Eli Easton's Blog

It’s been a gorgeous summer where I live—mild and sunny and just perfect. I’m fortunate to write in a chair next to the window, because I’ve been hard a work despite the call of nature!

I’m about 30K words into a new Christmas romance for 2025. Yay! My readers know how much I enjoy writing Christmas romances, and I’ve done quite a few over the years. I did not write one in 2024 since I was taking a break from writing. But this year, I’m back with a super fun holiday story.

The story’s working title is Kiss Me, Krampus. The Krampus in the story is a little figurine that is seemingly cursed. When Patrick Bocker receives it at an office Secret Santa exchange, he’s in for a rough ride. Crazy accidents keep happening which send him to the ER repeatedly—and into the gentle care of Dr. Gray Everett. Dr. Everett is clearly a very nice man, and a very hot guy, despite the mask that’s usually covering his face.

Is Krampus evil or merely mischievous? Will Christmas Eve end in true love or tragedy? (I bet you can guess!)

This book will be released Nov 1, 2025. The cover is in the works. Scroll down for an excerpt.

Here’s a little teaser excerpt:

“Patrick doesn't have a present," said Leslie, insulted on his behalf.

"No, I'm good," Patrick said. "I don't need one."

"Wait!" Dolores felt around conspicuously in the bag. "What's this?" She pulled out a red-wrapped gift. "Why it's for Patrick." She tossed it to him.

Patrick caught the present. It was light. There was a huge white tag on it, which he read out loud. "Close your eyes and silently speak the wish that lies at the very bottom of your heart." He laughed. "Okay, who's writing game dialog?"

Everyone looked around, but no one raised a hand.

Traya shrugged. "Do it. Do what it says."

"Yeah, make a wish," said Sam.

"Couldn't hurt," agreed Dolores.

Patrick rolled his eyes, but it suddenly didn't seem like the worst idea in the world. He squeeze his eyes closed and thought, "My Christmas wish is to meet someone. Someone who sees me--and loves me for who I really am."

Wow, that was pathetic. He'd have to try harder in the new year.

"Well, open it!" said Dolores.

He did and with just an eensy bit more excitement than was warranted. Inside the red wrapping was a box. He pulled the tape off, opened the flaps, and saw something wooden. He lifted it out. It was a carved figure of Krampus, about ten-inches tall, and elaborately painted with a dark red Santa coat, pale yellow face, and curving black horns and hooves. Patrick immediately recoiled but then felt bad about it. He turned it around. On the flat wooden bottom was a phrase in another language.

"Something's written on it. Anyone speak.... What? Norwegian?"

"I speak Google translate," said Lloyd, chuckling at his own joke.

"Wait. There's a card at the bottom of the box." Patrick fished out another plain white card. In neat print it copied the foreign phrase on the bottom of the statue and gave the English words underneath, "Make a wish for your heart's desire. Krampus will bring it through flood and fire."

"Thanks... Sam!" Patrick guessed, looking at his cubicle neighbor.

Sam blinked? "Huh? It wasn't me. It's awesome, though. Can I see it?"

Patrick handed it over.

"Wow. This looks old. And it's real."

"Of course it's real," Traya said. "Lemme see."

Sam handed her the figure. She looked at it with an appreciative pout. "This does look antique. No way this fits the twenty-five dollar limit."

"'Course not. It's for the Princess," Raphael muttered. Referring, of course, to Patrick. Anger sparked in Patrick's chest.

"What's your problem?" he demanded, completely forgetting his vow a moment ago that he'd try harder.

"Now, kids," Dolores warned. "It's a lovely gift. And no one said you had to spend money. Maybe someone had it lying around. Like a family heirloom. Anyone care to claim it?" She looked around. "No?"

No one raised a hand.

"Well! Looks like your secret Santa remains secret, Patrick. Traya, give it back."

Traya clutched it to her chest. "But it's so fire. Wanna trade, Patrick?"

"No!" The word came fast and sharper than he intended. Something about the carved figure -- grotesque and ancient -- called to a part of him he didn't even like to admit existed. Patrick suddenly very much wanted the hideous thing.

Reluctantly, Traya handed it over.

"Good! Well, thanks everyone for the thought and care you put into Secret Santa. You're free to go. Have the best Christmas ever, and a Happy New Year!"

Watch this space for more teasers for Kiss Me, Krampus.

