Bent Oak, Texas Series by Bix Barrow

Foster:. Most cops would say flirting immediately after you’ve flashed your badge at a guy is a bad idea. But I can’t resist Craig, the pet resort owner I’ve come to interview. I mean, look at him in his wet jeans and… is that dog hair all over his chest? I’m dying to ask him out, but first I have to do this favor for my great aunt—okay she bribed me—and go on a blind date with the grandson of her frenemy... moreFoster:. Most cops would say flirting immediately after you’ve flashed your badge at a guy is a bad idea. But I can’t resist Craig, the pet resort owner I’ve come to interview. I mean, look at him in his wet jeans and… is that dog hair all over his chest? I’m dying to ask him out, but first I have to do this favor for my great aunt—okay she bribed me—and go on a blind date with the grandson of her frenemy. But guess who shows up to rescue me with an outrageous cover story and a rhinestone dog collar? Craig:. My last not-even-a-relationship ended badly. Like, go-to-therapy-for-two-years badly. But I can’t stop thinking about the hot cop who told me to call him if I had any questions. Trust me, there was an innuendo there. Running into Foster and helping him get out of his blind date reminds me how much I miss going out and having fun. And kissing. Really, the kissing. I think I’m ready to risk my heart and date again. But is Foster ready for the reputation he gets around the police station after my dog collar stunt? And am I ready to have his PITA grumpy best friend move into my guest room with no end date? And are either of us ready for how fast this relationship is moving? One thing I know for sure is that neither of us are ready for the guy with a gun in my house. Heart Me Up is a 62k MM romance filled with meddling friends, hurt/comfort, game nights, an uncomfortable couch, and dog accessories not used for their intended purposes. Heart Me Up takes place before the events in the rest of the Bent Oak, Texas series and can be read as a standalone. less

Well, this puts the “ex” in “explosive”. .. Felix: What would happen if everyone you’d ever dated got together and plotted against you? For me, it’s glitter bombs. Lots and lots of glitter bombs. Okay, maybe I deserved the first one or two. Or three. But when things become less glitter and more grenade, I’m forced into hiding with the smokin’ hot older client I just had a sizzling one-night stand with... moreWell, this puts the “ex” in “explosive”. .. Felix: What would happen if everyone you’d ever dated got together and plotted against you? For me, it’s glitter bombs. Lots and lots of glitter bombs. Okay, maybe I deserved the first one or two. Or three. But when things become less glitter and more grenade, I’m forced into hiding with the smokin’ hot older client I just had a sizzling one-night stand with. Malcolm’s gruff exterior hides a marshmallow center (who else would hire a pet massage therapist for their elderly cat? ) — but until the bomber is behind bars, neither of us are safe. And no one would risk their life for a disaster like me. .. right? Malcolm: I wasn’t under any illusions the night I ended up in Felix’s bed. He’s just my type — smart, funny, and adorable with just the right amount of meat on his bones. But a guy like that deserves more than a grouchy forty-something ex-FBI agent with a broken body and a screwed-up brain. So, I knew we were only ever in this for one night. Except now with his dating history blowing up in his face, Felix is turning to me for help. And I’m pretty sure my feelings can’t be defused. Head Over Feels is a low-angst MM contemporary romance. Come for the grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity (but there are two beds, sorry), hurt/comfort, and found family. Stay for the 1985 Buick Riviera convertible, dreams coming true, personal growth, game nights, and an online date gone very, very, wrong. HEA guaranteed! less

What happens when a smoking hot retired rock star finally decides to take a walk on the bi side? I have no idea. I panicked and tanked our date before I could find out. When I accidentally overheard Jake Lord, womanizing rock god with a d**k of legendary proportions, say he wanted to come out as bisexual, I never imagined I’d be the first man he’d ask to dinner... moreWhat happens when a smoking hot retired rock star finally decides to take a walk on the bi side? I have no idea. I panicked and tanked our date before I could find out. When I accidentally overheard Jake Lord, womanizing rock god with a d**k of legendary proportions, say he wanted to come out as bisexual, I never imagined I’d be the first man he’d ask to dinner. What could a famous musician want with me—a guy who’s so freaked by what happened on my last job that I’m working as a gardener to try to forget? I should’ve turned him down immediately, but he was so adorable—all nervous and awkward—I couldn’t stop myself from accepting his invitation. But after decades of the rock and roll life, Wesley doesn’t want to be “Jake Lord” anymore. He’s ready to be a dad, a homebody, a guy who rescues kittens. A man like that needs someone who’s got their s**t together. And that’s definitely not me. So I bailed before I was in too deep. Oops. Too late. I Touch Hoses is part of the Bent Oak, Texas series but is written so it can be read as a standalone. In the series timeline, this story takes place between Head Over Feels and We Don’t Need Another Santa. I Touch Hoses was formerly a bonus story offered to Bix Barrow newsletter subscribers. The story has not been changed. less

