A trio of old friends

A trio of old friends

For the first publications of 2023, I have a trio of reissued stories! Wolf in King’s Clothing and Ward & Weft were originally published with Carina Press (Harlequin) and are a duology about sad werewolves, one of whom jumps out of windows and into trouble rather a shocking amount, and the other who is trying to lead a pack and would’ve preferred if his childhood sweetheart hadn’t rolled into town. Of course, both stories have a happy ever after.

If you’ve read these stories before, there are no significant changes to either. They will be made available for the first time in print, however! A print duology will be available in the usual places. Additionally, both stories will spend a few months in Kindle Unlimited before going wide, so do have a read if you’re subscribed to KU!

The other story to be rereleased is Flight and Fancy, which originally appeared in the Valves & Vixens v3 anthology from House of Erotica. This is a queer steampunk novella about a man trying to run a small business, and a creature of the night who is determined to help with PR. And also kissing.

Flight and Fancy has been expanded slightly in the second edition, and it will remain in KU for the foreseeable future. It’s one of my earlier stories, so do give it a read if you’ve not had a chance.

Return to Lastings in Shuck

Return to Lastings in Shuck

Surprise! On December 21, 2022, we’re heading back to Lastings in a new Love Has Claws story: Shuck.

Shuck is a novella set in the small coastal town of Lastings, where the sea and its secrets are foremost in everyone’s minds. Robin, a man from the nearby city, is spending his holiday in a rental cottage at Sickle Cove, hoping to finish his book and start a new story for himself. He’s seeking inspiration.

He finds the siren.

The siren has followed a strange, compelling song across the sea and to the cove in Lastings. There, night after night, xe listens, and thinks, and hopes— and finally reveals xemself.

Shuck is about two beings recognising themselves in the other without exchanging a word. It’s what I have been calling “sad queer wicker man”, though actually no one dies in this story, at which I’m sure we’re all surprised! But mostly it’s about connection, and inspiration, and finding the absolutely perfect chip. Like all of the Love Has Claws series, Shuck is a standalone story, but you may wish to read (or reread!) other works in the series.


Cover of Shuck

Shuck
Love Has Claws #4

Amazon: CA | COM | UKKoboApple Books

Robin leaves the city and travels to the small coastal town of Lastings, hoping a holiday will help soothe his recent heartbreak. Staying at a remote cottage on the seafront, Robin spends his days walking along the cliffs and following the jagged line of the coast, while at night he plays guitar and sings his troubles to the sea.

He doesn’t expect the sea to begin singing back.

The siren has spent xyr long life singing to humans of their desires and yet has never considered the music of xyr own. When a compelling song reaches xyr hunting ground, the siren follows it to a strange new shore, where xe listens to the lone figure playing on the dock and wonders about raising xyr voice in response.

One night, the siren draws close enough to Robin to be seen.

Before long, however, a third figure joins their chorus: the Silver Maiden, one of Lastings’ ghosts. Powerful and mercurial, the Maiden has her own agenda and intends to use Robin and siren to fulfil it—even if the whole town of Lastings will suffer as a result. Can Robin and the siren reach an understanding in time to break free of the Maiden’s thrall? Or will they remain unheard?

Content Warnings: drinking of alcohol; mentions of the consumption of human flesh; abduction.

Dark Cheer: Updated release date

Dark Cheer: Updated release date

Cover of Dark Cheer Volume SilverA quick update that Dark Cheer: Cryptids Emerging (Volume Silver), the second cryptid collection from Improbable Press, will now be released May 4, 2022.

My story, GRIM UP NORTH, will be in Volume Silver. The story is a cute slice of fluff set in Durham, UK, and featuring a very tired barista and the Grim on their commute.

You can preorder the book in ebook, paperback, or hardback.

Dark Cheer: Cryptids Emerging

Volume Silver (May 2022) featuring GRIM UP NORTH

Dark Cheer: Cryptids Emerging

Dark Cheer: Cryptids Emerging

Cover of Dark Cheer Volume SilverI have a short story in Dark Cheer: Cryptids Emerging (Volume Silver), which is one of two (!!) forthcoming collections from Improbable Press. Dark Cheer Volumes Blue and Silver feature over 70 stories about cryptids, lots of which are queer. COME ON. HOW GOOD IS THAT.

To say I’m excited about these collections would be underselling it just a smidge.

My story, GRIM UP NORTH, is a cute slice of fluff set in Durham, UK, and featuring a very tired barista and a slightly sinister black dog – indeed, a Black Dog. A grim, to be specific. A death omen.

I’m sure it’ll all be fine.

(Spoiler: it’s better than fine.)

Dark Cheer (Volume Silver) will be published in February 2022, but Volume Blue is coming out in December 2021! You can order and preorder both right now, in ebook, paperback, or hardback. Buying both volumes will get you a 20% discount.

Dark Cheer: Cryptids Emerging

Volume Blue (December 2021)

Volume Silver (February 2022) featuring GRIM UP NORTH