Debbie McGowan

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About Debbie McGowan

Debbie McGowan is an award-winning author of contemporary fiction that celebrates life, love and relationships in all their diversity. Since the publication in 2004 of her debut novel, Champagne—based on a stage show co-written and co-produced with her husband—she has published many further works—novels, short stories and novellas—including two ongoing series: Hiding Behind The Couch (a literary ‘soap opera’ centring on the lives of nine long-term friends) and Checking Him Out (LGBTQ romance). Debbie has been a finalist in both the Rainbow Awards and the Bisexual Book Awards, and in 2016, she won the Lambda Literary Award (Lammy) for her novel, When Skies Have Fallen: a British historical romance spanning twenty-three years, from the end of WWII to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967. Through her independent publishing company, Debbie gives voices to other authors whose work would be deemed unprofitable by mainstream publishing houses.

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Titles By Debbie McGowan

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When Skies Have Fallen Jul 7, 2015

by Debbie McGowan

( 188 )

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Winner of the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Romance.

For many in war-torn 1944, love blossoms in the dance hall, and airman Arty Clarke is no exception. He’s a thinker and a dreamer; however, it’s not the beautiful, talented dancer in his arms—his best friend Jean—who inspires his dreams. For when his gaze meets that of Technical Sergeant Jim Johnson, Arty dares to imagine a different dance.

Their love is forbidden, by both the armed forces and the law, but with Jean’s cunning and support, Arty and Jim try to bridge the distance between them and find true love despite the danger and a life-threatening disaster that could destroy Arty’s dreams for good.

Can the pair stand strong together, no matter how many skies have fallen?

* * * * *

Part of Love is an Open Road (Don’t Read in the Closet 2015)
Based on the prompt:

Life isn’t a fairy tale. These two know that better than most. These men are survivors. Against all odds, they made it through hardships, separation, and war. They clung to hope where little existed and, as the skies fell around them and the world was torn apart, found strength in loving each other.

Suddenly, the war was over. Battlefields lay silent and troops prepared for the journey home. These two were more than ready. They had experienced enough loss, grief, and pain to last ten lifetimes. The country they left behind may not have been ready to accept them, but they were prepared to live no matter how many skies had fallen.

You can tell me the story of how these men met, but what I really want to know is what happened to these men after this photo was taken. Did their love endure the trials of a return to civilian life? Were they able to overcome the trauma of war and find peace together?

Sincerely,
Tiffany

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback

Checking Him Out Nov 16, 2014

by Debbie McGowan

( 445 )

$0.00

Engineer Sol Brooks is a happily married man, so people keep telling him. He and Elise have been in Boston for eight years, he loves her, and she loves him. They’ve got a great apartment that’s kept its value, they’re both up for promotion, and he can hook up with any guy he likes—all the sex he wants, so long as it’s of the “no strings” variety.

And that’s all fine and dandy…
until a chance meeting at the checkout.

* * *

“This isn’t a fluffy m/m filled with stupid misunderstandings…this is a book about the cost of being truly grown up; not in a YA coming of age, but in a turning over a whole new chapter way, complete with love and loss. Excellent read.”
“…wonderful and refreshing and just laugh out loud funny at times.”
“A powerfully written, life changing book. A beautiful read.”

* * *
WARNING: this story contains sex acts between consenting male adults.
* * *

In the Checking Him Out Series:
Checking Him Out (Book One - Sol and Adam)
Checking Him Out For The Holidays (Novella - Sol and Adam)
Hiding Out (Novella - a crossover featuring Matty and Noah, and Josh, George and Libby from Hiding Behind The Couch)
Taking Him On (Book Two - Noah and Matty)
Checking In (Book Three - Sol and Adam)
The Making Of Us (Book Four - Jesse and Leigh)

* * *
First published as part of the Love's Landscapes Anthology
(DRiTC 2014, MMRomanceGroup), based on the prompt:

