Three Heart Junction

Haunted Hearts

by Colin Dereham

Years ago, a family tragedy led Murray to abandon a promising music career, focusing instead on trying to improve the lives of those who need it most. These days, Murray is a workaholic living a bleak existence, battling chronic depression and self-medicating with alcohol.

Things start to look up, however, when he runs into a mysterious man he’d hooked up with years before. Vincent is a tall, handsome daddy with a Cheshire Cat smile, and his previous detached manner has been replaced this time around by warmth and affection.

Being a highly emotional man, Murray knows he would be falling hard and fast under normal circumstances. Unfortunately, though, Vincent is already taken. And while he assures Murray that he and his partner Darrin are in an open relationship, Murray can’t help but worry about the ferocity of his attraction to Vincent.

All this changes when Vincent introduces Murray to Darrin. Slender, furry and devilishly cute, Darrin and his mystical hippie ways captivate Murray, as does his open and loving personality.

When all three men hurtle headlong into an intense and passionate affair, Murray can hardly believe the way his life has turned around. Could this be the Happily Ever After he’s always wanted? Or are the lines of reality more blurred than he might ever have imagined?

THREE HEART JUNCTION is a part of the Haunted Hearts Series.

Haunted Hearts is an Own-Voices Paranormal Romance Series about love and the things that go boo in the night. Join us on our romantic journeys over 10 books from some of your favourite authors! Be sure to read the entire series so you don’t miss a moment of falling in love, or sometimes falling into a happily ever after-life! Each book is a standalone, but why not read them all? Everyone deserves the HEA!

Genres: Romance

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2024

About the author

Colin Dereham is a Lambda Literary Award finalist who lives in country New South Wales, Australia, with his bf, bff, two very spoilt Italian greyhounds, and his gorgeous Seeing Eye dog, Yuja. After careers as an opera singer and an LGBT, mental health and community nurse, Colin decided to put his lit degree to use and start writing.

When he’s not holed up in his office squinting at a fifty-five inch monitor, Colin likes reading contemporary gay fiction, eating out, and being taken for long walks around the lake by Yuja.

Colin writes about bears and otters, the furry blokes in the gay community. His works are gritty kitchen sink dramas with happy endings of both kinds: frank and detailed erotic scenes; and uplifting, romantic conclusions.

Reviews

[Amy Mc Dowall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know where to start with this review. I am still picking my jaw up off the floor.

Colin Dereham is known for realistic characters an spice. This book has both in spades.
Anybody who has experienced any kind of mental health issues with resonate with Murray. I had the same conversations with myself as he does. I connected so hard with him and there for when these incredible men come into his life I feel all of his excitement and giddiness as well as his pain and fears.

This book takes you on an incredible journey with top tier real and raw spice. It's 10 out of 5 in the chilli pepper scale.

But its so much more than smexy times. The story is gripping an emotional with a little supernatural twist thrown in for good measure.

[Mariansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

MMM written by Colin? Sign me up!

As always there’s tons of feels and smut! Filthy, dirty, kinky smut 🔥

I love the angst he always add to his stories, and the paranormal twist took me by surprise!!! Good job!

[liz_loves_reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

●Three Heart Junction is part of a 10-book collection of works by selected authors in the Haunted Hearts series. All can be read as a standalone ●

Captivating, charming and engaging are just some of the adjectives I would use to describe Three Heart Junction.

Colin has written an emotive, joyful story with relatable characters that I took to from the get-go. All were very distinctive in nature and blended into 'found family' seamlessly. Their qualities and values complemented each other.
♡ Murray - needed to feel valued
♡ Vincent - the protector
♡ Darrin - the nurturer

"Look at us all pressed up together like this,” he soothes. “It’s a bonafide three-heart junction.”

Written in his distinctive gritty, realistic style, always with depth and heart. Naturally, as I've come to expect, there is a wealth of sizzling steamy moments too.

