Monthly Archives: March 2017

Mar 31 2017

SFR Brigade Presents DANGER IN THE STARS

SFRB ShowcaseOnce a month the Science Fiction Romance Brigade authors showcase snippets from new work, WIPs, cover reveals or other fun things. The link is here for all  the participants.

I’m doing excerpts from Danger in the Stars, which is at the formatter this week and will hopefully be released next week, but certainly by the 11th of April.

dangerinthestarsfinalThe story:

Miriell, a powerful empathic priestess, has been kidnapped from her own primitive planet along with a number of her people, and sold to the evil Amarotu Combine, largest organized crime syndicate in the Sectors. When she and her handler are sent to use her power to commit an assassination, she must leave behind her own sister as hostage to ensure her compliance. Miriell cannot ask for aid without endangering herself and others.

Despite his best efforts, Combine enforcer Conor Stewart is entranced by Miriell, and helps her evade the worst of brutal treatment from the rest of the mob. But Conor must keep his distance, before the lovely empath learns that he has secrets of his own–secrets that could get them both killed.

The situation becomes dire when Conor and Miriell come to the attention of both the Combine overlords and the deadly Mawreg, aliens who threaten the Sectors. Can she save herself and the Mawreg’s next victims? And will Conor help her, or remain loyal to his evil bosses?

VS Note: This is the story of the sister who is mentioned in passing in Star Cruise: Stowaway, my story in the award winning PETS IN SPACE anthology. The new novel is completely standalone.

The excerpt – Miriell is required to demonstrate her powers to Opherra, the crime boss she’s been brought in to assist. Opherra is speaking. Jareck is the thug assigned to ‘control’ Miriell:

“I want a demonstration of what the performer can do. Prove to me you can be of assistance in what I need.”

“Can you give me a few more details on what you want me to make her do?” Jareck asked.

Miriell felt nauseated as her muscles tensed while she waited to learn what atrocious act she’d be required to perform now, what perversion of her Thuun-given gifts would be demanded.

“The end game is to help me attract a particular influential gentleman who’s been curiously resistant to my charms,” Opherra said, her lips twisted in annoyance. “I need him in thrall to me for our plans here to move forward. In too deep to back out when I reveal my true agenda. No names, but he’s key. My boss is tired of waiting for the standard ploys to yield results.”

“Is he here?”

She shook her head. “Of course not. I need to see these abilities in action before I risk my entire operation on an unknown.” Glancing around the restaurant, she laughed. “Oh yes, an excellent target for the demonstration I want. You see that blonde woman, the one with her husband, the older couple and three children? I’ve never seen anyone less likely to commit suicide. Make her throw herself off the balcony, and I’ll be a believer.” She drummed her talonlike red fingernails on the tablecloth. “Now.”

Miriell’s heart sank. The target was clearly happy, surrounded by her family, and had been casually targeted by Opherra to die just to prove a point. She gathered her power, which was curiously difficult to do, perhaps because she was so repelled by the task, and hummed the death song under her breath. Reaching out with her senses, she found the tiniest gray in the unfortunate woman’s vivid colors. Each sentient had their private sorrows and constant worries. Miriell worked to expand the gray, suppress the other colors. The woman’s companions were oblivious to her sudden silence, because the lively children were laughing and talking so happily. Suddenly, there were gasps as the target of Miriell’s attack rose abruptly from the table, knocking her chair into the person next to her. Face blank, the woman strode toward the edge of the dining area and the observation platform that built over thin air. It had safety rails, but nothing robust enough to stop a determined adult from pitching headfirst to the ground hundreds of feet below.  Her husband raced after her, but she had a head start and was increasing her speed as she went.

Hoping no one would notice what she was doing, Miriell continued her pressure on the woman but began to subtly affect one of the waiters carrying a huge load of dishes until, at literally the last second, he backed away from a table and collided with the suicidal woman, sending them both reeling and collapsing to the floor, tangled together, covered in food and broken crockery. Miriell released her hold on both sentients and fell back in her chair. Hand shaking, she reached for her glass of water and sipped, although her throat was nearly closed from stress. Please let that be enough of a demonstration for Opherra.

Buy Links: Amazon      iBooks    Kobo     Barnes & Noble

VS: In my post that I did for Liza O’Connor’s blog, discussing this book, I mentioned one of my influences was the original Star Trek episode “The Empath…” I always loved that episode and the idea of how powerful an empath could be remained with me.

star trek the empath

 

 

 

 

Mar 29 2017

New Releases in #SciFi and #Fantasy Romance for Wednesday March 28

As always, I recommend sampling before you buy! I have not read most of the new releases listed (although I always end up one-clicking a bunch as I prepare these posts LOL).

***And this week I have one of my own to announce!***

captive shifterTHE CAPTIVE SHIFTER by Veronica Scott

Concealing her own considerable magical powers, Caitlyn enters the service of the northern Witch Queen masquerading as a simple healer. Under order from her goddess, she’s searching for a magical gem stolen long ago from her own people, believed to be hidden in the massive castle. The task is daunting but Caitlyn is sure she can locate the gem and escape, bringing the prize back to the temple where it belongs. Until she meets the captive shifter and her loyalties become dangerously divided.

In payment for her past services to his people, Kyler the leopard shifter has entered into a life of servitude far from his forest home, allowing the Witch Queen to tap his magic to power her ever darker spells. Factions at Court are threatening to turn the Queen to the Shadow. Her increasing demands for magic will cut short his nearly immortal lifespan. Kyler’s resigned to his fate until the day he crosses paths with the new arrival, whose secrets and magic entice and attract both man and leopard. Has he met his mate at last?

The Queen will never willingly release him from captivity. Caitlyn’s goddess refuses to grant her any delay in accomplishing her own task. Can they locate the magical gem, fight the Shadow and win free of the Witch Queen to earn the right to be together?

iBooks  Amazon and Barnes & Noble  Google Play  KOBO

championCHAMPION (GALACTIC GLADIATORS Book 5) by Anna Hackett

VS Note: WHEE! Another book in this terrific series!!!

Space marine Blaine Strong enjoyed being a composed, controlled member of space station security…until he was abducted by alien slavers. Forced into underground fight rings and pumped full of drugs, he’s now seething with anger and out for revenge.

Rescued by gladiators and fellow humans on the desert world of Carthago, Blaine is fighting to be the man he once was. But when the House of Galen is attacked, he must focus on joining the gladiators to fight back. That means teaming up with a tough, competitive female gladiator who not only challenges him at every turn, awakens a fierce desire he’s never felt before, but a woman who can sense the churning emotions inside him.

Gladiator Saff Essikani is the best net fighter in the Kor Magna Arena. Raised from young to fight, she bows to no man and uses her empathic abilities to win at whatever cost….

Amazon

REDSHIFT by A. R. DeClerck

redshiftVS Note: Always great to have a new release from AR!

When a mysterious wormhole appears on the edge of a Nevada town, Rand Hazen and his team race to study it. Together with his partner and the love of his life, Rand knows he can be the first physicist to prove that time travel is possible. In a devastating twist of fate, the wormhole goes into flux, and when Rand opens his eyes all of Verity Pines is gone, taking with it his lover. Rand knows that he will do anything to find her, even going so far as to jump into the hole to follow her. Rand vows to himself that he won’t say her name until he sees her face again. On the other side of the wormhole Rand finds himself in a place he never imagined: the far, far future. The world as he knows it is about to end, but none of that matters; all he cares about is finding HER. Through a shining silver city and into a vast desert, Rand will comb this world until her finds her, or until the world itself burns around him.

Amazon

jagerJAGER (GALACTIC DEFENDERS BOOK 2) by Jessica E. Subject

VS Note: I’ve been really enjoying the snippets Jessica has shared!

Jager’s new squad of Defenders has completed training, but the spoiled princess who has grated on his nerves since her first day of training is called back to Hemera for a yearly celebration. When Princess Katrina doesn’t show up, Jager must find her and drag her home, where he wishes she would stay.

Katrina is a Defender, not a princess. And there is no way she wants to return to a planet she hates for some stupid ceremony. Not when she could be out killing Erebus with her squad.

But when a new enemy threatens both their lives, they must work together to survive.

Amazon      iBooks      Nook     Kobo     Google Play

TURNING LEAF (THE AWAKENING VOLUME 1) by Anne Mayburn

turning leafAs a little girl, all Leaf Hatathli dreamed of was growing up and having a family of her own, but fate had something else in mind for her. Instead, she’s spent her life as a mercenary working for the Goddess, acting as her hand of justice in a world torn apart by the reappearance of magic. It’s a lonely business, and Leaf had given up on the idea of ever being someone’s beloved. After all, who could love a woman who’s possessed by a sex demon? When Mir DePaul, Alpha of the Shiraz Pride, is captured by slavers he never expected rescue to come in the form of his true mate. And he certainly never expected his mate to be a Shadow, a human sharing a body with the spirit of a demon. He shares his body with his tiger spirit, and they both know their mate when they see her. Even if she refuses to believe it. They’ll do everything they can to convince Leaf and her demon that their love is real…as soon as they escape the contingent of death wizards hunting them down. Everything has a price, and Mir will do anything to keep his mate safe while she tries to save the world from an ancient evil that threatens them all.

Amazon     iBooks

alien sacrificeALIEN SACRIFICE (ZERCONIAN WARRIORS BOOK 9) by Sadie Carter

Sent to Zerconia as a spy, Annabel is certain she’ll discover some nefarious plot to lure human women to Zerconia. Instead, she encounters a race of honorable, protective, gorgeous Alpha aliens.
Not that she’s attracted to any of them. Nope, not at all. Particularly not arrogant, grouchy, stick-in-the-mud Macon
Macon has his future mapped out. He likes his life well-ordered. His mate will be obedient, honest and most importantly, Zerconian. He does not understand these human females. They are strange, confusing, loud and fragile. Far too fragile.
They are not for him.
No, he will never take a human mate.
Never.

Amazon

night markTHE NIGHT MARK  by Tiffany Reisz

Faye Barlow is drowning. After the death of her beloved husband, Will, she cannot escape her grief and most days can barely get out of bed. But when she’s offered a job photographing South Carolina’s storied coast, she accepts. Photography, after all, is the only passion she has left.

In the quaint beach town, Faye falls in love again when she sees the crumbling yet beautiful Bride Island lighthouse and becomes obsessed with the legend surrounding The Lady of the Light—the keeper’s daughter who died in a mysterious drowning in 1921. Like a moth to a flame, Faye is drawn to the lighthouse for reasons she can’t explain. While visiting it one night, she is struck by a rogue wave and a force impossible to resist drags Faye into the past—and into a love story that is not her own.

Fate is changeable. Broken hearts can mend. But can she love two men separated by a lifetime?

Amazon      iBooks

unyieldingTHE UNYIELDING (CALL OF CROWS) by Shelly Laurenston

VS Note: I always enjoy her sense of humor. And her taste in stock photo cover models – the guy is also ‘Conor’ on my new SFR release coming in two weeks. The joys of using stock photos! We do all share in the romance world. Someday I’ll be able to afford my own unique cover shoots (I say in a dreamy hopeful voice…)

Stieg Engstrom, Angriest Viking Ever, has got big problems. The human Viking Clans of earth are in danger of being obliterated—along with the rest of the world—and the only one who may be able to save them is a super pain-in-the-ass Crow. Most people annoy Stieg, but this is the one woman he really can’t stand…

Erin Amsel loves being a Crow! Why wouldn’t she when the other Viking Clans are so hilariously arrogant and humorless? She’s not about to let all that come to an end! She just didn’t expect to be shoulder to shoulder in battle with Stieg. Then again, he’s so easy to torment—and also kind of cute.

With the future of the world riding on them, Stieg knows he’ll have to put aside his desperate need to kiss the smirk right off Erin’s face. Wait. What? He didn’t mean that—did he? No! They have one goal: To conquer the idiots. Because nothing bugs Stieg more than when idiots win. If only he can keep himself from suddenly acting like one…

Amazon      iBooks

mathiasMATHIAS BOOK 3 (DRAGOFIN CLAN MATED) by Mychal Daniels

Mathias (Matt) Griffin is a Gryphon warrior guardian, top fighting strategy trainer for the Dragofin Clan and head over heels for his newly met mate, Wren Douglas. Now, if only she’d get a clue!

Give him thousands of portal breaching alien parasites to fight over the torture of being this close to the one woman who gives him new life and strength. Matt has a lot of things on his plate. With the advent of the prophecy, an influx of activity had increased at the interdimensional portal the Dragofin are tasked with guarding. Every new assignment drains him more and more. The only way to refill and regain his strength is to mate with the only woman able to fulfill the calling of being his partner for the rest of their lives. How can he show her he wants her for her and not for what she thinks he needs in a mate–oh and help her get over a real fear of danger and death? [more…]

Amazon     iBooks

genesis revealedGENESIS REVEALED (THE GENESIS PROJECT BOOK 2) by S. M. Schmitz

When Drake and Cade arrive in Somalia to retrieve the stolen cargo, Drake is faced with a horrifying realization: The Genesis Project is still with him. He’d never freed himself after all.

