New Releases in #SciFi #Fantasy and Paranormal Romance for Wednesday February 27

heart of the catAs 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).

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HEART OF THE CAT (SARAFIN WARRIORS BOOK 3) by SE Smith

VS Note: The re-release of SE’s story from the Pets In SpaceR   3 anthology!

Prince Walkyr d’Rojah’s mission is to find an ancient artifact known as the Heart of the Cat–a powerful gem that connects his people, its magic woven through the Sarafin like his predatory cat is woven into himself. Walkyr’s only clues are an ancient scroll and the legends passed down through generations. However, he isn’t the only one searching for it. A sect determined to overthrow the royal families of the Sarafin, the Curizan, and the Valdier wants the gem for themselves. They are more than willing to do whatever it takes to obtain it.

Trescina Bukov’s affinity with large cats has taken her all over the world, but this time a frantic call from a rescue group compels her to fly to Wyoming in the United States. A new species of leopard was discovered near death, she’s told, and this “”new species”” sounds enough like a shape-shifter that Trescina hurries to examine this cat.

Their first meeting is explosive, and Walkyr is shocked when the human female connects with his leopard–recognizing what he is and what his weaknesses are, and this is only the beginning of how his mission has gone wrong!

Amazon     Apple Books

operation arkOPERATION ARK: A PROJECT ENTERPRISE STORY by Pauline B Jones

VS Note: The re-release of Pauline’s story from the Pets In SpaceR   3 anthology!

She’s a USMC Sergeant deployed to the Garradian Galaxy.
He was raised by the robots who freed him from slavery.
It’s a match made nowhere anyone can figure out.

They clashed as enemies but joined forces to defeat a common foe. Now they’re tasked with returning some freed prisoners to their home worlds. In the next galaxy. With an alien, a robot, and a caticorn. It was a bar joke without a punch line, though Carolina City has a feeling it is out there—like the truth.

Kraye isn’t eager to return to his galaxy where the dark secret of his past lays in wait, but he’s willing to risk it in hopes that Caro can teach him what the robots couldn’t: how to be human.

Together they must face a dangerous journey, a lethal enemy with a score to settle, their unexpected desire, and an uncertain future if they make it out alive.

Can Caro and Kraye navigate the minefields—both emotional and space based—to land a happy homecoming for the sentient animals in their care? Can the man raised by robots learn how to kiss the girl while the starchy Marine decides if she is willing to bend the rules for a happy ever after? Don’t miss Pauline Baird Jones’ newest Project Enterprise story!

Amazon     Apple Books

ella and the emperorELLA AND THE EMPEROR (ALIEN ABDUCTION BOOK 5) by Honey Phillips

Captured by aliens as a child, Ella was raised as the beloved pet of a kind alien couple. One night of blood and terror destroyed her sheltered life and shattered her voice. Now she’s a slave in the emperor’s palace.

Alone in a terrifying new world, she clings to the person who saves her – the dashing young emperor. But the handsome alien also arouses unfamiliar longings in her heart.

When Emperor Karthajin rescues a silent female from an attack, he does not expect to become an object of worship to the enchanting little creature.

New to the throne, surrounded by smiling faces and hidden enemies, he finds unexpected comfort in the innocent human who trusts him so completely. But as his feelings grow stronger, so does his reluctance to expose her to the viciousness of the Imperial Court.

Can an emperor lose his heart to a human slave? And will his empire ever accept such a match?

Amazon

blind betBLIND BET (THE DRIFT BOOK 7) by Susan Hayes

VS Note: A re-release

Layla Corbin loves her life as a technician on the deep space asteroid-mining ship, Kessel Queen. Great job, great companions, great money. Perfect, except she wants all four of her sexy crewmates. The rules of the ship state she can only have one – an impossible choice.

When Mace issued that order, he did it to protect his crew. He never imagined that they’d all fall for Layla.

Amazon     Apple Books

project adapt foundPROJECT ADAPT: FOUND by Jade Waltz

Selena’s life has been filled with far too much torture, betrayal and distrust… and far too little love. But as she gains a tenuous freedom for herself, she also discovers the one man she’d let herself love gifted her with children of her own.

Along the way, she finds herself picked up by a scouting ship and thrust into the hands of a group of males who want nothing but to support her–that is, if she allows herself to trust them. 

Desperate to avoid being forced back into a life of experimentation and manipulation, for herself and her babies, Selena realizes she must dedicate herself to protecting them… or die trying.

Amazon

empire of lightEMPIRE OF LIGHT (VOYANCE BOOK 1) by Alex Harrow

Damian Nettoyer is the Empire’s go-to gun. He kills whoever they want him to kill. In exchange, he and his rag-tag gang of crooks get to live, and Damian’s psychokinetic partner and lover, Aris, isn’t issued a one-way ticket to an Empire-sanctioned lobotomy.

Then Damian’s latest mark, a suave revolutionary named Raeyn, kicks his ass and demands his help. The first item on the new agenda: take out Damian’s old boss—or Raeyn will take out Damian’s crew.

To protect his friends and save his own skin, Damian teams up with Raeyn to make his revolution work. As Aris slips away from Damian and his control over his powers crumbles, the Watch catches on. Damian gets way too close to Raeyn, torn between the need to shoot him one minute and kiss him the next.

With the Empire, Damian had two policies: shoot first and don’t ask questions. But to save the guy he loves, he’ll set the world on fire.

Amazon      Apple Books

starburst alyssa rose ivySTARBURST (HALF LIGHT BOOK 4) by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Noah doesn’t like pressure. Too bad he has been tasked with saving the universe. Right now the only thing he can think about is finding Rachel and figuring out more about what being a starmate really means.

Rachel wants nothing to do with Caspian or his starmate, but she has no choice. Finding Versaka is the only way she can have the life she dreams of with Noah.
Angie doesn’t want to desire Kelby, but can she help the growing feelings between them? The problem is, he seems to want her too and turning back seems all but impossible.
Caspian will do anything to protect his people and his planet, but his biggest challenge might be accepting that Rachel is in love with someone else.

With so much on the line, will they be able to put their feelings and hearts to the side long enough to fill the roles they were born for?

Amazon     Apple Books

severedSEVERED (PRECINCT 1 BOOK 1) by Shona Husk

Halle Ish, one of Velli’s elite police Arrows, is shot down during a Precinct One riot. Wounded and unable to fly, she tries to hide and avoid capture, knowing that if she is found by the razor gangs or Clipper Sect they will sever her wings. She needs to get out of Precinct One.

Avin Lent was once a promising medical student, but he started sniffing Mumble to beat the stress and is now the doctor to one of the biggest gangs in Precinct One—while not part of the Clipper Sect, they are just as dangerous. He knows he is only as useful as his next surgery and they would have no qualms about killing him. Only Jarro is keeping him safe.

Jarro Coblic is deep under cover and has been for a year. Immersed in the gang, he suspects his hands will never be clean again. When he finds the wounded Arrow, he knows he can’t turn her over even though everyone is looking for her. With his lover’s help, they hide her and heal her wing. All the while, falling for her. He prays Avin will not crumble and reveal their secret as Jarro tries to figure out a way to get them all out of Precinct One before the Sect and the gangs bring the full wrath of Velli on Precinct One. Tearing the place down can’t come soon enough, but there will be blood before the slate can be washed clean.

Amazon     Apple Books

never ashamedNEVER ASHAMED (CHOSEN NARRATIVES BOOK 3) by Sabrina Kade

Having finally accepted Chimase as her mate, Hollis believes she can relax into their life together. But she didn’t count on family ties almost undoing their love.

Hollis realizes that their relationship must undergo one final test when she finally meets Chimase’s father. She offers to play the role of a normal human slave, but Chimase refuses to agree to her plan—even when it leads to Chimase’s father demanding Hollis’s death.

Now Chimase must choose between a life with his own kind or loving Hollis in exile. If they’re to stay together, he may have to make his promise real: that he will be with her to the ends of the galaxy.

Amazon

old mediaOLD MEDIA by Annalee Newitz

VS note: Listed as a short read, no reviews, I have no idea if there’s an actual romance…the concept is intriguing. I have not read this.

The story of a freed slave and a robot professor, trying to figure out what it means to be in love while they watch old anime from the 21st century.

Amazon     Apple Books

alpha knotsALPHA KNOTS (ALPHA HORDE BOOK 3) by Milana Jacks

Officer Samantha Noell – In the blink of an eye, I’m head-first in a snowdrift, rescued by the biggest, greenest—man?—I’ve ever seen. Whatever he is, he turns my take-no-crap attitude into need. I should escape, but I’ve got a hunch that I’m close to solving a cold case involving several women who disappeared into thin air.

Vemlox – My plan is foolproof. Fetch the Omega and hand her over to Montar, thus sealing Loven’s alliance between Guardians and Horde. Thanks to a glitchy space gate, I’m stuck in a freezing cave with something that’s turned the simple delivery into a suicide mission. An Omega I must not want and can never have.

Unfortunately, she’s going into heat. And Serpent help me, I will betray the Horde and starve on a pole if only to keep her.

Amazon

alien giantALIEN GIANT (VAXXLIAN MATES BOOK 3) by Sue Mercury and Sue Lyndon

Diana is a survivor. It’s all she knows. But she has big plans once she escapes the dangerous outpost where she’s been stranded for the last ten years. Plans that involve buying a ship of her very own and traveling to a sparsely populated planet to live out the rest of her days in the sun. No more crowds, no more recirculated air, and no more cage fights. She certainly doesn’t plan on being “rescued” by a sexy alien giant with glowing green eyes who wants to make babies with her.

Kirn is enchanted by the fierce little human he’s stolen away from the outpost. Ah, what a beauty she is–and strong. She resists his advances at first, but he’s confident she will agree to become his mate soon. He’s a highly respected Vaxxlian warrior. How could she not want him? Mindful of his enormous size, he promises to be as gentle as possible when he finally mates with her. But as he’s about to discover, claiming a human female never goes as planned.

Amazon

sold to the alien outlawsSOLD TO THE ALIEN OUTLAWS (ROGUE AURELIANS BOOK 1) by Corin Cain

We declared independence from the Aurelian Empire. Now, we will pay for it. The moment the all-male species leaves, the ravening hordes of the universe attack. The Scorp descend on our little planet without mercy. Pinching claws rend. Darting tails poison. Blood fills the streets.

With the arrogant warrior species of aliens gone, we have no hope.

Until three seven-foot tall aliens break away from their Empire to save us. They will be branded as deserters by their Empire. They will lose everything, and yet they come for us. Like Greek Gods, they stand. Like angels of death, they war.

Raka. Raekon. Leon. – Under their hungry eyes, it’s impossible to feel out of place like I do alongside the willowy, elegant noblewomen. All of my imperfections wash away under their eyes. When they look at me, they drink up my curves, and for the first time in my life I feel small… and helpless.
They are violence incarnate. They are a whirlwind of death. They threw away their future to save us. In return…They demand everything. (more blurb on ebook seller page…)

Amazon

bonded to the alien centurionBONDED TO THE ALIEN CENTURION (WARRIORS OF THE LATHAR BOOK 7) by Mina Carter

Behind ‘enemy lines’ the last thing she expects is a sexy alien warrior determined to make her his…When things screw up in diplomatic talks with the Lathar Dani Black finds herself lined up for the one thing every dyed in the wool soldier dreads… a diplomatic function. Alone on the Lathar ship without backup, she must play nice, rescue a VIP and somehow get them both back to her own ship without causing a diplomatic incident that could result in the annihilation of the human race.

The problem is one sexy as hell alien warrior. Tall, silver-haired and handsome, he’s her escort for the evening and makes her want things she certainly shouldn’t want from an alien, no matter how sexy he is. But then a conversation goes bad, and she finds herself in an alien challenge circle fighting for her freedom. It’s all going well, until her sexy alien steps into the ring…

The moment he saw her, he swore he’d make the beautiful human woman his mate.
Sardaan is the envy of his shipmates when he’s assigned by the emperor to escort a visiting human dignitary for a diplomatic function. But that’s not all he’s been assigned to do… under orders to seduce the beautiful human woman at any costs, Sardaan is more than happy to do his duty…(more blurb on ebook seller page…)
Amazon     Apple Books

cat sandra r neeleyCAT by Sandra R Neeley

VS note: A scifi romance short story under 10K words.

Orlgo was one of the last of a unique breed. He’d been exiled, for nothing more than existing. His species was feared and ostracized. He needed a host – required one in order to live, thrive. Because of that, most other species considered his people parasitic. He supposed in a way, maybe they were – but there was so much more to it than that. He’d given up hope – intentionally left on an abandoned space station near the outer reaches of the universe, there was no chance for him to find a host. No chance for him to survive…(more blurb on ebook seller page…)

Amazon

dysastersTHE DYSASTERS by P C Cast and Kristin Cast

Adoptive daughter of a gifted scientist, Foster Stewart doesn’t live a “normal” life, (not that she’d want to). But controlling cloud formations and seeing airwaves aren’t things most eighteen year olds can do.

Small town star quarterback and quintessential dreamy boy next door, Tate “Nighthawk” Taylor has never thought much about his extra abilities. Sure, his night vision comes in handy during games, but who wouldn’t want that extra edge?

From the moment Foster and Tate collide, their worlds spiral and a deadly tornado forces them to work together, fully awakening their not-so-natural ability – the power to control air.

As they each deal with the tragic loss of loved ones, they’re caught by another devastating blow – they are the first in a group of teens genetically manipulated before birth to bond with the elements, and worse… they’re being hunted.

Amazon     Apple Books

legacy chroniclesTHE LEGACY CHRONICLES:RAISING MONSTERS by Pittacus Lore

Contrary to what the government would have the world believe, not all of the Mogadorians are safely imprisoned. A small contingent of the alien invaders has been in hiding, working on a vicious plan for revenge and foiling Six and Sam’s every move. Even the couple’s failed attempt to rescue Ghost was nothing but a trap, and now they’ve been abducted by their old foes.

Held captive in an impenetrable underground bunker, they’ll have to find each other and then somehow find a way out if they’re going to have any hope of survival. But with their Legacies still on the fritz and Mogs out for blood it may be nearly impossible. Luckily, Six and Sam have more than a few allies with powers of their own who can help…if they’re not too late.

Amazon     Apple Books

adamant eveADAMANT EVE (GEMMA-HYDROX BOOK 2) by L J Vickery

Marek Stasky isn’t sure about this trip to Gemma-Hydrox, but he has no choice. He signed an agreement with Gerri Wilder, the Galaxy’s foremost matchmaker, before he knew the particulars of the inhabitants. Now he’s just confused. Since he doesn’t follow the, uh, proclivities of the natives, why exactly has Ms. Wilder recruited him? As the planet’s twin suns appear on the horizon, he knows he’ll soon find out. But that’s as far as it will go. No one can force a new lifestyle on him. No siree.
Eve doesn’t understand why she’s been assigned to take care of the luscious visitor from earth, but she knows she likes the way he looks and acts, way too much. Cautiously she allows herself to study him. But if she lets her interest show, and the lords find out, punishment will be dire. As she stands ready to serve, she judiciously keeps her head down and her mouth shut…until the human asks her a question.

Amazon

holding honorHOLDING HONOR (ASHLAND PRIDE BOOK 9) by R E Butler

Mountain lion shifter Honor Parkins is in trouble. After a meeting in the woods with sexy brothers Holden and Jackson, the ancient curse all female mountain lions are under has been broken. She knows that they’re her mates. When her all-female pride discovers she’s not like them anymore, they keep her locked up. Missing her mates is driving her and her mountain lion crazy.

Holden and Jackson Whitman never expected to find the leader of the female pride in the woods on the full moon; now the only thing they care about is finding her again. The problem? The females live in secrecy in Canada, and no one knows where. Their niece, Melody, is finally able to narrow down the area where she thinks they live, and after seven long months the brothers are finally on their way to find their mate. Freeing Honor is only half of the battle.

Can Holden and Jackson help her come to terms with all she’s lost because of the curse? Will returning to King be the best choice they ever made, or the worst decision in history?

Amazon     Apple Books

demon on the down lowDEMON ON THE DOWN-LOW (SUPERNATURAL SELECTION BOOK 3) by E J Russell

Lovelorn kangaroo shifter Hamish Mulherne, drummer for the mega-hit rock band Hunter’s Moon, waited years for the band’s jaguar shifter bassist to notice him. Instead, she’s just gotten married and is in a thriving poly relationship. How is Hamish supposed to compete with that? But with everyone else in the band mated and revoltingly happy, he needs somebody. Since he can’t expect true love to strike twice, he signs up with Supernatural Selection. Because what the hell.

When Zeke Oz was placed at Supernatural Selection through the Sheol work-release program, he thought he was the luckiest demon alive. But when he seems responsible for several massive matchmaking errors, he’s put on notice: find the perfect match for Hamish, or get booted back to Sheol for good. The only catch? He has to do it without the agency’s matchmaking spells, and Hamish simply will not engage.

But Zeke starts to believe that the reason all of Hamish’s dates fizzle is because nobody in the database is good enough for him. And Hamish realizes that his perfect match might be the cute demon who’s trying so hard to make him happy.

Amazon     Apple Books

magical seclusionMAGICAL SECLUSION (BIOMYSTIC SECURITY BOOK 3) by Jalizia A Burwell

Dr. Laila Porter is ready to jump into her relationship with her men. They butted into her life, made their intentions known, and she’s more than willing to take them up on it. As they find a balance in their budding relationship, emotions run high, and Laila questions if it’ll last. Instead of facing these unfamiliar emotions, she throws herself into her current project, a toy with both wonderful and dangerous possibilities.

While the guys prove that they are all in, a new dangerous plot slowly circles Biomystic Security, and this time, they aren’t so sure it’s something they will be able to get out of. Especially if this new danger threatens who they’re fighting for: Laila Porter

Amazon     Apple Books

what the foxWHAT THE FOX (THE CHAOS OF FOXES BOOK 3) by Emma Dean

Kenzie is a void witch. Only a handful have ever existed. And now she’s trying to find out where she belongs in the paranormal world. Thankfully her mates have never cared about her witch status. They love her for her – even if one of them is playing hard to get. Kenzie plans to make Hunter beg.

Meanwhile they still have to bring down Bradley Davis. But there are complications to their plans no one could have foreseen. Will Kenzie be able to handle her newly discovered abilities and any threat until she can master them? Will they be able to take down the jerk who cursed her sister after finding out what he’s really after?

Amazon

dawn of cobalt shadowsDAWN OF COBALT SHADOWS (BURNING EMPIRE BOOK 2) by Emma Hamm

Loose from her cage, Sigrid of Wildewyn returns to her homeland with a heavy heart. An army of Beastkin await her orders in a new kingdom made out of animals and forgotten rules. When she begins to lose faith in herself, she embarks on a journey to find her history and that of all the Beastkin.

Far in the desert, Nadir tightens his control over his kingdom. For a time, he’s the Sultan they’ve all waited for. Until an assassin arrives in his palace declaring a legendary warrior has summoned him. A warrior who claims to be his mother.
Both struggle to discover their own history, while remaining tied to each other regardless of distance. But a war brews between the kingdoms. Sigrid and Nadir must once again choose between each other, or their people. Only this time, they aren’t certain what they’ll choose.

Amazon

sustainingSUSTAINING (TO TAME A SHIFTER BOOK 4) by A K Koonce

There’s something just slightly more terrifying than dark magic.
And that’s going home.
The beautiful coastal village is too small and it’s impossible to hide when you’re a target. They know I’m different. They knew when I was a young girl and they know now. They’re just waiting for the proof. They’re all waiting for me to screw up like I always do.

What they don’t know is, I’m not staying. I’ll take my scowling shifters—hopefully before they literally rip into one of the many hateful villagers—and I’ll find the Solstice Queen.
I’ll find that mysteriously dangerous mage again if it’s the last thing I do.

Amazon

boat banshee breakdownA BOAT, A BANSHEE AND A BREAKDOWN: DEANNA OSCAR PARANORMAL MYSTERIES BOOK 10 by CC Dragon

A gator hunting bayou family all hear the cry of a banshee while on their lucky boat–who will be the next to die?

Deanna Oscar and friends are back to solve the spooky and paranormal problems in the Big Easy. A banshee returns every five years and kills at least one (or as many as five) members of a particular family. The family asks Deanna to help them end the curse or stop the wrath of this vengeful spirit.

Newly married and juggling a lot of upheaval in her social circles, De is happy to help but the banshee isn’t cooperating or communicating. Is it a vengeful dead woman or a demon playing tricks?
Amazon     Apple Books

harley merlin 6HARLEY MERLIN AND THE CULT OF ERIS 6 by Bella Forrest

Harley has a game plan to stop the third ritual: infiltrate the Cult of Eris and steal back her mother’s soul. But her only way in is through her devious half-brother Finch—the same guy who was Katherine’s most devoted bootlicker not too long ago.

Joining a cult counts as sibling bonding time, right?

Left with no choice but to break Finch out of prison, Harley must play the part of a loyal cultist. Within Katherine’s inner circle, deadly initiation trials and watchful enemies make every moment a battle for survival.

Harley hasn’t forgotten that Finch once belonged to the cult himself, and she wonders if she’ll end up with a valuable new ally… or a knife in the back.

Amazon

thornboundTHORNBOUND: VOLUME II OF THE HARWOOD SPELLBOOK by Stephanie Burgis

Cassandra Harwood scandalized her nation when she became the first woman magician in Angland. Now, she’s ready to teach a whole new generation of bright young women at her radical new school, the Thornfell College of Magic…

Until a sinister fey altar is discovered in the school library, the ruling Boudiccate sends a delegation to shut down Thornfell, and Cassandra’s own husband is torn away from her.

As malevolent vines slither in from the forest and ruthless politicians scheme against her, Cassandra must fight the greatest battle of her life to save her love, her school, and the future of the young women of Angland.

Amazon     Apple Books

hardest fallHARDEST FALL (DOMINION BOOK 3) by Juliette Cross

The tattooed demoness, Bone, doesn’t like anything except the magical weapons she makes. But she has hidden talents few know about. When I was brought to her near death, she used her Seraph song to manipulate flesh and bone to heal me. But she wasn’t happy about it.

Now I must return the favor. Even though she refuses to take sides in the apocalypse, there’s one job she’s not willing to do for the demon prince Rook. If she doesn’t, her head will end up on a spike. Of course, there’s a good chance we’re all going to die anyway, but I will do anything to protect this fierce woman—and not just because she saved me.

So, we’re both off to kill a demon—or three—and possibly save the world.

Amazon     Apple Books

demon kings destinyTHE DEMON KING’S DESTINY (FATE OF THE IMPERIUM BOOK 3) by C A Worley

When Marrok, the Demon King of Sundari, meets his fated mate in the dreamworld, he ignores the pull of the saatus bond. He has no desire to make a life with the female, not with his past being what it is. Unable to deny the bond for long, Marrok accepts his demon spirit’s need for its mate. He plans to use their connection to prevent him from turning rogue, while keeping his heart safely buried in the past.

Since the age of six, Evelyn has been dreaming of the Demon King. When she starts having visions of his past, old betrayals are brought to light, including an ancient brotherhood who has been working against the pair for decades. Knowing Marrok may never love her in the way she loves him, Evelyn chooses to fight for their future anyway. She’ll protect everyone she loves from the insidious group—or die trying.

Amazon     Apple Books

mist metal ashMIST, METAL AND ASH (INK, IRON AND GLASS BOOK 2) by Gwendolyn Clare

VS note: Reviews seem to indicate the series needs to be read in order. not sure how much romance there may be.

In an alternate 19th-century Italy, Elsa has an incredible gift: she can craft new worlds with precise lines of script written in books. But political extremists have stolen the most dangerous book ever scribed—one that can rewrite the Earth itself.

Now Elsa must track down the friend who betrayed her and recover the book before its destructive power is unleashed. Can she handle the secrets she’ll uncover along the way—including the ones hiding in her own heart?

Amazon     Apple Books

ghosts of rushton courtTHE GHOSTS OF RUSHTON COURT by Blair Bancroft

VS Note: From January.

The widowed Lady Marian Talbot is keeping a low profile as her exquisitely lovely sister, Vanessa, makes her come-out. Yet somehow it is Marian who attracts the attention of the most eligible bachelor London society has seen in a decade, a marquess who has spent the last dozen years in India. After a whirlwind courtship, Marian—now the Marchioness of Rushton—arrives at her new home, only to discover she is expected to solve the challenges of dealing with her husband’s hostile brother and sister, his illegitimate young son, and a staff at war with itself. And, as if that weren’t enough, Marian must also adjust to a panoply of ghosts, all supposedly benign, but that becomes doubtful as someone—or some thing—makes repeated attempts to kill both the marquess and his new bride.

Amazon     Apple Books

sedona sinSEDONA SIN by Lisa Kessler

Asher Mateo’s future was stolen the night the Sedona Pack Alpha marked him to be bitten. Drafted into the werewolf Pack, Asher was forced to become a man he hardly recognized. After heading up a rebellion to overthrow their Alpha, Asher can’t wash the sins from his hands and yearns for a fresh start. But he can’t bring himself to leave Naomi and her twin boys. Without a strong Alpha to lead the Pack, all their lives are at risk from a new threat who will stop at nothing to expose shifters to the world as blood thirsty killers.

Naomi Rossi used to be a graphic designer with a black belt in karate and deadly aim with ninja stars, but under a full moon a wolf bite left her changed forever. Now she’s a single mom to her twin boys, and doing her best to help her friend Asher see himself the way she does, as a leader. But a passing touch, threatens all of her plans as her wolf recognizes this man is destined to be much more than a friend.

Amazon    Apple Books

of wolves and witchesOF WOLVES AND WITCHES (ARCANE ARTS ACADEMY BOOK 1) by Elena Lawson

Before I could catch my breath, my simple gypsy life of peddling potions with my guardians is wrenched away. I’m forcibly enrolled into the prestigious and supremely snotty Arcane Arts Academy, given shackles under the guise of mercy for my crimes.

As if that weren’t enough, my volatile magic bound me to two infuriatingly overbearing shifters in the woods near campus, making me an instant pariah.

At least the history teacher is helpful—not to mention insanely gorgeous. And besides giving me a dangerous distraction, there’s something else he can provide—a way to finally find out more about my father and unravel the dark mystery surrounding his death… but some secrets have claws, and if I’m not careful, knowing the truth could get me killed.

Amazon

outrushOUTRUSH (THE MER CHRONICLES BOOK 3) by Errin Stevens

Maya’s headlong rush into marriage isn’t working out… and it isn’t the only collision course she’s on these days. Her saltwater distractions aside, her father-in-law wants her gunned down for reasons unknown, and her pesky bodyguard – when he’s around – seems intent on drowning her in want and regret.

Maya is desperate to hold onto any small part of herself she understands. When escape becomes her only option, she finds herself in a race against a past – and a man – she can’t outrun.

Amazon     Apple Books

unquiet soulsUNQUIET SOULS (PROJECT DEMON HUNTERS BOOK 1) by Christine Pope

On the surface, psychologist Audrey Barrett is the perfect co-host for Michael Covenant’s new cable series, Project Demon Hunters. She’s smart, articulate, and photogenic as hell.

There’s just one problem. Michael has made it his mission to stay out of her orbit. Thanks to his producer’s stubborn insistence, however, there’s no avoiding her — which means Michael will have to bury his secrets even deeper.

After the tragedy that took her parents more than ten years earlier, Audrey has kept herself on the fringe of the paranormal world. But with her small therapy practice floundering, the money the show’s offering is too good to pass up.

From the moment they step inside a rundown mansion, things start flying: sparks between Audrey and Michael, not to mention furniture hurled by something determined to make sure their investigation fails. Worse, evil seems to have followed Audrey home — and she discovers why the man at her side on camera is the last man she can trust in real life.

Amazon     Apple Books

suspects and scalesSUSPECTS AND SCALES (STALLION RIDGE BOOK 3) by Maz Maddox

Deputy Cody Moore is shattered.

The murder of someone dear to him has pushed him to a breaking point and awakened the monster sleeping inside him. While the young man is no stranger to tragedy and death, having someone slaughtered under his watch has left him rattled with heartache.

In the wake of the devastation, a mysterious shadow of a man is dispatched to Stallion Ridge to track down the murderer. Even with his heart in pieces and a coiling monster inside him, Cody refuses to leave the investigation to this mystifying man.

Cody knew his life was forever changed after what happened at the river, but he never expected the powerful current that is the dark and charismatic Quellin.

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faes captiveFAE’S CAPTIVE by Lily Archer

My college roommate is the worst. Cecile steals my food, brings guys over at all hours, and parties instead of studying. But those quirks pale in comparison to what she does next. She drugs me, and I wake up imprisoned in an alternate universe full of terrifying creatures. Now, the biggest and scariest creature of all–a fae king–believes I’m his mate. He’s freed me from the dungeon but keeps me close. So close, in fact, that I’m beginning to like his wintery gaze and ice-chiseled body. But secrets and villains lurk throughout this new world, and I don’t know if I’ll survive long enough to figure out how to get back home.

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road to winterROAD TO WINTER (FAE’S CAPTIVE BOOK 2) by Lily Archer

The fae king is growing on me. Every touch, look, and night spent in his arms is slowly melting my resistance. When his feral side takes over, something inside me wants to let go and give him everything. With each passing day, the pull is getting harder to deny. But the road to the winter realm is full of danger, and I need to concentrate on finding my way home, not on the promises of pleasure Leander whispers in my ear at night. Even so, how long can I resist the intoxicating kiss of winter?
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tenth wishTHE TENTH WISH by David Zeltserman

Emily Mignon recently moved to New York and finds herself frustrated romantically, professionally, and financially. When she comes into possession of a genie’s lamp, she’s tempted to wish for her biggest dream to be fulfilled, but she knows from literature that a genie’s wish can be maliciously twisted. Even the genie—who is quite handsome and looks like a young lawyer dressed in a Brooks Brothers suit and black leather oxfords—admits to her how disastrously some of his previous masters’ wishes turned out. He seems sincere when he promises her that this time will be different and she wants to believe him. Except there’s a warning engraved on the bottom of the lamp. Do not trust him.

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claiming his mateCLAIMING HIS MATE (ALPHA PROTECTORS) by Juniper Hart

My whole life, I wanted to be someone.
I left the drudgery of my small-town life for a coveted job in New York City.
But the past has a way of catching up with you.
If I want to prove myself, I need to go back to Salem and wrap up some business.
Running into Marcel Forrester wasn’t part of the plan, and bittersweet memories of the past have left me both frightened and intrigued.
His big blues eyes, powerful position, and strong presence make me feel safe.
But I can’t get involved with someone like him.
He has sworn to protect me against a force I didn’t even know existed.
However, the powerful Alpha can’t save me if I don’t want to be saved.
He can’t convince me that something so perfect can last forever.