Eli

It's release day! SEASON OF THE WITCH is now available on Amazon on KU or for sale. The paperback will be up in a few days. I'm just waiting on the final cover art.  FOR THE FREE BOOK PROMOTION, SCROLL DOWN.

Season of the Witch was inspired by a dream I had in September 2024. I dreamt I was in Amish country again and visited a house Keira Andrews had up for sale!  (Keira Andrews is a fellow m/m romance writer who has also written a series with Amish protagonists). I found this quite curious when I woke up and decided it was a prompt for me to return to Lancaster County and write a new Amish-themed romance. Thank you, Dream Muses!

This story involves a bit of "woo woo" because the Amish MC is a braucher, a practitioner of Amish folk magic and healing. The details are based on real folk magic. :-) I hope you all enjoy it. The full blurb is below.

LINKS:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

BLURB:

Elijah fled his grandfather's house one fateful night, choosing to leave the Amish order rather than submit to the old man's commands. He finds refuge at Pig bottom Farm, a rescue run by a fellow ex-Amish, Samuel, and his husband. Elijah prays Samuel never finds out who he really is--a brujah, or practitioner of Amish folk magic, and grandson of the most powerful brujah in Lancaster County. Such practice is forbidden among the Amish, and Samuel would surely want nothing to do with him.

Jon has been a farmhand at Pig Bottom Farm for two years, ever since he left his home in Louisiana and the tragedy that happened there. He doesn’t like people, and he resents having a homeless nineteen-year-old hanging around, no matter how beguiling and mysterious the 'kid' may be. When Jon begins to find signs around the farm that remind him of the folk magic he grew up with, he knows Elijah is not the innocent farm boy he pretends to be.

Elijah left the Amish, but he can't escape the spiritual gifts that are in his blood. Some will want to use his power, some will fear it, and one will be compelled to love and protect him. When bad brujah come, Elijah must risk everything to save the family that cast him out.

This story features faith healing, Amish folk magic, a feisty Cajun farmhand, lots of pigs and other rescued farm animals, enemies-to-lovers, found family, fate, and a happily ever after.

To celebrate the release of SEASON OF THE WITCH, the previous book in the series is FREE for a limited time. While you can read SEASON OF THE WITCH as a stand-alone, the location and characters from TENDER MERCIES are also in the new book, so you might want to read both. Pick it up free while you can!

PROMOTION RUNS: Web Mar 26 12:00am PDT to SUN Mar 30 11:59am PDT

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

Thank you to my loyal readers for your patience during my year-long break from writing. It’s wonderful to be back!

Eli

NOW UP FOR PRE-ORDER!! Release date is Mar 27, 2025. Whoot! This is my first release in over a year.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXCJRHG2

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DXCJRHG2

This story is set in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but it features a new couple and can be read as a stand-alone in the Men of Lancaster County series.

Elijah fled his grandfather's house one fateful night, choosing to leave the Amish order rather than submit to the old man's commands. He finds refuge at Pig bottom Farm, a rescue run by a fellow ex-Amish, Samuel, and his husband. Elijah prays Samuel never finds out who he really is--a brujah, or practitioner of Amish folk magic, and grandson of the most powerful brujah in Lancaster County. Such practice is forbidden among the Amish, and Samuel would surely want nothing to do with him.

Jon has been a farmhand at Pig Bottom Farm for two years, ever since he left his home in Louisiana and the tragedy that happened there. He doesn’t like people, and he resents having a homeless nineteen-year-old hanging around, no matter how beguiling and mysterious the 'kid' may be. When Jon begins to find signs around the farm that remind him of the folk magic he grew up with, he knows Elijah is not the innocent farm boy he pretends to be.

Elijah left the Amish, but he can't escape the spiritual gifts that are in his blood. Some will want to use his power, some will fear it, and one will be compelled to love and protect him. When bad brujah come, Elijah must risk everything to save the family that cast him out.

This story features faith healing, Amish folk magic, a feisty Cajun farmhand, lots of pigs and other rescued farm animals, enemies-to-lovers, found family, fate, and a happily ever after.

Heaven Can't Wait

This novella was released in 2014 with Dreamspinner Press. It's been out of print for about six years. I've had a lot of requests for it, so I'm thrilled to be able to get it back on the market. This is an updated second edition with a new cover and edited content.

Truly, this is one of my favorite Eli Easton stories. I have a fascination with philosophy, the metaphysical, and NDEs (Near Death Experiences). This story hits all my favorite subjects! It is not at all 'heavy' but a lighter, comic romance.

BLURB:

This college romance is a match made in heaven. Literally.