Fantastic scene setting, superb storyline, really this story has it all!
Angst, thrills, great banter, and dialogue that made me feel I was eavesdropping at times.

Darker themes are explored - depression, past trauma, and mental health issues - but are handled sympathetically, without taking away the causal effects and very real harm these present in everyday life.

The feather in the cap ending was chef's kiss that I didn't see coming.😉

This totally deserves 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[author_books_friends · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three Heart Junction
Colin Dereham

Murray is a workaholic overtime each day, work on weekends.
Murray meets Vincent while he's out, eventually he also meets Darrin.
This is their story about three men and the junction in the road no one saw coming.

I recommend this book

[Kathy Pickens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ever amazing Colin has done it again! Three Hearts Junction is a wonderful HEA about three men who each have their own issues. Together they help each other deal with whatever life throws their way. Yes there could be triggers for some but well worth the read! I laughed, cried, and even got angry. WTG Colin! Loved it!

[Molly Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to believe erotica can not also be pure heartbreaking and beautiful, don't read this cause it's that and so much more. Colin shows us masterfully how to blend pure hot, unadulterated heat with love and emotions for the ages.
Murray has been going through life not believing he is worthy of love or happiness. Than re enter an old hot hookup and his partner into his life. The three men share a chemistry that I can't begin to explain how moving it is. Add on they are their for one another through every little bump on the road that life throws their way. This story will show you every emotion and leave you breathless. These three men have a love that will last for the ages. Be prepared. This is unlike any other story I've read and will be with me for a long time coming.

[Derek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured this delicious feast of a novel with genuine pleasure. Colin builds a beautiful world around three strong men, all of whom have faced pain, heartbreak, and suffering. Together, their capacity for love builds a force powerful enough to challenge the rules of the Universe. The spice is thermo-nuclear, the angst just-right, and the romance makes the heart swell at least two full sizes. A beautiful story that left me satiated. Well, until Dereham creates another banquet!

[camms.bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautifully crafted story by Colin who is becoming one of my favorite authors! This story is just good for the heart. I closed it and sighed with a full heart! Must read!

[DMCechak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three Heart Junction - Lifeline

Three Heart Junction - Lifeline

‘Sometimes, I feel unsafe. I feel like I’m up on a mountain ledge, basking in the glorious view of forever, clutching like mad onto my glimmer of happiness without a safety net below. With Darrin and Vincent, though? It’s like they have wings. When I’m with them, I can fly. And who the h*ll is going to give up that feeling?’

Murray finds his heart in Vincent and Darrin’s arms, in Colin Dereham’s fabulous contribution to the Haunted Hearts multi-author series.

Colin has a truly unique approach to gay fiction, “pushing the erotic envelope” in his true-to-themselves character relationships.

We find flaws and failures that lead to real and gritty lifestyles, with a vein of romance and love counteracting the realities of three men who find joy together. Physical attraction is heavily prevalent, with detailed explorations of each others’ bodies, along with heart filling emotional stamina.

Colin Dereham has an exquisite talent for carefully drawing his readers in with his eloquent prose and steamy settings. He blends beauty and base needs together in a whirlwind of emotion, usually surprising us with the depth of humanity and its intricate workings. Concise feelings in a colorful collaboration of joy and pain, he is a master manipulator of our hearts!

[K.C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book!
As always, steamy, gritty and packed with emotions! This time with a drop of paranormal.
A must read!

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Three Heart Junction" is a beautifully crafted tale that explores the profound bond formed between three men—Murray, Vincent, and Darrin. Each character brings their own set of challenges to the table, but as they navigate their struggles together, the story unfolds in a captivating way. Colin Dereham presents a striking realism that pulls you in and makes you feel every emotion. The characters are refreshingly relatable, and the narrative is packed with surprises that truly catch you off guard. This emotional journey is a testament to the power of friendship and resilience—definitely a must-read4!

