Same As Last Year Weekend Writing Warriors

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!)

May be edited a bit from published version.

The excerpt: I’ve jumped ahead. The child is discharged from the clinic and she and her  nanny are waiting for their groundcar. Saffia moves on to other patients. Just an ordinary day at a busy colony medical clinic…

Saffia’s handheld pinged and she knew she was running seriously behind, as always, so she left the room, walked through the decontaminating ray and proceeded to her next appointment, Zak Stuurt, a crusty old fisherman who she’d seen at the diner on any number of occasions. He enjoyed teasing her in a good natured way and today resumed his practice of inviting her out on his commercial fishing boat. “You’d like it, doc, see the ocean up close and personal. There are giant mammals in the deep waters, pods of up to fifty individuals  including babies come to the surface to play in the waves and sing. And other, smaller ones fly above and below.”

“I’m not here as a tourist,” she said while observing his heart on the scans and expanding her parameters to examine his lungs as well and then his liver. “But thank you. I’m sure the actual tourists enjoy the sights.”

VS Note: The rest of the scene: 

“Sure do. Running those excursions for them in the season pays my costs for the entire year,” he said. “The fishing is a side hustle. If I can trap enough crustashes, then I’ve got gravy. Offworld chefs pay through the nose for our sweet tasting green beasties.”

Murmuring polite interest, she disengaged Warby’s scanners and made notes for herself.

Stuurt pulled on his pants and shrugged into his well-worn but scrupulously clean blue shirt and folded the medical gown, placing it on the table.  “All ship shape.  What’s the verdict, doc?”

“According to your file, it’s the same basically as last year’s exam.”

The blurb: Newly graduated from a prestigious interstellar medical school, Dr. Saffia Mandell has been assigned to the Haven Two colony on the galaxy’s outer rim as the only doctor for some 2000 human residents. She’s counting the days until her five years there is up, trying to adjust to rural living after life in the crowded Inner Sectors and fighting her attraction to Chief Ranger Micah Navonn. She’s dreading the upcoming tourist season when the rich and pampered will descend on the planet for the scenic wonders and novel sports opportunities and no doubt inundate her little clinic but the colony depends on the seasonal income to survive.

As the senior official for his people, the Calinurra, the indigenous inhabitants of Haven Two, Micah enforces the treaty, regulates the tourist permits, patrols the forests and resists his fascination with Dr. Mandell. He never expected to be involved with a human woman and doesn’t want to believe in the concept of a fated mate. He wants to keep his life simple and isn’t ready for any long term commitment. Besides Saffia keeps proclaiming she’ll be leaving when her appointment is up in four and a half years so why should he risk his heart?

Then a ship arrives unexpectedly carrying a very ill little girl and soon the deadly virus is spreading through Haven Two. The colony authorities are desperate to cover up the problem to preserve the all-important tourist season and Saffia and Micah have to work together to battle the outbreak, the local administration and their undeniable feelings for each other.

Can the colony survive? And will Micah and Saffia be able to move past their fears about entanglements to act on the mutual attraction?

An 87K word novel of the far future…

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New Releases in #SciFi #Fantasy and Paranormal Romance for Wednesday AUGUST 26

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).

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RAVEN’S RETURN (ICEHOME BOOK 12) by Ruby Dixon

VS Note: I never get enough of this series!

No one ever comes back for me. I’ve always been on my own, and why should it be any different on an ice planet? So when I’m kidnapped by a feral outcast, I suspect I’d better learn to love raw fish and rough living. Then…U’dron comes to my rescue. He’s always understood me more than anyone else. He’s been my friend and my confidante. We’ve made music together. And now that he’s my hero? The crush I’ve had on him is turning into something more, something deeper. He won’t want me when he hears my terrible secrets, though. But it turns out that U’dron has a secret of his own.

Amazon

CATASTROPHIC ATTRACTION (THE DEVIANT FUTURE BOOK 4) by Eve Langlais

She is the queen he’s been waiting for. Roark wasn’t content with the way the world worked, so he made himself king and set about changing it. In the process, he acquired enemies who would stoop to anything, even attacking his daughter, to destroy him. They’ll have to kill him first. However, he’s just one man against an unknown enemy. Until he ends up with unexpected help in Casey, a woman who can slip into shadows with an ease that is uncanny–but more frightening is how well she fits into his life. A king might not be able to win her heart, but what if she got to know the man?

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RAGE BEAST MATE (D.R.A.R.B. PENITENTIARY BOOK 1) by Nikki Landis

One repetitive chant echoes in the corridors of the most dangerous and notorious high security penitentiary on Falcor. RAGE. BEAST. MATE. Three occupied cells. Three unknown males. And they never stop calling out, yearning and aching for their prize. ME. There are three males to every female on this planet. Every last one of us is held against our will. Each day brings new horrors and new ways to torture the inmates. They never told us the truth, never admitted why this facility was built. Destroy Resistance. Assimilate. Reprogram. Breed. No one escapes from D.R.A.R.B. I won’t be a prisoner forever. I have a plan. And I’m going to use those three brutes to escape from this hellhole. Even if I have to give them everything they want in return.

Amazon

TAKEN TO SASOR (XIVERI MATES BOOK 3) by Elizabeth Stephens

Mian – Don’t run. Don’t fight. Just hide. That’s all we can do against the Sasor barbarian horde – huge megalithic aliens, born to fight, who can shape shift at will into monsters. We’re only human, and me, just a slave among them.
Getting caught is not part of the plan, but when they raid our village, I do the only thing I can think of to spare the whole. I offer myself up to their leader. Infuriating, and strangely funny, I have a lot to learn – his languages and customs, the roles I’m meant to fulfill in his tribe, and how to keep him at arm’s length when he’s seemingly everywhere, blocking any chances I have to find a mate, and keeping me at his side.
Neheyuu – She’s funny, this human. A fast learner, already adapting to our language with ease. She’s forgiving. Quick to smile, it’s easy to smile back. Too easy. She’s slipping under my skin, infecting me and my manerak. The monster that I can become seems more ready to do her will than my own. Like she’s controlling it. I should let her go. I should let her find a mate. I should let the tribes that come for her, take her…My manerak says no. Its defiance is something I’ve never felt before and I will need to find a way to deny them both – but how can I when my manerak wants her close?

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THE HIERARCHIES: A NOVEL by Ros Anderson

VS Note: Not a romance but a scifi release of note. Intriguing.

Sylv.ie is a synthetic woman. A fully sentient robot, designed to cater to her Husband’s every whim. She lives alone on the top floor of his luxurious home, her existence barely tolerated by his human wife and concealed from their child. Between her Husband’s visits, deeply curious about the world beyond her room, Sylv.ie watches the family in the garden—hears them laugh, cry, and argue. Longing to experience more of life, she confides her hopes and fears only to her diary. But are such thoughts allowed? And if not, what might the punishment be?
As Sylv.ie learns more about the world and becomes more aware of her place within it, something shifts inside her. Is she malfunctioning, as her Husband thinks, or coming into her own? As their interactions become increasingly fraught, she fears he might send her back to the factory for reprogramming. If that happens, her hidden diary could be her only link to everything that came before. And the only clue that she is in grave danger.
Set in a recognizable near future and laced with dark, sly humor, Ros Anderson’s deeply observant debut novel is less about the fear of new technology than about humans’ age-old talent for exploitation. In a world where there are now two classes of women—“born” and “created”—the growing friction between them may have far-reaching consequences no one could have predicted.

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CLAIMED: A DARK SCIFI ROMANCE (CENTAURI CAPTIVES BOOK 8) by Kallista Dane and Kate Richards

Skye – It’s the dream of every reporter—the scandalous scoop that will make my career. While investigating the disappearance of a young woman from the official residence of Earth’s controversial leader, I discovered his dirty little secret. To stay in power he’s been getting rid of anyone who poses a threat. Male dissidents are sold into slavery on faraway worlds. Female troublemakers are being sent to a race of alien soldiers whose planet was destroyed. I’ve already written the headline in my mind. But I don’t know if I’ll ever finish the story. I got caught snooping, and now I’m one of the captives on the alien starship. The hot gray warrior who makes me call him Master and punishes me when I don’t please him has no intention of letting me go. He’s determined to claim me as his mate. Though he’s strict and stern, he can be surprisingly gentle at times. With guys in the past, I’ve always been the one in control. But when I submit to the alien’s dominance he makes me do things I’ve never done before. Dirty, wicked things. And I love doing them. For the first time in my life I’ve met someone stronger than I am. I have to escape—before he claims my heart.
Tieran – We’re all that’s left—an elite squadron of warriors on a training mission in deep space. All males. After the attack, we asked the Interstellar Federation for help in battling our enemy. Instead of offering supplies and starfighters, the leader of a minor planet called Earth sent us a ship full of females. “To see to our needs,” he said.
It was an insult. But if we don’t produce offspring, our race will die out. So we swallowed our pride and kept them.
The human females are small, pale creatures. The one I chose is uncivilized, even rude at times. In need of training before I formally claim her. Though her fiery nature arouses me, I’ve discovered firm punishment is the key to making her behave like a proper submissive mate. To my delight, she seems to enjoy it as much as I do.

Amazon

CLAIMING HIS HUMAN (ROGUES) by Jenika Snow

VS Note: A re-release which author states has been “re-edited, revised and new content…”

Three decades ago a race of humanoid aliens landed on Earth. They had one goal. Conquer. Humans were inferior, weaker, and no match for the bigger, warrior-bred beings known as the Rogues.
Now they ruled Earth. 
Hiding was the only way to survive in a world that wasn’t Greta’s anymore.
But when the group she’s with were found by the massive, alpha Rogues, she knew she’d be used for one of two things.
Manual labor… or for something far more perverse. 
Tolcan was a ruthless, merciless enforcer for his kind, and his job was simple: find humans in hiding and capture them. But when he saw Greta something in him shifted. His warrior trained brain took a sharp left and one thing repeated like a war drum in his head. It was primal and possessive. Claim her as my mate. Brand her as mine.
And so he took her as his own.
It’s forbidden to be with humans, but Tolcan won’t let Greta go. He’ll do anything to make sure she’s protected, even if that meant betraying his own kind to keep his mate safe.

Amazon

DEATH MASK MOON by M Garnet

f she understood what it took to be the Captain of her ship, could she also have an alien as part of her crew? She was a tough lady who had been raised by strangers that loved her and taught her the secrets of space travel and maybe a couple of tricks. Among her friends: the robot, the rough mechanic and a pilot who trained her was to answer the call for help from any small stranded ship. When the call came in, what she discovered was what every scientist has been protecting for centuries––aliens. But she would help the tall stranger in the black liquid armor, and his warriors find a way home. She would fight her own attraction to an alien.

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A MESSAGE FROM THE HOME OFFICE (MP UNIVERSE) by Angel Martinez

Sissal Naganos, cobra yervath and diplomat banished to the hinterlands, didn’t ask for an assistant, and he certainly didn’t ask for such an annoying one. Being an OIL (Onsite Inter-species Liaison) for the Interplanetary Multispecies Pact has never been an easy job. In fact it’s a crap job when stuck on a backwater nowhere planet like Earth. But cobra Yervath Sissal Naganos manages. The demotion was swift and heavy-handed, but he’ll climb back out of this hell eventually. Humans don’t meet his social needs, so, yes, it’s been lonely and he tells himself he likes the solitude. That is, until IMP sends him an irritating new assistant he never asked for. Now his peace is well and truly disturbed and his paranoid diplomatic reflexes have reawakened. The worst part is the kid didn’t have to be so cute.

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BARBARIAN KING’S BRIDE (SUPERNOVA ESCAPES) by Sonia Nova and Starr Huntress

Buy a female. Produce an heir. Send the female back. What could possibly go wrong? A king needs an heir. That’s what everyone keeps telling King Dagar, anyway. But the ruler of Ramanth isn’t interested in taking a wife—and ruining his chances of someday finding his true mate—just to satisfy that duty. Hiring an off-planet surrogate should have been an easy solution. No strings, no trouble. But with the nuances of the transaction lost in translation, Dagar finds himself with a mail-order bride instead—one that is unwilling. Fiery and unyielding, the curvy little Terran is all wrong for the job. But she might just be right for him…
If the barbarian king thinks she’s here to be his broodmare, he’s in for a rude awakening…Jobless, desperate, and stuck on a remote spaceport, Rose can’t believe her luck when she wins a free vacation to a tropical paradise across the galaxy. And it’s tropical, sure—but no one told her she was being shipped here as a bride. When the village’s brutish king makes it clear he expects her to give him an heir, Rose isn’t having it. Despite her name, she’s no wilting flower and the alien bastard made a big mistake thinking she was going to give him anything but a piece of her mind. She’ll show him—just as soon as her traitorous body stops pulling her toward the infuriatingly hot king with a force stronger than gravity.

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THE MOTHER CODE by Carole Stivers

VS Note: Not a romance but a scifi release of note…

The year is 2049. When a deadly non-viral agent intended for biowarfare spreads out of control, scientists must scramble to ensure the survival of the human race. They turn to their last resort, a plan to place genetically engineered children inside the cocoons of large-scale robots—to be incubated, birthed, and raised by machines. But there is yet one hope of preserving the human order: an intelligence programmed into these machines that renders each unique in its own right—the Mother Code.
Kai is born in America’s desert Southwest, his only companion his robotic Mother, Rho-Z. Equipped with the knowledge and motivations of a human mother, Rho-Z raises Kai and teaches him how to survive. But as children like Kai come of age, their Mothers transform too—in ways that were never predicted. And when government survivors decide that the Mothers must be destroyed, Kai is faced with a choice. Will he break the bond he shares with Rho-Z? Or will he fight to save the only parent he has ever known?

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ZOTAR: ALIEN TRIBUTE MATES (JORKAN PROTOCOL MATES BOOK 3) by Ava York and Starr Huntress

I don’t want a mate. Nothing but a risk. But from the moment I see her, touch her soft skin, breath in her delicious scent, I know the fragile human is mine. And anyone who tries to take her from me will pay the price.

Amazon

STORMING TIME (THE UNIVERSE CHRONICLES BOOK 3) by Clare Davon

Rescuing compromised Universe agents is nothing new for Zared Hersh. A fast car, a little rain-and-fog manipulation to cover his tracks, and his job is done. But when Hannah Nickels dives into his front seat, something about her aquamarine eyes strikes him like lightning. Thank God she’s not psychic, or she’d be reading his hormones like a book. Hannah’s been groomed to join Universe practically from the moment her time-freezing talent emerged. But recently, her power’s been glitchy. She knows she’s in trouble, and the last thing she needs is her instant attraction to Zared’s solid body and dark good looks. When their escape is almost derailed by someone with a strange new light-manipulating gift, only Hannah’s chrono talent gets them safely back to Universe HQ. In the relative safety of Richmond, their relationship grows. But Hannah has a second, more dangerous power that few know about. And as her control slips, someone with a hidden agenda sets her up to fall—straight into Whisper’s trap.

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RIV’S SANCTUARY by A G Wilde

Abducted from Earth over a year ago, Lauren spent most of that time getting accustomed to her new life as one of the “animals” in an alien zoo. When she’s sold by the zookeeper, her life takes a turn she wasn’t expecting. She has no idea where she’ll end up till she’s brought to a sanctuary owned by a tall blue hunk of an alien called Riv. Riv’s life is quiet and peaceful in a place as far away from civilization as he can manage. So when an annoying chatterbox of a human ends up on his doorstep, he’s less than pleased. The human disrupts his life and his solitude and he can’t wait to get rid of her. He’s not interested in helping her, and he’s definitely not interested in love.  Except…she’s managed to wheedle her way in and suddenly those barriers around his heart don’t seem so strong anymore. He has two options: Let her go. Or let her in.

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TIME BOMB (THE UNGOVERNABLE BOOK 3) by R M Olson

VS Note: Not listed as a romance…”Firefly meets Ocean’s Eleven in this fast-paced, kick-ass, wickedly fun series…”. From mid July.

When an enemy from ex-smuggler pilot Jez’s past reappears, determined to extract revenge, the crew of the Ungovernable have two options: fight, or run. But when a hyperjump gone wrong leaves the Ungovernable crippled, her weapons down and her cloaking disabled, their options become scarce indeed. As they scramble to repair the ship with rapidly-dwindling supplies and even more rapidly-dwindling oxygen, their pursuers are inexorably closing in. And if they’re going to survive, each of the crew will have to confront dangerous secrets from their past, before those secrets come back to destroy them.

Amazon

BLOOD TIES (THE EURYNOME CODE BOOK 3) by K Gorman

VS Note: Not a romance but this series seemsd intriguing and I just one clicked the first book to try it out. I like kickass heroines…

Together again, and ready to bring the system to its knees. Karin Makos has spent the last two months running from one thing or another—but all that’s about to change. Her sister’s back, and Nomiki’s ready to grab their problems by the horns, throw them on their backs, and rip into them with her modified carbon steel blades. With the backing of the Fallon Empire and a promising new lead, the two are determined to reach down into the mystery of their past and pull out its secrets, once and for all. But they aren’t the only ones on the move. And looking may uncover more than even they could have bargained for.

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WORLD SHIFT (THE EURYNOME CODE BOOK 4) by K Gorman

VS Note: Both books 3 and 4 came out in August.

Some dreams can’t be ignored. Over a month has passed since Karin Makos has settled on Chamak. Together with her sister and the rest of the crew from the Nemina, she is finally able to do something useful in this war—heal the Lost that the Shadows have taken. But time is not on their side, and more than the Shadow enemy lurks in the wings. Soon, Karin finds herself fighting for her life in the forests of Nova Earth, plagued by strange, vivid dreams of her past, and racing hard to prevent the catastrophe that threatens to swallow the planet—because if she fails, much, much more will be lost.

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HOW NOT TO DATE A HUMAN (HOW NOT TO BOOK 6) by Stephanie Burke

Oh why, oh why did the condom break? Now McCabe is stuck explaining to an unamused Spooky how an alien virus has introduced her to the world of shifters. But everything should be fine so long as she avoids her lovelorn boss and takes her new situation and the shifter support group seriously. Matters of the heart are a tricky thing, especially when you decide to date a human.

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FIGHTING SYNDROME (STANDALONE TALES BOOK 13) by Viola Grace

Trained in an abbey, she is finally out, married to a vampire, and looking for a fight within a day. Whatever will she do on day two? To protect herself and those around her, Ebra has spent the last twelve years at an abbey, training to be a good wife and mother… and assassin, commander, warrior, spy, and interior decorator. It was a full education that helped her manage the syndrome that made her so deadly. Assigned to the man her parents decided to give her to, she trusts her family not to do anything stupid. The offer to cure her is a surprise as there is only one cure. Death.
The treatment that is offered is a cloned body without her flawed DNA and transfer of most of her consciousness before they destroy the original body. She would like a second opinion. A convenient attack on the space vessel she is on gives her the chance to escape her fate with minimal bloodshed. Getting caught by the man she proposed to is a bit of a surprise, but she is nothing if not adaptable. Changing from one suitor to the next is easy enough, but is the vampire going to be happy with the lady in his embrace, or will he have second thoughts?

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ALIEN’S SAVAGE CLAIM (FATED MATES OF APARA BOOK 2) by Aya Morningstar

Kalafa has three rules: Keep your woman leashed, satisfied, and disciplined. The alien warrior Soturi abducts Emma, taking his new prize to the desert planet Kalafa. They may enter the city walls under one condition: Emma must submit to Soturi…and wear a leash and collar. She feels degraded and dehumanized as the savage alien walks her through the city on a leash, but that’s not even the beginning of her problems. Every night at sunset, the temple’s bells chime, and the men all walk their women to the center of the city. The guards force Soturi and Emma into the square at gunpoint. Satisfy your woman, or someone else will. ..(more blurb on ebook seller page…)

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CINDER’S TALE: A SCIFI ALIEN ROMANCE by Juno Wells

Sentenced to servitude. Ella – This isn’t how I expected my life to turn out. All I’ve ever wanted was to do the right thing but now I’ve been shipped off-world to an alien planet and sold. Stuck doing the dirtiest jobs of my master’s house. Hope is the farthest thing from my mind, but still it glimmers. The faint light of that timeless idea that maybe, one day, my prince will come. Caius – If I don’t marry soon my kingdom will be thrust into war. Simple enough, marry someone, produce an heir. Problem solved. But I don’t want just someone. I want the one. The one who makes my heart soar. The one who lights the fires of passion. If only I can find her before my father forces me into a loveless arrangement for the good of our people. And in one magical moment, I find her. Ella. Except I can’t possibly have her. She’s a servant, a slave. To marry her would throw everything into chaos but her grip on my heart won’t let go. Somehow, I have to make this work. She will be my princess.

Amazon

CAPTURED: A ROUGH SCIFI ROMANCE by Mary Auclair

This little human female thought she could attack a Drakian royal cruiser and get away with it, but I captured her, and the price she pays for her arrogance will be…(more blurb on ebook seller page…)

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KING’S MATE (RIALIN KINGS BOOK 1) by C R Corbin

Nesha’s homeworld had been ravaged by the two warring Rialan armies for centuries.
She was angry, bitter, and rebellious, especially when she is captured and forced to work on the homeworld of one of the sides, Icil. However, after being saved from a rather cruel soldier by Icilian king, in a strange series of events, she finds herself serving him in his palace. He was cruel, arrogant, and obsessed with vengeance against his enemies.
But after a rather “steamy” encounter in the midst of the night, she finds herself enraptured in a lustful dance with him. A dance that, over time, begins to evolve into something far more special. But will this angry and vengeful king successfully claim her as his? Or will he simply cast her aside for vengeance, like everything else? Find out!

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ALIEN DEVIL: A DARK SCIFI ROMANCE (INVASION BRIDES BOOK 1) by Zora Black

Against his power, there is no resistance. In my world, your either a predator or your prey. And the moment I hear a Krenim hunter pursuing me, I know I’m prey. I hide. But he tracks me. I run. But he keep chasing until he catches me. But something changes between us. He decides to keep me. To be his pet. I know that no human male will protect me like he does. No human male can compare in power or strength. No matter how much my inner voice insists that this is wrong, and dark, and dangerous, its no I use. I still crave it. I know what he is. An alien invader. A monster. A killer of my race. He’s cold. Brutal. Calculating. But there’s no shame anymore in being his. Only power. The power of being with a Krenim. I know I’ll never go back. He can take all of me if he wants. I’ll give it all freely.

Amazon

JARTOK (WARRIORS OF KALETH BOOK 2) by Celeste King

She’s bold. She’s beautiful. And she is not impressed with my epic one-liners. I’ve been watching action movies from Earth since I was a young Kaleth hatchling. Everyone in the galaxy is obsessed with all the human entertainment.
So it’s no surprise when its revealed that my fated mate is an Earth woman. The Federation protocol states that she gets picked up, sent to me, and we spend 30 days on a vacation planet where we start building the rest of our lives together. There’s just one problem. She has no idea that “aliens” exist. See, humans might have invented Must See TV and they might be Too Hot To Handle. But they still think they’re all alone in the universe. But now that I’ve found my tiny sassy human woman, she’ll never be alone. I’ll fight to keep her safe from all the evil in the galaxy. I’ll be her hero. Her protector. I guess you could say… I’m going to go ahead and make her day. So she can live free. And not die hard.

Amazon

STRANDED WITH THE TEDOLARAN (TEDOLARANS BOOK 4) by Aurora Caine

The shuttle I was in crashed on a remote island. Sounds bad already, doesn’t it?
But there’s more: I am not alone. The only other survivor is a big, strong alien warrior named Kochol. He knows how to survive in the harshest conditions and where to find water, food, and shelter. Not the worst one to crash on a barely populated planet with, right? I wish. Because I tried to rob him right before the shuttle launched—and my brother happens to be the one who stole his spaceship, forcing him into the shuttle with me in the first place.
It’s bad. It’s really bad. And judging by the sinister gleam in Kochol’s eyes, I’m sure it’ll only get much, much worse.

Amazon

PREY FOR THE TEDOLARAN (TEDOLARANS BOOK 5) by Aurora Caine

Kate Leave Earth and move to New Terran, they said. It will be fun, they said. You know what isn’t fun? Being abducted, displayed on an interstellar slave market, and sold to a strange alien guy who tries to feed me dinner that’s alive, as in still-wiggling-on-my-plate-alive. Nope. I’m out of here. So I bail—only to find myself in an even worse situation . . .Tausav – I did not know humans could talk. I did not know they were highly sought after and expensive. But one look at Kate and her enticing curves and I get it. There is only a tiny problem: her owner paid me to retrieve her, not to keep her. Well, too bad for him, right?

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ALIEN KNIGHT BLIND DATE DISASTER (LUMERIAN KNIGHTS BOOK 3) by Becca Brayden

Lumerian Knight Falden Corshival is an ancient. Leader of what remains of his people, he and his elite warriors have avoided capture for more than two thousand years. He believed they were safe on Earth. He was wrong. When a nosy investigative reporter sets up a ‘blind date’ with an alien group dealing in the Intergalactic black market, Falden knows he must do whatever it takes to find out who she is and what she knows, including pretending to be her unknown contact. Unfortunately, Falden has spent a millennia out of the dating scene. Worse, he has no understanding of human courting rituals.
Isabella Serrano is in danger. Her friend has disappeared, her contacts on the street are scared, and her only chance to infiltrate the alien black market is to accept a ‘blind’ meeting with one of the smugglers. When her ‘blind date’ turns out to be a drop-dead gorgeous alien with a bad attitude, something just doesn’t add up. She can’t decide if she’d rather kiss the dominant alpha or stab him in the eye with her four-inch heel. When a surprise attack forces them to escape together, she will have to trust him with her life. They soon give in to white-hot passion, yet both have secrets that could tear them apart. Will their growing love be enough to overcome the dangers that lie ahead?

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BOUNTY HUNTER’S CLAIM (BOND OF THE SKELDI BOOK 2) by Sophia Sebell

My parents had a grandiose story about how they met, full of action, romance, and intrigue. After hearing those stories my entire life, I had to have it for myself. I set off for the stars and took a job tracking down a wanted criminal. That would surely cover my desire for action. Little did I know, the alien criminal I hunted would lead me on a more sensuous adventure. His name was Aros, a mysterious and muscular Vraqe. At first he came off as stern and always serious, his face seemingly set in a permanent frown, but the more I got to know him, the more I couldn’t resist him. Against my better judgment, I offered to help him escape the planet he was trapped on. There was a rather large problem, though. I’m not the only one after the bounty on his head. Having a wanted criminal aboard my ship made me nervous, but I had always longed to find romance among the stars, and Aros might be my chance at a happy ending. I felt like he was trustworthy, but his crimes must have been immense to get such a large bounty. I hoped I hadn’t made a mistake trusting him. Is Aros just biding his time to steal my ship? Or will we shake our pursuers and end up in the cosmic romance I’ve always longed for?