When Brian dies at nineteen, his less-than-stellar performance here on Earth puts his soul in limbo. He has one chance to redeem himself at the pearly gates. All Brian has to do is save the life of Kevin Anderson, a guy he and his friends teased for being gay.

Kevin had big dreams about life at college--friends, parties, acceptance for who he really is, maybe even a nice boyfriend. But his dorm roommate, Chuck, and his stupid friends, prove him wrong on day one with their casual homophobia. Now he can only wait for another room to open up—and try to keep his eyes off sexy, uber-straight Chuck.

Chuck is struggling to keep up the tough-guy façade everyone expects from him. But being trapped in a dorm room with the prettiest twink he’s ever seen isn’t helping.

If Brian can untangle this mess, he’ll deserve his wings.

Heaven Can't Wait is a tongue-in-cheek romance featuring college roommates secretly crushing on each other, a meddling angel wannabe, mishaps, temptation, and the meaning of life. No biggie.

LINKS:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Goodreads

Thank you all a million times for continuing to read and support my work. Happy spring and blessings!

Eli

The third (and final) Lake Prophet mystery is here! I've had so much fun writing this cozy mystery series with RJ Scott. I've always loved mysteries, and it's pure pleasure for me to plot them out. I also fell in love with the characters in this series. Those who have followed may know that I write Tiber Russo, the animal behaviorist, and RJ writes the hunky sheriff, Gabriel Thompson. 

It's only natural that Tiber fell for the wounded, haunted Gabe. He's a rescuer thru and thru. But it's Gabriel that usually ends up saving Tiber when there's a killer on the loose. And that's been happening all too often in the sleepy small town of Prophet, Washington.

In this third installment, we see the solidity of the relationship that's developed between Tiber and Gabriel. But there's a whole lot coming against them this time around.

LINKS:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Goodreads

Read the First Chapter Page

Series Page on the Eli Easton website

BLURB:

A killer haunts Prophet, and this time it’s personal

The discovery of a body at Thompson Cabins sets off a chain of events that hits too close to home for Sheriff Gabriel Thompson. When his brother Sam becomes a prime suspect in the murder investigation, Gabriel is forced to keep secrets from Tiber and call in outside help as he fights to prove Sam’s innocence. It’s a nightmare that becomes all consuming.

Tiber Russo, animal whisperer, is dealing with problems of his own. A stalker threatens him and his entire menagerie of pets. With Gabriel wrapped up in the new case, Tiber tries to solve the mystery on his own. Who in the sleepy town of Prophet wants to do him harm? But when the threats turn lethal, Tiber finds himself in over his head.

Tiber and Gabriel have solved two murders together and started a deep relationship. But this time the forces ranged against them are personal and the target is on them and on the backs of everyone they love. With each of them isolated trying to protect the other, their strength is diminished. Even with the love they share, can they make it out of this alive?

I hope you guys enjoy this one! Eli

It’s that time of year! It’s become my holiday tradition to release a Christmas romance at Thanksgiving—a tradition as ingrained as putting up all our decorations that weekend.

This year’s story was so much fun to write! One of my husband’s favorites movies is I Know Where I’m Going (1945). We’ve watched it together many times, and I’ve always loved its romance structure, with a very proper young woman engaged to a wealthy man who has a clear-eyed and determined view of her future—until she gets stuck on an island on her way to the wedding and falls for a penniless but charming nobleman.

I always wanted to write a m/m romance version of the story, and this year it just fit as my Christmas novella. In Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes, Joe Blankenship is a young man who came from a very poor and unstable background. He’s worked his way up to be the right-hand guy in a big medical supply business, and he’s engaged to the boss’s daughter. His in-laws-to-be have everything he thought he ever wanted in life, and he’s on the verge of securing his future.

But then there’s this hurricane, see, and an unexpected passenger for the long drive from Miami to Manhattan, and what Joe thinks matters in life is about to face a sea change.

Now you may be thinking — hurricanes? For Christmas? Trust me, dear reader, I had the same thought when this idea came to me. But there is a ton of Christmas spirit in this book, I promise!

Amazon US - Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes: A Christmas road trip romance - Kindle edition by Easton, Eli. Romance Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Amazon UK - Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes: A Christmas road trip romance eBook : Easton, Eli: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Check out the ARC reviews on Goodreads - Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes by Eli Easton | Goodreads

Read the first chapter here

Joe knows where he is going in life. But one crazy road trip just might change everything.