[isthisakink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Respectfully, what the fuck? Why would you do that to me? I swear to fuck, y’all should take out stock in paper goods with the way y’all have had me sobbing throughout this series. You’d make a fortune.

And like, you even went so far as to lull me into a false sense of security and shit like my precious little smooth brain would be fine. Rude. We all know I’m too dumb for all that. I’m a fragile (crazy) baddie, clearly. I heeded the content warnings, so I was *good*, but like, emotionally and intellectually I was on the back foot, buddies.

Nah, I fucking loved every second of this book. It was hyper-realistic but had the cheesy, slightly cringey romance terms here and there like special, Easter egg-esque bonuses. It was super sweet and the love was intense, but it was also filthy and fun as hell. It was also really deep and hit on some heavy topics, and sometimes I was like hmmm at some comments, but idk… like, in a “that would be fun to talk about to learn the reasoning, let’s discuss” way? And the drop you get got on you? I forced (not really, he was just sitting here and was too lazy to get up and walk away) Nigel to sit here and listen to me lose my shit for like an hour. I bullied my dog into embracing his inner cat so I could hold him for emotional support—he seemed fine with it, so like, it’s all fine.

I got distracted with life and it took me way longer to finish than it should have, and yet I already want to read it again. Seriously, that twist? Fucking brilliant. And then the ending? Good soup🤌 They deserved every moment of that HEA. It was all just a masterpiece and I could write an essay, but spoilers aren’t cool.

5/5. I realised I’m either violently American, entirely too immature to live, or just an idiot, because I spent way longer than I’m comfortable admitting to fucking wheezing over “flog that fucking d—k”. Probably all three, but I hate it here and don’t identify with these nut jobs, so like, can we pretend I’m not the first one and I’m just the other two? Like, I know it’s just a basic, normal regional thing, but all my brain could supply me with was anything and everything but that knowledge, and then I couldn’t breathe and now my body is still sore. I love y’all, please do this entire collab again soon. New theme, same theme, idc. I just want it. Every book has been a fucking winner.

[Elzbieta Mazur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen. I'm not a believer in every day life but this book...

Listen. I'm the last person who would be accused of hoping for angels to descend from heaven but this book...

Listen. I usually have mixed feelings about the daddy trope but when Colin writes it...

Listen. The list of WT is long and some people should be warned about that list alonr but the triggers are handled with so much care...

So yeah I totally recommend, 5 stars read and have tissues on the standby while you read it.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intense emotional rollercoaster of a story. The paranormal aspect was a complete surprise (and really necessary for the HEA). The whole story was written in the POV of Murray, who has suffered from severe depression for most of his life. His struggles are beautifully and heartbreakingly written. The growing relationship between the three MCs was very satisfying and written in the author's usual extremely graphic style. Stunning.

[Steve Wylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought Three Heart Junction was amazing. It is the first book in the Haunted Hearts series that I've read, and it didn't disappoint. The story of Murray, who has been struggling with his own mental health while working at a job that he finds both enriching and frustrating, who meets Vincent and then Vincent's partner Darrin, who invite him to join them in their retreat setting in the mountains outside Sydney. Murray soon realizes that he's falling in love with these two men, although he doesn't want to break up the special bond that they have. Can Vincent and Darrin find room in their hearts, as well as their bed, to make space for Murray?

I loved this story so much. Highly recommended.

[Julie Armour · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Haunted MMM is wonderfully written with an unexpected twist!

I immediately felt a connection with Murray and his struggles. This author always writes real everyday people as his characters. The MC’s have a HEA, however they experience challenges, love, heartache, disappointment and emotions that we all go through in our daily lives. This book is a well written beautiful story that follows Murray’s journey to love with 2 very different but amazing men. Hold onto your hat and get ready for what was a very unexpected twist and ending for me. I would give this book 10 ⭐️’s if I could.