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sold to a dragonSOLD TO A DRAGON (DRAGON SHIFTER ISLAND) by Maia Starr

Axel – My dragon consumes me, forcing me to shift day and night, and other clans are questioning my leadership. I was starting to go insane and on the brink of losing everything I have worked for. That was until I met Sam at the bar, a gorgeous dancer that I cant keep my eyes off nor keep my dragon within from claiming her as my own. As I saw her being abused by a raving lunatic, I could not take this any longer and had to do something before my dragon erupted fire. I offered him cash on the spot for his mate and never looked back. My body craves every ounce of her, and she is making it harder each day to stay in control especially when the man that sold her thinks he can walk in and take her back like nothing. But I am keeping a secret from her that may ruin everything and spiral my dragon out of control…

Sam – When I fell in love, I got more than I bargained for; a man who turned into a nightmare from hell. Now, I find myself bought and sold to a mysterious, mouth-watering hunk of a beast with rippling muscles and a sweet side that makes me melt like never before. Learning from my past, I know I cant trust him nor give him my heart. I need to be strong and firmly say no. However we have one problem, the animal that sold me wants me back and he wont give up until he gets his way. The more I need to be protected, the more my body yearns and aches for Axel’s presence both in and out of bed. I know I have to risk it all, even if that means him finding out my secret that might ruin everything and putting me back in the hell that I came from.

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stained egosSTAINED EGOS (SALSANG CHRONICLES BOOK 1) by Helen Scott and Serena Akeroyd

She’s everything they never knew they wanted, but more than one overly ambitious student wants to win the final place in their brotherhood. It’s up to Cade, Raven, Barclay, Keiran, and Gideon to make sure they pick the best person for their team, after all, the brotherhoods are the only thing stopping the magic world and the human world from crashing into each other.

When things start to go sideways can the guys still trust that they will pick the best candidate for the position, or will it end up being a political game of cat and mouse, as powers out of their control manipulate the future?

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rileys prideRILEY’S PRIDE by Sandra R Neeley

There’s a new Alpha in town. He’s tried for too long to make a life in a place with more than its share of Alphas. His Panther has decided enough is enough. His Mate has renounced him as a result of a grave misunderstanding, and he’s struck out on his own, forging a new future and a new Pride that will welcome all who have struggled to find their place. He will be their Alpha — they will live by his rules. Together they will make a new life in the hills and mountains of Missouri. They’ll build a life to be proud of, a life that will welcome all their Mates, if they are lucky enough to find them. A life his own estranged Mate will hopefully be drawn to. It will be dangerous because the shifters that have struggled to find a place are usually the most unpredictable, those that never fit anywhere else. But that’s what makes life interesting isn’t it — danger, unpredictability and love?

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dandelion seasonDANDELION SEASON (GREEN VALLEY SHIFTERS BOOK 3) by Zoe Chant

Tawny Summers has her retirement all planned out: catch up on her books, work on her garden, and teach piano lessons to children in the sleepy town of Green Valley.
Her plan doesn’t include a gorgeous city billionaire with piercing silver eyes who is determined to upend her quiet life and frighten her cats.

Lion shifter Damien Powell gave his family up for hopelessly broken decades ago. Now he finds himself drawn to a tiny country town to try to mend fences with his son and build a relationship with his precocious lion shifter grandson… and meets his mate at the worst party of his life.
Suddenly, he’s faced with book clubs and nosy neighbors instead of board rooms and lawsuits, and stubborn, set-in-her-ways Tawny refuses his gifts and challenges his expectations at every turn.
Can a city lion find a home with a country spinster? Can he convince her that it’s not too late for true love?

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four heirsFOUR HEIRS (THE ROTHHAVEN TRILOGY BOOK 3) by C J Pinard and Cassie Alexandra

With the curse still not broken in Syracuse, the people of the country begin to grow impatient. The burden mounts on the royals to break it, but nobody is feeling the pressure more than Mariselle. Frustrated with the way the four kings seem to be making decisions for her, she finally puts her foot down and tells them she’s going to do what she wants. Things seem to be going fine until King Zackary takes a trip to the village… and doesn’t return.

Griffin and Alexander decide to leave the West Haven and look for him, leaving the youngest Rothhaven, Mathias, alone at the castle to look after Mariselle. With them both worried about the missing King, they turn to each other for comfort. Mariselle begins to fall for Mathias, and quickly realizes she is now hopelessly in love with all the brothers…(more blurb on ebook seller page…)

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ember ophelia sextonEMBER (BEARPAW RIDGE FIREFIGHTERS BOOK 9) by Ophelia Sexton

Bear shifter Margaret Einarsson Swanson never thought that love would find her again after her mate Ryan was killed. The curvy widow has spent years raising her children and running the Grizzly Creek Ranch’s bed-and-breakfast operation.

Then professional chef Daniel Langlais shows up seeking sanctuary at the ranch. He’s wounded, on the run with his young nephew, and big trouble is hot on his heels. Margaret knows that falling for this devastatingly attractive silver-haired sabertooth shifter will make all hell break loose within the Swanson family.

But even knowing all that, her bear can’t resist his scent, the mouthwatering meals he dishes up for her, or his smooth Louisiana drawl.

Sometimes, grabbing the chance for happiness means taking big risks. Is Margaret willing to defy her clan for a second chance at love with a mate who seems so wrong but feels so right?

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goldie and the bearsGOLDIE AND THE BEARS by Milly Taiden

Ash Goldenlochs hasn’t touched another person in years. Her gift–or curse, as she thinks of it–forces her to experience the past of anything against her hands. When she meets two of the most gorgeous men she’s ever seen, she wants to rip her gloves off and let her fingers do the walking.

Bear shifters, Spencer Hartz and Chaz Coco, are partners in a trio who couldn’t be more opposite. When their coworker is murdered, they will take help in any form, including a cute blonde who happens to be their mate.

Using her ability, she sees the murderer but doesn’t know who it is. When the killer recognizes her, her tragic past may repeat itself and it’s all the guys can do to keep her alive.

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spelledSPELLED: TOXIC BITCHCRAFT BOOK 2 by K B Everly

Christi Craft is the name, and being witchy is probably not as much of my game as I lead you to believe…I thought my troubles were as bad as they could get. I was so wrong.
-I was hexed by my mother.
-I accidentally put an annoying, fae ghost named Button (okay, his name is Beauregard) into a woman’s body.
-Orrin, my sexy and not so ex Incubus lover, knows more about why my magic is so finicky than he’s letting on AND seems to be in cahoots with my mother about it all.
-And Milo, the ever sweet Warden Warlock, isn’t backing down now that we’ve slept together.
But things are about to get a lot more complicated when secrets start to unravel, lies continue to be told, and hearts are put to the test.
Life might be at least a little bit easier if Shakes would just stop talking.

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wyatt drakeWYATT DRAKE (AURUM COURT DRAGONS BOOK 2) by Emilia Hartley

Kennedy Mortensen has been drifting for years, travelling and food blogging. It’s a good life, but something’s missing. When she gets to a little hamlet in the mountains of Colorado that isn’t even on the maps, she wonders if she’s found that something—and she’s sure it includes the forceful, but gentle, and oh-so-gorgeous man who runs off a couple of creeps who are bothering her. She can’t get him out of her mind even though he doesn’t seem interested in her. It’s like pulling eye teeth even to get him to give her his name.

Wyatt Drake has just broken up with his long-time girlfriend, a woman he’d expected to marry, and a relationship is the last thing he wants. But his dragon is sniffing around a tourist in his hometown—a tourist who discovers more about him in days than his girlfriend did in years—and who seems to like him despite all that, or maybe even because of it. Still, Wyatt isn’t sure he’s ready for another relationship. He doesn’t want a one-night-stand or a short-term rebound girl. He’s looking for commitment. And what kind of stability can he get from a travelling food-blogger he just met?

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prince of air and darknessPRINCE OF AIR AND DARKNESS (THE DARKEST COURT BOOK 1) by M A Grant

The only human student at Mather’s School of Magick, Phineas Smith has a target on his back. Born with the rare ability to tap into unlimited magick, he finds both Faerie Courts want his allegiance—and will do anything to get it.

They don’t realize he can’t levitate a feather, much less defend the Faerie Realm as it slips into civil war.

Unseelie Prince Roark Lyne, Phineas’s roommate—and self-proclaimed arch nemesis—is beautiful and brave and a pain in the ass. ..(more blurb on ebook seller page…)

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hell hounds redemptionHELL HOUND’S REDEMPTION: FAE OF THE NORTH SHORE by A S Green

Declan MacConall can barely keep his hound in check when Rowan McNeely is around. She’s beautiful, smart, devastatingly sexy. . .and also completely off limits. As a hell hound from the outskirts of town, Declan would never live up to the high standards of Rowan’s family, especially after he hit rock bottom following the murder of his parents.

Rowan McNeely has spent her entire life doing exactly what her parents ask of her. She’s a part of the highest class of fae society and as such, is expected to be the perfect wife to the husband of her parents’ choosing.

Then she’s assigned to be Declan’s nurse. Her father would have a coronary if he knew she were associating with a ‘dog’ but the more she gets to know Declan, the more she starts to question everything she thought she knew.

As things begin to heat up between them, an old enemy that’s plagued the fae for centuries arrives in town and puts Rowan in their sights. Declan can’t keep his hound leashed any longer. He must set aside his old wounds and find the strength to fight for the only woman who could ever make him whole again.

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raven towerTHE RAVEN TOWER by Ann Leckie

VS note: Not a romance but a book of note this week.

For centuries, the kingdom of Iraden has been protected by the god known as the Raven. He watches over his territory from atop a tower in the powerful port of Vastai. His will is enacted through the Raven’s Lease, a human ruler chosen by the god himself. His magic is sustained via the blood sacrifice that every Lease must offer. And under the Raven’s watch, the city flourishes.
But the power of the Raven is weakening. A usurper has claimed the throne. The kingdom borders are tested by invaders who long for the prosperity that Vastai boasts. And they have made their own alliances with other gods.
It is into this unrest that the warrior Eolo–aide to Mawat, the true Lease–arrives. And in seeking to help Mawat reclaim his city, Eolo discovers that the Raven’s Tower holds a secret. Its foundations conceal a dark history that has been waiting to reveal itself…and to set in motion a chain of events that could destroy Iraden forever.
merciful bleedMERCIFUL BLEED (SERPENTINE VAMPIRES BOOK 1) by J Hali Steele

Paladin Bodine, called a Bleeder, is serpentine. He’s paid to extinguish unmanageable vampires and even end the lifecycle of those old and tired of existing. He cheats, lies and skulks, whatever it takes for his serpents to deliver. Paladin is damn good at what he does until he meets a vampire who turns his slithering world upside down.

Braid Calderon means to stop the individual hired to end his sire’s life at any cost. He follows the murderous man whose strangeness entices and delights Braid from a distance and he fails to consider his body’s reaction when he meets the killer face to face.

Both cold and distant, one hot coming together changes their lives forever!

their wicked wolfTHEIR WICKED WOLF (MYSTIC WOLVES BOOK 6) by Elle Boon
Sky … knew what it meant to hurt thanks to a sadistic alpha, but what she went through at the hands of a madman had her welcoming death, instead of suffering anymore pain. .
They’d do anything to save their mate. .
Raydon and River…thought they’d never find a mate that would love them both, until they found Sky. Not even death would keep them from the one woman who completes them. .
There’s beauty in everything, even pain. ..Finding the strength to rise above the hurt and trust in each other is hard, but Sky realizes that true love is exactly what she’s found within the Mystic Pack. Will these three be able to keep the peace they’ve found, or will secrets long buried tear them apart forever? Amazon     Apple Books

you had me at jaguarYOU HAD ME AT JAGUAR by Terry Spear

The United Shifter Force gives jaguar agent Howard Armstrong an impossible task—to protect fierce she-jaguar Valerie Chambers, when the last thing she wants is protecting. They’re going international to take down a killer and he can guard Valerie all day long. But guard his heart? He doesn’t stand a chance.

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everybody wants to rune the worldEVERYBODY WANTS TO RUNE THE WORLD (BEWITCHINGLY EVER AFTER BOOK 2) by Mandy M Roth

Welcome to Hedgewitch Cove, Louisiana, where there’s no such thing as normal.

Sigmund Bails ran from his past straight to a supernatural Louisiana town after coming into his shifting abilities later than most, to dire consequences. With help from the colorful locals, the were-kraken has been working hard to gain some semblance of control. Unfortunately, the dead bodies turning up around tiny Hedgewitch Cove seem to point to the fact his kraken side is running wild again. It’s bad enough he has to hide from a part of himself; since moving down south, he’s also been avoiding the one person every shifter hopes to find—his true mate.

Despite being part witch, part siren and part hunter, Virginia Peugeot has shied away from her supernatural side ever since a frightening childhood incident. Which gives her plenty in common with Sigmund. Their sizzling attraction is just icing on the cake…or would be, if the man didn’t make an Olympic sport out of sprinting in the opposite direction every time he sees Virginia coming. There’s only so long a woman can wait, especially when she’s caught the interest of another eligible alpha male in town.

If Sigmund won’t make the first move, maybe his kraken will. If an old enemy doesn’t claim his mate first.

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wolf by raseyWOLF (SONS OF SANGUE BOOK 7) by Patricia A Rasey

Grigore “Wolf” Lupei left his past behind and for good reason. Staying with Caitlyn Summers would have held her back, would have stifled her dreams and her beautiful voice that deserved to be shared on a world stage. Instead, Wolf’s stayed away while her career flourishes, convincing himself he’s content to watch Caitlyn from the sidelines despite knowing she’ll never forgive him for walking out. Wolf can’t let her know the truth. He’s not the man she used to love–no longer a man at all, but a creature of the darkness. A lethal vampire and member of the Sons of Sangue MC. But when he learns someone has threatened Caitlyn’s life, nothing will stop him from keeping her safe.

Caitlyn Summers is at the height of her career, performing sold-out shows all over the world. When a death threat comes, she refuses to cancel her tour, reluctantly agreeing to a hire a bodyguard. She never dreamed the one man who broke her heart would come walking back into her life to protect her. She’s never gotten over Wolf, but putting her life in his hands is the last thing Caitlyn wants–especially when she realizes what he’s become. But there’s no denying her desire for the dangerous man, and as the spotlight thrusts her into a killer’s reach, Wolf will have to prove that Caitlyn can not only trust him with her life, but with her heart as well.

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thunder rollingTHUNDER ROLLING (THE STORM BOOK 2) by Ripley Proserpina and Rebecca Royce

The world around Whitney Lake keeps changing, but with John, Isaiah, Nick, Brandon, Dante, and Carson by her side, her foundation has never been stronger. Together, they are building a sanctuary for the survivors of Roanoke—the living and the newly Uncontrolled.

Still figuring out their newfound powers, and the connection which binds them all together, the guys don’t hesitate to do everything they can to protect the woman they love.

Whitney may have brought her guys to life, but when she falls ill, they are left scrambling. Will her men pay any price to save her, or will the storm that brought them together, tear them apart?

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martys horribleMARTY’S HORRIBLE TERRIBLE VERY BAD DAY (ACCIDENTALLY PARANORMAL SERIES BOOK 17) by Dakota Cassidy

For Roxanne McNally, being a grim reaper has never been easy. Now she hates her job more than usual, because she’s been charged with reaping the soul of a legend—werewolf Marty Andrews Flaherty. Marty, together with her equally iconic friends Nina and Wanda, are Rocky’s idols. To say she’s an OOPs fangirl is putting it mildly. No way is she willing to deal with eons of hate Tweets for taking the soul of a paranormal superstar. Reaping supernaturals isn’t even her gig. She’s strictly human-only. No. There must be some mistake with the list, and she’ll get to the bottom of it…if she can just ignore the distracting reappearance of a certain hunky doctor in her life.

Hudson Kahlil—frequently known as Dr. Sexypants among besotted patients and staff—could swear he knows Roxanne from somewhere. As a phoenix who’s regularly reincarnated with no previous knowledge of his past lives, he’s not surprised he can’t place her. Though he’d love to reacquaint himself…and he may get the chance, since they’re both temporarily staying at Marty Flaherty’s home, protecting her while racing to find an unknown threat.

Nina, Wanda and their assorted framily may be able to save Marty’s immortal soul from an enemy who’s plan is still unclear…but they can’t save Rocky from the backlash when her secret past connection to Hudson is finally revealed.

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immortal desiresIMMORTAL DESIRES by Various

Immortals last all night…
So do their desires…
Dive into this wickedly sexy boxed set, packed with thrilling and steamy romances from some of your favorite New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Bestsellers.
We’ve brought the heat with paranormal bad boys who will leave you begging for more. If you love vampires, dragons, shifters, ghosts, and other hotties that go bump in the night, this is a limited time charity boxed set you don’t want to miss out on!

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rekindled magicREKINDLED MAGIC (THE THORNE WITCHES BOOK 5) by T M Cromer

Until now, Holly Thorne has resisted all romantic overtures from her self-appointed bodyguard, Quentin Buchanan. Believing he’s betrayed her, she feigns animosity to protect her vulnerable heart. Unfortunately, now it’s her turn to retrieve the final piece of the puzzle to revive her mother, and she needs Quentin’s help to do it.

From the first moment he set eyes on Holly, Quentin was lovestruck, and she’s held his heart ever since. With a hurtful misunderstanding lying between them, he sets out to convince her that he’s the only man for her. Determined to help in Holly’s quest, he leaves to retrieve an ancient scroll with the magic spell to bring Holly’s mother back from the brink of death.

While in Greece, Holly and Quentin find history repeating itself. Holly must put aside her old hurts forever or risk losing the one man who would cross the boundaries of time to save her.

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elizabeth and her baby dragonELIZABETH AND HER BABY DRAGON (FATED ALPHA BOOK 8) by Ava Mason

Elizabeth and her guys, finally together and having their happily ever after, discover that happiness comes with a price. Their baby, still unborn, is more powerful than ever, and beings from the supernatural world rush to be the one to control her.
Lizzy and her men must do whatever it takes to protect her, even if it comes with a heavy cost.

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jaxson's justiceJAXSON’S JUSTICE (RARE BOOK 6) by Dawn Sullivan

As the technology expert for RARE, Jaxson Lahey spends most of his time on a computer, hunting down everything he can on the team’s enemy, the General. Focused on the mission, he doesn’t have time for anything else, which is fine with him. All he cares about is finding justice for the people he considers his family after the hell they’d been through. Until she enters his dreams.

A prisoner of a man she considers the devil himself for the past year, Raven Dreher has almost given up hope of ever seeing the light of day again. She lives in fear, with constant pain beating at her, but she refuses to give into what the General wants. She would rather pass on into the next life than give up her people. All she can do is pray her suffering will come to an end soon. Then, she hears his voice.

Jaxson is driven by an uncontrollable need to find the woman in his dreams and save her. Raven is hoping her prayers have been answered by the voice promising he is coming for her. Will Jaxson be able to find Raven before the General makes his move, or is it truly time for Raven to see what the next life has in store for her?

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bantamweightBANTAMWEIGHT (HALLOW BROTHERS BOOK 5) by Tricia Andersen

Abraham Hallow would do just about anything to get out from under his oldest brother, Josiah’s, thumb. That includes performing as the Luchador in the local semi-professional wrestling circuit. He gets more than he bargained for when he hooks up with a woman with multicolored hair. The draw to her is undeniable. He wakes up the following morning with the ancient mark of his ancestors, mating him to the mystery woman he met the night before.
It was a simple mission—find the infamous Hallow brothers, kill them, and bring back the amulet. Kai’s plans get derailed after one night of hot, crazy sex with a mask wrestler. When she finds out the wrestler was none other than Abraham Hallow, the youngest of the Hallow brothers, she is exiled from the mermaid kingdom. Yet the orders from her king still stand. Can she deny her ever-growing love for Abraham, or will she fulfill her duties of killing him?

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hallowed huntTHE HALLOWED HUNT (WILD HUNT BOOK 5) by Yasmine Galenorn

It’s October, and with Samhain approaching, Ember must enter the Cruharach to face the darkest night of her life. As she gives herself over to the Autumn Stalkers and the Leannan Sidhe, she is plunged deep into the shadows of Annwn to face Cernunnos and the test of the Hallowed Hunt.

Meanwhile, the Wild Hunt is trying to contain collateral damage throughout the city. A Fae hate group is terrorizing Seattle, going after shifters and humans alike. In the middle of investigating the deadly cult, Herne takes on a new case.

A frantic wolf-shifter mother begs them for help. Her three-year old daughter has been kidnapped. With three other young girls already dead at the hands of a serial killer dubbed the Angel of Mercy, Herne and Ember find themselves in a desperate race to find the girl before the Angel of Mercy claims another victim.

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circle of the moonCIRCLE OF THE MOON (A SOULWOOD NOVEL BOOK 4) by Faith Hunter

Nell can draw magic from the land around her, and lately she’s been using it to help the Psy-Law Enforcement Division, which solves paranormal crimes. Joining the team at PsyLED has allowed her to learn more about her powers and the world she always shunned–and to find true friends.

Head agent Rick LaFleur shifts into a panther when the moon calls him, but this time, something has gone wrong. Rick calls Nell from a riverbank–he’s naked, with no memory of how he came to be there, and there’s a dead black cat, sacrificed in a witch circle and killed by black magic, lying next to him.

Then more animals turn up dead, and team rushes to investigate. A blood-witch is out to kill. But when it seems as if their leader is involved in the crime, the bonds that hold the team together could shatter at any moment.

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warrior of the wildWARRIOR OF THE WILD by Tricia Levenseller

VS Note: Not a romance but I was caught by description of the kick ass heroine. Put it on my TBR.

As her father’s chosen heir, eighteen-year-old Rasmira has trained her whole life to become a warrior and lead her village. But when her coming-of-age trial is sabotaged and she fails the test, her father banishes her to the monster-filled wilderness with an impossible quest: To win back her honor, she must kill the oppressive god who claims tribute from the villages each year or die trying.

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immortals salvationTHE IMMORTAL’S SALVATION (BLOODWITE BOOK 2) by Cecelia Mecca

Lawrence Derrickson never wanted to be a chief, let alone a vampire, but fate has always been a fickle beast…callous to the inner-workings of a man’s heart.

Seven hundred years after he was turned, he’s still chief of Clan Karyn, although his clan now consists of only his three siblings. With no more castle to protect and defend, they are dedicated to only one cause—protecting the Cheld—their superhuman descendants.

Lawrence longs for a different life—a life of his own passions, desires, and dreams—but duty drives him further from that with each passing century of protecting the Cheld. Until their mission brings him to Stone Haven. In saving a fledgling Cheld, Alessandra Fiore, he meets her best friend, Toni O’Neill, a human woman who seems to understand him better than anyone has in over ten lifetimes. ..(more blurb on ebook seller page…)

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priory of the orange treeTHE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE by Samantha Shannon

The House of Berethnet has ruled Inys for a thousand years. Still unwed, Queen Sabran the Ninth must conceive a daughter to protect her realm from destruction–but assassins are getting closer to her door.

Ead Duryan is an outsider at court. Though she has risen to the position of lady-in-waiting, she is loyal to a hidden society of mages. Ead keeps a watchful eye on Sabran, secretly protecting her with forbidden magic.

Across the dark sea, Tané has trained all her life to be a dragonrider, but is forced to make a choice that could see her life unravel.

Meanwhile, the divided East and West refuse to parley, and forces of chaos are rising from their sleep.

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lost soulsLOST SOULS (SOUL CHARMER BOOK 3) by Chelsea Mueller

Callie’s magic is finally her own. She and Derek dispatched Ford. They should have been able to breathe, but layers of sin run deep beneath Gem City. Another mob boss quickly rises, and his sights are firmly set on Callie–and her family.

Mobile soul rental shops begin to bite at the Soul Charmer’s business. His retribution is wicked, but the blowback threatens to crush Callie. If she can’t maintain the tenuous balance of souls in Gem City, more lives will be lost.

Only the more magic she uses, the more danger finds her. A break-in, pools of blood, and bare shelves at the Soul Charmer’s store force Callie to choose the fates of others. But which can she live with? Losing her city, her love, her family …or her very soul?

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OKAMIOKAMI: A LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD RETELLING (TALES OF THE AKATSUKI BOOK 3) by Nicolette Andrews

A prisoner seeking his freedom. A woman chosen by the gods. To break himself of his centuries long bondage he must capture her.
Shin gave everything up for love. Uncaring whether he lives or dies, when he catches a spy in his master’s land, he lets her escape. What he hadn’t been counting on was just how cruel his master can be. Now he must catch the spy or be locked away for eternity in darkness.
Pretending to be a woman, he infiltrates a woman’s only temple. Akane, the spy is head strong and determined to not trust him. But when fate sets them on a quest to save a kidnapped girl, they’re drawn together. As he falls for her, Shin finds a new reason to live. But fail to bring her back to his master and he’ll never see the light of day again.

Amazon

bonds of the mazzaBONDS OF THE MAZZA (MAZZA SERIES BOOK 2) by Blake Blessing

Bonded. Kidnapped. Attacked.
What just freaking happened?
Since I jumped into an Uber full of hot men, I’ve discovered I am this fated Mazza that was revered and feared among the Fennin people. Bonded, kidnapped and attacked. I’m navigating a new world with enemies everywhere, and everyone is suspect. This isn’t exactly the life I saw for myself, but I can’t quite bring myself to regret it.

Now my Lusty Legion and I are heading into Fennina to discover exactly who is behind the mysterious attacks. Only, there’s no evidence; only dead ends.

To keep everyone safe, I need to complete my bonds. The one thing I’m asking for myself is that my bonds be formed out of love. But what happens when that may not be an option anymore? To keep everyone safe, I just might have to bond out of necessity. But who?

With the fate of both realms hanging in the balance, I’m trying and failing to make progress with my Lusty Legion. The only hope for our people is to play the game better than everyone else.
Hopefully, it won’t tear us apart in the process.

Amazon

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VS Note: NEWS! We’ve announced the next Pets In SpaceR     anthology and author lineup in our Facebook reader group. (Feel free to come join us LOL.) The collection will release on my birthday this year, October 8. No pre-order yet…

A number of the authors from 2018’s PISA3 have now released their stories as standalones now, including yours truly. ..

star cruise mystery dancerSTAR CRUISE: MYSTERY DANCER

A scifi romance take on the Anastasia legend…

Tassia Megg is a woman on the run after the death of her elderly guardian. She needs to get off the planet in a hurry when chance directs her to an open dance audition for the luxury cruise liner Nebula Zephyr’s resident troupe. One thing Tassia can do is dance.

Security Officer Liam Austin is suspicious of the newest performer to join the Comettes. She shows all the signs of being a woman on the run and seems to fit the Sectors-wide broadcast description of a missing thief, accused of stealing priceless artifacts. As he gets to know Tassia during the cruise, he starts to wonder if she’s something more – a long vanished princess in hiding from deadly political enemies of her family perhaps?

And what’s the story with the three eyed feline companion other crew members swear Tassia brought aboard the ship? Does the animal even exist?

As the ship approaches its next port of call, all the issues come to a boil and Liam must decide if he’ll step in to help Tassia or betray her. F’rrh the alien cat is the key to the mystery and Tassia’s fate.

Amazon     Apple Books   Kobo     Nook     GooglePlay

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VS: I don’t know if you’ve been keeping up with the #copypastecris plagiarism scandal in Romancelandia, where a woman who may or may not even be a real person, could be a group of people, has plagiarized 34 authors so far including Nora Roberts and Diana Gabaldon!!! She’s reportedly plagiarized Nalini Singh, Michelle M Pillow, Laurann Dohner and Carmen DeSousa among our scifi romance community.

The Kindle Unlimited (KU) program, Amazon scammers, use of ghostwriters, rapid release, free and $.99 books are all among the topics now being discussed hotly. The issues are complex although obviously plagiarizing is WRONG WRONG WRONG. Aside from that, there are perfectly legitimate indie and hybrid authors who use KU, free books and $.99 prices as tools to attract readers to the rest of their backlist. I have two permafree books myself, one each in my SFR and my Egyptian PNR, to give readers a sample of my writing. I have priced other titles at $.99 on occasion for a special sale.

I have never nor would I ever use a ghostwriter. Every book with my name on it is written by ME. And only me. I write and release approximately 4-7 books a year.

Ghostwriting is a legitimate profession but I think people had no idea how much it’s currently allegedly being used in Romancelandia. My personal opinion: I feel if an author uses ghostwriters they should credit the person, not claim the book is all theirs and certainly not enter it into a writing contest as theirs…

There are authors who write extremely fast on their own. Authors who stockpile books for years and then release them all at once. Authors who write a series in its entirety and then do rapid release. There are also scammers who do rapid release of ghost written or re-packaged material or change pen names and re-release the same books again. It’s kind of a ‘readers be aware’ situation…

I’ve never been in KU myself – I prefer to be ‘wide’ on all platforms to reach more readers. I do list KU books in this weekly report. Unless I have proof an author is a scammer or have other reason to feel the newly released book doesn’t belong on my report (bad reviews for example), I lean toward being inclusive. Hence my “check it out carefully” note at the start every week! Everyone has to decide for themselves what to buy and read.

Nora Roberts has been positively eloquent and fierce on the #copypastecris scandal so check out her blog for more (she has 4 posts on it to date). Her 1st post: http://fallintothestory.com/plagiarism-then-and-now/ 

indiestrrong statement canva

LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica:

February 20

February 13

February 6

January 30

January 23

The term “new” is generally plus or minus a week or two. I try to catch up on ones I missed in recent months.  

I do NOT cover every single new release in SFR/FantasyR/PNR. I never have. That would be an impossible task for any human! I assemble my list every week based on various informal inputs, and I do curate the list to some extent…

I check and verify all the buy links at the time I create the post  but after that I’m not responsible.

 

Too Stubborn Weekend Writing Warriors

Warriors logo revisedI’m taking snippets from my most recently released scifi romance GABE: A Badari Warriors SciFi Romance Novel, the next book in the award winning series. (KIERCE, the next book in the series, is at the editor by the way…)

Here’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!)

Punctuation may be wonky to comply with our guidelines here. May be edited a bit from published version.

If you haven’t read any of my Badari Warriors books, here’s the background:

Genetically engineered soldiers of the far future, the Badari were created by alien enemies to fight humans. But then the scientists kidnapped an entire human colony from the Sectors to use as subjects in twisted experiments…the Badari and the humans made common cause, rebelled and escaped the labs. Now they live side by side in a sanctuary valley protected by a powerful Artificial Intelligence, and wage unceasing war on the aliens. 

The excerpt –  I’ve skipped over some of Gabe and Keshara’s journey toward her home, known as the Retreat. Now they’ve run into the people sent to bring her home.

Be warned – the First Daughter is very angry. The message whispered in her head, sent by Palinna, her closest friend among the sisterhood.

Stomach in knots, Keshara set the front end of the litter down and squatted to check Gabe’s pulse. Thinking he’d lost consciousness, she brushed his hair off his forehead and sighed,“Hang on.”

His eyes flickered open for a heartbeat, “You’re too stubborn to let me die.”

She squeezed his hand and rose to greet the newcomers.

First Daughter Ashla walked up to her and slapped her across the face with so much force Keshara fell to her knees. No resistance, she told herself, touching her bleeding lip gingerly – Ashla was addicted to beating others into submission but, if no resistance to her blows was offered by the victim, she was less likely to fall into a frenzy. For the first time, Keshara found herself seriously considering what the outcome would be if she challenged the First Daughter to a fight, instead of meekly accepting whatever discipline the other woman meted out.  The concept was so novel, she caught her breath and dodged Ashla’s next blow.

gabe badari warriorsThe blurb for GABE: Gabe Carter, hotshot pilot and ex-Special Forces soldier, is far from his home in the human Sectors, kidnapped by alien scientists to be the subject of horrifying experiments. Shot down by the enemy over desolate territory far from his Badari allies and gravely injured, Gabe’s only hope is a mysterious woman on the run herself.

