balloons and rocks

Loving another isn't always easy. When romance first blooms, everything seems perfect, but soon the veneer peels away and trouble sets in.<br><br>The stories in this collection focus on gay men who try to make their relationships work in a world intent on pulling them apart. A young man brings his first boyfriend home to meet his parents, even though he's terrified of his father's reaction. A flirtatious coworker sparks a fight between two committed men. A cam whore is tempted by an online admirer who tests his love for his boyfriend.<br><br>The men in these seven tales are in relationships for the long haul, if they can learn how to make things work. They all want to live happily ever after ... eventually.<br><br>Contains the stories:<br><br><strong>Lesser of Two Evils</strong>: In college, Jared falls in love with Larry but isn't out to his parents. Then Larry asks to meet Jared's family. Jared knows his sexuality will distant him further from his father. Unless he can find some way to soften the blow ...<br><br><strong>I'll Take the Rain</strong>: My boyfriend is the jealous type, and I always seem to say or do the wrong thing at the wrong time. Unfortunately, our roommate only sees us when we're at our worst. I hope her misplaced concern won't come between us. Or maybe it’ll be my own stupidity that tears us apart.<br><br><strong>We're Not Fighting</strong>: Jack is in a committed relationship with Aiden and, in Jack’s mind, no one else matters. So when a new girl in the office flirts with him, he thinks it’s nothing. But Aiden is pissed. Jack wants the whole thing to blow over, but it looks like Aiden’s about to blow up.<br><br><strong>Crash and Burn</strong>: When Chris discovers his lover Aaron is secretly taking prescription drugs for depression, he feels as if he doesn't know Aaron any more. He's afraid to bring up the pills he found, but more afraid of losing his lover. Will he be able to step in and say something before it’s too late?<br><br><strong>Don't Be Late</strong>: Who says marriage is bliss? Blake and Jeremy had more time together dating than they do as man and husband. Working long hours keep them apart, and their schedules rarely sync during the week. They only make love on the weekends. One hectic day follows another. Will they ever get a moment alone<br><br><strong>Wanna Cyber?</strong>: Ritchie is a cam whore; he loves the internet. His boyfriend Doug isn't exactly technologically savvy and is worried about what Ritchie gets up to online. He trusts Ritchie, really -- it's everyone else he isn't too sure about. One evening while Doug is at class, he decides to chat up Ritchie without revealing himself to his boyfriend, just to see what happens. The response he gets surprises him.<br><br><strong>Picture Postcards</strong>: Donny has loved his friend Greg for years but never told him. They shared one brief night together before Greg married Megan and Donny ... well, Donny tried to move on. He thinks he's succeeded in relegating Greg to the past until he receives a postcard from his friend that suggests Greg still thinks of that night, too.

This is my latest volume of short stories and poems. Most of the stories in here relate to the main storyline I've been working on, but some of these stories stand alone. My themes fall into the horror genre. Rather than being the traditional style of horror often seen in movies, my horror reflects the true capacity of human nature.

Barry Dunning is a pet stylist and a gentle soul. Animals love him and he adores them. And while he would love to have a dog or cat of his own, the lease on his tiny studio apartment doesn’t allow pets. So, he paints miniature cats and dogs on rocks, instead.<br><br>Hurt by an ex-boyfriend, Barry doesn’t date. But his sister Trixie is always pestering him to get back out there, though he doesn’t think anyone would want him or his baggage.<br><br>Not so. Sheldon Svenson, the owner of the animal shelter where Barry volunteers on weekends is attracted to Barry and asks him out on a date. Barry -- for once taking his sister’s advice -- accepts.<br><br>Dinner ends in disaster, but Sheldon, undaunted, pursues Barry and asks for another chance. Will Barry decide to risk losing his heart?

Is it wrong to judge others without knowing much about them? Maeve didn't think so, until she met that gorgeous man; so persistent, that it was getting slightly annoying. Just looking at his irritatingly beautiful face and a stare from those deep honey brown eyes had her beginning to melt, and it was getting harder and harder to say no.

Galieth, a war Lord has fallen. He places his sword in a rock and enchant's a curse to the land. Centuries later, a young boy, named Aaron, dreaming to be a knight or one day even a legend has set out to find the sword and to rid the land of the curse. Along the way he meets new people and even new dangers. Will Aaron succeed in this mission and rid this world of Galieths curse and become a legend among legends.., or will he fail and die. Read to find out dear people..

