Infinite Grace Series by R. Cooper

Ara is a festival for spring, for the return of clear skies, for beginnings. People dance, drink, and decorate themselves in blue capes or ribbons, or, for the more bold, with aras blooms, which leave behind a blue stain when crushed. A splash of this blue across the lips indicates someone is open to kisses, while a chain of the delicate blooms in their hair means they are open to more than kissing, whatever that may be... moreAra is a festival for spring, for the return of clear skies, for beginnings. People dance, drink, and decorate themselves in blue capes or ribbons, or, for the more bold, with aras blooms, which leave behind a blue stain when crushed. A splash of this blue across the lips indicates someone is open to kisses, while a chain of the delicate blooms in their hair means they are open to more than kissing, whatever that may be. It is a tradition older and perhaps stronger than the disapproving Church, yet it is still a surprise for Owin, one of the Duke’s guardsman, to find the Duke’s little priest-mage at the festivities. Owin has long been captivated by the stern, awkward postulant with a habit of broadcasting his moods with sparks of magical energy. Seeing Maschi’s lips stained blue finally puts a name to the ache Owin carries in his chest whenever he thinks of the tiny mage. But Maschi is young, learned, and pretty as well as nearly a priest. Not meant for an older, battered guard with no faith or learning. But Ara is a day—and a night—for love, and magic, and perhaps even grace, if that is to be found in the heart of one scarred giant. When Maschi puts aras blooms in his hair and speaks of Heaven, Owin must make a choice; reach for his, or leave Maschi to dream alone. Words: 13,750 less

The accused… well… the actual thief known as Agreeable needs to hide after his friends caused a bit of a ruckus in the market. Which is why he’s in disguise in a stolen dress when he slips into a room at the inn that should have been empty, but instead holds a wealthy merchant named Holburn—the strangest man Agreeable has ever met... moreThe accused… well… the actual thief known as Agreeable needs to hide after his friends caused a bit of a ruckus in the market. Which is why he’s in disguise in a stolen dress when he slips into a room at the inn that should have been empty, but instead holds a wealthy merchant named Holburn—the strangest man Agreeable has ever met. Agreeable, a farmer-turned-thief through circumstance, mocked and scorned throughout the region for his tendency to be too friendly and “agreeable” with anyone who asks, has no idea what to make of the man.Holburn is complicated as only the rich can be, and full of notions about how Agreeable should be treated better by both the law and everyone else. He’s stranger still for choosing to help an accused thief stay hidden. He’s attractive—even someone less agreeable than Agreeable would say so—and compelling enough that, in only a few hours, he has Agreeable wishing for another life. A life where he might be known by his real name, and have a job that brings respect, and where he might also share the bed of his remarkable protector.But Holburn has secrets, not the least of which is a wife who might be as strange and wonderful as he is, and lives in a world that is far beyond Agreeable’s reach. Agreeable is a failed farmer, a useless thief, and a slut somewhat confused about his gender now that he has the dress on and finds he likes being called a good girl. A few hours with Holburn are all he can ever have.Holburn seems to believe otherwise.m/m/f less