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BOUND BY FATE (ATLANTIC ISLAND: ODYSSEY BOOK 2) by Skylar Jaymes and Fredric Shernoff

Kensie and her time traveling team face down the growing threat of the Elite in multiple time periods and the answer to preventing a violent civil war begins to appear in this next installment of Atlantic Island: Odyssey!

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MATED TO THE ALIEN BEAST (FATED MATES OF ADONIA BOOK 1) by Ivy Sparks

A rich alien beast purchases a poor human girl… A tale as old as time, right? After losing my job, I’m desperate for a lifeline to help me support my little sister. That’s when Vorian crosses my path. Adonians aren’t exactly my favorite race of aliens, with their opulent lifestyles and royal demeanor, but Vorian seems different. He’s scarred, a man haunted by his past, and he sees in me a future that no superficial Adonian woman is willing to give him. They’re crazy to not want him. He’s a brooding handsome beast living in a big gothic castle—basically my dream man.
But humans can’t be fated mates to Adonians… can they? And what could he possibly see in me, a scrawny woman from a poor sky colony?

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CLAIMED BY THE ALIEN COMMANDER: INTERGALACTIC EXCHANGE PROGRAM BOOK 1 by Nikki Harlowe

Two souls from completely different worlds meet against all odds. Kodan val Raza just wants to go back to the way things used to be—before the war, before he lost his leg. But when his commanding officer signs him up as a guide to a small, human female as part of a treaty between Kal’Neth and Earth, it’s clear his life is about to change. Phoebe couldn’t be more elated. When she’s chosen as a cultural representative for the Intergalactic Foreign Exchange Program, she can’t believe her good luck. Soon, she’s off to Kal’Neth, where she’ll be tasked with documenting the lifestyle there through the lens of her camera. There’s just one problem. Her mentor, Kodan, is a complete jerk. He makes no secret of hating her from the moment they meet, and Phoebe can’t figure out what the hell his problem is. But Kodan knows exactly what’s going on. Despite his best attempts, he finds the small human female strangely entrancing. He can’t say why he feels that way, but one thing is clear, Phoebe is his, whether he likes it or not. But if he can’t come to terms with his sudden attraction to Phoebe, he may just lose her for good.

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CLAIMED BY THE ALIEN WARRIOR RAZKO (AAREN BARBARIANS BOOK 4) by Eden Ember

A deathbed promise and a cruel temptation. For Jules to release herself from a painful past, she must break a promise and learn to love again. The faithful widow promised her husband she’d never love another. She kept her oath, no matter how painful the cost. The days were easier, filled with work and the fight against the Zeta Empire but nighttime brought her more loneliness on a ship filled with fated mates. When a skirmish traps her in a confined engine room with a massive blue alien, she panics. His very presence effects her on a very deep, primal level. The feelings that she worked so hard to deny for so many years threaten to overwhelm her completely. Ryzko was dedicated to the cause but his heart longed for a fated mate he’d never yet met. The females on the ship held no interest for him until he found himself barricaded with a pale Terran who was adamant she was not interested in him in the slightest. The quiet red haired Terran intrigued him. The blush that rose on her creamy skin drove him to divine despair. Her scent, the gentle sway of her hips, even the way she said his name intoxicated him. There was no mistake she was his fated mate. Their cause be damned: he would do whatever it took to stop her intended one-way mission no matter the consequences. Can the blue, alien warrior beast break the redheaded Earth-girl free from her painful past?

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THE SIREN AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA (EMBRACED BY MAGIC BOOK 2) by Kerrelyn Sparks

Signs and Seals – Raised on the magic-seeped Isle of Moon, Maeve is used to unusual powers—and the way they fuel the politics of her world. But when she discovers an ability to shape-shift at will, she knows who she wants to share it with first. Brody, the enigmatic, infuriating shifter-spy has always made time for Maeve. But it’s been almost two months since she’s seen him. And though no one else believes Brody is in danger, Maeve is more than ready to rescue him herself.
The rumors Brody’s investigating are terrifying: a secret army of magic-users, in the service of the cruel Circle of Five. But when he uncovers the identity of one of the Five, the mission becomes personal. Cursed as a boy by the Sea Witch, Brody can spend only two hours a day in his human form, a restriction that limits his future and muzzles his heart. Plus Maeve teases him for being such a pretty doggy instead of appreciating his manly charms. To win his freedom, he must take on a terrible disguise. And when Maeve finds out, she’ll unleash a tempest like no other.

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EMERALD BLAZE (A HIDDEN LEGACY NOVEL) by Ilona Andrews

VS Note: I love their writing so of course I’ll be one clicking.

As Prime magic users, Catalina Baylor and her sisters have extraordinary powers—powers their ruthless grandmother would love to control. Catalina can earn her family some protection working as deputy to the Warden of Texas, overseeing breaches of magic law in the state, but that has risks as well. When House Baylor is under attack and monsters haunt her every step, Catalina is forced to rely on handsome, dangerous Alessandro Sagredo, the Prime who crushed her heart.  The nightmare that Alessandro has fought since childhood has come roaring back to life, but now Catalina is under threat. Not even his lifelong quest for revenge will stop him from keeping her safe, even if every battle could be his last. Because Catalina won’t rest until she stops the use of the illicit, power-granting serum that’s tearing their world apart.

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AUTUMN’S BANE (WILD HUNT BOOK 13) by Yasmine Galenorn

Life isn’t easy when you bear the mark of the Silver Stag. The Father of Dragons has returned to the world and all hell is breaking loose. A shadow dragon has let loose a group of vrykos—undead creatures who are cunning, hungry, and looking to feed on the living. In the midst of the chaos, Ember finds herself facing a major decision brought on by a twist in her status with the Queen of Dark Fae. But when the shadow dragon drags her friend Viktor, the half-ogre, into the world of the dead, Ember must journey to the Underworld to rescue him. Will she be able to save Viktor before it’s too late? Or will she lose her own soul to the armies of the dead?

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LADY OF OUTLAWS: A ROBIN HOOD RETELLING (THE TALES OF CLAN ROBBINS BOOK 1) by L A Boruff and Laura Greenwood

She doesn’t just steal from the rich. She steals from the bad. The very, very bad. As a strong woman and feared sharpshooter, outcast vampire royalty Loxley Robbins must prove herself to the townspeople and her band of Merry Men. They’re wild, they’re dangerous, and they’re hers. As an alpha vampire, she can’t avoid the claiming. When Loxley’s sister is kidnapped by an evil pack of werewolf cowboys, her skills as the fastest draw in the wild west will be put to the test, and she’ll have to rely on the men she’s entrusted with her life to protect her back. And her Mate to protect her front.

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PRINCE OF BEARS: AUTUMN COURT BOOK 2 (ROSETHORN VALLEY FAE ROMANCE) by Tasha Black

Willow loves her job waiting tables at the local diner and her sweet apartment over the neighborhood grocery store in Rosethorn Valley. So what if she seems to have some random supernatural abilities? She is a perfectly normal woman with a perfectly normal life – until a giant bear appears in the parking lot after work one night, and whisks her off to a fantasy world she never knew existed.
Prince Heath of the Autumn Court must find the missing princess and marry her if he wants to save his kingdom and hers from war. He would do anything to save his people, even traveling to the mortal realm. But he doesn’t expect to fall hard for the beautiful woman who doesn’t seem to remember who she is. And by the time he realizes he has the wrong princess, she has already stolen his heart. When a magical snowstorm and enemies from far away threaten their very survival, Willow will have to accept her true nature to harness her power and save them. But can she control the wild feelings she has for the prince who would put his kingdom before anything else?

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TO LOVE A DRAGON (VENYS NEEDS MEN) by Tiffany Roberts

In a single night of terror, everything Leyloni knows and loves is destroyed—her home left in flames, her friends and family dead, her way of life erased. She flees with the only other survivor, a baby named Serek. In a world where males are rarely born, Serek is precious beyond measure, and Leyloni must put aside her grief and pain to take him somewhere safe. The only sanctuary she knows of is a friendly village on the far side of the Endless Forest. It is a harrowing journey for a huntress to make on her own, more so with a babe. But Leyloni soon realizes she is not alone—she is being stalked by something far more dangerous than any raiders. The beast is massive with a scaled hide, wicked claws, and sharp teeth. His eyes are like violet lightning, his roar like thunder. He is a dragon. And he intends to make her his.

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BURNING MOON (LOTTE FREUDENBERGER BOOK 5) by Gaja J Kos

Dirty players require a dirty game. And Lotte is ready to play the filthiest one of them all. In the ten months since Lotte’s promotion, the Kauer investigation has barely moved an inch. Even with Isa on her side and an entire team at her disposal, the widespread crime organization proves just as well-shielded and elusive as it has always been. A damn frustrating series of dead-ends. When the single suspect ICRA managed to unearth disappears off the grid, Lotte decides to take a risk. If she wants to catch the top players, she needs to adapt her game. But the shift comes with a serious gamble. Yes, she might win and burn Kauer’s organization to the ground. But if she fails…The case isn’t the only thing she’ll end up losing.

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HER DRAGON GUARDIAN (DRAGONS OF MOUNT VALEN BOOK 1) by Riley Storm

Tara Simmons’ life had been nice and boring since she moved out of Five Peaks to avoid her family drama. All that changed when he showed up at her door: half-dead, almost naked, and begging for her help. With the storm of the decade raging outside, driving down the mountain for assistance is out of the question. It’s up to her to save him. But by helping him, she may just be hurting herself.
Ares Valen is a dragon shifter. At least, he was, until someone kidnapped and tortured him. Now he’s without his dragon or his powers or any memory of who did this to him. The only thing he knows is the gentle touch and care of the woman who is helping him to recover. He wants to tell her the truth about himself, but he’s afraid it will scare her off. Ares will do anything to keep her and the future he can see in her eyes.
As much as he wants to stay, Ares knows that the longer he’s around her, the more danger she’ll be in. Leaving is the smart choice—but it’s not the one either of them secretly wants. To make things work, they’re going to have to deal with family politics, gunfights and a secret that will shock the shifter community. Saving Tara will take everything he has, and even something he doesn’t. Without his dragon’s powers, can he truly be the one to protect her from all evil?

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GRAVE CARGO (ARCANE TRANSPORTER BOOK 1) by Jami Gray

A dead mage, a missing friend, and an unpredictable alliance merge into a volatile package sending Rory careening through the Arcane elite’s deadly secrets. Rory Costas, Arcane Transporter, is finally out from under the Guild’s thumb and ready to jumpstart her career as an independent contractor. Even better than the potential income, her promising future offers the additional perk of keeping her coveted magic out of the hands of the all-powerful Arcane Families. But when a dead mage drops at her doorstep on the same morning her best friend and roommate, Lena, goes missing, Rory is drawn out of her comfort zone and into an ominous race against time.
Retracing Lena’s convoluted path through the Arcane elite’s moneyed secrets, bitter vendettas, and lethal curses, Rory crashes into Zev Aslanov’s investigation of the murdered mage. When the Cordova Family’s enigmatic hunter reveals the dead man was Lena’s last client, Rory must convince Zev her missing friend is a victim, not a suspect. To uncover the truth and save her friend, Rory agrees to work with Zev, even though their uneasy partnership may mean revealing her hidden magic. As the clock ticks down, can they dodge Zev’s suspicions and Rory’s secrets to expose the real evil mastermind or will they crash and burn?

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MIDNIGHT ROSE (CELESTIALS BOOK 3) by Emma Hamm

They think I’m a delicate priestess, trained to serve the Moon Gods. Every priestess knows her duty. Serve. Remain Obedient. Learn the old ways. Prepare for the order to kill. When the largest of all the Dread chooses me to be his priestess, I am told my journey has only just begun. I will be the most revered of all priestesses to live. I’ll be the one to kill the king. But first I must syphon all his power away from him. Absorb all his magic and spread it amongst my sisters. I just never expected him to be kind. He’s larger than life but he isn’t the monster so many have claimed him to be. Now I have to wonder…Was I lied to? Or should I kill the king?

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THE BLOOD KING (INFERNO RISING BOOK 2) by Abigail Owen

Ruthless dragon king Ladon Ormarr must keep his throne at all costs. And now, with war on the horizon, he’ll need a miracle. Luckily, the fates have dropped Skylar Amon right into his lap. Except he may have met his match. The feisty Amon sister has no fear—of him or any other dragon shifter—is brash, doesn’t stick to protocols, and regularly offends his warriors and advisers. Skylar also has no intention of sticking around. She doesn’t believe in the whole destined mates thing and believes all dragon kings to be dangerous. But if it means taking out the High King who murdered her parents, she’ll put up with Ladon…temporarily. But the fates have other plans. And when Skylar disappears in the middle of a battle, Ladon will burn down the world to find her.

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SNOW WHITE AND HER HUNTRESS (SAPPHIC FAIRY TALE RETELLINGs BOOK 1) by Emma Dean

he traditional story of Snow White reimagined…The king is dead and Snow White has to live with her step-mother as queen until she can rightfully take her place. Though every indication tells her the queen will not give up her power easily. She assigns one of her terrifying huntresses to Snow to keep an eye on her, all in the name of protection.
Her huntress, Devana, is the most beautiful woman Snow has ever laid eyes on. She’s strong and fearless and every day by her side is torture. The queen wants Snow to marry a prince, but all Snow can think about is the woman by her side all day and night, silent and stern. Does she see Snow the way she sees her? It’s impossible to tell.
The true test comes when the queen demands Snow White’s heart and she assigns the task to Devana, offering freedom in exchange for the fairest heart. Will the huntress kill the princess to gain her freedom, or will she give in to the pull between the two of them?

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CALL OF WATER (MADAME TAN’S FREAKSHOW BOOK 1) by Marina Simcoe

A man with a teasing smile and an angel’s voice, Zeph is supposed to be nothing more than a beautiful, fun Parisian adventure. His voice lures me in. His cerulean blue eyes draw me to him. And his smile puts me at ease. We part after just one night. The next time I see him, I’m kidnapped and trapped in a world I never knew existed. Intriguing and whimsical on the outside, it turns dark and sinister as I plunge deeper into a trap from which there is no escape. Humans do not belong in Madame Tan’s Freakshow, so what is Zeph doing here? I realize I know nothing about the man who has ruled over my imagination since the day we met. I need to find my way out—with or without Zeph’s help—or risk spending the rest of my life locked in a cage.

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BOOK OF THE FANG (VESIK 17) by Eric R Asher

With help from Zola, Cizin, and Vicky, Sam works to track down her old vampire lord, Vassili. While he’s been on the run for years, the team has uncovered clues of his whereabouts. The hunt takes them down the trail of an old Civil War raid where restless spirits stir. But not even the threat of the dark-touched will stop Sam from finding the last coin. Damian risked everything to save her, and no force on earth is powerful enough to prevent her from returning the favor—even if it costs her humanity.

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THE MEMORY OF SOULS (A CHORUS OF DRAGONS BOOK 3) by Jenn Lyons

Now that Relos Var’s plans have been revealed and demons are free to rampage across the empire, the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies—and the end of the world—is closer than ever. To buy time for humanity, Kihrin needs to convince the king of the Manol vané to perform an ancient ritual which will strip the entire race of their immortality, but it’s a ritual which certain vané will do anything to prevent. Including assassinating the messengers. Worse, Kihrin must come to terms with the horrifying possibility that his connection to the king of demons, Vol Karoth, is growing steadily in strength. How can he hope to save anyone when he might turn out to be the greatest threat of them all?

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WHERE DREAMS DESCEND: A NOVEL (KINGDOM OF CARDS BOOK 1) by Janella Angeles

In a city covered in ice and ruin, a group of magicians face off in a daring game of magical feats to find the next headliner of the Conquering Circus, only to find themselves under the threat of an unseen danger striking behind the scenes. As each act becomes more and more risky and the number of missing magicians piles up, three are forced to reckon with their secrets before the darkness comes for them next. The Star: Kallia, a powerful showgirl out to prove she’s the best no matter the cost…The Master: Jack, the enigmatic keeper of the club, and more than one lie told…
The Magician: Demarco, the brooding judge with a dark past he can no longer hide.

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HER DRAGON DESTINY (BLACK CLAW DRAGONS BOOK 5) by Roxie Ray

I can’t keep using my daughter as an excuse to stay out of the dating pool, but finding a partner as a single mom is hard. I’d much rather get lost in my work, but I don’t want to be alone forever. Enter Madd. He’s not what I expected: too young, not settled, but he might be just what I need. And when I’m in his arms I’ve never felt more protected.
There’s no privacy among dragons …I don’t want to seem ungrateful. I love my family, but the Black Claw dragons can be a bit much. So much that I’m thinking of finishing my law degree out of state. And then I meet Bethany and everything changes. She’s my fated mate and I want to make her mine. But am I ready for a woman with a daughter of her own, especially if it means staying in town? It may not matter if she isn’t ready to mate with a dragon. Bethany has no idea my kind exist, and if she can’t accept both parts of me, she’ll never be my mate. How can I convince her that my dragon’s heart beats only for her?

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DOMINION: AN ANTHOLOGY OF SPECULATIVE FICTION FROM AFRICA AND THE AFRICAN DIASPORA by Various

Dominion is the first anthology of speculative fiction and poetry by Africans and the African Diaspora. An old god rises up each fall to test his subjects. Once an old woman’s pet, a robot sent to mine an asteroid faces an existential crisis. A magician and his son time-travel to Ngoni country and try to change the course of history. A dead child returns to haunt his grieving mother with terrifying consequences. Candace, an ambitious middle manager, is handed a project that will force her to confront the ethical ramifications of her company’s latest project—the monetization of human memory. Osupa, a newborn village in pre-colonial Yorubaland populated by refugees of war, is recovering after a great storm when a young man and woman are struck by lightning, causing three priests to divine the coming intrusion of a titanic object from beyond the sky.

A magician teams up with a disgruntled civil servant to find his missing wand. A taboo error in a black market trade brings a man face-to-face with his deceased father—literally. The death of a King sets off a chain of events that ensnare a trickster, an insane killing machine, and a princess, threatening to upend their post-apocalyptic world. Africa is caught in the tug-of-war between two warring Chinas, and for Ibrahima torn between the lashings of his soul and the pain of the world around him, what will emerge? When the Goddess of Vengeance locates the souls of her stolen believers, she comes to a midwestern town with a terrible past, seeking the darkest reparations. In a post-apocalyptic world devastated by nuclear war, survivors gather in Ife-Iyoku, the spiritual capital of the ancient Oyo Empire, where they are altered in fantastic ways by its magic and power.

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DEN OF THIEVES (DESERT CURSED SERIES BOOK 7) by Shannon Mayer

In a world where supernaturals and humans are separated by walls, there is magic to be magicked and quests that still need questing. Yes, quest as a verb. I, Zamira “Reckless” Wilson, thought I had done my part. With a little help from those I love, we stopped the bad guys from mucking up our side of the wall. We won the battle and were left standing on this side of the dirt. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. But a curse from long ago, cast to ensure everything in my life would eventually go wrong has now come full circle. There is darkness in the east, and it flows toward the desert I’ve sworn to protect like a creeping floodwater you cannot see until it is upon you. That power has stolen Maks’s magic. It has stolen Lila’s ability to shift. And it has stolen my newfound strength. We are back to square one, and we are about to face off against an unknown enemy. I have only one thing to say. “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.”

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THE PROMISE OF HADES (THE HADES TRIALS BOOK 3) by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson

The Greek God of the Underworld has turned my life completely upside-down and made me question everything I thought I knew about my life. And now I don’t even know who I am anymore. An internal war rages inside me, as I try to balance my need for more magic with the knowledge of what power does to people in Olympus. What it may have done to me in the past.  The one thing I do know though, is that my feelings for Hades are real. The Lord of the Dead is so much more than I ever realized, and something inside me knows that I need him as much as he needs me. But between the Hades Trials, the other Olympians, and whoever it is that’s trying to kill me, I may not survive long enough to find a way for us to be together. Hades says a light so bright can’t live in the dark. But I’m not sure a life without him is worth living.

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BY TIGER LIGHT by Bokerah Brumley

Will she win her tiger?

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DARK CHOICES: THE ACCORD (THE CHILDREN OF THE GODS PARANORMAL ROMANCE SERIES BOOK 43) by I T Lucas

The winds of change blowing over the village demand hard choices. For better or worse, Kian’s decisions will alter the trajectory of the clan’s future, and he is not ready to take the plunge. But as Edna and Rufsur’s plight gains widespread support, his resistance slowly erodes.

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JUNKYARD CATS by Faith Hunter

From the author of the best-selling Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood series comes a tough new heroine who is far more than she seems. Junkyard Cats is the first in a new novella series. After the Final War, after the appearance of the Bug aliens and their enforced peace, Shining Smith is still alive, still doing business from the old scrapyard bequeathed to her by her father. But Shining is now something more than human. And the scrapyard is no longer just a scrapyard, but a place full of secrets that she has guarded for years. This life she has built, while empty, is predictable and safe. Until the only friend left from her previous life shows up, dead, in the back of a scrapped Tesla warplane. Clutched in her cold fingers is a note to Shining—warning her of a coming attack. With dread, Shining realizes: Someone knows who she is. Someone knows what she is guarding. Will she be able to protect the scrapyard? Will she even survive? Or will Shining have to destroy everything she loves to keep her secrets out of the wrong hands?

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THE CURSE (A TOVENAAR NOVEL BOOK 2) by Augustina Van Hoven

Prince Laren, a Tovenaar destined to be the ruler of his house, has only one goal. Break the spell that forces him to go catting around at night and unleash his wrath on the sorcerer responsible. Then he meets a woman with fiery hair, deep blue eyes, and the body of his dreams. She’s but a pawn in the looming conflict between members of the hidden community. And the prince is torn between his old and new desires.
Juliet Cooper’s plans were simple: sell her great uncle’s property, return home, find a job, and get on with life. But then she meets Laren—in both human and cat form. And her plans get complicated. Juliet finds she can’t leave until she knows the secrets that her great uncle’s property and the handsome, blue-eyed man are hiding, unaware of the price she might have to pay.
When Juliet is attacked by Laren’s opponents, he must decide whether to rescue her, risking not only the wrath of the community members who shelter him and his princely future, but also his life.

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FAIRY SUITED: OAK FAST FATED MATES BOOK 3 by Rebel Carter

Ximena is a wolf, er, new woman without a pack. Emphasis on the new, because she’s also a wolf shifter who isn’t much of a wolf anymore. Not after the Fey Queen took her ability to shift along with the rest of her pack. They had it coming. Definitely, no doubt about that. As far as packs went, the Bloodstone Pack was one hell bent on doing harm and taking more than they were owed. They had ruined Ximena’s life since day one. Since the day they had taken her from her family, since they had made her one of them, since the day they took away her future. But now, things are different. Being a newly made human isn’t all bad. There’s good to it, even without her wolf. Ximena can be free, she can have her way in the world…she just has to learn how to be human first. And that’s where her teacher, ah, self-appointed guardian comes into play. Blue, the Fey Guard who found her on that fateful night the Fey Queen struck. He spirited her away then, to a home only they could see, a safe place where she could learn how to be human. She should be happy, ecstatic even, with her freedom finally within her grasp, except for one thing. Blue is her fated mate, and to claim her freedom Ximena will have to find the strength to let him go. It should be easy to do, really, seeing as she’s sure the fairy plans to set her loose once she’s learned enough to pass as human. Then why is it so hard to imagine a tomorrow without Blue? How is it that Blue seems focused on winning her over more than ever if he means to leave?

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SAFE ON BASE: A HOWLS ROMANCE by Sandra R Neeley

Basilio is the epitome of the rich, professional athlete overindulging in wine, women, and partying. He’s lived that life for so long he’s had more than his fill. All he wants is to find his mate. Basilio, or Base, as he’s known to all the baseball world, is a Primate shifter, a Silverback Gorilla to be exact. But none of the people in his inner circle know he’s anything other than human. He’s growing disenchanted quickly. Then, one day he literally runs into her, his mate, or she runs into him. She keeps her head down, working to clean their locker room, while doing her best to avoid the lewd, offensive remarks of some of his teammates. Turning on his teammates, Base defends her, but before he can catch up to his mate – she disappears, leaving him to run after her like a lovesick puppy…er, Gorilla.
Renata is a single mother struggling to survive. She’s got to do more than just make ends meet. She’s got to keep her head down, wary at all times to be sure she’s not noticed by anyone. Renata’s been on the run for almost four years now. The man she’s running from is her ex, her son’s father. He’s a shifter, and he’s determined to return Renata to his harem of females and to brutally raise her son to take his place as Prime of their troop. He hid his true nature from Renata until she’d delivered a male heir, but there’s no way in hell she’ll allow him to brutalize her sweet baby or herself. Now that she’s aware shifters exist and just how dangerous they are, she’ll never make that mistake again. So, she ran, and she keeps running. Every time anyone pays even the smallest bit of attention to her and her son, she’s off again. A Major League pitcher accustomed to the limelight and a quiet, shy single mother, determined to stay out of it. Can they find a way to work out their differences and become what the other needs? Or will they end up torn apart and bleeding – possibly quite literally – as they struggle to survive the mating instinct?

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HEX AFTER FORTY: A PARANORMAL WOMEN’S FICTION NOVEL: SINGING FALLS WITCHES BOOK 1 by M J Caan

orie Bliss thought that being over forty and having your husband dump you over your favorite meal would be rock bottom. Then she learned that the perfect life he had created for them was built on a foundation of lies. A very public fall from grace leaves her penniless and homeless. Thinking she had nothing else to lose, she decides to move in with her estranged mother in a picturesque town in the mountains of North Carolina. Only to discover that her mother is quite the witch. Literally. And so is Torie. They are from a line of witches who develop their magic after the age of forty. As if hot flashes and night sweats weren’t enough, she now has to contend with wild magic that she has no idea how to control. But she must learn to tap into her strange new powers to help her new friends solve a terrifying mystery. Someone is killing off shifters in the sleepy town of Singing Falls, and if Torie can’t get her act together, she just may be next on the supernatural serial killer’s list. Can Torie let go of her past in order to embrace her new future?

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HONEY WITCH (HOT FLASH) by K L Noone

VS Note: From late July…

Where does a princess go for advice? In the kingdom of Rosewood, the answer’s simple: ask the honey witch.
Ursula has grown up knowing she’ll inherit the throne, and she’s devoted to her land and her people. But she wonders about her future, whether she’ll be happy, and whether she’ll marry for love. Beautiful earth-witch Esmerelda promises answers, divined in magical honey … and one smile from her has always made Ursula’s heart race. Esme has loved Ursula silently for years, despite knowing a common earth-witch can’t hope to marry a princess, especially one so generous and passionate and worthy of a royal marriage. But when Ursula comes to her with a question about love, Esme can’t resist introducing her princess to the sweetest magic of desire … and some even sweeter uses for enchanted honey.

