Ari McKay's Blog

As front man for supergroup Queen Anne’s Revenge, Devon Bailey has a string of hit songs, has traveled the world, and has everything he could possibly want–or so the rest of the world thinks. Behind the scenes, however, Devon’s life is far emptier than anyone could imagine.

With his band scheduled as headliners at Rocktoberfest to kick off their latest world tour, Devon tries to maintain the illusion of perfection. But he’s deep in the closet, QAR’s drummer is battling addiction, and his bandmates seem to think Devon should have all the answers. When the unthinkable happens, Devon’s life is plunged into chaos, and all he wants is to escape the pressure.

Michael Ford has had a crush on Devon ever since he was hired as a bodyguard, but professional integrity demands he keep his feelings in check. However, Michael doesn’t hesitate to offer respite when Devon is overwhelmed by tragedy. Between the paparazzi on the prowl, grieving family hurling accusations, and Devon’s battle with his own demons, will the attraction between them have the chance to develop into something more?

Key Change is a book in the multi-author Road to Rocktoberfest 2023 series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not read them all and see who hits the stage next? Hot rockstars and the men who love them, what more could you ask for. Kick back, load up your kindle and enjoy the men of Rocktoberfest!

Available now on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback!

Ari and I have a brand new short story in Midnight in the Renaissance Elevator! Proceeds from this anthology will go to the Trevor Project, which provides crisis support services to young LGBTQ+ people.

The charity anthology is the brain child of Miski Harris, who was inspired by the shenanigans of a certain elevator in the hotel where GRL 2022 was held. She gathered up a bunch of us authors, and voila! All kinds of different takes on what was really going on with that noisy, bumpy machine.

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Are you headed to GayRomLit Retreat in Virginia this October? We’re offering pre-orders of both Ari McKay and Rachel Langella books that you can pick up from us at the retreat! Each book is only $10, which is a special price just for GRL, and orders of 3 or more books will include an exclusive gift!

You can fill out this form to pre-order books from us: https://bit.ly/3uzmcGv.

See you in Portsmouth!

Fortress: A Prince Among Men is book one of our new Fortress series! If you enjoyed Here’s Mercs, you’ll like this new series as well. We’re taking the action/thriller premise of Here’s Mercs and turning it up to 11 with adventure and intrigue on the international stage!

Fortress 1 will be available on June 14, 2022, and it’s currently available for preorder on Amazon!

Now available for your spooky Halloween reading pleasure!

Quenched in Blood, the third book in the Asheville Arcana series, is now available for preorder! The book will be released on October 31.

Asheville Arcana: Forged in Fire is now available on Amazon!

For three hundred years, Harlan Edgewood’s monthly shifts have been agonizing. Then he meets Whimsy Hickes—a mage who specializes in transformation—and the attraction is both immediate and mutual. But Harlan takes refuge in denial, believing his curse is too great a burden to inflict on any lover.

But Whimsy knows he can help.

When Harlan is provoked into an unexpected transformation, Whimsy uses his magic to ease Harlan’s pain, but with an unexpected consequence. While he’s shifted, Harlan’s wolf recognizes Whimsy as his mate.

Yet even as they try to figure out their relationship given Harlan’s doubts, suspicious events in the Asheville magical community escalate. Shifters are disappearing, others are murdered, and Harlan’s curse makes him an obvious target. It will take all of Whimsy’s magic to drive back the rising evil—and if he fails, Harlan will lose not only his life, but his very soul.

Book two in the Asheville Arcana series, Forged in Fire, is now available for preorder!

For three hundred years, Harlan Edgewood’s monthly shifts have been agonizing. Then he meets Whimsy Hickes—a mage who specializes in transformation—and the attraction is both immediate and mutual. But Harlan takes refuge in denial, believing his curse is too great a burden to inflict on any lover.

But Whimsy knows he can help.

When Harlan is provoked into an unexpected transformation, Whimsy uses his magic to ease Harlan’s pain, but with an unexpected consequence. While he’s shifted, Harlan’s wolf recognizes Whimsy as his mate.

Yet even as they try to figure out their relationship given Harlan’s doubts, suspicious events in the Asheville magical community escalate. Shifters are disappearing, others are murdered, and Harlan’s curse makes him an obvious target. It will take all of Whimsy’s magic to drive back the rising evil—and if he fails, Harlan will lose not only his life, but his very soul.