The baker, the grumpy lumberjack, and a new dad journey…
Dexter
The donut business is booming in Wood Hollow, along with my flag-football program. Now I’m ready to take on a new challenge—parenthood. See, I’ve always wanted to be a dad and it’s finally happening. Wood Hollow is the perfect place to raise a child. It’s quiet, safe, and the folks here are friendly.
One glaring exception is the grumpy lumberjack…who ends up being besties with my surrogate. What are the odds?
Yeah…this will be interesting.
Viggo
I’m a logger. I like wood. That’s it. Maybe that makes me a solitary person, but so what?
Unfortunately, I can’t ignore the handsome donut man’s new dad-to-be situation. Not when it concerns an old family friend.
Look, I don’t want to be involved, but I have no choice. And if that means I’ll have to step outside of my comfort zone and do people-y things to make sure Dexter is a going to be a good dad, so be it.
It doesn’t mean I like Dexter. He’s accidentally funny, kind of sweet, very hot, and—
Okay, fine.
Maybe I like him too much.
Sweet Something is an MM bisexual, grumpy/sunshine, small-town romance featuring Wood Hollow’s hottest baker and the grumpy lumberjack with a big heart.
Sweet Something is the story of Dexter, a donutshop owner, and Viggo, a lumberjack, who find each other in a small Vermont town.
Both have past traumas, and I loved watching them slowly open up, learn to trust each other, and fall in love.
Their relationship develops at a lovely, realistic pace, giving us the chance to really see how perfectly they complement each other.
Dexter is sunshine with a little anxiety, while Viggo is steady and grounding. Together, they leave the past behind and begin building the family and future they both want.
I really love Lane Hayes’s writing — smooth and easy to read /listen to.
Perfect narration by Nick J.Russo.
about the author:
Lane Hayes lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesn’t mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, who’s pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write.
She’s been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yes…romance is much more satisfying!
Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolate…in any order. Add a book and she’s set!
My Readers’ Group, Lane’s Lovers: https://bit.ly/3aIbMYg
Can you believe this? Haverton’s football hero is opening a bagel shop next to my pizzeria and he’s selling—wait for it—pizza bagels. The nerve!
And Rob Vilmer isn’t above using his fame to attract clients. It’s annoying and yes, I’m feeling a little crusty about the situation. My temper has gotten me into a few binds, but a pizza-bagel war? This is a first.
I’m gonna crush him.
Rob
After years of playing in the pros, I’m beat. All I want is to open a bagel shop in the town that gave me a shot at the big time. I’d love some peace and quiet too, however, I won’t be getting that with Mateo Cavaretti next door.
Geez, I can’t believe I had a crush on that guy in college. Sure, he’s still incredibly good-looking, but he’s a grouch. And while I like my business partner’s idea of settling our dispute with a classic bake-off, Mateo and I can’t be in the same room without fireworks exploding.
Okay, some of those fireworks are extra sexy and that might be a problem.
Or is all truly fair in love and pizza…and bagels?
All’s Fair in Love and Pizza is an MM grumpy/sunshine, small-town romance featuring former teammates, a culinary challenge, and a HEA worth fighting for.
*A portion of All's Fair in Love and Pizza was originally included in the Delicious Anthology. This new version has doubled in length to over 40k words and a whole lot of bake-off shenanigans!
Lane Hayes lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesn’t mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, who’s pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write.
She’s been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yes…romance is much more satisfying!
Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolate…in any order. Add a book and she’s set!
My Readers’ Group, Lane’s Lovers: https://bit.ly/3aIbMYg
Can you believe this? Haverton’s football hero is opening a bagel shop next to my pizzeria and he’s selling—wait for it—pizza bagels. The nerve!
And Rob Vilmer isn’t above using his fame to attract clients. It’s annoying and yes, I’m feeling a little crusty about the situation. My temper has gotten me into a few binds, but a pizza-bagel war? This is a first.
I’m gonna crush him.
Rob
After years of playing in the pros, I’m beat. All I want is to open a bagel shop in the town that gave me a shot at the big time. I’d love some peace and quiet too, however, I won’t be getting that with Mateo Cavaretti next door.