Um homem é levado ao mundo de One piece na era rocks com os poderes do Filme Jumper.

What if the girl you dare likes another woman? Featuring Seraphina, Cassian, Isadoraー stuck between a love triangle△.

A 24-year-old avid fan of One Piece, dies suddenly and is reincarnated into the world of One Piece during the infamous Rocks Pirates era. Upon reincarnation, he gains The Gamer ability, which allows him to interact with the world using RPG mechanics. Armed with his knowledge of the One Piece plot and the advanced power system of The Gamer, he must navigate a dangerous world filled with legendary pirates and Marines while deciding whether to change history or simply survive.

Hello everyone, I am the narrator, we are going to embark on a journey together; first of all we are going to describe the world where our stories will take place; but for that you must know a key word of our universe. Plasma.... A substance that for many only represents about 50% of the composition of the blood in our bodies, but here in Xibalba it represents... everything. There are 4 different types of Plasma with which any living being can be born and from this, if you are blessed, you can become an incomparable existence in the world but if you are cursed you can lose your humanity. Depending on the Plasma with which you are born you could develop certain abilities that allow you to manifest certain skills, the division is: Physical or Body Plasma: It allows you to change certain properties of your body, either form, composition or both but all this happens inside your body or on the surface. Who knows, you could be born with an intelligence never seen before... Or be able to transform into a dragon or maybe your only ability is to grow your toenails. Energy Plasma: Allows you to interact, control and even create certain forms of energy, so to speak is magic but at the same time is not limited by spells (Or maybe yes). You could control the 5 elements, you could manage some space-time or maybe you can just make your body glow in the dark. Organic Plasma: This is a special type of plasma that allows you to interact and influence other living entities. Maybe you can summon the dead, you could be a natural born beast tamer. merge with a dragon? Piece of cake.... if you are born with the ability. Otherwise you might only be able to talk to flies. Mutant Plasma: A certain type of plasma with mysterious properties, many of Xibalba's most legendary existences have this type of plasma... Will it be as incredible as the stories tell? Let's find out together. Did you think that's all? It's not that simple my friend, remember that all living beings in the world have plasma... Rare plants? nightmarish creatures? endless wars for incredible treasures? When they say imagination is the limit they surely mean our adventure. Did you think that's all? Since the living entities of our world will be so strong.... Why not give them a big and challenging enough world? Danger zones with impossible and extreme climates? Done heavenly minerals, natural wonders you've only seen in your dreams, unexplored areas so dangerous that no one knows what's inside? Done. Hidden dimensions and passages to other worlds? Done. References to mythologies, legends and ancient tales? Done

To be resurrected, Lin Zhi binds herself to a system and transmigrates into different book worlds, becoming cannon fodder destined for tragic endings. But Lin Zhi refuses to follow the script. In every world, she fights to rewrite her fate. (1) The Scheming Gold-Digging Stand-In Used by the male lead as a tool to win over the female lead, Lin Zhi refuses to be discarded. Since he wants to use her? Then she’ll make a countermove—get pregnant first, flip the board, and end up with the real overbearing CEO. (2) The First Wife Fated to Die Early in a “Cousin” Story The reborn female lead knows her older male cousin will hold immense power in the future—and that he has always loved her. This time, she vows not to let him go. Only… “Sister-in-law, why aren’t you dead yet?” Lin Zhi smiles. “Still alive. What, are you mad?” (3) The Cannon Fodder Fiancée in a Teacher-Student Romance The aloof Master falls for his young disciple, while Lin Zhi—the fiancée—becomes the villain in their love story. Lin Zhi: “Respect. Blessings. Please stay locked together forever.” Then she decisively breaks off the engagement and devotes herself to cultivation… alongside her adorable little nephew. Who needs romance when ascending is better? (4) The Substitute Bride in a Period Drama In her previous life, she stole the marriage meant for her sister out of gratitude for a life-saving favor, marrying the factory director’s son. Who would have thought he had a “white moonlight” in his heart, leading to her tragic death? Meanwhile, the “mud-legged” man she rejected rose in status, and her sister became an official’s wife. After rebirth, her sister eagerly snatches back the original marriage arrangement, convinced Lin Zhi is doomed. She waits to watch Lin Zhi suffer. Instead— Lin Zhi’s life only gets better and better.