The Celibacy Club


Book Description

A collection of 19 stories. The title story is about the reaction of a young woman to a group that has given up sex, in Jimmy Dean: My Kind of Guy, a woman has an affair with the famous actor who did not die, and Pandora's Box is on a woman offering sex on the phone.




Make Me Give In


Book Description

Welcome to the Omega Celibacy Club. No sex until graduation. No unexpected pregnancies. No alphas needed. SIMON Even if it's not politically correct to say so anymore, everyone still knows that alphas and omegas are ruled by their biology. Sure, it's the twenty-first century now and most people have given up believing in archaic ideas like fated mates, but just take a look at college drop out rates and you'll see that some things haven't changed at all. Alphas still dominate, omegas still submit, and horny college kids in heat let their hormones dictate poor choices every day. Not me and my roommates, though. Not if I have anything to say about it. Too many of our classmates here at Preston College have gotten knocked up and then dropped out. Given up their goals and dreams just because they've met an alpha with a big... ego. The point here is that there's only one surefire way to avoid that trap, and that's why I started the Omega Celibacy Club. No sex until graduation. No unexpected pregnancies. No alphas needed. And no, I'm not just saying that because I've been hung up on one particular alpha for approximately ever. I'm totally over Hunter King. I mean, not that there was ever anything to get over. Our families have been friends forever and he dated my sister back when I was still just a kid, but even if me and my right hand may have pined for him once upon a time, I barely ever think of him anymore. I mean never. I never think of him anymore. Did I mention I'm over it? HUNTER Weddings are a great place to get laid, but when I show up for my ex's big day, I'm hoping to get a lot more than that. I've never admitted it, but the reason I broke up with her all those years ago was because of her brother. One look at little Simon Lawson and I was a goner. Of course I didn't say anything though, not back then. I didn't touch him. Always kept my distance. I had to, because he was just a kid... but he's all grown up now. I've bided my time for years, but now I'm ready to see if the feeling is mutual. And if it is, I know exactly what I want. I want Simon. I want a family. And I want it forever. And even though I've never been the kind of alpha who imposes his will on omegas, when I finally realize just what it is that my omega needs, I know I'll do anything at all to make that forever happen. In fact, I'll do everything. MAKE ME GIVE IN is the first book in the Omega Celibacy Club series, a contemporary omegaverse world where the only thing stronger than an alpha's will is his desire to keep his omega happy, and where even omegas who don't believe in fated mates sometimes still find them.




Make Me Let Go


Book Description

Welcome to Mythology of Mating Rituals. An unnecessary class. A distracting professor. So why can't Nolan Baker stay away? NOLAN My academic career has been both successful and orderly so far, which was pleasantly predictable given that I mapped out a plan for it while still in middle school and have followed that plan ever since. Well, except for this year, my last one before graduation from Preston College. I really have no explanation for why I enrolled in Professor Grayson's Mythology of Mating Rituals class. I don't need the credit. It's not required for my major. I certainly have no personal interest in studying fated mate legends when that sort of nonsense is completely irrelevant to the real world. And yes, okay, maybe I do know why I enrolled, but an infatuation with a teacher who I've never personally spoken to and yet can't seem to stop thinking about simply doesn't make sense... and I really don't care for things that don't make sense. Especially when those things are me. GRAY I've been teaching hormone-ridden college students about mating rituals for the last decade, and given the explicit nature of so many of the fated mate myths we study, it really isn't any surprise that a fair number of my students come on to me each semester... usually with the eager and breathless conviction that the "connection" they feel between us must mean that I'm their fated mate. Ridiculous, since I'm teaching mythology, not reality, and of course inappropriate, too. I would never get involved with a student that way. At least, that's what I always told myself before Nolan Baker enrolled in my class. The beautiful boy is pure temptational torture. Thankfully, he kept to himself and I was able to keep my hands off him, and now the semester is over. I should be feeling relieved that I won't see him again... not pulling him into my office at the first available opportunity and bending him over my desk. MAKE ME LET GO is the second book in the Omega Celibacy Club series, a contemporary omegaverse world where the only thing stronger than an alpha's will is his desire to keep his omega happy, and where even OCD omegas who don't believe in fated mates sometimes still find them.