Dear Author,

When I met the love of my new life (his words not mine…ass), I was simply waiting in the checkout line. I might have been caught up in a conversation with my best friend/wife of X amount of years about something, I can’t remember at the moment. So anyway, we were distracted and didn’t notice that the line had moved. So after maybe 30 seconds, or a minute at the most (I’m pretty sure it wasn’t that long), Mr. Impatient, with an accent like that character on The Originals (not that I watch that show at my age), got our attention in the rudest way in my opinion, or in my wife’s heart-of-a-ho opinion, the kindest way possible for our insensitive asses. I’m pretty sure his accent, mixed with his damn charm, got him out of more trouble than it should. We had a rough start, but we had quiet moments when we weren’t all over each other or fighting, in and out of bed. Anyway, I would love a story about our first year.

P.S. I want a story with interesting secondary characters interacting with the main characters. I want it to be known that the marriage is a *lavender marriage—no one is being fooled here. I want humor mixed in with hot-damn, slightly overwhelming sex. Alpha males with a bad case of the giggles at inappropriate moments. No BDSM please. One other request is that I wish the main characters to be in the age range of late twenties to early thirties.

*A lavender marriage is a “beard” marriage of convenience.

Sincerely,
T

Other Formats: Paperback

Boughs of Evergreen: A Holiday Anthology (Combined Edition) Nov 21, 2014

by J P Walker, Debbie McGowan, Ofelia Gränd, Jonathan Penn, L.L. Bucknor, Alexis Woods, Rick Bettencourt, Amy Spector, Kathleen Hayes, Larry Benjamin, Claire Davis, Al Stewart, Raine O’Tierney, Hans M Hirschi, Terry Kerr, L.M. Steel, K.C. Faelan, Amelia Mann, Hunter Frost, Laura Susan Johnson, Shayla Mist, Ava Penn, Matthias Williamson, S.H. Allan

( 6 )

$9.99

Boughs of Evergreen is a collection of 22 short stories celebrating the holiday season in all its diversity. Penned by authors from the UK, the USA, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, these are tales of the young and the not-so-young from many different walks of life.

Themes of family, friendship and romance take readers on a journey through some of the major holidays, both past and present, including Thanksgiving, Advent, St. Lucia Day, Hanukkah, Saturnalia, Winter Solstice, Yule, Christmas and New Year. In each we find at the very least hope, and often love, peace and happiness.

Proceeds from sales of this anthology will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. For more information, visit: www.thetrevorproject.org.

* * * * *

THE STORIES:

“A Friend for Christmas” - J P Walker
“A Midnight Clear” - Debbie McGowan
“From All of Us to All of You” - Ofelia Gränd
“Homme for the Holidays” - Jonathan Penn
“Kiss Me At Kwanzaa” - L.L. Bucknor
“Lion’s Hero” - Alexis Woods
“One Nightstand” - Rick Bettencourt
“Shiny Things” - Amy Spector
“The Bard and his Boyfriend” - Kathleen Hayes
“The Christmas Present” - Larry Benjamin
“X-Mas Cake: A Modern Fairytale” - Raine O’Tierney
“A Christmas Tale” - Hans M Hirschi
“A Family Christmas” - Terry Kerr
“A Little Christmas Magic” - K.C. Faelan
“Always Have, Always Will” - Amelia Mann
“An Angel in Eyeliner” - Hunter Frost
“Boyfriend Goes Home” - Laura Susan Johnson
“Christmas Commitment” - Shayla Mist
“Coming in from the Cold” - Ava Penn
“Holidays with Drum and Bell!” - Matthias Williamson
“Te Amo, You Mushrooms” - S.H. Allan
“The Invasion of Tork” - Claire Davis and Al Stewart

Sugar and Sawdust Nov 20, 2014

by Debbie McGowan

( 82 )

$0.00

Jorje's sister worries about him. He's a successful model with a serious passion for fashion—a pretty boy, who looks a lot younger than his twenty-two years. And he's sweet and kind. Guys take advantage of him, playing him to get at his money, or just to be seen with him on their arm, which is why sister Taylor has taken over control of his finances, his grocery shopping, even his love life. So it's not looking good, when Jorje wakes up with no recollection of the night before, a whopping hangover and a ton of missed calls from Taylor…and a mystery guy in the bed.