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KILL THREE BIRDS: A KINGDOM OF AVES MYSTERY by Nicole Givens Kurtz

VS Note: From July.

Sent to investigate a string of murders in a quiet remote egg, can Hawk Tasifa find the killer before she becomes the next target? Prentice Tasifa is an investigative hawk whose been deployed from The Order to the small egg of Gould, a mountain village. A missing girl had been found dead. Hawks investigate strange and difficult situations throughout the Kingdom of Aves. They can “see the unseen,” by accessing a unique ability to activate hawk-like vision, a trait they carry through their bloodlines.  When Prentice arrives in Gould, she soon discovers that there isn’t just one bird dead, but three. There’s a serial killer operating in Gould, and she has to find the person before she ends up next. If you love goddess worship, winged humans, mystery, and magic, this story is for you.

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EX INFERIS (INFERNAL INHERITANCE BOOK 0) by Nazri Noor

VS Note: From July

Spoiled, sarcastic, and brutally self-obsessed, fledgling sorcerer Quilliam J. Abernathy has never worked a day in his life. And why should he? Being the half human son of a demon prince comes with its perks, among them a palatial lifestyle of luxury and excess. But Quill’s comfort comes with a price. He is the Chosen of Asmodeus, destined to destroy the world and fated from birth to become the harbinger of hell. One last trial now stands in his way, the final obstacle to his ascent: a deadly game of devils.

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A STRANGE DESIRE (FAIRVIEW CHRONICLES BOOK 4) by Alexa Piper

Cora, who has newly discovered she is a powerful mage, and her boyfriend and most notorious antihero and soul-eating greed-demon Valerian, travel to China, where Cora is supposed to learn everything there is to learn about being a mage. Yet they have barely set foot on the ground when they attract unwanted attention. Jirou, fleeing from family obligations, is reeled in by the looks of the pretty couple. Bastien has much darker intentions: a long-held grudge against Valerian makes him want to steal Cora and make her his. Figuring out why they have suddenly become a target halfway around the world leaves Cora and Valerian to discover all the strangeness of Beijing in this fast-paced tale of creatures, mages, and magic.

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THE SHADOW ZONE DUET by Isabella Jordan

Earth 2069. War, disease, and global warming have caused a significant decline of the Human race. The Human world has become a Shadow Zone where people mysteriously disappear and infertility among those of age to have children has grown at an alarming rate. The vampire race monitors the Human world, whose decline is forcing them to find other ways to obtain the blood they need. They also watch the werewolves who consider the vampires a threat.
Taking Julia (The Shadow Zone 1): The werewolves have sent Julia, a scout, out into the Shadow Zone in search of the key to immortality which both sides believe the humans have unearthed. No female has been able to challenge or seduce Rick in ages. Yet Julia is one luscious little werewolf who definitely makes him feel alive and more than anything, he wants to make her his. No matter how he does it… Winning Madeline (The Shadow Zone 2): While tailing a Lycan soldier through the Shadow Zone, Maddox finds himself falling for the frail, beautiful prostitute his subject visits. Maddox can deal with cold-blooded killers and the deep and seedy underworld of the Shadow Zone. But he has no clue how to win Madeline’s heart.

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MATCHED TO THE DRAGON (DRAGON VALLEY BOOK 9) by Kayla Wolf

My friend is dragging me to a speed dating event. Come on. Speed dating? Really? I’m so not that kind of girl.
But there he is. Impressive musculature, five o’clock shadow, stormy eyes. Jet black hair that falls, just a shade too long, across his face. You know that place down there, deep inside your belly? I’ve never felt it clench before. But he’s making it clench so deliciously. Who the hell is this guy? And why on earth is he staring at me of all people? What he doesn’t know, of course, is that I have a problem. A problem that involves more than the need inside of me.
You see, I need to be freed in more ways than one. Can he show me how?

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THE BURNING KINGDOMS (THE SMOKE THIEVES BOOK 3) by Sally Green

In this conclusion to the epic Smoke Thieves trilogy, the world has erupted into all-out war. King Aloysius is mining powerful demon smoke and using it to fuel an unstoppable army of children. March, now banished for treason, has joined up with this boy army. Forbidden from ever seeing Edyon again, and overwhelmed by his own betrayal, March no longer cares if he lives or dies.
Catherine–now queen of Pitoria–must find a way to defeat the boy army, while also grappling with her own troubles: her secret demon smoke addiction, and unresolved tension with her former lover, Ambrose. Catherine seeks military support from Calidor by reaching out to her illegitimate cousin Edyon, who has been proclaimed heir to the Calidorian throne. But Edyon has almost no power as he’s entangled in the unfamiliar machinations and manipulations of the royal court, finding that being the claimed son of a prince may be no easier than being a bastard.
With Catherine, his love, now married off and moving on, and his brother and sister tortured and executed before him, Ambrose doesn’t know what his role in this world is any more. He leads an expedition into the demon world, hoping to destroy the boy army’s stores of demon smoke. In this underground world, he runs into Tash, whom everyone had believed dead. She has survived in this new world using magical abilities that, prior to now, only demons had.
Aloysius will send his demon smoke-powered boy army to kill them all, if he can. But what nobody knows is that there is more to the smoke than meets the eye.

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GOD OF MISCHIEF (GODS OF ASGARD BOOK 1) by Melody Rose

When I woke up this morning, I never expected Loki, yes that Loki, the God of Mischief to throw me over his shoulder and carry me back to Asgard to be his… well… You know…And that’s not the worst of it. Now, I’m surrounded by other Norse gods and every single one of them wants a piece of me. And the craziest thing?
The absolute most insane thing? I think I might be falling for them. Yes, Them… plural Then again, this is probably why my shrink says I’m crazy, but jokes on him. Asgard is real

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THE SOLACE OF SHARP CLAWS: SEASON OF THE WOLF (FAE GUARDIANS BOOK 2) by Lana Percherczyk

Sharp claws keep you safe. That’s the brutal lesson Thorne learned as a young wolf-shifter. Abandoned as a child, singled out by an evil uncle, and then forced to work for the ruthless Order of the Well, Thorne’s anger was a weapon as much as his claws. Now a vicious Fae Guardian, he hunts monsters, the human enemy, and anything that gets in his way. On a mission to find his missing mentor, Thorne finds himself suddenly mated to Laurel, a beautiful, driven, but damaged human awoken from a time long since past. A forced marriage is something neither of them want. But everything they need. Spending time with her teaches him that arm’s length might not be a good thing. Learning to love will mean scratching the surface of both their souls, revealing truths more painful than any wound. If he can get past the hurt, the pain, and the pride, Thorne will find a new use for his claws… to bury deep and never let her go. But when a dark figure from Laurel’s past catches up with her, it’s not Thorne’s claws in question. It’s hers. If he can’t stop her from exacting bitter revenge, she’ll cost him the safety of his mentor and perhaps trigger a war. If he can learn to put his angry past behind him, open his heart and trust new friends, he just might be rewarded with more than an advantage in their ongoing war. He’ll find love.

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COWBOY BEAR TRIPLETS (BILLIONAIRE BEAR RANCHER BROTHERS BOOK 6) by Maia Starr

Jacob, Jonathan, and Frances are three alpha bear shifters who kidnapped Jenny to keep her safe. They needed to save her from her wolf shifter ex. All three men are obsessed with Jenny, wanting to claim her as their mate. The bears within them are losing control. They have always done everything together, including owning one of the franchises of Ursa ranches. But sharing Jenny isn’t something they want to do. They brought her to their ranch to protect her, and Jenny fell for them hard and fast. She knew she’d have to pick one of them. Jenny regrets being in love with them. She feels as though she didn’t learn the first time around. But now, there’s a bigger problem to deal with than what’s in her heart. Her wolf shifter ex is back and the three men need to defeat him. But how will they react when they find out that she has run away?

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JUMP INTO NOWHERE (BACK IN TIME BOOK 9) by Susan Leigh Carlton

Time travel and love make a strange mix. Caleb doesn’t have much, but after a freak accident, he wakes up in Virginia City, Nevada…in 1870! With the help of beautiful Beth Pinckney and her family, he has to adjust to life in the Wild West. Though she’s an orphan, Beth has a good life with her adopted family. When she meets a handsome stranger, her compassionate nature kicks in to offer him a hand. Can they find love or will Caleb’s insecurities keep them apart?

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DRAGON PRINCE’S LIBRARIAN (ROYAL DRAGONS OF ALASKA BOOK 2) by Elva Birch

An offer too good to be true – After an international secret service stole her thesis and all the copies of the document it was based on, Tania thought nothing could surprise her. Her health is failing, she’s lost her job at the library, and there are seven messages on her phone from her mother that she has no intention of listening to. Then a gorgeous prince claiming to be a dragon shifter shows up on her doorstep and offers not only to whisk her off to Alaska and marry her, but also to wash her dishes. Don’t happy ever afters like that only happen in the books she loves?
A confusion of crowns – Rian doesn’t know how Tania got an unaltered copy of the Small Kingdoms’ secret Compact, or why she’s been tapped to be a queen when one of his brothers has already found his mate and claimed the crown, but he’s absolutely sure that she’s his perfect partner in every way. He just has to convince her that magic is real, that Alaska needs a queen with a cane, that she’s stronger than she knows, and that he loves her, while keeping her safe from a mysterious figure who seems determined to steal the Compact and destroy the kingdom.

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MURDER WITHOUT MERCY (WITCHES OF KEYHOLE LAKE SOUTHERN MYSTERIES BOOK 12) by Tegan Maher 

What’s a spring festival without a murder? For a hundred years, Keyhole Lake’s spring festival has drawn people from all over the south, and this year’s no exception. Historically, though, some have been better than others for Noelle and crew. This year, she’s hoping for the best. She and Hunter are newly engaged, her powers are leveling out, and life is good – at least until a woman turns up murdered in the fortune teller’s tent. The case takes a turn for the strange when Hunter discovers she’s an heiress that was reported missing three years ago. Once word gets out, “beloved” family members start crawling out of the woodwork, and the situation goes from strange to downright nerve-wracking when the woman’s ghost shows up and starts pointing fingers.

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MAGNAR (THE WOLVES OF CLAN SUTHERLAND BOOK 1) by Mary Morgan

Known as the Barbarian, Magnar MacAlpin is a fierce ruler for those under his command. As leader of the Wolves of Clan Sutherland, his loyalty and obedience lies with Scotland. However, the king’s last demand is not something Magnar will tolerate. After Elspeth Gunn’s brother the Chieftain of Castle Steinn is murdered, she flees with her nephew, and finds safety amongst a band of men who are rumored to be part wolf. When the king forces her to wed a heathen Northman, she fears losing her heart and soul not only to the man, but the beast as well. In order to restore peace to a shattered clan, Magnar and Elspeth travel a treacherous path that challenges their beliefs. When evil seeks to destroy ancient traditions, will Magnar be compelled to restrain his wolf or allow him free to protect those he loves?

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THE KING’S SEER by L S Bethel

VS Note: From the end of July…

Wake up. Check. Take shower. Check. Get car fixed. check. End up in an ancient feudal society where kings and warlords run the show. Wait. What?Serenity has no idea how she ended up in this place or how to get back home. She’s already made enemies of the most powerful men in the country and the threat of death is a very real concern. The only thing she’s got going for her is her very confusing yet strangely prophetic dreams and a powerless prince who thinks she’s insane. All Serenity wants is to make her way home, but fate has other plans.

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SEASON OF THE WOLF (THE LEGEND OF ALL WOLVES BOOK 4) by Maria Vale

For Alpha Evie Kitwanasdottir, things are never easy. The Great North Pack has just survived a deadly attack. Evie is determined to do whatever is necessary to keep her Pack safe, especially from the four Shifters who are their prisoners. Constantine lost his parents and his humanity on the same devastating day. He has been a thoughtless killer ever since. When Constantine is moved to live under Evie’s watchful eye, he discovers that taking directions and having a purpose are not the same thing. Each moment spent together brings new revelations to Constantine, who begins to understand the loneliness of being Alpha. He finds strength and direction in helping Evie, but there is no room for a small love in the Pack, so Constantine must work harder than ever to prove to Evie he is capable of a love big enough for the Great North Pack itself.

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FROZEN IN TIME: ONLY TIME WILL TELL (WOMEN OF TIME COLLECTION BOOK 11) by Crystal North

Imagine walking up the aisle on your wedding day, with nothing but a sense of dread…Soraya doesn’t have to imagine that scenario, she’s living it. Having caught her fiancé cheating on her minutes before the ceremony, she desperately prays for a way out. But she never expects to get her wish. Thanks to a wacky best friend and a magical gift, Soraya finds herself transported to a different moment in time. There she becomes the unlikely tool to bring four lost and feuding souls back together. But messing with time can be dangerous, with catastrophic results. Can they find a way to break the spells that bind them? Can love set them free? If it does, will they even want to leave? Or will they remain frozen in the moment forever? Only time will tell.

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MOODY AND THE BEAST (SHADOWVALE BOOK 4) by Kristen Painter

Shadowvale isn’t your typical small town America. The sun never shines, the gates decide who enters, magic abounds, and every resident bears some kind of curse.
Exiled king of the goblins, Robin Gallow, has no choice but to live in Shadowvale. That was the deal he made with his ex-wife and current queen of the goblins in exchange for the antidote to the poison she gave him. Now, the town has become his prison and his world is closing in on him. It’s enough to drive a man insane.
Theodora “Moody” Middlebright wants nothing to do with Shadowvale or the royal beast she’s about to spend the next year of her life with. But her father owes the man a debt and he’s too unwell to pay it himself. So Theo has come in his stead. Doesn’t mean she’s one bit happy about it. But then Theo hasn’t been happy about anything since her mother died.
Turns out, Theo’s sharp wit and brash attitude are the breath of fresh air Robin didn’t know he needed, and the two somehow hit it off. But when his trust issues and her secrets collide, their budding feelings for each other are threatened with extinction.
Can Robin learn to trust a woman who’s kept her true identity hidden her whole life? Will it even matter if Theo thinks he’s the beast everyone believes him to be? Or will love give them both a brand new start?

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CRESCENT MOON MANOR (THE ELEMENTAL TOUCH SERIES BOOK 1) by Kat Blak

Being a single mother is hard, especially when all your family is dead. After a reckless night of drinking and a pity party for one, I may have taken a few sexy men to bed. Seven years later, after losing my job and our house, I found a job advertised in a local paper for a live-in cleaner. Everything was going perfectly, until strange incidents started happening around the manor. My daughter is experiencing distressing symptoms, unlike anything I have seen before. Trying to juggle my daughter, the job, and the men that live in the manor, I truly believe I may have bitten off more than I can chew.

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HER BROKEN ALPHA by Isoellen

Naya was a good girl. She never argued or fussed, even when an archaic society demanded she choose a husband and marry. She had done everything right… Hadn’t she? So how did she end up here, in the hell they called Sector 2? Stolen from her home in the dead of night and thrown at the feet of a man that people only dared speak of in whispers, everything has gone horribly wrong in the blink of an eye. Treachery brought them together, but fate would see them bound. There was no escaping this crumbling kingdom once the mad monster set his mind, and his heart, on her.

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THE PLATINUM DRAGON’S MATE (SHIFTER DADS BOOK 6) by Zoe Chant

A woman whose world is crumbling beneath her feet…Single mom and red dragon shifter Sage is working as hard as she can to keep her clan alive. But with a dangerous, dictatorial leader, a tiny camp in the woods, and dwindling numbers, it’s a daunting job. She just wants her daughter to grow up safe and happy. Is that so much to ask? It seems like it might be—until she meets her mate. …and a man who’s determined to save it for her. Dragon shifter and doctor Reid has always kept himself under tight control. He lives alone, works hard, and always thinks before he speaks. Until he meets Sage. Reid has never imagined the kind of fiery, protective passion his mate awakens in him. Sage has never known the joy, laughter, and safety she could find with Reid by her side. Together, they’ll learn that the world is full of promise and potential, and their family can conquer it all.

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FAMILIAR WITH THE WARLOCK (STANDALONE TALES BOOK 14) by Viola Grace

Maven tried to help a friend, ended up being diverted by a warlock and familiar. Don’t worry, they only want her for her body. Maven is a good friend, so when she gets a text for a ride home, she goes to the private party and slips into the manor, looking for her acquaintance. What she finds shocks her into trying to leave, but a warlock and his familiar detain her in the kitchen while the guests are cleared out with memories wiped.
The huge cat turns into a charming man, and the warlock is covered in angry shadows. When they look her over, they find something that she didn’t know she had—sex magic. Olmin and Argo are charming, flirtatious, and determined. They have found a source of magical power to light a beacon that they have been working on for hundreds of years, and now, they have a chance with Maven’s cooperation. After being used for their project, she tries to return to a normal life, but a large cat continues to curl up with her in bed, and she was never one to ignore a pair of fluffy ears and silky fur. Her life has just gotten tremendously complicated.

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INFERNO: A DARK KINGS NOVEL by Donna Grant

 I knew what I wanted. And nothing was going to stop me. King of Dragon Kings. Driven, ruthless, shrewd. The weight of survival for Constantine and his brethren has pushed him to set aside his own yearnings—for now. He’s the most powerful of all Dragon Kings, and Con will stop at nothing to destroy anyone who dares to threaten his existence.
For years, Con has hidden his pain—his desperation—for there is one smoldering beauty that he craves above all else, even if he feels he doesn’t deserve her. However, his enemies are at every corner. There is no one left to trust. But none of that matters anymore: There is only one thing that Con wants. With this one woman by his side, he can fight for the freedom of his fellow men-in-arms. All Con has to do is get her to surrender her heart…and be his for all time.

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THORN OF ROSE: A BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ROMANCE (FAIRY TALE ROYALS BOOK 2)  by Emily Deady

With her father deathly ill, Isabel Bielsa throws herself into their mutual passion: bookbinding. Hiding in the library also allows her to avoid the unwanted attentions of the local self-absorbed noblemen. But, there is only so many times one can read the same book. When the governing council demands her father’s skills she happily goes in his stead. However, her new library assignment is far from private. Prince Aden of Iseldis, cursed into the form of a beast, keeps interrupting her work. With his idealistic standards and comfortable self-righteousness, she sees him as just another man besotted by her beauty. That is, until Isabel discovers that his curse has also affected his eyesight.  As her feelings for him grow, Isabel nears the end of her assignment. Can she break Aden’s curse before the magical attacker comes back to finish him off for good?

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ANCIENT ENEMY (ANCIENTS RISING BOOK 2) by Katie Reus

She should be his mortal enemy. Ancient dragon shifter Rhys awoke from his slumber hungry for revenge against the witch who killed his sister. When his hunt takes him to the rebuilding city of New Orleans, he finds a woman he can’t keep his eyes off—but she’s a witch. While Rhys wants to despise all of Dallas’s kind, even he can’t deny that she’s beautiful, kind and…adorable. And her pet baby dragon only increases his fascination with the sexy woman. Protective instincts he never knew he had take over him as they hunt powerful monsters. He’s forced to confront everything he thought he knew about witches as his life is turned upside down.
But he wants her anyway. Dallas Kinley is used to being hated because of what she is. Witches have always been the pariahs of the supernatural community. Until now, when the world needs rebuilding. Even though she wants to keep her distance from Rhys, vampires and humans are dying in New Orleans, so she vows to help him hunt down those responsible. But finding the enemy comes at a heavy price, because Dallas is hiding a terrible secret. As they race against the clock to find the murderers, she can only hope his need for revenge won’t rip them apart. Especially when he finds out what she’s been hiding from him.

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TRUSTING THE BETRAYED (ROGUE DRAGONS BOOK 1) by Emilia Hartley

Casey has a job to do, and it doesn’t involve going to battle for a pixie of a woman with ever-changing hair and a violent ex. He doesn’t have time to meet new women. His clan leader has sent him and a couple of other misfits to retrieve his heir from the little mountain hamlet where the man has been hiding out for weeks. He must convince his once best friend to come back home—or drag him back if it comes to that—before their leader decides to put them both down. Casey knows he shouldn’t be wasting time rescuing damsels in distress in the produce section of the grocery store. But he can’t help it. And the more he tells himself it can’t be permanent, the more he wants the ethereal creature he met between the pomegranates and the bananas.
Evangeline’s grandfather raised her and taught her how to make a living as an artist—by inking her designs on people’s skin. He would be so proud of her for opening her own shop—and for finally dumping her abusive boyfriend. If the scumbag hadn’t stolen her grandfather’s ring, she’d never see him again. As it is, she meets him in public to demand he return her property, but when he shows up, she only escapes him…(more blurb on ebook seller page…)

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PRIMA (VANGUARDS BOOK 6) by Annie Nicholas

VS Note: A re-release

Sugar’s choice. As a human, she’s survived falling in love with a powerful vampire, a wolf pack takeover of her city, and even a werewolf attack on her home. The last one left her broken though. Paralyzed on the left side, Sugar fights for her independence in her day-to-day life. Her worst injury, the scars on her soul, has her pushing everyone away. Especially her vampire lover, Daedalus. How could he still love her when she is just a shadow of herself? She has always refused offers to become vampire or shifter, and to everyone’s dismay, her disabilities haven’t changed her mind. It’s her choice. Then the vampire council sends an emissary to Daedalus that changes everything. His clan brother, another Nosferatu, hands him an ultimatum. Return to his post as Prime or he’ll kill Sugar and her shifter friends. Daedalus has brought enough trouble into Sugar’s life. He won’t be responsible for more violence, so he agrees to leave Chicago. This new threat smacks some sense into Sugar. She’s going to lose Daedalus if she doesn’t take control of her destiny. So, she insists on accompanying him to his vampire nest. A place filled with danger and where she is prey. Can Sugar protect Daedalus’ back, especially precariously balanced with a cane, from the intrigue surrounding him on his arrival home?

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ENCHANT THE NIGHT by Amanda Ashley

In the arms of a centuries-old vampire, a woman awakens to newfound passion—and magical powers of her own.  
Hungarian vampires are born, not made—and can breed with mortal females. Being one of the oldest of his kind, Quill Falconer has honed his skills at hunting just the right kind of prey, which is why his latest victim confounds him. She shouldn’t remember his drinking her blood. And he shouldn’t still be craving more . . .Callie Hathaway’s life is as normal as it can be after the death of the beloved grandmother who raised her. Until one night, feeling foggy and fatigued, she realizes that a strangely sensual encounter with a dark, handsome man didn’t occur only in her imagination. As Callie and Quill’s unique connection draws them together, an ancient order of knights seeks Quill’s destruction. Being together puts Callie in mortal danger—until she uncovers a magical family legacy. Side by side they’ll fight for survival, and for each other, as the brotherhood of vampire hunters gather for one final showdown.

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BILLIONAIRE BEAR’S NANNY (FIRE BEARS BOOK 3) by Alicia Banks

Pearl – Surprisingly, the most gorgeous billionaire on the planet gave me the job. And I started to fall in love with my boss immediately, while lying about my past. He is strong, powerful, and is known to be extremely reserved. My legs wobbles, every time he is around. He is very protective but also unpredictable at times. He is too rude and dominant but I have seen desire in his eyes. My past will never let us be in peace. I must stay hidden, to keep everyone safe.
The monster from my past haunts me, and I can’t let him tear down the man I love. It is hard for me to stay away from him, but I have to… just to keep him safe.
Rio – I was known to be a vicious fighter, until the birth of my niece, Laura. I killed her father and now I was forced to hire a nanny for her. After lots of efforts I finally ended up hiring an inexperienced nanny. Even though she was not experienced, she was a good distraction for a while. She gets nervous when I am around and I love that. Looking into her eyes, bear inside me desires to take her. The way I feel doesn’t make any sense. When I look at her, I want her.
When I am with her, I feel strangely happy and content. She has been hiding something since the beginning. Laura is in danger only because of her. And I had already warned her that I will destroy her if something happens to Laura.
Will the most powerful alpha werewolf, destroy the woman he loves?

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BLOOD OF ZEUS BOOK ONE by Meredith Wild and Angel Payne

The only thing worse than being a demon is being a Valari. As an undergraduate at Los Angeles’s Alameda University, Kara Valari can sometimes succeed at forgetting she’s both. Lost between the pages of the classics and tucked into the shadows of lecture halls, she can dodge the paparazzi’s lenses as well as her family’s publicized dramas—not to mention their private expectations. She has one more year to feed her true passions. Then she’ll be expected to fulfill a much darker destiny.
Cursed with inexplicable strength and godlike stature, literature professor Maximus Kane knows all about darkness. Every day he’s reminded of the missteps of his childhood and the devastating consequences they’ve had on those dearest to him. To atone, Maximus spends his nights alone and his days submerged in the quiet life of academia. His existence has become a study in control, and he’s become a master at it—until Kara Valari walks into his toughest course. Viscerally, Kara’s everything he craves. Logically, she’s everything he rejects. She’s a starlet of privilege. She’s also a student. And after one touch, he can’t deny that she’s awakened something in him that may never go dormant. Nothing about her makes sense, but everything about her feels right. Especially in the deepest strands of his DNA, which are still shadows of mystery to him—a mystery Kara seems determined to uncover. She’s Hollywood royalty. She’s forbidden fruit. And he’s pretty sure she could be the answer to everything.

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MY WARRIOR (BEWITCHED AND BEWILDERED BOOK 12) by Alanea Alder

Ari Lionhart is the youngest warrior in Èire Danu, yet despite his lack of years, he is trusted by the queen’s consort Brennus to act as the unit leader for every unit in the fae city. He works hard at balancing his life between being a unit warrior and being a Lionhart, and secretly fears he is failing at both. With a genius politician for a father and two older brothers that are shining examples of what it means to be a warrior and an Elder, how can he possibly try to do both with any degree of success.
When their city unexpectedly faces tragedy after tragedy, and a vote of No Confidence is brought before the queen on how these things are being handled, and Ari finds himself facing his greatest fear, failure.
Brie Wilson has been a Deputy Sheriff in Monroe for years. She loves the small town of her birth and the laid back atmosphere that makes it a wonderful and safe place to live. But even small towns have their own quirks and problems. Outside a few exceptions at the station, she pushes daily for her efforts to be recognized by the men on the force. Still smarting over her last break up where her ex likened her to a man, she decides the safest route is to stick to herself and never get her heart broken again.
When these two selfless warriors find one another can they learn to lean on one another before the body count escalates? What does it say about them when it’s easier to face murder than the deepening feelings growing between them?