Make Me Trust You


Book Description

Welcome to Preston College. A top-ranked biology program? Check. Division One football? Check. A shy genius and a hot jock both stuck on campus for the summer? Now things are heating up... EMMETT Last year, the cutting edge research project my biology professor tapped me for confirmed that fated mates are real... and despite the odds (and the fact that we're all members of a celibacy club!!) two of my roommates met theirs. I met someone last year, too. He was an alpha. He was a football player. He was gorgeous and funny and really, really nice. Besides science, he was basically the only thing I could think about all year long. But alphas don't notice me and sports just confuse me, so now that Bryce Connors doesn't need me to tutor him anymore, I'll probably never see him again. Too bad it will probably take longer than that to stop wishing I could... BRYCE Nineteen years ago, my dad gave up his pro football career to raise me, and ever since the first time he handed me a ball I've only had one priority: realizing the dreams he never had a chance to. But don't get me wrong, I'm not just gonna make it for him. I most definitely love football, too. In fact, up until last year, I would've said that outside of my dad, it was the only thing I loved. And okay, all right, maybe "love" is too big of a word for my new #1 priority, the crazy-smart omega who saved my scholarship last year, Emmett Christianson... but then again, the way I haven't been able to get him off my mind? Maybe it's not. That's why, when I head back to campus for summer workouts, I've got a plan... MAKE ME TRUST YOU is the third book in the Omega Celibacy Club series, a contemporary omegaverse world where the only thing stronger than an alpha's will is his desire to keep his omega happy, and where even omegas who aren't expecting a fated mate of their own sometimes still find them.




From the Depths of Our Hearts


Book Description

"The priesthood is going through a dark time", according to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Robert Cardinal Sarah. "Wounded by the revelation of so many scandals, disconcerted by the constant questioning of their consecrated celibacy, many priests are tempted by the thought of giving up and abandoning everything." In this book, the pope emeritus and the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments give their brother priests, and the whole Church, a message of hope. They honestly address the spiritual challenges faced by priests today, while pointing to deeper conversion to Jesus Christ as the key to faithful and fruitful priestly ministry and genuine reform. Benedict XVI and Cardinal Sarah "fraternally offer these reflections to the people of God and, of course, in a spirit of filial obedience, to Pope Francis", who has said, "I think that celibacy is a gift for the Church. . . . I don't agree with allowing optional celibacy, no." Responding to calls for refashioning the priesthood, including proposals from participants in the Amazonian Synod, two wise, spiritually astute pastors explain the importance of priestly celibacy for the good of the whole Church. Drawing on Vatican II, they present celibacy as not just "a mere precept of ecclesiastical law", but as a sharing in Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross and his identity as Bridegroom of the Church. of his collaboration with Benedict XVI in writing From the Depths of Our Hearts.




Sensual Celibacy


Book Description

ABSTINENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW STRONGER If you're single and in between relationships -- or just about to embark on a new one -- then you can't underestimate the importance of making the right choices when it comes to physical intimacy. When should it happen? If it's already a part of your relationship, is it meaningful to both of you? Is there a strong emotional foundation in place? Or did you jump right in -- and get hurt? And how can you preserve your self-respect the next time around? Donna Marie Williams wrestled with these questions for years until she discovered the empowering nature of celibacy: abstaining from sex for a self-determined time while embracing new opportunities for self-discovery, personal growth, and heightened self-esteem. Now she shares her knowledge in a simple but effective 10-step program that will help you lead a happier, healthier, and even sexier life. Sensual Celibacy reveals: * Why charting your relationship history can be a real eye opener * How celibacy can help you focus on what you really want out of life * Ways to stay true to your celibacy commitment, even if you're in a relationship * When to end your celibacy, with intelligence, confidence, and joy If you're ready to rethink your approach to relationships and reconnect with yourself, then let Sensual Celibacy guide you to a happier, healthier lifestyle.