Back in the hands of Dr. Mike Parker, Drake’s fate takes a sinister turn. But the more he learns about his past, the more he’s revealed to be the monster he fears, and he will have to find his way back from losing what is most important to him: His own identity.

Amazon      iBooks

SCALING THE RIM by Dorothy Grant

scaling the rimVS Note: From February. Found by reader Celestine of the Sci-fi Romance Group on Goodreads. I one clicked this….

Never underestimate the power of a competent tech.

When Annika Danilova arrived at the edge of the colony’s crater to install a weather station, she knew the mission had been sabotaged from the start. The powers that be sent the wrong people, underequipped, and antagonized their supporting sometimes-allies. The mission was already slated for unmarked graves and an excuse for war…

But they hadn’t counted on Annika allying with the support staff, or the sheer determination of their leader, Captain Restin, to accomplish the mission. Together, they will overcome killing weather above and traitors within to fight for the control of the planet itself!

Amazon

aliens mateTHE ALIEN’S MATE (WARRIORS OF LUXIRIA BOOK 2) by Zooey Draven

Kate Harper can’t believe that a month ago, she was living on Earth, going through the motions of a normal, human life. Now? A seriously sexy, insatiable, alpha alien knocked her up and she’s learning how to rule over an entire species with her new mate. As Kate tries to carve out a place for herself on Luxiria–all while pregnant with an alien warrior’s baby that loves to kick–there’s unrest brewing on the planet and her strong alien mate’s authority is challenged. And why can’t she shake the feeling that he’s hiding something from her?

Amazon     Amazon UK

TAKEN BY ALIENS by Cynthia Wilde

VS Note: From the reviews, evidently quite short with a lot of other bonus material. From February. Found by Merry of the SciFi Romance Group on FB.

taken by aliensKiley thought she looked pretty hot in her borrowed little black number, but she was still a little nervous to see Brian at the party. She had heard he was into her, but still…what if he didn’t like her? This concern turned out to the last thing she had to worry about when after a night of decidedly earth bound passion, she awakened to find herself in a strange new world with beings intent on using her DNA to repopulate their own dying world. Was she going to be trapped on this alien world forever, or could she somehow leverage their complete lack of sexual experience to her own benefit to once again find her way home? Could she satisfy their scientific curiosity with a demonstration of her passion? And most of all, could she awaken the passion in the Adonis-like one known as Nathan, as a means to convince them all to ultimately allow her to go free and return to earth?

Amazon

the little cyborgTHE LITTLE CYBORG: A SPACE AGE FAIRY TALE (STAR CROSSED TALES) by J. M. Page

Celine Velmann’s never seen the sky. Her entire life, she’s lived in the Wastelands, where brutal dust storms that fill the sky are a way of life. She’s always dreamed of the stars that she’s only seen in pictures, but even her infallible robotic arm can’t craft the technology to get into orbit, so she’s stuck on the ground.

A Pampered Prince…

Ben’s never been good at anything but flying, but in the air, he’s the best there ever was. When the King — Ben’s father — orders all flights in the city grounded, he’s left stir-crazy and starved for action. Crazy enough to steal a ship and volunteer for a desperate, doomed, last-resort mission straight into the gaping maw of the Wasteland….[more]

Amazon

THE TRIDENT LEGACY (COLLECTION ONE VOLUME ONE) by Kathryn Le Veque and Sharon Hamilton

trident legacyVS Note: A novella duo, in one the hero becomes a Navy SEAL, from the extended blurb…

We are brothers, the Sons of Poseidon, though our mothers have gone many eons ago. Given special powers, we are required to protect humanity from the dark forces of the universe that coalesce and then plunge back into the inky pit of evil only to rise up again to be defeated.

My task is to blend in as a normal, common man. But I am not a common man. I bear the mark, and I have worn it proudly, although sometimes I find that calling more difficult than others. However, I’ve never run away from it nor deny the obligation of my birthright.

Oceans and worlds are fully accessible to me. There is only one thing that I am denied: a true love partner. I’ve loved many times, but never for evermore, only for the here and now….[more]

Amazon     iBooks

IMMORTAL UNCHAINED: AN ARGENEAU NOVEL by Lynsay Sands

immortal unchainedEver since Domitian Argenis recognized Sarita as his life mate, he’s been waiting for the perfect moment to claim her. Those fantasies did not include him being chained to a table in a secret lab or both of them being held hostage by a mad scientist. Somehow, they have to escape…

Sarita has seen some crazy things as a cop, but nothing to rival Domitian. A vampire? Seriously? But his healing ability, incredible powers, and their mind-blowing physical connection—none of it should be possible, yet her body knows differently. Now, not only do they have to save each other, but other innocent lives are at stake. Failure is not an option, for Sarita intends that Domitian show her exactly what an eternity of pleasure feels like…

Amazon      iBooks

ALDERIC (THIRD WAVE BOOK 1) by  Mikayla Lane

aldericSotier Alderic Du’ Castine, Leader of the Dranovian Order of the Tri-Worlds, Guardian of the Rituals of Tongerno and Commander Priest of the Dawn, was in the middle of brokering peace between two warring communities of Daetz’ when he saw the shimmering portal open in the sky.

With the portal so close to the Dranovian stronghold, Alderic is forced to participate in a Human Hunt for the first time. As he searches the forest surrounding the Talunaha, he is shocked to see the beautiful and wild-eyed human standing fearfully in front of him.

Helena Chapman moved to Nome, Alaska after catching her fiancé in bed with her best friend the night before their wedding. Ignoring the warning of the longtime residents, she set out for a lone hike in the Denali National Forest. Her first night out she saw the strange, Mirage city in the sky and was swept into what she thought was a nightmare.

Literally from two different worlds and cultures that are evolutions apart, Alderic and Helena will have to try and forge a new path for the tri-worlds in order to prevent a human uprising that threatens Helena’s life and to unravel everything Alderic has ever fought for.

Amazon

ETERNAL DAWN (AETERNAE NOCTIS BOOK 2) by Jade Kerrion

eternal dawnAll parents in Aeternae Noctis have lost children to the culling, among them, the herbalist Rafael Varens. Once more, humanity’s remnants rise in rebellion against the ruthless rule of the three immortal icrathari and their vampire army. Yet again, they are crushed.

When the icrathari Siri seeks a salve for her chronic pain, she and Rafael strike a bargain. He will cure the poison in her blood if she expands the settlement and frees the children, including his son. Their tentative alliance ushers in unexpected friendship, until it is shattered by the cruelest betrayal.

From the darkness below the earth, an ancient and implacable enemy rises, twisting their pain and turning Rafael and Siri against each other—his first step in the destruction of Aeternae Noctis…

Amazon

win were zooWIN (WERE ZOO 3) BY R. E. Butler

VS Note: Seems like a fun series. Is listed as a short read.

Gorilla shifter, Win Carlson, would love to find his soulmate, the one female on Earth perfect for him. Thanks to the VIP Tour tickets that the Amazing Adventures Safari Park sent out to eligible females in the area, he is seeing a lot of females on the weekends. But none of them are his soulmate, and he’s finding it hard not to get discouraged.

Curvy baker, Alexandra Flynn, has won awards for her banana cream pie, but her dream is to have her own bakery….

Amazon     iBooks

HOARDING SECRETS (A DRAGON SECRET NOVEL Book 3) BY C. I. Black

hoarding secretsShe can’t remember. He can’t forget.

Once a powerful warrior, Grey’s greatest battle now is with his out-of-control magic. What empowers him to remember everything also threatens to imprison him in his most horrific moments. He yearns for peace, but with the dragon sorcerer, the Handmaiden, missing, he has nowhere to turn. So when someone ransacks the sorcerer’s chambers, he agrees to investigate, hoping he’ll find her. What he didn’t count on was having to work with an agent of the Dragon Court, who instantly captivates and soothes his writhing memories but endangers everyone he holds dear.

Tortured with a lack of memory, Ivy wakes each day not knowing who she is and having to learn again and again that she’s the servant of an insane prince….

Amazon      iBooks

ENFORCER (BATTLE BORN BOOK 11) by Cyndi Friberg

enforcerAlyssa, a reluctant spy and hacker, comes to Lunar Nine hoping to disrupt their computerized systems and slow down the mysterious transformation program. She’s brilliant when it comes to coding, but helpless against the overwhelming attraction she feels for Dakar Lux, one of her potential mates.

As senior enforcer, Dakar is responsible for the safety of every person on Lunar Nine. He senses danger and deception in his lovely potential mate, yet he can’t stop thinking about her. He has always believed in keeping his enemies close, so he courts her, seduces her, determined to learn her secrets while he slowly stakes his claim.

Amazon     iBooks

ELVIS GETS HIS GROOVE BACK (MOONCHUCKLE BAY ROMANTIC COMEDY BOOK 5) by Heather Horrocks

Years ago, siren Charlie Melodi saved a newly made werewolf and his alpha still owes her. elvisToday, after nearly killing a man, she calls in her marker. He sends a werewolf to bring her from Vegas to Moonchuckle Bay — and that werewolf looks suspiciously like Elvis. Can two people who have vowed to never sing again still make beautiful music together?

Amazon

STOKING THE FLAMES by Various

stoking the flamesSurrender to the Desire…
Embrace your Destiny…
Soar with the Dragons…
Stoke the flames that 13 of your favorite NY Times, USA Today and International Bestselling authors have ignited with their ALL NEW, NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED fiery tales of the scorching passion that erupts when a dragon is united with their soul-mate.

Amazon      iBooks

THE ASCENSION (ENTANGLED SERIES BOOK 3) by Jill Sanders

Jessica was getting tired of fighting fate. Not only had some really weird stuff been going on the past few months, but now she found herself crawling out of Jacob’s bed. She hated the guy. Well, okay, she’d avoided the guy. Sure, she’d fantasized about him most of her life, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t fight the attraction. Something was coming and everyone in town felt it, not just the chosen group she’d found herself part of in the last few months. And, if her being with Jacob was fated, she was determined to fight it for as long as she could, because she ascensionknew what was coming, even when no one else did. She knew how important everyone’s roles where in the next few weeks, but with the disappearance of Breanna, fate may have just taken a huge turn. For the worse.

Jacob has completely lost it. That’s the only explanation for what he’d been going through. And now, suddenly he’s found himself inexplicably drawn to Jess. But these new desires he felt for her were stronger than the need to breathe. What new powers did this witch hold over him? But more importantly, was there a chance they would survive the upcoming horrors?

Amazon     iBooks

Cauldrons & Confessions (WARLOCKS MACGREGOR BOOK 4) by Michelle M. Pillow

cauldrons and confessionsMalina MacGregor is more than just a delicate flower in need of manly protection, but you wouldn’t know it by the slew of male family members who show up anytime she tries to go on a date. Sure, she’s made some poor choices in men in the past—like the demon she mistakenly hooked up with in Las Vegas years ago. But that was then, and this is now, and she more than made up for that mistake.

Darragh “Dar” Lahey may be a luck demon, but his luck ran out the night he met the temptress—Malina. Now he’s back, and he has an axe to grind. Malina needs to pay for what she did to him, and the supernatural attacks he’s firing at her magickal family is just the beginning. There is only one hitch in his plans for revenge—even after all this time the stubborn woman can still make his heart ache, and his body burn with need.

Amazon      iBooks

AEQUUS (A ROYAL PROTECTOR ACADEMY NOVEL)  By Randi Cooley Wilson

aequusSerenity is being with the one you love.
Despair is being kept apart.
After the rain comes the war.

What if the person you were meant to be with could never be yours? For Serena St. Michael and Tristan Gallagher, this is reality. Tristan has accepted his impending nuptials. He’s returned to his realm and his betrothed. Their unification will create peace. Serena is still struggling with her protector’s choice. With a firm resolve, she will forsake her own future in order to save him. Their love will trigger an ancient war. Can Serena and Tristan rewrite their destinies? Or will the Vergina Sun prophecy be fulfilled, and the lovers fall to fate? Welcome back to the Royal Protector Academy.

Amazon      iBooks

A CROWN OF WISHES  by Roksani Chokshi

VS Note: Listed as YA, not sure how deep the romance runs but sounds intriguing and has good reviews.

a crown of wishesGauri, the princess of Bharata, has been taken as a prisoner of war by her kingdom’s enemies. Faced with a future of exile and scorn, Gauri has nothing left to lose. Hope unexpectedly comes in the form of Vikram, the cunning prince of a neighboring land and her sworn enemy kingdom. Unsatisfied with becoming a mere puppet king, Vikram offers Gauri a chance to win back her kingdom in exchange for her battle prowess. Together, they’ll have to set aside their differences and team up to win the Tournament of Wishes – a competition held in a mythical city where the Lord of Wealth promises a wish to the victor.