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TWILIGHT CROOK (FLIRTING WITH MONSTERS BOOK 2) by Eva Chase

While helping the trio of sexy-as-sin monsters who followed me home, I lost my apartment, my sense of security, and more blood than was really healthy. Somehow my new lovers make me feel like I’ve gotten the better part of the bargain. Unfortunately, their newly-rescued boss isn’t so keen on humans. I get the feeling he’d rather rend me limb from limb than give me the time of day. Too bad for him my mortal skills are just too useful to toss aside. After all, we’ve still got a conspiracy of monster-torturing psychos to destroy. But between crushing Bossypants’s tests and tracking down dirt on our enemies, the most unsettling thing I’ve encountered might be what’s lurking under my skin. I contain powers no human is meant to wield. What does that make me? I have no idea, but figuring out how to tap into my supernatural side may be my only chance to avenge the woman who raised me and so many who’ve been murdered since. And the one thing I am sure of? This crook doesn’t back down.

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VS: REMINDER: Pets in Space 5 is up for pre-order now! My novel in the collection is STAR CRUISE: RETURN VOYAGE…

PETS IN SPACE® 5 ANTHOLOGY BLURB:

It’s time for an escape! Pets in Space® 5 is back for the fifth amazing year! Escape to new worlds with twelve of today’s top Science Fiction Romance authors. They have written 12 original, never-before-released stories filled with action, adventure, suspense, humor, and romance that will take you out of this world. The giving doesn’t stop there. For the fifth year, Pets in Space® will be donating a portion of the first month proceeds to Hero-Dogs.org, a non-profit charity that supports our veterans and First Responders. If you are ready to forget the world around you and make a difference while you are having fun, grab your copy before it’s gone!

Release Date: October 6th, 2020

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2BRiWxU

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pets-Space-5-SE-Smith-ebook/dp/B08F2XF73Q/

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Pets-Space-5-SE-Smith-ebook/dp/B08F2XF73Q/

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Pets-Space-5-SE-Smith-ebook/dp/B08F2XF73Q/

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/pets-in-space-5

Apple Books: https://apple.co/30maDUg

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pets-in-space-5-s-e-smith/1137421518?ean=2940162669395

GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/SE_Smith_Pets_in_Space_5?id=AGH0DwAAQBAJ&hl=en

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LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica:

August 19

August 12

August 5

July 29

July 22

J“New” is generally plus or minus a week or two. I try to catch up on ones I missed in recent months.  And I may mention ‘special items’.

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 by hand 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.

She’s Just Tired Weekend Writing Warriors

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!)

May be edited a bit from published version.

The excerpt: I’ve jumped ahead. The child and her nanny spent the night at the clinic and this is the next morning. The clinic clerk is speaking as Saffia arrives.

“The Fremington-Ulms have already left three messages, wanting to know when they can send a driver to pick up the girl and the nanny and lift off.”

“I was hoping to be in the office before the parents got impatient. They must really be driven to make it to wherever their next event is happening.”  Saffia kept walking, going past the desk and heading into the office wing. She’d checked with Warby twice during the evening and again this morning when she got up and was relieved to hear Liddy had enjoyed a quiet night, with lessening symptoms. After taking a few minutes to get herself organized, she headed for the girl’s room, finding her sitting up and eating a hearty breakfast, sent over by the diner, which had a contract with the clinic. Liddy seemed much refreshed and cheerful.

“Wow, are you having any food with the syrup?” Saffia asked with a laugh as she surveyed the breakfast tray, “Your stomach must be doing better.”

Liddy tossed her hair and finished chewing a huge bite of the pancakes, “I feel great, Dr. Mandell. You made me all better—I want to be a doctor like you when I grow up,” She took a big swallow of juice.

VS Note: And the rest of the moment:

Saffia scanned the data on the sensor panels, “No fever, congestion clearing, heart rate normal, you’ve been a model patient, exactly the kind a doctor wants to have.” She checked Mifura, “You’re looking even more tired today.  I can have the nurse come sit with Liddy while she finishes her meal, and I can give you a quick exam if you’d like.”

“Thank you, but I’m fine.” The nanny sat up straighter. “I didn’t sleep too well in the portable bed here. But Liddy slept through—she didn’t even wake up completely when the night nurse checked on her. Once we get back to the ship and I can finally get a good night’s sleep in my own bed again, since the crisis is past, I’ll be fine. But thank you. Are we free to leave then? My employers are most anxious to leave orbit.”

VS note: Dum de dum dum (ominous music)…the nurse isn’t feeling well….more to come…

The blurb: Newly graduated from a prestigious interstellar medical school, Dr. Saffia Mandell has been assigned to the Haven Two colony on the galaxy’s outer rim as the only doctor for some 2000 human residents. She’s counting the days until her five years there is up, trying to adjust to rural living after life in the crowded Inner Sectors and fighting her attraction to Chief Ranger Micah Navonn. She’s dreading the upcoming tourist season when the rich and pampered will descend on the planet for the scenic wonders and novel sports opportunities and no doubt inundate her little clinic but the colony depends on the seasonal income to survive.

As the senior official for his people, the Calinurra, the indigenous inhabitants of Haven Two, Micah enforces the treaty, regulates the tourist permits, patrols the forests and resists his fascination with Dr. Mandell. He never expected to be involved with a human woman and doesn’t want to believe in the concept of a fated mate. He wants to keep his life simple and isn’t ready for any long term commitment. Besides Saffia keeps proclaiming she’ll be leaving when her appointment is up in four and a half years so why should he risk his heart?

Then a ship arrives unexpectedly carrying a very ill little girl and soon the deadly virus is spreading through Haven Two. The colony authorities are desperate to cover up the problem to preserve the all-important tourist season and Saffia and Micah have to work together to battle the outbreak, the local administration and their undeniable feelings for each other.

Can the colony survive? And will Micah and Saffia be able to move past their fears about entanglements to act on the mutual attraction?

An 87K word novel of the far future…

Amazon      Apple Books      Kobo      Nook      Google Play

 

New Releases in #SciFi #Fantasy and Paranormal Romance for Wednesday AUGUST 19

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).

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IZZIE AND THE ICE BEAST (ALIEN ABDUCTION BOOK 9) by Honey Phillips

A jaded alien gladiator. A heroine who won’t give in. A battle worth winning. After a fatal mistake drives Baralt away from his world, he has to rely on his fighting skills to survive. Despite his success in the arena, he grows increasingly tired of violence – until a soft, beautiful human female gives him a reason to fight. With no one but herself to rely on, Izzie has managed to overcome all of the obstacles life has thrown at her. But being abducted and sold by aliens may be the one challenge she can’t defeat. When a massive, furred alien comes to her rescue, she has no reason to trust him. And yet this strangely appealing warrior could be her only hope. Determined to protect Izzie, Baralt is forced to return to the one place he vowed never to go – his home planet – only to find it facing its own threat. Can Baralt and Izzie work together to help his people, make peace with the past, and find the home they both want?

Amazon

CAPTURED BY THE ALIEN WARRIOR (WARRIORS OF AGRON BOOK 1) by Hope Hart

Just when I thought my life couldn’t get worse, I was abducted by aliens. Now, I’m pretty sure I must be dying. Because only a vicious head injury could make me believe I’m actually flying through the air, trapped between a dragon’s claws.  Oh, and the dragon? He can talk. And he has all kinds of arrogant, ludicrous, and deranged things to say. Like the fact that he thinks he may just keep me. But this dragon? he doesn’t know what type of woman he’s messing with. Cause I’ve already made a vow to never again end up trapped by a man. Even if that man swears he would give up his wings for me.

Amazon

OBSIDIAN (ELEMENTAL MATES BOOK 3) by Miranda Bridges and Kyra Snow

I’m at an alien auction. But I’m the one being sold. When I woke up and took in my surroundings, I knew I was in deep trouble. From the way the aliens eyed me, to the silks draped on everything, including me, it wasn’t hard to believe I was in a brothel. What I didn’t count on was it being upscale. Apparently, there is a high demand for entertainment across the galaxies and humans are rare. I would think that’s a good thing, but it’s not. As the bidding price goes higher and higher, so does my anxiety levels. Who knows what my buyer is going to expect from me, but I can guarantee it’s nothing I’d do willingly. Until I meet Castien. Not only does he save me, but he promises to reunite me with my friends. The only problem is that he makes no apology as he tries to seduce me. Now, all the things required of me at the brothel are coming to the forefront of my mind and it’s not hard to play the part as his lover.
I just need to make sure that I’m still acting by the time we part ways or I’ll belong to him. And the currency in which he buys me with won’t be money this time. It will be my heart.

Amazon

PLANETARY ANTHOLOGY SERIES: MARS by Various

VS Note: Not romance.

Mars. The Red Planet. Bringer of war, the God of war itself. The planet that gave birth to the modern era of science fiction when H.G. Wells gazed upon the red light in the night sky and envisioned an army gathering upon its plains to invade our world. These are the stories of Mars. Stories of adventure, conflict and war.

Amazon

THE ALIEN PIRATES’ TREASURE (STAR PIRATES BOOK 1) by Charity Wells and Harpie Alexa

They never expected to rescue a human from a terrible fate. And she never expected her life to be shanghaied by alien pirates and pregnancy…They most certainly weren’t supposed to fall in love! Polly always dreamed of a simple life. A job she enjoyed, and a loving family to call her own. But when she wakes in a lab, pregnant and surrounded by terrifying viktoids, her dreams turn to nightmares. It’s obvious her captors want something from her. Time is running out and she needs to escape…but how? Cal’ek and Va’naar, love fighting greed and corruption one raid at a time, but soon it will all be over. Their lives are promised to another. An arranged mating contract leaves them legally bound to a greedy, self-centered female. Unhappy with their future mate, they delay their trip home for one final attack on a galactic enemy; the viktoids. Retrieving the life saving serum for a dying colony was part of the plan, finding a pregnant female aboard was not. Ca’lek and Va’naar can’t admit the sweet female entices their mating heats, not when giving in to their desires would spell disaster for their entire family. But the powerful tension between the trio is rising. If only they had met sooner. Living with pirates is more frustrating than Polly expected. The handsome males claim they are promised to another, yet the heat in their eyes says otherwise. Why did it take an abduction to find the males her heart desires?

Amazon

STAR CROSSED: JIT’SUKU CHRONICLES (SONS OF AMBER BOOK 3) by Bianca D’Arc

A warrior-priest is the only one who can heal a failing empire…Newly crowned Emperor of all jit’suku, Tigh has come back from self-imposed exile as a warrior monk on the sacred mountain. He had given up his claim to the throne in favor of his beloved brother, and turned his back on worldly things. Tigh would never know what had driven his brother to the madness of releasing a biological weapon on the humans, but the fact that it turned on its creators and came back to the jit’suku to deal out untold death, mostly among their precious female population, would forever stain Tigh’s memories of his twin.
A starship captain with famous ancestry and a killer reputation…They call her Valkyrie for the way she swoops into battle and usually saves the day. After losing her beloved ship in an ambush that almost cost the Valkyrie and her crew their lives, Captain Gineva Starbridge is cooling her heels at headquarters, waiting for a new assignment, when the Emperor shows up, in person, looking to broker peace.
For every warrior, there is only one woman who is his true mate… When Tigh sees Ginny across the crowded audience chamber where he has come to make an unorthodox proposal to unite their two ravaged peoples, he can scarcely believe his fortune. Could she be the one woman meant for him? He had come before the human Council, on his knees, to offer his hand in marriage to any human female that would help him in his quest to forge a lasting peace. But, when he sees Ginny, he knows she is the only woman who will do. Can they navigate a rocky road, with enemies on both sides plotting against them, to unite two warring cultures, into one lasting peace?

Amazon      Apple Books

CUT OFF by Adrianne Finlay

VS Note: Of course I one clicked this one…

Each contestant has their own reasons—and their own secrets—for joining the new virtual reality show CUT/OFF that places a group of teenagers alone in the wilderness. It’s a simple premise: whoever lasts the longest without “tapping out” wins a cash prize. Not only that, new software creates a totally unprecedented television experience, allowing viewers to touch, see, and live everything along with the contestants. But what happens when “tapping out” doesn’t work and no one comes to save you? What happens when the whole world seemingly disappears while you’re stranded in the wild? Four teenagers must confront their greatest fears, their deepest secrets, and one another when they discover they are truly cut off from reality. Sci-fi, mystery, and romance converge in this high-stakes, fast-paced read that will leave you guessing to the very last moment.

Amazon      Apple Books

CADE: THE BOUNDARYLANDS OMEGAVERSE: M/F ALPHA OMEGA ROMANCE by Callie Rhodes

Welcome to the Boundarylands. A place where the only way to know your true nature is to feel the touch of an Alpha. Omegas may be rare, but every woman knows their fates are hellish—held captive, broken, mated, knotted, and bred. Emily believed every word of that warning. She gave up on happiness months ago when a silly game turned into a life sentence as a violent alpha’s mate. Now the best she can hope for is a quick end to her suffering.
But then a chance encounter changes everything. Suddenly, there’s an alpha who is willing to fight for her—Cade.
He says he wants her just the way she is. That he’s willing to battle all her demons—real and imagined—if it means he can claim the title of her alpha. But, deep down, Emily can’t help but wonder if she’s just trading one nightmare for another, even though the fire that Cade’s touch ignites makes her feel more alive than ever before.

Amazon

LOVE AND CHAOS: A DYSTOPIAN FF ROMANCE by Poppy Woods

The second collapse changed the world forever. Cris has spent her entire life in her Tribe. Safe from the pollution that still clings to more populated areas, they grow crops to sell in the Cities, they hunt for their meat, and they take care of their own. Their rural way of life ensures the politics of the Cities doesn’t reach them. Until one day, it does. Like all orphans, Love Ward was conscripted into the Venus Guard as a child. She has done her best to take the opportunity and make it into a career, something she can be proud of. The Venus Guard is her family. But the New Republic has secrets, the kind of secrets that can get a low-ranking officer like Love reassigned and even killed if she’s not careful.
When chaos erupts around them, the two women find themselves at odds but with only each other to rely on. Their shared past and the growing attraction between them can only serve as a distraction as they fight for their lives. Can a guard from the Cities and a girl from the Tribes expose the New Republic’s dirty secrets? Can they change their world without losing their lives—or their hearts?

Amazon

THE ASSASSIN (REUNION TRILOGY BOOK 2) by Imogene Nix

Kumi Ito has her mission, as does Carmichael Snow, but are their objectives compatible? Kumi Ito is a woman with a problem. Since assuming the role of head of the Commerce Department, she’s found discrepancies…the kind that could cause anarchy if the truth got out. When Carmichael Snow, the commander of the Emancipation, comes across intelligence that someone has placed a hit on Kumi, he has to save her. His plan? Hide her and find the assassin. As they dodge the killer, a passion ignites between them that runs from simmering all the way to steamy. But will the actions of one snatch away their happiness before they can accept what is growing between them?

Amazon

NOUMENON ULTRA: A NOVEL by Marina J Lostetter  

VS Note: Not a romance but a scifi release of note. I have this series on my TBR List.

Deep in the heart of an alien mountain range, I.C.C. has lain dormant, its ships silent, for eons. Now, after one hundred thousand years, the AI is awakening. Someone is roaming the convoy’s halls—someone that isn’t human. This planet, Noumenon—created by the megastructure known as the Web—is too young and brutal to have evolved intelligent life. Its surface is bombarded by unusual meteors. Crystal trees abruptly and violently arise from its bedrock. Its solar system is surrounded by a frightening space-time anomaly. So where did these visitors come from? What do they want? And do the people of Earth, whose ancestors launched Convoy Seven, know they are here?  I.C.C. reaches out to the descendants of its convoy crew to help decipher this primordial riddle. Noumenon was created and seeded by ancient aliens, and clearly their plans for it are unfinished. Together, the AI, the new lifeforms who have awakened it, and the humans will embark on an epic adventure of discovery billions of years in the making.

Amazon      Apple Books

MARK 4003 (ALIEN CYBORG BODYGUARDS BOOK 2) by Corin Cain

700lbs of protective, possessive Cyborg with one need. Keep me safe – whether I like it or not. You don’t make your way to the top of the biggest law firm in the universe by being weak – Alana: I never let my guard down. Every movement is calculated. You have to be on all the time if you want to make it to the top. I go to trillion-dollar meetings with two nine-foot-tall Sentinels at my back. Only, there’s been a hack. The boss assigns me a new bodyguard. One that’s less machine and more… man. I’ve got rules. Don’t trust anyone. Do anything it takes to get to the top. Especially don’t trust men. Fragile masculinity is challenged by a powerful woman. It turns sickly. I know what the men I beat in the boardroom call me behind my backs, and I ignore it. It just shows their insecurities. This… this isn’t any man. He’s a 6’8, 700-pound Alien-Cyborg, and he’s got one goal – keep me safe. I’m not thrilled. He’s a little too protective. A little too possessive. With two huge robots at my back, I look strong. With this man? I’m worried I’ll look weak. I look so small next to him. My carefully crafted reputation could be torn down in a second. That’s not the only thing that worries me…When I’m around him? He makes me want to let down my guard. He makes me want to let go, just for a moment. To feel small, and safe, and protected. He just better be good at following orders…Or we’re going to have a big problem.

Amazon

THE SMUGGLER’S RADIANT (RENEGADES BOOK 2) by L P Peace

A smuggler seeking to change his destiny. An enslaved trader desperate to go home. Can they survive the forces determined to drive them apart? When Rhona is taken from Mars orbit by the infamous alien slave ship The Crucible, she knows she’ll never see her family again. After three hundred years of stolen humans, she has every reason to hate aliens, but when she meets a sexy, horned Kathen, all of her assumptions are overturned. Makios is a male on a mission, or he would be if he hadn’t been taken by slavers. When the beautiful human female he’s falling for is sold to a sadistic Amaran, Makios must save the girl, get on with his mission and help to reshape the their whole sector of space. But with Rhona’s owner determined to recapture his property, can Makios keep the woman he loves safe?

Amazon

PET FOR THE PRIMAL (MATES OF THE PRECURSORS BOOK 1) by Athena Storm and Anne Hale

He says I’m his mate. I say he’s an animal. And to that he just says…”Roar!” Our ship crash landed on an alien planet and for the last three months the surviving humans have been living with alien brutes known as the Drokan. One of these cave-dwelling alien savages seems to think I’m his fated mate. He’s got the horns, the swagger, and a pack of seriously redonk abs. I want to resist just how good this alien beast looks. If I give him any lip, he just lifts me up and throws me over his shoulder to take me where he wants us to go. He’s brave, courageous, and willing to fight for me.
He fights anyone that tries to mess with me. He hunts and keeps me fed. At night he keeps me warm. Then at night…in front of the fire, I wiggle up against him. And that’s when the real fun begins. What can I say? He may be an animal….But this cave beast knows how to bring out the woman in me.

Amazon

BIRD OF PREY: PROJECT F5 BOOK 1 by Jade Waltz

After many years of endless missions, I have been assigned a task that tests my loyalty. My brother is missing, leaving me to hunt for our master’s Nova while I battle against my own heart. I’ve been rejecting Qraniebi’s advances for years. Now, I refuse to believe the feathered male who has always been by our side has betrayed us by orchestrating our friend’s kidnapping. Has my denial to mate with him forced his hand in revenge? Can I prove his innocence once and for all? Will he even want me after he finds out the secret reason for my rejection? In a universe filled with betrayals and secrets, there is no room for love without pain. Bird of Prey is the first novella in a companion side series to Project: Adapt, following along its timeline and does NOT stand alone. Each story will feature a different heroine finding love where they least expect it and enhance the overall universe timeline.

Amazon

WINDWALKER (BEDLAM BOOK 1) by Sabrina Flynn

When Red, the Cat Burglar of Bedlam, breaks into an estate, things don’t go as planned. A man from the sky falls to the ground and begs for help. But more’s at stake than mercy, and Bedlam is soon turned upside down–all for a pair of carpet slippers.

Amazon

ALIEN FREAK (ALIEN ABDUCTORS BOOK 2) by Calista Skye

Averie – I hate this cage. It’s small and cold and it zaps me if I touch the bars. My captor is staring at me from the outside. He’s huge, red and so alien it makes my skin creep. Especially those snake-like scales he has. He looks at me with icy, penetrating eyes. Like I’m a specimen in a lab. There is definitely movement in his pants. I know why.  Aliens really like to get Earth girls pregnant. I hate the cage. But I hate that alien freak even more. If he gives me just a tiny opening, I’ll try to kill him. I can be freaky, too. Zaroc – She’s tiny and round and irresistible. Her frightened scent makes me dizzy. I’m glad I caught her. I can put her to good use. My own species is almost extinct. I will bring it back, using this alien female. It will be a great pleasure. She’s mine now.

Amazon

ASSASSIN’S REDEMPTION (DARK FATES UNIVERSE BOOK 3) by KC Morgan

An assassin…sold into slavery…forged into a gladiator…Isana. Her name was once whispered in fear throughout the galaxy. Until she was betrayed. Betrayed and beaten…forced under their control…As an assassin, she showed no mercy. As a slave, she refused to bow to her oppressors. As a gladiator, she dominated her opponents. Securing her freedom…seeking vengeance…to earn her redemption…Freed from her enslavement, she vows to destroy those who foolishly thought to own her. With the help of four sinful mercenaries, will Isana succeed in her quest for vengeance? Or will she falter in her pursuit of redemption?

Amazon

CAPED AND DANGEROUS (GRUMPY SUPERHEROES BOOK 1) by Isabel Jordan

Being a superhero is not all it’s cracked up to be – Saving the day is sometimes the last thing Greer Glenanne wants to do. But as her city’s official superhero, she really doesn’t have much of a choice. It doesn’t matter that she’s forty-six, grumpy, and annoyed by most of the population. She’ll catch whatever criminals she needs to catch because that’s the gig. Next up on her to-catch list? Killian Morgan. He’s stupid-hot, way too charming for her liking, a decade younger than her, potentially a supervillain…and he flirts with her mercilessly. How’s a superhero supposed to do her job when she can’t seem to keep her mind (and hands) off the bad guy?

Amazon

TO END ALL WARS: A SCIENCE FICTION MYSTERY NOVEL by David Tallerman

VS Note: Not a romance but seemed like a very different concept. From June.

t’s 1916, in the heart of World War I. The eve of the Battle of the Somme. During a perilous night mission in No Man’s Land, Lieutenant Rafael Forrester witnesses a peculiar light followed by a vast explosion. Wounded and delirious, Forrester finds himself shipped home to England, to the country house hospital of Sherston, where he learns he may face a court-martial for the deaths of the men under his command. Yet in the strange environs of Sherston, where any act of rebellion seems impossible, Forrester soon comes to fear for more than his freedom: haunted by hallucinatory dreams of his time at the front, he suspects he may be losing his mind. Little does he realize that Sherston conceals its own incredible secrets. Ones with the potential to change not only the course of the war, but all of human history. Don’t miss this remarkable story of conflict, military service, discovery, and of a force beyond human comprehension. To End All Wars is an otherworldly thriller set during WWI. A mixture between 1917, Shutter Island, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Arrival.

Amazon

A MATE FOR MAX: A XENO SAPIENS NOVEL (GENETICALLY ALTERED HUMANS BOOK 17) by Rena Marks

Max doesn’t need anyone. Not human, nor his own kind, Xeno SapiensAfter all, it was his human mate who dropped him for another. And his Xeno Sapien brother who stabbed him in the back to get her. He certainly doesn’t want to need the flea-infested ragamuffin who wants his help to find his mom. Elena:  Sexy Maximus Xeno Sapien is grumpy, muscled, and large as life. But he saves her from her ex, saves her children—and after being exposed to a dangerous chemical—for a brief, lustful night is hers. Only to forget the next day. But when the drug cycles through his body again, she takes advantage of his crazed desire and makes him hers again. The only thing Elena doesn’t realize is Max doesn’t forget.

Amazon

VIRTUALLY YOURS by Serenity Woods

VS Note: A re-release, new title.

It’s just virtual sex. That’s nothing like the real thing, though… right? Detective Sergeant Dixie Green is on an assignment—to infiltrate Dorsett House, the playboy Virtual adventure playground, have sex in her dreams with a complete stranger, and let it be recorded so she can find out who’s blackmailing the Commissioner of Police. Easy, right? Wrong. Dixie may be sexually frustrated but she’s completely opposed to Virtual sex. However, if she doesn’t accept the assignment, Riley Hannigan, the arrogant Detective Senior Sergeant who stole her promotion and who’s also on the mission, will take all the credit. Dorsett House matches up the customers using its innovative WHISTLE program. It’s only dream sex, Dixie tells herself on the big night. But when her partner turns out to be sexy Riley himself, she realizes she’s about to find out how advanced this new technology is.

Amazon

CURIOSITIES #7 by Various

VS Note: Not romances but I know there are many fans of steampunk here.

Curiosities returns with new steampunk stories of mysterious machines, curios contraptions, mannerly magicks, and tea. Ever so much tea.

Amazon

HER ALIEN REBEL (SALVAGED HEARTS BOOK 2) by Leslie Chase and Juno Wells

A man is the last thing I need in my life, even an intense alien cyborg who sweeps in to help me in a fight. Blue skin, muscles to die for, steely gaze — it doesn’t matter. I don’t want the complications. As the security officer on the Ladies’ Choice, I fight my own battles. I shouldn’t be inviting more trouble in, even if Trouble is a badass with a rock-hard six pack, sexy scars, and a tail that does amazing things to me. Okay, Mykor is tempting. Enough that I consider making an exception for him. Everything about him fits me perfectly… until I discover his implants are forcing him into a mission and will kill him if he fails. A mission to kill a member of my crew. I won’t let him succeed. I can’t let him fail. And Mykor cannot step aside. Somehow, we have to find another option. The only thing we can think of is stupid, risky, and our best hope is that it’s so crazy no one will see it coming. But if it works, we’ll be together. Forever.

Amazon

THE LAST UNCHARTED SKY: BOOK THREE OF THE RISEN KINGDOMS by Curtis Craddock

Isabelle and Jean-Claude undertake an airship expedition to recover a fabled treasure and claim a hitherto undiscovered craton for l’Empire Celeste. But Isabelle, as a result from a previous attack that tried to subsume her body and soul, suffers from increasingly disturbing and disruptive hallucinations. Disasters are compounded when the ship is sabotaged by an enemy agent, and Jean-Claude is separated from the expedition. In a race against time, Isabelle must figure out how to ward off her ailment before it destroys her and reunite with Jean-Claude to seek the fabled treasure as ancient secrets and a royal conspiracy threaten to undo the entire realm.