WARNING: this story contains sex acts between consenting male adults.

***

First published as part of the Love's Landscapes Anthology
(DRiTC 2014, MMRomanceGroup.com), based on the prompt:

Dear Author,

I adore my baby brother and I try not to meddle in his life but since our parents are halfway ‘round the world’, looking out for him is up to me and he is so unlucky in love, I can’t help it. Guys are always taking advantage of his kindness and generosity (okay, gullibility). Yesterday, I saw him in a restaurant with this man, and I’m beside myself. Shall I send champagne or a walker? What’s a big sis to do? Yeah, this guy doesn’t look like he’ll take his money but what about his heart?

Note: brother is twenty-something, just very youthful-looking.

Fingers crossed,
Sincerely,
Kym

Checking Him Out For the Holidays Dec 21, 2014

by Debbie McGowan

( 49 )

$1.99

Freelance engineer Sol Brooks doesn’t do the festive season. He thinks it’s boring and overly sentimental. With the rest of the household laid up with ‘the flu’, Sol’s planned on using the time to crack on with some work.

His mother, however, has other ideas.

And so does Sol’s husband, Adam.

A stand-alone holiday special featuring Sol and Adam from Checking Him Out.

***

In the Checking Him Out Series:
Checking Him Out (Book One - Sol and Adam)
Checking Him Out For The Holidays (Novella - Sol and Adam)
Hiding Out (Novella - a crossover featuring Matty and Noah, and Josh, George and Libby from Hiding Behind The Couch)
Taking Him On (Book Two - Noah and Matty)
Checking In (Book Three - Sol and Adam)
The Making Of Us (Book Four - Jesse and Leigh)

***
WARNING: this story contains sex acts between consenting male adults.

Hiding Behind The Couch Jan 7, 2014

by Debbie McGowan

( 13 )

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The Circle.
Nine friends from high school.
Nine friends for life.

They had been in their final years of school when it happened. There was a party. Shaunna didn’t know who he was; she could only vaguely remember where she’d been and what she’d been up to, and tried to let the memory slip away with the hangover. Four weeks later, she was certain that night was going to be with her forever.

Josh Sandison has spent his lifetime trying to keep his friends together, never forgiving himself for being the one to push George away. Now in their thirties, they reunite in a bid to help Shaunna’s daughter establish her father’s identity.

But there are secrets and lies that have been lived too long, with the power to destroy friendships for good.

* * * * *
“...compelling characters, conflicted, flawed, complicated.”

“...like eating fine Belgian chocolate for the first time after only ever eating Smartprice chocolate.”

“Debbie McGowan has the ability to take average, everyday happenings and people and make them honestly fun, engaging and absorbing enough to not want to put the book down.”

“McGowan has a knack for writing, like the BBC has a way for putting out good television.”

Other Formats: Paperback

Checking In (Checking Him Out Book 3) Dec 15, 2015

by Debbie McGowan

( 19 )

$3.99

Freelance engineer Sol Brooks is in hot demand. He’s landed a couple of big contracts and is all set for a business trip back to the other side of the pond. The last thing he needs is an unexpected visitor to complicate his departure.

Especially when that visitor puts his relationship with husband Adam on rocky ground.

Determined to fulfil his contractual obligations, Sol goes ahead with the trip. It’s a great opportunity and a chance to catch up with old friends. And he’s going to check in regularly.

What could possibly go wrong?

* * * * *
NOTE: this novel follows on from previous stories, and coincides with Taking Him On, but can also be read as a stand-alone.
* * * * *

In the Checking Him Out Series:
Checking Him Out (Book One - Sol and Adam)
Checking Him Out For The Holidays (Novella - Sol and Adam)
Hiding Out (Novella - a crossover featuring Matty and Noah, and Josh, George and Libby from Hiding Behind The Couch)
Taking Him On (Book Two - Noah and Matty)
Checking In (Book Three - Sol and Adam)
The Making Of Us (Book Four - Jesse and Leigh)

* * * * *
WARNING: this story contains sex acts between consenting male adults.