Reaching the tournament is just the beginning. Once they arrive, danger takes on new shapes: poisonous courtesans and mischievous story birds, a feast of fears and twisted fairy revels.

Every which way they turn new trials will test their wit and strength. But what Gauri and Vikram will soon discover is that there’s nothing more dangerous than what they most desire.

Amazon      iBooks

*******************************************************************

My standard Notes and Caveats:

It’s a mix of the genres in no particular order. Also the term “new” is generally plus or minus a week or two. I try to catch up on ones I missed in recent months.  

(NOTE: If the author provides me with buy links I insert those; otherwise I default to Amazon and iBooks. Pricing and availability are current as of the day I prepare the post – things can change fast in the ebook world LOL.)

Also, I often include only the beginning of the book blurb…

Mar 25 2017

Blue Fire Flickers Weekend Writing Warriors

Warriors logo revisedHere’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the
participants sharing excerpts today…a fun way to sample new books and find new authors! (Also welcome to the Sunday Snippet visitors!)

I’m doing excerpts from my upcoming scifi romance release, Danger in the Stars. This story is a companion piece to Star Cruise: Stowaway, my story in the PETS IN SPACE anthology, and is a completely standalone novel about the sister of Stowaway‘s heroine. I just got the book back from copy edits, so I’ll get it to the formatter next week. In the meantime, exciting news about a new book below the excerpt and blurb for Danger.

Continuing on from last week, I’ve skipped ahead. Miriell is in the groundcar with Opherra the local crime boss, Jareck her controller and the mysterious Conor, who works for Opherra. She’s surreptitiously using her empathic powers to size up her new situation. Thuun is her planet’ deity. Edited a bit from the final draft version.

She almost didn’t bother with the bodyguard, Conor, having met many like him at the facility where she was imprisoned. Some smarter and more ambitious than others, but all dedicated to the crime syndicate they’d sworn their lives to uphold. Thugs at best, killers at worse. No help to be had there, only danger.

She decided she might as well know how deep his cruelty and corruption ran, if only to armor herself against the near hypnotic effect his voice had on her.

Her senses read him as obsidian, opaque black shields, to the core. One who hid all his dark secrets well. As she closed down her silent search, she stopped, caught by a flicker, a hint of pure cobalt blue fire, buried deep beneath the outer layers Conor presented to one such as her. Startled, she focused more sharply with her senses but the flame, if it had been there at all, flickered and vanished.

Only warriors of Thuun carry the blue fire.

dangerinthestarsfinalThe story:

Miriell, a powerful empathic priestess, has been kidnapped from her own primitive planet along with a number of her people, and sold to the evil Amarotu Combine, largest organized crime syndicate in the Sectors. When she and her handler are sent to use her power to commit an assassination, she must leave behind her own sister as hostage to ensure her compliance. Miriell cannot ask for aid without endangering herself and others.

Despite his best efforts, Combine enforcer Conor Stewart is entranced by Miriell, and helps her evade the worst of brutal treatment from the rest of the mob. But Conor must keep his distance, before the lovely empath learns that he has secrets of his own–secrets that could get them both killed.

The situation becomes dire when Conor and Miriell come to the attention of both the Combine overlords and the deadly Mawreg, aliens who threaten the Sectors. Can she save herself and the Mawreg’s next victims? And will Conor help her, or remain loyal to his evil bosses?

***NEWS!*** So I had a fantasy romance about 90% done for quite a while now, fully edited – if you’ve been doing the weekend snippet hops with me long enough, you might even have read some excerpts from this one. Well, I finished it and did a cover reveal, and it’s releasing on April 3rd! Here’s the cover and the blurb:

Concealing her own considerable magical powers, Caitlyn enters the service of the northern Witch Queen masquerading as a simple healer. Under order from her goddess, she’s searching for a magical gem stolen long ago from her own people, believed to be hidden in the massive castle. The task is daunting but Caitlyn is sure she can locate the gem and escape, bringing the prize back to the temple where it belongs. Until she meets the captive shifter and her loyalties become dangerously divided.

In payment for her past services to his people, Kyler the leopard shifter has entered into a life of servitude far from his forest home, allowing the Witch Queen to tap his magic to power her ever darker spells. Factions at Court are threatening to turn the Queen to the Shadow. Her increasing demands for magic will cut short his nearly immortal lifespan. Kyler’s resigned to his fate until the day he crosses paths with the new arrival, whose secrets and magic entice and attract both man and leopard. Has he met his mate at last?

The Queen will never willingly release him from captivity. Caitlyn’s goddess refuses to grant her any delay in accomplishing her own task. Can they locate the magical gem, fight the Shadow and win free of the Witch Queen to earn the right to be together?

(And actually iBooks  Amazon and Barnes & Noble have it live now! Yay! Other links to follow probably next week, ahead of the 3rd. )

TheCaptiveShifterFinal

Mar 23 2017

COVER REVEAL The Captive Shifter New #Fantasy Romance

TheCaptiveShifterFinalI’m releasing a new fantasy romance novel, The Captive Shifter, in  approximately two weeks! (It’s at the formatter now.) I’m thrilled to share my beautiful cover from Fiona Jayde, the blurb and an excerpt.

Yes, Danger in the Stars, my next scifi romance release,  is still winding its way through the editing process, after which comes formatting, so in the meantime last month I picked up this manuscript I had 90% finished, including all the final edits, and thought why not get the book out there and see if my readers enjoy this different type of story from me? I definitely have sequels in mind!

The story:

Concealing her own considerable magical powers, Caitlyn enters the service of the northern Witch Queen masquerading as a simple healer. Under order from her goddess, she’s searching for a magical gem stolen long ago from her own people, believed to be hidden in the massive castle. The task is daunting but Caitlyn is sure she can locate the gem and escape, bringing the prize back to the temple where it belongs. Until she meets the captive shifter and her loyalties become dangerously divided.

In payment for her past services to his people, Kyler the leopard shifter has entered into a life of servitude far from his forest home, allowing the Witch Queen to tap his magic to power her ever darker spells. Factions at Court are threatening to turn the Queen to the Shadow. Her increasing demands for magic will cut short his nearly immortal lifespan. Kyler’s resigned to his fate until the day he crosses paths with the new arrival, whose secrets and magic entice and attract both man and leopard. Has he met his mate at last?

The Queen will never willingly release him from captivity. Caitlyn’s goddess refuses to grant her any delay in accomplishing her own task. Can they locate the magical gem, fight the Shadow and win free of the Witch Queen to earn the right to be together?

The excerpt:

Caitlyn let the caravan master do the arguing on her behalf, although she wanted to reach through the bars of the city gate, grab the officious man standing in her way and shake him. Such a simple request—open the gate, glance at her papers and let her go on my way.  It lacked but half an hour till sunset and the captain of the guard at the ancient city’s portal wasn’t inclined to allow a long caravan to pass so late in the day.

Lazy bastard. She eyed him, tempted to use some of her magic to influence him but inner caution held her back. This was the city of witches and magic. She needed to go slowly displaying her abilities. Calm down, breathe. None of this will go as I hope if I let myself show anger. Caitlyn sucked in a deep breath of the damp air and stood straighter, adjusting her hood to keep the autumn drizzle off her face.

“Camp on the meadow across the river,” the captain said from the other side of the gate, addressing the caravan master. “Return in the morning.”

Glancing at Caitlyn, the old man shook his head. “I’ve told you, one of my passengers is an applicant, identified by the queen’s Searchers. She must be at the palace tonight, for the welcoming ceremony. She can’t wait until morning or risk losing her place in this year’s Trial.”

As she edged closer to the arched entryway to get out of the increasing rain, impatience burned along Caitlyn’s nerves. Why did a petty tyrant have to be her final obstacle after the long journey?  The caravan master was right; she did have to be at the palace tonight. After three weeks of slow travel from her home in the South it was especially galling to be so close to missing the deadline. To literally stand on the threshold of her destination and be refused entry was unbelievably frustrating. All right, honeyed words first, then there’s nothing for it but to unleash a taste of magic on him. Pasting a smile on her lips, she stepped forward, allowing her cape to fall open, deliberately swaying her hips a bit. “Please, captain, I’m sure the Witch Queen would appreciate your extra efforts to let me arrive on time. The Searchers told me every woman with power is greatly needed this year,” Caitlyn said, in an effort to cajole him. “How about permitting me past the gate by myself tonight? Admit the entire caravan tomorrow?”

Grinning like a cat toying with a mouse, the officer shook his head emphatically, shaking a finger at her. “Against the rules. We do the entire group or none. Now come back in the morning!”

The caravan master took her elbow, probably to escort her to the waiting wagons. Caitlyn jerked her arm free, ready to summon energy to bespell the officer into giving her entry. Folly to risk using power so soon in this place but he left her no choice. She pushed aside the next worry, about finding her way through the unknown city to the castle.

A new voice entered the conversation. “Is there a problem here?”

Behind the blustering captain, the other soldiers had snapped to respectful attention and were saluting two newcomers. The first gentleman walked forward into the torchlight at the gate proper. He was older than she, dressed in black and burgundy garments projecting a subtle message of wealth and power. Attractive, if one was looking for a bedmate, which she wasn’t. As the second man came into the light Caitlyn took a step back, blinking.

She’d never seen his like before. A shapeshifter? Why would such a rare creature of magic be here?  The power surrounding him was palpable to one with her gifts, yet didn’t flare in her second sight as it should. As if the magic was restrained but how could such a thing be possible? Dressed in a uniform similar to the officious gatekeeper’s, this man was clearly a warrior – muscular, handsome, high cheekbones, piercing green eyes, long, unbound sandy blond hair. But why would a shapeshifter be in this dank, gray city? His people ran in the massive forests of the North, where their kind ruled and humans walked at their peril. A city, much less a Court with all its ritual and routine, would be the last place to find such a wild and free spirit.

He returned her gaze with open appreciation. Caitlyn lowered her eyes first.

***********************************************************

I don’t do pre-orders but you can sign up for my newsletter or follow the blog, follow me on Amazon – but you can be sure I’ll be tweeting and talking about the novel on Facebook when it’s available! I won’t be keeping it a secret LOL.

UPDATE March 27th: iBooks  Amazon and Barnes & Noble  Google Play  KOBO have it live now! Yay!

 

Mar 22 2017

New Releases in #SciFi and #Fantasy Romance for Wednesday March 22

first awakeningsI have not read most of the new releases listed (although I always end up one-clicking a bunch as I prepare these posts LOL) and as always I recommend sampling before you buy!

It’s a mix of the genres in no particular order. Also the term “new” is generally plus or minus a week or two. I try to catch up on ones I missed in recent months.  

(NOTE: If the author provides me with buy links I insert those; otherwise I default to Amazon and iBooks. Pricing and availability are current as of the day I prepare the post – things can change fast in the ebook world LOL.)

Also, I usually include only the beginning of the book blurb…

FIRST AWAKENINGS (PROJECT GLIESE 581g BOOK 2) by S. E. Smith

VS Note: I’ve been waiting for Ash’s story…

Lieutenant Commander Ashton “Ash” Haze has always embraced two things in his life: adventure and women, but when he awakens on an alien planet, there’s no time for anything other than survival – or so he thinks.

Kella Ta’Qui is a Turbinta – a guild that discards their genetic identities in favor of what they train to become: assassins. Her first mission is to find and kill whatever was inside the unusual capsule that landed on Tesla Terra, but predator becomes prey when she is wounded by her target. Dazed and confused, she stumbles into a group who plan to sell her to the highest bidder – until a rescuer appears.

Can an easy-going Navy pilot and an alien assassin work together to reach the location of one of the other capsules on the cut throat Turbintan planet, or will Ash find himself served up to the Legion for the highest number of credits? Whatever happens, the war has begun with the first awakening of the resistance – and Ash is right in the middle of it.

Amazon     iBooks

an enduring sunAN ENDURING SUN (PROJECT AEON BOOK 1) by A. R. Declerck

VS Note: Another book in the multi author Takamo Universe series…)

Sharyn Moran joined the Rangers to save innocent lives. Her personal vow is to never see another broken child in the ERCA Territories again. When she is caught stealing a bike on her newest mission, she’s sure she is about to turned over to her enemies. Surprisingly, the stranger offers to help her, but after an accident in the desert, they end up at his isolated home with his family.

It’s clear that Ren and his brothers are hiding from something and, more than most, Sharyn knows how hard it is to keep secrets. She senses that the brothers and their father have all been through a terrible ordeal, but hesitates to invade their precious privacy. However, the longer she is with them, the more she begins to care about them. She begins to imagine a life with Ren, even if it can only be an impossible dream.