[Darryl Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was a bit of a different kind of start, but damn, it hit hard in the feels very quickly and hit close to home several times ..... an amazing book and a must read of those of us dealing with Anxiety and Depression

[Ingrid Jrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed, I cried and I LOVED it!

Highly recommend, especially if you enjoy your books very spicy

[Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's taken me too long to write this review, as I read the book late last year. However, the three characters, Murray, Vincent and Darrin, are such warm, lovely interesting people, they are still in my head.

This book is lovely, unpredictable, warm, heart-rending in places, with a lovely ending. Read the blurb because I don't want to give anything away. I love the difference in body shapes and types, the mental health representation, the sheer affection and acceptance between the men. This is found family and polyamorous beauty all in one. The writing glows off the page and wraps you in a warm, literary hug.

After Nervous Kid, which was searing in places, this story is gentler, but don't worry, the sex is still H-O-T. These aren't pretty boys written for the delectation of an audience who want to escape reality. They are hairy men; men who smell, burp, fart, and do all the things REAL LIFE men do. Darrin is is the ottery exception, but his lovely, intriguing character is touched with magic, and he is an essential part of the three man polycule.

This is really Murray's story, and his mental health problems are handled deftly, with a light hand. They are not swept under the carpet, or dismissed. In fact, I'd say that everyone who has ever struggled, needs friends like Vincent and Darrin, the couple he befriends, then falls in love with.

I don't know what else to say, if I'm honest. I loved the unpredictable turn this book took, and the lovely romantic ending. I just loved the whole thing. It was a beautiful, sexual and sadly underrated book.

[Tal Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? A fabulous smut-fest of a heartwarmer, full of vividly drawn characters who’ll stay with me. Murray’s self-effacing, people-pleasing sadness, Vincent’s quiet Daddy confidence and Darrin’s infectious optimism and empathy – all spring from the page, weaving a thrilling spell that kept me reading, even when I should have been doing other things. Throw in horrible co-workers, the best sounding pizza this side of the asteroid belt, and sex that's plentiful, generous and hot, hot, hot, and this is an easy five stars.

The story is Murray’s. This ginger Aussie bear isn’t living his best life. True, he has a job he enjoys, but it’s with people he doesn’t, and he has no one else in his life and pretty much nothing else. Long struggles with mental health and past trauma have left him depleted and easily knocked back.

When he spies past hook-up Vincent, who’s far warmer to him than the previous time they met, Murray gets sucked back in faster than you can say “fellatio”. Passion ignites between them and, in next to no time, things deepen. Murray is introduced to Vincent’s long-term boyfriend Darrin, with whom Vincent has an open relationship; Murray and Darrin hit it off and the rest, as they say, is pure magic.

If you like your romances high-heat, you’ll find yourself spoilt, but there’s more to the story than that. The relationships that develop have poignancy, the polyamory is dealt with well and the supernatural twist is rewarding and uplifting. A fabulous read, full of heart.

[Heather Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

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Colin writes some of the best sex scenes out there. Dirty, gorgeous, sensual, filthy, raw, and loving. No matter how many scenes he writes (and there are a LOT) you’ll be begging for more.

His stories are always sensual, but like all the rest, it also packs an emotional punch. A combination of difficult pasts, mental health struggles, and medical issues. And at one point you may want to scream at the author “what have you done !?” But don’t worry, he always delivers a happy ever after, and this one has a super lovely spooky twist to it.

Vincent, Murray, and Darrin are all incredible people and I was totally taken by the progression of their relationship(s) but also their getting to know each other and even better, their bodies.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dereham presents a very realistic portrait of someone suffering with major depression in the character of Murray here and though Vincent and Darrin come into his life and are wonderful, he doesn't present their love and care as a magic solution. Vincent and Darrin both bring challenges into the relationship but the three together form a wonderful bond that enriches each of their lives. What I look for in a story with a poly relationship is that each character is distinct and gets different things from each member of the relationship. Each pair has to stand as a believable couple as well as being part of the threesome in this case. That is superbly handled here. I also like that these characters are older and it makes sense that they could have the open, honest communication required for this relationship to work.

