The Bar Next Door Series by Lissa Matthews

Drunken confessions. Sobering friendship. And two cowboys gambling on love... The Bar Next Door, Book 1 Could he love me? Malachi has wanted to know the answer since his best friend, Daniel, confessed to being gay. He has never forgotten that long-ago conversation, or the secret hope that another confession would follow: that Daniel is in love with him. Daniel is—and always has been—in love with Malachi... moreDrunken confessions. Sobering friendship. And two cowboys gambling on love... The Bar Next Door, Book 1 Could he love me? Malachi has wanted to know the answer since his best friend, Daniel, confessed to being gay. He has never forgotten that long-ago conversation, or the secret hope that another confession would follow: that Daniel is in love with him. Daniel is—and always has been—in love with Malachi. But how is he supposed to share that information without risking the only friendship that has ever mattered to him? He couldn’t handle it if he were kicked out of Malachi's life. The best Daniel could do was move home to Texas, buy a little rundown ranch to work outside Austin, and visit the watering hole where Malachi tends bar. Malachi knows that something heavy is riding his friend and he’s tired of watching Daniel’s downward spiral of too much beer and too many meaningless flings. Enough is enough. Except, when he gets Daniel home and some strong coffee down his gullet, the truth comes pouring out. A truth that nearly knocks Malachi out of his boots. Courage like that doesn’t come easy…and Malachi can only pray his answer is enough to turn lifelong friends into forever lovers. Product Warnings This little tale tries to contain a gay bar, a lot of beer, a hot cowboy with a pitchfork, another one with a serious addiction to boots and coffee, and a secret yearning between the two for hot blooded, can’t wait to get naked, just leave your boots on sex. Oh, and there are doughnuts... less

"Time and distance have a way of sneaking up on feelings thought long buried. " "The Bar Next Door, Book 2" Five years ago, Eli held the hand of his dying lover and made a promise he never intended to keep. Find someone new to love? Be happy? Fat chance. Eli s happiness died that day. He s doing well to put one foot in front of the other, much less risk his heart again. The only thorn in his side is Asa, part-time waiter at The Bar Next Door, who can t seem to take a hint... more"Time and distance have a way of sneaking up on feelings thought long buried. " "The Bar Next Door, Book 2" Five years ago, Eli held the hand of his dying lover and made a promise he never intended to keep. Find someone new to love? Be happy? Fat chance. Eli s happiness died that day. He s doing well to put one foot in front of the other, much less risk his heart again. The only thorn in his side is Asa, part-time waiter at The Bar Next Door, who can t seem to take a hint. After years of carrying more responsibility on his broad, cowboy shoulders than most people twice his age, Asa knows what he wants when he sees it. Eli. Shadows haunt the gorgeous older bartender, who also happens to be one of Asa s bosses, but Asa doesn t care about potential complications. He only wants to banish Eli s ghosts and bring Eli back to life. Persistence, a little impatience, and Asa s very wicked mouth go to work on Eli s grumpy, prickly defenses. But Asa may have to block the door to love with his foot or his heart before Eli slams it in his face. Warning: Beware of stubborn cowboys, sticky bar floors and hot sexy showers, eavesdropping cooks and well-meaning friends, Irish whiskey, and a young man who doesn t understand the word no. less

Abraham Hollis doesn’t do relationships. Not anymore. Instead, he pours all his time and energy into his job at The Bar Next Door and into his hand-crafted wing sauces that have tempted the taste buds of the Austin food scene. But when he comes face to face with Jeremiah Ford, a successful and polished marketing exec from California, Abe’s personal defenses begin to crack. Jeremiah wants to take Abe’s sauces nationwide and refuses to take no for an answer... moreAbraham Hollis doesn’t do relationships. Not anymore. Instead, he pours all his time and energy into his job at The Bar Next Door and into his hand-crafted wing sauces that have tempted the taste buds of the Austin food scene. But when he comes face to face with Jeremiah Ford, a successful and polished marketing exec from California, Abe’s personal defenses begin to crack. Jeremiah wants to take Abe’s sauces nationwide and refuses to take no for an answer.As Jeremiah seeks answers into what makes Abe tick, the lines begin to blur for both men and what started as a business proposition shifts, forcing Abe to confront his past, the truths he didn’t want to see, and reconciliations he didn’t know he wanted.Is happiness in the mix for him?Can Abe let go of the tight control he has on his life, on the laws he’s lived by since he was eighteen and let Jeremiah in? less