This series, Second Chances, is a collection of standalone contemporary gay romances, available from Dreamspinner Press. Enjoy!

This book, Twice by Chance, released on Apr 18, 2012. This is a contemporary M/M erotic romance, the first in the Second Chances series. This is available in e-book formats from Dreamspinner Press, and at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other retailers.

Here’s the blurb:

"A Second Chances Story

As a teenager, Addy Monroe had a life-changing experience—although
technically the “experience” was happening to someone else in the steamed-up backseat of the taxi stuck in traffic next to him. Six years later, at a club in LA, Addy meets rock singer Zak Roscoe—the man who unwittingly taught him who he is—and gets a shot at experiencing Zak for himself.

A private and guarded person, Zak finds Addy’s determined advances both annoying and intriguing, and he allows himself to be seduced for a night of pleasure. Unfortunately, some old habits die hard: Zak’s postcoital nature leaves something to be desired, and Addy quickly realizes that sometimes fantasy and reality don’t have much in common. If wishes were second chances…."

Here's the blurb on Non c’è due senza… te, which is the Italian translation of Twice by Chance:

"Il quindicenne Addy Monroe, imbottigliato nel traffico insieme ai suoi zii, assiste a una scena che cambierà tutta la sua vita: sul sedile posteriore di un taxi bloccato accanto alla loro auto ci sono due ragazzi che gli rivelano l’esistenza di un altro mondo. Sei anni dopo, in un locale di Los Angeles, Addy incontra il cantante rock Zak Roscoe, l’uomo che, involontariamente, gli aveva mostrato chi fosse veramente, e non si lascia sfuggire l’occasione di assaggiarlo.

Da quella persona riservata e circospetta qual è, Zak trova le avances determinate di Addy sia fastidiose che divertenti, e alla fine acconsente a lasciarsi sedurre per una notte di piacere. Sfortunatamente, le brutte abitudini sono dure a morire, e gli atteggiamenti post-coitali di Zak lasciano molto a desiderare. Addy si trova così a capire che qualche volta il sogno e la fantasia non hanno proprio nulla in comune. Ma se i desideri fossero seconde occasioni…"

Here's the blurb on Jamais deux sans toi, which is the French translation of Twice by Chance:

"Adolescent, Addy Monroe fait une expérience qui change sa vie – même si, techniquement, cette expérience est vécue par quelqu’un d’autre sur le siège arrière d’un taxi bloqué à côté de lui dans un embouteillage. Six ans plus tard, dans une boite de nuit de Los Angeles, Addy rencontre le chanteur de rock Zak Roscoe – l’homme qui sans le savoir lui a appris qui il était vraiment – et il fait à son tour l’expérience de Zak.

Étant une personne réservée et secrète, Zak trouve les avances déterminées d’Addy à la fois énervantes et intrigantes, et il se laisse séduire pour une nuit de plaisir. Malheureusement, certaines habitudes ont la vie dure ; son agissement post-coïtal laisse quelque peu à désirer, et Addy se rend rapidement compte que parfois, le fantasme et la réalité n’ont pas grand chose en commun. S’il pouvait avoir une deuxième chance…"

Here's the blurb on Segundas oportunidades, which is the Spanish translation of Twice by Chance:

"Siendo adolescente, Addy Monroe tuvo una experiencia que le cambio la vida, aunque técnicamente la “experiencia” le estaba pasado a alguien más en el asiento trasero de un taxi atrapado en el trafico junto a él. Seis años más tarde, en un club de Los Ángeles, Addy conoce al cantante de rock Zak Roscoe —el hombre que sin saberlo le había enseñado quién era en realidad—, y consigue una oportunidad para experimentar a Zak por sí mismo.

Siendo una persona privada y reservada, Zak encuentra los decididos avances de Addy tan molestos como intrigantes, y se deja seducir para una noche de placer. Desafortunadamente, los viejos hábitos nunca mueren: la actitud de Zak después del sexo deja bastante que desear, y Addy pronto se da cuenta de que a veces la fantasía y la realidad no tienen mucho en común.

Si los deseos fueran segundas oportunidades…"

Aside from the explicit sex between two men this novella also contains some heavy-duty angst, so beware....

An interesting little fact about this book: I had a different title at first, but a similar title in the same genre came out at the same time, so Elizabeth North from Dreamspinner Press came up with this new and far better one. Thank you kindly, Elizabeth!

I do have a tendency to write about guys who have serious attitude problems, and Zak is no exception. But Addy... I loved writing about Addy. He's just willful and verbally gifted, quick to quip and swift to snap — and Zak won't know what hit him.

