The Suitable 'Verse Series by R. Cooper

Everyone expects the king to rage at the suggestion that he find a new spouse to stand alongside--or better yet, replace--his beloved husband. Some might be planning on it, hoping to incite another conflict like what has plagued the country since the death of the last legitimate ruler. But to everyone’s surprise, the infamous Traitor King, Arden Canamorra, reacts to the suggestion with amusement, perhaps even interest. Decades of chaos ended with Arden’s ascension to the throne... moreEveryone expects the king to rage at the suggestion that he find a new spouse to stand alongside--or better yet, replace--his beloved husband. Some might be planning on it, hoping to incite another conflict like what has plagued the country since the death of the last legitimate ruler. But to everyone’s surprise, the infamous Traitor King, Arden Canamorra, reacts to the suggestion with amusement, perhaps even interest. Decades of chaos ended with Arden’s ascension to the throne. But many in the oldest noble families want more influence over the crown--noble influence, that is. Not from the king’s lower-rank and somewhat rough palace guard husband, Mil. They don’t care that Mil is a hero who helped secure peace at Arden’s side, and that, at least among the common people, Arden and Mil’s love story is legendary. Mattin, however, is outraged. A librarian at the royal library and advisor to the king despite his relatively young age, Mattin deeply admires the royal couple. That they happen to also be incredibly attractive is something he very determinedly ignores. If Arden and Mil are going to marry again for political purposes--since Mattin is sure no new love could ever match their great passion for each other--he will at least find someone perfect for them. If thinking about it makes Mattin miserable, well, he ignores that, too. But the king and his husband seem less interested in meeting appropriate nobles and more interested in fussing over Mattin while making plans of their own. It’s a more complicated matter than an innocent librarian could have realized, with more at risk than just his heart. The most suitable consort might not be enough to appease certain nobles, but the most beloved might win over the entire country. An m/m/m romance. less

This is a nonsense modern AU for A Suitable Consort (For the King and His Husband). Mattin is the social media consultant for two former professional hockey players who happen to be married to each other, and famously in love with one another, and funny, and kind, and ridiculously attractive even with/because of the gray in their hair, and okay, maybe he is in lov--maybe he has a crush of some kind on them. Whatever. He's not thinking about it and he's certainly not acting on it... moreThis is a nonsense modern AU for A Suitable Consort (For the King and His Husband). Mattin is the social media consultant for two former professional hockey players who happen to be married to each other, and famously in love with one another, and funny, and kind, and ridiculously attractive even with/because of the gray in their hair, and okay, maybe he is in lov--maybe he has a crush of some kind on them. Whatever. He's not thinking about it and he's certainly not acting on it. That's what he tells himself. Repeatedly. The champagne had other ideas. less

Royal librarian Mattin has a habit of overworking himself and forgetting that his heats are approaching. That's annoying but bearable. What is mortifying is that the king and his husband seem to have noticed. Royal librarian Mattin is one of the so-called fae-blessed, which means a few times a year he experiences a heat. A sticky, uncomfortable business Mattin does his best to forget, which is easy to do with how busy he is. Unfortunately, ignoring his heats is starting to affect his health... moreRoyal librarian Mattin has a habit of overworking himself and forgetting that his heats are approaching. That's annoying but bearable. What is mortifying is that the king and his husband seem to have noticed. Royal librarian Mattin is one of the so-called fae-blessed, which means a few times a year he experiences a heat. A sticky, uncomfortable business Mattin does his best to forget, which is easy to do with how busy he is. Unfortunately, ignoring his heats is starting to affect his health. Even more unfortunately, the king and his husband have both noticed and resolved to help. Now, Mattin has to deal with his heats and the friendly--or is it only friendly--concern from the two heroes he's been crushing on forever, and hope he doesn't embarrass himself by admitting to everything he wants. less

For nearly twenty years, noble families have torn the country apart battling for the throne. Until now, the Tialttyrin have avoided the chaos, since no other nobles will risk offending the mysterious, powerful fae by attacking their favorites. But as the violence encroaches into the Tialttyrin’s green valley, continued peace might require action. Or so Zelli, the family’s youngest and most fae member, believes... moreFor nearly twenty years, noble families have torn the country apart battling for the throne. Until now, the Tialttyrin have avoided the chaos, since no other nobles will risk offending the mysterious, powerful fae by attacking their favorites. But as the violence encroaches into the Tialttyrin’s green valley, continued peace might require action. Or so Zelli, the family’s youngest and most fae member, believes. Sheltered and inexperienced, Zelli resolves to save the valley and his family even if it means sneaking away to act on his own. He stops only to ask his family’s sworn guard Tahlen’s opinion on the matter. Thoughtful and reserved despite his young age, Tahlen has experience with the war going on outside the valley, as well as the respect of the other guards and the ear of the leader of the Tialttyrin. He surprises Zelli by agreeing something has to be done and that Zelli is the one to do it, but insists that if Zelli goes, Tahlen must go with him. Tahlen is oath-bound to protect Zelli with his body and his life, but that oath says nothing about accompanying Zelli on a forbidden journey, or offering countless acts of service to the smallest and most useless member of the Tialttyrin family. Zelli has no idea what to make of that and little time to think on it. His fae blood has started to act up in the most embarrassing ways, dangers from outside are creeping in like the fog the valley is known for, and the confusing stirring in his heart when Tahlen is near seems to be getting stronger. As Zelli glimpses the warmth beneath Tahlen’s stony exterior, he grows closer to understanding his own feelings and how far he will go to keep Tahlen’s sacrifice from ever being necessary. It will take all of his quick thinking and generous nature, as well as some help from the unseen fae, but Zelli of the Tialttyrin will protect his people, his family, and above all, Tahlen. M/M romance. Set in the same universe as A Suitable Consort (For the King and His Husband). less