Other Formats: Paperback

Boughs of Evergreen: A Holiday Anthology (Volume One) Nov 21, 2014

by J P Walker, Debbie McGowan, Ofelia Gränd, Jonathan Penn, L.L. Bucknor, Alexis Woods, Rick Bettencourt, Amy Spector, Kathleen Hayes, Larry Benjamin, Claire Davis, Al Stewart , Raine O’Tierney

( 2 )

$6.99

Boughs of Evergreen is a collection of 22 short stories celebrating the holiday season in all its diversity. Penned by authors from the UK, the USA, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, these are tales of the young and the not-so-young from many different walks of life.

Themes of family, friendship and romance take readers on a journey through some of the major holidays, both past and present, including Thanksgiving, Advent, St. Lucia Day, Hanukkah, Saturnalia, Winter Solstice, Yule, Christmas and New Year. In each we find at the very least hope, and often love, peace and happiness.

Proceeds from sales of this anthology will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. For more information, visit: www.thetrevorproject.org.

* * * * *

THE STORIES:

VOLUME ONE (this volume):

“A Friend for Christmas” - J P Walker
“A Midnight Clear” - Debbie McGowan
“From All of Us to All of You” - Ofelia Gränd
“Homme for the Holidays” - Jonathan Penn
“Kiss Me At Kwanzaa” - L.L. Bucknor
“Lion’s Hero” - Alexis Woods
“One Nightstand” - Rick Bettencourt
“Shiny Things” - Amy Spector
“The Bard and his Boyfriend” - Kathleen Hayes
“The Christmas Present” - Larry Benjamin
“X-Mas Cake: A Modern Fairytale” - Raine O’Tierney

VOLUME TWO (available separately):

“A Christmas Tale” - Hans M Hirschi
“A Family Christmas” - Terry Kerr
“A Little Christmas Magic” - K.C. Faelan
“Always Have, Always Will” - Amelia Mann
“An Angel in Eyeliner” - Hunter Frost
“Boyfriend Goes Home” - Laura Susan Johnson
“Christmas Commitment” - Shayla Mist
“Coming in from the Cold” - Ava Penn
“Holidays with Drum and Bell!” - Matthias Williamson
“Te Amo, You Mushrooms” - S.H. Allan
“The Invasion of Tork” - Claire Davis and Al Stewart

Also available as a combined edition containing all 22 stories.

Other Formats: Paperback

Perfect Tenor: A Hiding Behind The Couch Novella Dec 30, 2021

by Debbie McGowan

( 2 )

$0.99

When his music fills your heart,
note by note, beat by beat,
and your harmonies entwine,
effortless, complete.

That’s how you’ll know you’ve found
the perfect tenor.

A cosy festive romance set in the world of Hiding Behind The Couch.

Other Formats: Paperback

Boughs of Evergreen: A Holiday Anthology (Volume Two) Nov 21, 2014

by Hans M Hirschi, Terry Kerr, L.M. Steel, K.C. Faelan, Amelia Mann, Hunter Frost, Laura Susan Johnson, Shayla Mist, Ava Penn, Matthias Williamson, S.H. Allan

( 2 )

$6.99

Boughs of Evergreen is a collection of 22 short stories celebrating the holiday season in all its diversity. Penned by authors from the UK, the USA, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, these are tales of the young and the not-so-young from many different walks of life.

Themes of family, friendship and romance take readers on a journey through some of the major holidays, both past and present, including Thanksgiving, Advent, St. Lucia Day, Hanukkah, Saturnalia, Winter Solstice, Yule, Christmas and New Year. In each we find at the very least hope, and often love, peace and happiness.

Proceeds from sales of this anthology will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. For more information, visit: www.thetrevorproject.org.