Joe Blankenship knows where he’s going. He’s on track to marry the boss’s daughter and become heir apparent to a multi-million dollar medical supply business. The financial security he never had growing up is within his grasp along with a glitzy Manhattan lifestyle. All he has to do is get to New York by Christmas Eve for his engagement party.

Joe didn’t count on getting grounded in Florida thanks to a hurricane. He couldn’t have anticipated having to rent a broken-down car for the long drive north. And he certainly never foresaw being stuck with a passenger like Remy Guidry, a sweet-natured Cajun boy, social worker at a children’s home, and free spirit. Remy is the opposite of everything Joe has worked for. But he just might teach Joe, not only the spirit of Christmas, but what’s truly of value in life.

Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes is a Christmas road trip, forced proximity, opposites attract romance.

EQUINOX is here! It seems like just a few days ago SOLSTICE, the first Lake Prophet Mystery, was released. RJ and I didn't start working on Equinox until Solstice was out, but it went so quickly. Tiber and Gabriel had a lot more to do and say, and the mystery plot came together like magic after figuring out it had to involve animals--of course--because Tiber needed to be front and center. And it probably should be something other than another dog-centric mystery like book 1.

This time the mystery involves wolves. Specifically a wolf pack that only recently moved into the Olympic National Park and which might, or might not, be responsible for a dead man. I've always been fascinated by wolves and even wrote a werewolf story that leaned heavily on the wolf side--in another life and under another nom de plume. It's hard not to root for the beautiful creatures, but Tiber will have to come further out of his hermit-crab shell if he's going to do anything to help them.

On the relationship side of the equation, Tiber and Gabriel make important strides in this book. Tiber doesn't like many humans, but he's starting to realize it's safe to make an exception for Sheriff Gabriel Thompson. And Gabriel? He's a patient man.

RJ and I hope you love Equinox as much as we do. Happy Fall, dear readers.

ALSO - Thank you sincerely to our reviewers. Your oh-so-positive reception of Solstice, and the Equinox ARC, truly give me the confidence and courage to keep writing.

LINKS:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Goodreads

Read the first chapter here

BLURB:

The tranquility of Prophet is shattered when a horseback rider is killed on a popular trail and whispers spread of dangerous beasts roaming the woods.

Three months after the murder of Mike Bressett, the sleepy town of Prophet faces another tragedy—the death of Billy Odette, a well-liked Makah man who ran trail rides for the tourists. When Billy is discovered to have been the victim of a vicious animal attack, dragged right off a popular trail, angry locals are quick to blame a wolf pack that’s recently moved into the area. Sheriff Gabriel Thompson is the only authority standing between those who want to protect the wolves and those who want them hunted down—all while trying to keep people safe and get to the bottom of what happened.

Tiber Russo, local animal whisperer, is firmly on the side of the wolves. But when a figure from his past shows up in town, his own spiraling panic casts a shadow over his blossoming relationship with Gabriel and his ability to help the wolves.

To get to the truth, Gabriel and Tiber unravel a tangled web of deception, greed, curses, magic, and long-held grudges. But when Tiber’s life is threatened, they both just might lose everything.

Eli

Coming soon! The second Lake Prophet Mystery releases on Sept 29th. I'm loving writing mystery again and working with my co-author and friend Rj Scott. This second book involves a death blamed on a wolf pack that recently migrated into the Olympic National Park.

PRE-ORDER LINKS:
Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/Equinox-Lake-Prophet-Mystery-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0CHBJHXW4/
Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Equinox-Lake-Prophet-Mystery-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0CHBJHXW4/

Blurb:
The tranquility of Prophet is shattered when a horseback rider is killed on a popular trail and whispers spread of dangerous beasts roaming the woods.

Three months after the murder of Mike Bressett, the sleepy town of Prophet faces another tragedy—the death of Billy Odette, a well-liked Makah man who ran trail rides for the tourists. When Billy is discovered to have been the victim of a vicious animal attack, dragged right off a popular trail, angry locals are quick to blame a wolf pack that’s recently moved into the area. Sheriff Gabriel Thompson is the only authority standing between those who want to protect the wolves and those who want them hunted down—all while trying to keep people safe and get to the bottom of what happened.

Tiber Russo, local animal whisperer, is firmly on the side of the wolves. But when a figure from his past shows up in town, his own spiraling panic casts a shadow over his blossoming relationship with Gabriel and his ability to help the wolves.