When Sharyn and Ren get sighted together through facial recognition, Ren’s enemies know exactly how to flush out their quarry. They will kidnap, murder, and torture their way across the galaxy in order to accomplish their final goal. Ren knows the only way to stop them is to face what he is…what he was….and what he might become….in order to save Sharyn and the rest of the galaxy from the rising tide of death and destruction in their wake.

Amazon     iBooks

bound togetherBOUND TOGETHER (A SEA HAVEN NOVEL) by Christine Feehan

VS Note: So I totally loved Author Feehan’s Drake Sisters series, set in Sea Haven. Reminded me of the “Charmed” TV series in all the best ways. HUGE fangirl of that series and Feehan’s book series (which was not related to the TV show). I really enjoyed Water Bound, the first book in this Sisters of the Heart series, also set in Sea Haven. The autistic heroine in that one was very well drawn, I felt. Then I kind of got less enthused with each succeeding book and even DNF’ed one of them (too much Russian mobster stuff for me). But that’s kind of my experience with her books and series – I passionately LOVE some of them and others, not so much! Your mileage may vary (YMMV).

For five years, Viktor Prakenskii has put his life on hold in order to take down the world’s most feared motorcycle club from the inside. But carrying out the insane violence and seeing the club’s exploitation of the innocent has brought his traumatic past roaring back. And there’s only one cure: to see the wife he left behind…

Blythe Daniels thought she’d never see Viktor again after he murdered her stepfather and left without a word. She rebuilt her life without him, becoming a personal trainer and physical therapist…becoming strong enough for others to lean on. But when Viktor comes back to Sea Haven, he’ll make Blythe question everything she thought she knew about good and evil—and the dark desires of the heart…

Amazon     iBooks

wake a sleeping tigerWAKE A SLEEPING TIGER (A BREEDS NOVEL) by Lora Leigh

VS Note: So the Breeds series is another one where I have wildly LOVED some of the books and reread them so many times (Elizabeth’s Wolf and Coyote’s Mate are my favorites) and not so much others. But a new release in the series is always a good thing!

Once, he was Judd—Bengal Breed and brother to the notorious fugitive Gideon.
After Gideon disappeared, Judd was experimented on until his tortured body knew nothing but agony.

Now he is Cullen Maverick, serving as the commander of the Navajo Covert Law Enforcement Agency in the small community of Window Rock, Arizona. Despite his genetics, Cullen is able to pass as human because his Bengal traits are recessed. He lacks the ability to smell the emotions, bonds and fears that other Breeds take for granted. And he remains tormented that he wasn’t able to mate the woman he loved—at the cost of her life.

He’s no longer a Breed, merely a man. . . or so he thinks. But his tiger is about to be awakened by the one woman destined to be his—Chelsea Martinez. And their world will never be the same…

Amazon     iBooks

the charmTHE CHARM  by Linda Mooney

She sold herself to a dark and angry master.
He bought her, hoping she would save his world, and himself.

Tired of letting his people down time and time again, Egan Pri, costell of Unurit, has decided to do whatever it takes to save his people. A Charm is coming to town, and if he can scrape up enough money to buy her, his people could reap the benefits…but he’s skeptical. Still, he’ll try anything. The only rule? Keep her happy. He could do that.

Genesee ii Duuru, a magical gypsy of sorts, is ready to be sold. She feels the pull of a planet desperate for her help. The sadness, the hopelessness—it’s time for her to do her part, what she was born to do. With two offers on the table, does she go with her heart, or the betterment of her tribe?

Genesee finds herself wanting to heal more than just the land and the people. But with this being her first sale, she fears she’s gotten in over her head. What had started out as answering a call for help had morphed into her becoming a pawn in a political game she had no business being a part of.

Forgotten enemies, unexpected allies, and a love forbidden. And that was only her first week.

Amazon

seamuss mateSEAMUS’S MATE by Elizabeth M. Valey

VS Note: I like Valey’s writing style and I’ve enjoyed the snippets from this book she shared with us on the Weekend Writing Warriors blog hop. So this is on my TBR List.

When Seamus discovers Kaila is in danger he sets out to save her. He couldn’t care less that she doesn’t want him there. His objective in life is to love and protect her. Besides, she might refuse to be with him, but her body knows better. With both their lives on the line, she can’t say no to his aid, can she?

For years, she has ignored her feelings. Kaila’s mission was supposed to be easy: enter the demon’s lair and save her sister. Then, he came along. For close to twenty years she has been fighting against the mating pull. She has avoided Seamus at all costs, but now they’re both trapped in hell and she has nowhere to run, except, maybe, into his arms.

Amazon

an emperor for the eclipseAN EMPEROR FOR THE ECLIPSE (AFTER EXILE BOOK 1) by Eris Adderley

Raothan Ga’ardahn wants to take his own life. Twelve years in exile have a way of beating a man down, and the shameful secrets of his past, no matter how far buried, weigh enough to keep him that way. The last thing standing between him and oblivion is a sign from the gods. That, and a unit of Imperial Guard trooping onto his farm one late summer’s afternoon.

Across the continent, the Taunai heed the warnings of their dead: act to correct an unforeseen fracture in the Pattern of events, or face annihilation. Niquel, their bravest Questioner, accepts the challenge to descend into the dangerous lowlander capital for the good of her people. A journey alone away from her snowy mountain home awaits. Any worry about the strange man in her dreams will have to come later.

When the paths of the two outsiders cross on the steps of the imperial palace at Protreo, the fate of the empire shifts. One the Novamneans call ‘exile’, the other they call ‘witch’. Neither will ever be the same.

Amazon     Author’s Smart URL for Amazon, Other Countries

redeeming the bearREDEEMING THE BEAR (TRAPPED IN BEAR CANYON BOOK 3) by Terry Bolryder

Ryland Brolin is a walking time bomb. For years he’s kept the monster inside him locked away, allowing him to create a vast business empire and interfere in benevolent ways in his brother’s lives. Now that they are both happily mated, he has one last thing to do: shut down the Bear Canyon Brawl and end the violent legacy their father left behind. The only problem? In the process, Ryland has finally discovered his mate.

Lea Atherton knows it was a mistake to let her training sessions with billionaire Ryland Brolin end with sweaty sex on a gym floor. He’s the last person in the world she could be with, no matter how incredible he made her feel….

Amazon

IMPERIAL BRIDE (CELESTIAL MATES) by C. J. Scarlett

imperial brideVS Note: Thanks to Merry of the SciFi Romance Group on Facebook for making sure this one didn’t escape my notice!

Hating her isolated, sheltered life in the Japanese Imperial Family Maiko longs for action and adventure among the stars. When her opportunity come, she grabs it with both hands and risks everything to protect her new home world when a temporal anomaly threatens to swallow everything in its path.

Little does she know her father has made an exception to the longstanding rule that no Imperials leave Earth, only because he plans to have her fitted with new husband from the Krylon Imperial House. There are two brothers. She has her heart set on the scarred one with curious eyes. Unfortunately, arrangements were made for her to be courted by the one with a smirking face, snarky attitude, and reputation for running around the galaxy chasing women.

No thank you dies on her lips about the time he hits her with their very first kiss. A handsome clone from a nearby world seems mesmerized by her intelligence and charm. He would be a much better fit, since he’s not been caught cavorting in the harems but something is missing when they are together.

It all may become a moot issue unless they can figure out how to stop the darkness from swallowing their world.

Amazon

jaceJACE (LUNA LODGE: HUNTERS OF ATLAS) by Madison Stevens

VS Note: Another nudge from Merry! Love the heroine’s name LOL.

Conservation researcher Veronica has come to the rural town of Eagle Ridge to investigate reported animal attacks that have left pets and a man dead. The locals need the help, and she could use the data to complete her research work.

She doesn’t expect to find anything that unusual. After all, she’s been dealing with dangerous animals for years and thinks she knows the habits of desperate creatures. She certainly doesn’t expect a mutant killer.

Hybrid Jace is desperate to locate a killer Glycon his people believed already dead. They know it’s only a matter of time before the monster strikes again, costing another innocent life and exposing the hybrids to the outside world. It’s just hard to investigate the Glycon when the beautiful Veronica keeps showing up and Jace’s mind goes more to passion than the enemy.

With a ruthless enemy still on the loose and secrecy at a premium, Jace’s going to have to risk it all if he wants to save Veronica and take down the monster.

Amazon     iBooks

nebula nineNEBULA NINE by Pauline J. Baird

VS Note: While I don’t have space to list all the many books being re-released, I will from time to time mention short stories or novellas that have previously only been in anthologies. This one was in the Dealer’s Choice An Intergalactic Bar & Grille paperback, which was only available as swag at last year’s RT Booklover’s Convention. A  very limited edition! (I had a story in there too – look for mine to release in early May.)

Lives at risk. Time out of whack. Is it a test? Or a trap?

Special Forces Temporal Agent, Jane Jones finds the thrill of going where she’d never gone before giving way to wondering what is wrong on Nebula Nine Space station. Is the Agency testing her loyalty? Or has she jumped into a trap? As her doubts grow, so do her fears of destabilizing her own timeline and disappearing from existence. And who is Ryder Jaxon?

Ryder Jaxon doesn’t trust anyone. And he sure doesn’t trust things that only he can see. So when he starts seeing visions of the station blowing up, and he has to work with a woman he wants to trust, he wonders if he should take a long vacation.

It’s a trip into crazy for both of them and as they race to stop a madman intent on destroying the station. But when they realize how completely they have both been betrayed, look out. Join Jane and Ryder as they take back their future from those who think it is a game.

Amazon     iBooks

his virgin mateHIS VIRGIN MATE (INTERSTELLAR BRIDES: THE VIRGINS BOOK 1) by Grace Goodwin

VS Note: I one clicked this.

One look, one touch, and there is no denying the heat…
Twenty-one and single, Alexis Lopez hopes her lackluster response to men is a problem she’s eager to solve by volunteering for the Interstellar Brides Program. One look at the large, dominant alien who claims she belongs to him sets her body on fire. When he tells her, in explicit detail, how he’ll claim her in every way, she is eager to give her mate everything, body and soul.

Von of Everis is a ruthless and high ranking Hunter who’s spent years fighting in the Hive wars. But his bed, and his life, are empty until Alexis arrives. One look at his innocent little bride and he knows she belongs to him.

Simple, right? Nope. The match is challenged by one of the most feared warriors on the planet and stolen kisses and mind-numbing pleasure won’t save Von from a deadly duel. But Von is a Hunter, a warrior, a protector, and someone is trying to take what belongs to him. Only him. He will do whatever it takes to protect, save and claim his virgin mate.

Amazon     iBooks
unboundUNBOUND (BRIDES OF THE KINDRED #19) by Evangeline Anderson
VS Note: One clicked this too…my budget is sure taking a hit this week!
Slave to Love…
Varin is a Vision Kindred and an elite bodyguard, bound to Princess Brynnalla of Galen Prime. Though he can never have her, Varin is sworn to protect her with his life…but there are some things even he can’t protect her from. When Brynn’s parents sell her to a race of insectile beings called the Hive as a Breeding Queen, he must risk everything to get her back…even if it means losing his bond with her forever.
Amazon     iBooks

THE DRAGON GENE (WEREGENES BOOK 1)  by Amira Rain 

In a world where some humans are blessed with a special gene that allows them to the dragon geneshapeshift into different forms…Kylie Donovan has just discovered she is a carrier of “THE DRAGON GENE”.

As a result she is being forced by the government to mate with a male carrier of the dragon gene called Matthew in order to produce a special “super” baby that will have two sets of the gene.

However, some genes should never be combined and the results of this match up could be about to threaten the existence of the planet and dragon-kind as they know it…

Amazon

SINS OF THE SOUL (THE SINS SERIES BOOK 2)  by Eve Silver

Alastor Krayl’s world shattered when he learned that his father was the Underworld god of sins of the soulchaos and evil. All that saved him from self-destruction were his newfound brothers and the bond they shared as soul reapers. So when one of his brothers is murdered, vengeance becomes Alastor’s obsession. And the enigmatic Naphré Kurata, a witness—or is she the killer?—has the answers he seeks.

A reluctant Underworld enforcer, Naphré trusts no one, especially not a seductive soul reaper who makes her burn with lust. Torn between duty and desire, she fights to keep her secrets safe from Alastor, even as she longs to surrender.

Amazon      iBooks

THE STRUGGLE (A TITAN NOVEL BOOK 3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

the struggleA bloody path has been chosen…

The war against the Titans continues, and they remain determined to wreak havoc on the world, but Seth has become something all gods fear. Now the most dangerous, most absolute power no longer resides in those who have been freed from their tombs.

The Great War fought by the few is coming…

All may doubt and fear what Seth has become. All except the one woman who might be his final chance at redemption. Josie will do anything to prove that Seth is on their side, but fate has a nasty way of changing lives, of changing people.

