Carry Me Series by Charlie Richards

Keeping an open mind can lead to a full heart. Carl Lewis has little joy in his life. He’s recently struggled through a painful divorce, has partial custody of his two kids, and is learning to rearrange his schedule so work as a detective is no longer first. It’s not easy. Then he meets his new neighbor, Vincent Androse, an openly gay firefighter who just went through a bad break-up of his own... moreKeeping an open mind can lead to a full heart. Carl Lewis has little joy in his life. He’s recently struggled through a painful divorce, has partial custody of his two kids, and is learning to rearrange his schedule so work as a detective is no longer first. It’s not easy. Then he meets his new neighbor, Vincent Androse, an openly gay firefighter who just went through a bad break-up of his own. He gives the man a hand moving furniture, and they strike up a friendship that starts to fill holes in Carl’s life he didn’t even know were there. Vincent moves to get away from his cheating ex-boyfriend, Lonnie. His new house is big and empty, and he finds himself enjoying the Friday night BBQs with his new friend, Carl, even with the man’s kids there. When Lonnie shows up, begging for him to come back, again, and refuses to leave, Carl steps in, pretending to be the new boyfriend. Vincent discovers Carl can kiss—really kiss, and he starts wanting things the straight cop can’t give him. Can he? less

Sometimes plans don’t lead to where we’d intended to go…they lead to something better. Trace Plinter is a player. He doesn’t deny it. When his current lover decides to move on, he has no problem giving Patrick his blessing. After all, he’d been ready to do the same for over a month... moreSometimes plans don’t lead to where we’d intended to go…they lead to something better. Trace Plinter is a player. He doesn’t deny it. When his current lover decides to move on, he has no problem giving Patrick his blessing. After all, he’d been ready to do the same for over a month. When Trace rescues a cute farmer from a barn fire, he recognizes attraction in the man’s sweet green eyes, but he doesn’t have time to talk to Laramie and thinks he’s missed his chance to explore a new lover—until Trace sees Laramie again at a diner and makes his move. Laramie Goshen is just coming to terms with his uncle’s death when the father who beat him and disowned him for being gay reenters his life—proclaiming that he owns half the pig farm his uncle left Laramie free and clear. When Laramie refuses to give in to his father’s demands, problems start happening at the farm. Laramie finds his fantasies filled with the sexy firefighter who rescues him from the fire that burned his barn to the ground. But when that same firefighter makes his interest known, Laramie is at odds. The complication of a boyfriend is the last thing he needs. They strike a bargain—sex with no strings attached. Trace loves the arrangement, but is unprepared for the protective feelings that surface when he learns that Laramie’s father convinced the construction company to refuse Laramie’s business, making it nearly impossible for him to rebuild his barn. If Trace decides to try to make their situation more permanent, will Laramie even be receptive? less

Fighting for your heart’s desires is always worth the hardship. After injury forces Brendan Gateman to stop playing pro football, he falls back on his physical education and teaching degrees and begins coaching high school ball. Settling in a new town and hanging with his defensive coordinator, Dan Roper, Brendan finally feels like his life is back on track. His only regret is that the fear of losing not only his new life but his family forces him to remain deep in the closet... moreFighting for your heart’s desires is always worth the hardship. After injury forces Brendan Gateman to stop playing pro football, he falls back on his physical education and teaching degrees and begins coaching high school ball. Settling in a new town and hanging with his defensive coordinator, Dan Roper, Brendan finally feels like his life is back on track. His only regret is that the fear of losing not only his new life but his family forces him to remain deep in the closet. Still, he has two of the three things people always want out of life, and that’s enough for him. At least, that’s what he thinks until he meets paramedic Randy Coughlan. The out and proud man makes Brendan start rethinking his choices. When problems in Randy’s life force the man to make some tough choices, will Brendan’s insecurities make him walk away? Or will he step up and become the man he never thought possible but always wanted to be? less

Detective Ryan Straton is known as the happy-go-lucky playboy of the precinct, the consummate bachelor of the department. At a Halloween party, he enjoys admiring the eye-candy, including a lovely lady--who he learns is Doctor Morgan Pruitt--dressed as Marilyn Monroe. When Ryan stumbles across Morgan getting backed into a corner by a trio of men, he plays hero and rescues her... moreDetective Ryan Straton is known as the happy-go-lucky playboy of the precinct, the consummate bachelor of the department. At a Halloween party, he enjoys admiring the eye-candy, including a lovely lady--who he learns is Doctor Morgan Pruitt--dressed as Marilyn Monroe. When Ryan stumbles across Morgan getting backed into a corner by a trio of men, he plays hero and rescues her. He's shocked to be offered a blowjob in thanks, but quickly gets on board when the woman proves just how adept she is with her hands...and her mouth. When the deed is done, Ryan discovers that Morgan isn't a woman, and he's just received the best blowjob of his life from a man. As he's done with every woman he's bedded for almost a decade, he plans to move on and forget about Morgan less