Keshara has to decide whether to abandon the human to die of his injuries on a windswept mountain top or give up her own quest for freedom and take him to a place he can be helped. The undeniable spark between them complicates matters.
His attraction to her is off the charts but when she betrays him to the Khagrish enemy, Gabe doesn’t know what to believe. Trapped inside an alien lab bursting with mysteries and lies, his only hope may be to trust her…again.

Because the renegade alien scientist running her own private experiments wants to use him to accomplish her goals and perpetuate the evil, no matter what she has to do to ensure his compliance. Keshara’s life hangs in the balance and Gabe has to make a choice.

Buy Links for GABE:

Amazon      Apple Books    Nook     Kobo     Google Play

New Releases in #SciFi #Fantasy and Paranormal Romance for Wednesday February 20

bond proofAs 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).

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BOND PROOF: THE APPRENTICE VOLUME 7 (THE TWELVE SYSTEMS CHRONICLES) by E G Manetti

In defiance of the odds, Lilian is within a month of proving her bond, driving desperate Odds Managers to ever increasing bounties on her life—every step beyond the security of the cartel is perilous. Within the cartel, she must put aside her fear, giving all her attention to her duty and the decorum demanded of an apprentice.

The success of the Nightingale launch has brought Lucius and Serengeti into the center of Twelve Systems commerce. As the Nightingale Command Crew is gathers on Metricelli Prime to prepare for the dangerous voyage to the Thirteenth System, whispers of pirates emerge from the Eleventh and Twelfth Systems. A decade before, pirates almost to toppled Serengeti, their reemergence so close to the Nightingale launch endangers all Lucius has achieved. When a group of free-traders arrive from those distant systems, they threaten to resurrect an ancient Mercio scandal that could undermine the honor of Blooded Dagger and Serengeti, and imperil all Lucius’ values.

In the final days of Lilian’s apprenticeship, danger lurks in every shadow. It will require all Lucius’ power and Lilian’s courage to achieve her bond proof.

Amazon     Apple Books

cyborg next doorTHE CYBORG NEXT DOOR: IN THE STARS by Bianca D’arc

Chiron is a cyborg – a man who has been turned into a machine after tragedy. Common wisdom says he’s just a robot now, with no feelings and no memory of his past life, but his next-door neighbor, Roxy, is starting to suspect that’s not exactly true. He looks at her with desire in his eyes, and she knows there’s a man inside that muscular frame, who feels a very mutual attraction.

She’s trying to earn enough as a mechanic for passage back to Earth, but it’s a long way home and war is on the horizon. When aliens attack the station, the leadership flees, leaving the cyborgs and a bunch of women and children to the not-so-tender mercies of the alien warriors. But the cyborgs have a crazy plan and they won’t leave the innocent behind.

With Roxy’s help, they’ll try to fix the last viable ship and head out for parts unknown. Their journey is fraught with hazards, but if they work together, the humans and cyborgs might just find a way home. Roxy and Chiron will have to put it all on the line to save the others—their safety, their lives…and their hearts.

Amazon     Apple Books

heart of stone regine abelHEART OF STONE (KHARGALS OF DURAS) by Regine Abel

When death nearly claims Brianna at the tender age of eight, a being that shouldn’t exist saves her. Twenty years later, she becomes an architect specialized in historic buildings, still searching for evidence that the one who saved her—the one who haunts her increasingly wild dreams—truly exists. When a mystery man hires her for a major project in the catacombs of an old church turned exclusive, gothic nightclub, Brianna believes she may have her chance at long last.

Alkor has grown weary of this era. Forced to hide in plain sight, forbidden from ever claiming the only woman to have stirred his mating instincts, he considers going back into hibernation rather than pining for her from afar. But the sudden activation of the beacon changes everything. Rescue is on the way! With his only means of reaching the rendezvous point trapped in the catacombs, Alkor hires Brianna to help recover his treasure. However, his lost sigil isn’t the only thing he intends to take back home with him.

Time is running out, and the evil forces conspiring to capture him will stop at nothing to achieve their goal, even using Brianna. Did Alkor save his true mate only to lose her now that they might have a chance at a future together?———-
Heart of Stone is a standalone novel part of the collaborative series the Khargals of Duras.
A thousand years ago, a Khargal scouting party left Duras, only to crash on a planet called Earth…(more explanation on ebook seller page…)

Amazon

gravel and gritGRAVEL AND GRIT: KHARGALS OF DURAS by Stacy Jones

Zaek is losing hope after waiting centuries for rescue, but the time has finally arrived. The lost emergency beacon has fallen from orbit and gone active. All he needs to do to get off this damn planet named Earth is find it and get to the pick up location in time. The problem? The beacon comes with an addictively confounding, Earthian female who makes his mating gland swell, marking her as his true mate. Zaek hasn’t been around a human who didn’t run away screaming monster in a millennium, so how the hell is he supposed to convince this smart, beautiful, sarcastic female to give him the opportunity to win her heart before he loses his chance forever?

Mira has always been obsessed with all things alien, but when one breaks into her lab at Area 51, first contact doesn’t go how she planned. Kidnapped and running for her life with a gruff gargoyle that definitely isn’t made of stone and has more than his share of quirks, Mira learns that sometimes plans are made to be thrown out the window.

With a black ops team hot on their heels, determined to kill or capture them both, time is running out and their fumbling romance isn’t the only thing standing in their way to happiness.

Amazon

hard as rockHARD AS ROCK: KHARGALS OF DURAS by Stephanie West

After the loss of her parents, Meline scrapes together the cash to take a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Armed with her great-grandfather’s journal, retracing her heritage should be exciting, yet she can’t shake the frightening feeling someone’s been watching her from the moment she arrived in the old city. Then Roc shows up just when she needs him, offering to help. He’s sexy-as-sin, wealthy, and well-connected, but there’s something he’s hiding.

Roc needs to locate his Khargal sire’s lost sigil before all hell breaks loose, and Meline holds a journal with the answers. After centuries of “liberating” art, he’s never thought twice about lying or stealing, but when the captivating woman appears at the site where his father’s buried, he hesitates. Something about her has gotten underneath his stoney exterior, and he doesn’t know what to do.

When a clandestine group hunting the sigil emerges, Roc and Meline must face them together before the sigil turns everything to ash. Yet the challenge may not be finding the sigil so much as breaking down the wall guarding Roc’s heart.

Amazon

sticks and stonesSTICKS AND STONES: KHARGALS OF DURAS BOOK 4 by Tamsin Ley

Angie’s made it her mission to hold onto the home that is last piece of her heritage. But when a mysterious man makes an offer on the life-sized gargoyle in her garden, she quickly discovers her property holds more than sentimental heirlooms. Beneath its stony facade hides a world where legends are more than mythology, and ancient stories have roots from beyond the stars. The stone sentinel that’s guarded her family for generations is not only alive—

He’s a sexy-as-hell alien who can’t leave well enough alone.

Sten’s ship crashed on Earth centuries ago, and he has watched Angie’s family for generations, sworn to protect his deceased friend’s bloodline. He never understood what could drive a Khargal to break the Prime Directive and fall in love with a human, let alone procreate, but Angie makes Sten consider things beyond mere duty…(more blurb on ebook seller page…)

Amazon

etched in stone abigail mystETCHED IN STONE KHARGALS OF DURAS by Abigail Myst

Frelinray knows duty. He’s been protecting the same family for over 80 years. Now the call home has finally arrived. He must choose between serving his people, the Khargals, or the human woman he desires above all others. Which promise should he break?

Jesse has the hots for a stone statue. Ridiculous, but true. She is an artist, and he’s her muse, but a girl has to draw a line somewhere. Or so she thinks, until he swoops in to rescue her. Can a relationship between a girl and a gargoyle really work, especially when forces beyond their control are finally calling him home?

Amazon

taken for graniteTAKEN FOR GRANITE (KHARGALS OF DURAS) by Nancey Cummings

Captured, starved and blinded, Tas hates humans. For eighty agonizing years, he’s plotted all the gruesome ways to exact his vengeance. Then one day his captors to make a fatal mistake. When the door to his cage opens, he’s ready to destroy the human on the other side.But a different instinct takes over when he scents the female. His mouth waters and his fangs ache, demanding he make the fearless female his.A single mom, desperate to save her kid.Juniper owes a lot of money to a very bad man and unless she does what he wants, he’ll hurt her kid.To clear her debt, all she has to do is drive a van and not ask questions. But when she hears a voice in the back, she realizes she may not only be a thief but also a kidnapper, and that’s where she draws the line.

What she finds in the back isn’t the loot she expected, but it also isn’t a person.It’s a gargoyle… who intends to claim her as his mate.

Amazon

rock my worldROCK MY WORLD (KHARGALS OF DURAS) by Zara Zenia

The gargoyles who fell to Earth have perched and secretly observed humans, but the Rose Syndicate’s threat to use garg technology to create super weapons means the gargs must act before humans pays the price.

Mogul has suffered for years, both at the hands of his fellow gargs and with the losses of the humans he has let into his heart. Never again. With the help of his only two friends, Mogul is determined to take down the Rose Syndicate and get off this planet. The last thing he needs is emotional entanglements, and his injured wings prevent him from injecting the mating serum even if he wanted to.

Kira is determined to unravel the mystery surrounding the objects found at the archeological dig near her childhood home…(more blurb on ebook seller page…)

Amazon

honor boundHONOR BOUND (HONORS BOOK 2) by Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre

Zara Cole was a thief back on Earth, but she’s been recently upgraded to intergalactic fugitive. On the run after a bloody battle in a covert war that she never expected to be fighting, Zara, her co-pilot Beatriz, and their Leviathan ship Nadim barely escaped the carnage with their lives.

Now Zara and her crew of Honors need a safe haven, far from the creatures who want to annihilate them. But they’ll have to settle for the Sliver: a wild, dangerous warren of alien criminals. The secrets of the Sliver may have the power to turn the tide of the war they left behind—but in the wrong direction.

Soon Zara will have to make a choice: run from the ultimate evil—or stand and fight.

Amazon     Apple Books

escape from ixiltaESCAPE FROM IXILTA (ALIEN OUTLAWS BOOK 1) by Kate Rudolph

Six years after being abducted from Earth, Andie Munster has carved out a life for herself on her new home planet of Ixilta. Not the life she wanted, not the life she’d choose, but it’s better than being sold into slavery. Or so she tells herself every day. But when a dashing purple alien named Xandr smashes her carefully constructed existence to pieces, she’ll need to make a choice: remain trapped on a planet where freedom is little more than an illusion, or reach for something greater and risk everything.

Amazon     Apple Books

ithaniITHANI (THE OBERON CYCLE BOOK 3) by J Scott Coatsworth

After saving the world twice, Xander, Jameson, and friends plunge headlong into a new crisis. The ithani—the aliens who broke the world—have reawakened from their hundred millennia-long slumber. When Xander and Jameson disappear in a flash, an already fractured world is thrown into chaos.

The ithani plans, laid a hundred thousand years before, are finally coming to pass, and they threaten all life on Erro. Venin and Alix go on a desperate search for their missing friend and find more than they bargained for. And Quince, Robin, and Jessa discover a secret as old as the skythane themselves.

Will alien technology, unexpected help from the distant past, destiny, and some good old-fashioned firepower be enough to defeat an enemy with the ability to split a world? The final battle of the epic science fiction adventure that began in Skythane will decide the fate of lander and skythane alike. And in the north, the ithani rise.

Amazon     Apple Books

bad pantherBAD PANTHER (ALIEN GUARDIANS OF EARTH BOOK 1) by Donna McDonald

Dr. Sugar Jennings is an Archaeologist and an Ancient Earth Historian. She’s also the host of a very old, very ancient artifact of enormous power. Everyone wants Sugar dead because of it. They want the power she possesses, but she can’t let them get it. Desperation drives her to seek help but no one is willing to risk their own life in the job of protecting hers. Or no one did until a mercenary Panther Shifter decided she might be worth the trouble. Now all she has to do is convince the ancient artifact she carries not to kill Axel for trying to help her.

Axel Rodu is a rogue Panther Shifter and heir to Lyran throne on Earth. His work for the agency is special contract only but even their toughest problems barely keep his boredom at bay. Has he earned the name Bad Panther? Depends on who you ask so long as you don’t ask his newest client. Ironically though, Axel has no intentions of using Dr. Sugar Jennings to worsen his reputation. He has one job to do concerning the archaeologist and one job only. By order of his queen, whatever it takes, he must make sure Dr. Jennings stays alive until the artifact is done with her.

Amazon     Apple Books

revolutionREVOLUTION (THE ELEMENTAL PALADINS SERIES BOOK 6) by Montana Ash

With the battle against the chades over, and the evil at the centre of their world eliminated, balance has finally been restored to nature. Too bad the same can’t be said for their society.

Beyden is trying to support his fellow paladins as they work to restore order after the upheaval caused by the Revolution. But with his leg injured beyond repair and pain his constant companion, Beyden is struggling with his new reality. Max, the one person in the world who could possibly help him, is drowning in her own problems. So Beyden turns to someone he never thought he would need; a human.

Jasminka is used to being the odd one out. The only child of wealthy, stoic parents who demanded nothing short of perfection, she never really fit in anywhere. But being the only human in a magical society of elemental beings and modern-day knights is perhaps taking things a little too far. So why does she feel so at home? Could it be the crazy self-made family, filled with love, laughter, and strays? Or perhaps it’s the gentle giant with the pain-filled, amber eyes? Either way, as a doctor, Jasminka is determined to heal all their hurts … and just maybe, be healed in return.

Amazon     Apple Books

sci regency 4SCI-REGENCY 4: DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS by J L Langley

Dalton Fairfax, Lord Ashbourne, has always flaunted the rules of Regelence high society. Despite being the heir to the Marquess of Ravensburg and cousin to the Townsend princes, Dalton found his calling in the military, first in the Intergalactic Navy and now the Regelence Special Regiment. Finally home, in the same city as the parents he seeks to avoid along with a painful past, Dalton jumps at the chance to help his planet by taking on the role of bodyguard to the heir of the Duke of Eversleigh.

Blaise Thompson, Viscount Redding, strives to prove himself worthy of carrying on the Eversleigh legacy as the next Regelence IN council member. Maintaining his stellar reputation isn’t easy for Blaise, especially while keeping his outrageous younger brother in line and foiling his rival’s personal attacks. Ever conscious of living up to his responsibilities, Blaise has no time for romance, not even with a lusty special forces soldier.

But opposites don’t just attract… they sizzle. And when the only way to stop a scandal that threatens them both is to compromise their principles, Blaise and Dalton are forced to confront the risk of losing everything… even each other.

Amazon     Apple Books

havocHAVOC: AFTER THE FEVER by Miranda Bailey

VS Note: From January. A re-release.

Jess knows the world has ended, she’s had to endure unbearable losses that prove that, but she has one final wish, if this is the end for humanity. She just wants to see Savannah one more time, to smell the ocean, and to die in a place she used to dream of living in. She hadn’t counted on meeting a woman named Havoc, or the way the woman lives up to her name.
In the old world, Jess wasn’t supposed to find Havoc so interesting. She wasn’t supposed to want her either, but this is a new world, and the old rules don’t apply. Right?

Amazon

talenTALEN by Shay Savage

In a world plagued by constant earthquakes and volcanic debris, people in the valley struggle to survive while those on top of the hill want for nothing.
This is where I come in.
I spend my nights plundering supplies in the walled city of Hilltop, and I trade them to the valley people below. I’m not a thief. I prefer to be known as the head of Lost and Found.
When I discover a beautiful but dangerous competitor in my territory, I also learn she knows more about me than she should. Is she a spy sent by my father, or is she a rebel like me? I don’t trust her, but together we’ll discover secrets that may destroy what’s left of our world.
There have always been those with wealth and those without.
My name is Talen, and I’m here to even the score.

Amazon     Apple Books

dangers fateDANGER’S FATE (HOLLY DANGER BOOK 6) by Amanda Carlson

VS Note: Not a romance, might have romantic elements. Most of the reviews state the series should be read in order.

The floating city exists…
Upon receiving the urgent missive, confirming the existence of the Flotilla, there’s nothing left for Holly to do but rush to their aid. Hundreds, if not thousands, of lives are at stake. But the government, now run by her crew, are holding back their efforts. Betraying them could mean the start of a bitter feud, just when the dark city has a chance to regain its lost resources.

Alaria Bancroft is in the fight of her life—against her father and his trusted followers. After cutting the hydro-farms loose, they’re in jeopardy of being lost at sea. To complicate matters, the biospheres are broken beyond repair and food stores are rapidly dwindling. If help doesn’t arrive soon, they all die.

Ari’s only option is to sneak back into the floating city, in one last attempt to save as many as she can. When Holly arrives, the two have to work together, but it might be too late.

Amazon     Apple Books

ostakisOSTAKIS by Angelica Primm

The Human Planets Collective sent young Ambassador Kaj Deder to the former colony planet Ostakis to establish relations. But in the twenty-five hundred years since Earth lost contact with Ostakis, the people of that colony have dramatically changed. Kaj is tasked with finding the reason for these changes while he forges trade links between the HPC and Ostakis. Without trade with the HPC, the dwindling resources of Ostakis will ultimately end human life on the planet. But his mission faces a huge obstacle in the form of Most Reverend Thyenn Sharr, the head of the Faith Progressive Church, who sees the arrival of Kaj as the beginning of the end of the Church. Kaj’s powerful attraction to Trademaster Klath’s son, Arlan does not smooth relations.

Arlan Klath, the son of the Trademaster of Ostakis, bears the secret that the pious people of his planet want to hide from the homeworld and the HPC…(more blurb on ebook seller page…)

Amazon      Apple Books

kain seductionKAIN SEDUCTION (HER ALIEN SCOUTS BOOK 2) by E M Moore

Ready for more otherworldly experiences?
Lia certainly is. Who wouldn’t be with three sexy aliens by her side to fulfill her every whim and wanting nothing more than to protect her?
Unfortunately, Lia may be getting too many experiences to handle. If it isn’t Kain itself, it’s Lia’s government, and now? Now they encounter the worst threat of all: the Mordrons.
This warrior alien race is trying to take everything they have away from them. The Mordrons are bigger, stronger, and skilled in ways the peaceful Kains never thought necessary. However, the Kains have one thing the Mordrons don’t have: a reason to fight.
But will the Kains’ determination to fight be enough? Or will the Mordrons obliterate everything they now hold dear?

Amazon

alien invaders preyALIEN INVADER’S PREY: A DARK SCIFI ROMANCE by Calista Skye

Althea – He’s a giant alien who just invaded my colony on Mars. And then he hunted me down and put a collar around my neck. Okay, so maybe I shot him first. But he’s too shimmering blue and too heart-stoppingly gorgeous to miss. He’s an overbearing jerk with some kind of superiority complex. He demands obedience. And still he turns me on like nobody has ever done. But he wants to know my secret.And that’s a secret that I’d rather die than tell him.

Brox – She shot me, and I must punish her for it. She’s small and soft and has a defiant spark in her dark eyes. That is very dangerous for her. The galaxy can be ruthless to small, disobedient females. I can, too. She tempts me with her scandalous shape. She brings out the worst in me. I want all of her. But I also want her secret.And I always get my way.

Amazon

breath of chaosBREATH OF CHAOS by Merry Ravenell

Civil engineer Helena didn’t intend to get mixed up with her smoldering-hot ex, Auryn. But an expired passport, a typhoon, and some corrupt government officials (and maybe the cosmos itself) had something to say about that.
She especially did not intend to get mixed up with dying alien space dragons living under the sea.
They’re a nice enough bunch. Except they want her dead.
To survive, she’ll have to prove that she’s destined to be there… by spinning water into air.
This is gonna call for more duct tape.

Amazon

ragnar alien vikingRAGNAR (CLAIMED BY THE ALIEN VIKING) by Molly Rowland

As a member of a prestigious security team on Earth, joining a warrior Viking clan isn’t as scary for me as it is for some. I have a solid set of skills and I can handle myself. But ultimately, I can’t afford to turn this opportunity down.

I meet Ragnar by chance, thrown together by fate and chaos. From the moment his eyes lock onto mine, an inevitable connection is formed. He doesn’t follow the rules and I know I should stay far away from him…but he has other ideas.

We find ourselves setting sail across the sea with orders to put an end to the conflict that follows Ragnar and his crew and threatens the peace of the Isle. In the end, we get more than we bargained for.

Even if we make it out alive, our future together is uncertain. Are the lies and deceit too much to over come? Is a life together possible or are our demons too strong?

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alien princes bloodmateALIEN PRINCE’S BLOODMATE (ALIEN WARRIOR BRIDES BOOK 8) by Taylor Neptune

Andar is the deposed Adesran prince and head of a small clan of royalists; he is also one of the last honorable vampires on the planet. He has mastered his blood hunger, in stark contrast to the usurper Valock. Without a throne, he and his clan try to fight against Valock’s cruelty. But when Valock hears a prophecy, he begins to steal Mashek moon daughters. Andar must unseat Valock once and for all.

He doesn’t expect one of the moon daughters to be his fated blood mate. Now they’re on a journey to defeat Valock and restore the planet to the way that it should be.

Kana lived in a hidden valley with her Mashek family until the day that the Rippers came and stole her from her home. Now she must fight to survive Valock’s plans for her to be the mother of the first hybrid Adesran-Mashek baby, the child prophesied to bring peace to the planet at last.

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lunaLUNA: THE CELESTION CHRONICLES 2 by Miranda Masey

After an ancient pyramid is discovered on the distant planet Osara, Dr. Lux Tiefer joins her colleague and nemesis, Alon Takalis, on an expedition to catalogue the remains of an extinct alien race. When a powerful alien warrior demands that she leave the blacklisted planet immediately, Lux digs in her heels. She doesn’t know who this seven-foot-tall musclebound Celestion thinks he is, but there is one thing she knows for certain: she’s not going anywhere before she unravels the ancient mystery, even if the surly warrior does claim to be destined for her. It shouldn’t be that difficult to resist him… but Ven has a way of breaking down her resolve.

Celestion Ven has intercepted a broadcast from Osara, and it falls on him to roust a team of Sovereign University scientists from the restricted quadrant. Unfortunately the stubborn lead archaeologist not only rejects the mate bond between them, but refuses to leave her discovery behind. He agrees to protect her for six days, determined to win Lux over, but she’s ready to resist the power of the bond with every fiber of her being.

The secrets contained in the ancient pyramid only grow more sinister as the team digs into the past, and a deadly secret hidden for millennia threatens to come to light and devour them all.

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concord coalitionTHE CONCORD COALITION (CONCLAVE WORLDS BOOK 2) by Kenley Davidson

As heir to Earth’s most powerful corporation, Phillip Linden had the world—and most of explored space—under the heel of his very expensive boot. But that was before his ambitions and a handful of determined rebels rose up and kicked him in the teeth. Now, after a galactic-sized screw up, he’s been branded a failure and kicked out—of his family, his home, his job…even his planet.

Living under an assumed name on the fringes of human civilization, Phillip is adrift, drowning in his bitterness and loss until he stumbles over a discovery so monumental, it could change the course of humanity’s future.  For Phillip, it could be the key to regaining what he’s lost. Or it could be the new beginning he never knew he needed.

Persephone is running away—from her family, their expectations, and the destruction of her hopes for a new life on Daragh. Trouble is, she has no idea what she really wants, except her freedom. Now homeless and jobless, she’s stuck on Concord Five, the busiest space station in a rapidly expanding galaxy, hoping to find work. What she finds instead is a bitter, compelling man in search of redemption, and a mystery that could be their undoing—or their salvation.

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skylineSKYLINE: THE CAPTAIN, THE BILLIONAIRE BOAT AND THE DRAGON CRUSADER by Kennedy King

Dawn Redding. An Admiral of the World Crisis Committee, she stands on the threshold of the life she gave everything for. She only needs to bring in the galaxy’s first outerworld outlaw.
Howard Carver. The legacy left behind by his family holds the key to facing humanity’s greatest threat, the far-flung lifeforms known as Dragons.
Rick Miller. A retired Captain with the ship to take them both to the outerworlds, where the outlaw Drogan lurks.
These three come together aboard the ageing Arcadia, a ship equipped with an AI named Alice, who is capable of self-piloting. Dawn, naturally feels useless. With or without the use of her greatest skill, she discovers her purpose as a leader when the group comes face-to-face with the being between man and Dragon himself. Drogan.
The astral road to him, the SkyLine, launches Dawn and the crew of the Arcadia from Mars to Neptune, and past the edge. Companions in loathing and love, they fight to level the cosmic scales. Through it all watches Alice, inside the Billionaire Boat, the Arcadia. More closely than anyone, she watches Dawn.

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prince of icePRINCE OF ICE (FROZEN DRAGONS BOOK 3) by Terry Bolryder

Luka, the last unmated ice dragon, knows exactly how to win over the sassy, sweet scientist he fell for at first sight. He’s going to take it slow, let her warm up, and show her how hot an ice dragon’s kiss can be. All while hiding his identity. But when someone breaks into Iris’s lab, Luka’s careful plans are ruined, and it’ll take all his strength just to keep the dragon in him from unleashing on whoever is threatening his mate.

Iris Jensen has worked hard to become a renowned scientist in her field. Now that she’s about to get tenure, and the financial security she’s always longed for, nothing can distract her. Except maybe a man with beautiful, icy eyes that seem to stare into her soul and hands that are just perfect for holding her. But with someone threatening everything she’s worked for, she can’t let herself fall into Luka’s arms just yet.

Even though Luka wants to take things slow with his mate, the dragon in him knows he has to hurry if he wants to protect her from outside forces. Because Iris may be close to losing everything, and in the modern world there are some things even ice dragons have to fear.

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written in waterWRITTEN IN WATER (HEIR TO THE FIRST BORN BOOK 1) by Elizabeth Schechter

Out of the dreams of the Mother Goddess came the four tribes of Adavar, each born from of the elements. And since the beginning, the tribes of Adavar have been ruled by the Firstborn, the descendants of Axia, the firstborn daughter of the Mother Goddess. And as Axia had her four companions by her side throughout her life, so to does the Firstborn have their Companions, chosen one from each tribe, so that each tribe has a voice. On the day that the Firstborn takes the throne, their Heir is chosen by the Mother Goddess herself, and no one would dare to challenge that divine choice

Until the usurper Mannon turns on Firstborn Tirine, her Council, and Milon, her Heir, stealing the throne of Adavar and throwing the world into chaos.

Twenty-five years later, Waterborn Aleia and her mate, Earthborn Jehan, survive alone far out at sea, maintaining little contact with the Water tribe. It is the only life their son, Aven, has ever known.

Then the storm comes, driving a storm-damaged ship into the deep waters. The only survivor on the deserted ship? A girl with wings, who Jehan and Aven discover unconscious and imprisoned in the hold. When she wakes, she knows Aleia and Jehan on sight, and what she tells them turns Aven’s life upside down.

Her name is Aria.
She is Milon’s daughter.
She is the Heir to the Firstborn, charged by the Goddess to take back what was stolen.
And Aven is her first Companion.

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sea of flamesSEA OF FLAMES (STAR  CROSSED ACADEMY BOOK 1) by Wendy Knight

He’s loved her since he was five years old. And he will never feel her touch.
Adara is literally fire, and Beck is ice. Even the barest hint of touch burns them both.
He loves her with everything he has. Which is why he has to let her go.
Beck and Adara were raised together at Vitolas Academy, an elite boarding school for elementals. They learned to add, subtract, read, and harness the powers flowing through them.
They learned to fight.
To become soldiers.
Warriors.
Hunters.
But never lovers. It would hurt too much.
It takes everything Beck has to keep Adara at arms’ length. She deserves a life with physical affection, and that’s a life he can’t give her. Not without a miracle.
A miracle that might come from the last source he expects–the monsters that he’s spent his whole life learning to fight. The monsters that threaten his whole world.
The monsters that hold the key to Adara’s heart and soul.

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sorcerors nightA SORCERER’S NIGHT (THE ORDER OF THE BLACK OAK – WARLOCKS BOOK 2) by Marie Claude Bourquet

THE SORCERESS: Celeste Stanford is determined to reclaim her independence, despite her protective family—modern-day warlocks drawing powers from an ancient legacy—and her overbearing panther shifter boyfriend. She will no longer hide from the aftermath of her horrific abduction by a rogue dark mage and will fight anyone preventing her from true recovery.

THE PANTHER SHIFTER: Even though the mage who kidnapped his girlfriend has been defeated, powerful sorcerer and shifter Sinclair Clarke is still haunted by the memory of his mother’s murder at the hand of the very same evil spell-caster, and has vowed to protect his soul mate from darkness at all cost. Even if it means going against her will.

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a grave perilA GRAVE PERIL (BODIES OF EVIDENCE BOOK 3) by Wendy Roberts

VS Note: From January. Heroine uses dousing rods.

Julie Hall’s job is to find bodies. For the sake of her sanity, she’s taking a much-needed break—but the dead don’t wait. With bodies piling up alongside her guilt, she knows she has to dive back in, despite pushback from her FBI boyfriend, Garrett Pierce. But Garrett is working a troubling case of his own and no longer seems like the man she fell in love with.

Despite his warnings—or maybe because of them—when Garrett goes missing, Julie has no choice but to use her skills to find where the cartel buries their victims…before he becomes part of the body count.

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calamitys curseCALAMITY’S CURSE: COWBOYS AND MAGES by Shaye Marlow

Rory the Crazy, Rory the Cunning… Rory the Cowardly. I fear many things, not the least of which is one little old lady: Dotty, who is much more than she appears.

One thing I don’t shrink from? Brainstorming with my smut-writing sister. Tentacle monsters, ruthless Amazon women, trolls, fairies, honey-trap witches. But what if… some of these things actually exist? Not just in my imagination, and not here, in this universe, but in one Dotty has access to.

One she shoves me into.

Hypothetically, if this were to happen, and I were to meet a vertically-challenged cursed woman named Calamity… If we were to brave monsters and settle feuds and destroy towns… If I were to find out I had a grand fate, that I was the prophesized one, the one who’d change everything…

And assuming you’re strangely attracted to hypotheticals, and crave fun and fire and fantasy, and romantic tales of heroism that bards will sing about for ages, then…

Dude, hold my beer, and let me tell you a story.

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blood lustBLOOD LUST  by L E Royal

For Rayne Kennedy, the only Hybrid in Vires, a walled Vampire city in Vermont, life is almost over. Despite the new family and temporary happiness she’s found, her vampire girlfriend, Scarlett Pearce, has been given ninety days by the mysterious city government to turn her into a vampire. She’s sure her days as a human are numbered.

Scarlett fights to find a way to avoid Rayne’s death when her father and society have decreed it must happen. Between new relationships formed, old ones reshaped, and a bloody romp through the city’s darkness, Rayne must decide if she trusts Scarlett not to give in to her blood lust. Thrown into the center of an unexpected revolution, Rayne tries to save herself and Scarlett, unsure if her days as a human, and their time being blood bound, are truly coming to an end.