Geez, I can’t believe I had a crush on that guy in college. Sure, he’s still incredibly good-looking, but he’s a grouch. And while I like my business partner’s idea of settling our dispute with a classic bake-off, Mateo and I can’t be in the same room without fireworks exploding.
Okay, some of those fireworks are extra sexy and that might be a problem.
Or is all truly fair in love and pizza…and bagels?
All’s Fair in Love and Pizza is an MM grumpy/sunshine, small-town romance featuring former teammates, a culinary challenge, and a HEA worth fighting for.
*A portion of All's Fair in Love and Pizza was originally included in the Delicious Anthology. This new version has doubled in length to over 40k words and a whole lot of bake-off shenanigans!
“Whoa. Wait up.” I held my hand like a stop sign and stepped into his space. Bad move. I had to tilt my head to meet his eyes now, and that was weird. I was six one—not exactly a small dude, but that asshole had sprouted at least another two inches since college. I’d bet he was six foot six. And yes, he was an asshole. I hadn’t thought so until a minute ago, but now… “You can’t sell pizza bagels next to a pizza parlor.”
“I can’t?”
“No, you can’t. It’s brand assimilation or something. It’s illegal.”
“Illegal?” he scoffed. “I don’t think so, Mateo. Bagels are bagels, pizza is pizza. But I was only kid—”
“Yeah, but a pizza bagel is a piece of dough that’s dressed up to look like something it isn’t. It’s shady advertising, not to mention blatant customer poaching. Sell all the bagels you want, but don’t sell pizza bagels. That’s a great way to get off to a rotten start. You know what I’m saying?”
Rob regarded me for a long moment. “Are you threatening me?”
“Threaten is a strong word. I’m suggesting you do the right thing.”
“Or what?”
I snort-laughed in my most derisive, supremely irritating fashion. It was the kind of insincere and dismissive gesture that had pissed off opponents on the field years ago and still probably got under my cousins’ skin. Nothing to brag about, but hey…I’d learned how to play with the big kids early. Rule number one: Never show fear. Rule number two: Never back down or give someone else the upper hand.
“I ’spose you’ll find out.” I turned on my heels, tray clenched to my chest as I sauntered next door.
Yeah, yeah. Look, maybe Rob wasn’t the enemy. Maybe it was a quirky act of fate that he’d happened to lease the property next to mine. The one I wanted.
Fortune had shined upon him and that was nice and all, but Boardwalk Pizza was an institution in this town. We were the experts, we were the ones with decades of experience, and we weren’t going anywhere.
So Rob could shove his goddamn pizza bagel up his ass.
This audiobook is priceless! I laughed and smiled so much throughout it.
The back-and-forth between Rob and Mateo is super entertaining. Rob's trying to launch his bagel shop, while Mateo's busy with his Italian family's pizza place.
Their rivalry is just hilarious, and they always end up crossing paths.
Eventually, they start a relationship, thanks in part to Mateo's funny Italian family, which adds even more layers of humour.
Narration by Michael Dean was exceptional, Lane Hayes writing is always first class!
about the author:
Lane Hayes lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesn’t mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, who’s pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write.
She’s been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yes…romance is much more satisfying!
Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolate…in any order. Add a book and she’s set!
My Readers’ Group, Lane’s Lovers: https://bit.ly/3aIbMYg
The cowboy, the rancher, and a little holiday magic...
Tanner
I met the grumpiest man on the planet and I’m head over heels in lust. No joke. Oak Ridge Ranch’s new part-time vet slash ranch hand is a bear and he’s built like one too. If I were smart, I’d keep my distance.
In a twist, I’m not so smart.
But I can tell that under his hard as nails exterior, the cowboy is a gentle giant. Axel is a devoted single dad, a dedicated vet, and…I think he likes me. Or he wants me.
I can work with that.
There’s nothing wrong with a little holiday fun, is there?
Axel
I need the job at the ranch through December, then I’m out of here. I have a kid to think of and it’s time to settle old scores and build a new life.