Reginald Reggie Herrera has been feeling out of sorts for a while. Helping an old friend build a barn for a gay couple causes him to wonder what if, creating a resurgence of needs he’d thought buried decades ago. Filled with guilt, as if he is somehow betraying the memory of his late wife, Reggie heads to his fishing cabin for a few weeks alone, hoping to clear his head. While Reggie is out fly-fishing, he sees a man in a float tube flip in the river and hit his head... moreReginald Reggie Herrera has been feeling out of sorts for a while. Helping an old friend build a barn for a gay couple causes him to wonder what if, creating a resurgence of needs he’d thought buried decades ago. Filled with guilt, as if he is somehow betraying the memory of his late wife, Reggie heads to his fishing cabin for a few weeks alone, hoping to clear his head. While Reggie is out fly-fishing, he sees a man in a float tube flip in the river and hit his head. Reggie pulls the unconscious guy from the water, but when the young man wakes, he has amnesia. As Reggie helps the stranger regain his strength and piece together his past, his feelings turn from fatherly concern to something more. Just as Reggie begins to give into his desires, he learns that his young lover is Miguel Swanson, and he’s wanted in connection with the death of his female roommate. Can Reggie believe Miguel, who doesn’t truly remember, that he didn’t actually murder his best friend? Not to mention, if Miguel didn’t do it…who did? less

Coal Roper is a queen and wears it boldly. Unfortunately, openly expressing himself does not come without some dangers. As not only the economics professor, but the drama production manager, he interacts with plenty of people, not all of them friendly. When a group of students begins to harass him, most of the other staff turns a blind eye…all except one. Hank Parsons is a huge hulk of a man who teaches health classes, sports medicine, and acts as the wrestling coach... moreCoal Roper is a queen and wears it boldly. Unfortunately, openly expressing himself does not come without some dangers. As not only the economics professor, but the drama production manager, he interacts with plenty of people, not all of them friendly. When a group of students begins to harass him, most of the other staff turns a blind eye…all except one. Hank Parsons is a huge hulk of a man who teaches health classes, sports medicine, and acts as the wrestling coach. He’s just the kind of man Coal normally stays well clear of. When the man keeps popping up at odd times to help him, Coal isn’t certain what to make of the man…until the incident with the mistletoe. Can a little holiday magic help Coal look past the fears from his upbringing? less

Jake Lewis has been out and proud since high school, blessed with supportive and understanding—for the most part—family and friends. He’s even managed to enjoy a few carnal experiences, but it’s never been anything that’s really flipped his switches. He craves a committed relationship like the one he sees his father and Vincent share. Starting his second year of college, Jake finds himself tired of having to keep his serial monogamist leanings on the down-low... moreJake Lewis has been out and proud since high school, blessed with supportive and understanding—for the most part—family and friends. He’s even managed to enjoy a few carnal experiences, but it’s never been anything that’s really flipped his switches. He craves a committed relationship like the one he sees his father and Vincent share. Starting his second year of college, Jake finds himself tired of having to keep his serial monogamist leanings on the down-low. He decides it’s time to enjoy school activities other than football. Running across a broad-shouldered, cane-wielding, braid-sporting older black man, he realizes he’s spotted someone who sets his picky libido on fire. He learns the guy’s name is Devon Gateman, and much to his surprise, is the brother of his old coach. Jake had enough experience to recognize the heat filling Devon’s gaze, so he eagerly accepts his invitation to dinner. Unfortunately, when word gets out that Devon is courting Jake, he encounters resistance from an unexpected source. Can the pair rise above objections and discover the kind of relationship Jake has always wanted? less

A bored man walks into a bar and strikes up a conversation with a stranger only to discover an attraction to an unlikely person.Keith Ryzor had intended to meet Madeline for their third date, but at the last second, she cancels. Already at the restaurant, he decides to head in and eat at the bar. He spots a man alone with a beer and a plate of hot wings. Noticing the bit of hot sauce reddening the black man’s closely-cropped goatee, Keith sits down next to him and tells him about it... moreA bored man walks into a bar and strikes up a conversation with a stranger only to discover an attraction to an unlikely person.Keith Ryzor had intended to meet Madeline for their third date, but at the last second, she cancels. Already at the restaurant, he decides to head in and eat at the bar. He spots a man alone with a beer and a plate of hot wings. Noticing the bit of hot sauce reddening the black man’s closely-cropped goatee, Keith sits down next to him and tells him about it. While he knows it’s not the most standard way to strike up a conversation, the guy doesn’t seem to mind. Keith finds himself sharing a surprisingly enjoyable meal with a man named Oliver Kostroma. Even though Keith normally dates women, he’s been with men, too, so he decides to ask him out. To his disappointment, Oliver turns him down.Over the next week, Keith can’t get the sexy electrician out of his mind. When Keith spots Oliver again in an unlikely place—at a barbeque of a co-worker’s friend’s house—he takes it as a sign. It’s his second chance. Being a smart man, Keith learns from his mistakes. He doesn’t ask Oliver out. Instead, he goes the friends route, which quickly adds in benefits. Knowing he’s falling fast for Oliver, Keith enlists the aid of friends. Even as Keith works hard to win not only Oliver’s trust, but his heart, there are also those working against him. Can Keith prove to the skittish man that he’s worth the risk? less