Amazon      Apple Books

MY LITTLE GREEN GIRLFRIEND by Kimberly Hart and Kim Hartfield

VS Note: From July

When Marsha’s broken teleporter sends her to Earth, her only priority is to get back to civilization. Unfortunately, she has no way to get off this primitive planet or even contact home. Since she’s stuck here indefinitely, she’ll have to make the best of it.
Sophie is surprisingly calm when the beautiful woman wandering the streets says she’s from outer space. Having often felt like an alien herself, she’s determined to help Marsha however possible – even if that means letting the complete stranger move in with her. As Marsha tries to settle in on Earth, Sophie realizes she’s unique in the universe. It’s not just Marsha’s unearthly good looks; Sophie is drawn to her kind and curious nature. Meanwhile, Marsha realizes that even a backwards planet can be home to intelligent life – and that the life form called Sophie is also downright sexy. Will Marsha find her way home? Or will her heart convince her to change her plans?

Amazon

THE JACKAL (BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD: PRISON CAMP BOOK ONE) by J R Ward

The location of the glymera’s notorious prison camp was lost after the raids. When a freak accident provides Nyx clues to where her sister may still be doing time, she becomes determined to find the secret subterranean labyrinth. Embarking on a journey under the earth, she learns a terrible truth—and meets a male who changes everything forever. The Jackal has been in the camp for so long he cannot recall anything of the freedom he once knew. Trapped by circumstances out of his control, he helps Nyx because he cannot help himself. After she discovers what happened to her sister, getting her back out becomes a deadly mission for them both. United by a passion they can’t deny, they work together on an escape plan for Nyx—even though their destiny is to be forever apart. And as the Black Dagger Brotherhood is called upon for help, and Rhage discovers he has a half-brother who’s falsely imprisoned, a devious warden plots the deaths of them all…even the Brothers.

Amazon      Apple Books

BLOOD AND HEXES (AFTER DARKNESS FALLS BOOK 4) by May Sage

Seven names. Seven families of royal vampires on Night Hill. One stands above all. After centuries of freedom, no one is happy to kneel to a new Eirikrson. Diana intended to stop by Oldcrest for a pit stop. Catch up with her brother, meet his mate, maybe convince them to name their firstborn after her. She’ll soon learn, as a Helsing, she must pick a side. Before one is picked for her. Mikar has spent centuries following Levi, to thank him for saving his life, but when all hell breaks loose, he has to decide: get the freedom he’s earned, or die with the rest of his friends. Was there even a choice?

Amazon

SHATTERED BY THE SEA LORD (LORDS OF ATLANTIS BOOK 8) by Starla Night

I’ve devoted my life to helping lonely men and women find their perfect match. I know what true love looks like. I know because I experienced it—in all its tingling, pure, imperfect bliss. And then it was ripped away. Now mer shifters have emerged from the oceans. Critically endangered, they seek human brides to save their race. This is my calling. The job ought to be easier than it is. The mer can see souls, and they know when a woman is their mate. The catch? Convincing the women that there isn’t one. It’s okay to embrace their heart’s desire and chase their wildest dreams. Until a warrior says I’m his. But I can’t be. Tingling awareness doesn’t course through my body. I don’t hang on every word that drops from his sensual lips. The steady strength in his bulging biceps doesn’t entice me to swoon into his arms. I definitely don’t see patience, kindness, and empathy in his iridescent green-and-coffee-brown irises.
I’ve already met my soul mate. Met, married, and mourned him. If something happened to my warrior…No. I can’t go through that again. My dreams were forgotten for a reason. There is no second chance for one true love.

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DRAGON REDEEMED (RECLAIMED DRAGONS BOOK 2) by Terry Bolryder

A hybrid dragon and his new fae partner will have to face their heart-wrenching past together if their love is to survive. Ryder swore he’d escaped his past of pain and anguish the day he woke up in the human world. But while he’s waiting for his mate to appear, he’s been assigned to a unique mission. One that will put him face to face with a past he doesn’t remember, forcing him into an unlikely alliance with a woman he would have never imagined.
Kira wants to help people just as badly as she wants to make up for the things that happened long ago that she couldn’t control. But when her new dragon partner is actually the only man she ever loved, who she long thought dead, it appears fate has given the unlucky couple a second chance. Ryder’s distrust of all fae quickly melts as he realizes Kira is the most wonderful, amazing woman he’s ever met. And when their love rekindles in the heat of an impassioned moment, he’ll realize that maybe she really is the one. But Kira is carrying all the secrets Ryder doesn’t know he’s forgotten. And if he can’t confront the truth of what he is and what they once were as a couple, then the enemies they’ve both tried so hard to escape may soon be their undoing.

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PSYCHIC DREAMS: A PARANORMAL WOMEN’S FICTION NOVEL (GLIMMER LAKE BOOK 3) by Elizabeth Hunter

She’s feeling the heat. Or it might be a hot flash. Sometimes it’s really hard to tell. It’s been four years since Monica lost the love of her life to a sudden and devastating heart attack. She’s held her family together and picked herself up with the love and help of her two best friends. Now Monica has a new business, a new wardrobe, and a new vision for the future. As in actual psychic visions. Dreams that manifest in reality? Monica’s still not sure why or how it happened, but she’s been seeing everything from unexpected visitors to visions of fire and destruction. Separating premonitions from morbid imagination is proving harder than Monica expected, and no one can tell her if these new, violent visions will become a reality. Added to that, there’s a new fire investigator in town, and he’s more than a little suspicious about the anonymous and frighteningly accurate tips someone is calling in. Monica is feeling the heat… or is that a hot flash? Is their town about to feel the burn of a serial arsonist, or can Monica, Robin, and Val figure out the dangerous secret smoldering at the heart of Glimmer Lake?

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WAR OF THE NOSES: A PARANORMAL WOMEN’S FICTION NOVEL (A NORA BLACK PSYCHIC MIDLIFE MYSTERY BOOK 3) by Renee George

My name is Nora Black. I’m turning fifty-two, but I don’t feel a day over thirty-nine. That is, when I can find my glasses, my feet don’t hurt, and my scent-induced psychic ability isn’t showing me crimes. For my birthday, my best friends Gilly and Pippa signed us up for a weekend at the Central Midwest Spa Convention. Yay. Massages, fine dining, maid service, and best of all, as long as we attend a few workshops, the weekend is a tax write-off. It should be all sunshine and roses, right? Wrong. My former intern at Belliza Beauty aka the Job Stealer, Carmen Carraway, is a featured presenter. Yuck. Throw in an ex-boyfriend, a number one fan, a brewing scandal, and a dead body, and my relaxing birthday weekend is DOA. I’ll need all my senses, along with my friends, if I want to stop a killer from striking once again.

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REED (NANO WOLVES BOOK 4)  by Donna McDonald

Reed’s time as Alpha of his pack should be over. Didn’t a six-hundred-year-old wolf deserve to retire? But life doesn’t always work out the way a wolf wants. Some mad scientist used him and his potent werewolf blood to turn three human females. Now he has two packs instead of one, but none among them are stepping up to take his place.
Too many secrets among his children have all but destroyed his original family. Now with the deaths of both his Alpha grandsons haunting the pack, there’s no one left in his gene pool to lead. Duty and a healthy fear of the agencies his grandson Travis told about the pack requires that Reed lead them until a new alpha can be found, no matter how much he wishes otherwise. While Ariel’s nanotechnology blood transfusion returned some of his physical youth, science did not change his mental age or negate the weariness he feels in his very bones. The only bright spot is the Russian werewolf his grandson abducted and fortunately failed to keep. Katarina Volkov is so full of fire—so full of herself. The touchy wolf makes him feel things he hasn’t felt in years. Too bad he isn’t free to enjoy her.

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JACKAL OF ALL TRADES (THE WILD OPERATORS: MACARTHUR SECURITY BOOK 1) by Vivienne Savage

Pop-diva Penny Wallace is loved across the world. When one fan’s unshakable obsession crosses the line, her personal security detail receives an inevitable upgrade from one handsome hunk to two irresistible hotties trailing her at all times. Her sexy bodyguards are more than enough to make her wish she hadn’t sworn off men forever.

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CLEANSED BY WATER: THE NATURE HUNTERS ACADEMY SERIES BOOK 3 by Quinn Loftis

Gabby Gellar is a fire elementalist with an attitude. She has been told so many times by her parents that she’s worthless she no longer questions that truth. Pushed away by the only people she’s ever loved, Gabby shuts everyone out. Friends, acquaintances, buddies, chums, and especially romantic relationships, are kept at arm’s length, or further if she can help it. Gabby knows she could never be good enough to be anyone’s girlfriend, much less someone’s soulbonded. So why does the thought of a certain water elementalist have her out of bed well past midnight, pacing and cursing, trying to deny the part of her that’s silently calling to him, reaching for his magic, thirsting for it like a dying man in the desert. Dammit!

To Liam Nash, life is merely a joke, something to laugh at and enjoy. An endless stream of amusements made even more amusing by the water magic he uses to manipulate the world around him. Liam never thought he’d actually have a soulbounded. He was content to be unattached, a flirt, a perpetual bachelor … but that was before he met Gabby. Now, he was certain she was his soulbonded, as sure as the sun would rise tomorrow.

Unfortunately, the sun’s rising is no longer a sure thing. With half of the royal elementalists imprisoned in the underworld, the earth’s climate has been thrown into chaos. Temperatures are steadily dropping, volcanoes are spontaneously erupting, and earthquakes are becoming commonplace. If the light elementalists have any hope of rescuing the planet from the dark forces seeking to destroy it, the elemental academies will have to work together. That means an overeager water elementalist and a reluctant fire-wielder are about to be thrown together and asked to save the world. Could the bond between Liam and Gabby be the very thing needed to rally the forces of light to victory?

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TRUTH IN THE WIND (WILD MAGICS BOOK 3) by Diana Waters

Despite the recent loss of his parents, Ash Woodhart is content living with his siblings, deep in the southern countryside of his family’s domain. Ren, an aloof boy with no home and no family, is an intrusion forced on Ash by his eldest brother. Ash dislikes Ren on sight, but as the years pass and the two come to understand each other, his feelings for Ren gradually morph into something more. However, Ren shows no sign of reciprocating those feelings—and as Ash’s recklessness leads him into danger, the truth may come too late.

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CRACKED OPEN (THE DRAGON BORN ACADEMY BOOK 1) by T L Christianson

Dragons, bonded mates, and irreversible decisions. After a car accident left my only parent – my father in the hospital, I was swept away to the Dragon Born Academy by my estranged grandmother. If I had to be there, I’d be an observer of this place with its rituals and superstitions… After all, everyone’s made it clear I don’t belong. But then it happened…and Ashe Carrick – my impossibly irresistible bond-mate happened. Being Cracked Open changed everything… Who I thought I was, WHAT I thought I was…DRAGON BORN. The words alone bring to mind monsters and princesses in castles. I am the princess and the monster they locked away. However, my story has no damsels in distress, waiting to be rescued. It’s self-rescue time, and I’m done playing nice.

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ERIK THE TEMPERED (DOKIRI BRIDES BOOK 2) by Danali Day

Sold to whoremasters by her own husband, Tysha flees into the night with pursuers hot on her trail. For once in her life, the gods show mercy and deliver her to Erik the Tempered, a man as wild as he is noble. With him, Tysha’s long-dormant heart awakens, helplessly drawn to the quiet, enigmatic man who seems content to keep his distance. Obligated to choose a bride for himself, Erik has spent weeks in half-hearted pursuit of a woman. Any woman will do, so long as he can easily say goodbye. However, fate brings him an unexpected bride, as nervous as she is lovely. With each passing day, Erik realizes his timid bride conceals the heart of a lion and finds it harder to turn from her sweet touch and haunting green eyes. But loving her comes with a great price: his family, his home, his purpose.  Soon Erik and Tysha will discover both the reward and cost of unconditional love.

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HEX OVER HEELS (FAIRY FALLS MYSTERY BOOK 2) by Samantha Silver

Mina Tiller has just moved to the paranormal world, but her first potions lesson goes horribly wrong when she ends up on the bad side of a local witch, and that same witch shows up murdered a few hours later. With Mina and Scarlett both prime suspects, the two of them decide their only choice is to solve yet another murder. But between navigating magic lessons, Pawdrey Hepburn deciding to use up all her nine lives at once and discovering things she never knew about her family, Mina’s wondering if she’s going to be able to keep it all together and solve the case before she finds her new life is actually going to be spent behind bars.

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SNOW AND MIRRORS: A SNOW WHITE RE-TELLING by Bokerah Brumley

A happily ever after isn’t as easy as the fairy tales…At the behest of her fairy grandmother, Cindi Ella Lass immerses herself in the hidden, magical world of Paris, Texas. Cindi can’t figure out how to cast the simplest of spells, and, in the midst of her failure, her romance with the pauper-prince next door fizzles. When an evil queen descends upon the small Texas town, determined to re-take the magic crystal mirror stolen from her hundreds of years earlier, it’s up to Cindi Ella to protect her fairy grandmother, rescue the mouse kingdom, and save her pauper-prince from an enchantment that could consume Cindi’s life. C indi must dodge seven foul dwarves, a host of mythical creatures, and a bevy of sentient poisoned apples before she can face down the wicked Snow White Queen.

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DOMINON (SHIFTERS OF CONSEQUENCE BOOK 4) by Mazzy J March

No one can save me. I have to save myself. My mates can’t find me. My wolf doesn’t sense them anywhere near. Rattlecreek finally got what they wanted, the healer right in their hands. And they aren’t planning to let me go alive. If they can’t have me, nobody can. They’ve already robbed me of the ability to walk—again. Not for long. They’ve underestimated me, though, and soon they will know by how much. Because my mates, my house, my great-grandmother, and my life are all waiting for me outside. A future. With or without the ability to run. And I won’t let them or myself down. I am more than my legs. More than my gift even, but I owe the use of that gift to my pack. It, and I, will not be held for long. Two of my mates have yet to mate and mark me. I will not be denied the life that is my destiny. Now if I could just wake up.

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BOOKED FOR MURDER (VIGILANTE MAGICAL LIBRARIANS BOOK 1) by R J Blain

Life as a bodyguard and driver for the rich, famous, and powerful is dangerous on a good day, and after sustaining a crippling injury while on duty, Janette’s left with few options. Having signed a ‘for life’ contract but unable to work, she uses her skills to disappear. Her new life as a librarian suits her. Nobody cares she limps and sometimes requires a cane to walk. She’s wanted for her knowledge, not her lethal magic. She’s surrounded by books, a woman’s best friend. But when her former employer’s best friend is murdered on the steps of her library, old loyalties and secrets might destroy her—or set her free. Teaming up with her co-workers to find the killer might keep her from being booked for murder, but unless she’s careful, she’ll find out exactly how far her ex-boss will go to reclaim what is rightfully his. Her. For life.

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INFERNO OF DARKNESS (DIVISA HUNTRESS BOOK 2) by J L Weil

Lexi Winters thought she’d experienced loss and heartache before, but nothing prepares her for the raw pain at being separated from Ashor Clave—the demon she is soulbound with. Nor does she expect the strange darkness that awakens inside her. The Queen of Darkness has not given up on her plan to conquer the underworld, an epically bad idea on so many levels. If the queen succeeds, a rift will be created in the barrier between worlds, allowing demons to walk freely. Her first attempt might have been thwarted by Lexi’s escape, but the queen is ancient and patient. She has a bargaining chip—Ashor. Lexi wants only to save her mate, which involves breaking him out of the underworld, but there are so many complications she never sees coming. Lexi never thought she would ever go back to Hell, but for Ashor, she is willing to risk more than just her life. Because when you are dealing with the queens of Hell, your soul is on the line.

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TEMPTED (SEA DRAGONS OF AMBER BAY BOOK 1) by Zoe Ashwood

Who knew one small mistake—that just happened to go viral—would result in being exiled from my family and shunned by my coven? Not me. Yet here I am, in nowhere, Alaska, armed only with a laptop and my Pomeranian. But even witch magic can’t prepare a girl for the freezing temperatures, murderous moose, or the abundance of hot men. Jack, Ty, and Aiden walked straight out of the freezing ocean like some mythical gods, water sluicing from their broad shoulders. What starts as burning attraction quickly turns into searing kisses and hot nights between the sheets.  But something isn’t right in this tiny Alaskan village. There aren’t any tourists. There’s no internet, and the locals shoo their children away when I walk past in the streets.  There are secrets here I long to uncover. But not if that means the risk of exposing my own.

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RAYBEARER by Jordan Ifueko

Nothing is more important than loyalty. But what if you’ve sworn to protect the one you were born to destroy?
Tarisai has always longed for the warmth of a family. She was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as The Lady. The Lady sends her to the capital of the global empire of Aritsar to compete with other children to be chosen as one of the Crown Prince’s Council of 11. If she’s picked, she’ll be joined with the other Council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai, who has always wanted to belong somewhere. But The Lady has other ideas, including a magical wish that Tarisai is compelled to obey: Kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust. Tarisai won’t stand by and become someone’s pawn—but is she strong enough to choose a different path for herself? With extraordinary world-building and breathtaking prose, Raybearer is the story of loyalty, fate, and the lengths we’re willing to go for the ones we love.

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SHIELD MAIDEN: UNDER THE THUNDER MOON (ROAD TO VALHALLA BOOK 3) by Melanie Karsak

Reunited with Hofund, and with Bolmsö safe from its enemies, Hervor takes her place as jarl. But the All-Father has bigger plans for his favorite shield-maiden. When Hervor learns that Jarl Bjartmar has vowed vengeance on Leif, she knows she must stand by her cousin. To free Dalr, they must enlist the help of old allies, former enemies, and a warrior-priest called the Reindeer King. Together, they will fight to free Dalr.

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CRAVED MATE (CYBERMATES BOOK 6) by Candace Ayers

Melody Manes, the one hit wonder. Over forty, childless, never been married. Mel can’t decide which of those epithets is worse. At least she has a boyfriend……to whom she can’t fully commit……from whom she needs a vacation. When she tries to help a stray cat, she lands herself up a tree. Ironically, Mac, the firefighter who rescues her, sets her panties aflame. Mel doesn’t know whether to be flirtatious or mortified. Yes she does. Mortified. Definitely mortified.
Mac and Mel can each come up with a hundred reasons to stay the hell away from each other. And only one reason not to. But when it comes to shifter mating. These two have little choice. Love will conquer, and fate will rule.

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SCORCHED BY FLAMES (HIDDEN REALMS OF SILVERLAKE BOOK 10) by Vella Day

Dragon shifter, Zulema Garcia, has been trained as a fierce fighter from an early age. All is well until the day she’s captured by the Zon, a group of powerful warlocks and witches. Their demand? To keep her family safe, Zulema must kill Bevon Forrester–a powerful Fey. Zulema is willing to do it–until she realizes Bevon is her one and only mate. Now what is she supposed to do? Bevon is thrilled that his older brother is next in line to become the Feyrion king, since freely roaming both Tarradon and Feyrion suits Bevon just fine. Only a broken heart could dampen his spirits.
Life is great until an assassin shows up–in the form of a sexy, female dragon shifter. Oh, this should be fun. He can’t be killed by the usual methods, so Bevon decides to have some fun with Zulema Garcia. Let the games begin!

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A SHADE OF VAMPIRE 92: A DAWN OF WORLDS  by Bella Forrest

Hrista’s endless rage now endangers not just The Shade, but the entirety of planet Earth and beyond. Will the Shadians, First Tenners, and their Purgatory allies be able to stand in her way? Or will the Valkyrie prove that her magic-fueled wrath truly is unstoppable?

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IKENGA by Nnedi Okorafor

VS Note: A release of note this week, middle grade market…she’s such an amazing writer.

Nnamdi’s father was a good chief of police, perhaps the best Kalaria had ever had. He was determined to root out the criminals that had invaded the town. But then he was murdered, and most people believed the Chief of Chiefs, most powerful of the criminals, was responsible. Nnamdi has vowed to avenge his father, but he wonders what a twelve-year-old boy can do. Until a mysterious nighttime meeting, the gift of a magical object that enables super powers, and a charge to use those powers for good changes his life forever. How can he fulfill his mission? How will he learn to control his newfound powers?
Award-winning Nnedi Okorafor, acclaimed for her Akata novels, introduces a new and engaging hero in her first novel for middle grade readers set against a richly textured background of contemporary Nigeria.

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CRESCENT WOLVES (SUPERNATURAL SHIFTER ACADEMY BOOK 1) by G Bailey and Regan Rosewood

Secret societies. Magical boarding schools. Supernatural beings…What could go wrong? I’m Millie Brix and apparently, I’m a supernatural shifter. Funny eighteenth birthday present, right? Chosen for Supernatural Shifter Academy, I have to learn which shifter clan I belong to and how to use my powers that are slowly growing out of control. Supernatural Shifter Academy only has five hundred places and if I’m not strong enough to survive, I won’t get to walk away. The Sirens lure you in, the Wolves bite first and ask questions later, the Dragons only care for themselves, the Vampires plan to own the world and the Witches will do whatever it takes to win. I’m not going to let the academy or its students beat me, that’s for sure. With a prince of the Vampires seducing me, a secretive Siren dead set on making me his, a gorgeous Wolf shifter who wants to claim my heart and an alpha Dragon who sees me as a prize he wants to keep… the academy is far more dangerous than it looks. In this academy, secrets are the only thing you can trade with and I’m right in the middle of the biggest secret the academy has. And when the truth comes out…the academy will fall.

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BLOODHAVEN: YEAR ONE (A MAYHEM OF MAGIC WORLD STORY by Nicole Zoltack

Everyone knows vampires and werewolves hate each other. It’s been that way for thousands and thousands of years.
But I have a secret. I, a vampire, may be falling for one. The more tempers flare at Blood Haven Academy, the fever-pitch of hatred growing for our rivals at Moonstone Academy, the more I long to sneak away, to see my Julian. Do I dare to take that final step and love a werewolf? And if I do, what fate will befall our academies?

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VICIOUS SPIRITS by Kat Cho

After the events of Wicked Fox, Somin is ready to help her friends pick up the pieces of their broken lives and heal. But Jihoon is still grieving the loss of his grandmother, and Miyoung is distant as she grieves over her mother’s death and learns to live without her fox bead. The only one who seems ready to move forward is their not-so-favorite dokkaebi, Junu.
Somin and Junu didn’t exactly hit it off when they first met. Somin thought he was an arrogant self-serving, conman. Junu was, at first, amused by her hostility toward him until he found himself inexplicably drawn to her. Somin couldn’t deny the heat of their attraction. But as the two try to figure out what could be between them, they discover their troubles aren’t over after all. The loss of Miyoung’s fox bead has caused a tear between the world of the living and the world of the dead, and ghosts are suddenly flooding the streets of Seoul. The only way to repair the breach is to find the missing fox bead or for Miyoung to pay with her life. With few options remaining, Junu has an idea but it might require the ultimate sacrifice. In usual fashion, Somin may have a thing or two to say about that.

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WELCOME HOME LITTLE WOLF: THE AURORA MARELUP SERIES by Serenity Rayne

The war is finally over. And we were victorious! With the aide of my allies we take back my ancestral home and crown a new king. With the last of my enemies fallen by my talons we can finally be free. Vladimirs crimes against my people and the wounds he caused his people may never heal. With my blood I swear to make right all of the wrongs that I can. Finally, I’ll be able to call all of my people home.

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MARKED PRINCE: A QURILIXIN WORLD NOVEL by Michelle M Pillow

Prince Jaxx’s inner dragon-shifter is at war with his human side. He knows what is right and what is prudent, and those two impulses rarely line up. With so many people in need and the planet in chaos, how can he even think about finding a mate? But when he helps to rescue the alluring Fiora from her captors, something inside him shifts, and all he can think about is winning her love.

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THE VANISHED QUEEN : A NOVEL by Lisbeth Campbell

When a country is held in thrall to a vicious, despotic king, it’s up to one woman to take him down. Long ago, Queen Mirantha vanished. King Karolje claimed it was an assassination by a neighboring king, but everyone knew it was a lie. He had Disappeared her himself. But after finding the missing queen’s diary, Anza—impassioned by her father’s unjust execution and inspired by Mirantha’s words—joins the resistance group to overthrow the king. When an encounter with Prince Esvar thrusts her into a dangerous game of court politics, one misstep could lead to a fate worse than death. Esvar is the second son to an evil king. Trapped under his thumb and desperate for a way out, a chance meeting with Anza gives him the opportunity to join the resistance. Together, they might have the leverage to move against the king—but if they fail, their deaths could mean a total loss of freedom for generations to follow. Set in a world where resistance is as dangerous as it is important, The Vanished Queen is a tale of the courage and sacrifice it requires to take on a tyrant.

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THE HEX FILES (MYSTERIES FROM THE SIXTH BOROUGH BOOK 6) by Gina LaManna

Welcome to Wicked, the paranormal sixth borough of New York. The end is near. Detective Danielle DeMarco is challenged with her most intense case yet, and along with it, she inherits a host of personal problems. When a sorcerer is found dead in The Emporium, a spell shop brimming with magical potions, elixirs, and tinctures, Dani and her new tagalong, Primrose, are on the case. However, work turns personal when someone close to Dani is poisoned. To make matters worse, another of Detective DeMarco’s closest friends vanishes, her boyfriend is hiding something, and there is a new threat to the borough more dangerous than any in history. For Dani, it’s no longer about simply wrapping up any single case. If she doesn’t find out what’s going on behind the scenes—and fast—there will be no more Wicked to defend.

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HUNTER’S MATE (CANYON SPRINGS BOOK 2) by Becca Jameson

The small town of Canyon Springs, Colorado, is filled with warm, welcoming people and breathtaking views. Is that why visitors often decide to stay for the rest of their lives? Or is it something else? Layla doesn’t believe any of the nonsense her grandmother filled her head with growing up. There’s no way shifters have the ability to entice humans into their world through some sort of coercion. The woman was simply prejudice. The concept is nonsense. So, Layla isn’t concerned about making the trip to Canyon Springs to settle her estranged aunt’s estate. In fact, she’s hoping to meet her first shifter and find out if they really are larger, sexier, and more tempting. The truth is that Layla is a starving actress, and she needs a change. She’s not, however, prepared to meet Hunter and put all her beliefs to the test. He’s everything she hoped for and then some. It would seem he’s also doing exactly what her grandmother warned her about—luring her into his lair. Her libido is on overdrive. Her heart is in danger

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THE HEART STONE: A TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE ADVENTURE (MORDHA STONE CHRONICLES BOOK 6) by Kim Allred

AJ Moore has a score to settle, and with her future at stake, she’s ready to walk back into the fog in search of the only person who can make her whole.
AJ has come a long way from the simple reporter caught up in the mystery of the stones. She’s a warrior who refuses to leave a man behind—particularly the one who has captured her heart.
There’s more at stake than finding one man. Their enemy has discovered the magic of the Heart Stone. And if AJ and Finn are to ever meet, they must see the Heart Stone is once again safe in the hands of the Keepers. And the only way to protect the Heart Stone, and secure their future, is to seek the help of the one person who everyone else believes betrayed them.