The mysterious figure known as the Wild Dog has risen up to crush and humiliate the Earls who control the North. Fen, son of a powerful Earl, has been sent to form an alliance to benefit his father’s plans against the bold rebel. There are many kinds of alliances in the world of nobles, but political alliances often grow to include the intimacy of lovers or even marriage, and Fen has been ordered to use his famed beauty seduce his intended, regardless of what he feels... moreThe mysterious figure known as the Wild Dog has risen up to crush and humiliate the Earls who control the North. Fen, son of a powerful Earl, has been sent to form an alliance to benefit his father’s plans against the bold rebel. There are many kinds of alliances in the world of nobles, but political alliances often grow to include the intimacy of lovers or even marriage, and Fen has been ordered to use his famed beauty seduce his intended, regardless of what he feels. But Fen has no love for his cruel father or in forming any kind of alliance with a noble his father prefers. He takes his first chance to run, only to end up lost and hungry in vast wilderness… where he is found by the Wild Dog himself. Lan, called Wild Dog by furious Earls who don’t like to be challenged, looms over Fen and most others, and yet carries Fen when Fen is too weak to walk any longer. He allows his friends to tease him and ensures his people are fed before he sits for his own meals. Fen, who has rarely known kindness, is captivated. But Fen is also an Earl’s cub, and if the Wild Dog can change rules that have always existed, then so can Fen. Without his father’s say he offers an alliance of his own, promising to use his knowledge of the nobles to help the Wild Dog achieve his aims. No seduction is required, although for the first time in his life, Fen considers it. Each time Lan listens to him, or pulls him close to share warmth as they sleep, or shows that he trusts Fen, Fen wants him in a way he barely understands. But Fen is more powerful than he realizes or that his nickname of “Flower” would suggest. He sees destiny at work when he looks at Lan. The Wild Dog is something greater than a mere Earl, and fate, or the fae, have placed Fen in his path. Now it’s time for Fen-the-flower to decide if his agreement with Lan might become more—an alliance, or marriage, for the ages. less

Tiiran is just trying to keep the Great Library running. The library has existed for centuries, but after decades of political upheaval, everyone in charge of the revered institution seems to have vanished, leaving only Tiiran and a handful of assistants to keep the lights on. With a creatively foul mouth and no patience for nobles, Tiiran has a ferocious reputation for defending the library, which is the only home he’s ever known... moreTiiran is just trying to keep the Great Library running. The library has existed for centuries, but after decades of political upheaval, everyone in charge of the revered institution seems to have vanished, leaving only Tiiran and a handful of assistants to keep the lights on. With a creatively foul mouth and no patience for nobles, Tiiran has a ferocious reputation for defending the library, which is the only home he’s ever known. Abandoned by both his fae and human parents, Tiiran learned to fend for himself long before the older librarians abandoned him too, meaning he’s more hissing alley cat than well-mannered administrator. About the only person Tiiran softens for is Orin, an unusual outguard with a taste for poetry and a string of eager submissives trailing after him, or so rumors suggest. Big as a bear, but patient and gentle with Tiiran, Orin has been trying to warn Tiiran about the dangers in the palace, especially with Tiiran’s temper and too-honest way of speaking. No one has ever been so concerned for Tiiran, or worked so hard to get Tiiran to trust them… or playfully threatened to put Tiiran over his knee. Orin makes Tiiran feel things that Tiiran has no words for. He’s equally flustered when a new assistant as the library seems determined to help him. Nikoly is friendly, beautiful, and likes to joke about serving Tiiran… if that is a joke. If Tiiran were anyone else, he’d say Nikoly has been flirting with him. But Tiiran is spiky and difficult on a good day, and doesn’t know anything about that sort of bed sport. Someone like Orin is probably more of what Nikoly is looking for, so Nikoly must be after something else, possibly even Orin himself. Tiiran would much rather focus on library business than on feelings he doesn’t understand or expect to be reciprocated. But Orin and Nikoly are set on luring this stray cat to a cushion by the fire so they can show him what love is, one with a firm hand and the other with sweet submission. Neither of them considered that taming a fae-touched, fiery spirit like Tiiran means he will love as fiercely as he does everything else, and will do whatever it takes to protect who, and what, he cares about, no matter the danger. m/m/m romance. less

Old by Outguard standards, forty-year-old Westin is considering retirement and hoping that the familiar comforts of Solace House will soothe the ache in his chest at the thought. Solace House is renowned for serving the finest wines and teas, providing luxurious baths, and offering solace, be that through conversation or through time spent with a worker in a private room... moreOld by Outguard standards, forty-year-old Westin is considering retirement and hoping that the familiar comforts of Solace House will soothe the ache in his chest at the thought. Solace House is renowned for serving the finest wines and teas, providing luxurious baths, and offering solace, be that through conversation or through time spent with a worker in a private room. But the normally centered and calm Westin is finding peace difficult to achieve, so far unsatisfied by both his bath and a good cup of tea, or his conversation with a friend and Solace House worker. When Sun stumbles into the inn amid a rumble of thunder from the passing storm, Westin is forced to confront why peace has been so hard to come by; he likes a little bit of trouble, at least in one particular form. Another outguard, Sun is young, bold, and pretty. He’s charming to most but impertinent and demanding with Westin, and he only grows more difficult upon discovering that Westin plans to leave him… that is, to leave the Outguard. Sun acting a brat with Westin, with only Westin, might mean a great deal more than Westin believed it did. Despite his age and old wounds, the raging storm outside, and the brat at his brattiest, Westin feels a glimmer of hope: solace might be found for both of them. All Westin has to do is reach for it. m/m romance fantasy novella. less