[Sophia Soames · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colin Dereham never fails to deliver, and even though I am not much of a paranormal reader, If Colin wrote a shopping list, I'd read it.

We are back in Sydney, with Colin's trademark older bears. Wise men who have lived and loved and lost and are more than meets the eye. Murray is stuck in his ways, working too much and his lovelife seems non existent, until he runs into an old hookup and his life takes an unexpected turn.
This was brilliantly executed as always, Colin's writing is warm and flawless, full of spice and humour amongst the comforting Australian backdrop. Life, love and unexpected tangles marry with the jawdropping twist at the end, but then this is Colin, and this is a paranormal series so to be very honest? I knew something was coming but never cottoned on what.

I can't recommend this enough. Really enjoyed it.

[Sarah☀️ Somerville · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romance and relationship development: 2✭
Mental health and paranormal elements: 4✭

I'm not entirely sure if I loved this book or not.

MM romance set in Australia? Sign me up! MMM romance? Yes, please! 2+1 MMM romance? Not so much. SO MUCH SEX? Uh, no, this was too much.

But I don't know, the mental health issues were done really well. I cried. I had all the feels. I was even super regretful the suicide attempt failed (and that was a major spoiler) and how could you make me feel this way? And then the paranormal elements were just beautiful and made everything right (slightly less major spoiler) and honestly if there had been more of all this or a real plot that took the relationship beyond just sex then this book could have been amazing.

[Likes2Explore · Rating 5 out of 5]

*BRAVO* Standing Ovation* Another Masterpiece*

My heart is overflowing with joy!

Oh my gosh I was not expecting that lovely twist of events!

As per usual I was a blubbering mess with my emotions (Colin always likes to take them for a ride)...although I am a sensitive sort so I have a feeling I get more emotional than most :)


Thank You for another wonderful story Colin!

*Mood Readers and those with triggers please make sure to read the CW/TW as there are some heavy topics in this one*

[J K H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so incredibly different and refreshing - the three main characters meet and begin a steamy relationship and just when you think you’ve got an HEA, Colin throws us for a complete curve! Shock and awe come next but don’t worry, these sexy men get their well deserved HEA! Wonderfully written with a fresh perspective - the author is so talented!

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colin Dereham specialises in writing about lusty, emotionally vulnerable men in a contemporary Sydney setting and this time, we have the bonus of three of them at once!

There's plenty of steam, romance, angst and a sensitive portrayal of mental health issues, plus a touch of paranormal as Murray, Vincent and Darrin strive for their HEA. Another engrossing read from this terrific author.

[Valentina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smut and feelings

This book is the apotheosis of bear smut and deep feelings which are, together with mentally challenged Mcs, Colin Deraham signature topics.
Murray lost his family long ago and he drowns his loneliness and deep depression in alcohol and work, until he meet Vincent..

[SheltieMum · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many plain good things about this book that it's hard to sift through them and pick what stands out most. First of all, Colin Dereham writes gritty, real stories of people could have come from down the street. His MM works feature men who are multidimensional, with believable struggles and recognizable flaws. Murray battles depression with a gallant determination as he pours out his heart to his vulnerable charges: adults with developmental challenges. Vincent is a gifted pianist with a gentle and fragile husband for whom he cares with utter devotion. Finally, Darrin is utter gentility and wisdom, an empath whose epilepsy he manages with a purity of spirit that is rooted in all-encompassing love. When the three come together, passion ignites and compassionate love brings healing. Yet there is more to their story, something Dereham's realism and no-holds-barred depiction of sexual intimacy between and among these men is nonetheless both unexpected and astonishing. Three Heart Junction is certainly my favorite from among Dereham's superb oeurve.