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TORN HOPE by Marie Dry

In her father’s magical crystal-and-steel palace, ensconced in a beautiful tower, Lana dreams of adventure and romance, and admires the handsome man who drives past her window every week. She never dreamed he’d climb the tower to meet her or that he would demand a kiss. Suddenly she’s living her dream, having an adventure, only to find that the exciting and dangerous man she’s falling in love with is a vampire.

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A STRANGE DESIRE (FAIRVIEW CHRONICLES 4) by Alexa Piper

Cora, who has newly discovered she is a powerful mage, and her boyfriend and most notorious antihero and soul-eating greed-demon Valerian, travel to China, where Cora is supposed to learn everything there is to learn about being a mage. Yet they have barely set foot on the ground when they attract unwanted attention. Jirou, fleeing from family obligations, is reeled in by the looks of the pretty couple. Bastien has much darker intentions: a long-held grudge against Valerian makes him want to steal Cora and make her his. Figuring out why they have suddenly become a target halfway around the world leaves Cora and Valerian to discover all the strangeness of Beijing in this fast-paced tale of creatures, mages, and magic.

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TEMPTING HER PROTECTOR (FEDERAL PARANORMAL UNIT BOOK 2) by C D Gorri

She’s never been an object of lust, but can this nerdy, curvy girl tempt her smoking hot protector into doing more than just his job? Larimar Wessex is bored. Dead bored. Like seriously. With his brother newly mated, and his father on the mend, there is nothing for him to do but wait for his next assignment. Of course, he should’ve been more careful with what he wished for. Recently returned from an archeological dig in Giza, Kimberley Scott is the first one blamed when the priceless artifacts she brought back go missing. When she is attacked during routine questioning by an FPU agent, he makes the decision to call in some backup. Larimar Wessex knows upon seeing her photograph that Kim is his fated mate, and she needs help. But the theft is just the tip of the iceberg. There is a deeper, more sinister plot afoot, and Kim finds herself at the mercy of a man who is prepared to do the unimaginable to get what he wants. Will he be able to save his tempting mate before time runs out?

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STOLEN ESSENCE (SOUL FIEND SERIES BOOK 2) by Aster North

Enemies are sprouting up everywhere, But the biggest one may be within myself. Anyone know the best way to bury a monster? I’m back, but I’m no longer Elite Grim Reaper Zella Healani. No, things are changing in my small corner of Delon. And very few of those changes are good. Yes, even Grim Reapers get stressed out. With a new title, new responsibilities, and an entire world to reap, I’ve been handed an impossible job. One that comes with dire consequences for failure. To complicate matters, someone seems determined to end everything before the ridiculous deadline comes to pass. That’s not all, either. My monster is becoming more unruly and demanding, causing strife in my tenuous relationships. An Angel is forced into my circle, putting me on edge. Accidents follow me, threatening my life and the lives of those around me. Favors and threats become my mantra, casting me as my father’s daughter. Those around me reveal hidden secrets, leaving me off-kilter. Of course, I’ll survive, but I’m not sure how much of myself will remain intact. With my monster attempting to take over, Grim Grouping Mannix trying to change me, and everyone else working to destroy me, I’m in for a pot licking time. I suppose I’ll let you find that out for yourself. Go on. Open the pages to find out how truly difficult it was to be the savior of an entire universe.

Amazon

TWIN FLAMES: A TIME TRAVEL TUDOR ROMANCE WITH A MYSTICAL TWIST by Rachel Henke

When Cara meets the charismatic George; her ultimate soul mate, they are irresistibly drawn to one another, and their worlds are turned upside down. The chance meeting unlocks Cara’s ability to time travel. It sparks a sequence of unstoppable events, transporting her from present day York to Henry VIII’s and Anne Boleyn’s treacherous Tudor court where she is blissfully married to George until they are falsely accused of treason and go on the run with a price on their noble heads.
Meanwhile, in present day York, George and Cara are stuck in joyless relationships and struggle to be together or apart. Will George find the courage to do what it takes to fulfil their Twin Flame destiny, and will Cara reveal to George that she is a time traveller, and they have been lovers through five centuries? In a failed time travel experiment, Cara disrupts the timeline and returns to find George no longer exists. Will she succeed to turn back time and rescue George from the Tower of London before he’s executed in 1536, or will the timeline reset so he will never have lived at all?

Amazon

HOW TO RATTLE AN UNDEAD COUPLE (THE BEGINNERS’ GUIDE TO NECROMANCY BOOK 9) by Hailey Edwards

Bring on the cakes, balloons, cakes, gifts, cakes, and…well…cakes. It’s time for Grier’s baby shower! Grier is ready to smile for the cameras, rip open the presents, and finally taste that lemon chiffon cake, but it’s just not meant to be. The Grande Dame is MIA, which turns the big event into an even bigger search party. And that delicious cake? It’s going right back in the fridge. While Grier doesn’t have the best relationship with her mother-in-law, she’s determined her child will grow up with one living grandparent or else. Even if it means wiggling into maternity jeans, putting on actual shoes, and waddling over to Lawson Manor to investigate the potential kidnapping. Just as the investigation turns a corner, Grier pays the price for her stress. The baby wants out ahead of schedule, and it has a unique way of making its desires known. Unique and terrifying. Now the race is on to find the Grande Dame before the baby makes his or her first appearance. What do you get when you cross a goddess-touched necromancer with an Eidolon? Linus and Grier are about to find out firsthand. Now they just have to survive parenthood.

Amazon

CHANGED: BOOK 2, THE MADE ONES SAGA by Vicki Stiefel

What if you could be young again? Would it be a dream come true or truly a nightmare? That’s the startling reality retired circus trapeze artist Breena Balážová awakens on the world of Eleutia in her own re-engineered younger body. For a woman whose death on Earth was inches away, it seems like a second chance at life. But in this parallel world, where horses fly and animals and humans are symbionts, Bree is intended as breeding stock to balance the plummeting female birthrate. As she searches for her missing sisters, who were pulled to Eleutia with her, Bree also must survive assassination attempts, the growing threat of war, and her unexpected attraction to the arrogant animal Clan Alpha, Gato, a man with terrible burdens and secrets. The animal Clans join forces to combat a dark conspiracy that will shake the foundations of their world, even as Bree’s search for her sisters grows more desperate and dangerous. If Bree has any hope of finding her sisters and fulfilling her own destiny, she and Gato must carry out a perilous deception, their success or failure deciding not only their own fate, but that of all Eleutia.

Amazon      Apple Books

HAWTHORN ACADEMY: YEAR ONE by D R Perry

VS Note: From February, “…a coming of age ace/gay fantasy” sez the Queer SciFi twitter feed…

If ultimate power corrupts, how does one learn to be incorruptible? I’m Aliyah Morgenstern. All of my life, I grew up on tales of my great-grandfather’s magic bringing light and healing to the world. Then, I bonded with my dragonet Ember on my sixteenth birthday, which means I’ll be scary powerful someday. There’s one problem. Mom’s kept secrets that everyone at my new school seems to know. Turns out, I’ve got an infamously criminal uncle and now everyone’s waiting for me to do something evil. After my first horrible day at school I’m convinced I’m going to do something evil. My biggest challenge this year isn’t history, math, Gym, or even the dreaded Magiscience Lab. No, it’s keeping a devastating secret from almost everyone, including my own family. I’m an extramagus. Is evil really my destiny, or can I fight it somehow?

Amazon

HAWTHORN ACADEMY: YEAR TWO by D R Perry

VS Note: From June…

The only way to stop a threat is to destroy it…And last year, we discovered an enormous one. Temperance Fairbanks: the most powerful and sadistic water magus ever to set foot on campus. Hawthorn Academy will host a series of extramural challenges. That means we’re hosting shifters, changelings, psychics, and even a vampire. Temperance vowed to hurt them any way she can, and she’s already got help. My roommate Grace has a plan. Social warfare, breaking reputations and hearts, including her own. And she wants me to be her muscle. Last year I almost burned the school down. But this time, I might just be sitting on a powder keg.

Amazon

BROKEN RIVER (GRIZZLY BEAR LAKE BOOK 1) by Ruby Shae

All curvy girl Elle Masters wants to do is open her own bakery. She’s been saving for years, but when her brother dies unexpectedly, the inheritance he leaves behind means her dream is closer than ever. Unfortunately, the money is only hers if she fulfills one—tiny—little stipulation.
Grizzly bear shifter, Liam Rivers, is shocked to learn that his friend is dead, but even more shocking is the man’s last wish, because his friend knew exactly how messed up he is on the inside. Elle is soft, and beautiful, and everything he isn’t, and she deserves a husband—even a fake one—who isn’t broken. Elle doesn’t understand her brother’s motives for forcing her to marry his friend, especially when it’s obvious she’s not his type, but she trusted her late sibling more than anyone, and she wants the money he left her. Liam knows he doesn’t deserve a bride, not even a fake one, but he owes his friend a great debt, and having Elle by his side for the next two years won’t be a hardship. Instead, the real challenge will be staying far enough away so that no one gets hurt when the contract is over.

Amazon

ALPHA’S MATE by Jennifer Winget

7 years ago, Ellie was rejected by her mate. Under the threat of death, she was forced to flee with her mate’s child still growing inside her. Left heartbroken and hunted, she ran from the world she was forced out of and created a new one. But, when an attack on her new pack threatens the lives of both her and her child, she has to turn to the one man she swore she would never come back to. Will her mate be her savior, or will he kill her on sight?

Axton is the Alpha of the Black Stone Pack. 7 years ago, he found his soulmate, the one that was supposed to be with him forever. After months of being together, she is taken from him without a trace of who did it. Left heartbroken, he searched every corner of the world for his lost mate, but she was no where to be found. Now, he has become cold and distant from everyone in his pack, feared by all for his ruthlessness. His heart broke the day his mate disappeared, but could it be mended when she finds her way back to him with the child he didn’t know about.

7 years ago, something happened that changed the lives of these two mates. Now, will they be able to end up together?

Amazon

TIME TRAVEL GHOST (SCARLETT KING’S TIME TRAVEL ADVENTURES BOOK 2) by Janet Butler Male

VS Note: A re-release

Would you risk everything to save a heartbroken ghost? Scarlett King moves into her dream house with her dream man, but  the euphoria is short-lived. Within days she meets Fleur, a pretty ghost, trapped in the old ballroom since 1946. To free the sweet ghost’s spirit, Scarlett must discover what happened to Fleur’s fiance — an up-and-coming actor.  And, worse, uncover the details of some grizzly 1940s murders in the house next door. But Fleur’s ballroom is due for demolition. What will happen to her if Scarlett doesn’t act fast?  Should Scarlett visit 1940s England and 1950s Hollywood to help, or should she leave well alone? She’s happy with her new man, so should she risk everything for Fleur?

Amazon

IGNITE THE SUN (BLINK) by Hanna Howard

Sixteen year-old Siria Nightingale has never seen the sun. The light is dangerous, according to Queen Iyzabel, an evil witch who has shrouded the kingdom in shadow. Siria has always hated the darkness and revels in the stories of the light-filled old days that she hears from her best friend and his grandfather. Besides them, nobody else understands her fascination with the sun, especially not her strict and demanding parents. Siria’s need to please them is greater than her fear of the dark, and so she heads to the royal city—the very center of the darkness—for a chance at a place in Queen Iyzabel’s court. But what Siria discovers at the Choosing Ball will send her on a quest that could bring back the Light—or doom the kingdom to shadow forever. Accompanied by a ragtag group of rebels, she sets her course for the North, toward the last vestiges of the sun.

Amazon     Apple Books

CHARMED CAPER: A PARANORMAL WOMEN’S FICTION NOVEL (WITCHES OF GALES HAVEN BOOK 3) by Lucia Ashta

Marla Gawama is the new detective of Gales Haven. She knows nothing about sleuthing, but her nan assigned her the job, and what Bessie Gawama wants, she gets. Marla does her best to carry out her new detective doo-ties. She even dons her comfortable running shoes and sets out to get ’er done. But when some bumbling bumpkins show up in town, and Haveners start losing their marbles left and right, it becomes clear she’s not cut out for the job. That never stopped a Gawama witch before. And she isn’t going to let it stop her now. One thing the Gawamas know how to do is ride with the crazy.

Amazon

DARK FAIRY TALES: A MIDNIGHT SYNASTY ANTHOLOGY by Various

Over 600 PAGES of original stories! In a castle adorned with gems, coated in gold, and dusted with luxury, the youngest of the Constantine Family will be introduced to the elite of New York. But the party isn’t all glamor. Villains lurk in dark corners, evil deals are struck, and starcrossed loves are born.  Welcome to the world of Midnight Dynasty. 
Attend the ball, wear a red cloak, lose your shoe, spin straw to gold, or fall prey to a witch. In these fairytale retellings from bestselling authors, you will find a prince, but you might choose your happily ever after with the beast.

Amazon

SILVER BASILISK (SILVER SHIFTERS BOOK 4) by Zoe Chant

You’re never too old for a second chance. What would you do if the love of your life, who vanished without a trace sixty years ago, walked into the cafe where you’re peacefully having tea with your friends, as handsome as ever and calling you his long-lost darling? If you’re Godiva, you throw a custard pie at him. The course of true love never did run smooth. Godiva gave up on love … but love hasn’t given up on her. Basilisk shifter Rigo found and lost his mate when they both were young. After a lifetime of searching for the tough, beautiful, black-haired girl he loved, he’s finally found her. He doesn’t care that now her hair is white. She’s still the same woman he fell in love with… and this time he’ll make sure they never part again. All he needs to do is explain why he disappeared, tell her he can turn into a basilisk, and gain her trust again. After cleaning the custard off his face. And shirt. And car. It may take driving on a cross-country road trip, solving a sixty-year-old mystery, and defeating an angry dragon and his army of not-exactly-zombies to get Rigo and Godiva back together. But anything worth having is worth fighting for.

Amazon

DROWNED COUNTRY (THE GREEN HOLLOW DUOLOGY BOOK 2) by Emily Tesh

Drowned Country is the stunning sequel to Silver in the Wood, Emily Tesh’s lush, folkloric debut. This second volume of the Greenhollow duology once again invites readers to lose themselves in the story of Henry and Tobias, and the magic of a myth they’ve always known. Even the Wild Man of Greenhollow can’t ignore a summons from his mother, when that mother is the indomitable Adela Silver, practical folklorist. Henry Silver does not relish what he’ll find in the grimy seaside town of Rothport, where once the ancient wood extended before it was drowned beneath the sea—a missing girl, a monster on the loose, or, worst of all, Tobias Finch, who loves him.

Amazon      Apple Books

SEACURSED (THE MAGE CIRCLE TRILOGY BOOK 1) by L A McGinnis

The Circle’s best bounty hunter just met her match. Victoria Monroe doesn’t have time to waste. She has a bounty to collect and a death sentence on her head if she fails. Condemned to a life of slavery, she’s at the Mage Circle’s mercy, forced to carry out their orders for as long as she lives. Then the Circle’s best bounty hunter meets Lucas Grey, an immortal blessed with magic and a big chip on his shoulder. Lucas has known nothing but the life of a warrior for over two hundred years, protecting the human race from Hel’s demons. But when a bounty hunter comes after his twin, Luc uses her to even his score with the corrupt organization who tortured his brother. As their worlds collide, they discover the cost of revenge might be too high a price to pay.

Amazon

PUPPY LOVE (HER SECRET MENAGERIE BOOK 1) by Katelyn Beckett

My passion in life? Saving animals. I’m the person they call when a cat has kittens under their shed or a stray dog shows up with no collar and tags. Be it dark or rain or foggy night, I’m there for friends of fur, scale, and feather alike. I just never expected one of my rescue calls to be a werewolf pup. Not like I knew it when I showed up, but something was definitely different about him. His snout was too round, his ears too pointed, and I’d thought he was a coydog; one of those dog-coyote mixes that showed up now and then. That was before he bit me. And even an alpha pup can change an innocent mortal like me into a shapeshifting powerhouse. Flung into a new world where submission might mean death and pack politics rule the secret supernatural society, I’m lost but not alone. With the pup’s father, Hudson, and his packmates leading me through this strange environment, I feel as though I could take on the world. They have everything I need; confidence, power, money. And I’m everything they could ever want. But how do we come to terms with the fact that it feels as if we’ve always been together? As if we all belong as a group? I haven’t been on a date in years, now I have four gorgeous, rich werewolves chasing me. What’s a girl to do?

Amazon

THE GHOST AND CHARLIE MUIR by Felice Stevens

Bad enough the big old house Charlie Muir inherits is next door to Ian Gregg, the most gorgeous guy he’s ever seen—it also happens to be occupied by Rachel, the ghost who keeps running off his dates. It’s impossible to get any loving when the bed starts shaking…and not because you’re having fun in it. When Ian helps Charlie search for the source of strange noises in his house, they stumble upon a stack of photographs hiding century-old secrets. Curious of the friendship between the two men pictured, Charlie and Ian set off to solve the mystery of their relationship. With the help of the meddling ghost, a magical mirror, and a way too Smart TV, they find answers…and more.
And as things heat up between Charlie and Ian, they begin to wonder if Rachel’s meddling has gone too far.
Doesn’t Rachel know Ian is straight? Or is he? That kiss they shared the other night sure didn’t seem like it. Or the one after that.

Amazon

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VS Backlist Note: Ready to try something different in paranormal romance? I write a series set in ancient Egypt, but with the same pulse pounding elements of adventure, action and romance featured in my scifi romances….why not try the first novella in the award winning series and see what you think?

Cover by Fiona Jayde

PRIESTESS OF THE NILE (THE GODS OF EGYPT)

1550 BCE
This is a lightly re-edited re-release of PRIESTESS OF THE NILE. No new material has been added.
Drawn to his abandoned temple on the banks of the Nile one evening by the notes of a half forgotten, sacred song, Sobek the Crocodile God is unable to resist Merys, the beautiful singer who innocently summons him. Appearing to her as a man and concealing his true identity, he’s captivated by this descendant of his last priestess.
Treated by her family as a servant, denied a dowry and with no prospects for anything but a life of drudgery, Merys is happy to steal away to spend time with the handsome stranger.
Their mutual attraction burns hot but Sobek is forbidden to pursue a human woman and can offer Merys nothing beyond a few hours snatched from his duties tending the Nile.
Then Egypt’s enemies attack the peaceful village. Can the love between Merys and the Crocodile God survive the ultimate test of the gods?
A 21,000 word novella of ancient Egypt…
Suggested reading order for the Gods of Egypt series (although the books can be read standalone):
PRIESTESS OF THE NILE
WARRIOR OF THE NILE
DANCER OF THE NILE
MAGIC OF THE NILE (a sequel to PRIESTESS)
GHOST OF THE NILE
HEALER OF THE NILE
LADY OF THE NILE
SONG OF THE NILE (a sequel to LADY)

RETURN OF THE DANCER OF THE NILE (a sequel to DANCER)

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LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica:

August 12

August 5

July 29

July 22

July 15

“New” is generally plus or minus a week or two. I try to catch up on ones I missed in recent months.  And I may mention ‘special items’.

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 by hand 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.

 

 

 

Medical Groundstop Order? Highhanded Weekend Writing Warriors

I released a new book a few weeks ago but I’ll do a few more weeks of excerpts from COLONY UNDER SIEGE: INTERSTELLAR PLAGUE…

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!)

May be edited a bit from published version.

The excerpt: Saffia gives the parents no choice on Liddy staying overnight in the hopsital:

The father chewed his lip while the mother wrung her hands and the nanny put her arm around the girl’s shoulders and gave her a reassuring squeeze. Liddy was heartbreakingly stoic about all the adults’ reactions.

Probably used to this traveling circus. “I can transmit a medical groundstop order to the spaceport, for your ship,” Saffia said, tired of the whole discussion and pitying Liddy.  Warby [the medical Artificial Intelligence at the clinic] couldn’t deliver the results fast enough to suit her. She’d prefer to have the family out of her hair and off the planet but a faint instinct about the little girl’s case held her back. She’d wait for test results. Having decided, Saffia forced herself to soften her tone, “But of course I’d rather not do anything so highhanded.”

The generational billionaire seemed shocked by her adamant stance, fiddling with his gleaming feelgood case again, “Well, if you really think she should be hospitalized.”

“We’ll take good care of her and you’re both welcome to stay. We can set up an extra bed in the room.”

VS: And the rest of the scene:

Saffia was sure the couple would decline but she’d make the offer to any set of parents with a child this young so the Fremington-Ulms deserved the same consideration.

“Mifura will stay.” The mother kissed her daughter on the forehead and headed for the door. “We’ll collect you first thing in the morning, darling. Have fun.”

The parents left and Saffia released a pentup breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. Rubbing her chest, which ached from the stress, she exchanged sympathetic looks with the obviously long suffering nanny.

“I’m glad you’re going to keep her tonight, doctor,” Mifura said. “This seems like a peaceful place. She’ll be able to rest without them fretting her and quarreling over every tiny thing.”

The nanny seemed to have no compunctions about discussing her employers but Saffia didn’t care to have such a conversation in front of the child.

The blurb: Newly graduated from a prestigious interstellar medical school, Dr. Saffia Mandell has been assigned to the Haven Two colony on the galaxy’s outer rim as the only doctor for some 2000 human residents. She’s counting the days until her five years there is up, trying to adjust to rural living after life in the crowded Inner Sectors and fighting her attraction to Chief Ranger Micah Navonn. She’s dreading the upcoming tourist season when the rich and pampered will descend on the planet for the scenic wonders and novel sports opportunities and no doubt inundate her little clinic but the colony depends on the seasonal income to survive.

As the senior official for his people, the Calinurra, the indigenous inhabitants of Haven Two, Micah enforces the treaty, regulates the tourist permits, patrols the forests and resists his fascination with Dr. Mandell. He never expected to be involved with a human woman and doesn’t want to believe in the concept of a fated mate. He wants to keep his life simple and isn’t ready for any long term commitment. Besides Saffia keeps proclaiming she’ll be leaving when her appointment is up in four and a half years so why should he risk his heart?

Then a ship arrives unexpectedly carrying a very ill little girl and soon the deadly virus is spreading through Haven Two. The colony authorities are desperate to cover up the problem to preserve the all-important tourist season and Saffia and Micah have to work together to battle the outbreak, the local administration and their undeniable feelings for each other.

Can the colony survive? And will Micah and Saffia be able to move past their fears about entanglements to act on the mutual attraction?

An 87K word novel of the far future…

Amazon      Apple Books      Kobo      Nook      Google Play

New Releases in #SciFi #Fantasy and Paranormal Romance for Wednesday AUGUST 12

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).

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WEAPONS MASTER (GALACTIC GLADIATORS HOUSE OF RONE BOOK 6) by Anna Hackett

VS Note: I’ve loved all her Galactic Gladiators, always so happy to see a new book! One clicked of course.

A grumpy cyborg weapons master collides with a feisty mechanic from Earth who turns his ordered existence upside down. Abducted from her exploration ship and enslaved on a desert world, mechanic Bellamy Walsh has fought for her survival. She’s had to fight for everything in her life, and she doesn’t ever expect things to be easy. After being rescued by the tough, deadly cyborgs of the House of Rone, she is shocked to find herself drawn to a grumpy beast of a cyborg. A genius weapons master who prefers his solitude. A man with scars of his own. A man whose brawny arms are the only thing that chase away Bellamy’s nightmares.

Maxon Shaye likes to be left alone to work. He doesn’t mind his fellow cyborg brethren, but he finds people annoying and chaotic. He’s disconcerted by his growing need to keep Bellamy Walsh safe, and thinks she’s irritating and brash. The woman keeps invading his workshop, getting in his space, and…the even more infuriating thing is that he’s actually starting to like her there. What he doesn’t like is her burning need to throw herself back into danger. Bellamy is determined to help bring down her captors—the metal-scavenging Edull and their deadly desert battle arena—and that makes her a target. She knows too much and the Edull will stop at nothing to silence her. Maxon will do anything to keep her safe, even if that means threatening the growing bond between them. But in order to destroy the Edull’s arena once and for, Maxon and Bellamy will put everything on the line—their desire, their love, their lives.

Amazon

PETS IN SPACE 5 by Various incl me, Pre-Order

VS Note: Normally I don’t do pre-orders but this is the once a year anthology for which I’m the co-founder. Releases October 6th.

Are you ready? Pets in Space® 5 is back for the fifth amazing year! Twelve of today’s top Science Fiction Romance authors have written 12 original, never-before-released stories filled with action, adventure, suspense, humor, and romance that will take you out of this world. The giving doesn’t stop there. For the fifth year, Pets in Space® will be donating a portion of the first month proceeds to Hero-Dogs.org, a non-profit charity that supports our veterans and First Responders. Pets in Space® has donated over $15,000 in the past four years.

Amazon      Apple Books      Nook      Kobo      GooglePlay

SPACE STATION DOWN by Ben Bova and Doug Beason 

VS Note: Not a romance but any book that evokes “Die Hard”….a scifi release of note. I one-clicked.

When an ultra-rich space tourist visits the orbiting International Space Station, NASA expects a $100 million win-win: his visit will bring in much needed funding and publicity. But the tourist venture turns into a scheme of terror. Together with an extremist cosmonaut, the tourist slaughters all the astronauts on board the million-pound ISS—and prepares to crash it into New York City at 17,500 miles an hour, causing more devastation than a hundred atomic bombs. In doing so, they hope to annihilate the world’s financial system.
All that stands between them and their deadly goal is the lone survivor aboard the ISS, Kimberly Hasid-Robinson, a newly divorced astronaut who has barricaded herself in a secure area.

Amazon      Apple Books

JUST IN TIME: AN OUT OF TIME STORY by Pauline Baird Jones

VS Note: I love PBJ’s books! One clicked…

He’s racing back to rescue the future. She’s trying to survive her present. Will the past doom their love? Undisclosed location, present day. Fearless scientist and military pilot Ty Granger has dedicated his life to hunting down those who tamper with time. So when someone attempts to stop the development of a cutting-edge plane in 1954, he’s forced to make a risky jump back through a temporal vortex. But his mission takes a twist when he falls for the revolutionary device’s beautiful inventor…who only has days left to live.
Edwards Air Force Base, 1954. Alice Merriweather is desperate to prove her extraordinary creation can fly. So when a handsome stranger offers to be her test pilot, she overlooks his claim that he’s from the future. Fearing that a rival plans to sabotage her project, Alice risks trusting the mysterious man who treats her like an equal. As history grows fragile, Ty fears the clock will expire on saving his love from her terrible fate. And though Alice has fallen hard for the futuristic man, she’s prepared to sacrifice her life if it means her radical work and the man she loves will survive.
With shadowy enemies threatening to erase Ty and Alice’s existence, will they find their happily ever after?