Amazon      iBooks

EXILED (A RETURN OF THE ELVES NOVELLA) by Bethany Adams

A willing exile

exiledFor a hundred years, Delbin has lived on Earth, voluntarily cut off from his birth land, Moranaia. He’s learned to hide his elven nature and use his mind magic without getting noticed. Until he accidentally wields it on the Moranaian scout sent to check on him.

A hesitant ally

Though Inona has good reason to mistrust exiles, part of her job is to make sure they aren’t causing trouble. She sets out for Earth with one goal—get this annoying mission over with. But from the moment Delbin tries to use his power on her, she can tell he is different….

Amazon      iBooks

RISING FLAMES (SURVIVING ASHES BOOK 5) by  Kennedy Layne

VS Note: Yup, one clicked this too…dystopian/military/romance – how could I resist?

Van Overton had given years of service to his country. He’d paid his dues and he no longer rising flamesneeded to put his life on the line. He could live out the rest of his days doing what he did best—making money from inside the heart of the world’s fastest paced financial system.

Allie James had wished time and again for something—anything—to happen just so she didn’t have to open another eviction notice. She adored the hustle and bustle of the city, her cozy apartment in a good neighborhood, and the rugged looking man across the hall wasn’t half bad to look at either. Regrettably, she’d been thinking more along the lines of winning the lottery than an approaching apocalypse.

Van should have known his luck wouldn’t hold out, but a supervolcano eruption? It was a good thing his time in the military had taught him to be ready for just about anything. Unfortunately, his next-door neighbor didn’t fit into anyone’s idea of a survival plan. Allie was everything he tried to avoid in a woman, but she was definitely the one who had the ability to steal his heart.

Amazon     iBooks

THE COLLAPSING EMPIRE by John Scalzi

collapsing empireVS  Note: I haven’t read this as yet but I enjoy Scalzi (interviewed him for USA Today/HEA once, which was an amazing experience, a real master class in a nutshell, and fun!). He usually writes strong women characters, although he falls into the hard scifi category…I’ll be reading this one…

Our universe is ruled by physics. Faster than light travel is impossible—until the discovery of The Flow, an extradimensional field available at certain points in space-time, which can take us to other planets around other stars.

Riding The Flow, humanity spreads to innumerable other worlds. Earth is forgotten. A new empire arises, the Interdependency, based on the doctrine that no one human outpost can survive without the others. It’s a hedge against interstellar war—and, for the empire’s rulers, a system of control.

The Flow is eternal—but it’s not static. Just as a river changes course, The Flow changes as well. In rare cases, entire worlds have been cut off from the rest of humanity. When it’s discovered that the entire Flow is moving, possibly separating all human worlds from one another forever, three individuals—a scientist, a starship captain, and the emperox of the Interdependency—must race against time to discover what, if anything, can be salvaged from an interstellar empire on the brink of collapse.

Amazon     iBooks

new york 2140NEW YORK 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson

VS Note: This book is ‘hard’ scifi (not romance) and although I have not read it, the premise, the themes and the reviews sounded interesting. So it’s my final mention for today.

As the sea levels rose, every street became a canal. Every skyscraper an island. For the residents of one apartment building in Madison Square, however, New York in the year 2140 is far from a drowned city.
There is the market trader, who finds opportunities where others find trouble. There is the detective, whose work will never disappear — along with the lawyers, of course.
There is the internet star, beloved by millions for her airship adventures, and the building’s manager, quietly respected for his attention to detail. Then there are two boys who don’t live there, but have no other home– and who are more important to its future than anyone might imagine.
Lastly there are the coders, temporary residents on the roof, whose disappearance triggers a sequence of events that threatens the existence of all– and even the long-hidden foundations on which the city rests.
Amazon     iBooks

 

 

Mar 18 2017

You Will Die Weekend Writing Warriors

Warriors logo revisedHere’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the
participants sharing excerpts today…a fun way to sample new books and find new authors! (Also welcome to the Sunday Snippet visitors!)

I’ve switched to excerpts from my upcoming release, Danger in the Stars. This story is a companion piece to Star Cruise: Stowaway, my story in the PETS IN SPACE anthology, and is a completely standalone novel about the sister of Stowaway‘s heroine. The book is currently in copy edits. Continuing on from last week, where the heroine, Miriell, had a strong reaction to an unknown man’s voice (not Jareck). UPDATE to Clarify: Jareck is a VERY Bad Guy assigned by the Combine to ‘control’ Miriell. She knows him well and rightly hates him. Conor is the new person they’ve just met, the one with the wonderful voice and the description here. I realize it’s confusing getting the story in snippets 🙁 We’ll see what the editor says!

With painful effort, she straightened her spine and stepped away, brushing one hand down her plain gray tunic in a vain attempt to smooth out the wrinkles. “I can walk.”

“You don’t look like it.”

Their new companion was no one she’d ever met before, tall, broad shoulders, heavily muscled, with black hair and gray eyes that were almost silver. She was mesmerized by his eyes. Miriell wished she dared to engage her gifts, get a sense of this person, maybe figure out why he made her feel safe, when clearly she was anything but. Jareck stopped to pick up his kit bag, never releasing his hold on her.

“Conor’s right, we’ve got to be going. You’re ready to behave, right?”

Submissively she nodded, bottling up her anger and hatred. Someday I’ll get my chance and you will die.

dangerinthestarsfinalThe story:

Miriell, a powerful empathic priestess, has been kidnapped from her own primitive planet along with a number of her people, and sold to the evil Amarotu Combine, largest organized crime syndicate in the Sectors. When she and her handler are sent to use her power to commit an assassination, she must leave behind her own sister as hostage to ensure her compliance. Miriell cannot ask for aid without endangering herself and others.

Despite his best efforts, Combine enforcer Conor Stewart is entranced by Miriell, and helps her evade the worst of brutal treatment from the rest of the mob. But Conor must keep his distance, before the lovely empath learns that he has secrets of his own–secrets that could get them both killed.

The situation becomes dire when Conor and Miriell come to the attention of both the Combine overlords and the deadly Mawreg, aliens who threaten the Sectors. Can she save herself and the Mawreg’s next victims? And will Conor help her, or remain loyal to his evil bosses?

 

Mar 15 2017

New Releases in #SciFi and #Fantasy Romance for Wednesday March 15

dark thoughtsI have not read most of the new releases listed (although I always end up one-clicking a bunch as I prepare these posts LOL) and as always I recommend sampling before you buy!

It’s a mix of the genres in no particular order. Also the term “new” is generally plus or minus a week or two. I try to catch up on ones I missed in recent months.  

(NOTE: If the author provides me with buy links I insert those; otherwise I default to Amazon and iBooks. Pricing and availability are current as of the day I prepare the post – things can change fast in the ebook world LOL.)

Also, I usually include only the beginning of the book blurb…

DARK THOUGHTS (REFUGE BOOK 1) by Cynthia Sax

VS NOTE: I was lucky enough to read the ARC for this and was thoroughly fascinated by both Kralj and Dita, and their character growth in the book. Really enjoyed it!

Can love redeem a monster?

The Refuge is home to some of the most violent beings in the universe. Kralj, its leader, reigns over the remote outpost with terrifying ease, ruthlessly squashing any rumors of rebellion, killing anyone who breaks his rules. Primitive, deadly, powerful, he’s a monster, scarred both on his face and his soul. He has never met a being he couldn’t control.

Until he meets her.

Dita has one mission—to kill the three targets claiming sanctuary within the Refuge. Or so she claims. For the first time in his long lifespan, Kralj isn’t certain of another being’s intentions. The tiny assassin is immune to his powers, her thoughts unreadable. He can’t predict her movements, can’t control her, can’t stop wanting her.

Dita is rare, as unique as he is, and, to keep the residents of the Refuge safe, Kralj will have to kill her. But first, he’ll touch her, taste her, show her how passionate the beast inside him can be.

Amazon     iBooks

not in kansasNOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE (ARTECHT ALLIANCE BOOK 1) by C. E. Kilgore

Seeking an escape from her life back in Kansas, Dottie signs up on a whim to become a Federation space captain! – of a tiny, solo-crew cargo hauler. Alone in space and wishing for adventure, Dottie goes off course to an uncharted star system to answer a distress call. Sure, the call is in an alien language she’s never heard, and yes, she’s probably going to get fired on her first Federation mission, but… to adventure!

After being forced down to the planet by an alien probe in orbit, Dottie meets Croen, a handsome gray-skinned man with vivid purple eyes and an energy rifle pointed right at her. Learning they are in a shared predicament, they set off together in search of the probe’s origins, what happened to the aliens whose ancient ruins litter the jungle, and how to get back home.

Along the way, they’ll face challenges, meet unexpected friends and learn home is where your heart is.

Amazon     iBooks

heart of stoneHEART OF STONE (BAD THINGS BOOK 5) by Cynthia Eden

VS NOTE: This author was my gateway to paranormal romance, years ago, and the one whose stories made me realize my ancient Egyptian crocodile god character was a shifter, which started me on my road to becoming published with Priestess of the Nile…so I have a real fond spot for her. When I finally met her, she’s also a very delightful person in real life. Plus I can’t ever resist a gargoyle hero! One clicked this.

She was created to tempt…and enchant.

Sabrina Lark is a muse who has the ability to inspire any man…to do absolutely anything. Unfortunately for Sabrina, the latest human to fall under her spell has turned out to have one very dark side. Now he’s obsessed with her, and she’s realized—too late—that she just inspired a serial killer. She truly has the worst luck in the world.

Desperate, Sabrina makes a deal with the devil in order to get some serious paranormal protection. Her protection comes in the oh-so-sexy form of Adam Cross, a man who is able to resist her magic…because Adam really is made of stone.

He’s a real beast on the outside…

Cursed centuries before, Adam is a gargoyle. Fierce, strong, and absolutely unstoppable, he is the guard who is placed at Sabrina’s side. He’s supposed to protect her from every danger…he is not supposed to find himself falling under the seductive Sabrina’s spell. But even a man with a heart of stone can find himself pushed too far…

Sabrina thinks she may have found the perfect lover, but Adam’s past is about to come back and bite them both…and he may not be the man she can trust, after all. If she can’t find a way to touch the man inside the beast, if she can’t make his stone heart burn for her, then they’ll be lost.

Amazon     iBooks

chasing shadowsCHASING SHADOWS (THE UNDERGROUND SERIES BOOK 4) BY Erin Bedford

Sometimes death is just the beginning.

Just when Kat thought it was over, a cryptic message from the beyond has her right back in the thick of things.

A little blood and a few words, it was supposed to be a fix all and it shouldn’t have ended this way. Kat’s new position as moderator will have to wait, the Shadow Realm was calling and it was time to end it for once and for all.

A final showdown will have everyone putting their cards on the table and not even the Reaper can stop Kat now.

Amazon

AMBASSADOR 6 (THE ENEMY WITHIN) by Patty Jansen

ambassadorVS NOTE: I don’t see that there’s a romantic element but I have to say the mystery sounds cool. I do enjoy a good scifi mystery!

Two men went on a surfing trip in a remote area. Only one came back, accused of murdering the other.
Sounds simple, right?
Not quite, because the alleged murder happened on another planet, the accused is a member of the secretive Pretoria Cartel of super-rich business tycoons–with illegal off-Earth ventures–and the only person who can remotely be called a witness is an alien, the elder Abri from the Pengali Thousand Islands tribe.
Diplomat Cory Wilson is asked to accompany Abri to the Nations of Earth court, but when he and his team arrive there, their contacts have been moved to different cases, their rooms are bugged and their movements restricted. No one is answering their questions, but it is when a lawyer is murdered and Cory’s team captures a mysterious stalker that things get interesting.
Just as well they are prepared in the usual way: alert and highly armed.

Amazon     iBooks

defianceDEFIANCE (EARTH EVOLUTION SERIES BOOK 5) by K. D. Jones

VS NOTE: From February

Commander Devlon Estro has the survival of an entire race of people depending on him—and his own people’s protection on top of that. His superiors are pressuring him to quickly get the people of Earth set up to take care of themselves, so that he can return to Drasta. The problem is that the Earth’s people are fighting his every effort, and now there are threats to his people to consider. One Earthling has been a constant thorn in his side; a frustrating, but very sexy and beautiful thorn.

Heather Bates has struggled her whole life to be taken seriously. First as a wife on Earth, wanting to work against her husband’s wishes, and then in a workforce that favored men. That struggle continues even now: someone wants to take her position as a tribe leader and they are willing to kill to make that happen. Her concentration should be on her people and protecting her status, but thoughts of a sexy alien commander plague her.

Amazon      iBooks

djinn falls in loveTHE DJINN FALLS IN LOVE (AND OTHER STORIES) by Neil Gaiman and Various

VS NOTE: Collection of short stories, no idea how much actual romance there might be but who can resist that title?