A late-awakened bi guy and his secret crush try to play Santa for some kids. But there’s a hitman blocking the chimney. .. Have you ever been locked out of your apartment shirtless, holding a wet rabbit and getting served with legal papers right when your super-hot neighbor walks by? Maybe it’s just me. After Baz stops to help, I finally have a chance to show him there’s more to me than the loud parties and one-night stands he’s witnessed over the years... moreA late-awakened bi guy and his secret crush try to play Santa for some kids. But there’s a hitman blocking the chimney. .. Have you ever been locked out of your apartment shirtless, holding a wet rabbit and getting served with legal papers right when your super-hot neighbor walks by? Maybe it’s just me. After Baz stops to help, I finally have a chance to show him there’s more to me than the loud parties and one-night stands he’s witnessed over the years. And I find out he’s more than just an aloof work-from-home accountant. Who would’ve guessed we both love superheroes and have big hangups about Christmas? When Baz finds a bunch of letters to Santa in the recycle bin, helping those kids’ holiday wishes come true is the perfect way for us to spend time together. But we didn’t expect to get yelled at by the kids’ neighbors. (Okay, maybe the binoculars were a bad idea. ) And we didn’t expect my estranged brothers to show up and take over Baz’s apartment. (Okay, but as a side effect, he’s staying at my place. .. ). And we never expected to interrupt a hitman in the middle of a job. What’s Santa Got to Do with It? is a semi-low-angst, humorous holiday romance featuring a bi-awakening, a chonky rabbit, learning work-life balance, forced proximity, avoiding THAT Christmas song, reconciling with (some) family, interfering friends, and a hitman with a heart of gold. What’s Santa Got to Do with It? is part of the Bent Oak, Texas series but can be read as a standalone. Characters from previous books do make an appearance but knowing their backstories is not necessary to enjoy this book. less

An MM Holiday Hitman Romance with Humor, Pets, and Suspense. One retired hitman, one actor just out of rehab, and a Santa sack full of complications. Even though I don’t need to pose as a third-grade teacher anymore, I stuck around to keep Seth, one of my students, and his brother Robin from being abused by their slimy stepfather... moreAn MM Holiday Hitman Romance with Humor, Pets, and Suspense. One retired hitman, one actor just out of rehab, and a Santa sack full of complications. Even though I don’t need to pose as a third-grade teacher anymore, I stuck around to keep Seth, one of my students, and his brother Robin from being abused by their slimy stepfather. It’s their lucky Christmas Eve when I find out Robin accidentally killed the jerk while protecting Seth, because who better to help them dispose of the body than a retired hitman-slash-operative? But Santa also delivers the boys’ uncle, famous actor and tabloid headliner Lucas McCord. I’m trying to decide if I can trust him with the boys’ well-being—and possibly my cold, withered heart—when an ill-timed photo has the press announcing I’m Lucas’ boyfriend and the key to fixing his reputation. The skills I honed in my former life are strangely useful navigating the perils of Hollywood, but when I come face-to-face with an enemy from my past, I’ll use every weapon in my arsenal to keep Lucas and the kids safe. We Don’t Need Another Santa is a low-angst, humorous holiday romance featuring a retired hitman, an actor trying to turn his life around, two kids in need, stray dogs, an inconvenient body, barbecued brisket, and beaver onesies. We Don’t Need Another Santa is a novella continuing the hitman’s story from What’s Santa Got to Do with It but can be read as a standalone. less

A bubbly audio narrator finally meets his crochet-influencer crush. If only he’d used his real voice. .. ​. Talk about a tangled web. Look, it wasn’t my fault – I wasn’t expecting to run into Mitchell. Okay, I was totally hoping to run into Mitchell, I just wasn’t prepared for it. He was sooo gorgeous, and he was right there in front of me. And while I’m great behind a mic, in real life, well, my brain got all spun up and I spoke in my character’s voice... moreA bubbly audio narrator finally meets his crochet-influencer crush. If only he’d used his real voice. .. ​. Talk about a tangled web. Look, it wasn’t my fault – I wasn’t expecting to run into Mitchell. Okay, I was totally hoping to run into Mitchell, I just wasn’t prepared for it. He was sooo gorgeous, and he was right there in front of me. And while I’m great behind a mic, in real life, well, my brain got all spun up and I spoke in my character’s voice. My character’s high-pitched, squeaky voice. And when Mitchell asked for my name, I kind of told him the character’s name instead. .. . [face palm of the century]. I’m shocked Mitchell wants to date me, squeaky voice and all. I have to tell him the truth before things get even knottier. You think that’d be simple, but every time I try to tell him who I really am, my plan unravels. And the more I get to know the sweet man behind the videos, the more I’m hooked. But what if I tell Mitchell and he thinks I’m just spinning yarns? Voices Harry is a low-angst comedy of errors featuring a secret identity, a fanboying cat, meddling friends, inappropriate crochet projects, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. Voices Harry is related to the Bent Oak, Texas series and a few side characters have appeared in previous books. In the series timeline, the main action of Voices Harry occurs after We Don’t Need Another Santa. However, this story was written as a standalone. This story was originally published in the 2024 Candy Hearts Anthology. It has not been changed and is currently a bonus story offered to subscribers of Bix Barrow's newsletter. less