and builds a solid foundation for a relationship, but will they be able to stand together when outside forces threaten to tear them apart?
Title: The Boy Who Came In From the Cold
Published: May 29, 2013
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 284 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; Coming Out
About The Boy Who Came In From the Cold
Todd Burton has had enough of small-town Buckman. His abusive stepfather calls him a fag; his friend Austin makes him realize he may be gay, but Todd doesn’t want to admit his stepfather is right; and he dreams of being a chef. Three good reasons to flee his hometown and pursue greener pastures. But when Todd reaches the big city, his luck runs dry. Soon he can’t pay his rent and gets evicted. In the middle of a snowstorm.
Gabe Richards is a wealthy businessman with enough wounds of his own to make him afraid of ever being intimate again. But when he sees Todd outside his building, freezing to death, he takes pity on him and takes him in from the cold.
To their mutual surprise, Todd and Gabe find themselves drawn to each other. “One night” turns into a week. Maybe letting a man in from the cold can melt the ice around Gabe’s heart—and maybe getting evicted will turn Todd’s luck around.
Title: Valor on the Move
Published: September 7, 2015
Publisher: Self-Published
Cover Artist: Dar Albert
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 274 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; Coming Out; May/December; First Time; Forbidden Love; HEA
About Valor on the Move
He’d give his life to protect the president’s son. But he never expected to risk his heart. Growing up gay in the White House hasn’t been easy for Rafael Castillo. Codenamed “Valor” by the Secret Service, Rafa feels anything but brave as he hides in the closet and tries to stay below the radar in his last year of college. His father’s presidency is almost over, and he just needs to stick to his carefully crafted plan. Once his family’s out of the spotlight, he can be honest with his conservative parents about his sexuality and his dream of being a chef. It’s definitely not part of Rafa’s plan to get a new Secret Service agent who’s a walking wet dream, but he’s made it this long keeping his desires to himself. Besides, it’s not like Shane Kendrick would even look at him twice if it wasn’t his job. Shane’s worked his way up through the Secret Service ranks, and while protecting the president’s shy, boring son isn’t his dream White House assignment, it’s an easy enough task since no one pays Rafa much attention. He discovers there’s a vibrant young man beneath the timid public shell, and while he knows Rafa has a crush on him, he assures himself it’s harmless. Shane’s never had room for romance in his life, and he’d certainly never cross that line with a protectee. Keeping Rafa safe at any cost is Shane’s mission. But as Rafa gets under his skin, will they both put their hearts on the line? This gay romance from Keira Andrews features an age difference, Jane Austen levels of pining, forbidden love against the odds, and of course a happy ending.
Title: Halo in the Snow
Published: March 3, 2013
Publisher: Self-Published/Steambath Press
Genre: New Adult; Contemporary Romance
Length: 121 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; Coming of Age; Coming Out; Novella
About Halo in the Snow
Dillon Walker's life is all about the plan. Finish high school with honours, stay out of trouble, and make his dad proud of him by following in his footsteps. A boyfriend doesn't figure into it—can't figure into it. Not with a homophobic dad, and a group of friends ready to discipline every queer they come across. But a chance encounter while snowboarding ignites a long-standing infatuation, turning all of Dillon's plans upside down.
Title: The Law of Attraction
Published: February 5, 2016
Publisher: Self-Published/Jaybird Press
Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 245 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; Coming Out; OFY; Office Romance; Lawyers
About The Law of Attraction
When a professional relationship turns personal, it’s impossible to resist the law of attraction. Alec Rowland is a high-flying lawyer in a London firm whose career is his life. He doesn’t have time for relationships and his sexuality is a closely guarded secret. After picking up a cute guy on a Friday night, Alec’s world is rocked to its foundations when his one night stand shows up in the office on Monday morning—as the new temp on his team. Ed Piper is desperate to prove himself in his new job. The last thing he needs is to be distracted by a crush on his boss. It’s hard to ignore the attraction he feels, even though Alec’s a difficult bastard to work for. Both men strive to maintain a professional relationship, but tempers fray, passions ignite, and soon they’re both falling hard and fast. If they’re ever going to find a way to be together, Alec needs to be honest about who he really is because Ed won’t go back in the closet for anyone.
One winner will be selected at random from all participants entered. Giveaway ends October 18, 2017 at 12:00 a.m. CST/USA.