To get to the truth, Gabriel and Tiber unravel a tangled web of deception, greed, curses, magic, and long-held grudges. But when Tiber’s life is threatened, they both just might lose everything.

Look what’s here! HOW TO LOVE THINE ENEMY is now available on Amazon to purchase or borrow in Kindle Unlimited. I know it’s been a long wait for fans of the series, and I apologize for that. But this new book took quite a bit of research and was one I needed to write on my own instead of with my recent writing partner, Tara Lain. But it is finally here, and I hope it was worth the wait! I hope you enjoy being immersed in this fantasy universe and Romeo/Juliet trope story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

This isn’t the book I thought I’d write next in the Howl at the Moon series, but I really felt the separation of the Qimmiq and Inuit keenly, and I needed to resolve that! So here you go. :-)

CHAPTER 1

You can read the first chapter on this site here.

LINKS:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

BLURB:

Can a forbidden love heal the rift between two enemy tribes?

Legend says that, centuries ago, the sled dogs and the Inuit were so deeply bonded that the dogs rose up on two legs and became men. The Qimmig and the People lived together happily until one of the Inuit betrayed the dog-men. The Qimmig fled, vowing never to return.

Taq figured that was just another story elders told around the campfire. But when he witnesses two guys survive a polar bear attack by shifting into dogs, he has to rethink everything. Could the Qimmig really exist? And could they have anything to do with the special, golden-eyed boy he’d played with as a child?

Cupun has missed his old friend, Taq. But it is forbidden for the Qimmig to have anything to do with one-skinned Inupiat. When a series of events brings Taq back into his life, the feelings of protectiveness and joy awakened in his dog’s heart tell him that Taq is his soul’s mate.

But neither the Qimmig nor the Inuit are prepared to accept this bond. Are the boys fated for tragedy? Or will their love find a way?

How to Love Thine Enemy is a star-crossed lovers/Romeo and Juliet trope set in Alaska. Friends-to-lovers, doggie shifters, and destined romance with a little wilderness adventure.

How to Love Thine Enemy is the sixth book in my Howl at the Moon series. It features a new couple and can be read as a stand-alone, though reading the series in order is recommended. It is now up for pre-order with a pub date of April 7.

This tale was inspired by a movie I watched recently called Slash/Back, which is set in the small Inuit town of Pangnirtung and features contemporary Inuit girls fighting off an alien. :-) I loved the contemporary native tone of the film, and it reminded me that I had intended to write about the Inuit and the Qimmig (a pack of dog-shifters). So I was spurred to bump that book up in my tbw pile.

The Howl at the Moon world features dog shifters. You see, if a dog is bonded deeply enough with a human, they may "get the spark"--the ability to take on human form. Most of my series is set in a town called Mad Creek, California, where dogs who were born descended from dog shifters, and dogs that just recently "got the spark," all live. But in book 5, How to Run with the Wolves, one of them discovers a pack of wild dog shifters living in remote Alaska called the Qimmig.  The Qimmig are descended from huskies, but their pack has nearly reverted to their wolf nature due to lack of human contact.

This book, How to Love Thine Enemy, is set entirely in Alaska and features a young Inuit man and one of the Qimmig pack.

Here's the blurb:

Can a forbidden love heal the rift between two enemy tribes?

Legend says that, centuries ago, the sled dogs and the Inuit were so deeply bonded that the dogs rose up on two legs and became men. The Qimmig and the People lived together happily until one of the Inuit betrayed the dog-men. The Qimmig fled, vowing never to return.

Taq figured that was just another story his elders told around the campfire. But when he witnesses two dudes survive a polar bear attack by shifting into dogs, he has to rethink everything. Could the Qimmig really exist? And could they have anything to do with the special, golden-eyed boy he’d played with as a child?

Cupun has missed his old friend, Taq. But it is forbidden for the Qimmig to have anything to do with Inupiat. When a series of events brings Taq back into his life, the feelings of protectiveness and joy awakened in his dog’s heart tell him that Taq is his soul’s mate.

But neither the Qimmig nor the Inuit are prepared to accept this bond. Are the boys fated for tragedy? Or will their love find a way?

How to Love Thine Enemy is a star-crossed lovers/Romeo and Juliet trope set in Alaska. Friends-to-lovers, doggie shifters, and destined romance with a little wilderness adventure.

I hope you'll give the Howl at the Moon series, and How to Love Thine Enemy, a try! It's been a perpetual favorite with my readers. 

You can pre-order this book here:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXSYTR2J

Eli Easton