Costly Obedience


Book Description

Though we often hear about the "gay problem" today, there is an even deeper problem in the church today--one that we often overlook. The call to follow Christ is a call to costly obedience for all, not just for gay Christians. Far too often, the church has elevated homosexuality above other sins and required a costly obedience from gays that it is unwilling to demand of others. And yet, the answer is not to weaken the demands of obedience. Instead, gay Christians who make the difficult choice to align their lives with the biblical view of sexuality are a gift to the church, reminding all of us that spiritual growth and maturity is costly. There is a price to pay in following Christ and devoting our lives to the call of the gospel, and it is one that we all must pay--gay and straight Christians alike. Through the stories and struggles of gay Christians who are reorienting their lives around the costly obedience required to follow Christ, Mark Yarhouse and Olya Zaporozhets call the church to reorient as well, leaving behind the casual morality that is widespread today to pursue the path of radical discipleship. Unlike any other book on homosexuality and the church, this is a call to examine your life and consider what God is asking you to lay down to take up your cross and follow him.




A History of Celibacy


Book Description

What causes people to give up sex? Abbott's provocative and entertaining exploration of celibacy through the ages debunks traditional notions about celibacy--a practice that reveals much about human sexual desires and drives.




Make Me Say Yes


Book Description

Welcome to Fate. Tristan Lawson's Fate. Which is apparently to be a virgin forever despite the fact that sex sounds awesome and he'd toss his celibacy club membership out the window in a heartbeat if only his alpha would wake up. Well, the guy who's probably his alpha. And it's not like Tristan actually wants to quit the OCC, he just wants Cade. And sex. Specifically, sex with Cade. And Cade will wake up, right? Soon. Or at least, eventually. He has to, because even if no one else knows it, Tristan is absolutely positively almost completely sort of sure that Cade is (hopefully) his fated mate... TRISTAN I just knew that finally heading off to live on my own for college last year would be everything I wanted it to be. (Well, almost everything, if you didn't count the actual studying parts.) But freedom! Friends! Sex (finally)! But it turned out that I wasn't exactly on my own since I ended up moving in with my big brother and his roommates, and then my brother decided we should all start a celibacy club, and since I hate letting people down almost more than I hate doing homework, of course I said yes (even though I was pretty bummed at the idea of not getting any sex). That was last year, and spoiler: I'm the only one in the Omega Celibacy Club who's still celibate. But that's okay, because the other thing that happened last year? I'm pretty sure I found my fated mate. Cade Washington is a patient at the veterans hospital I volunteer at, and he's in a coma, but all the stuff I feel when I'm around him, that has to be real, right? And someday, even if I'm the only one who seems sure of it, he will wake up... CADE I have no idea how long I've been in limbo, but what I do know is that this foggy, muffled half-existence is my own personal hell. Nothing exists here except memories I'd rather escape... and an omega. My omega. Except that for all the memories that endlessly plague me, I don't have any of him, and that means he doesn't really exist, either... except for in here. So even though I'm stuck here, I don't want to leave, either. Because he's here. Tristan's here. And I'd rather spend every moment of whatever my life has become in this hell with him than return to a world where he doesn't exist. Until I realize that Tristan needs me, and that maybe this wasn't hell after all, but simply the price I had to pay to find the one thing I really needed all along... MAKE ME SAY YES is the fourth book in the Omega Celibacy Club series, a contemporary omegaverse world where the only thing stronger than an alpha's will is his desire to protect his omega and keep him happy, and where sometimes, doing that can save both of them. ***See TRIGGER WARNING in Look Inside of Kindle edition. Contains minor spoilers.***




Why Celibacy?: Reclaiming the Fatherhood of the Priest


Book Description

“The Church today demands a profound renewal of celibate priesthood and the fatherhood to which it is ordered.” Priestly celibacy, some say, is an outdated relic from another age. Others see it as a lonely way of life. But as Fr. Carter Griffin argues in Why Celibacy?: Reclaiming the Fatherhood of the Priest, the ancient practice of celibacy, when lived well, helps a priest exercise his spiritual fatherhood joyfully and fruitfully. Along the way, Griffin explores: the question of optional celibacy some pitfalls of celibate paternity the selection and formation of candidates for celibate priesthood why biological fathers are also called to spiritual fatherhood the powerful impact of celibacy on the Church and the wider culture In a critical moment for the Catholic priesthood, Fr. Griffin brings light and hope with a new perspective on the Church’s perennial wisdom on celibacy.