Amazon      Apple Books

FORBIDDEN FROST (ELEMENTAL ALIEN MATES BOOK 2) by Riley Onyx

From above the planet is beautiful, on the ground it’s terrifying. No scans picked up the aliens, yet they exist. Part humanoid, part elemental and one hundred percent domineering. I never asked for him to save my life after my ship crashed. But he did, and then he stung me with his mating barb. Claiming me. His skin is rough and cold, but his touch awakens a heat I’ve never felt. I shouldn’t want him…When my camp is raided, I need to make some quick choices because he broke the rules and a price must be paid. I can’t let him die for saving me.

Amazon

THE ALIEN’S SAVIOR (DRIXONIAN WARRIORS BOOK 5) by Ella Maven

“I’ll do anything to make sure she’s safe. Even from me.” Naomi: All my life, I’ve been protected. First by my older brother, and now by a crew of women on a strange alien planet who insist on protecting my virtue. Who cares about virtue? I have to make the most of this situation, and if that means shacking up with a big blue guy, I’m not opposed. So when I find that the very alien who I’m convinced is my mate has gone off on a reckless mission, I risk it all to bring him back myself.
Gar: Anger doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel when a fragile female puts herself in harm’s way for me. And not just any female—of course she’s the one I can’t resist. But I don’t deserve her, and I’ll never bind her to my doomed destiny. Except now she’s in danger, and if it’s the last thing I do in my cursed life, I’ll make sure she’s safe. Even from me.

Amazon

DHAKHAR by Annabelle Rex

When Dhakhar and his crew board a suspicious vessel, he thinks they’re about to find a shipment of illegal weapons. But the cargo is actually something far worse – a collection of cryogenically frozen women, abducted from an unknown planet. And Dhakhar has just accidentally woken one of them up.
Waking up in a box full of freezing water has not been Charlie’s favourite experience. Discovering she’s lightyears from home only makes matters worse. But for some reason, the aliens who’ve rescued her think she’s a princess, and Charlie is just going to roll with it. If they realise she’s utterly unimportant, they might just try to force her back inside her icy coffin so they can ship her home without any hassle. Although, she might come to regret opting to take the long way home with surly Captain Dhakhar.

Amazon

BOUND (FATED MATES OF THE KALIXIAN WARRIORS BOOK 4) by Presley Hall

After watching my friends find bliss with their gorgeous alien mates, I’ve secretly been hoping the same thing would happen to me. Still, when Prince Khrelan singles me out and invites me to stay in his palace so he can learn more about the human race, I’m terrified. He’s commanding, powerful, and insanely handsome—and he’s skeptical of the mate bond between Kalixians and humans. He wants to prove the bond isn’t real. It’s my job to convince him it is.
But when chemistry flares between us like wildfire, it may be more than we can resist…Even if neither of us is ready for what it could mean.

Amazon

FATED MATE CONQUERED: A DARK SCIFI MAFIA ROMANCE (VOSTRA CRIME LORDS BOOK 2) by Luna Voss

The first time I met Kora, I was trapped behind a force field and she was my prison guard. Now I’m the one in charge. She’ll follow my rules, or get thrown over my knee and soundly disciplined. That’s the way of the Vostra. But something about this defiant little female captivates me. Makes me want her more than I should. When she goes into heat, I’m going to make her mine.

Amazon

COSMIC LOCK (GRAND MASTER’S GALAXY BOOK 6) by Aurora Springer

Three sets of enemies and a wormhole to shut? Follow the superpowered Griffins on a rollercoaster adventure where new threats counter each success. Grand Masters Violet and Athanor Griffin return from beyond the Cosmic Rift with two shiploads of rescued children and escaped slaves, but their enemies have not been idle in their absence. Avalon is in flames and their baby son is missing. Finding him may be the easiest of their problems. They must unite the fractious Grand Masters, stop the bloodsucking Ixioths from enslaving sentients, and seal the cosmic rupture to prevent new incursions of the vindictive Nulls. The clock is ticking. They have twelve days to squash their enemies before their final venture into the alternate universe. Can they overcome the challenges and secure peace for the galaxy?

Amazon      Apple Books

ESCAPING CONFLICT (ISLAND REFUGE EMP BOOK 1) by Grace Hamilton

VS Note: Dystopian scifi, not a romance.

After dropping out of college, tech-savvy Elna is determined to bring her family’s vineyard into the twenty-first century. Located on its own island in California, Elna hopes her resourcefulness will finally earn her father’s respect and keep visitors flocking to their idyllic retreat. But her ambitions are shattered when a catastrophic EMP attack descends on North America. With only a brief warning before the missile strikes, Elna and her father soon realize they are marooned on their island with an unusual group of guests. With no power, electricity and little chance of reaching the mainland, life in paradise quickly sours. Food and water is growing scarce; they have no access to medical supplies; and they have no idea what’s happening in the world outside of their vineyard. They must find a way to unify as a group – fast. But when an unexpected assailant threatens their lives; Elna’s father goes missing; and another guest is gravely injured, remaining on the island together is no longer an option. A journey to the mainland won’t be easy, and even if they make it there’s no way of guaranteeing what horrors could lie in store for them. In a world where science and reason have descended into post-apocalyptic anarchy, it seems survival of the fittest reigns supreme.

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RESON’S LESSON: A XENO SAPIENS NOVEL (GENETICALLY ALTERED HUMANS BOOK 16) by Rena Marks

Maximus Xeno Sapien or Reson Xeno Sapien?  Lorelei:  She has one month to become a bride. A possibility is a platonic relationship, of course. But for some reason, Lorelei’s heart wants Reson, the bad-boy Xeno Sapien. The play-boy. The one who never takes life seriously. She just can’t seem to entrap him, while a better possibility is another Xeno Sapien who wishes for a platonic mateship, just like her. Maximus Xeno Sapien is ultimately the smarter choice. Reson: The last of the three musketeers, Reson is the only one of their group left unmated. For a brief span of time, it seemed he found the female meant to be his. But then he remembered what happened to the last one during their days of captivity. No amount of therapy will erase those memories. It’s up to Reson’s beloved makeshift Xeno Sapien family to get him to face his fears before he loses Lorelei to his nemesis. Especially when he learns Max has no intentions of keeping their mating platonic.

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STAR DAUGHTER by Shveta Thakrar

VS Note: Not listed as a romance...

The daughter of a star and a mortal, Sheetal is used to keeping secrets. Pretending to be “normal.” But when an accidental flare of her starfire puts her human father in the hospital, Sheetal needs a full star’s help to heal him. A star like her mother, who returned to the sky long ago. Sheetal’s quest to save her father will take her to a celestial court of shining wonders and dark shadows, where she must take the stage as her family’s champion in a competition to decide the next ruling house of the heavens—and win, or risk never returning to Earth at all.

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BRYK (MAIL ORDER BRIDES OF CRAKAIR BOOK 2) by Ava Ross

Will a hot-blooded, seven-foot-tall, scaly green alien meet his match in a feisty woman from Earth? After losing her husband, Sadie is afraid of getting her heart broken again. On a dare, she signs up for the Extraterrestrial Matchmaking Service, and she’s paired with Bryk, a seven foot tall, scaled alien from a distant world. At their first touch, a gleaming symbol appears on her palm. Bryk tells her it’s a matebond, and she’s his destined mate. He makes her pulse sing, but does she dare take a chance with someone new?
When Bryk applies for the Selection, he’s matched with Sadie. At their first meet-up, his matebond ignites and now he’ll do anything he can to win her heart. But Sadie has been hurt in the past and is afraid to trust. Refusing to admit defeat, Bryk talks her into giving him seven days to convince her she wants to stay. Bryk will need to pull out every Crakairian trick he can think of to win her heart. Can two very different souls find love with each other on a planet far from Earth?

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ACCELERANT: A SUPERHERO REVERSE HAREM ROMANCE (THE PTB ALLIANCE BOOK 2) by Katelyn Beckett

VS Note: From late July…

Good things never die. After a brutal battle with my new boyfriend’s sister, we’ve had a handful of hard facts thrown in our faces. Someone wants the Alliance put down. His sister, Isabella (superhero alias Melody) has her hands in it, somehow. Scribe isn’t the protective powerhouse we always believed him to be. We are not the unstoppable force we thought we were. And Nishelle is alive. I served years of my life in prison, was branded a murderer for accidentally mixing her medication with something that killed her. And yet, she showed up at our most dire moment and saved our lives. Why has she been hiding? Why did she let me go to prison? Most importantly, why is my Ember calling herself Ardent and acting like I’m poison? So many questions and so few answers. Worse, my powers aren’t responding the way they usually do after blowing myself out trying to put down Melody. We’re all stuck in the hospital and there’s someone pulling the strings out there, making our lives harder and putting all of us at a risk I’m not comfortable with. I can’t wait to get out of here and wrap my hands around their neck. And I can’t wait to get home so I can bury myself in my men… and maybe Nishelle, too.

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MIRAGE (WEB SHIFTER’S LIBRARY BOOK 2) by Julie E Czernada

VS Note: A scifi release of note, not a romance…this series is on my TBR List…

Relationships get complicated when you don’t know who—or what—you really are. Esen must find a way to rescue a hapless group of chimeras, beings who are a new and unique blend of species she knows, when she can’t become one herself. When Evan Gooseberry tries to help, he is shattered to learn he himself isn’t entirely Human and begins to suspect his new friend Esen isn’t what she seems. Complicating matters, a mysterious contagion has killed the crew of the ship that brought the chimeras—and Evan—to Botharis. Everyone’s been quarantined inside the All Species’ Library of Linguistics and Culture, including over a hundred disgruntled alien scholars.
The risks climb as Skalet and Lionel continue their quest to solve the disappearance of Paul’s mother’s ship, the Sidereal Pathfinder, only to find themselves caught in a tangle of loyalties as Skalet is betrayed by her own Kraal affiliates, who infiltrate the Library. All of which would be quite enough for one Web-being’s day, but Paul Ragem hopes to rekindle the romance of his first love. A shame Esen hasn’t told him who’s hiding in their greenhouse.

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UNDERGROUND BRIDE (PAETHIAN WARRIOR MATES BOOK 1) by Loretta Johns

Mandy – I thought the only good alien was a dead one. Those Pig Faces and Tooth Fairies razed human civilization and forced us underground a couple hundred years ago.  I’d still be there, except my mother told us we had to flee the compound for our very lives. My brothers and I figure we’ll hide out or maybe find other survivors band together to kick some alien butt. Until the first thing we see are a squad of pink, fanged Tooth Fairies waiting for us with ray guns at the ready. Horlas – When the humans asked me to check out what looked like yet another historical underground bunker site, I felt it was a waste of time. They are always either empty, or filled with the dead, and nearly always in serious disrepair. In the early days, the bunkers also housed dissidents who attacked us and any humans they found fighting by our side, thinking we were the aggressors rather than those who came to save their world. As a result, by treaty, we had the responsibility to make sure these were safe to enter. I never expected to find my mate ready to attack me.

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MY HIGHLAND LAIRD: SCI REGENCY BOOK 5 by J L Langley

Bannon Thompson, talented artist and youngest son of the Duke of Eversleigh, is hastily shipped off after his latest indiscretion. After crashing on rural Skye, leaving him and his valet the sole survivors of a diplomatic mission, Bannon must navigate the complexities of a primitive clan society and take up a role he never wanted: helping a sexy Highlander ensure the safety of both their planets. Laird Ciaran MacKay wants nothing more than to keep his clan safe from the off-world intruders who killed his father. Suspecting complicity among his own people, he has no choice but to trust outsiders from a spaceship crash—and he can’t seem to fight his attraction to the stubborn redhead. Drawn to the handsome laird, Bannon risks a bold affair. But there is more at stake than reputations as they find two lost Regelens and uncover the Intergalactic Navy’s plot.

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WAR’S END (THE REUNION TRILOGY BOOK 1) by Imogene Nix

Forced apart by war five years ago, Renjiro and Selina have another chance at love. Can they make it work or does fate have other plans? Without the citizenship of the Federation, Indy pilot Selina Codecko is treated like a second-class citizen. When she gets caught up in a bar brawl she’s arrested and finds herself in the hands of the Justice Officers. Renjiro Ito has dreamed of Selina for five long years. As the Commander of the Justice Officers, the plight of this one woman will turn his life upside down. But there’s more going on than just the fate of one woman—there’s a seething underbelly that wants to destroy their newly expanded Federation. The chances of a future together are slim, but they’ll take any chances that come their way. Will it be enough?

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SIA MARTINEZ AND THE MOONLIT BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

VS Note: Not a romance. A scifi release of note…

It’s been three years since ICE raids and phone calls from Mexico and an ill-fated walk across the Sonoran. Three years since Sia Martinez’s mom disappeared. Sia wants to move on, but it’s hard in her tiny Arizona town where people refer to her mom’s deportation as “an unfortunate incident.” Sia knows that her mom must be dead, but every new moon Sia drives into the desert and lights San Anthony and la Guadalupe candles to guide her mom home. Then one night, under a million stars, Sia’s life and the world as we know it cracks wide open. Because a blue-lit spacecraft crashes in front of Sia’s car…and it’s carrying her mom, who’s very much alive. As Sia races to save her mom from armed-quite-possibly-alien soldiers, she uncovers secrets as profound as they are dangerous in this stunning and inventive exploration of first love, family, immigration, and our vast, limitless universe.

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INNOVATION: QUEER SCIFI’S SEVENTH ANNUAL FLASH FICTION CONTEST by J Scott Coatsworth and Various

IN-NO-VA-TION (Noun) 1) A new idea, method, or device. 2) The introduction of something new. 3) The application of better solutions to meet unarticulated needs. Three definitions to inspire writers around the world and an unlimited number of possible stories to tell. Here are 120 of our favorites. Innovation features 300-word speculative flash fiction stories from across the rainbow spectrum, from the minds of the writers of Queer Sci Fi.

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HAVEN 7 – A POST APOCALYPTIC HAREM by Misty Vixen

Things finally settled down for David and the ladies. After tackling the dual menaces of the stalkers and the vipers, they have at last secured peace for themselves. And though the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, a blessedly boring routine settling in, David has stayed vigilant. He knows that nothing lasts forever, and peace can be snatched away in an instant. The day he’s waiting for arrives as summer bakes the land and a new group of people appear in the region. Though standoffish at first, he soon learns that they’re refugees of a tragic situation and are just looking for a new home. As he and the others agree to help them, David begins taking on a new journey, but in doing so may put himself, and those he loves, on a more dangerous path than ever before.

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DOCTOR OF HIS DESIRE (WARRIORS OF THE AUGUR NEBULA BOOK 6) by Juniper Kerry

When Dr. Julia Foxe volunteers for a breeding program on the distant planet of Beshtast, she doesn’t really want a mate. Instead, she’s planning something much bigger: a special clinic for human women carrying alien babies. There are women out there who need help, and she’s going to help them. The breeding program is her ticket… as long as she doesn’t fall in love.
After the bombing of Xenyle, Prince Elter is damaged. His leg pains him, his scars pain him, and the trauma makes it hard for him to sleep. Once the most even-keeled of the princes on the Council, he now experiences fits of explosive rage he cannot control. When he lays eyes on Julia, he knows instantly that they are bonded. But such a beautiful creature deserves someone whole; not a broken man who drinks himself to sleep every night. For her sake, he cannot reveal the connection he knows is there. Julia faces many challenges as she works to open her clinic. Perhaps the biggest challenge is resisting the pull that draws her to the broken prince. Will she be able to keep her focus on her plan, or will she give into temptation? And what will Prince Elter do, as the drive to connect with Julia grows ever stronger?

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RHONDA WRAY: RAPTOR WRANGLER by Charon Dunn and Sally Smith

VS Note: OKay, not a romance, the plot sounds FUN.

Rhonda Wray: Raptor Wrangler is about a teenage girl who was innocently trying to listen to some live music … her favorite boy band happened to be playing a festival on a dinosaur planet … when bad things suddenly happened. Now she and her trusty robot are all alone in the wilderness, picking up survival skills and looking for her favorite singer, Sebastian Rose, just in case he needs to be rescued.
There’s hard science, explosions, plenty of dinosaurs (with feathers), diversity, no sex (although there are a few references to it), less violence than many dinosaur stories, cliffhangers galore, and a little bogus science just to honor the fine tradition of speculative fiction (what if raptors had syrinxes and could sing like birds?).

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GALACTIC ALPHAS: SCIFI ROMANCE OMEGAVERSE COMPILATION by Juno Wells

Nothing can keep these Alphas from their Omegas. In “Alpha’s Omega,” Remy meets Maya, an Omega with good reasons to distrust and avoid all Alphas, but he’s determined to prove to her they aren’t all bad. In “Buying His Omega,” Ryder had no intention of spending a year of credits on the Omega in the box, but her pain is undeniable, and his Alpha instincts insist he has to rescue–and claim–Daisy. In “Claiming His Omega,” Quinn helped rescue Azaria but walked away. He doesn’t want an Omega, and she doesn’t need an Alpha until events bring them back together.

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ALIEN WARRIOR’S TROPHY (CONQUERED ALIEN MATES BOOK 8) by  Athena Storm and Tara Starr 

Valk has built his career on pain. And now he’s looking for his next victory. He finds it in me. At first I’m scared.
I’m helpless. Shaking. Cold and alone. There’s no hope for me. And then our world explodes. We’re attacked.
Now I’m stuck with a monster, fighting for my life. Yes, Valk did burn down my store – which was my only source of income. He did capture me. He was planning on passing me to the highest bidder. Its true I was nothing but an object to him. But then the [enemy] attacked, and I became something else. I became his lover. And he became my protector.  He fed me. Clothed me. Took care of me. He kept me safe. He kept me alive. And made sure I knew one thing… That I was his. Forever.

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MONSTER: A DARK ALIEN ROMANCE (REAPER’S PROPERTY BOOK 1) by Athena Storm and Cara Stone

Reapers. We think they’re cruel. But we don’t know the half of it. Yet. MY ship was raided. And now I’m owned by a monster. He saw me. Felt me. And claimed me. I became a pet. His property.  I never broke under the lash. The pain only made me stronger. I’m determined that I will win. He will yield to the desire I bring out. His will is my command. His words are my truth. Some may think that he broke me. Other’s will think I’ve tamed him. You know what? I don’t care. All I know is this. I’ve won the love of this monstrous alien warlord. He makes me feel like someone treasured. Rather than something used. This giant brutish beast…Who has stolen a little piece of my soul. Has merged it with his own.

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A QUEEN’S THRONE: THE IRON LOTUS SERIES BOOK 1 (A STEAMPUNK NOVELLA SERIES) by Nicole Adamz and Brooke Chastain

Sometimes love comes second to need. Zhēnzhū hates being poor, but she loves her family. A vague shadow clings to her family after one decision by her father sent the Méilís into poverty, and they never recovered. Now, her father is fighting in a war raging inside of Milgrim: one side promotes reckless advancement of technology while the other side urges caution. The responsibility of keeping the family together falls on Zhēnzhū’s mother and the four girls. As the eldest daughter, Zhēnzhū takes her duty seriously but can’t help yearning for more. When Zhēnzhū is accused of something she didn’t do, her job is placed in jeopardy. Desperate, Zhēnzhū struggles to forge a new path but becomes entangled with two men. Both offer her a chance at a different life, but she isn’t sure what choice to make. Clinging to the past, and hope for the future, Zhēnzhū’s troubled heart makes a surprising discovery. Will her final choice help her family?

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THE GIRL IN THE STEEL CORSET (THE STEAMPUNK CHRONICLES BOOK 1) by Kate McLaughlin

VS Note: Not listed as a romance…

In 1897 London, sixteen year-old Finley Jayne can depend on no one but the ‘thing’ inside her.
But, when a freak accident puts her in the path of Griffin King, a powerful young lord with secrets of his own, Finley realizes she’s not so alone after all. She joins Griffin’s team of strange and gifted teens to fight a dark presence threatening the empire, but it will take all of her strength to stand against the force of darkness within herself.

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ALIEN’S BEAUTY (GALACTIC FAIRY TALES BOOK 1) by V K Ludwig

VS Note: From late July

Kidnapped by the Aurani prince, Ada Alvarez has one chance to survive her captor: pretend she’s as precious as he believes. The horned beast who captures her cares little for Ada’s beauty. Robbed of his birthright by her father, Prince Kerien knows only ugliness and deceit hides underneath her soft skin and gentle curves. With the power core of his ship dying and the survival of his people at stake, Ada’s exchange for ransom is inevitable. Kerien never expects to find beauty underneath the facade of Ada’s studied smiles. Or a sincere care for his people. Never did he expect to care for a human female worthy of a kingdom. When his ship threatens shutdown, it’s no longer certain if Ada is the salvation of his people, or his own eternal downfall.

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XYRU (ALIEN BARBARIANS BOOK 3) by Eden Ember and Eve Laird

Mare Whittingham works on Zeta for Earth Relief. When Allegra introduces her to the alien, Xyru, she can’t understand how any human can fall for an Aaran barbarian alien. Though she thinks Xyru as hunky for a blue alien, she could not imagine actually being with one. There is no time for Xyru to convince Mare she is his fated mate. Taking matters into his own hands, he captures her right as the Torq Runner takes off. No matter how she hates him and wants nothing to do with him, he is convinced he can change her mind. Mare escapes and hopes never to see the blue alien again. Xyru goes after her while the Torq Runner leaves him behind in hopes of saving her. Will he find her and save her before she falls prey to the savage planet? Will she survive being on her own and realize her true feelings for the barbarian alien?

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HER OBSSESSION (AUCKLAND STEAMPUNK FIRST CLASS 3) by Barbara Russell

Revenge was the only thing she could think of . . . until she met him. New York, 1860 – When her family was killed in one of the anti-technology anarchists’ terrorist attacks, Clarissa Fox swore revenge. A respected and rich entrepreneur in New York City, she owns the most flourishing factory of steam engines and steam-powered gadgets. Money and technology are what she needs to bring down the anarchists, but her secret weapon is the Sarleet—the biggest, purest diamond in the world. To be honest, she has no idea what to do with the darn stone, but since the anarchists are desperately searching for it, then it must be important. So when Ryu, an agent of Military Intelligence Seventh Division of New Zealand—asks her to give him the Sarleet in exchange for his help to stop the anarchists, she refuses. She doesn’t need anyone’s help, least of all the help of a posh, unbearable . . . charming MI7 agent. But when he proves to have a particularly intriguing superpower—he can suck the life out of a person—Clarissa decides that maybe she can endure a temporary alliance with him. As they fight to bring down the most dangerous criminal organisation in the world, the biggest threat for Clarissa might be to lose her heart.

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THE SALVAGER’S STOLEN MATE by Elena Carvalho

Today’s not turning out well, and I’ve barely finished my coffee. An expensive piece of hardware just melted all over my truck’s engine. My genetic compatibility tests came back … I’m supposed to marry a man I hate. That man just picked a fight with the hardware salvager who’s got the piece I need. He’s huge, armed to the teeth, has a forked tongue that just flicked at me like a snake. And he’s decided that claiming me as his bride instead is an appropriate revenge for insult. FML. I should have just gone back to bed. Once I’m a captive on his ship, I discover that he’s much more than what he seems. Soon, I’m falling for the being hidden under his savage exterior. Yet one look at his cargo tells me he deals on the black market, where human lives are bought and sold alongside our technology. Plus, I quickly learn that there’s more than just my fear of what lies ahead conspiring to tear us apart…Can I trust him? Can we make it work despite the odds? Or will the forces at work succeed at destroying our bond?

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BETRAYING KO’RAN (ALTORIAN CYBORGS BOOK 1) by J Thompson

VS Note: An expanded re-release. I have to say I think the character’s first name is unfortunate.

Ko’ran Edwards, Commander of Terra One, is carrying the fate of his entire race on his weary shoulders. Wounded and betrayed, his home destroyed, he needs to find a way off the planet and back to what’s left of his people, and to do it, he’s going to need the help of an unexpected—and utterly captivating—human woman. Bethany Walker lost everything the day she watched her husband die: the love of her life, a career she adored, and any hope for her future. Trapped in a bitter cycle of loneliness and grief, the arrival of a gorgeous cyborg with a familiar face changes everything.

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SHADOWBORN QUEEN (DARK FAE PARANORMAL PRISON SERIES BOOK 3) by G Bailey and Scarlett Snow

The throne is my fate…and I can’t escape. I’m Izora Dawn and I’m finally free from the prisons I was stuck in. Except for a tiny problem: The Enchanted Forest is at war, the Shadowborn Academy is nearly destroyed and I have to stop the titans before they destroy the world and take the last of my family with them. Turns out the outside world is far more dangerous than any prison could be. With my mates at my side, I will find the Titan keys and end their destruction for good. I can’t fail, my sisters need me and so do the light fae…or what is left of them. And royal fae never give up.

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STORM FORGED (DEATH BEFORE DRAGONS BOOK 6) by Lindsay Buroker

Moving into a rundown Victorian house with a vampire living in the basement isn’t as bad as I thought, but things go from weird to weirder when a badly injured gnome collapses in my back yard. The surprising part? It’s my friend Nin’s long-lost grandfather. Since he’s unconscious, we can’t figure out who’s chasing him, or where he’s been all these years, but if we can’t help him, he’ll die. To make matters worse, there’s a new dragon in town. A female dragon. Everyone knows females are more dangerous than the males, and this one takes an instant dislike to me. It seems that she wants to date my mate, Zav, and has his mother’s approval. If I can’t avoid her wrath and find a way to cure the gnome, Nin’s going to lose her grandfather, and I’m going to end up deader than the vampire in the basement.

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VANESSA YU’S MAGICAL PARIS TEA SHOP by Roselle Lim

VS Note: I love this magical realism genre. It’s on my TBR List.

Vanessa Yu never wanted to see people’s fortunes—or misfortunes—in tealeaves.
Ever since she can remember, Vanessa has been able to see people’s fortunes at the bottom of their teacups. To avoid blurting out their fortunes, she converts to coffee, but somehow fortunes escape and find a way to complicate her life and the ones of those around her. To add to this plight, her romance life is so nonexistent that her parents enlist the services of a matchmaking expert from Shanghai.
After her matchmaking appointment, Vanessa sees death for the first time. She decides that she can’t truly live until she can find a way to get rid of her uncanny abilities. When her eccentric Aunt Evelyn shows up with a tempting offer to whisk her away, Vanessa says au revoir to California and bonjour to Paris. There, Vanessa learns more about herself and the root of her gifts and realizes one thing to be true: knowing one’s destiny isn’t a curse, but being unable to change it is.

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PRINCE OF CATS: AUTUMN COURT BOOK 1 by Tasha Black

VS Note: Another new series from Tasha!

Piper Lee has spent a lifetime training to become an Olympic archery champion, and her dream is so close she can practically touch it. But a chance encounter with a wickedly handsome stranger turns her life upside down in a single night of pleasure so intense it feels like magic. Her workouts and training sessions have now been replaced with cuddling and caring for a baby boy she loves more than life itself. She expects them to have a wonderful life together, and she plans to go back to archery when he’s older. The one thing she doesn’t expect is ever to see his father again.

