Showing results by narrator "Joel Leslie" in All Categories

Bobby McGrath's Christmas trip to the beautiful Italian island of Capri to meet his eccentric extended family offers stunning views - none more stunning than his third cousin, Paolo Mascobello, a real stocking stuffer. As the two young men embark on a relationship, Bobby, a driven law student, learns to relax and bask under the Italian moon, and Paolo realizes there's more to life than a frolic on the beach.

Two spies. One mission. No way out. Budapest, 1948. The Soviet stranglehold on Eastern Europe tightens as paranoia and fear sweep the streets. When seasoned operatives Will Shaw and Thomas Jacobs are sent to extract a brilliant Hungarian cryptographer, they expect a dangerous but routine mission...

Ennek, the son of the Chief, and Miner, a former slave, have escaped the totalitarian city-state of Praesidium and remain fugitives. Having defeated two mighty wizards, they begin to realize complete freedom can be as dangerous as absolute power. Now Ennek and Miner must face battles, corruption, and further journeys through lands both new and familiar. As they grow more secure in their relationship, they learn the greatest challenges sometimes come from very close to the heart and everything of value has a price.

Ennek, the son of Praesidium's chief, has rescued Miner from a terrible fate: suspension in a dreamless frozen state called Stasis, the punishment for traitors. As the two men flee Praesidium by sea, their adventures are only beginning. Although they may be free from the tyranny of their homeland, new difficulties await them as Miner faces the continuing consequences of his slavery and Ennek struggles with controlling his newfound powers as a wizard.

Henry Appleby has an appetite for life. As a recent high school graduate and the son of a wealthy family in one of Chicago's affluent North Shore suburbs, his life is laid out for him. Unfortunately, though, he's being forced to follow in the footsteps of his successful attorney father instead of living his dream of being a chef. When an opportunity comes his way to work in a real kitchen the summer after graduation, at a little Italian joint called Fiorello's, Henry jumps at the chance, putting his future in jeopardy.

Tobias Lykke is big, awkward, and accustomed to spending his holidays alone. This year, however, his godmother—who may or may not be an Italian countess—gives him an elf doll originally entrusted to her by her second husband, who might or might not have been a wizard.

It's finals week during Tony McNeil's second year in law school, and he's struggling to keep up. Frankly, he'd rather be cooking. Then he meets first-year student Eddie Cohen-Fernandez, who's heartsick over missing his family's annual Festivus celebration. Tony can use his culinary skills to lift Eddie's spirits, but finding long-term happiness? That just might require a Festivus miracle.

Titus Shepherd once had it all. Born into a wealthy southern family, he ruled the high school football field, married the town sweetheart, and fathered a beloved son. His future as the next mayor seemed certain. But fate took a cruel turn, and now he's a reclusive widower raising his...

In the frigid winter of 1891, with the nation still reeling from the Barings bank crisis, Inspector Philemon Raft returns from an involuntary sabbatical and is tasked with solving the kidnapping of highly placed peer Alice Dewberry. Thrust into a sordid underworld where the upper classes indulge in disreputable overseas investments designed to fatten their pocketbooks, Raft finds himself at loose ends without his companion, Constable Freddie Crook.

A catastrophic fire drags gay speakeasy owner Dash Parker into the treacherous underworld of Little Italy — where people are seduced and imprisoned by their own vices. When his club’s doorman suffers a devastating loss, Dash must learn if the fire is connected to a sordid gambling den and the predatory family that runs it, or to a secret society that many hoped was long dead. Untangling a decade’s worth of lies between a terrified father, a wily widow, and an enigmatic spiritualist pushes him to the limit.

At a time when coming out of the closet is chic, it is certainly not that way for Brad Archer. After a traumatic sexual encounter in high school, Brad, now in college, is having trouble with romantic relationships. He has dates with girls that fail miserably and continues to have horrific nightmares about both his past and the fears for his future.

Lee Harker has never fit in anywhere. Not with his immigrant family in rural Nebraska, not on a Navy ship during World War II, and not in Los Angeles as associate in a law firm. But when he’s sent to a remote mansion to complete some paperwork for the reclusive Vincent Farkas, Lee encounters the most unsettling circumstances yet. Caught in a place where things truly do go bump in the night, he must face his fear—and his desires—and acknowledge his true nature.

Luke thinks he has his entire life planned out. He's the star of the football team, the darling of his church, and planning a life with his amazing girlfriend. He looks at his parents, and wants the same kind of life with her, as they have. He's on top of the world, with the kind of perfect life you only see in movies, and everyone envies. But it all comes crashing down, when a new student starts at his school.

Danny Neumann is a boring 16-year-old who's crushing on his best friend, Becky, and lamenting the defection of his good friend, Kevin, when a man in black arrives at his birthday party and tries to kill him. Fear never has a chance as suddenly bursts of pure energy erupt from Danny's hands and knock the man in black on his ass-ets! But more surprises are in store for Danny as he learns he's adopted, his real parents were the last demigods left, and he's the first offspring of two demigods.

Pavel has been called cranky, aloof, and an exacting musical genius, but what should people expect? He'll soon be entering the final stage of a gargoyle's life span, transforming into a statue and going dormant forever. So why would the universe throw his mates at him now, when he has so little time left? Justin is working hard to overcome his anxiety and stay positive as he rebuilds after a disastrous few years. When he discovers his two fated mates at his new opera job, he rejects them out of hand. 

Oscar Acosta's abusive ex-boyfriend is dead, and his old vampire coven is gone. Now all he cares about is winning a coveted spot with the prestigious local opera company. His stiffest competition is Trent, an adorable fellow grad student with a linebacker's build who he is definitely not crushing on. When Oscar's ex turns out to be not-so-deceased, sending several vampires to kidnap him, Oscar is forced to reveal his own vampire identity to his classmate. Can he trust Trent, or should he keep him at a safe distance?

My name is Lloyd Ledbetter and I am the best lawyer New York criminals can buy. My obsession to detail is their saving grace. I'm focused, determined and one-track minded. Nursing my broken heart for the last few months, I've stayed away from anything that could resemble a relationship. Until Luke Gunner. My name is Luke Gunner and I'm the best money launderer criminals can buy. With an IQ reaching the status of genius, I can practically make money without breaking a sweat. I'm fun, independent and a lover of life.

With their band on the brink of stardom, Johnny Gehrings is cast out by his stepmother and half-brothers because he’s not pretty enough for social media. He takes some solace when Zimri Hayes quits the band too—beautiful Zimri, who is Johnny’s secret heart’s desire. A job at a grocery store and a part-time music gig at a drag club pay the bills, but Johnny is still emotionally adrift, a wanderer abandoned in the forest. And when Zimri is offered a chance to make it big, Johnny fears that a devious manager will eat Zimri alive.

My name is L. Blackburn, and I'm an Indie author. My literary genius is loved and worshipped throughout the book world—except, of course, by one self-centered reviewer who goes by the name of "Babu". Apparently I broke some "Cardinal Rule", and now I'm paying the high price for it. But then, if a predator attacked your cub, wouldn't you go for the throat?