Their interactions were simply fun to write, and I hope they'll be fun to read, too. Enjoy!

Four Star Review by Long and Short Reviews:

"To start with, if I am honest, I wasn’t sure of this book, but then, once Zak and Addy got chatting I was hooked. Ms Laine is a master of dialogue, it’s snappy, witty, funny, profound and completely moved the story along. The way Addy chats so much, Zak’s frequent closing down, it was a real treat to listen to their banter and conversations. The sex was hot, super hot, but their relationship and the problems Zak in particular had with letting someone close was the theme of this story. A theme that was well handled and didn’t always give me what I expected. -- Recommended if you like m/m that doesn’t focus on the gay issue, but instead explores the relationship of two strangers, with baggage, coming together in a physical and emotional way."

Nice Review by Hearts on Fire Reviews:

"Right away, at the very prologue, I was riveted to my seat with eyes firmly focused on the screen and the freaking hot scene happening at the back of a taxi. Addy experienced a life changing moment as he watched one man debauch the other in the most sexiest of ways. The gorgeous stranger even while dressed captivated Addy, and became the driving force behind his future fantasies. A stranger who licked the other while seductively winking at a fifteen-year old in the next car. Oh yeah, it was very hot. I can totally see how a teenager remembered it even years later. Six years after the event, Addy sees the man himself again, and refuses to let the opportunity slip by him. His flirting is direct and pushy, his smile promising and the overall attitude demanding. He knows he must have Zak for real this time, even if it’s just a one night stand. -- The writing was almost poetic and suited me very much making the overall rating just half a star below four, after all, the book is just too good to get three stars. Susan Laine is a new author for me, but if this experience is anything to go by, that won’t stay that way."

This book, Accidental Chemistry, released on July 24, 2013. This is a contemporary M/M erotic romance, the second in the Second Chances series. This is available in e-book formats from Dreamspinner Press, and at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other retailers.

Here’s the blurb:

"A Second Chances Story

Zane Roscoe’s evil day job at a musical instrument store is supposed to teach him responsibility. What he really wants is the fun, excitement, and artistic challenge of being a musician. Joshua Norton is in college, training to become a pharmaceutical chemist, and he is Zane’s complete opposite: introverted, intellectual, and quiet. When the two meet at a gay night club, their relationship begins with a case of mistaken identity and a wounded ego.

They try talking but stumble over one miscommunication after another. So Zane decides they better stick to sex—except a series of bumbling disasters, accidents big and small, and minor mishaps leads to frustration. Afterward, Zane wants to apologize for his behavior. But Joshua ran, and finding him turns into a test of character, as does earning Joshua’s forgiveness. Can they find the new beginning they need for a second chance at love?"

Five Star Review by MM Good Book Reviews:

"This is a book 2 in the series but it stands alone perfectly. I loved how this started out and I rarely do this but I’m going to start with a quote: first line of the book. "THIS is the story of how my greatest screw-up turned into something wonderful." Doesn’t that just get hold of ya and jerk ya in, nothing subtle about that. This book is written with a great sense of humor and I suggest you don’t read it in public, because you will be laughing out loud a lot. The characters are unique and though Zane is not a likeable person I was drawn to him. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. Poor Josh is so sweet you can’t help but want to hug him, he is absolutely adorable. The first love scene is so hilarious. This is a cute, short, fun story to brighten any gloomy day."

Five Star Review by The Romance Reviews:

"Susan Laine always writes these wonderful stories of thwarted love, her characters rich and fascinating, her plotlines keep you turning the pages like an avaricious vulture trying to tear the meat off the bones quicker than you actually can eat it. I chuckle, I cry, I feel emotions and I love her writing. This is a definite recommended read in my opinion."

Four and a Half Star Review by Mrs. Condit & Friends Read Books:

"This story worked on many levels for me. There isn’t a lot of angst. It’s just a sweet, loving story about two men who should go their own separate ways, but somehow work so much better together. I hope that Susan Laine will revisit these guys at some point."

Four Star Review by Hearts on Fire Reviews:

"The comedy of errors continues as Zane makes fumbling attempts to make things right with Joshua and Joshua acts, well, sweet yet odd.  This story is told in first person from POV of Zane so we don’t get as much insight into Joshua, but he is intelligent, quirky and funny. -- It’s a fairly quick, angst-free funny read."

Four Star Review by The Novel Approach:

"This is a very humorous look at two very different men. I have never seen two people have so many problems just trying to hook up. -- If you love a short sweet love story with some truly funny situations this story is for you! Truly entertaining and will leave you wanting more!"