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assassins bondASSASSIN’S BOND (CHAINS OF HONOR BOOK 3) by Lindsay Buroker

Yanko and his friends must escape a Turgonian prison and find passage back home before their enemies claim an advantage that could change the world. And not for the good of the Nurian people.

But even more trouble awaits at home. Civil war has broken out, Yanko’s family is in danger, and the man who sent him on his mission has disappeared.

If Yanko can’t find Prince Zirabo, he’ll forever remain a criminal and be hunted down by his own people. Worse, his only chance to survive and redeem his honor may be to rely on the one person who’s been trying to kill him since his adventure began.

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dusks revengeDUSK’S REVENGE (SILENT WINGS BOOK 3) by A W Exley

Elijah Seton steps into the world in pursuit of a ghost ship and those who murdered his father. He thought he knew his enemy, and he would do anything to see them fall. But he was wrong. Elijah’s world is turned upside down when he finds a rare woman that his heart demands should fly free.
Beatrice Hamilton lives with wealth and ease in her gilded cage. Until a new mill worker rattles her bars and gives her a glimpse of the freedom beyond. As the two work together, centuries of hate and anger are revealed that keep them apart.
Can they set aside old feuds to forge a new future?
beasts heartTHE BEAST’S HEART: A NOVEL OF BEAUTY AND THE BEAST by Leife Shallcross

He is a broken, wild thing, his heart’s nature exposed by his beastly form. Long ago cursed with a wretched existence, the Beast prowls the dusty hallways of his ruined château with only magical, unseen servants to keep him company—until a weary traveler disturbs his isolation.

Bewitched by the man’s dreams of his beautiful daughter, the Beast devises a plan to lure her to the château. There, Isabeau courageously exchanges her father’s life for her own and agrees to remain with the Beast for a year. But even as their time together weaves its own spell, the Beast finds winning Isabeau’s love is only the first impossible step in breaking free from the curse.

peony lanternsPEONY LANTERNS: A NOVELLA by Patricia Correll

Mitsu has been Shiro’s personal servant and best friend since they were both six years old, and he’s been in love with him for nearly that long. While Shiro takes lovers of both sexes, the gulf between their social classes is so vast that Mitsu has never spoken his feelings aloud.

When Shiro meets the beautiful Lady Keiko, he’s instantly infatuated. His affection soon turns to obsession, and Mitsu resigns himself to a life of unrequited love.

But as Mitsu looks deeper into Keiko and her motives, he realizes that Shiro is in grave danger. He will need all his courage– and some help from a master of the occult– to save the life of the man he loves.

potions popstars and murderPOTIONS, POPSTARS & MURDER (LITTLE SHOP OF SPELLS BOOK 3) by Janni Nell

When small-town witch Maddie Goodcharm attends the opening of a new nightclub, she doesn’t expect to find the body of a famous singer. Maddie suspects foul play, but the authorities are convinced the death is accidental. Case closed.

Maddie decides to follow her instincts and dig deeper, but life doesn’t stop simply because she has a murder to solve. She also has to run her shop, mix potions, and rehabilitate Jason, who is suffering the aftereffects of a spell gone wrong.

Keeping all those balls in the air won’t be easy. Especially when her investigation uncovers old secrets and lies that put her life in danger. Can she catch the killer before the killer catches her?

wolf on the jobWOLF ON THE JOB: A COVENANT COLLEGE SHORT by Amanda M Lee
Aric Winters has a full and happy life, including a magical wife who can’t stay out of a trouble and an eight-year-old daughter who is following in her footsteps. Despite that, he’s content.
That is until things come to a head in his professional and personal lives and things threaten to careen out of control.
As a shifter, Aric has certain responsibilities in the wolf hierarchy. His father makes that clear when he brings a bigwig for a visit and expects Aric to entertain him. Unfortunately for Aric, his daughter Sami is out of school for the day so he has to take her along for the ride.
Sami is special, of course. She’s more than a wolf thanks to her mother’s mage background. That power is put on display when a member of the wolf council goes missing and Sami is expected to track him through the woods.
Instead of finding a living wolf, though, Aric finds a dead one … and it’s not the one he’s looking for. What follows is a race against the clock to find a murderer and keep his family safe.
Is Aric up to the task? He’s the top wolf on the job, and he’s about to find out.
unleashed valkyrieUNLEASHED VALKYRIE (VALHALLA’S CURSE BOOK 5) by Stacy Claflin
VS note: From January

Soleil wants nothing more than to live with her family, free from the rules governing her kind. But with Valhalla on the brink of civil war, even retired valkyries are called back to service. Even though she’s a master at skirting the rules, there’s no avoiding her destiny this time. Especially since she’s accidentally volunteered to lead Valhalla’s opposition on Earth—and with two of her least favorite valkyries, no less.

As though a war with traditional valkyries isn’t enough, there’s been a resurgence of hunters. Even the help of the supernaturals on Earth may not be enough to assure victory. Not when she’s fighting a war on two fronts. There’s one supernatural who might be strong enough to turn the tide, but she’d never ask. She’s also not strong enough to keep him from entering the fray.

The fate of two worlds hang in the balance. Soleil wants nothing more than to flee with her family, but she’s honor-bound to stay and fight. The question is, how will the war end? With her people free? With two worlds destroyed? Or will she even survive to witness the outcome?

queen of swordsQUEEN OF SWORDS (THE BANISHED GODS SERIES BOOK 1) by L A McGinnis
My mother always told me that someday, there’d be hell to pay. I never believed her. Then I died.
Morgane Burke is a survivor. Returning to Chicago to fight the monsters who killed her family might not bring them back, but it would go a long way in balancing the scales. Finally, those scales are beginning to tip in her favor. But a far bigger war is brewing on the shores of Lake Michigan, a war poised to sweep her up in its deadly grasp. Can she find the strength she needs to battle the demons within her, as well as the ones coming to claim her soul?
fire breathing remyFIRE BREATHING REMY (DRAGONS OF THE BAYOU BOOK 4) by Candace Ayers
It’s the night before Lennox Ledoux’s wedding.
The most exciting day of her life, right?
Why is she envisioning the steel bars of a cage slamming shut?
When a huge, red creature crashes to the ground a few feet away, she’s the only witness.
When it transforms into a hot, naked guy, she’s still the only witness.
Remy swears he and Lennox belong together.
And, boy, does she want to believe him.
But he’s clearly drunk and delusional.
Besides, she can’t get out of the wedding now.
Not with guests in town and the entire event paid for.
Can she?
bounty hunter mackBOUNTY HUNTER MACK (THE CLAYTON ROCK BOUNTY HUNTERS OF REDEMPTION CREEK BOOK 4) by Kim Fox
Mack Harris wants revenge. He wants to kill everyone responsible for the death of the young lion shifter who was under his protection and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get his vengeance.

Kara Griffin has just escaped from a military facility that has been keeping her prisoner, but instead of fleeing as far away as she can get, she wants to return to save the rest of her family who are still trapped inside.

When the two unlikely pair connect, sparks fly and Mack will have to make an impossible choice between vengeance or his new love. But when old enemies come back to settle the score, there might not be a choice left to make.

let me be your bearLET ME BE YOUR BEAR (TALL, DARK AND SHIFTER BOOK 1) by Amber Belmont

When three sorority sisters make a pact not to settle down unless he’s tall, dark, and shifter, you just know sparks are going to fly!

Alyssa has everything a woman could want. Money, a promising career, and friends who’d do anything for her. The only thing missing is a good man, but she’s not sure if she’s interested in dating, let alone settling down. So when her sorority sister and best friend Brianna suggests they agree not to date anyone who isn’t tall, dark, and shifter, Alyssa is more than happy to make a pact to do just that.

Despite her vow, when Sean walks into her life, all Alyssa’s promises are forgotten. He might not be a shifter, but he’s the sexiest man she’s ever met. Two out of three can’t be bad, right?

But when Alyssa is caught up in an attempted kidnapping, secrets come to light, secrets that could change everything. As more lies are uncovered, Alyssa wonders whether she can trust anyone or if she’s better off alone.

What was meant to be a fun way of finding the man of her dreams threatens to become a nightmare. Are shifters really the way to go or should Alyssa give up on men altogether?

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tropical leopards longingTROPICAL LEOPARD’S LONGING (SHIFTING SANDS RESORT BOOK 8) by Zoe Chant

Snow leopard shifter and heiress Darla Grant thought that marrying her best friend would be the solution to all of her problems: it would shelter her from a persistent and unwelcome suitor, unlock her inheritance to save the bankrupt shifter retirement home where she volunteers, and free her from her controlling society mother.

Then she meets her fated mate at the tropical luxury resort reserved for her wedding, and her perfect plan turns into perfect torture.

Leopard shifter and waiter Breck is everything her mother despises: poor, common, and openly bisexual. No matter that he’s also charming, funny, and kind—even if Darla could switch grooms, her mother would never give her blessing to the match and the suitor she was trying to escape isn’t going to give up her fortune without a fight.

But there’s more to Breck than a ready smile and thoughtful service.
And he’s always been up for a challenge.

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houndedHOUNDED (FAE HELLHOUNDS OF THE NORTH SHORE) by A S Green

For over fifteen centuries, St. Patrick’s disciples have hunted the faerie kingdoms of Ireland nearly to extinction. Cormac MacConall—a cú sídhe, or “hell hound” from the faerie realm—escaped with his family and found refuge on the north shore of Lake Superior.

But when the enemy tracked them there, killing his parents, the hell hound reclaimed his nature, turning vicious hunter, seeking blood and vengeance.

Enter Meghan Walsh. Beautiful. Sexy. But human. An untouchable. And yet…he can’t help but touch her. She’s small. Naive. And yet…formidable. And worst of all: his anamachara. His fated mate.

Could she be the key to what he seeks? Or could she be the enemy’s most lethal weapon yet?

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queen of the vampsQUEEN OF THE VAMPS (FOURWINDS SERIES BOOK 1) by Serena Akeroyd

LYSSA COULDN’T be normal if she tried, and when she met billionaire businessman Nikolai, he embraced her quirks and made her fall for him.
But Niko is no regular entrepreneur. He has secrets, secrets that are tied up with his partner, Dmitry.
Lyssa never wanted to be the Queen of the Vamps, but the King had other ideas.
She didn’t want two husbands, either, but the King and his Alpha mate were bound to her in ways her human sensibilities could never understand.
In less than a day, Lyssa’s whole world shifts.
Literally.

With her life in flux, and suddenly in danger, Lyssa clings to the two males who brought the chaos to her, but who are the only ones who can keep her safe.
Or so she believes.
A third male is waiting in the wings, ready to embrace his new mates, his new life, his new world order.

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my alpha mr darcyMY ALPHA MR DARCY: A DARK PRIDE AND PREJUDICE VARIATION by Caitlin Marie Carrington

VS Note: If you aren’t familiar with the Omegaverse romance niche, and the alpha/beta/omega setup, these romances tend to go quite dark. Nothing wrong with that if it’s your cup of tea. “A savage sensual variation,” as the author says. As always, I recommend sampling the Look Inside and decide for yourself. I have not read this book.

Once upon a time, Elizabeth Bennet read a fairy tale that broke down the world into three kinds of people: the normal, everyday Betas; the proud and arrogant Alphas; and the meek, submissive Omegas, whose only goal in life was to please their growling Alpha mates.

Lizzy never forgot that tale—even though it wasn’t real.
Or was it?

When terrible pains overcome Elizabeth while tending to her sister Jane, Lizzy knows she must escape Netherfield—and Mr. Darcy. Because he tells her that he is an Alpha, she is an Omega, and that her body will be his.

But she knows she will never submit to any man, especially one as proud, demanding—and tempting—as Mr. Darcy.

But what if Mr. Darcy is telling the truth? What if she is an Omega and—should she run from him—she risks letting any Alpha who finds her, conquer and take her? (…more blurb on ebook seller page…)

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awakening bethany adamsAWAKENING (RETURN OF THE ELVES BOOK 6) by Bethany Adams

For three hundred years, Princess Dria has avoided the drama of the royal court by training as a battle mage. When her father summons her back to court just as she begins to rise up the ranks, she’s furious. Even worse, she must work with her estranged brother Ralan on a mission to Earth. But as soon as Dria arrives at Moranaia’s new outpost, her brother drops the leadership of the entire place into her hands. Now she’s in charge of fortifying a new outpost on a planet she’s never even visited.

An abhorrent task – Prince Vek of the Unseelie has spent millennia as his father’s enforcer, working in the shadows to eliminate evil, but after sparing his nephew Fen from the king’s judgement, Vek must tread carefully. One false move, and he will lose the king’s trust—and Fen’s life. But when the king gives Vek a new, more sinister task, Fen becomes the least of his worries. The Moranaians have a new colony on Earth, and King Torek wants the energy source that’s contained within. Vek must retrieve that power—even if he has to kill the Moranaian leader to get it.

A threat unknown – From the moment she catches Vek sneaking into the cavern, Dria knows the truth—the dark and mysterious prince is her soulbonded. But she’s certain he’s up to no good, and although she’s drawn to him, there is no way she can trust him. His reputation, and that of the Unseelie in general, precedes him. Unfortunately, more than desire is awakening. As they dance around their budding attraction, Dria and Vek uncover a deathly illness lurking among the fae—and a sinister plot that will damage both their worlds.

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apple boyTHE APPLE BOY (THE QUIET WORK BOOK 1) by  Isobel Starling

After a traumatic event, Winter Aeling finds himself destitute and penniless in the backwater town of Mallowick. He needs to travel to the city of Serein and impart grave news that will bring war to the Empire, but without a horse, money, and with not a soul willing to help him, he has no choice but to line up with the common folk seeking paid work on the harvest.

As wagons roll into the market square and farmers choose day laborers, Winter is singled out for abuse by a brute of a farmer. The only man who stands up for him is the farmer’s beguiling son, Adam, and on locking eyes with the swarthy young man Winter feels the immediate spark of attraction.

Winter soon realizes there is a reason he has been drawn to Blackdown Farm. The farmer possesses a precious item that was stolen long ago from Winter’s family, and he determines to retrieve it. He also cannot take his eyes off Adam, and as the young man opens up Winter can’t help wondering if Adam is just kind or his kind!

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tobieTOBIE (FINDING THE WARRIOR’S HEART BOOK 1) by Trinity Blacio

Sometimes to win the battle, you have to put your heart on the line.
Tobie Wareson had a special gift that felt anything but special.
Wolf Carf knew something was missing in his life.
A single book, a psychic vampire, and two hearts that are at stake of being broken are on the line. Can Tobie and Wolf survive the upcoming battle?

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dragons and mayhemDRAGONS AND MAYHEM (DRAGON’S DEN CASINO BOOK 2) by Blair Babylon and Poppy Wolfe

Arawn, Duke Tiamat, absolutely, positively, definitely isn’t falling into a mating fever, and that’s the problem. A year ago, Arawn met the most bewitching woman, Willow Sage, and they hit it off. Within six months, they’d moved in together.

And six months after that, Arawn still was showing no signs of mating fever.

He didn’t tell her he was a dragon shifter, of course. Natural people have such strong reactions to learning about the hidden supernatural world, so supernatural people don’t admit anything unless they’re engaged.

And they weren’t engaged because, obviously, Willow wasn’t Arawn’s fated mate.

So, on the advice of everyone, Arawn broke it off and broke both their hearts. His fated mate was waiting for him somewhere, and when she walked into his life, he would be helpless to resist the mating fever anyway.

But now, Arawn has been blackmailed into returning to Las Vegas to take over the soft opening of the Dragon’s Den Casino. When he walks into the Human Resources division to meet the new witch who’s going to take care of the sickly sea serpents in the fountain out in front of the casino, it’s Willow Sage.

Willow Sage, the love of his life but not his fated mate, and she’s a witch.

They try to work together to care for the sickly serpents, but their attraction and lingering love is just too strong. Within hours, he wants to spend time with her. Within weeks, he’s hopelessly in love with her again.

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tarot marissa kennersonTAROT by Marissa Kennerson

VS Note: I find the concept of living in a tarot deck kind of fascinating!

Born of a forbidden union between the Queen and the tyrannical King’s archnemesis, Anna is forced to live out her days isolated in the Tower, with only her mentors and friends the Hermit, the Fool, and the Magician to keep her company. To pass the time, Anna imagines unique worlds populated by creatives and dreamers–the exact opposite of the King’s land of fixed fates and rigid rules–and weaves them into four glorious tapestries.

But on the eve of her sixteenth birthday and her promised release from the Tower, Anna discovers her true lineage: She’s the daughter of Marco, a powerful magician, and the King is worried that his magical gifts are starting to surface in Anna. Fearing for her life, Anna flees the Tower and finds herself in Cups, a lush, tropical land full of all the adventure, free-spiritedness, and creativity she imagined while weaving.

Anna thinks she’s found paradise in this world of beachside parties, endless food and drink, and exhilarating romance. But when the fabric of Cups begins to unravel, Anna discovers that her tapestries are more than just forbidden expression. They’re the foundation for a new world that she is destined to create–as long as the terrors from the old world don’t catch up with her first.

Amazon     Apple Books

bewitched dragon matesBEWITCHED DRAGON MATES: A ZODIAC SHIFTERS PARANORMAL ROMANCE (CAPRICORN HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON MATE) by Melissa Thomas

Witch BJ MacClamity signed on to bake enchanted cupcakes, only to wind up stranded on an alien world with her skunk familiar. Born under the Capricorn sign, this curvy woman is an overachiever with a control complex a mile wide. Things can’t get any whackier… or can they? Horny dragon-shifters are fighting over her. These misguided males must be nuts!

Dragon-shifters Jael and Asher have been without their fated mate too long. For centuries these warriors yearned for the queen who will complete their trinity… a dragon rider in the truest sense. Discovering a voluptuous goddess alone in the woods is a dream come true. They combat an ancient rival to claim her for themselves.

Between dodging lightning bolts and tripping off cliffs, who has time to tutor a pair of kilt-clad virgins in the finer points of the art de l’amour?

Life is so very hard… and so are they.

Amazon     Apple Books

court of liesCOURT OF LIES (FORBIDDEN QUEEN BOOK 3) by Dyan Chick

Queen’s Trial begins, and the competition turns deadly fast. There’s danger behind every turn, and it’s not just the competition that wants Cassia dead.

To make matters worse, Tristan, the Winter Prince, has a plan of his own. He takes Cassia to the Winter Court where she’ll have to compete without the Princes she’s come to depend on. Will things stay ice-cold in the Winter Court or will she succumb to the steamy bad boy Prince with his own agenda?

Things aren’t always what they seem, though. Cassia might have the magic to become Queen, and the love of her Princes. But with that target on her back, will she survive to get the chance?

Amazon

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VS Note: this week I’m featuring my alien empath series. I had a great time writing romantic suspense type plots set in my scifi romance universe:

canva alien warrior priestesses ad

My books are available wide on all the ebook platforms – here’s my Amazon Author Page,  if you want a quick look at all my backlist titles in one spot!

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LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica:

February 13

February 6

January 30

January 23

January 16

The term “new” is generally plus or minus a week or two. I try to catch up on ones I missed in recent months.  

I do NOT cover every single new release in SFR/FantasyR/PNR. I never have. That would be an impossible task for any human! I assemble my list every week based on various informal inputs, and I do curate the list to some extent…

I check and verify all the buy links at the time I create the post  but after that I’m not responsible.

 

Gabe Makes a Choice Weekend Writing Warriors

Warriors logo revisedI’m taking snippets from my most recently released scifi romance GABE: A Badari Warriors SciFi Romance Novel, the next book in the award winning series. (KIERCE, the next book in the series, is at the editor by the way…)

Here’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!)

Punctuation may be wonky to comply with our guidelines here. May be edited a bit from published version.

If you haven’t read any of my Badari Warriors books, here’s the background:

Genetically engineered soldiers of the far future, the Badari were created by alien enemies to fight humans. But then the scientists kidnapped an entire human colony from the Sectors to use as subjects in twisted experiments…the Badari and the humans made common cause, rebelled and escaped the labs. Now they live side by side in a sanctuary valley protected by a powerful Artificial Intelligence, and wage unceasing war on the aliens. 

The excerpt – follows right after last week’s. The goddess said: “Perhaps my daughter and I hold you here temporarily between life and death.”

“To make my choice?” There was no answer to his question and he made an impatient sound, striding away from where Keshara slept on. The closer he came to plunging into the mist between the trees, the stronger the desire to hurry onward became. Gabe thought he saw a bright white light in the distance beyond the fog and was anxious to reach the safety the light seemed to promise. He hesitated, unable to resist a last look at Keshara. His heart skipped a beat and settled into a jangled, thumping rhythm as his gaze lingered – there was a pull here as well, drawing him to her side and away from the beckoning bright light.

He wished the voice would give him guidance or permission or something. Gabe wasn’t used to being less than decisive about any required action or decision but in this moment he felt truly torn. The closer he came to where Keshara lay, the more his heartbeat smoothed out and also the stronger his inclination to remain here in the peaceful grove, sit and watch her sleep, perhaps hold her hand—

The ground rocked underneath him and Gabe awoke with a gasp, as if he’d stopped breathing for a time.

gabe badari warriorsThe blurb for GABE: Gabe Carter, hotshot pilot and ex-Special Forces soldier, is far from his home in the human Sectors, kidnapped by alien scientists to be the subject of horrifying experiments. Shot down by the enemy over desolate territory far from his Badari allies and gravely injured, Gabe’s only hope is a mysterious woman on the run herself.

Keshara has to decide whether to abandon the human to die of his injuries on a windswept mountain top or give up her own quest for freedom and take him to a place he can be helped. The undeniable spark between them complicates matters.
His attraction to her is off the charts but when she betrays him to the Khagrish enemy, Gabe doesn’t know what to believe. Trapped inside an alien lab bursting with mysteries and lies, his only hope may be to trust her…again.

Because the renegade alien scientist running her own private experiments wants to use him to accomplish her goals and perpetuate the evil, no matter what she has to do to ensure his compliance. Keshara’s life hangs in the balance and Gabe has to make a choice.

Buy Links for GABE:

Amazon      Apple Books    Nook     Kobo     Google Play

Will he stay_

New Releases in #SciFi #Fantasy and Paranormal Romance for Wednesday February 13

auricAs 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).

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AURIC (CRASHLAND COLONY ROMANCE BOOK 1) by Leslie Chase

VS Note: I LOVED this book.

Tamara expected the trip to Arcadia Colony to be safe and boring. And it is — until an impossibly hot alien warrior crashes into the ship, bringing a warning that only Tamara believes. Helping the rugged alien means mutiny… but the threat he’s warning about is worse.Auric turned his back on the Silver Band when they abandoned honor in favor of piracy. Drawn by the riches of the colony ship, the Band are on their way — and once they arrive, the humans are doomed. Now that he’s met Tamara, Auric knows he can’t let anything happen to her. She’s the woman fate has chosen for him, the woman he would give his life to save.When the humans and their alien attackers are stranded on a forbidden planet, Auric and Tamara are flung together on a journey to find other survivors. Will fate be enough to keep Auric and Tamara together? Or will the dangers of the planet tear them apart?

Amazon

dragons secret miranda martinDRAGON’S SECRET (RED PLANET DRAGONS OF TAJSS BOOK 14) by Miranda Martin

This isn’t how I saw my life going. It’s not what was supposed to happen and damn it, I want to live my dreams!

As if.

Every day it becomes clearer that I’m going to be the Mary Poppins of Tajss. I do love helping with all my friends’ half-Zmaj, half-human babies but it also fuels the empty ache of wanting one of my own to hold and raise.

None of the human men that survived hold my interest and there aren’t any of the Adonis-like, seven foot winged and scaled alien dragons unspoken for, leaving me destined for a life without that heart-stopping, throat-clenching, breath-taking love that I desire.

Then he shows up. Strange, mysterious, and so damn big and sexy. An unknown Zmaj.

The golden-eyed dragon warrior is not welcomed with open arms but my heart knows what it wants and he’s it. Now I have to figure out how to make it work without losing all my friends along the way.

Amazon

constellation xxiCONSTELLATION  XXI by Ed Hoornaert

VS Note: I’ve enjoyed the snippets Ed has been sharing. This is on my TBR List.

Although Sienna Dukelsky had been the most promising student pilot at Keening AstroSpace Academy, she inexplicably settles for a routine, unglamorous job guiding incoming spaceships to safe berths at Farflung Space Station. Rumors, never verified, blamed her surprising decision on a boyfriend who got expelled from Keening.

Crispin Hunt, fleeing enemy forces, is greeted by a tugship captained by Sienna, his former girlfriend. Love rekindles—until an old betrayal boils up. Her ship loses power while aimed dead on at the space station, forcing Sienna to confront the terrifying truth about Crispin and his cargo…and her routine job suddenly becomes the most important in the entire galaxy.

Amazon     Apple Books

tchaikovskyTCHAIKOVSKY: STARGAZER ALIEN BRIDES BOOK by Tasha Black

VS note: I’ve been enjoying this new series! On my TBR List.

Angel signed up with the Space Cadets to join her twin brother after he left to explore new frontiers. Instead, her stasis pod was lost in space. Now, hundreds of years later, Angel has been rescued, but all her hopes and dreams are dead. Becoming a space pirate seems as good a way to fill her time as any other. She certainly isn’t going to put her heart on the line again. But when she meets a sexy yet complicated alien security officer on her very first mission, her priorities start to get confused.

Peter has always been the strongest of his brothers. But being captured and forced to serve on the pleasure ships against his will until his brothers broke him out has changed him. The enormous alien is confident on the outside, but broken inside. He never expects to share a physical connection with another being. But impossibly, the human scavenger aboard his vessel awakens both his lust and his most violent protective instincts. Angel is destined to be his blood mate, if Peter dares to bring her into his bed and his heart.

When the unlikely mates discover a pod onboard with a baby who just might be the clone of the famous classical composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky, the two must finally face the music.

Can these broken travelers make each other whole again? Or will their escape from the abandoned cruiser be their swan song?

Amazon     Apple Books

nero bloodNERO BLOOD (THE NERO RISING SAGA BOOK 4) by Keary Taylor

Dominion’s strong hold, the planet Isroth, is crawling with soldiers, and worse—the Kinduri. Nova knew her mission was impossible, but hiding the truth of what she really is may be the most critical thing she’s ever done.

Presented to Cyrillius as the fugitive he’s been chasing for lunars, the last thing Nova expected was to be complimented and revered by the man, praised for her work. The destroyer of planets has offered her a job, and it’s one Nova can’t refuse.

She came to Isroth with a goal: kill Cyrillius. But something is wrong. She just…can’t. Something is stopping her. Maybe she judged Valen for not being able to leave Cyrillius too harshly. Maybe he truly just can’t.

Time is ticking. Because the longer it takes her to figure their freedom out, the more sense Cyrillius and Dominion is starting to make.

Amazon     Apple Books

pine alivePINE, ALIVE (FOXWEPT ARRAY BOOK 1) by A W Cross

Pine never wanted to be a real girl.

But when the sentient androids of Foxwept Province are emancipated, she finds herself with little choice. Sent from her beloved Ghostlight Sea to the human city of Portfade, Pine must find herself a new place in a world that doesn’t respect the humanity it gave her.

Ex-soldier James Cruicéad isn’t thrilled about her liberation either. He’s had his own experiences with synadroids, and none of them good. They’re dangerous and unpredictable, and the one newly acquired by his mentor is no exception, no matter how naïve–and fascinating–she may seem.

But when James is tasked with watching over Pine, the pair are forced to confront some harsh truths–not only about the feelings they have for each other, but about the new era they both live in.

When the time comes to sink or swim, will they drown? Or will they be able to cross the ocean that divides them and discover what it really means to be alive?

Amazon     Apple Books    Kobo     Nook            Google

men of the north the fighterTHE FIGHTER (MEN OF THE NORTH BOOK 9) by Elin Peer

Raven is a force of nature who won’t take no for an answer. She uses her humor and feistiness to blaze through every obstacle, and right now the biggest one is her rigid boss Leo Da Vinci.

Leo wants her to stay safe in an office categorizing unsolved cases, but Raven is longing for action. That’s why when one case turns out to be the unsolved murder case of Dina, the ruler’s sister who died when she was fifteen, Raven sets out to solve the mystery and bring the murderer to justice. Little does she know that coming face to face with the troubled past of the Northlands might set off an unwanted avalanche of events and endanger the lives of herself and the people she loves.

Amazon

taken by the dragon lordsTAKEN BY THE DRAGON LORDS (DRAGON SHIFTERS OF KIYRIA BOOK 3) by Lexa Lumos 

Brea Duncan is sick and tired of men who treat her like dirt. So when a mysterious man with glowing gold eyes saves her from getting beat up by an ex-boyfriend, she’s willing to overlook the fact he abducts her and carries her off to the stars. Sort of.

Turns out her abductor is a dragon shifter from Kiyria and he and his brothers want her as their mate. Unfortunately, she’s been burned too many times and is hesitant about risking her heart, even with three such amazing men. It isn’t until their lives are in danger that Brea not only finds the strength within herself, but her love for her three men.

Amazon

lost hopeLOST HOPE (SHIFTING ALLIANCES BOOK 5) by Severine Wolfe

Nan’s entire life had been stolen from her before she’d been abducted and given away to pay a debt. All she wanted to do was give up and die and join her dead husband in whatever afterlife there was. Frustrated at not being allowed to go back to what little bit of life she had left on Earth, she grabs on to the chance to learn about new engines and propulsion systems. When she’d invited to visit a new ship with brand new engines, she feels life inside her for the first time she can remember.

Miko left Selu as a young man to attend The Academy and become and engineer on the best ships with the best engines The Accord has to offer. He’s given up finding someone he wants to spend his life with until a woman walks into his engine room and he feels the mate bond his people had abjured centuries ago.

The two of them discover each other and sabotage out on The Rim and find another piece of the puzzle into the faction that is trying to tear The Accord apart. Things turn especially dangerous when their ship is stranded far from a jump gate and dozens of saboteurs on board. They must discover how and why The Graxxus has been targeted and the discovery puts them into a race to beat the forces determined to rob them of the happiness they have found.

Amazon     Apple Books

forgotten commanderTHE FORGOTTEN COMMANDER (THE LOST PLANET SERIES BOOK 1) by K Webster and Nicole Blanchard

Our planet, Mortuus, is lost and dying.
A desolate place where a few lone survivors dwell.
My men have lost hope. Our future is bleak.
Longevity is a luxury we can’t afford.
The most we can hope for is survival.
We’ve all but given up when an opportunity presents itself.
Five females—a chance at a future.
Procuring these women went against everything I’d been taught, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
They’re ours now.
Asleep and made ready for breeding.
We won’t die out—lost and forgotten.
It’s our destiny to grow and once again inhabit our lonely planet.
I am Breccan Aloisius, the forgotten commander.
My people will have the future they deserve.
I’ll make sure of it.
My mind is made up…until she wakes and nothing goes as planned.

Amazon

terminal uprisingTERMINAL UPRISING (JANITORS OF THE APOCALYPSE BOOK 2) by Jim C Hines

VS Note: Not a romance but a book of note this week.

