Juniper Creek Series by Ray Celar

Avery. Owning my own bookstore had always been my dream, so when my grandma offered for me to buy and take over hers for a steal, the decision had been an easy one and I jumped on it. The only downside? The store is in my sleepy little hometown of Juniper Creek, the very place I lived through the worst years of my life. But with my toxic family gone and having no idea of my whereabouts, it’s actually a peaceful and quiet existence — just like I’d always wanted... moreAvery. Owning my own bookstore had always been my dream, so when my grandma offered for me to buy and take over hers for a steal, the decision had been an easy one and I jumped on it. The only downside? The store is in my sleepy little hometown of Juniper Creek, the very place I lived through the worst years of my life. But with my toxic family gone and having no idea of my whereabouts, it’s actually a peaceful and quiet existence — just like I’d always wanted. Then my big brother’s best friend suddenly moves back to town and threatens to disturb the untroubled life I’ve made here for myself. There’s only one solution: I have to avoid him at all costs — which proves to be harder than I thought. Mason. I never wanted to move back to Juniper Creek. I loved Seattle and my job there as a realtor. I was even offered a promotion to take over our high-profile clients. Then my father had a stroke, decided to retire, and asked me to take over his real estate agency to carry on the family legacy. I couldn’t deny him, could I? So here I am, back in Juniper Creek and trying to make peace with the turn my life has just taken. The last thing I expected was to meet my new business neighbor and realize it’s my best friend’s little brother. While talking about some unresolved issues from the past, I discover he’s a really great guy. A like-minded spirit I definitely want to be friends with. So, I do whatever I can to be around him. Maybe I’ll even get to find out why my best friend rarely talks about Avery and what happened in their family all those years ago. "Show Me How to Love" is a hurt/comfort mm romance with approximately 74,000 words featuring an adorable bookstore owner and his big brother's best friend who slowly realizes he might not be as straight as he thought. It's the first book in the Juniper Creek series; each book in the series can be read as a standalone. Please check the front matter for content warnings. less

Luke. I can pinpoint the exact moment my professional life ended — and so can millions of other people. Suffering a career-ending injury in the middle of what may have been the most important soccer game of my whole life is bad enough. But with dozens of cameras focused on me broadcasting my injury live all over Europe, my private life has also ended. The paparazzi are everywhere... moreLuke. I can pinpoint the exact moment my professional life ended — and so can millions of other people. Suffering a career-ending injury in the middle of what may have been the most important soccer game of my whole life is bad enough. But with dozens of cameras focused on me broadcasting my injury live all over Europe, my private life has also ended. The paparazzi are everywhere. Every step I take — or don’t take because walking these days isn’t exactly easy — there’s someone pointing a camera at me, whether it’s the press, a fan, or just someone who saw the gruesome end of my career. I can’t take it anymore. I need to get away from all the publicity and the constant reminder of what I’ve lost. Stumbling upon an ad for a lone cabin in some small town in Colorado seems like a wink of fate. No one will know who I am, and I can start over again. And if I told that cute guy at the bar that I’m currently unemployed… well, that’s not a lie, is it? Zayne. When I started making soaps on my own in college, I never expected to make a whole career out of it. But here I am, selling homemade soaps via my online shop and at the farmer’s market. There’s only one problem: ever since I started taking marketing advice from Adam and Avery, I’m drowning in work. My soaps are in high demand. So even though I might want one, a boyfriend is the last thing I need. Instead, I have to focus on finding staff to help me make and sell my soaps. But when I’m at the local bar and meet Luke, a hot-as-sin guy with troubled eyes, I can’t pass up on the opportunity to snatch him up — for my shop and for me. It’s perfect. I need company and someone who helps me with my work, and Luke is unemployed and needs a job. What’s the worst thing that could possibly happen? "Show Me How to Heal" is the second book in the Juniper Creek series; each book in the series can be read as a standalone. Please check the front matter for content warnings. less

Adam. After breaking up with my abusive ex, I’m busy getting my life back on track. I have old friends to mend my relationship with, new friends to get to know, therapy sessions to attend, and a restaurant to run. There’s not much time for anything else. When my best friends invite me to their New Year’s Eve party, I might not be sure whether attending is a good idea or not, but in the end, I accept, wanting to make an effort to spend time with them. I can always leave early, can’t I? Corbyn... moreAdam. After breaking up with my abusive ex, I’m busy getting my life back on track. I have old friends to mend my relationship with, new friends to get to know, therapy sessions to attend, and a restaurant to run. There’s not much time for anything else. When my best friends invite me to their New Year’s Eve party, I might not be sure whether attending is a good idea or not, but in the end, I accept, wanting to make an effort to spend time with them. I can always leave early, can’t I? Corbyn. New Year’s Eve is the day that changed my life forever five years ago. This year it’s supposed to mark a new beginning. And how better to celebrate than with my new friends? After all, they have a guest room I can escape to, if everything gets to be too much. So what’s the worst that could possibly happen? When two people both jaded and shaped by their pasts get thrown together by an unexpected blizzard, tentative bonds form. Will this new friendship last longer than a snowed in day? And has it the potential to transform into something… more? "Show Me How to Trust" is a hurt/comfort mm romance with approximately 71,000 words. It's the third book in the Juniper Creek series, but can be read as a standalone. Please check the front matter for content warnings. less