Imagine a world filled with fierce, fiery beings, hiding in our shadows, in our dreams, under our skins. Eavesdropping and exploring; savaging our bodies, saving our souls. They are monsters, saviours, victims, childhood friends. Some have called them genies: these are the Djinn.
And they are everywhere. On street corners, behind the wheel of a taxi, in the chorus, between the pages of books. Every language has a word for them. Every culture knows their traditions. Every religion, every history has them hiding in their dark places.
There is no part of the world that does not know them. They are the Djinn. They are among us.
With stories from Neil Gaiman, Nnedi Okorafor, Amal El-Mohtar, Catherine Faris King, Claire North, E.J. Swift, Hermes (trans. Robin Moger), Jamal Majoub, James Smythe, J.Y. Yang, Kamila Shamsie, Kirsty Logan, K.J. Parker, Kuzhali Manickavel, Maria Dahvana Headley, Monica Byrne, Nada Adel Sobhi, Saad Hossein, Sami Shah, Sophia Al-Maria and Usman Malik.

Amazon     iBooks

DEMON RAGE: THE CAINE BROTHERS by Christine Ashworth

demon rageJustin Caine was a chill kind of guy. A healer. A peacekeeper.

Was.

Until Kendall Sorbis cooked up a massacre on the winter solstice and woke the demon sleeping in Justin’s blood. Maybe when Sorbis is dead, Justin can get his soul and his girl back. Maybe, if Magdalena ever pulls her head out of her ass.

Maggie has her own issues. Such as stumbling over dead demons, and not wanting to see Justin mated to some other woman. She just needs a little peace to sort things out.

But the demon pulling Sorbis’s strings has other plans. It’s past time for him to return to the human Plane. He has an ancient score to settle…one that reaches back in time to Spain, and Maggie’s ancestors.

Amazon

CONQUERED (THE HIDDEN PLANET) by Sophie Stern

conqueredVS NOTE: Intriguing description. Book was brought to my attention by Meredith Gurr of the Scifi Romance Group on FB.

Fiona doesn’t know true fear until she is whisked away from her loving family and doting boyfriend. When she finds herself on an alien ship with only a giant beast for company, her fear turns to anger when she realizes her loved ones have betrayed her.

Quinn doesn’t know what to do with the squirrely little human aboard his ship. Yeah, he bought her, but only to save her from a worse fate. She has no idea what could have happened to her if he hadn’t found her. She has no idea what could have happened on Dreagle.

But now she’s on his ship and somehow, she’s wormed her way into his heart.

Can he ever let her go?

Amazon

fortunaFORTUNA (THE APPRENTICE VOLUME 4 THE TWELVE SYSTEMS CHRONICLES) by E. G. Manetti

For a year and a half, Lilian has endured the hostility, spite, and deadly violence of those who despise her for her father’s crimes. If not for the protection of the powerful warrior Lucius Mercio, Lilian might not have survived. Without Lilian’s courage and brilliance, Lucius might have lost the Serengeti Cartel to a vicious traitor. Instead, Lucius has total control of his Cartel, and few within Serengeti will risk his wrath to torment his apprentice.
Determined to advance his ambitions and reward Lilian for her role in his success, Lucius prepares for the voyage to Fortuna in the Fourth System. There, they will oversee the next phase of the first interstellar space exploration in two centuries. Lilian’s anticipation soon turns to dread as dark dreams haunt her nights, increasing in frequency and force as they journey to Fortuna. On a distant world, cut off from her few friends, Lilian will face dangerous intrigues as her nightmares take form.

Amazon     iBooks

synapse continuumSYNAPSE CONTINUUM (ALPHA CORE TRILOGY BOOK 3)  by Vikki Romano

VS NOTE: Discovered on the From the Whiskey With My Book Blog; a February release

In the thrilling conclusion to the Alpha Core Trilogy, Calder McKenna and Sierra Mason are forced to face the demons that plague them and brought their team to its knees. As GenMed closes in, finding them at every turn, pushing them to run from the places and people they love, they realize once and for all that they must stand and fight or see their lives and those around them forfeit.

How far can a person be pushed before instinct overpowers the one thing that drives them to kill? How long can a person hide before fear is eradicated by sheer will?

For Calder and Sierra, the answer lies within the key and the key lies within them. All they need do now is find it.

Amazon

dragon claims his treasureTHE DRAGON CLAIMS HIS TREASURE (STAR CROSSED DATING AGENCY BOOK 2) by Georgette St. Clair

Everyone is always pushing “too nice for her own good” Rosamund around, but that’s it, no more, she’s had it. Unfortunately, when she finally decides to find her mojo, it’s sexy, terrifying Kodran Sky-Reign that she mouths off to.
The leader of the clan of alien dragon shifters promptly takes her sass as a marriage proposal. Next thing she knows, Rosamund is being whisked away to Kodran’s home planet, with a fleet of wolf shifters in hot pursuit – and a teenaged robot stowaway hiding a secret. Kodran claims Rosamund is his “heart’s fire”, and he’ll never let her go – but Rosamund’s closest friends want her home yesterday, and they won’t tell her why.
Plus, you’re supposed to end up happily ever after with the good guy. Yet the deeper Kodran and Rosamund get immersed in the cyborg war, the more her hot-in-bed, hot out-of-bed, hot every-damn-where dragon lover seems to be one of the scary bad guys…

Amazon

anarchy missingANARCHY MISSING: ALPHA CASE (A SUPERVILLAIN ROMANCE ANARCHY SERIES BOOK 2) by   J A Huss

Everyone wants justice.
That’s what Assistant DA, Lulu Lightly, tells me. “Cathedral City needs you to set things right,” she says. “To rid this place of corruption, once and for all.”
I’d like to rid Lulu Lightly of her clothes. And maybe her moral superiority. But mostly her clothes.
“I want you to fight the good fight with me,” she says.
Hell, yeah. I’m always up for a fight.
“We should stand up and be the voice of the people,” she says.
Sure, I hear voices. Sometimes I even listen to them.
“Figure out what’s good for the City and put it first,” she says.
Oh, honey… what’s good for the City is bad for the people. Trust me, I know. I’m Case Reider—insane Alpha, nefarious inventor, and I understand this town better than anyone.
Cathedral City needs me all right. Just not the way you think.
I’m not the justice you’re looking for, Lulu Lightly.
I’m still the same villain you left behind.
Only now… there’s something very, very wrong with me.

Amazon

matchmaker abductionMATCHMAKER ABDUCTION: ALIENS IN KILTS, ABDUCTION 1 by Donna McDonald

True love is said to defy time, but can it survive space, aliens, and being abducted? Angus MacNamara and Erin O’Shea are about to find out.

The big blue planet that most call  Earth desperately needs matchmakers. There is only one small—okay, BIG—problem. No one wants the alien dating service job… No one. The original matchmakers are dead, and much worse, their DNA is no longer viable for cloning.

Solution? Go back in time to some of Earth’s other—thankfully slower spinning—versions, and retrieve the alternates of the one couple in any universe who seems able to do the job.

Far easier said than done though, especially when the alternates are anything but a loving couple, and both are none too pleased to be thrown into the future.

What does oil and water create? Salad dressing or a real mess of aliens, humans, and matchmaking fun!

Amazon

fighter bearFIGHTER BEAR (ENFORCER BEARS BOOK 4)  by Zoe Chant

When curvy Lily Carmichael wins the lottery, it seems that all of her dreams have come true. It’s just enough money to buy the little farm her uncle left behind. But when she arrives, she finds out that the farm was just sold to a stranger – who turns out to be a gorgeous, charismatic man who leaves Lily breathless from the first moment their eyes meet.

Bear shifter Logan Anders hides from the pain of his past, fearing that he can never regain the trust of the family he tried to protect all his life. Tired of pain and conflict, he’s decided to settle down on a small farm, trying to befriend the skeptical animals who can sense the bear in him. When he recognizes his mate in Lily, it seems as if fate might have shown him a way to find redemption – but can a born fighter like Logan settle down and prove himself worthy of a woman like Lily?

Just when two lonely souls start to teach each other to trust again, and Logan begins to believe that he has a right to a family and happiness, an intruder disturbs the peacefulness of the quiet farm. Can Logan and Lily defend their home and the animals against a mysterious attacker? And can Lily’s love heal Logan’s wounded heart and teach him that it is never too late to return to those who love you?

Amazon

bound by waterZODIAC SHIFTERS: BOUND BY WATER by Monica La Porta

The only merman shifter alive, Atreides is a famous painter, rich, and sophisticated. In his spare time, he helps the police recover stolen art.
A mere human—although exceedingly strong-willed—Ariel is an accomplished art thief who has sworn never to steal again. Until she’s forced to repay her father’s substantial debts, and the only way out is robbing an Etruscan artifact.
One night, they meet. He isn’t looking for a soulmate, and she doesn’t have time for a relationship. Yet, it only takes one passionate kiss under the full moon to intertwine their fates. Unfortunately, there’s a werewolf biker gang on their heels, and they won’t leave Atreides and Ariel alone.
Will love triumph over a bunch of enraged shifters?

Amazon      iBooks

beauty of the beastBEAUTY OF THE BEAST (FAIRY TALE RETELLINGS) by Rachel L. Demeter

Reclusive and severely scarred Prince Adam Delacroix has remained hidden inside a secluded, decrepit castle ever since he witnessed his family’s brutal massacre. Cloaked in shadow, with only the lamentations of past ghosts for company, he has abandoned all hope, allowing the world to believe he died on that tragic eve twenty-five years ago.

Caught in a fierce snowstorm, beautiful and strong-willed Isabelle Rose seeks shelter at a castle—unaware that its beastly and disfigured master is much more than he appears to be. When he imprisons her gravely ill and blind father, she bravely offers herself in his place.

Stripped of his emotional defenses, Adam’s humanity reawakens as he encounters a kindred soul in Isabelle. Together they will wade through darkness and discover beauty and passion in the most unlikely of places. But when a monster from Isabelle’s former life threatens their new love, Demrov’s forgotten prince must emerge from his shadows and face the world once more.

Amazon     iBooks

beast anthologyBEAST: AN ANTHOLOGY by Various

Eight stories inspired by the classic fairytale, Beauty and the Beast. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Wildlife Conservation Network.

Amazon

TAMING THE BEAST: 11 PARANORMAL ROMANCES by taming the beastVarious

Eleven Paranormal Tales of Werewolves, Werebears, Shapeshifters, Magic, Witches, and More.

Amazon     iBooks

WAYWARD MAGIC: A PARANORMAL ROMANCE BOX SET by Various

Sometimes magic goes as planned. Sometimes, you get Wayward Magic.

wayward magic

Amazon

MAGIC AWAKENED: A PARANORMAL ROMANCE BOXED SET by Various

Enjoy eleven stunningly romantic supernatural tales in one divine boxed set. Fantastic beasts, shifters, and unearthly creatures face all too human conflicts and heartbreak, but always with a promise of a happily-ever-after ending.magic awakened

With mates and magic, each story brings to life a unique world where anything is possible, including finding true and everlasting love, no matter who…or what you are. ”

Amazon

rose markTHE ROSE MARK (BLACK ROSE SORCERESS BOOK 1) by Connie Suttle

VS NOTE: I didn’t see any mention of romance in the blurb or the reviews but the premise is intriguing…

We belong to the King–those of us with the black roses tattooed on our left wrist, directly over our pulse. As if every beat of our hearts reminds us that we are not our own.

All the women with the fire burning within them are culled, tattooed and taken to the warriors, to provide more energy. Energy that the warriors will then use to defeat the barbarians from the ocean of sand. Women with black roses on their wrists are emptied of their power by those warriors, who care not that they die a shrunken husk.

In the King’s library, The Book of the Rose says to honor the tattooed women. More than anything, I want to spit on its pages.

As for running–there is one thing worse than having a black rose on your wrist. That is for the enemy to find you and see the black rose on your wrist. Your death will be slow and excruciating at their hands.

Amazon

VS: And since this is my blog, I’d like to mention I have two scifi romance books currently on sale for $.99 – LADY OF THE STAR WIND (“Luckless lovers or legend reborn?”) and TRAPPED ON TALONQUE (which is in part a take on Sleeping Beauty but with an alien heroine).

Lady of the Star WindFinal-FJM_High_Res_1800x2700An EPIC eBOOK Award Finalist!

Buy Links:  iBooks     Amazon    KOBO     Barnes & Noble

 

 

 

 

 

Trapped on TalonqueBuy Links for Trapped on Talonque: Apple iBooks     Amazon    Kobo    Barnes & Noble

 

Mar 11 2017

Do I Have To Carry You Weekend Writing Warriors

Warriors logo revisedHere’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the
participants sharing excerpts today…a fun way to sample new books and find new authors! (Also welcome to the Sunday Snippet visitors!)