The Krakau came to Earth in the year 2104. By 2105, humanity had been reduced to shambling, feral monsters. In the Krakau’s defense, it was an accident, and a century later, they did come back and try to fix us. Sort of.

It’s been four months since Marion “Mops” Adamopoulos learned the truth of that accident. Four months since she and her team of hygiene and sanitation specialists stole the EMCS Pufferfish and stopped a bioterrorism attack against the Krakau homeworld. Four months since she set out to find proof of what really happened on Earth all those years ago.

Between trying to protect their secrets and fighting the xenocidal Prodryans, who’ve been escalating their war against everyone who isn’t Prodryan, the Krakau have their tentacles full.

Mops’ mission changes when she learns of a secret Krakau laboratory on Earth. A small group under command of Fleet Admiral Belle-Bonne Sage is working to create a new weapon, one that could bring victory over the Prodryans … or drown the galaxy in chaos.

To discover the truth, Mops and her rogue cleaning crew will have to do the one thing she fears most: return to Earth, a world overrun by feral apes, wild dogs, savage humans, and worse. (After all, the planet hasn’t been cleaned in a century and a half!) What Mops finds in the filthy ruins of humanity could change everything, assuming she survives long enough to share it.

Perhaps humanity isn’t as dead as the galaxy thought.

Amazon     Apple Books

cosmic captorCOSMIC CAPTOR (DRAGON SCALES BOOK 1) by Stella Cassy

CARISSA – I’ve never known Earth. Or freedom. Both were taken from me when I was too young to remember.
But I know exactly what the latest alien scumbags to buy me have in mind, the moment I hear the word “fertile.”
Desperation’s the mother of invention, and one easily seduced guard later, I’m escaping to finally live on my own terms. To find my mom, my one connection to a planet I’ll probably never see. The only person who’s ever given a damn about me.
It’s all that keeps me going. The source of every last drop of energy I eke out of this miserable existence, when I have so many reasons to just give up and fade away.
Like my crap luck. Reason infinity why I should just pop out the airlock of my stolen ship and say “Sayonara universe, PS you suck.”
My first escape attempt that’s ever resulted in an actual escape, and I run smack into one of the most infamous dragon shapeshifters in the galaxy. ..(MUCH more blurb on ebook seller page…)

Amazon

a fall in autumnA FALL IN AUTUMN by Michael G Williams

VS Note: From January

It’s 9172, YE (Year of the Empire), and the future has forgotten its past.

Soaring miles over the Earth, Autumn, the sole surviving flying city, is filled to the brim with the manifold forms of humankind: from Human Plus “floor models” to the oppressed and disfranchised underclasses doing their dirty work and every imaginable variation between.

Valerius Bakhoum is a washed-up private eye and street hustler scraping by in Autumn. Late on his rent, fetishized and reviled for his imperfect genetics, stuck in the quicksand of his own heritage, Valerius is trying desperately to wrap up his too-short life when a mythical relic of humanity’s fog-shrouded past walks in and hires him to do one last job. What starts out as Valerius just taking a stranger’s money quickly turns into the biggest and most dangerous mystery he’s ever tried to crack – and Valerius is running out of time to solve it.

Now Autumn’s abandoned history – and the monsters and heroes that adorn it – are emerging from the shadows to threaten the few remaining things Valerius holds dear. Can the burned-out detective navigate the labyrinth of lies and maze of blind faith around him to save the City of Autumn from its greatest myth and deadliest threat as he navigates his feelings for his newest client, the handsome golem Alejandro?

Amazon

ascension saga 9ASCENSION SAGA: 9 by Grace Goodwin

Destiny is doing everything she can to find her mother and stop the evil traitors from taking over her planet. But explosions, murder plots and chaos are just the beginning. And now she has more on the line than ever before.
Now, she’s in love.
And Nix isn’t the sit-by-and-watch kind of guy. He’s right there next to her, risking everything.
For her.
Every time they get close, their enemy slips through their fingers like a thousand grains of sand. The hunt is on. The end is near. And if Nix dies protecting her, she’ll never forgive herself.

Amazon     Apple Books

no looking backNO LOOKING BACK (A ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE LOVE STORY BOOK 7) by Kate L Mary

Landon and I parted ways five years ago, ending an eight year relationship that I’d thought would last forever. Then the virus came and everything disappeared, along with my hope of ever being reunited with the man I never stopped loving.

When he showed up at our settlement eight months after the world ended, I felt like I’d been handed a second chance. But my joy was short-lived when a simple decision I’d made months earlier came back to haunt me. Now everything I’ve worked to build was being threatened, including the life of the only man I’ve ever loved.

Thankfully, I’ve never been one to give up without a fight.

Amazon

barbarians valentineBARBARIAN’S VALENTINE: A SLICE OF LIFE NOVELLA (ICE PLANET BARBARIANS BOOK 19) by Ruby Dixon

Maddie’s mate is returning soon, and she wants to make his homecoming a special one. Pregnant Josie wants to seduce her mate all over again. The solution for both of them? A Valentine’s Day celebration, ice planet style. There’ll be kisses, scanty outfits, and a pair of reunions you won’t forget.

Amazon

fearless invasive speciesFEARLESS (INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL UNIT BOOK 2) by Kelly Goode

The aliens didn’t invade Earth as depicted in the movies – they were smarter than that.

Doctor Helen Peters is a woman of science and medicine, and it’s not until she’s kidnapped by an alien that she discovers the truth about the creatures that have been living undetected on Earth for centuries.

Viktor was a prince on his home planet, and since crash-landing on Earth, has dedicated his life to protecting his colony’s secrets. He hates humans. Except a certain red-headed doctor has caused him to question everything he knew about inter-species relationships. He stole her away from her people, but she may steal something of her own in return – his heart.

Amazon

warriors of mari urWARRIORS OF MARI-UE: THE RESISTANCE by Astra Lynne

Several Millennia ago, explorers from Mari-Ur interrupted the evolution of the Earth. Now the Earth is dying and the only way to save it is to take every man, woman, and child off of the planet for 300 years. For most, this means going into cryostasis, but for some, this is not a possibility. For them, they will begin a new settlement on Mari-Ur. Chosen to be among the settlement’s leaders, Dr. Julia Baxter-Brynn volunteers to be the first human to exit the ship, and unknowingly walk right into an ambush from Mari-Ur’s greatest enemy.

Facing certain death, Julia has no choice but to trust the Mari-Ursian, Susuda when he rescues her and takes her deep into the wilderness of the strange new planet. Susuda, who has overcome his low birth to rise among the ranks of the elite Warriors, risks exile and death to save the human female who has haunted his dreams and is fated to be his. Together, they and the other survivors will launch the Resistance in the hopes of saving both their planets.

Amazon

vadorokTHE VADOROK (THE MATE INDEX BOOK 1) by SJ Sanders

Sara – First contact changed things on Earth. It opened possibilities that were never before possible. In what started as a trip to participate in an cooperative study, Sara found herself a test subject for breeding compatibility by a species known as the Agraak. Determined that she would not submit to be bred and relocated to serve as a breeder for the rest of her life, she escaped into the wilds of a hostile subarctic planet. Not knowing who to trust, and almost dying on the ice flows, she is rescued by a male larger than life whom her body craves.

Vidok – A warrior-priest of the VaDorok, Vidok had long given up hope of finding his ulukska, his mate. When he finds a tiny female offworlder on the ice flows of the far northern territory who brings forth his mating heat, his life changes. To keep her, he not only has to help her save her companions, but must also risk their love facing repercussions among his tribe and the Intergalactic Council.

Amazon

taken elin wynnTAKEN (STAR BREED BOOK 7) by Elin Wyn

Lorcan and his surviving brothers battled to secure their place in the Empire. They’ve found a place of their own. A home to protect. People to care for.
When a new mission leads away from Orem station, Lorcan volunteers for the job. Anything to keep their new home safe.
His only regret?
Leaving behind the beautiful jeweler who caught his eye with her clever fingers and flashing smile. He’s resigned to seeing her only in his dreams until he returns.
But his dreams turn to nightmares when he finds her in a den of torment . Torn between duty and desire, can he find a way to save her without abandoning the mission?

Cintha Rosek carved a quiet life for herself. Clients who respect her skill. A safe home and a few friends.
All she dared hope for.
But the mysterious disappearance of her brother casts a long shadow. When her young niece begins to ask questions in dangerous places, Cintha will have to put aside her tools and investigate the darkest corners of the Empire’s Fringe.
A giant mercenary could be her salvation, but like everything else around her, he’s not what he seems.

When reality itself bends around them, truth and lies blur, until nothing becomes more certain than his heated touch.

Amazon

city in the middle of the nightTHE CITY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT by Charlie Jane Anders

VS note: Not romance but a book of note this week.

January is a dying planet–divided between a permanently frozen darkness on one side, and blazing endless sunshine on the other. Humanity clings to life, spread across two archaic cities built in the sliver of habitable dusk.

But life inside the cities is just as dangerous as the uninhabitable wastelands outside.

Sophie, a student and reluctant revolutionary, is supposed to be dead, after being exiled into the night. Saved only by forming an unusual bond with the enigmatic beasts who roam the ice, Sophie vows to stay hidden from the world, hoping she can heal.

But fate has other plans–and Sophie’s ensuing odyssey and the ragtag family she finds will change the entire world.

Amazon     Apple Books

psychology of time travelTHE PSYCHOLOGY OF TIME TRAVEL: A NOVEL by Kate Mascarenhas

VS note: And another non romance but novel of note!

In 1967, four female scientists worked together to build the world’s first time machine. But just as they are about to debut their creation, one of them suffers a breakdown, putting the whole project—and future of time travel—in jeopardy. To protect their invention, one member is exiled from the team—erasing her contributions from history.

Fifty years later, time travel is a big business. Twenty-something Ruby Rebello knows her beloved grandmother, Granny Bee, was one of the pioneers, though no one will tell her more. But when Bee receives a mysterious newspaper clipping from the future reporting the murder of an unidentified woman, Ruby becomes obsessed: could it be Bee? Who would want her dead? And most importantly of all: can her murder be stopped?

Amazon     Apple Books

xistrosies lawXISTROSIE’S LAW (RAVEN WARS) byK B Wheelock

All she wants is for her ship to be her own. Or at least that is what she tells herself…
Akyra Ronzi, space pilot, flies solo by choice. Traveling the stars with her onboard Artificial Intelligence, Tiri, she always stays one step ahead of her past.

Until one day when five hunky men become her responsibility, and everything changes.​Having no idea what life off the glittering planet of Xistrosie is like, the men must fight alongside Akyra against a powerful government and vengeful memories that chase them.
The discovery of a secret organization, existing only in shadows and whose purpose is unknown, complicates matters as Akyra and her new family learn to navigate this unfamiliar universe.Xistrosie has one rule: save a life, be owed a debt, but take a life and the debt is yours to pay.

Amazon

never tamedNEVER TAMED (CHOSEN NARRATIVES BOOK 2) by Sabrina Kade

Having abandoned her former owner, Hollis reluctantly agrees to live in Chimase’s building. But to protect her fragile heart, she maintains a polite distance from the Sidyth. And when Hollis is confronted by Vydeka, a Sidyth female who claims Chimase as her own, she’s convinced her formal demeanor was the right move—even if it doesn’t keep her heart from breaking now.

With nowhere left to turn, Hollis sets out to find her owner. At least with him, she knows her heart is safe.

Chimase, however, has no intention of taking Vydeka as his mate—or of allowing Hollis to return to her old life. Even if it means tracking her to the coldest, least hospitable part of the country, he will convince her that he chooses her above all others. But first he’ll have to show her that if she opens up to him, she won’t be putting her heart at risk again.

Amazon

the rionTHE RION (SCIONS OF ANY BOOK 2) by Bridget Breslin

She went from lost in space to being sold at auction to an Anuian Prince.

The Prime Triad had been searching for five hundred years for the female who would be their mate and, if the One God was willing, she would become the Arianu, the demi-goddess of Anu. It is foretold that when the Arianu is born, she will bring love, happiness, life, and joy. She will heal their planet and bear many children—female children.

Who would have guessed that she was the female they were looking for?

When she arrived on Anu, she discovered that all Anuian males are born as triplets. The King, or Ri, of the planet Anu, along with his two brothers, make up the Prime Triad that governs their planet as well as all others in this galaxy. Not only are they large and in charge, but they are gorgeous males! She also found out that they must mate together in order to procreate …(more blurb on ebook seller page…)

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hunting purityHUNTING PURITY (THE HUNTING SERIES BOOK 2) by Tracy Lauren

Stolen from her world, Purity can hardly fathom what’s going on around her. Released from a cage, face-to-face with apparent monsters… This has to be some kind of sick fraternity prank, because surely, she hasn’t been abducted by aliens. But when a scaled beast rescues her from certain death, regardless of appearances, she knows she’s found her hero.

Champion gladiator, He’Rokvska Naa, spent years fighting his way to freedom. Now, at the cusp of his career as a master, he’s offered an opportunity to stoke the fires of his fame. When the cages open, he stakes claim on the fiercest warrior he’s ever seen. With his honor on the line, will Hero get more than he bargained for when HUNTING PURITY?

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jake forgotten worlds

JAKE (FORGOTTEN WORLDS BOOK 3) by Prudence MacLeod

VS Note: From January

Shipwrecked on an abandoned planet, injured, and facing unknown dangers, Jake must find a way to survive. Worse yet, his only companion is a super-powered alien woman who cannot function without others of her kind nearby. This is no place for a man who has lived all his life on a spaceship. Wait, what was that in the shadows?

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charms and death and explosionsCHARMS AND DEATH AND EXPLOSIONS (CASE FILES OF HENRI DAVENPORTH BOOK 2) by Honor Raconteur

VS Note: Recommended by reader Elizabeth N.  A Steampunk detective story.

A dead charm maker is only the beginning.

Humanity seems determined to come up with increasingly clever ways to murder one another. They seize upon new technological advances in a way that’s alarming, their creativity and blood-thirstiness knowing no bounds.

When a charm maker is blown up inside his own vehicle, for once it’s not Henri Davenforth’s expertise needed: it’s Jamie Edwards’, the Shinigami Detective. Car bombs are something unique in Kingston, and only she has experience with them. But the unique murder takes an unexpected turn when it becomes evident that the dead charm maker dabbled in something he should not have, inciting disastrous results.

The dangers he unleashed upon Kingston threaten thousands of lives and it launches a race requiring not only Jamie and Henri’s expertise, but the Kingsmen’s as well to beat the menace spreading through the city.

Meanwhile, the murderer is still at large, leaving Henri and Jamie to wonder: what will blow next?

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brighter side of the apocalypseTHE BRIGHTER SIDE OF THE APOCALYPSE (THE BRIGHTER SIDE SERIES BOOK 1) by Philip H Voss

VS note: Not billed as a romance so romantic elements perhaps…I have not read the book.

The world, as she knew it, was over for Amy Gouyen even before the mystifying Puissance Virus emerged, turning all those it infected into virtually invincible, super cannibals. While society deteriorated around her, Amy’s survival instinct and the fire in her Apache blood served her well and kept her going. But in the Apocalypse, it’s only a matter of time before you find yourself in a jam, seemingly impossible to get out of.

Just as the jaws of death close in on Amy, Fate plays a wildcard. Elias Kincade enters her life in a storm of bullets and blades, rescuing her from certain demise. Her savior appears to be a charismatic cowboy but it isn’t long before Amy discovers, the hard way, that there is more to him than meets the eye. Elias is a vampire, one who is duty bound to not let her go after she’s discovered what he is, and he doesn’t want to kill her unless she forces him to.

An uneasy truce between the two quickly evolve into a partnership as Amy moves deeper into the tumultuous world the vampires face in the Apocalypse. Susceptible to the Puissance Virus–in their own way–the vampires have to diligently protect themselves while a rebellion within their ranks and a play for ultimate power threatens the future of vampire society, as well as the destiny of every uninfected human left on the planet.

Secrets about the vampires, humans, chompers, and the Puissance Virus itself are revealed as Amy and Elias find their places in what’s left of the world and risk everything to secure a brighter future.

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dukes are foreverDUKES ARE FOREVER (LONDON STEAMPUNK: THE BLUE BLOOD CONSPIRACY BOOK 5) by Bec McMaster

In a steam-fuelled world where vampires once ruled the aristocracy, a dangerous conspiracy threatens to topple the queen, and the Duke of Malloryn knows his nemesis has finally returned to enact his plans of revenge.

Malloryn can trust no one, and when incriminating photographs surface—of an enemy agent stealing a kiss from his wife—he is forced to question just why his wife, Adele, trapped him into marriage.

Is she an innocent pawn caught up in a madman’s games, or is she a double agent working against him?

The only way to discover the truth is to seduce her himself…

Adele Hamilton may have agreed to a loveless marriage in order to protect herself, but that doesn’t stop her heart from yearning for more.

Her husband promised her a cold marriage bed. He swore he’d never touch her. But suddenly he’s engaged in a campaign of seduction—and the only way to keep her wits about her is to fight fire with fire.

The ruthless beauty has locked her heart away, but can she deny the passion that flares between them? And when the truth emerges, will she be the only thing that can save Malloryn’s life?

Or the weapon his enemy will wield against him?

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captured desireCAPTURED DESIRE by Tasha Winters

Empath Amara, beaten and nearly forced to become a reproductive machine for rich men, escapes with the help of her cousins. She runs far away, hoping to find freedom for herself and ultimately for all women. The world she finds herself in holds the key she is seeking, but it’s more complicated than the one she left, and equally as dangerous.

When she is captured again, three powerful men rescue her, agreeing to help Amara on her quest, knowing they could lose her forever. But when she becomes a target, their focus changes to keeping their woman safe – by any means necessary.

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awakened by the giantAWAKENED BY THE GIANT: BRIDES OF THE KINDRED by Evangeline Anderson

Meet the Jor’gen Kindred. After leaving the main Mother Ship centuries ago to make a genetic trade with a massive race of people, they are thirty percent bigger than their ancestors. Which makes them 9 feet tall—giants to regular sized humanoids. Hundreds of years after the genetic trade which made them so huge, the Jor’gen Kindred have no more females and are seeking a new people to trade with–
All but Calden

Believing he doesn’t need a female in his life to be happy, Calden moves to the Mentat Space Station to devote his life to biological research through cloning. The Station is ruled by a harsh taskmaster–an AI called FATHER who forbids any females. But Calden doesn’t care, as long as he is allowed to clone and study as many specimens as he wants.
Then one day, the recovery droids find something new–the remains of a sentient human female and the ship she crashed in. Consumed by scientific curiosity, Calden gets special permission to make a clone of the dead woman–he doesn’t know she will cause him to break the rules and risk his career and even death…when he falls in love with her.

Madeline Harris has no idea what’s going on. She wakes up in a vat of green goo with her memories fractured, surrounded by the big, scary Mentats of the Station. Then a giant comes to save her. It doesn’t take much for her to fall for Calden but she doesn’t realize that the station is a hostile place for women…or that she could be in big trouble if the AI, FATHER, discovers how very much Calden cares for her in return.

Will they escape the Mentat Station in time to save Maddy’s life? And will she ever forgive Calden for keeping deadly secrets from her?

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stranger things suspicious mindsSTRANGER THINGS: SUSPICIOUS MINDS by Gwenda Bond

VS Note: Not a romance. I enjoy this scifi TV series.

It’s the summer of 1969, and the shock of conflict reverberates through the youth of America, both at home and abroad. As a student at a quiet college campus in the heartland of Indiana, Terry Ives couldn’t be farther from the front lines of Vietnam or the incendiary protests in Washington.

But the world is changing, and Terry isn’t content to watch from the sidelines. When word gets around about an important government experiment in the small town of Hawkins, she signs on as a test subject for the project, code-named MKULTRA. Unmarked vans, a remote lab deep in the woods, mind-altering substances administered by tight-lipped researchers . . . and a mystery the young and restless Terry is determined to uncover.

But behind the walls of Hawkins National Laboratory—and the piercing gaze of its director, Dr. Martin Brenner—lurks a conspiracy greater than Terry could have ever imagined. To face it, she’ll need the help of her fellow test subjects, including one so mysterious the world doesn’t know she exists—a young girl with unexplainable superhuman powers and a number instead of a name: 008.

Amid the rising tensions of the new decade, Terry Ives and Martin Brenner have begun a different kind of war—one where the human mind is the battlefield.

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theirs to ransomTHEIRS TO RANSOM: SOPHIA’S BOOK by Stasia Black

Sophia Wolford’s always looked at the world as if the glass is half full. Even after the Apocalypse. What’s the point of focusing on the negative, after all, when you need to get busy rebuilding the world?

Finn Knight sees things differently, however. His motto is: Trust no one and always suspect the worst.
Not surprisingly, Sophia and Finn get along like oil and water.
When Sophia sees an opportunity to save not only Jacob’s Well, but the entire country which is on the brink of war, however, Finn is the only person who can help her.

Sophia gets a lot more than she bargained for, though, when she heads into the wilds of New Mexico and offers herself as a Raffle Bride.

She discovers too late that her new husbands might not have the most honorable intentions. Will she and Finn be able to find a way to save themselves in time, much less the Republic?

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runes of royaltyRUNES OF ROYALTY (A DEMON’S FALL SERIES BOOK 4) by G Bailey

Protector. Angel. Assassin…and now QueenEvie is now queen of the protectors, and rumoured queen of the demons aswell, but dealing with the black magic she can’t control is far more dangerous than either of those titles.
The protectors have fallen, demons along with them, and earth is not far behind.
Can Nix, Trex, Connor and Azi help Evie survive a power no one understands? Or knows how to stop…
With random portals opening everywhere on earth, a war to be won and Cex tracking her every move, can the assassin-now queen- win the war?

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tree of dreamsTREE OF DREAMS (THE RIVER AFTER DARK BOOK 1) by Mel Sterling

It’s said that if you sleep under a willow tree, you’ll dream of your true love.

Emma Leighton doesn’t believe in fairy tales or monsters until a bolt of lightning from a freak summer storm reveals a glimpse of a river creature so fantastical, she can’t be certain he’s real.

Stranded by the storm, she spends the night in eerie Willow Cottage where terrified guests check out early, vowing never to return. Emma sees nothing out of the ordinary, but her dreams bring her a secret lover like no other, disturbing and alluring in equal measure. Moss is half man, half water serpent. His kisses are cool and deep as the Columbia River itself, and he’s been in love with Emma for a long time.

What begins as a dream becomes flesh, an erotic fusing of hearts, souls and bodies. But when others learn the secret sheltered by Willow Cottage, they’ll do anything—including kill—to possess it.

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blood apprenticeBLOOD APPRENTICE: AN ELEMENTAL LEGACY NOVEL by Elizabeth Hunter

When a map to the mysterious fortune of notorious privateer Miguel Enríquez falls in the lap of Ben and Tenzin, only one of them is jumping at the opportunity. Tenzin can’t wait to search for a secret cache of gold. Ben, on the other hand, couldn’t be less excited.

All Ben knows about Puerto Rico is what he hears on the news and a few lingering memories of his human grandmother. Going back to his roots holds zero appeal for the carefully constructed man he’s become.

But in the end, the lure of hidden gold can’t be denied.
Ben and Tenzin head to Puerto Rico where the immortal world is ruled by Los Tres, a trio of powerful vampires commanding the wind, the waves, and the mountains that make up their small island in the Caribbean.

To find Enríquez’s treasure, they’ll have to walk a fine line between flattery and secrecy. To leave the island might mean a bigger fight than either one of them foresaw.

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familiar demonFAMILIAR DEMON (FAMILIAR LOVE BOOK 2) by Amy Lane

For over a century, Edward Youngblood has been the logical one in a family of temperamental magical beings. But reason has not made him immune to passion, and Edward’s passion for Mullins, the family’s demon instructor, has only grown.

Mullins was lured into hell through desperation—and a fatal mistake. He’s done his best to hang onto his soul in the twisted realm of the underworld, and serving the Youngblood family when summoned has been his only joy. Edward concocts a plan to spring Mullins by collecting a series of items to perform an ancient ritual—an idea that terrifies Mullins. He can’t bear the thought of losing Edward and his brothers to a dangerous quest.

But every item in their collection is an adventure in brotherhood and magic, and as Mullins watches from the sidelines, he becomes more and more hopeful that they will succeed. When the time comes for Mullins to join the mission, can he find enough faith and hope to redeem himself and allow himself happiness in the arms of a man who would literally go to hell and back—and beyond—to have Mullins by his side?

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a blaze in the darkA BLAZE IN THE DARK (BOT SERIES BOOK 1) by Miranda Turner

Bain never thought he’d escape the prison he’d lived in for the last five years. He spent his days chained up like an animal, and his nights…they were better not spoken about. Until one day Antonio came stumbling into his darkness, lighting a fire in his soul and giving him a chance at a new life.

Antonio loved his position as a Bellator, and he loved his brother Luc; it was Luc’s friends he could do without. When he came upon an emaciated and beaten boy at his brother’s best friend David’s house, he knew he had to get him out of there. Risking his place on his team, his relationship with his brother, and even death was something he’d never regret. After all, Bain was Antonio’s sodalis vitae, and soulmates were forever.

The small problem of Bain being a member of the Tenebrix, the Bellators’ mortal enemies, was nothing compared to what could happen if David found out where he was. But Antonio won’t let anything–race, being hunted by his own kind, or Bain’s fears–keep him from finally claiming his mate.

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dragon prince qurilixenDRAGON PRINCE (QURILIXEN LORDS BOOK 1) by Michelle M Pillow

With all that is happening in his land, the upcoming shifter mating ceremony is the least of Grier’s concerns. Even though he is heir prince of the dragon-shifters, he doesn’t have the authority needed to help the humans stranded in dragon territory, nor can he banish those who ruthlessly control them. Yet honor demands he finds an opportunity to intervene, and he hopes that doing so won’t start a war the shifters can’t win. Discovering his destined mate couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Salena knows what it is like to be a pawn of the Federation. They might have kidnapped her and brought her to this strange territory, but she will never do what they want of her… what everyone wants of her. The last thing the fugitive needs is the very public attention of a fierce dragon prince claiming they’re fated by the gods—even if the sexy man makes her burn in more ways than one.

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hunters and preyHUNTERS AND PREY: THESE ALPHA FEMALES DON’T NEED SAVING by Various

Pick up these eight standalone novellas featuring kick-ass female leads who certainly aren’t waiting around to be rescued.
Hunters and Prey includes Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy and Sci-fi Romance titles.

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tainted by prophecyTAINTED BY PROPHECY: KUMARI’S KITSUNE by Hanleigh Bradley

Even at its very beginning, her reign felt tainted by the prophecies that surrounded it and the death that they foretold.
They were dark, speaking of unknown evils and the potential destruction of the realm and even the eradication of magic. It was not a destiny that Bae, the Kumari, wanted but it was the one allotted her.
Bae wished that she could deny them, call them falsehoods but she couldn’t, not when the fate of the whole realm rested on her shoulders.
It might cost her her life, or the lives of those she loved most, but she would stop at nothing to save magic, save her ren and hopefully save herself.

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demons danceDEMON’S DANCE (THE LIZZIE GRACE SERIES BOOK 4) by Keri Arthur

After dealing with human hunters killing werewolves for their pelts and a heretic witch determined to claim the wild magic for his own, the last thing either Lizzie Grace or Belle Kent need is a new evil burning into town.

When Lizzie’s asked to find a missing woman, she’s well aware death awaits. What she doesn’t expect to find is a very human pile of skin next the woman’s body. Nor does she expect to be called to a murder scene that has the classic hallmarks of a vampire attack… except the bite marks don’t match any recorded vampire bite.

As the body count grows, Lizzie, Belle, and Aiden struggle to find—and stop—whoever or whatever is behind the atrocities. But there’s an even greater danger on the horizon.

The newly appointed reservation witch has arrived… and it’s someone Lizzie knows.

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lergend of crying girl creekTHE LEGEND OF CRYING GIRL CREEK by Robena Grant

Adventurous American nurse Samantha Winters is on a study abroad program in Australia. But after one perfect night with a handsome stranger, she finds herself with child. Intrigued with an elderly patient’s tales of a local creek where pregnant women drown themselves, Sam agrees to help end the curse.

Historian James Campbell keeps a vigilant watch on his family’s haunted land, hoping to prevent more deaths. A loner in his personal life, he’s stunned to discover his grandmother’s nurse is the one woman he can’t forget.

Sam is a believer. James is a skeptic. With the legend’s anniversary looming closer, the two work together to solve the mystery of Crying Girl Creek. Amid the tangles of secrets and lies Sam has a secret of her own: James is the father of her baby. And he doesn’t want children.

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tarian alphaTARIAN ALPHA (NEW TARIAN PRIDE BOOK 1) by T S Joyce

The Tarian Pride is right in the middle of a historical power-shift. Ronin Alder is taking over as the New Tarian Alpha, but the entire Pride of lion shifters needs to be completely rehabilitated. Back in the Pride after years hating it, his job is to push the monsters here to a new future, one where they will stop warring with every shifter Crew in existence. But when he mans a rescue mission and finds a hurt woman in the woods, he had no choice but to save her…or kidnap her. And when he learns her story, and recognizes just who, and what, she is, his entire future as Alpha of the New Tarians takes a new direction. His life had been laid out before him, but now he wants so much more. He wants Emerald.

Emerald Lawson is a descendant of one of the original Tarians, her bloodline highly coveted by the Old Tarian Alpha, Cassius. He’s put her between a rock and a hard place and turned her entire life upside down. She’s accepted her fate on the throne of the Old Tarians until she stumbles upon a man on a mission in the woods. When she’s kidnapped by the New Tarian Alpha, one day with Ronin changes her life forever. How can she go back to living in a cage after he’s set her free? She’s a submissive lioness who doesn’t belong, but Ronin challenges Emerald to be something she’s never been before—fearless. And as a new uprising begins, she will find herself at the helm of a destiny that could change the entire future of the Tarian Pride.

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djinn unleashedDJINN UNLEASHED (THE ELVEN TRINITY BOOK 1) by Mark Albany

Elves were supposed to be gone, defeated in the great war. Magic is practiced behind closed doors, and only by the elites.

All I was trying to do was survive, maybe with a bit more curiosity about my master’s magic than I should’ve allowed. He caught me snooping, and sent me on a quest to steal a magic scroll. A quest that would change my life.

Soon I found myself caught up in a whirlwind journey that involved elves, monsters, and more than one hottie in my bed.
I was terrified. I was challenged. I was pleasured beyond belief.
I was loving every second of it, and now get to share that journey with you.

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noble dragonNOBLE DRAGON (THE ELVEN TRINITY BOOK 2) by Mark Albany

The djinn I unleashed is now my closest ally, and then some. Teamed up with a noble elf, we’re all that stands between a dark magician and his quest to unleash the great evil locked away long ago.
We’re missing one key to stopping him, however, and that’s the third in the Elven-Trinity.
As we search for the third Sister, our quest pits us against an obsidian hell hound, more golems, and a greater power than even the elves know how to deal with.
Oh, and we might find ourselves a dragon pet along the way.