* * * * *

THE STORIES:

VOLUME TWO (this volume):

“A Christmas Tale” - Hans M Hirschi
“A Family Christmas” - Terry Kerr
“A Little Christmas Magic” - K.C. Faelan
“Always Have, Always Will” - Amelia Mann
“An Angel in Eyeliner” - Hunter Frost
“Boyfriend Goes Home” - Laura Susan Johnson
“Christmas Commitment” - Shayla Mist
“Coming in from the Cold” - Ava Penn
“Holidays with Drum and Bell!” - Matthias Williamson
“Te Amo, You Mushrooms” - S.H. Allan
“The Invasion of Tork” - Claire Davis and Al Stewart

VOLUME ONE (available separately):

“A Friend for Christmas” - J P Walker
“A Midnight Clear” - Debbie McGowan
“From All of Us to All of You” - Ofelia Gränd
“Homme for the Holidays” - Jonathan Penn
“Kiss Me At Kwanzaa” - L.L. Bucknor
“Lion’s Hero” - Alexis Woods
“One Nightstand” - Rick Bettencourt
“Shiny Things” - Amy Spector
“The Bard and his Boyfriend” - Kathleen Hayes
“The Christmas Present” - Larry Benjamin
“X-Mas Cake: A Modern Fairytale” - Raine O’Tierney

Also available as a combined edition containing all 22 stories.

Other Formats: Paperback

Taking Him On (Checking Him Out Book 2) Sep 5, 2015

by Debbie McGowan

( 14 )

$3.99

It's almost a year since Noah told Matty they needed to cool it, believing it was the sensible thing to do. After all, they were too intense, and they were both failing uni.

Now, with Matty just weeks away from taking up his place at a prestigious London dance academy, Noah is desperate to make the most of the little time they have left. It's only a temporary separation, and they are forever. Or so he'd thought.

* * * * *
NOTE: this is a stand-alone novel, but you might wish to read the series in order.
* * * * *

In the Checking Him Out Series:
Checking Him Out (Book One - Sol and Adam)
Checking Him Out For The Holidays (Novella - Sol and Adam)
Hiding Out (Novella - a crossover featuring Matty and Noah, and Josh, George and Libby from Hiding Behind The Couch)
Taking Him On (Book Two - Noah and Matty)
Checking In (Book Three - Sol and Adam)
The Making Of Us (Book Four - Jesse and Leigh)

* * * * *
WARNING: this story contains sex acts between consenting male adults.

Other Formats: Paperback

Take A Chance Anthology: A Collection of Gay Romance for New Adults Dec 15, 2016

by Chase Potter, J.A. Rock, Jamie Deacon, Kelley York, Dee Aditya, Lynn Michaels, Eric Gober, Elinor Gray, Debbie McGowan, Kari Jo Spear, Melissa E Costa, Claire Davis, Al Stewart Stewart, Jamie Deacon, Sherri Jordan Asble

( 3 )

$6.99

A single moment can change everything.

A university student preparing to confront the adolescent crush who betrayed him. A demon embroiled in a battle against his very nature. A soldier, mentally scarred after fighting in The Great War, torn between propriety and his heart. Though separated by time and distance, culture and reality, these young men all have one thing in common: they each stand at a crossroads in their life and face a choice that will alter the course of their future.

These twelve tales in this collection of gay romantic fiction range from sweet to erotic, contemporary to historical, paranormal to grittily realistic. Whether centred around the fear associated with coming out, the thorny issue of trust, or the struggle for survival, each story explores in its own way the courage needed to overcome personal obstacles and take a chance on love.

STORIES:
Reflections by Chase Potter
Stranger Than Stars by J.A. Rock
Another Story by Jamie Deacon
Howl by Kelley York
A Boy Named Khwahish by Dee Aditya
Want you Bad by Lynn Michaels
Far From Texas by Eric Gober
The Right Words by Elinor Gray
Class-A by Debbie McGowan
Lockdown by Kari Jo Spear
Dream Infected by Melissa Costa
Cheese and Pickle by Al Stewart and Claire Davis

Other Formats: Paperback

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