But Tanner is making things complicated. He’s smart, intuitive, and charming, and—
Whoa! I’ve learned my lesson. This is temporary. I’m not Tanner’s cowboy.
I might be attracted to him, but I can handle it.
I hope.
Okay, fine. I may need some Christmas magic to get out of this with my heart in one piece. Wish me luck.
A Cowboy Holiday is an MM, bisexual romance featuring a single dad-cowboy-grump, a sweetheart of a rancher, and some holiday magic.
This is a sweet, heartwarming Christmas romance with an unlikely pairing and a beautifully written found-family storyline. Axel is a devoted single dad with a big heart, and Tanner is a caring, hardworking rancher who’s easy to love. Their journey is filled with warmth, tenderness, and genuine emotion.
Nick J. Russo’s narration is absolutely fantastic—his performance adds depth, heart. The epilogue is fabulous and leaves you with the biggest smile.
about the author:
Lane Hayes lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesn’t mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, who’s pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write. She’s been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yes…romance is much more satisfying! Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolate…in any order. Add a book and she’s set!
The hockey player, the figure skater, and the roommate situation…
Gus
No one throws a party quite like I do. Technically, I could have graduated three years ago, but I love Smithton, I love hockey, and the team needs a good captain with a positive outlook. That’s me. I love this town, and it loves me.
Well, except for my roommate.
Rafe doesn’t like me at all—total mystery. I’m a nice guy. Ask anyone. He’s the one with stick-in-the-mud-itis. Or maybe the nonstop partying is too much for him. It’s definitely taking a toll on me, and I’m trying to do better ’cause in a twist, Rafe’s not so bad.
He has a great smile, pretty eyes, cute dimples, and—
Oh, man. I think I have a situation.
Rafe
This cannot be happening. I’m a competitive figure skater with goals and big plans. How did I get saddled with a party-boy hockey-hero for a roommate?
Oh, yeah. I mistakenly assumed the captain of the hockey team would be goal-oriented. Wrong. Gus and I have nothing in common, and I have no idea how I’m going to survive a year of this.
But oddly enough, we’re good together in a crisis. So good, I’m beginning to wonder if we could be something serious. Something more than a couple of athletes playing the roommate game.
The Roommate Game is an MM light-angst, college hockey romance featuring a fun-loving captain, a serious figure skater, and a chance at forever.
Seeing Gus realise that he had some serious issues he needed to overcome was what made me love his character. His insecurities and worries were so relatable and the struggles he faced on his journey to graduation and becoming a 'real adult' made it easy to root for him to succeed.
Rafe and Gus together were actually a really good fit - I totally cried when Rafe was packing up his stuff after graduation!!! I was so happy when they finally figured out what they were to each other because the way their relationship built felt so natural and easy for them attract though and this was a really entertaining read. Such a wonderful audiobook narrated by Kirt Graves who has a wonderful voice.
about the author:
Lane Hayes lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesn’t mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, who’s pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write. She’s been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yes…romance is much more satisfying! Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolate…in any order. Add a book and she’s set!
The hockey star, the influencer, and the deal of a lifetime.
Ty I’m going to the pros, baby! Deal made, contract signed. Now all I have to do is finish out my final season at Smithton and stay out of trouble. I like to have a good time, but don’t worry, I’ll behave.
What I won’t do is talk to that double-crossing influencer who’s been badgering me for an interview. No thanks.
I know Walker’s type—sweet as pie on the outside, a shark on the inside.
Get this…he wants to make a deal that sounds a lot like a bribe.
Not interested. No way.
But I am curious.
Walker I’ve never worked so hard for an interview in my life. Ugh!
Look, I get that Ty doesn’t like me. As in…he won’t return my calls and avoids me like the plague on campus.
Too bad. I’m not giving up.
I don’t want to beg, but I’m willing to barter. Every man has his price—and something to prove.
Even Ty.