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apprentice of magicAPPRENTICE OF MAGIC (THE FAIRY TALE ENCHANTRESS BOOK 1) by K M Shea

Angelique hates her magic. Her time in the magical academy has been a long chain of criticisms, reprimands, and punishments. Her war-like ability to control any weapon has earned her nothing but the fear and scorn of fellow students and instructors.
And now, she finds herself before the highest council just one vote away from having her magic sealed forever.
Until Enchanter Evariste appears.
The mysterious prodigy is one of the few with the authority to go against the Council. Which is exactly what he does when he takes Angelique as his apprentice. Though his lessons are challenging and eccentric he shows her more kindness than she ever hoped to receive.
Everything seems perfect.
But things are changing in the world. Dark things. Evil things.
Once upon a time is about to become very real.

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youre lion to meYOU’RE LION TO ME (PARANORMAL DATING AGENCY BOOK 20) by Milly Taiden

From planet Aurora, lioness shifter, Dalissa Furr, wants to explore new places before she goes insane from boredom. So a trip to Earth is a must. Finding her mate in the process would be great too, if Gerri Wilder can make it happen. But according to her parents, her smaller than normal size and delicate features make her undesirable to a shifter.

Azai Whittip, alpha of the White Tip wolf pack, will only accept his true mate for a life-long partner, to the dismay of the females in the pack. When Gerri asks him to take her friend sightseeing, he doesn’t expect this friend to be gorgeous and smell so damn good. Oh, and bonus, she’s his mate.

As far as Azai is concerned, life’s perfect now that he found Dalissa. But someone in his pack or the neighboring lion pride think wolves and lions don’t mix. When both alphas and the male wolves come up missing, it’s up to Dalissa to figure out what’s going on and how to stop the one person set on destroying both packs and dominating the human world. Talk about an adventure!

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forge and fireFORGE AND FIRE (THE REPLACEMENT BOOK 1) by Ripley Proserpina

Sticks and stones and moss and leaves… that’s what Tatiana is made of.
Tatiana is a replacement—an exchanged child—created to take the place of a perfect human baby and left in a cradle on a cold, winter night.
But twenty years later, her time is running out. The creature who made Tatiana returns and challenges everything she knows. Not only is Tatiana not human, and her family not her family, but the human world is killing her.

Determined to give her family the life—and daughter—they deserve, Tatiana journeys to a strange world, one of fire and dust, and concrete and glass. There, she’ll risk everything to find the human girl she replaced, and make things right.

But she won’t be alone. Grisha, a roamer, and Fedir, a mysterious shifter, find her and vow to help her.
And they aren’t the only ones.
Soon, Shubin, Taras, and Kopala, are caught up in Tatiana’s quest. Fascinated by this exchanged girl, the five otherworldly creatures will put their trust in her.
But hope is a fragile thing, and Tatiana’s been burned before. Will she come to believe she’s finally found a place to belong?

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magic of lustTHE MAGIC OF LUST (THE DARK ORCHID BOOK 2) by Auryn Hadley

Mages are always men. Until her. They harvest the power of simple, primitive emotions. Until her. Jaeda is something new, and the best way to protect herself is to make sure the enemy doesn’t have a clue.

That’s going to be difficult with an Adevian mage about to take her town.

Shahwa has become her home. A haven of pirates, whores, and vagabonds, this desert oasis is a myth to many and a scourge to the rest, but there’s something special about it. It’s filled with compassion and made up of people who know exactly what it’s like to belong nowhere else.

Now, it’s her job to protect them. Hopefully, she won’t have to do it alone, because the Jackal still hasn’t shown up. She thought what they had was special. Now, she’s not so sure, even though her heart says he’ll still come. Her mind says she’ll save herself either way.

But the Jackal promised her everything, and he meant it. One woman, three men, and they’re all bound together by magic. He’s not about to let that go.

Together, they have a chance to find happiness, yet before any of that is possible, they have to sort out their own issues. If they can figure out how to do that, then these four have something worth fighting for: each other.
Because what they have is more than just the magic of lust.

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myths and mortalsMYTHS AND MORTALS (NUMINA BOOK 2) by Charlie N Holmberg

Sandis has escaped Kazen’s grasp, but she finds herself unmoored, reeling from her thief friend Rone’s betrayal.

Kazen has been hurt but not stopped, and he’ll do anything to summon the monster that could lay waste to the entire world. Sandis knows she must be the one to stop him, but with her own trusted numen now bound to another, and finding herself with no one she can trust, she is in desperate need of allies. Rone seems determined to help her, but Sandis has no intention of letting him get close to her again. What she doesn’t know is how much Rone gave up to protect her. Or how much more he is willing to give up to keep her safe.

As chaos mounts, Sandis must determine whom to trust. After all, the lines between enemy and ally have never been less clear…and corruption lurks in the most unlikely of places.

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shade of vampire 72A SHADE OF VAMPIRE 72: A CONSPIRACY OF REALMS by Bella Forrest

The rogue Hermessi are spiraling out of control. But GASP might have finally found the key to their demise… The problem? It might mean tracking down Death herself.
And with the Hermessi birthing monsters from the literal bowels of the earth—and stepping up their game with a sinister side plot… let’s just say GASP’s to-do list is filling up.

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destined stormDESTINED STORM (NEPHILIM’S DESTINY BOOK 4) by Tessa Cole

I’m in trouble. Big trouble. A split-second reflex that saved Kol’s life, and all hell busted out. Rather, my secret busted out for all to see. Now the only thing keeping a lid on my wild, unpredictable magic is Cassius’s magical handcuffs. Kinky? Yeah, no.

I need to show Gideon, Marcus, Jacob, and Kol that my nephilim blood is the only thing I lied about, even if it means letting my memories be mined for the truth. Except when that soul-scraping spell comes up hard against an unbreakable magical wall, it reveals a secret that’s news even to me.

But finding the answers will have to wait. A new danger threatens the city. Three glyph witches so powerful every body-shredding battle leaves my guys barely alive.

We don’t know what the witches’ end game is, but if we don’t figure out how to play — and how to harness my magic — we’ll lose. And so will every innocent civilian we’ve sworn to protect.

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stray moonSTRAY MOON: A STRAYS NOVEL by Kelly Meding

VS note: There’s no blurb given but the reviews seem positive. Paranormal.

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dragon mistress r a steffanTHE DRAGON MISTRESS BOOK 2 (THE EBUROSI CHRONICLES 9) by R A Steffan

The survival of the last living dragons rests with me and my misfit friends.
So… yeah. No pressure.

Mind you, this whole thing would be easier if two of our number weren’t hell-bent on killing each other. Rayth and Nyx have both been hiding secrets for a very long time, but now they face a choice. Let go of their ugly pasts, or watch the future burn to the ground.

We won’t be able to hide five hungry, growing dragons in the mountains forever. As soon as someone catches sight of them, every soldier in Utrea will be after us. And there’s no way we can fight for our dragons’ survival when we’re this busy fighting amongst ourselves.

I’ve always been the queen of questionable life choices, but falling for four proud, stubborn, damaged men at the same time is a new benchmark even for me. What we’re building with the dragons—and each other—could be amazing beyond belief. It could also end in tragedy beyond measure.

If I want it to be the former, it looks like I need to start banging some heads together.
Otherwise, our hopes and dreams could well go down in flames.

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nomads dreamNOMAD’S DREAM by August Li

VS Note: From January

Two men, each with a hidden destiny. Can they defeat a web of deceit and dark magic to ensure their fates intertwine?

Bedouin Isra al-Grayjaab’s dreams lead him to Janan, an amnesiac beggar on the street of Qena—one who steals his heart and starts him on a seemingly hopeless quest. With only their wits, Isra’s knowledge of the desert’s secrets, and the aid of a mercurial djinn, they must recover Janan’s past. But neither can predict his true identity or the lengths others will go to see that his mind remains broken and his true power out of his reach.

In a sweeping romantic adventure that takes them across the Eastern Desert to the modern streets of Cairo and on to the luxurious Red Sea Coast, Janan and Isra seek a truth that will either bring them into each other’s arms or tear them apart forever.

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foreign to youFOREIGN TO YOU by Jeremy Martin

The harmony between humans and fianna, a species of shapeshifting deer, begins to wither as racial tensions and deeply rooted resentment turns violent.

Ruthless hunter Finn Hail and prophesied liberator Adelaide may be heroes to their own species, but they are enemies to each other. With war on the horizon, the reluctant pair must team up to find the most elusive of prey: the god of the Forest.

As enemies press in from all sides, true intentions begin to show. For Finn to save the boy he cares for most, he might need to aim his gun at the very god he seeks. And Adelaide, with her festering hatred for mankind, will have to determine if peace holds true salvation for her people.

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court of earth and aetherCOURT OF EARTH AND AETHER (WAR OF THE GODS BOOK 4) by Meg Xuemei X

Cass Saélihn is the weapon, the hybrid born to kill the Olympian gods.
Only the price is her own life.
One dies so millions can live. So her mates will live.

But Cass can’t just abandon them, can she? She’s just found them–a home she’d never imagined she could have. So when Death offers her a way out if she plays one of his sick games, she can’t refuse. If she plays it right, she might just rise from ash and ember.

And her loyal warrior-mates will be with her in life, or death. Even when she has to become the Darkness that devours the worlds. Even when she’s lost to herself.

She’s not lost to them.
So, she’ll play the final deadly game, and when Cass unleashes her true, powerful self, the immortal gods will burn in her flames.

Amazon

jaguars mateJAGUAR’S MATE (CRESCENT MOON SERIES BOOK 8) by Katie Reus and Savannah Stuart

She’s not looking for a mate…Sapphire is cursed. Every relationship she’s ever been in has ended poorly. So she’s sworn off relationships and is happy with her life. Until Eli comes along—a one-night stand that turned into two nights. When things got too intense, she did what she always did. She ran.

He’s not letting her get away…This time Eli isn’t letting Sapphire go without a fight. When her friend needs help escaping an abusive situation, he steps up, no questions asked. It doesn’t matter that Sapphire won’t tell him why she’s holding back from him. He’s a jaguar shifter and cats are very patient—he’ll wait for his mate to come around. But before he can claim her once and for all, they’ll have to deal with an angry bunch of shifters who are out for blood.

Amazon     Apple Books

valentines dreamA VALENTINE’S DREAM by J S Scott and Lane Parker

VS Note: The fantasy element appears to be dreams.

Amy: February 14th is just another day to me.
I don’t really believe in hearts, flowers, romance, or happily-ever-afters. And I certainly don’t think there’s a dream man for a curvy woman like me, even if my little sister had found hers over the holidays. I’m more realistic. Or at least…I was…until I met Levi Gillette during my sister Hayden’s wedding rehearsal dinner The man seems to have an annoying ability to make me lose my cool and calm facade. Yeah, he’s definitely hot, but my sister’s brother-in-law-to-be was also arrogant, infuriating, presumptuous, bossy, and most likely one big player because the man could be charming when he wanted to be.

No thanks! Been there, done that, and I’d had more than enough of men like Levi Gillette. But when I start having amazingly erotic, intimate dreams about him, it’s almost impossible to ignore him in the flesh.
In my dreams, it was like I’d known Levi forever. ..(more blurb on ebook seller page…)

Amazon

pathwaysPATHWAYS (THE KINGDOM CHRONICLES BOOK 1) by Camille Peters

Eileen has never been interested in love. Ever since her father’s abandonment, she’s vowed to never experience such pain again. But the enchanted forest has different ideas. When the continuously shifting pathways lead her to a mysterious stranger, Eileen finds her promise to fiercely guard her heart increasingly difficult to keep.

One night when she becomes lost in a storm, the enchanted forest’s pathways lead her to the castle, home to the kingdom’s Dark Prince, where Eileen finds herself entangled in what many consider an opportunity but which Eileen believes to be a curse: competing for the Dark Prince’s hand through a series of tests that judge one’s royal worth. Eileen is neither royal nor interested in becoming a princess. But the mysterious stranger she met in the woods has his own reasons for helping her succeed, although the cost of his assistance may be too high: that of Eileen’s heart, the one thing she’s vowed never to give.

Amazon

bound angelBOUND ANGEL (HER ANGEL SERIES BOOK 4) by Felicity Heaton

Second in command of the most fearsome legion of fallen angels in Hell, Rook only cares about one thing—seizing control of the First Battalion and moving one step closer to the Devil. But a dark angel of Heaven keeps seeking him out, insisting a witch needs his help, and one glance at an image of the ethereal silver-haired beauty stirs powerful emotions long forgotten and rouses a deep need he cannot deny or understand—one that commands him to risk everything and save her.

Isadora has been a fool. Millennia alone, enduring an eternal life created by the bond she shares with the angel she lost, has taken its toll on her. Desperate to see a familiar face, she followed rumours to Paris and placed her trust in a group of witches, only to be betrayed once again. Now, they want the spell that has made her immortal and she’s close to breaking… until a formidable warrior with crimson wings comes to her rescue, awakening old feelings never forgotten in her shattered heart.

With the mounting threat of witches and an enemy of old in danger of tearing them apart, can Rook untangle the truth about the past he can’t remember and can Isadora convince her demonic angel the forever he desires is the one he promised her?

Amazon

singed orestaiaSINGED (ORESTAIA SERIES BOOK 2) by Misty Malloy

I’d always thought one guy in bed was enough. Now I have four. All the extra pleasure may be more than I bargained for…but it’s so good.
On top of that, the orestaia–the fertility stone–is completely inactive. Guess who gets to figure out how to heal it? That’s right. Me.
My plan of action is a bit fuzzy. Actually, really fuzzy. All I know is I’m supposed to head out to the red rocks and blue skies of Sedona to locate the infamous Dragon Oracle.
And if I can’t find her? Well, then everyone gets screwed. My sister stays sick. A sleazy oil tycoon keeps breathing fire down my neck. And pretty much all dragon procreation ends.
All of my hopes and dreams for a baby and a family can go straight out the window, too. See you later, dragon race.
I have to heal the orestaia. All of our futures are in my hands. No big deal. Right?

Amazon

royal trials seekerTHE ROYAL TRIALS: SEEKER by Tate James

One quest. One crown. One shattered heart.
The Royal Trials were never meant to be easy, not even for an imposter like Rybet Waise. But nothing could have prepared her for the magical storms, mutated animals and malicious gods standing in her way.
There is no time for tears, mere hours after being bathed in Prince Alexander’s blood, Rybet must embark on a quest. The second trial dictates she find a missing magical artefact–Queen Ophelia’s crown.
Released from the overbearing confines of the royal palace, Rybet competes not only with the other remaining ladies, but also with the land itself. Magic is more volatile than ever, and the gods have come out to play.
Royal love interests who don’t know how to share only make things harder for this dirty pond-dweller–if that’s really all she is.
Rybet will do whatever it takes to make it out alive, and with her heart unbroken.

Amazon

crying fireCRYING FIRE (SHIFTING CROSSROADS BOOK 49) by Zenina Masters

Thadra has spent decades as the fey executioner. When the fey or their half-human offspring need to be punished, the human courts have no power, so the fey court must step in. If the court pronounces a death sentence, Thadra must go in and prove that the accused isn’t redeemable by letting them commit the predatory crime one more time.

Dealing out death takes a toll, and when the fey court forcibly retires her, her marching orders include a trip to the Crossroads until she meets her match.

Rik has been waiting for weeks at the Crossroads, and the moment he sees the fey woman radiating power and control, he knows that she is meant for him. He just has to convince her that a fey shark shifter is warmer blooded than their reputation would suggest.

Amazon     Apple Books

for the love of cupidityFOR THE LOVE OF CUPIDITY: A VALENTINE’S DAY NOVELLA (HEART HASSLE BOOK 4) by Raven Kennedy

First comes love, then comes mating, then comes the baby and some cupid training.
Cupidville is overrun with new cupid recruits, and it’s up to me to train them in time for Valentine’s Day. Too bad I have four mates who keep insisting that it’s time for me to take a break.
Juggling my role as the cupid boss, being a mate, and handling motherhood isn’t always easy, but it’s sure as hearts worth it. Let’s just hope I can get these cupid flunkies trained in time.

Amazon

warrior nakeeriWARRIOR NAKEERI (DRAGON MASTERS OF LIMEA BOOK 2) by Tamsin Baker

Nakeeri, warrior woman and one of the only remaining dragon riders on Limea, is loyal to her corrupt kingdom. Not by choice but for a long ago bargain she made to save her life.
Curiosity leads her to the castle of Gregorick and Kalvis, the Captain of the Guard. A man who makes her heat blaze and who she can’t resist. The man foretold to sire her child, perhaps one of the next dragon riders.
Kalvis feels unworthy to be Nakeeri’s mate but the wild woman is destined to be his. When she is imprisoned by her malevolent king he finds more strength than just a loyal guard. He finds the heart of a lover and protector.

Amazon

polar oppositesPOLAR OPPOSITES by Cheyenne Meadows

VS Note: From January

Donovan is the new guy in town, a polar shifter, harboring a big secret. He’s a big city bear who moved to the tiny town of Forgotten, Wyoming, in hopes of finding peace. What he finds is poison ivy and angry wasps.

TJ, a grizzly shifter, is the local doctor with a past. He’s found a home in the country, but lacks happiness and a sense of belonging. The fact that he’s in the midst of his natural mating season doesn’t help in the least. The moment Donovan enters TJ’s clinic, sparks fly. TJ is determined to resist the temptation that is Donovan, but his inner bear and Donovan have other ideas.

When a hunter starts going after shifters and a blast from Donovan’s past show up for revenge, things get hot. But not as hot as the attraction between Donovan and TJ. If they can pull together and survive, they just might discover that, while they might be polar opposites, sometimes opposites do attract.

Amazon     Apple Books

ensnaredENSNARED: AN ETERNAL GUARDIANS NOVELLA by Elizabeth Naughton

RYDER–Mysterious, powerful, every woman’s fantasy come true.
For thousands of years, Ryder has reveled in his role as an immortal messenger—a dream weaver sent to seduce and manipulate. Until he’s ordered to deceive a fantasy of his own.

Zakara, the daughter of one of the mightiest Eternal Guardians, is his perfect woman. But she’s impervious to Ryder’s advances. Each attempt to sway her to his will pushes him deeper into a dreamscape she seems to be controlling. To survive, Ryder will need to find a way to master his sexy new prey. Because if he can’t, he risks forever condemning himself and the woman he’s grown to love to a never-ending nightmare drawn straight from the twisted depths of hell.

Amazon

city of the enchanted queenCITY OF THE ENCHANTED QUEEN (THE NIGHTHELM SERIES BOOK 3) by Olivia Ash

Once a guardian of the people, Sophia is now a wrongfully convicted fugitive of Nighthelm—and the hunt is on.
Deadly assassins stalk her every step, and the murderous creatures of the Witch Woods are hot on her heels. Nothing and nowhere is safe. Anyone brave enough to fight beside her risks a gruesome death.
Though Sophia and her men barely escaped Ripthorn mountain with their lives, they must return. For deep in the mountain, the heir still lives… for now.
Enchantments, corruption, and assassins stand in Sophia’s way.
As with so many things in this timeless city, not everything is as it seems. Old enemies resurface. Painful truths are unearthed. And the only way for Sophia to discover the truth behind her fractured magic is to end the Nameless Master’s takeover… no matter the cost.
Edric is a master of war. Zeke, a master of magic. Andreas, a master of death. These men fear nothing but losing the woman they love—and though they would die for her, only Sophia can end the bloodshed.
For the truth is she’s painfully familiar with the one responsible for the deep corruption in Nighthelm…And she’s closer to the lethal truth than even she realizes.

Amazon

cupid daddyCUPID DADDY (FANTASTICAL DADDY DOMS BOOK 5) by Allysa Hart and Rayanna Jamison

What kind of matchmaker looks for dates on Tinder anyway?
The desperate kind.
My brick and mortar matchmaking service was the last of its type.
Until HE came to town and opened up shop right across the street.
Suddenly clients are lining up down the block hoping to find their one true love.
The only problem?
They are lining up on his side of the street!
I don’t know who this Greek god-like man with a Midas touch for making love matches is, but he is seriously messing with my life.
Every time I see him I want to throw him against a wall.
And rip his clothes off.
And screw his brains out.
I need him gone. Like, Yesterday.
Before I lose everything. Including my pride.

Amazon

torn fallen angel seriesTORN: FALLEN ANGELS SERIES by Ditter Kellen
One angel’s redemption and the love that saved his soul…
A fallen angel desperately seeking redemption, a terminally ill girl hoping for a miracle she believes will never come, and a demon who will stop at nothing to keep them apart.
When Exodus and Niki’s worlds collide, they just might find what they’re looking for.
If they survive.

Amazon

mission her defense'MISSION: HER DEFENSE (TEAM 52 BOOK 4) by Anna Hackett

VS note: Not exactly scifi romance but I love all of Anna’s books!

Blair Mason is badass to the bone. She’s no stranger to loss and barely survived the mission that ended her military career. Now, as part of Team 52, she never shies away from a fight to ensure pieces of powerful ancient technology don’t fall into the wrong hands. Unfortunately, she’s often forced to “liaise” with the team’s contact at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police. The tall, hard-bodied detective ignites her temper quicker than any man she’s ever known…and after a terrible massacre, she’s horrified to find that she and MacKade are being ordered to work together.

Detective Luke MacKade was born a protector. He takes care of his family, and as a dedicated homicide detective, he protects his city. He is less thrilled with his job of cleaning up after Team 52 after they tear through Vegas on a mission. Blair is a woman who sets him off just by breathing, but even he can’t deny the powerful attraction he feels to her strength and skill. When several cursed samurai swords are stolen in a bloody attack, it is up to Luke and Blair to get them back…before more blood is shed.

But others are after the swords and their hidden powers. As Luke and Blair’s dangerous investigation intensifies, they face danger at every turn. Luke battles his intense need to protect the woman he’s falling for, a woman who neither wants or needs his protection. But as their desire burns white-hot, Luke will learn that the toughest defenses are the ones around Blair’s heart.

Amazon

sleight of fantasySLEIGHT OF FANTASY (SASHA URBAN SERIES BOOK 4) by Dima Zales and Anna Zaires

My deal with Nero and my growing powers are supposed to keep me and my loved ones safe—yet the unthinkable happens.
When lines are crossed and blood is spilled, nothing will ever be the same again.

Amazon     Apple Books

soul in darknessSOUL IN DARKNESS by Wendy Higgins

People travel from afar to the small isle in the Aegean Sea hoping for a single glimpse of Princess Psyche. Their adoration for the mortal woman is so all-consuming that citizens begin to shower her with the very gifts and offerings they once left at the alter of Venus, goddess of love and beauty.

But gods are known for their jealousy.

Cupid, the god of love, takes pleasure in causing strife and mischief in the lives of humans. He uses love as a weapon, humoring in the weakness of people at the whims of their feelings. When his mother Venus approaches him about punishing the human girl who dares to steal her offerings and affections from the people, Cupid gladly accepts.

Psyche’s punishment is to be given to a mysterious creature who only comes to her in the dark of night under the pact that she will never lay eyes on him. She is terrified of this stranger, who the oracle described as a serpent. Her mate, however, is masterful in his dealings with his bride. He takes his time, morphing her fears into different sensations completely.

Amazon     Apple Books

blood spellTHE BLOOD SPELL (RAVENSPIRE BOOK 4) by C J Redwine

Blue de la Cour has her life planned: hide the magic in her blood and continue trying to turn metal into gold so she can help her city’s homeless. But when her father is murdered and a cruel but powerful woman claims custody of Blue and her property, one wrong move could expose her—and doom her once and for all. The only one who can help? The boy she’s loathed since childhood: Prince Kellan.

Kellan Renard, crown prince of Balavata, is walking a thin line between political success and devastating violence. Newly returned from boarding school, he must find a bride among the kingdom’s head families and announce his betrothal—but escalating violence among the families makes the search nearly impossible. He’s surprised to discover that the one person who makes him feel like he can breathe is Blue, the girl who once ruined all his best adventures.

When mysterious forces lead to disappearances throughout Balavata, Blue and Kellan must work together to find the truth. What they discover will lead them to the darkest reaches of the kingdom, and to the most painful moments of their pasts.

When romance is forbidden and evil is rising, can Blue save those she loves, even if it costs her everything?

Amazon     Apple Books

kingdom coldKINGDOM COLD by Brittni Chenelle

Attempted murder, that’s how sixteen-year-old Princess Charlotte’s engagement starts. It seems like the only thing she has in common with Prince Young of Vires is their mutual discontent.

When her kingdom’s attacked, Charlotte’s parents renegotiate her hand in marriage to a handsome stranger with a sinister plan. With the people Charlotte loves dying around her, and her kingdom’s future at stake, the only person she can turn to is the prince she betrayed. But, should she save her kingdom or her heart? One must fall.

Amazon     Apple Books

stoned layla frostSTONED (THE FOUR BOOK 2) by Layla Frost

Once upon a time, there lived a witch. A kickass, brilliant, dope as hell witch whose magicks inspired fear and envy. Like all classic fairy tales, her story had the usual goodies.

Destiny.
Adventure.
Missing souls.
Unfathomable evil, the precarious fate of the entire universe, blah, blah, blah.
But let’s get back to that witch with the awesome hair…

Fine, it’s me. I’m the all-powerful witch. And, okay, maybe my story isn’t a classic fairy tale. Not unless I missed the part about Little Red delivering comic books and munchies in her basket and Beauty sleeping off two-for-one margarita night. But I do have a soul mate—my very own Charming.
Except he’s no prince. He’s a level-headed, by the book, insanely sexy detective.
And me?
Well, I’m Stoned.

Amazon

danger callsDANGER CALLS (THE CALLING IS REBORN VAMPIRE NOVELS BOOK 2) by Caridad Piniero

Dr. Melissa Danvers knows a normal life is impossible for her. Since her parents’ death Melissa has been bound to the man who has always been there for her, only he’s not a man. He’s a 150-year-old vampire and it’s Melissa’s destiny to be his keeper. But after experiencing a night of passion with Sebastian Reyes, a young, sexy, computer hacker, she yearns for the life she thought impossible.

Sebastian Reyes finds himself drawn into a wild world of vampires and death.
After a night of wild lovemaking with beautiful physician Melissa Danvers, Sebastian wonders if it can be more. When Melissa needs his expertise to discover the truth behind her parents’ deaths and stay one step ahead of their killer, Sebastian answers the call of danger and desire.

Amazon     Apple Books

oh holy knightOH HOLY KNIGHT (WICKED KNIGHTS) by Amelia Hutchins

VS note: a re-release

Erie isn’t having a great week. Her time of freedom is up, and the Templar Knight who comes to claim her is an overgrown, broody, alpha a-hole who kisses like sin, and is determined to have her. What’s a girl to do other than teach him that she cannot be owned by him or his kind?

Callaghan will stop at nothing to save his race. Bound by the Templar Code, he has stood as protector of humanity; a witness to the countless wars that forged the world. Too much depends on his ability to catch one female, and create a life before time runs out. If the hour glass finishes before he succeeds, both races will fall to the curse placed on them by ancient witches have been awakened from the eternal slumber.

With two races hanging in the balance, he’s going to have to get creative to trap the little she-wolf who seems to be as elusive and untamed as her name claims her to be.

Amazon     Apple Books

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star cruise mystery dancerVS Note: In case you missed my new release last week!

STAR CRUISE: MYSTERY DANCER

VS Note: First published in the Embrace the Passion: Pets in Space 3 anthology…which was a USA Today Best Seller and received two SFR Galaxy Awards in January, but which is no longer available, so I’m issuing my story as a standalone title. The story is exactly as published in the anthology – my Muse doesn’t resonate with revising or adding to a book that’s already in the ‘finished and released’ status.

Tassia Megg is a woman on the run after the death of her elderly guardian. She needs to get off the planet in a hurry when chance directs her to an open dance audition for the luxury cruise liner Nebula Zephyr’s resident troupe. One thing Tassia can do is dance.

Security Officer Liam Austin is suspicious of the newest performer to join the Comettes. She shows all the signs of being a woman on the run and seems to fit the Sectors-wide broadcast description of a missing thief, accused of stealing priceless artifacts. As he gets to know Tassia during the cruise, he starts to wonder if she’s something more – a long vanished princess in hiding from deadly political enemies of her family perhaps?

And what’s the story with the three eyed feline companion other crew members swear Tassia brought aboard the ship? Does the animal even exist?

As the ship approaches its next port of call, all the issues come to a boil and Liam must decide if he’ll step in to help Tassia or betray her. F’rrh the alien cat is the key to the mystery and Tassia’s fate.

A science fiction romance take on the Anastasia tale.

Amazon     Apple Books   Kobo     Nook     GooglePlay

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LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica:

February 6

January 30

January 23

January 16

January 9

The term “new” is generally plus or minus a week or two. I try to catch up on ones I missed in recent months.  

I do NOT cover every single new release in SFR/FantasyR/PNR. I never have. That would be an impossible task for any human! I assemble my list every week based on various informal inputs, and I do curate the list to some extent…

I check and verify all the buy links at the time I create the post  but after that I’m not responsible.

 

Am I Dying? Weekend Writing Warriors

Warriors logo revisedI’m taking snippets from my most recently released scifi romance GABE: A Badari Warriors SciFi Romance Novel, the next book in the award winning series. (KIERCE, the next book in the series, is at the editor by the way…)

Here’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!)

Punctuation may be wonky to comply with our guidelines here. May be edited a bit from published version.

If you haven’t read any of my Badari Warriors books, here’s the background:

Genetically engineered soldiers of the far future, the Badari were created by alien enemies to fight humans. But then the scientists kidnapped an entire human colony from the Sectors to use as subjects in twisted experiments…the Badari and the humans made common cause, rebelled and escaped the labs. Now they live side by side in a sanctuary valley protected by a powerful Artificial Intelligence, and wage unceasing war on the aliens. 

The excerpt – Jumping ahead a little, Gabe is dreaming, after Keshara has exhausted her healing powers to heal him as much as she can. In the dream, he finds himself in the great circle of trees where the Badari worship and Keshara is sleeping on the grass there. The first line is Gabe’s thought as he looks at her.  I like to have some inexplicable-through-science, mystical elements in every SFR I write:

She wore herself out trying to heal me.

“Indeed she did.”

He straightened, searching the open area for the speaker but there was no one else in the glade. The voice had come from close by, he was positive, not from the misty area beyond the guardian trees, “Who’s there?”

“One who watches over her children – you know who I am.”

Oh no, I’m not talking to any goddesses, not even in my dreams. Besides, I need to get going. He must be even worse off than he realized if he was now hallucinating a dialog with the Badari deity. He took a few more steps toward the perimeter but hesitated and pivoted to stare at Keshara – leaving her here alone felt wrong but the urge or craving to leave was growing stronger in his mind, “Am I dying?”

“Perhaps my daughter and I hold you here temporarily between life and death.”

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

Will he choose to stay with Keshara or keep walking toward the light outside the grove of trees?

gabe badari warriorsThe blurb for GABE: Gabe Carter, hotshot pilot and ex-Special Forces soldier, is far from his home in the human Sectors, kidnapped by alien scientists to be the subject of horrifying experiments. Shot down by the enemy over desolate territory far from his Badari allies and gravely injured, Gabe’s only hope is a mysterious woman on the run herself.