I’ve switched to excerpts from my upcoming release, Danger in the Stars. This story is a companion piece to Star Cruise: Stowaway, my story in the PETS IN SPACE anthology, and is a completely standalone novel about the sister of Stowaway‘s heroine. Continuing on from last week, where the heroine, Miriell, had a strong reaction to an unknown man’s voice (not Jareck).

(Oh, and there’s some award news and a book on sale at the end!)

Intrigued by her own reaction, she forced herself to sit up, bracing herself against the cargo container that had been her prison. Blinking to focus, she turned her head, searching for the owner of the new voice.

Jareck grabbed her elbow in a bruising grip and yanked her to her feet. He must have removed the shackles while she was still unconscious. Giving her a shake, he said, “I swear, every time we travel for a job, you act as if your sweet time asleep in the cryo unit was torture.”

Maybe because for me it is. Swaying, balance still off, she couldn’t resist Jareck as he tugged her close to him, the smell of his cheap cologne another assault on her overloaded senses. Her stomach heaved and she had to make a conscious effort not to throw up all over him, slapping her free hand over her mouth.

“Do I have to carry you?” His voice was low and she knew it was a threat. 

dangerinthestarsfinalThe story:

Miriell, a powerful empathic priestess, has been kidnapped from her own primitive planet along with a number of her people, and sold to the evil Amarotu Combine, largest organized crime syndicate in the Sectors. When she and her handler are sent to use her power to commit an assassination, she must leave behind her own sister as hostage to ensure her compliance. Miriell cannot ask for aid without endangering herself and others.

Despite his best efforts, Combine enforcer Conor Stewart is entranced by Miriell, and helps her evade the worst of brutal treatment from the rest of the mob. But Conor must keep his distance, before the lovely empath learns that he has secrets of his own–secrets that could get them both killed.

The situation becomes dire when Conor and Miriell come to the attention of both the Combine overlords and the deadly Mawreg, aliens who threaten the Sectors. Can she save herself and the Mawreg’s next victims? And will Conor help her, or remain loyal to his evil bosses?

At the copy editor, coming in late March/early April.

In other news, my Lady of the Star Wind was selected as an EPIC eBook Award Finalist last week! WHEE! I’ve put the book on sale for $.99 in honor of the honor…

Lady of the Star WindFinal-FJM_High_Res_1800x2700The story:

Are they merely luckless lovers … or a legend come back to life?

Mark Denaltieri, ex-Sector Special Forces, has been hired by the Outlier Empress to rescue her granddaughter, Princess Alessandra, from kidnappers. Since the Empress once had him tortured and banished, she’s the last person Mark wants to work for. But he takes the job. He’ll save Alessandra, his first love, and discover why she didn’t speak for him when he desperately needed her. Then he’ll be on his way, finally free of his past.

Alessandra would rather her rescuer was anyone but Mark–after all, he let her believe he was dead all this time. But when the couple are forced to flee her captors by Traveling via a strange crystal globe, they find themselves in a lovely Oasis on a desert planet, the old attraction sizzling between them again.

They soon discover they are far from alone. The Oasis holds the entrance to another world, one in which the inhabitants are convinced Sandy and Mark are the Lady of the Star Wind and her Warrior, come to free them from an evil Queen.

Mark and Sandy must work together to unearth an ancient mirror, and crown the true king of this land.  Can they fulfill the prophecy of the Lady and her Warrior … and this time, will their love survive the test?

Buy Links:  iBooks     Amazon    KOBO     Barnes & Noble

 

Mar 8 2017

New Releases in #SciFi and #Fantasy Romance for Wednesday March 8

etched_in_bone_anne_bishopI have not read most of the new releases listed (although I always end up one-clicking a bunch as I prepare these posts LOL) and as always I recommend sampling before you buy!

It’s a mix of the genres in no particular order. Also the term “new” is generally plus or minus a week or two. I try to catch up on ones I missed in recent months.  

(NOTE: If the author provides me with buy links I insert those; otherwise I default to Amazon and iBooks. Pricing and availability are current as of the day I prepare the post – things can change fast in the ebook world LOL.)

Also, I usually include only the beginning of the book blurb…

ETCHED IN BONE (A NOVEL OF THE OTHERS) by Anne Bishop

VS NOTE: I LOVE this series and have reread it a number of times. I also interviewed Anne for USA Today/HEA.

After a human uprising was brutally put down by the Elders—a primitive and lethal form of the Others—the few cities left under human control are far-flung. And the people within them now know to fear the no-man’s-land beyond their borders—and the darkness…

As some communities struggle to rebuild, Lakeside Courtyard has emerged relatively unscathed, though Simon Wolfgard, its wolf shifter leader, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn must work with the human pack to maintain the fragile peace. But all their efforts are threatened when Lieutenant Montgomery’s shady brother arrives, looking for a free ride and easy pickings.

With the humans on guard against one of their own, tensions rise, drawing the attention of the Elders, who are curious about the effect such an insignificant predator can have on a pack. But Meg knows the dangers, for she has seen in the cards how it will all end—with her standing beside a grave…

Amazon     iBooks

silence fallenSILENCE FALLEN (A MERCY THOMPSON NOVEL) by Patricia Briggs

VS NOTE: I also love this series and the new book was good but not my favorite. I prefer the books where Mercy and Adam are together, not separated on different continents. Still, there is some fun Bran involvement. 

Attacked and abducted in her home territory, Mercy finds herself in the clutches of the most powerful vampire in the world, taken as a weapon to use against alpha werewolf Adam and the ruler of the Tri-Cities vampires. In coyote form, Mercy escapes—only to find herself without money, without clothing, and alone in the heart of Europe…

Unable to contact Adam and the rest of the pack, Mercy has allies to find and enemies to fight, and she needs to figure out which is which. Ancient powers stir, and Mercy must be her agile best to avoid causing a war between vampires and werewolves, and between werewolves and werewolves. And in the heart of the ancient city of Prague, old ghosts rise…

Amazon      iBooks

ashwinASHWIN (GIDEON’S RIDERS BOOK 1) by Kit Rocha

Lieutenant Ashwin Malhotra is a Makhai soldier—genetically engineered to be cold, ruthless. Unfeeling. His commanding officers consider him the perfect operative, and they’re right. Now, he has a simple mission: to infiltrate Gideon’s Riders, the infamous sect of holy warriors that protects the people of Sector One.

He’s never failed to execute an objective, but there’s one thing he didn’t anticipate—running into Dr. Kora Bellamy, the only woman to ever break through his icy exterior.

When Kora fled her life as a military doctor for the Makhai Project, all she wanted was peace—a quiet life where she could heal the sick and injured. The royal Rios family welcomed her like a sister, but she could never forget Ashwin. His sudden reappearance is a second chance—if she can manage to touch his heart.

When the simmering tension between them finally ignites, Kora doesn’t realize she’s playing with fire. Because she’s not just falling in love with a man who may not be able to love her back. Ashwin has too many secrets—and one of them could destroy her.

Amazon     ibooks

mind the messageMIND: THE MESSAGE by Jenn Nixon

After years of trying to fit in, Casey Wu made her own path, her own way, working as a private security consultant in New York City. When Casey’s apartment is broken into and she and her mother become targets of powered individuals with ties to her long-missing father, reality is turned upside down as she’s pulled into an exciting and treacherous world she’s more connected to than she realizes.
Former General Theo Struck left the military behind to shore up the strength of the MIND team, worried about the significant emergence of psychic and visitor abilities on Earth…

Amazon

BARBARIAN’S LADY (ICE PLANET BARBARIANS BOOK 14) By Ruby Dixon

barbarians ladyYou’d think a tall woman would fit in on a planet of seven-foot-tall aliens, but even on the ice planet, I’m still a weirdo and an oddity. I’m everything all the other cute, dainty human women aren’t.

One guy in particular – the alien Harrec – is determined to embarrass me by pretending he’s interested. He’s a jokester that flirts like mad and hits on me constantly just to make me feel foolish. He gets under my skin. He makes me so frustrated I want to scream.

When a side-trip to a glacier turns into a nightmare and the two of us are forced to survive alone, I see another side to the enticing blue alien. Even with no one else around, his compliments keep coming and I start wondering if the attraction between us…is real.

Amazon

BRUKR (DRAGONS OF PREOR BOOK 8)  by Celia Kyle as Erin Tate

brukrHe’s willing to lose his honor to claim her, but first he must save her.

The Preor emperor bestowed honors on warrior Brukr sen Zak’lu centuries ago—honors he does not deserve. Since then, he has fought to prove himself worthy of the emperor’s support. He works to protect and care for the females within Preor Tower no matter how difficult they make his task. One female constantly disregards orders and makes his duty nearly impossible. Hannah—with her flowing hair, teasing smiles, and generous curves—torments him with what he cannot have. He aches for her like no other, his dragon rages when he leaves her side, but without the Knowing stretching between them he cannot claim her. Or can he?

Genetic modifications have changed Hannah’s appearance, but they can’t change her past…

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ZIVAN (GALACTIC MATES) by Luna Hunter

zivanMia Frost prides herself on her work ethic. There’s not a single detective in the entire New Atlanta Police Department who works harder than the curvy redhead. Ever since her little sister disappeared without a trace, she’s poured every waking minute into her job.

When a young girl with a striking resemblance to her lost sister disappears on an alien space station, Mia is called upon to bring her back home. She’ll do anything to save this girl’s life. Even if it means working alongside the most arrogant, cockiest Zoran she has ever met.

Zivan is an imposingly tall, broad-shouldered Zoran warrior who upholds the law on the Observer. The growly alien is instantly attracted to the human detective, but to his bewilderment she resists his every advance. This doesn’t deter the muscular cop in the slightest — he’ll do anything to make Mia his.

When they find a lead on the missing girl, they soon realize that this goes way deeper than they could have guessed. When they’re forced to run for their lives, they only have each other to rely on…

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MATED TO THE CYBORG GENERAL (CELESTIAL MATES) by Kit Tunstall writing as Aurelia Sky

mated to the cyborg generalOne moment, completely human and modern-day Carrie Morgan is crocheting in her living room. The next second, a peach alien claiming to be a Celestial Mates agent transports her and her dog four hundred years into the future. He leaves her there to be discovered by her supposed fated mate—a blue-skinned cyborg general.

The sly agent failed to mention a few things, like the fact humans and cyborgs are at war with each other! She’s certain Freydon Rote is crazy, but as she gets to know the cyborg general, she realizes maybe there’s something to the claim that DVS84 is meant to be her mate. Passionate nights further convince her that perhaps she’s in the right place at the right time to find her happy ending—if she survives all the challenges of her new environment.

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FIRE PLANET WARRIOR’S PASSION (FIRE PLANET WARRIORS BOOK 2) by Calista Skye

fire planet warriors passionBeing carried caveman-style by a huge warrior is probably not the most dignified way to arrive as Earth ambassador to the secretive Ytter tribe on the planet Acerex.
But Lily Jones doesn’t mind it too much, because the warrior carrying her through the snow and ice is easiest the hottest man she’s ever laid eyes on: dark, muscular, mysterious and with a fiery passion in his green eyes. She knows his name is Ravex’ton, she knows he’s a Fire Planet warrior and she knows he has no reason to love aliens like her.
Even so, he has saved her life several times already, and she can’t help but notice that he seems just as taken with her as she is with him.
But before she can explore his outrageous alien body and check if she might be his Fated Mate, they have to survive attacks by bloodthirsty predators. And then they have to handle the terrible Freeze that will probably kill at least one of them.
But that’s nothing against the deadly traitor who is desperate to tear them apart…

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when ash remainsWHEN ASH REMAINS by Dena Garson

There isn’t a buffalo or deer that Kajika cannot take down. So when his cousin is slaughtered he relishes the chance to track down the killer. The trail leads him to a woman with gifts he has trouble believing in. Despite their differences he cannot fight his instinct to protect her from all threats – even those he cannot see. That drive even rivals his desire to explore every inch of her body.

A woman with a destiny
Knowing the spirits will protect her, Ahyoka allows the handsome warrior to take her to be questioned by his chief about the unexplained deaths in their village….

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BLOOD PHASE BOOK 2 OF THE G.O.D.S. SERIES by Kirsten Campbell

blood phaseNovember 12, 2052: Earth has lost two-thirds of its population to the Great War. Many more lives have been lost to earthquakes, the Clover Virus, and the Death Plague. Years later, survivors are clumped into factions. Two of those factions—the Brotherhood and the Guild Faction—have battled over medical supplies and food for years. The fight is coming to a head as manpower dwindles and the struggle becomes one to gain numbers, even if said numbers are children…

Griffin Storm, an albino man kidnapped and dragged into the Brotherhood, has transformed into a G.O.D., a Genetically enhanced Omni-dimensional being. Two weeks in the brig, and Griffin’s released after it’s determined that he’s learned to control most of his god-like abilities. His abilities have grown almost as much as his love for Tassta Vinetti and his unfortunate blood lust. His bond with Tassta’s twin brother, Penn, has grown as well and is cemented in secrets.