Something to Proveis a low-angst, geek-jock MM bisexual college hockey romance featuring a hockey star and the adorkable influencer who’s determined to win him over…
Sue me. I’d liked the peppy redhead’s vibe and though I’d deny it with my last breath, I’d thought Walker was cute with his wayward curls, tawny-brown eyes, and tight compact body.
But that was before he’d sold out my best friend.
I knew Langley and some of our other teammates thought I was being unreasonable and that Walker had atoned for his mistake, but he was done-zo in my book.
I gave a curt nod and spun away.
Langley followed, flinging a quick, “Later, dude” over his shoulder.
“Hang on! Ty, may I have a word, please?” Walker called.
I wasn’t going to reply. I didn’t owe him an explanation, and I was pretty damn sure he knew the score anyway.
But Langley grabbed my elbow and leaned into my space. “Be nice, Ty. New school year, blank slate, and all that.”
“Bullshit,” I coughed under my breath.
“C’mon, Jett forgave him. You can afford to be magnimonious too.”
“Magnanimous,” I corrected.
Langley rolled his eyes. “Whatever the fuck. The point is…you’re going to the AH-fuckin’-L. No reason to be bitter, right? At least hear him out.”
With that, Langley strode away, leaving me to deal with the annoyingly cheery Walker Woodrow.
I was a good six inches taller and outweighed him by at least thirty pounds of muscle. My height, brawny size, and less-than-sunny demeanor should have been intimidating, but Walker was apparently immune.
“Congratulations are in order,” he gushed. “AHL…wow! And to Jacksonville, no less.”
“You’re a hockey fan?” I heard myself ask out of the blue.
“Honestly, I think everyone at Smithton is—or they will be, knowing they’ll be able to root for one of our own in the pros.”
That wasn’t really an answer, but his smile was more brilliant than the last. It made him incandescent, as if he had some kind of inner glow.
I had to admit, Walker had a good TV face. He wasn’t classically handsome, but that spark in him transmitted nicely on-screen. It made him interesting, and it made it seem as if he were interested in you. An excellent quality for a talk show host. Or a con artist.
“Thanks,” I replied tersely. “I have to get going.”
“I’ll walk with you.” He fell into step beside me, uninvited. “I know you’re probably busy getting ready for classes. I just finalized my schedule and bought a few online textbooks. OMG, highway robbery. Am I right? I can’t believe how much collegiate e-books cost.”
His melodic laughter rang between the buildings like birdsong.
Do not cave. He might look pretty, but the man is rotten to the core.
I stopped in my tracks. “Is there something you wanted?”
“Actually…yes.” Walker bit into his bottom lip and gave a sheepish look. “I’d love to interview you for What’s New, Smithton? Our audience will go nuts for a chance to hear all about the draft, how it’s changed your life so far, what you imagine life will be like in Florida next year, and…what it’s like being an out bisexual athlete on the rise. The interview itself is generally thirty minutes long. Super low-key. We could meet at the rink or at my—”
“No.”
He recoiled as if I’d punched him in the gut. “I…uh, I can work around your schedule, of course, and—”
“No,” I repeated.
“Um…is there a problem?” Walker asked carefully.
“No problem with me. I just don’t want anything to do with you. And I’m not going to change my mind.” I stepped away from him, relishing his pointedly shocked expression. “Tell your followers that’s what’s new in Smithton.”
Okay, not my best line, but it did the trick. Walker blinked like an owl, stunned into silence. Good.
I quelled the strong desire to flip him off, settling for the nasty sneer I usually reserved for riling opponents on the ice. Curled lips, ugly stare with dead eyes…not pretty at all. He flinched, which kinda made me feel bad. But fuck that. My anger was totally justified, and it pissed me off that he dared to pull the innocent act.
Did he really think I’d forget what he’d done? Not fucking likely.
Maybe he didn’t owe me an apology, but I certainly didn’t owe him my time.
I hoped he’d gotten the message loud and clear ’cause this—right here, right now—was the last interaction I’d ever have with Walker fucking Woodrow.
about the author:
Lane Hayes lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesn’t mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, who’s pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write. She’s been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yes…romance is much more satisfying! Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolate…in any order. Add a book and she’s set!