Keshara has to decide whether to abandon the human to die of his injuries on a windswept mountain top or give up her own quest for freedom and take him to a place he can be helped. The undeniable spark between them complicates matters.
His attraction to her is off the charts but when she betrays him to the Khagrish enemy, Gabe doesn’t know what to believe. Trapped inside an alien lab bursting with mysteries and lies, his only hope may be to trust her…again.

Because the renegade alien scientist running her own private experiments wants to use him to accomplish her goals and perpetuate the evil, no matter what she has to do to ensure his compliance. Keshara’s life hangs in the balance and Gabe has to make a choice.

Buy Links for GABE:

Amazon      Apple Books    Nook     Kobo     Google Play

award winning series canva

New Releases in #SciFi #Fantasy and Paranormal Romance for Wednesday February 6

star cruise mystery dancerI have a new release of my own to report this week, along with many more by other authors of course!

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).

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

STAR CRUISE: MYSTERY DANCER

VS Note: First published in the Embrace the Passion: Pets in Space 3 anthology…which was a USA Today Best Seller and received two SFR Galaxy Awards in January, but which is no longer available, so I’m issuing my story as a standalone title. The story is exactly as published in the anthology – my Muse doesn’t resonate with revising or adding to a book that’s already in the ‘finished and released’ status.

Tassia Megg is a woman on the run after the death of her elderly guardian. She needs to get off the planet in a hurry when chance directs her to an open dance audition for the luxury cruise liner Nebula Zephyr’s resident troupe. One thing Tassia can do is dance.

Security Officer Liam Austin is suspicious of the newest performer to join the Comettes. She shows all the signs of being a woman on the run and seems to fit the Sectors-wide broadcast description of a missing thief, accused of stealing priceless artifacts. As he gets to know Tassia during the cruise, he starts to wonder if she’s something more – a long vanished princess in hiding from deadly political enemies of her family perhaps?

And what’s the story with the three eyed feline companion other crew members swear Tassia brought aboard the ship? Does the animal even exist?

As the ship approaches its next port of call, all the issues come to a boil and Liam must decide if he’ll step in to help Tassia or betray her. F’rrh the alien cat is the key to the mystery and Tassia’s fate.

A science fiction romance take on the Anastasia tale.

Amazon     Apple Books   Kobo     Nook    GooglePlay link coming soon

hunter of the tideHUNTER OF THE TIDE (THE KRAKEN BOOK 3) by Tiffany Roberts

VS Note: Tiffany’s Pets In Space 3 story, now re-released. I love this series!

Randall Laster crossed Halora to hunt the kraken, sea monsters that weren’t supposed to be real. Betrayed by men he trusted, he was left to die. Instead, he finds himself living with the beings once meant to be his prey. Randall struggles to find his place amongst the kraken and to find a purpose to the new course his life has taken. Hope comes in two unexpected forms: an injured, amphibious sea creature in need of care, and Rhea, a strong-willed kraken who’s made no secret of her interest in him. Can he reconcile the tensions between humans and kraken and look beyond their differences so that he can claim Rhea as his own, or will old prejudices and hostilities tear them apart forever?

Amazon

alien mischiefALIEN MISCHIEF (ALIEN MATE BOOK 4) by Cara Bristol

She’s pretending to be a man. Will he see through her disguise in time to prove to her that she’s the right woman for him? Or will a little mischief ruin her second chance for love?

My name is Madison Altman. Don’t think because I’ve disguised myself as a man and have accepted a job that takes me away from Earth that I’m running away from love. That’s not true. I met the love of my life–but he was killed on our wedding day.

Chaperoning crazy women traveling to Dakon to become the mail order brides of aliens is just a way to pay the bills. Unfortunately, on this latest assignment, the ship returned to Earth without me! Luckily, Enoki came to my rescue. He might be hot, and sexy as hell with his gravelly voice and throbbing horns, but he believes I’m a man, and we’re friends, not lovers. That’s how I want it. That’s how it has to be. As soon Enoki can get me a flight to Earth, I’m leaving this frozen planet for good.

I’m Enoki, leader of Dakon. For the longest time, whispers in the wind told me my Fated mate was coming. Whispers turned to shouts when the recent shipment of females arrived, but none of them were mine. I must accept the Fates were wrong. I’ll never get a mate.

My purpose now is to help the stranded Earth man return to his home planet. Even though Madison is a Terran, we’ve developed a strong bond. I know I’ll miss him, but because we’re friends, I intend to do everything I can to help him leave.

Why do the whispers tell me not to let him go?

Amazon     Apple Books     Author’s Universal Link

polaris risingPOLARIS RISING: A NOVEL (THE CONSORTIUM REBELLION BOOK 1) by Jesse Mihalik

A space princess on the run and a notorious outlaw soldier become unlikely allies in this imaginative, sexy space opera adventure—the first in an exciting science fiction trilogy.

In the far distant future, the universe is officially ruled by the Royal Consortium, but the High Councillors, the heads of the three High Houses, wield the true power. As the fifth of six children, Ada von Hasenberg has no authority; her only value to her High House is as a pawn in a political marriage. When her father arranges for her to wed a noble from House Rockhurst, a man she neither wants nor loves, Ada seizes control of her own destiny. The spirited princess flees before the betrothal ceremony and disappears among the stars.

Ada eluded her father’s forces for two years, but now her luck has run out. To ensure she cannot escape again, the fiery princess is thrown into a prison cell with Marcus Loch. Known as the Devil of Fornax Zero, Loch is rumored to have killed his entire chain of command during the Fornax Rebellion, and the Consortium wants his head.

When the ship returning them to Earth is attacked by a battle cruiser from rival House Rockhurst, Ada realizes that if her jilted fiancé captures her, she’ll become a political prisoner and a liability to her House. Her only hope is to strike a deal with the dangerous fugitive: a fortune if he helps her escape.

But when you make a deal with an irresistibly attractive Devil, you may lose more than you bargained for.

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jexxJEXX by Linda Mooney

He couldn’t die without her, and he wouldn’t die with her. Not if she had anything to say about it.

The tide has turned in a centuries’ long war, and the Intergalactic Military has been tapped to step in and lend a hand. Sent to assist the Bo’Estrons, Captain Jelia Linh and her crew find themselves under immediate attack and in a fight for their own lives.

The rescue goes wrong, and ironically Kaxx must save the ones sent to aid them, but he isn’t expecting the feelings the female captain invokes.  The tingling sensation he gets when he touches her. It couldn’t be…could it? He’d missed his chance long ago.

The mission to help find the missing crewmembers is proving futile, as they’re all being picked off one bunker at a time. The battle is heating up, and it’s no longer about protecting their own. The Bo’Estron are fighting back, but with the Varnarians teaming up with the Hojinths, do they stand a chance?

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unnatural disastersUNNATURAL DISASTERS by Jeff Hirsch

Will the Class of 2049 be the last class ever?

Lucy Weaver has her future all figured out. Make an appearance at prom, ditch graduation, and then head out on an epic road trip with her boyfriend, Luke. But when everyone’s phones start to ring halfway through the dance, Lucy knows something terrible has happened—something big.

Decades of climate change have left the world teetering on the brink—entire cities drowned, violent extremism on the rise, millions of refugees with nowhere to turn. Is this the night it finally slips over the edge?

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out of ashesOUT OF ASHES (PHOENIX RISING BOOK 4) by Alexandra Christian

Phoebe Addison and Macijah “Cage” St. John have so much going on they can barely take a breath. Interplanetary master spies who generally drive their boss crazy, they are now trying to track down the person – is a skin walker a person? – who tried to kill him at their engagement party. Yeah, they were talked into returning to Louisiana so the whole town could show up and gawk at Cage. But they have bigger problems than usual when tracking an assassin. Secrets that have been buried for too many years are about to be uncovered if Cage and Phoe can survive the people, vampires and “things” that are trying to kill them. And to top if off, Phoe has a secret she’s sure will send Cage into a tailspin. But, as with everything they have lived through to be together, their love is the constant that is its own reward.

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ceruleanTHE CERULEAN by Amy Ewing

Sera Lighthaven has always felt as if she didn’t quite belong among her people, the Cerulean, who live in the City Above the Sky. She is curious about everything—especially the planet that her City is magically tethered to—and can’t stop questioning things. Sera has always longed for the day when the tether will finally break and the Cerulean can move to a new planet.

But when Sera is chosen as the sacrifice to break the tether, she feels betrayed by everything in which she’d been taught to trust. In order to save her City, Sera must end her own life.

But something goes wrong, and Sera survives, ending up on the planet below in a country called Kaolin. Sera has heard tales about the dangerous humans who live here, and she quickly learns that these dangers were not just stories.

Meanwhile, back in the City, all is not what it seems, and the life of every Cerulean may be in danger if Sera is not able to find a way home.

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man withinTHE MAN WITHIN (FELINE BREEDS BOOK 2) by Lora Leigh

VS Note: A re-release but used to be one of my favorites of the early Breeds stories. I liked the heroine very much…

Now, fifteen months later, the news is out. Taber, the man she loves, is one of the genetically altered Feline Breeds, who have shocked the world with their presence. He’s also her mate. The mark on her neck attests to that. The fire that rages in her heart and in her body further proves it. But he didn’t want her then; does he really want her now?

Deceit and treachery, born in the past, now haunt the present as Taber and Roni fight to make sense of their sudden bonding. The mating of heart, body, and soul as the man and the beast within him merge; both battling the forces raging against the union and dominance over the woman he claimed.

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her biker from marsHER BIKER FROM MARS by Katie Douglas and Aria Adams

“I just wanted a snow cone. Instead I have 24 hours to assassinate the president of Earth, or a slave girl dies.”

Sy is hiding out from his old biker gang. He’s trying to live a quiet life on Mars, his birthplace, but the past catches up with him when a fake priest blackmails him into assassinating the president of Earth.

Lita woke up on an operating table with no memory of anything. Enslaved and mutilated, she is turned into a human bomb by a fake priest, and sent out to spy on Sy with the camera in her eye. Sy is a gruff alien, but he makes her feel safe in a way no-one ever has.
There’s just one problem: She could explode at any moment. How can Sy possibly save her?

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dark matterDARK MATTER by Jessica Loft

Clara is a beautiful, curvy, intelligent woman who works as a computer engineer on NASA’S moon colony. When she notices that women are starting to go missing, all of the men in power ignore her and tell her she’s being irrational. She knows better though; especially when she wakes up in a prison cell herself, surrounded by equally confused and frightened women. Things become even stranger when she is forced into a banquet hall full of men with glowing neon blue tribal markings all over them.

Riordan, the handsome King of the Guardianites, has come to the slave auction to procure new females for his castle. At first he is bored by the new stock, but Clara quickly catches his attention when he sees she is the only one that is not obeying the curious customers. Though annoyed by her strong will, Riordan finds her funny and extremely attractive, and decides to purchase her.

Can they find out that there is more than meets the eye for both the enslaved Earthling and an Alien King?

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angel fierceANGEL FIERCE (AZURA CHRONICLES BOOK 2) by Vijaya Schartz

Something’s rotten on the angel planet. When Avenging Angels turn up dead, Urielle, their Legion Commander, suspects the handsome intruder brought unspeakable evil to Azura.

Maksou never met a woman he couldn’t seduce. He came to the forbidden planet to rescue his friends and get rich in the process, but the jungle crawls with lethal life forms… including a gorgeous warrior angel, who saves his life but keeps him prisoner and challenges his irresistible charm.

Urielle, sworn to protect Azura at all costs, has no use for a maverick who ignores the rules and endangers the planet… no matter how attractive. Especially when the Galactic Trade Alliance (GTA) wages a secret war to get their greedy hands on the priceless crystal at Azura’s core.

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hanging at lotus hallA HANGING AT LOTUS HALL: THE STEAMPUNK DETECTIVES by Corrina Lawson

Family secrets are the most dangerous….

All is not well at Lotus Hall, the home of the Dukes of Bennington, powerful mages who sit at the highest levels of power in the British Empire.

Consulting detective Gregor Sherringford, youngest brother of the current duke, is summoned home by his mother, the Dowager Duchess, after the mysterious arrival of a family member long presumed dead.

Joan Krieger, Gregor’s investigative partner and lover, accompanies him, though the summons is badly timed. Gregor has been pushing to get married while Joan, who saw the ruins of a marriage destroy her parents, balks. In her experience, families bring nothing but grief. Besides, she’s no proper match for Gregor, with her reputation as a “fallen” woman, and being from a Jewish merchant family.

Her fears are realized after their arrival at Lotus Hall. The duke is distant, Gregor’s mother is concealing a secret about the long-lost family member, Gregor’s other brother is hiding an affair that could bring scandal down on the family, and the other guests, important members of the Metaphysical Society, warn Joan of dire consequences if she continues to use forbidden magic in her investigations.

When one of the signature Sherringford inventions is used to kill, uncovering the truth behind all the facades becomes imperative. For someone is hunting Sherringfords and unless they can all learn to trust each other, their family will be utterly destroyed.

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parallel larryPARALLEL LARRY by Jacqueline Rohrbach

Larry’s search for love didn’t include Greg, his regular waiter at his favorite restaurant. Always too busy daydreaming about a handsome doctor, Larry fails to notice Greg’s shy advances. But when Greg finally finds the courage to ask Larry out, he’s suddenly killed in a freak car accident. Only then does Larry realize how perfect they could have been together.

No one gets a second shot at true love. Or do they?

Inexplicably, Larry is drawn into a parallel reality, and in this new timeline, Greg is still very much alive. Here, the shy young waiter Larry knew from before has managed to live out many of his dreams. All except one: he hasn’t found love. Larry gets one more shot after all!

There are a few problems. One, Larry’s time is limited. Two, Greg has already dated the parallel reality’s Larry, and he was a real jerk. Now Larry has to prove he’s nothing at all like his evil doppelganger and that he is willing to risk everything to protect the man he loves.

He’s found Greg again. To keep him, Larry will have to stop daydreaming and fight himself—literally—not just metaphorically.

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rouhrROUHR (CONQUERED WORLD BOOK 6) by Elin Wynn

Discipline. Duty. Desire. Skotan General Rouhr will destroy the Xathi on Ankau, whatever the cost. It’s the only honorable solution for allowing the war to infect the human colony world. As soon as their ship is repaired, he and his men will be gone, back to the battle raging in the homeworlds.

But the smiling eyes of one brave human leader set fire to his soul, the touch of her soft skin against his scales becomes an addiction.

Needing her may be a distraction from his mission, but he can’t stop. Not now.

Vidia knows her time with Rouhr is limited. She’s got her own responsibilities, people who depend on her. She understands that loving a leader sometimes means watching him leave. With every caress her heart breaks, but she can’t walk away. Not yet.

Even if they win the final battle against the Xathi, can they survive the price?

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reviving biancaREVIVING BIANCA (PROJECT DEEP BOOK 6) by Becca Jameson

Life has not been kind to Bianca.
Childhood abuse has left her cautious.
She trusts no one. Especially men.
Guarding her emotional and physical scars has been her life’s mission.
She went to her deathbed without ever sharing her secrets with anyone.
Or so she thought.
Waking up from ten years in a cryostat leaves her scared out of her mind.
People have seen her scars.
The horror of that new reality has her reeling.
And worse? She’s been left alone in the care of a man she barely knows.

Grayson’s job is to keep Bianca safe and nurse her to health.
He’s well aware she has secrets.
The welts on her back explain a lot about the private woman.
It’s not a surprise that she doesn’t trust him.
She doesn’t deserve whatever life has dealt her.
He will move mountains to keep her safe and help her heal.
As their friendship grows, he gradually breaks down her walls.
He’d give anything for her to let him in.
But he won’t rush her.
Patience is his best option.

Bianca believes she is too broken to be loved.
Grayson will wait a lifetime to prove her wrong.

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close encounters alyson belleCLOSE ENCOUNTERS: A GENDER SWAPPING SCIFI SPACE ODYSSEY by Alyson Belle

VS Note: Listed as a short read.

When starship captain Benjamin Rollins beams down to a strange alien planet that appears to have signs of intelligent life, he is shocked to be greeted by a human-like race of beings that traveled from Earth millennia ago and which claim to share a common ancestor with him. Their planet Titan is a wondrous utopia—their people live in peace and harmony, strife is unknown, and coupling is free and frequent. The primary physical difference, as far as Ben can tell, is that their young people maintain an indeterminate, androgynous gender until a mysterious “ceremony” where they reach adulthood and their gender is revealed to them.

Ben is immediately taken with one of these beautiful androgynous youths named Eolwin, and the two of them return to Eolwin’s house so that he can learn more of the culture and make his report back to his crew. But when he accidentally completes one of these gender-confirming ceremonies with Eolwin, Ben wakes the next day to discover that the raging hormones that set the alien’s gender appear to be so powerful that they’ve spilled over to his own body and triggered some kind of strange metamorphosis! Ben is now a woman of Titan, physically female in every way. And Eolwin has now become his stunningly attractive mate… his male mate.

Can Ben find a way to reverse the transformation and return back to the helm of his ship before he’s trapped on Titan as a woman for the rest of his life, or will he a find a way to cope with his new body and the strange new feelings he has toward his new lover Eolwin? With all of these amazing and novel sensations threatening to overwhelm him each day, the decision is harder than he ever imagined it would be.

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finding mercyFINDING MERCY: PLANET ATHION )THE PIONEERS BOOK 2) by Angel Lawson

Space is a vast, lonely place and Mercy is in the hands of the enemy.
Her guardians have one shot at saving her and they have to trust someone else to do it.

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unexpected demonUNEXPECTED DEMON by Layla Stone

The second I see her walk into the captain’s meeting, I want to dislike her but I can’t. I’m captivated by her smooth curves, long thick hair and her confidence. I want to taste her sweetness.

She’s got guts, smarts and I want her to come willingly to my bed. Except, she doesn’t respond to my charm. The female is nothing like I expect. She’s also taken unnecessary risks.

My mission is on the line. I have people to save and a team to protect.When I get my hands on her, she better be prepared for what a night in my bed entails… and she better promise never to leave the ship without me again.

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connections in deathCONNECTIONS IN DEATH: AN EVE DALLAS NOVEL (IN DEATH BOOK 48) by J D Robb

Homicide cop Eve Dallas and her billionaire husband, Roarke, are building a brand-new school and youth shelter. They know that the hard life can lead kids toward dangerous crossroads—and with this new project, they hope to nudge a few more of them onto the right path. For expert help, they hire child psychologist Dr. Rochelle Pickering—whose own brother pulled himself out of a spiral of addiction and crime with Rochelle’s support.

Lyle is living with Rochelle while he gets his life together, and he’s thrilled to hear about his sister’s new job offer. But within hours, triumph is followed by tragedy. Returning from a celebratory dinner with her boyfriend, she finds Lyle dead with a syringe in his lap, and Eve’s investigation confirms that this wasn’t just another OD. After all his work to get clean, Lyle’s been pumped full of poison—and a neighbor with a peephole reports seeing a scruffy, pink-haired girl fleeing the scene.

Now Eve and Roarke must venture into the gang territory where Lyle used to run, and the ugly underground world of tattoo parlors and strip joints where everyone has taken a wrong turn somewhere. They both believe in giving people a second chance. Maybe even a third or fourth. But as far as they’re concerned, whoever gave the order on Lyle Pickering’s murder has run out of chances…

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our uprisingOUR UPRISING: PLANET ATHION (DARKEST SKIES BOOK 3) by Marissa Farrar

After avoiding a near abduction by the Trads, I’ve been ordered by the president of the United States to take my team of gorgeous men and go back to the Observatory where this all started. Only this time, we’re not alone.

Accompanying us are two aliens from the planet Athion. With their blue skin, amber eyes, and iridescent black hair, it’s hard not to be fascinated. They’ve offered to help humanity against the Trads, but how will Aleandro, Mike, and Casey react to having them around?

When a crisis lands us in the middle of a city destroyed by the Trads, we’ll all have to put our differences behind us if we’re going to survive.

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zroeqs fallen starZRO’EQ’S FALLEN STAR (GALACTIC COURTSHIP SERIES BOOK 14) by Lily Thomas

Sophia is part of a group of anthropologists who were forced to land on a primitive alien planet when their space station begins to vent atmosphere into the dark of space. Now, they must leave behind the technology they once knew and start a new life among the aliens they’d been studying. The good part? The aliens are slowly finding mates out of the human women. The bad part? Sophia seems to be stuck with the grumpiest of them all.

Zro’eq watches from the sidelines as his clan accepts these strange women into their village. He knows it’s a bad idea, but no one seems to be listening to him. The last time they encountered human males, they’d shot blue balls of searing light at the clan. Now he worries what will happen when more of their people show.

When they’re forced together to find a couple of missing humans, will they tear each other apart or join forces like a dynamic duo?

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navigating the starsNAVIGATING THE STARS (SENTINELS OF THE GALAXY BOOK 1) by Maria V Snyder

VS Note: From December. Recommended by reader Barbara.

Seventeen-year-old Lyra Daniels can’t truly blame Einstein or her parents for their impending move across the Milky Way Galaxy. It’s all due to the invention of the Q-net, which made traveling the vast distances in space possible—with one big caveat: the time dilation. But that never stopped Lyra’s ancestors from exploring the Milky Way, searching for resources and exoplanets to colonize. What they didn’t expect to find is life-sized terracotta Warriors buried on twenty-one different exoplanets.

… Make that twenty-two.

As the Galaxy’s leading experts on the Warriors, Lyra’s parents are thrilled by the new discovery, sending them—and her—fifty years into the future. Her social life in ruins, she fills her lonely days by illegally worming into the Q-net. The only person close to her age is the annoyingly irresistible security officer who threatens to throw her into the brig.

After the planet they just left goes silent—meaning no communications from them at all—security has bigger problems to deal with than Lyra, especially when vital data files go missing. But that’s just the beginning, because they’re not as alone as they thought on their new planet… and suddenly time isn’t the only thing working against them.

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bintiBINTI: THE COMPLETE TRILOGY by Nnedi Okorofor

VS note: Not a romance but I thought it was cool to have the books now available in one set, so it’s a book of note this week.

In her Hugo- and Nebula-winning novella, Nnedi Okorafor introduced us to Binti, a young Himba girl with the chance of a lifetime: to attend the prestigious Oomza University. Despite her family’s concerns, Binti’s talent for mathematics and her aptitude with astrolabes make her a prime candidate to undertake this interstellar journey.

But everything changes when the jellyfish-like Medusae attack Binti’s spaceship, leaving her the only survivor. Now, Binti must fend for herself, alone on a ship full of the beings who murdered her crew, with five days until she reaches her destination.

There is more to the history of the Medusae–and their war with the Khoush–than first meets the eye. If Binti is to survive this voyage and save the inhabitants of the unsuspecting planet that houses Oomza Uni, it will take all of her knowledge and talents to broker the peace.

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stolen timeSTOLEN TIME by Danielle Rollins  

Seattle, 1913 – Dorothy spent her life learning the art of the con. But after meeting a stranger and stowing away on his peculiar aircraft, she wakes up in a chilling version of the world she left behind—and for the first time in her life, realizes she’s in way over her head.

New Seattle, 2077 – If there was ever a girl who was trouble, it was one who snuck on board Ash’s time machine wearing a wedding gown—and the last thing he needs is trouble if he wants to prevent his terrifying visions of the future from coming true.

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master of frostMASTER OF FROST (FROZEN DRAGONS BOOK 2) by Terry Bolryder

Dmitri, newly awakened ice dragon and former bodyguard to the Lord of Winter, is in big trouble. He knows his curvy, prone-to-trouble roommate with a heart of gold is his mate, but she hasn’t come to the same conclusion. If he makes a move she might freeze him out, and if he doesn’t, he might be forever doomed to the friend box, a place colder than the Siberian landscape he came from.

Chelle loves living with her two new friends, even if they are giant, sexy icemen her roommate brought home from a lab. Dmitry, a tall, sensual warrior with vivid turquoise eyes, always sets her on edge when he’s in the room with her, but she knows everything will be fine as long as the two of them stay just friends. That’s if she can ignore her body begging for so much more…

As tension explodes between the two roommates, resulting in heated kisses and steamy encounters, Dmitry is ever more determined to melt down the icy walls that guard Chelle’s heart. But in the end, it may be up to Chelle to fight her inner demons and realize her feelings for Dmitry, before external forces tracking the ice dragons catch up.

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dark alphas awakeningDARK ALPHA’S AWAKENING (REAPERS BOOK 7) by Donna Grant

Serving Death and the Reapers has been my life for centuries. I’ve always put my duty before everything, even my yearning for Death. But now, she’s fading – our foe is bent on destroying her and he will stop at nothing until he does. Death holds the key to our survival. I will do everything in my power to stop her from disappearing. For her, I will ensure we have the best fighting chance. For her…I will cross the divide keeping us apart.

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ride the waveRIDE THE WAVE (HER ELEMENTAL DRAGONS BOOK 4) by Elizabeth Briggs

The Black Dragon and her men may think they’ve defeated me and my mates, but we’re not giving up without a fight. We’re the only ones who can restore balance to the world, even if it means destroying my family in the process. This time we’re taking the battle to them and we will overthrow their oppressive rule—no matter the cost.
But what if the price of victory is my very soul?

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of thrones and crowns'OF THRONES AND CROWNS by Various

For a limited time, grab this anthology including eight new and exclusive fantasy standalones from bestselling authors.

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hook lure of the merHOOK (THE LURE OF THE MER BOOK 1) by Laney Kaye

Marine biologist, Jayde Collins, has a love affair with the ocean. Lucky for her, because lately, swimming is the only way she can get wet without investing heavily in rechargeable batteries. While out diving, she’s caught by the crew of a trawler, beaten, and dumped as shark bait. Rescued and magically healed by a hot lifeguard, she’s not sure if she’s dreaming, but with the erotic fantasy he offers—sex with two men—she’s not sure she wants to wake up.

Trent Okeanós leads an elite group of Australian lifeguards who hide a secret; they are the last of the Mer. His law forbids sex with humans unless another Mer joins them, but when he saves Jayde, he’s unprepared for the jealousy warring within him. Yet if he dares let his lust turn to love, Jayde will be bonded to him for life and he’ll be stripped of immortality.

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enchanteeENCHANTEE by Gita Trelease

Paris is a labyrinth of twisted streets filled with beggars and thieves, revolutionaries and magicians. Camille Durbonne is one of them. She wishes she weren’t…

When smallpox kills her parents, Camille must find a way to provide for her younger sister while managing her volatile brother. Relying on magic, Camille painstakingly transforms scraps of metal into money to buy food and medicine they need. But when the coins won’t hold their shape and her brother disappears with the family’s savings, Camille pursues a richer, more dangerous mark: the glittering court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

Using dark magic forbidden by her mother, Camille transforms herself into a baroness and is swept up into life at the Palace of Versailles, where aristocrats both fear and hunger for magic. As she struggles to reconcile her resentment of the rich with the allure of glamour and excess, Camille meets a handsome young inventor, and begins to believe that love and liberty may both be possible.

But magic has its costs, and soon Camille loses control of her secrets. And when revolution erupts, Camille must choose—love or loyalty, democracy or aristocracy, reality of magic—before Paris burns.

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lady smokeLADY SMOKE (ASH PRINCESS BOOK 2) by Laura Sebastian

The Kaiser murdered Theodosia’s mother, the Fire Queen, when Theo was only six. He took Theo’s country and kept her prisoner, crowning her Ash Princess–a pet to toy with and humiliate for ten long years. That era has ended. The Kaiser thought his prisoner weak and defenseless. He didn’t realize that a sharp mind is the deadliest weapon.

Theo no longer wears a crown of ashes. She has taken back her rightful title, and a hostage–Prinz Soren. But her people remain enslaved under the Kaiser’s rule, and now she is thousands of miles away from them and her throne.

To get them back, she will need an army. Only, securing an army means she must trust her aunt, the dreaded pirate Dragonsbane. And according to Dragonsbane, an army can only be produced if Theo takes a husband. Something an Astrean Queen has never done.

Theo knows that freedom comes at a price, but she is determined to find a way to save her country without losing herself.

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not dead yetNOT DEAD YET by Jenn Burke

Wes Cooper was dead. Then he wasn’t—though he’s not exactly alive, either. As an immortal not-ghost, he can transition between this world and the otherplane, which makes him the perfect thief for hire. For seventy years he’s made a “living” returning items to their rightful owners, seeing his fair share of the bizarre in the process. But he’s never witnessed murder. Until now.

His latest mission brings him more than he bargained for: a very-dead actor who is definitely going to stay that way. It’s just Wes’s luck that his ex-boyfriend, Detective Hudson Rojas, is assigned to the case. Hudson broke Wes’s heart years ago—and could again, given he’s rocking a hot silver-fox look that shouldn’t be legal.

As they work together to track down the murderer before anyone else gets hurt, it becomes clear Wes and Hudson have unfinished business. And when a secret Hudson’s been keeping threatens more than just their happiness, it might mean the end of their not-life together—permanently.

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song of the deadSONG OF THE DEAD (REIGN OF THE FALLEN BOOK 2) by Sarah Glenn Marsh

Karthia is nothing like it used to be. The kingdom’s borders are open for the first time in nearly three hundred years, and raising the dead has been outlawed. Odessa is determined to explore the world beyond Karthia’s waters, hoping to heal a heart broken in more ways than she can count. But with Meredy joining the ocean voyage, vanquishing her sorrow will be a difficult task.

Despite the daily reminder of the history they share, Odessa and Meredy are fascinated when their journey takes them to a land where the Dead rule the night and dragons roam the streets. Odessa can’t help being mesmerized by the new magic–and by the girl at her side. But just as she and Meredy are beginning to explore the new world, a terrifying development in Karthia summons them home at once.

Growing political unrest on top of threats from foreign invaders means Odessa and Meredy are thrust back into the lives they tried to leave behind while specters from their past haunt their tenuous relationship. Gathering a force big enough to ward off enemies seems impossible, until one of Queen Valoria’s mages creates a weapon that could make them invincible. As danger continues to mount inside the palace, Odessa fears that without the Dead, even the greatest invention won’t be enough to save their fates.

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rescued alphabitsRESCUED (ALPHABITS BOOK 1) by Susi Hawke and Cristi Crown

Sam Remington, former leader of Team Beta, has a new dream: to lead a team whose sole purpose is to protect those most vulnerable—shifter pups.

His new mate, Dean, shares his passion. As a child counselor, Dean is all too familiar with the darker side of the world when it comes to pups. If Sam can rescue them, Dean will do his best to help fix them.

Sanctioned by Team Alpha’s bossman, the great Ray Perkins himself, Alphabits is Sam’s baby. This new hand-picked team consists of five highly-trained wolf alphas—and one bumbling bear who couldn’t take a hint. As always with a new team, personalities will clash. But at the end of the day, they all share a common goal help lost, missing, and hurting children—starting with the needy wolf pup who lives across the street from Sam and Dean.

The Alphabits aren’t vigilantes. These former soldiers and officers of the law have to do things by the book—even when it tears them apart to do so. But once all their ducks are in a row, the bad guys had better beware! You do not want this team of protective alphas on your tail.

