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ARCS FOR BRUSHSTROKES COMING JANUARY, 2026. REQUEST YOURS! (LINK SOON)SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL ALERTS AND RECEIVE A GIFT EBOOK & BRUSHSTROKES PREVIEW!Thank you for visiting! My name is Maude (she/her/hers) and I write fic as MaudeZbornak (no spaces) and original fiction as Maude Zbornak and M.Z. Arthur. I write MM and FF romance as M.Z., and as Maude I write a variety of pairings. My original works are intended for audiences 18+. Trigger warnings are available on each book page.I invite you to check out my original works, and if you'd like to sample my writing style you can visit me on AO3. My recommended "starter fics" are listed on a separate Carrd.Everything I offer, I write without the use of AI tools. I endeavor also to produce books with non-AI covers and non-AI marketing. Unless otherwise noted, my original work is available wide.I try to do the social thing, and you can find me at any of the places below. Or shoot me an email at mzarthurwriter@gmail.com.

COMING SOON

Brushstrokes Cover

Possible Triggers: sexual harassment, consensual female on male pegging, alcoholic consumption

Brushstrokes

a romance by Maude ZbornakCOMING MAY, 2026
REQUEST AN ARC (SOON)A bit of kink, a lot of paint.An estate sale find becomes a social media sensation, thanks to a kiss caught on camera. Masseuse Skyler Teague's spontaneous reaction to her painting's worth might have crossed a line, but you don't see the tall, handsome TV host complaining.In appraiser Rusty Kerwin's mind, the painting is priceless. It's the missing link in the collection of his late mother's work, one he wants for the museum he plans to open. He hopes the art lessons he offers Skyler are enough to secure a loan, but neither expect their passions to bloom in full color.This story was previously published. It has been expanded and heavily revised for this edition.

Ready or Knot

M/M Omegaverse by M.Z. ArthurCOMING FEBRUARY, 2026
REQUEST AN ARC (SOON)Will Dexter isn't thinking about finding an Alpha. He has bills to pay, and when a fledgling matchmaking agency offers him part-time work he's eager to start. So what if his new, handsome co-worker swayed his decision?Ray Matthews isn't sold on the whole match-making business model, but he's willing to help his friend with the launch. One look at the sexy Omega managing the front has him considering the possibilities. Is Will a true match for him, though, interested in exploring his other interests?Ready or Knot is the first in a new series of Omegaverse novellas.

Possible Triggers: Discussions/fear of coming out, use of sex toys, sex and food, mild coersion

Sugar High

Sapphic Romance by M.Z. Arthur; for readers 18+COMING SOON to KU AND PRINT
Previously published as THE SWEETEST DARE as Leigh EllwoodLove has great taste.A new job at the local chocolate shop. A hot hot hot weekend with her new co-worker. Things are looking up for Sidney Campbell. Moving to Virginia was definitely the right choice for her.Kit Cheever's crushing hard on Sid, though she worries about the culinary school grad moving in on her territory at the bakery. The sexy times are too good to give up, though, and Kit likes her privacy. Nobody has to know she and Sid are an item, but Sid wants to tell the world.What will it take to keep Kit and Sid's sweet and spicy relationship from turning sour?

A Perfect Pairing

Sapphic Romance by M.Z. ArthurCOMING SOON
Previously published as DARING DESTINY as Leigh EllwoodDestiny McNeille lives for the wine business. Since losing her wife, she's relied on Clara Milner to keep her vineyard in top shape. Romance can wait; she's not interested, anyway.Clara's ready to confess her love for Desi, who suspects Clara wants to move on. She makes an offer she thinks Clara can't refuse, but it's not what Clara wants.A shared love of wine brought Desi and Clara together, but is it enough for Clara to stay? Can she convince Desi there's more to life than work?

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Possible Triggers: character with severed digit, alcohol consumption; no bestiality is depicted in story

Tops & Tails

Previously Published as TOEING THE LINE in CRETACEOUS CRUSHESPaleontologist Matt Harding stands on the cusp of an important discovery. An unearthed Scelidosaurus bone at a holiday park on the Antrim Coast not only proves dinosaur relics are still out there but that missing links are closer than the world realizes. The bone isn't even a century old!Rhys O'Malley, manager of his family's holiday park, values his privacy. It's nice to let his dinosaur run along a stretch of secluded beach, but permitting a dig on their property? Forget it. He wants his secrets to stay buried like his ancestors, but damn it if Matt doesn't inspire desires in him long thought extinct.Matt has loved dinosaurs all his life. He never thought he'd get the chance to love one...

Raising Wayne Cover

Possible Triggers: off-page minor character death, financial difficulties, semen donation, tattooing

Raising Wayne

In need of a quick cash infusion to pay off a loan shark, tattoo artist Doug “Zim” Zimmer gives of himself, literally, with plasma and sperm donations. He’s happy to help whoever needs either or both, and when the bills are paid he thinks nothing more of it. Two years later, a handsome redhead shows up claiming to have his biological child.Architect Clive Mulcahy, having assumed custody of his nephew after his sister’s death, wants a clearer picture of Wayne’s parentage in order to be a good father. The acquaintance he hopes to strike with Zim for the sake of Wayne’s happiness soon grows into a relationship neither expected, but both are willing to embrace.

The Associate Cover

Possible Triggers: financial difficulties, implied homophobia and misogyny among minor characters, semi-public sex

The Associate

Pride Publishing's FAMILY BUSINESS COLLECTIONJoseph “Gio” Spatafora longs to become a full member of the San Gaetano family. A loyal associate, he catches the attention of the don and the promise to move up the ranks. The family plans to take over a business behind on its protection payments, and the don wants Gio to manage it. If he succeeds, he’ll be made, so long as they don’t discover he is gay.Conor Malloy is shocked to learn his father’s failing health is a result of pressure from the mob to pay off delinquent debts. He never wanted to manage his father’s pub, but he’ll do what it takes to save his parents. When he feels there is nowhere to turn for help, a handsome Sicilian crosses his path…

Act Naturally Cover

Possible Triggers: mention of a sex offender in the entertainment industry, age-gap one night stand, multiple mentions of offscreen character who took their life

Act Naturally

Previously published as DARE TO ACT and ACTS OF DARING as Leigh EllwoodDisgusted by Hollywood hypocrisy, Parker Stigwood turns what should be a career triumph into a possible career-killer. Despondent, he escapes to his parents' home in Virginia.Done with trying to make it big elsewhere, Luke Hall is excited to direct his first play for the local arts center. Parker's presence in town raises eyebrows, but Luke doesn't mind him sitting in on rehearsals... close enough to touch.As past tragedies and present obstacles threaten their growing attraction, Parker and Luke must flip the script in order to find their happy ending.