Deviant Hearts Series by A.E. Ryecart

“Too young, too blond, too skinny. Billy Grace was everything my head told me I didn’t want. Too bad my heart had other ideas.” When Dashiell Slater uses his fists to stop a vicious assault, the last thing he expects is to be offered a job as reward for being a Good Samaritan. Out of work and short of cash, all he has to do is chauffeur Billy around. It’s easy money so saying yes should be a no-brainer... more“Too young, too blond, too skinny. Billy Grace was everything my head told me I didn’t want. Too bad my heart had other ideas.” When Dashiell Slater uses his fists to stop a vicious assault, the last thing he expects is to be offered a job as reward for being a Good Samaritan. Out of work and short of cash, all he has to do is chauffeur Billy around. It’s easy money so saying yes should be a no-brainer. And if the offer’s not quite legal, so what? Dashiell’s smart and savvy, and knows how the world works. But there are strings attached, and Dashiell doesn’t want to get entangled. He’s ready to say no and walk away – until he sees the fear, despair and fathomless sadness in Billy’s jade-green eyes. “He was everything I wanted, but couldn’t have. What was the use in dreaming when I was already bought and paid for, the property of another man?” Billy’s life is a daily round of fear and abuse. One wrong word or one wrong look can mean a beating, or worse. Dashiell’s everything Billy’s heart craves – a man who’ll love and protect him, who’ll keep him safe and catch him when he falls. But Billy can’t have what he yearns for, because to give in to his heart means breaking a promise he’s vowed to keep at all costs. A soul-searing kiss, a whispered promise, and the chance of a future together is there for the taking. But life is never that simple and danger surrounds them at every turn. Imprisoned by devotion, duty and obligation, Billy’s heart is captive, but can falling for Dashiell finally set it free? Captive Hearts is a full-length novel of approx. 79,000k words and is the first in the Deviant Heart series less

When the past shatters the present, how can their future be saved? Taking shelter from a storm in an off-beat, alternative bookshop, security consultant Lee Adams only wants to wait out the weather. Wary and cautious following the collapse of his long-term relationship, Lee’s got no time and even less interest in having a man in his life. Or that’s what he tells himself as he works long, exhausting days in a futile effort to deny his crushing loneliness... moreWhen the past shatters the present, how can their future be saved? Taking shelter from a storm in an off-beat, alternative bookshop, security consultant Lee Adams only wants to wait out the weather. Wary and cautious following the collapse of his long-term relationship, Lee’s got no time and even less interest in having a man in his life. Or that’s what he tells himself as he works long, exhausting days in a futile effort to deny his crushing loneliness. But when the flirty, dark-haired assistant invites him to a campaign meeting to save an old pub from being bulldozed out of existence, Lee finds himself saying yes when everything tells him he should be saying no. For Dominic Russell, the Save Charlie campaign is personal. Charlie’s was where the frightened teenager he’d once been found a safe haven to be himself without fear or shame – until the events of a long-ago night ripped his world apart and forced him into a decision that changed his life forever. Both are wounded by betrayal, let down by those who should have loved them unconditionally. It’s only when they find the courage to open their hearts to one another that Lee and Dominic understand what each of them wants and needs to make them whole and complete. Against the background of Lee and Dominic’s unfolding love story, the campaign to Save Charlie is falling apart. Nobody’s interested and nobody cares – until a stranger with vision, passion and conviction arrives. He’s the shot in the arm the campaign needs, and he’s come with a full syringe. But something about Charlie’s saviour doesn’t add up, and Lee’s determined to find out why. A whispered revelation, an angry confrontation, and the campaign takes a dark and disturbing turn. As Dominic’s new-found trust is tested to the breaking point, everything he’s trying to save threatens to destroy him. For Lee and Dominic, preserving the past might just tear down their future. less

Ally. Protector. Lover.Security consultant Lee tells himself he not interested in the outrageous flirting coming his way from the young barista in a bookshop café. With the ink still wet on the career-defining deal he’s just signed, Lee’s got no time for a man in his life — especially not one who wears rainbow wristbands and has bright streaks of dye running through his hair.Dominic’s fighting to stop the destruction of an iconic LGBT venue but with little support, the campaign’s going nowhere... moreAlly. Protector. Lover.Security consultant Lee tells himself he not interested in the outrageous flirting coming his way from the young barista in a bookshop café. With the ink still wet on the career-defining deal he’s just signed, Lee’s got no time for a man in his life — especially not one who wears rainbow wristbands and has bright streaks of dye running through his hair.Dominic’s fighting to stop the destruction of an iconic LGBT venue but with little support, the campaign’s going nowhere. Maybe the moodily good looking guy in the sharp, corporate suit can be persuaded to get involved — and not just with the campaign.As Lee and Dominic’s unlikely affair heats up, the campaign goes cold — until a charismatic stranger appears on the scene, determined to kickstart it into life. But something about the would-be saviour doesn’t add up. As the dark and twisted truth is unearthed, Lee and Dominic are forced to confront the terrifying fact that the old venue isn’t all that’s facing destruction. less

You can lock your door, but can you lock your heart?Finding the courage to end his relationship with his manipulative and vicious boyfriend, Jamie Wheeler turns to his close friend Ed Corrigan to help him get his life back on track.Jamie and Ed have been inseparable for years, and all it would take is a small step to cross the divide from friends to lovers. It would be the biggest mistake they could make... moreYou can lock your door, but can you lock your heart?Finding the courage to end his relationship with his manipulative and vicious boyfriend, Jamie Wheeler turns to his close friend Ed Corrigan to help him get his life back on track.Jamie and Ed have been inseparable for years, and all it would take is a small step to cross the divide from friends to lovers. It would be the biggest mistake they could make. Jamie seeks the security of a settled long-term relationship, but Ed vows never to put his heart on the line again after a devastating betrayal. Anything beyond friendship is a risk, and could break them forever. As Jamie’s vindictive ex causes trouble from the side-lines, a face from the past makes an unwelcome return. Jamie’s life isn’t getting back on track, it’s coming off the rails, as a series of seemingly random events lead to only one of two conclusions: either somebody’s playing a dark and sinister game, or Jamie’s losing his mind. Tensions rise and danger approaches, drawing Jamie and Ed closer than ever. But time is running out as they race to discover not only what is happening, and why, but also what they truly mean to each other.The third book in the Deviants Heart series, Perilous Hearts is a slow burn friends to lovers romance intertwined with dark psychological suspense. It can be read as a stand-alone and there is no need to have read the previous two books in the series. No cliff hanger and HEA guaranteed. less