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cast in oblivionCAST IN OBLIVION (THE CHRONICLES OF ELANTRA) by Michelle Sagara

Kaylin wasn’t sent to the West March to start a war. Her mission to bring back nine Barrani might do just that, though. She traveled with a Dragon, and her presence is perceived as an act of aggression in the extremely hostile world of Barrani-Dragon politics. Internal Barrani politics are no less deadly, and Kaylin has managed—barely—to help the rescued Barrani evade both death and captivity at the hands of the Consort.

Before the unplanned “visit” to the West March, Kaylin invited the Consort to dinner. For obvious reasons, Kaylin wants to cancel dinner—forever. But the Consort is going to show up at the front door at the agreed-upon time. The fact that she tried to imprison Kaylin’s guests doesn’t matter at all…to her.

A private Barrani Hell, built of Shadow and malice, exists beneath the High Halls. It is the High Court’s duty to jail the creature at its heart—even if it means that Barrani victims are locked in the cage with it. The Consort is willing to do almost anything to free the trapped and end their eternal torment. And she needs the help of Kaylin’s houseguests—and Kaylin herself. Failure won’t be death—it will be Hell. And that’s where Kaylin is going.

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fiery fairy talesFIERY FAIRY TALES: A COLLECTION OF FRESH AND RETOLD FAIRY TALES by Various

Discover dashing princes and magical endings like you’ve never seen them before. Open the storybook and fall into 11 tales of fiery passion and steamy love affairs in a fairy tale collection far from the ones you’re used to. There’s something for everyone, from contemporary to paranormal and fantasy. Find out what really happened behind the princesses’ closed doors.

Amazon

stray magic jenny schwartzSTRAY MAGIC (FAERENE APOCALYPSE BOOK 1) by Jenny Schwartz

When magic crashes through the Rift, Earth devolves into an apocalyptic nightmare. Survival becomes the only game in town, and college girl, Amy Carlton, learns she’s a more ruthless player than she ever imagined.

Magistrate Istvan signed up for the Faerene Migration knowing that the price of Earth’s future would be paid for in hellfire and blood. But the black griffin hadn’t anticipated humans accessing magic.

Now, a new and impossible bond must be forged between a Faerene invader and a human familiar. But first Istvan and Amy must survive to form the bond.

*Note: “Faerene” refers to the many peoples of another world: the griffins, dragons, unicorns, werewolves, elves and ogres who’ve crossed to Earth. No prepper or survivalist could have been prepared for their arrival.

Amazon

ta weezos bluesTA WEEZO’S BLUES by Layla Dorine

VS Note: From December.

Sabre never had any intentions of becoming the teacher’s pet. In fact, most of his school years have been spent trying to avoid attention. The scar that mars his cheek has made him wary of strangers, their questions and prying eyes leave him feeling exposed in ways he’s uncomfortable with. Accustomed to blending in, he lurks around the shadows in the back of classrooms, turning in exemplary work but rarely taking part in discussions.

Professor Locklear’s Native lit class is different though. Sabre’s interest in the subject matter, coupled with a dedicated scholar’s need to turn in the best work possible, leads him to seek out a more advanced reading list, much to the delight of Professor Locklear. When he comes across Sabre reading material beyond even the advanced list, Professor Locklear invites on a fieldtrip to a nearby village. Along the way he learns more than just the knowledge contained in the books. He learns about trust and discovers that there are others out there just like him— shapeshifters.

What he believed was an individual anomaly turns out to be something beyond legend and lore, a whole different culture he’d never known existed. The only way he can move forward is to let his shields down long enough to trust the man whose conversations he’s come to enjoy, but to do that, he’ll have to stop distancing himself from everyone.

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own to obeyOWN TO OBEY (MYTH OF THE OMEGA BOOK 7) by Zoey Ellis

The Alpha Prince – Brutality and tradition are a way of life for ferocious tribe leader, Kardos. Born different from the other princes, he strives to be the best–to earn his place and prove his worth.
After negotiating for a rare Omega not seen in his Land for over one hundred years, he is keen to present her to the High Chief and gain the recognition he deserves.
It doesn’t matter that she has mesmerizing beauty, or that her manner is too mild for his culture. It doesn’t matter that deep down, a craving burns strong to keep her for himself.
She must accept her fate – and so must he.

The Omega Gift – Sheltered all her life, Omega Shaya found joy in the gardens of her home, the protection of her sister, and the simplicity of her life.
But when the decision to save her sister suddenly puts her in the possession of a fierce tribal warrior, she begins to understand that life can be savage, and painful, and complex.

Alone, and with no way to protect herself, Shaya is determined to overcome the harsh treatment of a culture she doesn’t understand, but when she finds herself attracted to the Alpha’s dominance, she has to find a way to resist him so he doesn’t break her completely; body, mind, and heart.

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strifes baneSTRIFE’S BANE: THE SHATTERED KINGDOM BOOK 3 by Evie Manieri

VS note: A book of note this week, not a romance.

Once known as the Mongrel, Lahlil had only one purpose then: to reap blood and carnage for those who paid the right price. And though the ravages of past wars haunted her every waking moment, when Lahlil was called upon to lead the rebellion against Norlanders—telepathic and bloodthirsty invaders who conquered Shadari lands and enslaved their people to the mines—she delivered.

Then she ran.

Now, Lahlil must return to Shadar to save the person she loves the most and rebuild. What she finds first is a kingdom that has devolved to political discord, with an old enemy’s ships sailing just beyond the horizon.

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ashton drakeASHTON DRAKE (AURUM COURT DRAGONS BOOK 1) by Emilia Hartley

When Ashton Drake’s family calls him home to help keep his cousin Jasper, the king of the mountain, in line, Ashton wants to laugh. He knows he’s in no shape to help anyone. His sanity is hanging by a thread; he’s failing at the job the Drakes sent him to the city to do; and many days he can’t even handle his own dragon.

The beast breaks out within hours of him returning to his hometown, but it settles when it sees Makenna, Ashton’s high school sweetheart. Ashton doesn’t know what she’s still doing in town. She should be singing on a stage somewhere. But it’s good she’s around. In her presence, Ashton and his beast come to a unified, sane purpose.

The trouble is, Makenna doesn’t seem to want Ashton around. She can’t forget that Ashton left her, and besides, she’s busy trying to pay off the debt left after a family member’s illness. She doesn’t have time for an out-of-control Drake, even if she could ever trust him again.

Ashton knows what he needs to keep his sanity, his community, and his king.
But Ashton doesn’t know if he can win Makenna back.

Amazon

craved by her wolfCRAVED BY HER WOLF (SILVERWOOD ISLAND SHIFTERS) by Maia Starr

Shifters are dangerous; that’s a truth that Doctor Samantha Byrd has always known, ever since meeting her blood-thirsty ex-boyfriend. Even after starting her new life and clinic on Silverwood Island, Samantha still feels the scars of the past sneak up on her, threatening to make her relive those days over and over.

But Samantha isn’t home free just yet; her ex boyfriend is hunting her down, ready to tear apart the new life she’s only just begun.There’s nothing standing in his way…except for one howling, hot, sizzling piece of man that catches her eye immediately.

After being heavily wounded, Brendan is left in Samantha’s care on the operating table. She’s the only one who can save him in Silverwood Island, finding him to be more than just a brute; he’s almost perfect, like some sort of roman statue come to life, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep her safe in his arms from the monster trying to rip her away from his grasp. But there’s a catch, a secret that Samantha might not want to come to terms with. She isn’t the only one hiding a part of herself; the howling wolf inside of Brendan can’t be contained forever.

Amazon

princess tattienaPRINCESS TATTIENA (THE DRAGON MASTERS OF LIMEA BOOK 1) by Tamsin Baker

As the bastard child of the King of Gregorick, Tattiena holds no right to the power of the throne. Yet, as one of the last dragon riders on Limea, she is the city’s first line of defense against their enemies. A heavy responsibility for a lonely young woman, her only friend and ally her dragon, Nargoya. Tattiena spends her days training for battle… but her nights are ravaged by sensual torment, dreaming of faceless lovers.

Prince Leonide of Davuno has come to strike a treaty of peace with Limea. In awe of the rare female dragon, he finds her rider even more entrancing. They share one night of fiery passion.But when she fights off further attempts at dalliance, he discovers this maiden has the heart of a warrior. He wants her even more. But when barbarians from the north attack, he must stand and fight with his new allies, if any of them are to survive.

Leo and Tattiena must fight together to save their kingdoms, and their lineages. But should peace return,will they ever find a way to be together?

Amazon

second bloodSECOND BLOOD (LOVIN THE COVEN BOOK 2) by Jacquelyn Faye

Nothing can turn your world upside down faster than someone asking for your help.
When I answered my door, the last thing I expected was a vampire. I probably should have asked before I invited him in. But what’s done is done. He wasn’t looking for his next meal, he was looking for a savior. His clan was being hunted by rogue witches out for their blood and we were all that could save them.
Me, being me, jumped right in to be the hero. The rest of the clan thought I was insane for wanting to help vampires. Especially the chief of police, who just happens to be one of my lovers. He wasn’t exactly wrong either. I should have known they would shift their sights from the vampires to us.
What’s a witch to do? Save the clan, save the coven, and save the day. Couple’s therapy could come later. If we all survive.

Amazon

undercover shiftUNDERCOVER SHIFT (BEARS IN BLUE BOOK 2) by Mia Taylor

Heartbroken after a divorce which stunned and confused him, Rhett Lewis returned to his job as a Chicago PD detective, only to find himself in a situation he wasn’t expecting. His partner and best friend was gone and no one had the answers to satisfy his mounting suspicions.

Charlotte Pinkerton had been partners with Rhett for seven years, both bears from the same sleuth, coming up the ranks together. No one took it as hard as Charlotte when Rhett’s wife filed for an ex-parte divorce while working undercover.

When Charlotte was presented with an opportunity to finally close the chapter of Rhett and his estranged wife forever, she snatched it up, regardless of the danger it presented.

But when Rhett learns about this operation, he must race against time to save only one—the partner who has always stood by him or the wife who abandoned him.

Amazon

monsters loverTHE MONSTER’S LOVER (THE FENRIS SERIES BOOK 1) by Samantha MacLeod

Promised to cruel King Nøkkyn’s harem, Sol Eriksen is out of options, and nearly out of time.

When she meets a distractingly handsome stranger in the Ironwood Forest who claims to be a legendary monster, Sol thinks he must be a madman, or a demon. She knows she shouldn’t listen to him. Or trust him. And she should not, under any circumstances, kiss him again.

As King Nøkkyn’s grip around her tightens, Sol finds her last chance at freedom may lie with her mysterious new lover, the man who calls himself Fenris.

Amazon

grimm brothers blood haremA DATE WITH BLOOD: GRIMM BROTHERS BLOOD HAREM BOOK 1) by Lexi Grace

Life has given me a pretty good streak of luck.I live with four sexy-as-sin vampire boyfriends, have been cleaning up my diet, and enjoy the simplicity of being a waitress at a cafe.
Then, a sexy stranger upends my world when he kidnaps me and things get way out of control. The Grimms are hot on the trail, but things are never that simple. The supernatural world is a wreck and I’m caught right in the middle of a torrential mess. At least I know I can count on the Grimms to save me at any cost, but even they have volatile secrets which could doom us all.

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death cardDEATH CARD (CHANGER SERIES BOOK 1) by A C Wilds

Azra Sumner is hiding.
A past she can’t escape, and stuck in a cage of her own making, she tries to settle into a normal life.
Except she isn’t normal, she never was, but she is about to find out just how exceptional she is.
Greyson’s job is simple. Hunt the things that imprisoned him and bring them back to the Light, but when he meets Azra, things don’t seem so clear anymore.

Cassiel is a prince, the heir to the throne. His existence has been ordinary until a inky haired temptress shows him how extraordinary it can be.
Thrown into the world of the Fae and forced to make some hard choices, Azra is given her purpose; protect the weak and destroy the wrong.
The Fae who claim to be angels and messengers of the gods aren’t holy. They want Azra for reasons she can’t understand, and she must follow along to survive.
Light, Dark
Good, Evil
The lines will blur.

Amazon

ragnarok risingRAGNAROK RISING (THE OMEGA PROPHECY BOOK 1) by Nora Ash

Five possessive gods and the end of mankind. That’s my fate.
I always thought the end of the world was a myth. But then, I also thought Norse gods were make believe too.
They’re not.
Five of them are coming for me. They claim I will only survive if I surrender to them, body and soul.
But they don’t realize it’s about so much more than carnal servitude. I am so much more than they could ever suspect. So much more than even I knew.
I am the only one who can stop Ragnarök from covering the world in ice and darkness. The only one who can save gods and men alike from annihilation.
And in the shadows lurks betrayal so deep it will change the fate of the world.

Amazon     Apple Books

delighting in your companyDELIGHTING IN YOUR COMPANY by Blair McDowell

When Amalie Ansett visits her elderly cousin on the Caribbean island of St. Clements, the last thing she’s looking for is romance. Just out of a disastrous marriage, she’s ready to swear off romance forever. That is until she meets local plantation owner Jonathan Evans—tall, good-looking, and incredibly sexy. What more could a girl ask for?

Then Amalie discovers the man she loves is a ghost. He was murdered two hundred years ago. Only she can see and hear him.

To save Jonathan, Amalie agrees to return with him to the 1800’s—to a time when the sugar trade reigned supreme, and the slave trade was making fortunes for wealthy planters and ship owners. During a slave uprising their love is put to a test, and when murder and deceit rear their ugly heads, Amalie wonders if taking a journey to the past is worth losing her life.

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a vampires taleA VAMPIRE’S TALE: A MOORE WORLD NOVEL 04 by D R Rosier

Joseph Moore is a mage. Firstborn son of Andrew and Samantha Moore. He’s a little jaded toward the women he’s been dating, they all seem to want his family’s magical secrets. He decides to take a vacation to Sanctuary, and get away from all the politics. He always wanted a mate he could share his magic with, but he’s about to find out that sometimes fate has other plans.

Megan Cooper is a young woman down on her luck. She’s homeless and on the street to get away from her foster father, at least until her eighteenth birthday. Her parents were killed in an accident, and the government separated her from her baby brother and she doesn’t even know where he is. It isn’t long until her eighteenth birthday, just three days. Problem is, she probably won’t live that long, she’s sick too. Her world is about to be thrown upside down, when along comes a warlock, willing to make a deal.
Then things really go wrong.

Amazon

forbidden arcana mirageFORBIDDEN ARCANA: MIRAGE by Tamryn Tamer

Jericho had wealth, power, and two beautiful familiars. A smart man would have quit while he was ahead. But, as his familiar Jinx was so fond of pointing out, Jericho was an idiot.

He’d acquired a massive manor, enormous wealth, and was indisputably the number one mage in Forbidden Arcana. Yet that wasn’t enough to satisfy him. He was going to find a shapeshifter and learn a new type of magic even if it killed him.

But a shapeshifter wasn’t easy to find. The only place that might have the information on finding a shapeshifter was Raycastle, a city full of players who spent their time capturing and killing magical creatures.

If that wasn’t enough of a hassle, the dominatrix advisor to his familiar Ariel has developed an interested in making Jericho her pet. Which he’d be fine with if it weren’t interfering with his hunt for a new familiar. But nobody said the life of a depraved mage was easy.

Amazon

sisters of the fireSISTERS OF THE FIRE (DAUGHTERS OF THE STORM BOOK 2) by Kim WilkIns

VS Note: Not a romance, sounded intriguing though. I put it on my TBR List.

Four years have passed since the five royal sisters—daughters of the king—worked together to restore their father to health and to the throne while fracturing the bonds among themselves almost irreparably. Only Bluebell remains at home, dutifully serving as heir to her father’s kingdom. Rose has been cast aside by her former husband and hides in exile with her aunt, separated forever from her beloved daughter, Rowan. Ash wanders the distant wastes with her teacher, learning magic and hunting dragons, determined that the dread fate she has foreseen for herself and her loved ones never comes to pass. Ivy rules over a prosperous seaport, married to an aged husband she hates yet finding delight in her two young sons and a handsome captain of the guard. And as for Willow, she hides the most dangerous secret of all—one that could destroy all that the sisters once sought to save.

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waiting on the rainWAITING ON THE RAIN by Freddy MacKay

One young man desperate to make things right for the monks who raised him. Another looking to escape the limelight. The two best friends stuck in time because of promises.

A couple looking to make a bigger unconventional family—one young woman who wants to help the world become a more beautiful place, one transwoman looking to put down roots for the both of them.

Love isn’t always easy, but the good kind is worth fighting for, even when others don’t understand it. The story of what becomes of their love is what will be passed down into legend. Because stories like this, people remember.

When Jira, Boon, Areeya and Fon come together to celebrate Yee Peng and Loi Krathong, sparks fly and dreams coalesce. But that’s only the beginning.

Amazon

handcuffed and baredHANDCUFFED AND BARED by Dahlia Rose

Being a cop in New York is one thing. Being a thick black woman meant she was teased even more. Waking up with dirt under her fingernails and having wild sex dreams only made things worse. With her libido out of control she didn’t know if she had some weird illness or losing her mind. When Derrick shows up in her world claiming she wasn’t completely human and they are mates it’s more than she can take. Calgon cannot take her away from this type of madness. He incited a heat in her from just one kiss that threatens to burn her world down. After witnessing an incident that shakes her worldview she can’t deny what Derrick is telling her but mates? That’s a bridge too far. Can she accept everything Derrick as to offer or will she run away?

From the moment Derrick scented her in the woods he knew he’d found his mate. Despite the noise and crowds he refused to let her push him away. He can’t believe someone as sexy and brave could doubt herself so badly; especially when it comes to her sex appeal. He’s willing to help teach her all about this new world she’s been shoved into and all the pleasurable ways that can help control her mating heat. But will she let him? Can he help her overcome her doubts before it’s too late?

Amazon

bearing his touchBEARING HIS TOUCH by Eve Langlais

VS Note: A re-release.

When Becka manages to escape her kidnapper, she finds herself asking help of the man with the nice brown eyes. Stavros can’t say no, not when he knows Becka is his mate, but he does have one dilemma when it comes to claiming her. He’ll have to find a way for her to bear his touch.

Amazon     Apple Books

subdominantSUBDOMINANT (ISHERWOOD PACK BOOK 2) by Missy Welsh

Varick Ward spent two years trapped as a wolf before pledging himself to Isherwood Pack. Since then, he’s been slowly regaining a real life despite keeping his past pains to himself.

When the king of werewolves invites the pack to Romania for an official introduction, Varick goes because protecting his alpha pair is his job. Right away, things go sideways. They’re barely through the doors of the castle where the king’s pack lives when a man attacks— Or wait. Is he trying to protect Varick from everyone else? Like the dominant partner in a mate bond would?

Though the new couple is meant to be in isolation while they bond, ghosts from Varick’s past are plotting against the people he now calls family. Circumstances separate them and danger hovers on the edge of town, but can these two persevere and secure their second chances at love?

Amazon     Apple Books

hexhunterHEXHUNTER (HEX WORLD BOOK 4) by Jordan L Hawk

Detective Bill Quigley fell in love with the familiar Isaac the night they met. But after more than two years, it’s time to admit to himself that Isaac doesn’t return his feelings.

Isaac knows he’s too broken by his experiences for anyone to fall in love with. Especially someone like Bill, who deserves a partner unplagued by Isaac’s nightmares and doubts.

When children go missing from an orphanage, Bill and Isaac must work together to find them. And as years of yearning threaten to ignite into passion, they must decide once and for all whether to take a chance on love.

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love potionLOVE POTION: A VALENTINE’S DAY CHARITY ANTHOLOGY by Various

A valentines day charity anthology featuring 8 exclusive stories from your favorite bestselling Paranormal and Fantasy romance authors! All proceeds will be donated to Room to Read!

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ruin of kingsTHE RUIN OF KINGS (A CHORUS OF DRAGONS BOOK 1) by Jenn Lyons

VS Note: Doesn’t sound like there’s romance but a book of note this week.

Kihrin grew up in the slums of Quur, a thief and a minstrel’s son raised on tales of long-lost princes and magnificent quests. When he is claimed against his will as the missing son of a treasonous prince, Kihrin finds himself at the mercy of his new family’s ruthless power plays and political ambitions.

Practically a prisoner, Kihrin discovers that being a long-lost prince is nothing like what the storybooks promised. The storybooks have lied about a lot of other things, too: dragons, demons, gods, prophecies, and how the hero always wins.

Then again, maybe he isn’t the hero after all. For Kihrin is not destined to save the world.He’s destined to destroy it.

Amazon     Apple Books

dead and hating itDEAD AND HATING IT by Edward Kendrick

Kurt Foster is a ghost, killed by the man he loved, unable to move on until he can prove he was murdered. But how can he do that?

Detective Mike Harris and Sage Crewe, Mike’s lover and a medium who talks to ghosts, both knew Kurt. When his death is deemed a suicide, they don’t believe it. With the help of ghosts Brody and Jon, they go to Kurt’s apartment, looking for anything to prove he might have been murdered. Kurt is there and he tells them what happened.

Will Mike and Sage, with the help of Brody, Jon, and a third ghost named Tonio, be able to come up with the evidence to back Kurt’s claim? While they try, will Tonio finally accept it’s time for him to move on, or will helping Kurt make him realize there’s more to life — and death — than losing the man he once loved?

Amazon     Apple Books

vortex visionsVORTEX VISIONS (AIR AWAKENS: VORTEX CHRONICLES BOOK 1) by Elise Kova

Vi Solaris is the heir to an Empire she’s barely seen. Her parents sacrificed a life with her to quell a rebellion and secure peace with a political alliance. Now, three years past when her wardship should’ve ended, Vi will do anything to be reunited with her family.

The Empire is faltering beneath the burden of political infighting and a deadly plague. Yet, Vi can’t help but wonder if her inability to control her magic is the true reason her parents haven’t brought her home. Suspicion becomes reality when she unleashes powers she’s not supposed to have.

Powers that might well cost her the throne.

As Vi fights to get her magic under control, a mysterious stranger appears from across the world. He holds the keys to unlocking her full potential, but the knowledge has an unspeakable price — some truths, once seen, cannot be ignored.

All eyes are on her and Vi must make the hardest choice of her life: Play by the rules and claim her throne. Or, break them and save the world.

Amazon

magnolia vella dayMAGNOLIA: HIDDEN REALMS OF SILVER LAKE (FOUR SISTERS OF FATE BOOK 4) by Vella Day

Magnolia Faiten loves the control she’s honed over the years. Okay, the truth? It’s more of a need thing, but a chance fire in her workplace changes all of that. She might not be the glass half full type of woman, but when some super hunky dragon shifter rushes in and saves her, she decides the fire just might have been a good thing.

The water dragon has more than one secret–one he refuses to reveal to anyone. If he did, his life wouldn’t be his anymore. When he carries out the beautiful Magnolia from what he thinks is certain death, he’s shocked to realize she is his mate. Now what should he do? Secrets have a way of destroying even the best relationships.

Then Magnolia shocks him when she reveals she’s an immortal goddess! Okay, he can work with that. Too bad when he tells her what and who he is, Magnolia just disappears. To say the least, winning not only her trust but her love will be one of the biggest battles of his life.

Amazon     Apple Books 

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VS Note: There are four other stories set in the connected STAR CRUISE series – set sail among the stars for more adventure today!:

Veronica Scott's STAR CRUISE stories!

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LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica:

January 30

January 23

January 16

January 9

January 2

The term “new” is generally plus or minus a week or two. I try to catch up on ones I missed in recent months.  

I do NOT cover every single new release in SFR/FantasyR/PNR. I never have. That would be an impossible task for any human! I assemble my list every week based on various informal inputs, and I do curate the list to some extent…

I check and verify all the buy links at the time I create the post  but after that I’m not responsible.

STAR CRUISE MYSTERY DANCER #SciFi Romance Take on Anastasia Legend

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000038_00068]First published in the Embrace the Passion: Pets in Space 3 anthology…which was a USA Today Best Seller and received two SFR Galaxy Awards in January, but which is no longer available, so I’m issuing my story as a standalone title. The story is exactly as published in the anthology – my Muse doesn’t resonate with revising or adding to a book that’s already in the ‘finished and released’ status.

Here’s what I had to say last Fall in a blog post for Pauline B Jones’s blog, about why I wrote this story:

I love going back to revisit my interstellar cruise liner, the Nebula Dream, for these PISA stories, as the ship cruises through the futuristic human civilization known as The Sectors.  I’ve written a number of books and novellas centered on events aboard the ship now and find the whole cruise setup lends itself to telling a good scifi romance adventure tale. Readers new to my world don’t need to know a lot of backstory to enjoy the events, and for those who have read others in the series, it’s a nice return to see some favorite characters (I hope!).

I started with the concept of the pet because that drives my plot for these PISA adventures. For some reason I kept seeing a mental picture of a Siamese cat, but with a third eye. But I’ve done a cat and a catlike alien before, for PISA1, although Midorri, the alien pet there actually is kind of a cross between a red panda and a tribble who acts like a cat. So I wanted something very different and I started thinking about what if the cat wasn’t actually a real animal at all? I ended up making F’rrh a ‘jenfellini’, which is something like a genie, living in a beautiful lacquered box. Visualize the gorgeous painted boxes that come from Russia.

Russian souvenirsThen, the tenuous link to Russia reminded me of the whole tragic story of the last Tsar and his family, and how they were murdered but for years rumors persisted one of the children might have survived. Various individuals claimed to be ‘Anastasia’ or another of the siblings, and of course there have been movies and plays written with that theme. I always flash back to the version with Yul Brynner (such an intense actor) and Ingrid Bergman because that movie was one of my mother’s favorites and also left the answer to the question of “Is she or is she not Anastasia?” somewhat open at the end. My daughters loved the animated fantasy version of the tale, with the voices of Meg Ryan and John Cusack, when they were growing up.

So I had the heroine – a possible princess on the run – but how could she fit into the Nebula Zephyr? Since the hero would be one of the former Special Forces soldiers who make up the ship’s security force, I had to be able to make the two interact and fall in love in a situation fraught with danger and suspicion.

I’ve wanted to do a story about the Comettes dance troupe which performs aboard the cruise liners since I wrote my very first published scifi romance, Wreck of the Nebula Dream (a sister ship of sorts to the one I write about nowadays). Dancing is a skill a maybe princess might have at a high level, right? So let her be a new member of the dancers….throw in a fabulous jewel and we have the PISA3 story!

The blurb: Tassia Megg is a woman on the run after the death of her elderly guardian. She needs to get off the planet in a hurry when chance directs her to an open dance audition for the luxury cruise liner Nebula Zephyr’s resident troupe. One thing Tassia can do is dance.

Security Officer Liam Austin is suspicious of the newest performer to join the Comettes. She shows all the signs of being a woman on the run and seems to fit the Sectors-wide broadcast description of a missing thief, accused of stealing priceless artifacts. As he gets to know Tassia during the cruise, he starts to wonder if she’s something more – a long vanished princess in hiding from deadly political enemies of her family perhaps?

And what’s the story with the three eyed feline companion other crew members swear Tassia brought aboard the ship? Does the animal even exist?

As the ship approaches its next port of call, all the issues come to a boil and Liam must decide if he’ll step in to help Tassia or betray her. F’rrh the alien cat is the key to the mystery and Tassia’s fate.

A science fiction romance take on the Anastasia tale…

Amazon   Kobo     Nook    GooglePlay and Apple Books links coming soon

The other four standalone books in this series:

Veronica Scott's STAR CRUISE stories!

Why do You Ask? Weekend Writing Warriors

Warriors logo revisedI’m taking snippets from my most recently released scifi romance GABE: A Badari Warriors SciFi Romance Novel, the next book in the award winning series. (I’m hard at work on KIERCE by the way…)

Here’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!)

Punctuation may be wonky to comply with our guidelines here. May be edited a bit from published version.

If you haven’t read any of my Badari Warriors books, here’s the background:

Genetically engineered soldiers of the far future, the Badari were created by alien enemies to fight humans. But then the scientists kidnapped an entire human colony from the Sectors to use as subjects in twisted experiments…the Badari and the humans made common cause, rebelled and escaped the labs. Now they live side by side in a sanctuary valley protected by a powerful Artificial Intelligence, and wage unceasing war on the aliens. 

The excerpt – directly after last week’s snippet. Gabe had asked “You’re not planning on turning me over to the Khagrish, are you?”

She shook her head, “Nothing so dire. I left the Retreat—our home base—without permission, as I said. There will be repercussions for me.”

He wasn’t entirely satisfied with her answer. There was something off in her manner when she spoke of the Khagrish. But, if she had valid reasons for being on the run, he didn’t want trouble raining down on her head because she chose to help him, “How serious are the consequences for you?”

Head tilted, she studied him, “Why do you ask?”

“I don’t want you getting into big trouble for me. If I hadn’t literally fallen from the sky you could have made your getaway. You could help me to a spot on the trail these people will take, and then head out again on your own –  I can delay them for you,” His head was pounding with pain from the bump he’d taken and maintaining the discussion was taxing his endurance under the circumstances, but he felt honor bound to make the offer.

gabe badari warriorsThe blurb for GABE: Gabe Carter, hotshot pilot and ex-Special Forces soldier, is far from his home in the human Sectors, kidnapped by alien scientists to be the subject of horrifying experiments. Shot down by the enemy over desolate territory far from his Badari allies and gravely injured, Gabe’s only hope is a mysterious woman on the run herself.

Keshara has to decide whether to abandon the human to die of his injuries on a windswept mountain top or give up her own quest for freedom and take him to a place he can be helped. The undeniable spark between them complicates matters.
His attraction to her is off the charts but when she betrays him to the Khagrish enemy, Gabe doesn’t know what to believe. Trapped inside an alien lab bursting with mysteries and lies, his only hope may be to trust her…again.

Because the renegade alien scientist running her own private experiments wants to use him to accomplish her goals and perpetuate the evil, no matter what she has to do to ensure his compliance. Keshara’s life hangs in the balance and Gabe has to make a choice.

Buy Links for GABE:

Amazon      Apple Books    Nook     Kobo     Google Play

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Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000038_00068]And in other news, I just re-released STAR CRUISE: MYSTERY DANCER as a standalone. It was in the USA Today Best Selling Pets in Space 3 anthology, which has now gone off sale.

The blurb: Tassia Megg is a woman on the run after the death of her elderly guardian. She needs to get off the planet in a hurry when chance directs her to an open dance audition for the luxury cruise liner Nebula Zephyr’s resident troupe. One thing Tassia can do is dance.

Security Officer Liam Austin is suspicious of the newest performer to join the Comettes. She shows all the signs of being a woman on the run and seems to fit the Sectors-wide broadcast description of a missing thief, accused of stealing priceless artifacts. As he gets to know Tassia during the cruise, he starts to wonder if she’s something more – a long vanished princess in hiding from deadly political enemies of her family perhaps?

And what’s the story with the three eyed feline companion other crew members swear Tassia brought aboard the ship? Does the animal even exist?

As the ship approaches its next port of call, all the issues come to a boil and Liam must decide if he’ll step in to help Tassia or betray her. F’rrh the alien cat is the key to the mystery and Tassia’s fate.

A science fiction romance take on the Anastasia tale…

Buy Links:  Amazon   Kobo     Nook    GooglePlay and Apple Books coming soon