Soon after his release, Griffin’s told that Guild agents and the notorious Trips (super-agents of the Guild) are in the Underground. He must now test his abilities to save the abandoned children that live there. Will Griffin rescue the children of the Underground from a tragic end? Will Tassta and Griffin’s love survive such turmoil? Can a G.O.D. forgive himself when death and destruction follow his every move?

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a star called homeA STAR CALLED HOME by Marina Landry

Jul Kisling’s heart aches for the homeless children living beyond her office window. Her father, Chancellor of the Third Quadrant of Akila, refuses to use his power to help them. Frightened but determined, Jul secretly searches for transportation to bring some of the children to a newly-colonized planet.

Marc Prejean is an out-of-work, out-of-money Earth starpilot living on the land of his Cajun ancestors. Wrongfully convicted of smuggling and recently released from forcedsleep, he reluctantly agrees to Jul’s proposition. His desperate situation, the betrayal of his wife and brother, the loss of his starpilot license, and his stolen six years have left Marc angry and withdrawn.

Marc and Jul begin a journey of agonizing mistrust, smoldering sexual desire, and the shared goal of safeguarding the twelve children. Pursued by ruthless adversaries on both sides of the law, they soon realize they are delivering the children into even greater danger.

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god of mischiefGOD OF MISCHIEF (FATE’S WARRIORS BOOK 1) by J. C. Diem

Locked in a never-ending battle for supremacy, the balance between good and evil is approaching a climax that will determine the destiny of every living being. Advocate for Order, Fate has chosen three warriors to face the agent of Chaos; Loki. Torn from their worlds, Natalie, Lexi and Violet will embark on a multi- dimensional mission. Their task is far more than just to save their own version of Earth. This time, the stakes are much higher….

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SOULJACKER A LILY BOUND NOVEL by Yasmine Galenorn

Lily O’Connell, a succubus, owns Lily Bound, an elite sex salon in the Blood Night Districtsouljacker of Seattle. When a client is murdered in her house, a patch of skin missing from his chest, she knows there’s something evil afoot. Then comes the news that the Souljacker—a tattoo-artist-turned-vampire—has escaped from an institution for criminally deranged Supernaturals. And he’s hunting and killing everyone he has ever inked.

With one of the Souljacker’s tattoos on her thigh and nowhere else to turn, Lily hires Archer Desmond, a chaos demon and PI, to help her track down the vampire before he finds her and her friends. But Lily didn’t plan to fall for Archer. And as the old tales say—a succubus who falls in love will destroy the heart of the one she seeks to claim.

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DISENCHANTED NOT YOUR TYPICAL FAIRY TALE ROMANCE by Susan Carroll

disenchantedAt the tender age of seventeen, Ella Upton lost her innocence to a traveling minstrel, a youth with flaxen hair and a golden voice whose deep blue eyes concealed his true intentions—until it was too late. Seven years later, Ella’s stepsisters chatter about winning the affections of the dreamy Prince Florian at the royal ball, but Ella has no such illusions. Instead, her dashing best friend, Malcolm Hawkridge, persuades her with his reckless charm and wicked smile to use the occasion to steal back a magic orb from the corrupt king.

But before the clock strikes midnight, Ella finds herself pursued by more than one prince—not to mention Commander Horatio Crushington, who captures her with his piercing gaze from across the crowded ballroom. Dancing through the sudden swirl of suitors, Ella feels her cheeks burning—and not solely because of the orb hidden in her gown. Has the strapping Horatio awakened long-dormant desires or is Ella finally coming to grips with her feelings for Malcolm? Only the girl who thought she’d given up on love can decide.

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ZODIAC SHIFTERS: KISSED BY FIRE (MAIDENS BOOK 2) by Michelle Fox

kissed by fireSometimes when you break a curse, you open old wounds.

Caught up in the supernatural slave trade, mermaid Mila needs saving, not promises of undying love from a cursed dragon. But allies are scarce, making the cursed dragons of Scotland her only hope.

When Niall MacTeine boarded the slaver boat with his dragon brothers, he knew they were going to save people, he just never expected to be rescued himself. Thrown overboard, Mila gives him the ‘kiss of the sea’ and that’s when he knows, she’s the key to his freedom.

But breaking the curse that locks him in his human form requires trust and an open heart. Neither of which Mila gives lightly. Niall will have to prove he’s worth the risk in order to claim his fated maiden.

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HOW TO TAME A BEAST IN SEVEN DAYS by Kerrelyn Sparks

how to tame a beast in seven daysAs one of the Embraced—one born with magical powers—the beautiful, innocent Luciana escaped certain death after her father hid her away on the Isle of Moon. Now, nineteen years later, her father has returned with a frightening request. He will be executed unless Luciana returns to the mainland and marries a man feared throughout the land: a terrifying brute known as the Beast.

Luciana accepts her fate and agrees to wed the Beast—Lord Leo—in order to save her father. Soon she learns that her betrothed is also one of the Embraced. With the ability to wield lightning, Leo’s immense power strikes fear into the hearts of men. . .and his mere touch can put an end to a woman’s life. But Luciana cannot deny the passion that burns between them. How can she resist the man who scorches her soul and makes her feel intoxicated with desire—even if surrendering to him could destroy them both?

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EXILE (A SOCIETY NOVEL) by Mason Sabre

exile mason sabreEveryone knows that being exiled is as good as a death sentence. Even worse when you are the son of the Alpha …
Former ruler of his own domain and warrior for his father’s pack, Stephen Davies is one of the fiercest tiger shifters the Other world has ever known. A legend in his own right, he has earned both the respect of his own kind, and the fear of the Humans.
In Exile, however, all is different …

Stephen has barely arrived in this God forsaken place when the bus he is on is stopped and attacked by a creature he has never seen before. She’s there to rescue him, but her actions cast Stephen into an unravelling new world. Not only does he find himself in unexpected places with the strangest people, but his tiger seems to think he has found the one true thing he has been looking for …

A mate.

The only problem is that someone is hunting Stephen, and they don’t care who they hurt to get to him.

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the cravingTHE CRAVING by Z. Allora

VS NOTE: From February

The craving is an undeniable urge that drives K’Dane citizens to find their life mates—if only to sate their uncontrollable physical longings.

Thrilled at being named a Chosen, Phoenix Dotir leaves K’Dane to become an artist-monk who will create dimensional art capable of changing worlds. Living by the monastery’s Principles of Purity will surely help him overcome the craving. But he never accounted for star chaser Zadra Solav.

Zadra doesn’t believe in rules and makes his own future….

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IN DEATH’S SHADOW (RIFTS SERIES BOOK 3) by Siobhan Muir

in death's shadowAfter three hundred years, Princess Maia is done with dryads.

Imprisoned by the wood folk for a crime she didn’t commit, Princess Maiasora Silvercloak wants her life back. If she finds the Key to the Twelve Realms and returns it to the dryads by the summer solstice, she’s free. Too bad she has no clue where to look. And the dryads’ solution might kill her.

Master Assassin Quinn Talen wants safe passage across the dryads’ forest after his last contract put him in the crossfire. The dryads offer him a deal: Escort a princess on her quest to find a magical artifact and he’ll be released. One catch: she’s the daughter of the king who killed his brother.

Spell-bound together, they must scour the world for the pieces of this artifact without getting killed or killing each other. Falling in love isn’t part of the plan as they race against time to secure the Key before the deadline. But nothing’s ever simple when magic is involved and death isn’t the worst outcome if they fail to find the Key.

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DRAGON BABY (NIGHT AND DAY INK BOOK 5) by Milly Taiden

dragon babyLily Cruz doesn’t want a wolf for a mate. She’s totally not going to follow in her cousin’s footsteps. With one failed marriage behind her, she isn’t really interested in relationships period. But she would love to have babies. At almost forty, her biological clock is hammering over her head big time.

Thane Dreki won’t get some random woman pregnant just to stay alive. He isn’t interested in a relationship either. Having seen how a broken heart can destroy someone, the last thing he wants is to give any woman that power.

Thane might have to reconsider his stance when he meets Lily and a wild night of sex results in more than either of them bargained for. He’ll do anything to protect his woman and their baby, including killing anyone who threatens their existence. But the biggest problem he faces isn’t an enemy, it’s getting Lily to give their love a chance.

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UNDISCOVERED (AMOVEO RISING BOOK 1) by Sara Humphreys

undiscoveredA long time ago, Zander Lorens was cursed to walk the earth stripped of his Dragon Clan powers. Every night, trapped in a recurring nightmare, Zander relives his darkest moment. He can hardly believe it when the dream changes and a beautiful young woman appears. Zander believes she’s the key to ending his torment. Finding her in the real world is one thing, but how will he convince her of who-and what-she really is?

She’s the end to his nightmare
Rena McHale uses her unique sensitivity as a private investigator, touting herself as a “human divining rod” and finder of the lost. By day she struggles with sensory overload, and by night her sleep is haunted by a fiery dragon shifter. Nothing in her life makes sense, until the man from her dreams shows up at her door with a proposition…

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FIRESTORM A DRAGON ROMANCE (DARK KINGS BOOK 10) by Donna Grant

firestormVS NOTE: I haven’t read these but from some of the reviews while this may not be a cliffhanger, evidently there’s another book to come and some readers were unsatisfied and said they wished they’d waited for the series to be complete. Other reviewers were happy with this book so….up to you!

As a dragon shapeshifter Dimitri lives to protect the secret of the Dragon Kings from the human race. Bound by a bond stronger than blood to the Kings, Dimitri uses his strength and prowess to defend a thousand-year-old secret. But when an oh-so-sexy, slightly absent-minded archaeologist wanders into his midst, Dimitri will have to give up his rules, and give in to desire…

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FLY LIKE AN EAGLE (AGES OF INVENTION BOOK 2)  by  S. B. K. Burns

VS NOTE: from late February

fly like an eagleIt’s 1824 Philadelphia at the opening of the Franklin Institute of Science, and one of its founders, Samantha’s father, wants her to marry his business partner, a much older man, to keep their war industry dealings secret.

Looking for a way out of the arranged marriage, tomboy Sam finds it in Eagle, the half Native American son of the man she is to marry.

Eagle brings Samantha into his spiritual world, his bimijiwan, in order that she might stop their father’s preparations for an ironclad Civil War at sea. To do this, Sam might have to convince Benjamin Franklin to abandon his kite experiment.

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LAVOS  (VLG BOOK 5) by Laurann Dohner

lavosVS NOTE: May I be honest here? Some series by Ms. Dohner, I LOVE and can’t get enough of but rightly or wrongly, I couldn’t even finish the first book in this series. However, many readers love them, so here’s the latest!

Jadee Trollis knows a little something about things that go bump in the night. Thanks to a father obsessed with myths, legends, and the paranormal, Jadee was dragged around the world in his pursuit of everything from ghosts to Sasquatch as a child. She got away from all that craziness in her teens, seeking a normal life as an adult. A trip to Alaska to visit her father quickly turns into a nightmare. Jadee ends up trapped in her father’s tricked-out RV, hiding from the dangerous Vampires outside.

Lavos is the hottest man she’s ever seen when he comes to her rescue….

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CHANGING FACES by Barb Caffrey

changing facesAllen and Elaine are graduate students in Nebraska, and love each other very much. Their life should be idyllic, but Elaine’s past includes rape, neglect, and abuse from those who should’ve loved her—but didn’t, because from childhood, Elaine identified as transgender.

When Elaine tells Allen right before Christmas, he doesn’t know what to do. He loves Elaine, loves her soul, has heard about transgender people before, but didn’t think Elaine was one of them—she looks and acts like anyone else. Now, she wants to become a man and is going to leave.

He prays for divine intervention, and says he’ll do anything, just please don’t separate him from Elaine…and gets it.

Now, he’s in Elaine’s body. And she’s in his. They’ll get a second chance at love.

Why? Because once you find your soulmate, the universe will do almost anything to keep you together—even change your faces.

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WHEN A LIONESS POUNCES (A LION’S PRIDE BOOK 6) by Eve Langlais

when a lioness pouncesVS NOTE: Eve’s one of my favorite people and authors so even though I try not to list too many shifter books in any one week, can’t resist including hers!

There’s a new guy in town, a mysterious and domineering man with secrets.

Reba likes secrets. She especially loves swatting at them until they spill their guts—sometimes quite literally.

But Gaston isn’t swayed by her sensual allure.

LIE.

This slick club owner is very much intrigued by the cocoa-skinned beauty, but he doesn’t dare show too much interest lest his enemies notice.

As if Reba cares about danger. This lioness thrives on action and a bit of violence, and she knows how to do it with class. She’s ready to strap on her heels, gloss her lips, and go to battle. Watch out because, once she’s got you in her sights, she’s not afraid to pounce.

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VS Note: I had a cover reveal for my soon to be released scifi romance:

dangerinthestarsfinal