When Prince Killian of the Autumn Court spots a beautiful, mortal woman through the magic mirror that serves as a gateway between realms, he decides to give her a single night of unbridled ecstasy, in exchange for an heir. He does not expect to fall desperately in love with her. He does not plan to hunger for her during his absence. And when he returns for his son, he certainly does not expect Piper to chase them back across the veil.

When Piper and Killian find themselves pursued by mythic creatures in faerie and targeted by an unknown enemy, they must work together to get baby Kieran back to the Autumn Court unharmed. But once they are there, Piper will have to live a lie if she wants access to her child, and to the man whose love she knows she cannot deny. And when evil follows them into the very walls of the palace, only Piper can fight back against the court that threatens her family.

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MAGICAL MIDLIFE DATING: A PARANORMAL WOMEN’S FICTION NOVEL (LEVELING UP BOOK 2) by K F Breene

She must learn to fly, but can she withstand the allure of the handsome new teacher? The decision has been made. Jessie has taken the magic, and all the weird that goes with it. Including wings. There’s only one problem – she can’t figure out how to access them. Through a series of terrible decisions, Jessie realizes she must ask for help. Gargoyle help. But she could’ve never predicted who answers her call – he’s an excellent flier, incredibly patient, and a good trainer. He’s also incredibly handsome. And interested. Maybe flying isn’t the only thing she needs help with. Maybe she needs help getting back on that saddle, too, emerging into the dating pool.
Except, the new gargoyle is also an alpha, just like Austin, and the town isn’t big enough for two. Turns out, flying is the least of her problems.

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KISS OF SNOW (ROYAL HEARTS BOOK 2) by Elizabeth Briggs

She would do anything for her kingdom. He would do anything to protect her. After the King of Talador’s mysterious death, Princess Lily must prepare to take the throne, even if she doesn’t feel ready yet. As her coronation draws near, an attack on her life sends her fleeing the castle with her devoted Captain of the Guard, Keane, the one man she trusts above all others. When she arrives at her other palace, she is courted by seven handsome suitors, all hand-selected to potentially be her future King. With her kingdom in danger and her forbidden magic growing stronger, the last thing Lily wants to do is select a husband—especially when she’d rather be with the man who’s been by her side for years.
Now that Lily is going to be queen, Captain Keane understands she needs to marry a nobleman, even if the thought makes him want to run his blade through every one of her suitors. As long as he hides his true feelings for Lily, he can continue to protect her—even if no one can protect his heart. But when the attacks on Lily grow more dangerous and a threat from the past emerges, they must embrace her magic and their forbidden love if they’re going to save her throne.

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BLACKSTONE RANGER CHARMER (BLACKSTONE RANGERS BOOK 2) by Alicia Montgomery

A lion shifter waiting for the inevitable.Lion shifter Gabriel Russel knew what the future held for him. As the only male in his family, he was expected to marry a lioness worthy of his name and create a lasting alliance to expand their Pride’s influence and power. However, when fate brings him his beautiful mate, he knew there was no way he was going to bend to his pride’s will. Of course, he also has to convince his human mate that they were meant to be together, but surely, he could win her easily with his charms, right?
A scarred woman, starting her life over after tragedy. A tragic event in the past has left deep scars–emotional and physical–on Temperance Pettigrew and her confidence has been left in tatters. Still, she’s managed to pick herself up and start again in Blackstone, Colorado. But when Gabriel literally crashes into her kitchen, she’s not sure what to do or even what he wants. He follows her around, sends her gifts, and is inserting himself into every aspect of her life. Her broken soul tells her this can only end in heartbreak, but Gabriel seems determined to tear down all her walls.
Though Gabriel and Temperance grow closer, outside forces are determined to keep them apart. Can Gabriel convince her that despite her scars, she’s the only woman for him? Can Temperance trust him not to break her heart?

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PENNED IN (A FARM-TO-FARM MYSTERY) by Lynn Cahoon

Contented employees make for a successful restaurant, which is why the County Seat’s crew goes on a quarterly out-of-office meeting. This time, the location is the Old Idaho Penitentiary near the Boise Foothills, a prison brimming with ghostly lore. The lock-in features actors role-playing as guards, fascinating prison stories . . . and an unscripted murder. Who sentenced one of the faux guards to a very authentic death? Angie, her boyfriend, and the County Seat gang are locked in with a killer—excellent motivation for a little sleuthing. Between ghostly apparitions and flesh-and-blood suspects, Angie’s plate is full, but will her luck, and her life, hold out until the gates reopen at dawn?

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CRY OF METAL AND BONE: EARTHSINGER CHRONICLES BOOK 3 by L Penelope

As desperate Lagrimari flee their barren land for a chance at a better life in Elsira, a shadowy group with ties to the Elsiran government launches an attack on their own soil. With threats of more violence, an unlikely crew is assembled to investigate. Among them are Lizvette Nirall, a disgraced socialite seeking redemption for past mistakes, and Tai Summerhawk, a foreign smuggler determined to keep a promise he made to a dead man. It’s a race against time in this world of deadly magic, secret agendas and court intrigue to discover those responsible before the next assault. And in another land a new enemy awakens—one that will strike terror into the hearts of gods and men.

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MY DREAM WOMAN: BOOK ONE IN THE GUILD OF DREAM WARRIORS SERIES by C H Clepitt

When your dreams are real there’s no-where to escape! Andi is just holding it together. Working two jobs means she doesn’t need to rely on anyone, but doesn’t have much of a life. In her dreams, however, she is a hero: battling monsters and saving innocents. When her dream woman turns out to be very real, Andi’s life begins to spiral out of control. Step into an exciting urban fantasy that will have you on the edge of your seat. Think The Book of Abisan, only sexier!

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TEN ARROWS OF IRON (THE GRAVE OF EMPIRES BOOK 2) by Sam Sykes

Sal the Cacophony — outlaw, outcast, outnumbered — destroys all that she loves. Her lover lost and cities burned in her wake, all she has left is her magical gun and her all-consuming quest for revenge against those who stole her power and took the sky from her.
When the roguish agent of a mysterious patron offers her the chance to participate in a heist to steal an incredible power from the famed airship fleet, the Ten Arrows, she finds a new purpose. But a plot to save the world by bringing down empires swiftly escalates into a conspiracy of magic and vengeance that threatens to burn everything to ash, including herself.

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PRELUDE FOR LOST SOULS by Helene Dunbar

In the town of St. Hilaire, most make their living by talking to the dead. In the summer, the town gates open to tourists seeking answers while all activity is controlled by The Guild, a sinister ruling body that sees everything. Dec Hampton has lived there his entire life, but ever since his parents died, he’s been done with it. He knows he has to leave before anyone has a chance to stop him. His best friend Russ won’t be surprised when Dec leaves—but he will be heartbroken. Russ is a good medium, maybe even a great one. He’s made sacrifices for his gift and will do whatever he can to gain entry to The Guild, even embracing dark forces and contacting the most elusive ghost in town. But when the train of Annie Krylova, the piano prodigy whose music has been Dec’s main source of solace, breaks down outside of town, it sets off an unexpected chain of events. And in St. Hilaire, there are no such things as coincidences.

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ROARING by Lindsey Duga

Colt Clemmons is an agent in a specialized division within the Bureau of Investigation—one that hunts down not just mobsters, but also monsters. For reasons that are kept top secret, Colt is the only person who can resist a siren’s voice. But he’s never had a chance to test this ability. The last siren left in the world mysteriously disappeared years ago. Then one night, with a single word, she reveals herself. It seems too good to be true. And it is. Because nothing about this siren—her past, her powers, or her purpose—is what it seems.

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MERMAID COVE AND SEASIDE SUNDAES (ONE SCOOP OR TWO) by Karen Michelle Nutt

One selfless act as a teen unfairly caused Sirena Seafair to forfeit her ability to shift into a mermaid. Fifteen years later, her mundane life is about to change when Jack O’Casey arrives in the Irish town of Grimm Nitch and opens his restaurant, Mermaid Cove. The man is bound and determined to make Sirena his no matter what. But if by chance, Sirena can find a way to reclaim her life as a mermaid, will she leave Jack and her human life behind in exchange for a life beneath the sea? Or will surrendering her heart to love be the magic she’s been waiting for all along?

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IGNITING DARKNESS (COURTING DARKNESS DUOLOGY BOOK 2) by Robin LeFevers

When you count Death as a friend, who can stand as your enemy? Sybella, novitiate of the convent of Saint Mortain and Death’s vengeance on earth, is still reeling from her God’s own passing, and along with him a guiding hand in her bloody work. But with her sisters on the run from their evil brother and under the watchful eye of her one true friend (and love) at court, the soldier known as Beast, Sybella stands alone as the Duchess of Brittany’s protector.
After months of seeking her out, Sybella has finally made contact with a fellow novitiate of the convent, Genevieve, a mole in the French court. But Sybella, having already drawn the ire of the French regent, may not be able to depend on her sister and ally as much as she hoped. Still, Death always finds a way, even if it’s not what one expects.
No one can be trusted and the wolves are always waiting in this thrilling conclusion to the Courting Darkness duology, set in the world of Robin’s beloved His Fair Assassin trilogy.

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SHIFTED RULE (THE WOLVES OF FOREST GROVE BOOK 3) by Elena Lawson

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…I don’t think so. I hated Ryland from the start. Now that he’s my alpha, hate is nowhere near a strong enough word. I’m barely holding on as it is, I don’t need him barking orders at me every chance he gets. Layla and Viv aren’t speaking to me, and I mean, I can’t really blame them. Each day brings them closer to a full moon that could change them both forever. And there’s nothing I can do to stop it. At least I have Jared and Clay. I think we may have found the answer to our little mate bond problem and I finally feel…happy.
But then I begin to unravel a secret decades in the making. One that shakes me to my core and makes my wolf feral with rage. The time for recklessness and fear is at an end. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my mates and my friends, even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice. My enemy is about to learn that no one messes with my family.

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ONCE UPON A FAIRY TALE NIGHT: A COLLECTION ORE RETELLINGS by Various

When it comes to romance, everyone could use a fairy godmother once in a while. Or at least a magic wand. This hot new collection of fairy tale retellings has it all—enchanting Regency ballrooms, demon-infested forests, billionaire-controlled boardrooms, and dark alien planets. And all our fairy tales come with a twist. Our heroes and heroines will take you to the depths of hell and the top of the castle’s spire as they move from Once upon a time to Happily ever after. Featuring a variety of romantic subgenres—contemporary, historical, paranormal, science fiction, reverse harem, and more—these retellings will satisfy your cravings for every style of fairy tale romance, whether you like it sweet or steamy, slow-burn or fast.

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SET FIRE TO THE GODS by Sarah Raasch and Kristen Simmons

Ash is descended from a long line of gladiators, and she knows the brutal nature of war firsthand. But after her mother dies in an arena, she vows to avenge her by overthrowing her fire god, whose temper has stripped her country of its resources. Madoc grew up fighting on the streets to pay his family’s taxes. But he hides a dangerous secret: he doesn’t have the earth god’s powers like his opponents. His elemental gift is something else—something that hasn’t been seen in centuries. When an attempted revenge plot goes dangerously wrong, Ash inadvertently throws the fire and earth gods into a conflict that can only be settled by deadly, lavish gladiator games, throwing Madoc in Ash’s path. She realizes that his powers are the weapon her rebellion needs—but Madoc won’t jeopardize his family, regardless of how intrigued he is by the beautiful warrior. But when the gods force Madoc’s hand, he and Ash uncover an ancient war that will threaten more than one immortal—it will unravel the world.

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WILD WARRIOR (WEAVERS CIRCLE BOOK 2) by Jocelyn Drake and Linda Elliott

Baer Manning – What happens when Baer spills his big secret about monsters and magic to a total stranger?Chaos. In Baer’s defense, he really thought Wiley was a lost brother. This case of mistaken identity forces the cute artist to stay at the plantation house for his own protection while they search for a way to take down a witch. Wiley Stuart – He never should have gotten in Baer’s Jeep. But in Wiley’s defense, Baer is really sexy. And funny. And so sweet. And did he mention sexy? All his life he’d dreamed of superheroes and a life of action. He just never expected to find himself swept up into a world filled with monsters and goddesses. Wiley will do anything to stay with this magical band of brothers and help them with their fight. He just wished he could be Baer’s soul mate.

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VIXEN: A DARK PROTECTORS/ NOVELLA by Rebecca Zanetti

Tabi Rusko has a simple to-do list: Rob a bank, steal a recording, set up a lucrative factory, and survive the assassins on her tail. Sure, she’s a demoness with the cunning and instincts that come with her species, but she’s always spent more time exploring than training, and her fighting skills are okay at best. One sexy man, a human cop no less, is responsible for her being stuck in a small hick town and forced into a human anger-management group that’s crazier than her. To make matters worse, his dangerous blue eyes and hard body leave her breathless and ready to rumble, and his overbearing attitude is a challenge a demoness can’t refuse.

Evan O’Connell just wants to enjoy his time out of the military by policing a small town and hopefully pulling cats from trees and helping old ladies cross the street before he succumbs to the disease plaguing him. The last thing he needs is a stunning, too sexy, pain in the butt blonde casing his bank and causing a ruckus everywhere she goes. There’s something different about her that he can’t figure out, and when she offers him immortality in exchange for her freedom, he discovers that isn’t enough. One touch of her, a whirlwind beyond his imagination, and he wants the Vixen to be his forever, as soon as he takes care of the centuries old killers on her tail.

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THE PRINCESS GAMES (THE PRINCESS TRIALSA BOOK 2) by Cordelia K Castel

The stakes are higher and the competition more brutal in round two of the Princess Trials. Zea’s relationship with Prince Kevon intensifies, and she must choose between the prince and the rebel who holds her heart. When her enemies uncover a secret that drives a rift between Zea and Prince Kevon, she’s not only battling for survival but facing execution.

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BREAKAWAY (CIRCLE OF THE STARS BOOK 1) by Sadie Jacks

VS Note: PNR Reverse Harem

They are coming. Hollyn Parker is running for her freedom. For her life. Born and raised in a community that subjects her to the worst kinds of horrors, she must escape, or she will die. Thrust into a world that is so unlike her own, she finds herself in another prison. At least this one has a set of sexy triplets willing to help her. But the haven they offer isn’t without its own perils. When her old life catches up to her, she must make a choice. Save the men who have sheltered her. Or trust them when they say they can handle her past.

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DEMON GUARDIANS by Jessica Coulter Smith

VS Note: A re-release of novellas.

Demon Guardians: Sexy, seductive demons craving submission. For centuries, they’ve stayed silent, hidden, observing and interfering without being detected. Each guardian demon has a charge to watch over, and it’s always a woman. But there’s only so much a demon can take…Bale: Alia’s a magnet for trouble. It’s time for her reckless behavior to stop, before it gets her killed. Aleixo: Monica has terrible taste in men. Aleixo’s drawn a line, and when her current man crosses it, Aleixo will break all the rules to save her from herself. Rorlan: He’s always been Larissa’s guardian. But now he’s claimed her heart. Dominguez: A single night of passion with Amara, or a lifetime of love? How is a demon to choose? Aires: He’s falling in love with Della. But what happens when two sexy as sin demons want you body and soul — and aren’t into sharing? Publisher’s Note: Demon Guardians contains the previously published novellas Demon Guardians Bale, Aleixo, Rorlan, Dominguez, and Aires.

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ONCE UPON A TEMPTATION: A TWISTED FAIRY TALES LTD ED COLLECTION by Various

Once Upon a Temptation is a collection of twisted fairy tales that will blow your mind. Forget the version of these tales you knew before, and dive into the dark, mysterious worlds these authors have crafted. With shapeshifters to witches, to princesses and mermaids, this compilation will have something for everyone ranging from sweet to steamy, to dark and thrilling. These enchanting tales will quench your need for fantasies of your favorite kind.

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PARANOIA, PIXIES AND…PROPHECIES?: A PARANORMAL WIMEN’S FICTION NOVEL (MUIDLIFE MAYHEM BOOK 4) by Melinda Chase

If there was one thing I’d learned over the last few months, it was that absolutely nothing lasted forever. Which was probably why I’d been so surprised when Hunter announced he was staying in Portland. I couldn’t help but think, and hope, that it had something to do with me, a forty-year-old divorcee who was half witch and half fae. 
 Or maybe that was just a pipe dream. 
 Either way, a new hunk isn’t the only thing that’s changed in my life within the last forty-eight hours. For starters, I freed an elf from prison based solely on the fact that he knew my grandfather’s name. And then that elf promptly had some sort of magical heart attack, leaving me to wonder just what the heck is going on in the world of the fae. 
 I won’t have to wait too long to get answers, though. In fact, they’re coming at me more quickly than I can even think.

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VISIBLE PANTHER LINE (PARANORMAL DATING AGENCY BOOK 27) by Milly Taiden

Sky Adler isn’t looking for a man. She’s happy being Gerri Wilder’s newest assistant and excited she’s on a mission to scope out a new client. She did not expect the town residents to treat her like she committed a crime and for the client to be hot enough to melt the ozone. She definitely needs a cold shower, but she’s a professional, she can handle it. Maybe. Hopefully.
Damien Grimes isn’t looking for a mate and has worked damn hard for the evil image he puts out. But when he meets Sky, that all changes. The very image of a playboy jerk is now what’s keeping his mate from wanting to give him a chance. He needs a small miracle, urgently, if he ever wants to get her out of her clothes and into his bed. And he really really wants that. It’s hard for Sky to not judge Damien based on her research, but she’s trying. Things are bumpy, but headed in the right direction when trouble comes calling and Sky needs saving. She has to allow Damien to be her hero and stop denying the love she knows she feels for him, or risk going home with her heart broken.

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BULLY BEAR (WEREBEAR CREEK BOOK 3) by Layla Silver

I hate the way he zeroes in on me whenever we’re together. He’s a bad boy with clear opinions about goody-two-shoes girls like me. But no matter how much I try to avoid him, I can never for long. Because he’s my brother’s best friend and always knows how to find me. Things take a turn for the worst when I’m forced to work with him. This situation has “epic nightmare” written all over it. The worst part? I’ve been madly in love with him for as long as I can remember. I can’t stop staring at his utter perfection, and the questions are coming unbidden. What would it feel like to run my fingers through his hair? Would his rakishly trimmed beard prickle against my palm if I cupped his cheek?
What would his lips feel like if he stopped teasing me and kissed me instead? And most importantly:  Will I ever find out?

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TIME CROSSED WEDDING: GUARDIAN OF THE STONES TIME TRAVEL, BOOK 2 by Jane DeGray

When time-crossed lovers Ashley DeGray and Lord Robert Spycer fall in love in 1363 England, Ashley realizes she needs to return to her modern world to explain to her mother and brother her choice to stay with Robert in his medieval world. Her family has already suffered the loss of her dad, missing for two years, and she cannot disappear and leave them wondering again. Little does she know that her medieval man will follow her or that Abasi, an unscrupulous London antiquities dealer, will be on their trail hoping to catch a time traveler as the pair flies to Ashley’s home in Houston. The lovers plan a small Texas wedding with only family but are chased by Abasi’s men, sending their car careening through a Guardian stone into 1863 Lawrence, Kansas. Robert, Ashley, her mother and brother must fight their way back home through a Civil War border battle, but not without surprises from the past, a timely wedding, and a familiar witch.

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LOVE AT FIRST SPELL (FAIRY FALLS MYSTERY BOOL 1) by Samantha Silver

Welcome to magical Fairy Falls, where love is in the air and killers are on the loose. Mina Tiller, a high-powered advertising executive whose only goal is to get that corner office, never thought living life in the fast lane would mean actually getting hit by a car. But when she’s struck by a taxi and the cab comes out of it the loser, Mina discovers something her mother had been hiding from her for her whole life: Mina is a witch. And you thought your family had secrets. Travelling to the paranormal town of Fairy Falls, Mina almost immediately finds herself embroiled in controversy when a wizard is poisoned right in front of her. Never one to sit on the sidelines, when Mina is asked to stay in town until the investigation is completed she decides to take matters into her own hands. With the help of her Pokemon-obsessed cousin and a talking cat with a dramatic streak, Mina sets about finding the killer. Between crazy relatives, magical gym sessions, and duelling paranormal families, Mina quickly finds a murder investigation might be the most normal thing about Fairy Falls. And who exactly is the strange journalist with the gorgeous green eyes that she keeps running into? However, as Mina gets closer to finding the murderer, she finds out that small towns don’t necessarily mean small secrets. Can Mina solve the case before the killer turns Mina’s new fairy tale life into a nightmare?

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HIS HEATED CARESS (REAL MEN OF WILDRIDGE BOOK 5) by Celia Kyle and Marina Maddix

VS Note: From late July

A star bright enough to light up the big screen. A dragon strong enough to light up the sky. Wyntir Ignis may look like a movie star, but this fashion-forward dragon shifter actually protects them. As a personal security specialist for Wildridge Security, her job is to ensure the safety of the firm’s clients. Including one particular A-lister who makes the mistake of laughing in her face when she introduces herself as his new bodyguard. Jerk. A sexy jerk, but still a jerk.
World-famous action film star and single dad Stark Bradford has a reputation to maintain. It’s not that he thinks a woman can’t be an effective bodyguard—especially a dragon shifter—but the celebrity gossip sites would chew him up and spit him out if someone as feminine as Wyntir “protected” him. The only problem is that his shifter son does need a guard so he accepts, under one condition…When Stark’s first plan to explain Wyntir’s constant presence backfires, his son comes up with a perfect alternative: a fake relationship. Stark thinks it’s awesome. Wyntir…not so much. Between putting on a show for the paparazzi and dealing with his “biggest fan”—and despite their rocky start—they find themselves growing closer. Will they figure out how to survive in the Hollywood jungle, or will a surprise threat destroy any chance they have for a future?

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COYOTES OF YELLOWSTONE by Lena Austin

VS Note: A re-release of 3 novellas

There’s something stirring in Yellowstone besides an ancient super-volcano. The wild things are slowly revealing themselves as shifters to the few humans who help them, something that hasn’t happened since the Native American shaman communed with the older races of the West. A vulcanologist, a geologist, and a TV survival show host will find themselves caught up in coyotes and controversy. Things are about to get a little wild in Yellowstone. Publisher’s Note: Coyotes of Yellowstone contains the previously published novellas Coyote Non Grata, Wild Thing, and Man vs Wild.

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A TASTE FOR MAGIC (FAMILIAR KITTEN MYSTERIES BOOK 5) by Sara Bourgeois

When a diner at Bella Vita nearly drops dead during dinner service, nobody believes it was an attempted murder. Kinsley has to go out on a limb to find the answers before the would-be killer strikes again.
A Tasted for Magic is book five in the Familiar Kitten Mysteries cozy mystery series. You’ll find no swearing, gore, or adult situations, but you will find magic, mystery, and a hint of lighthearted mayhem.

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THE BOOK OF THE BLADE (VESIK 16) by Eric Asher

The magic needed to save Damian requires three coins. One of which is from a world not their own. Thankfully, Cornelius, an elder blood mage, knows the way. After passing through a Seal between worlds, Beth and Cornelius realize traversing the strange new realm will require the help of a Sage. But all is not well in the Shadowed Lands. Eldritch influence is seeping in, diminishing their powers, and threatening the realm’s very existence. To learn more of the coin, Beth and Cornelius must stand with the Sage, but the price of knowledge may be their souls.

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THE SHADOW’S EDGE: THE CHRONICLES OF DARIUS (THE DAGGER OF DESTINY BOOK 18) by Jess Thomas

VS Note: From June

Words can affect another; it doesn’t take a weapon to slice someone to pieces, only an unkind word or action. Now add black magic, and you’ve created a recipe for disaster. The light peels back the dark, and Darius finds he can’t hide from who he is. Formed by centuries of experiences, he has risen as high as someone can rise. With his family and his mate Finnal, he struggles to accept his new position of Solarist. Why then do unsaid forces call out to watch his back, while the shadows of his past are haunting him? Secrets will be revealed, and a love of the ages is once again is put to the test. Will Darius be able to fix his fate as well as Finnal’s? Our hero won’t be able to run and hide from the damage that’s been done; he must face it with his clan and move forward each day with determination away from the Shadow’s Edge.

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FIRST FOREST (STANDALONE TALES BOOK 12) by Viola Grace

Abiha must ask the spirit of the first forest to allow her sister’s wedding, and she never expected his conditional answer. Abiha has been banned from her home in the village of the first forest. Once she left, she must wait for an invitation to return. Finally, her mother needs her to return to gain the permission of the elders for her sister’s wedding to a local young man. Abiha is on the next transport home. She changes into the traditional garb that is all that is ever worn in the village, leaves all her tech behind, and after a security check, she enters the walled forest and inhales the scent of home. Her mother is as cold as she remembers, and her sister is as charming and loving. Once she drops her things at her family’s house, she goes to the temple to greet the spirit of the first forest, formally asks the elders in the village for permission, and hears the forest spirit agreeing to the union on one condition. She has to agree to him. Kiloh has watched the village for generations, watching and waiting for the genes to create someone compatible with his energies. When Abiha returns, his wait is over.

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IAN: MCCRAY BRUIN BEAR SHIFTER ROMANCE by Kathi S Barton

Things hadn’t been going very well for Lucy and her two sisters. When their parents died, their uncle had moved in and took over. The girls, apparently, were too much trouble to worry about, so he’d dumped them onto the streets to fend for themselves. It was just luck that Ian McCray and his family had found Lucy that day. Both Lucy and her sister, Jilly, were in bad need of medical attention. Ian was just thrilled to have found his mate alive. In their situation, it could have been much worse. Lucy was thankful for the help, but she was just going from one man to another lording over her and dictating what she could and couldn’t do. It was marry Ian or lose her sisters for good. Ian was a nice man, but she was tired of everyone telling her what to do.

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MARKED BRIDES: SIX ALPHA SHIFTER ROMANCES by Various

Marked Brides is a collection featuring six brand-new, scorching hot shifter romances from six wonderfully talented authors.

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STEALING TIME by B W Haggart

VS Note: From mid July

Shackled and dressed in a neon orange jumpsuit, art thief Cassie Sinatore awaits extradition at Heathrow Airport. An accident with a nearby experimental radar plane throws Cassie back in time, dumping her in a wooded countryside. The rider who discovers her is charismatic, more compelling than any man she has ever met. She chalks up the man’s Regency outfit and odd behavior to the eccentricity of the rich. Or maybe he is just a nutbar, but the man is offering a ride.

Lord Ross Kerrington, the new Earl of Drayton, having returned from the wars in 1815, finds the Kerrington family in turmoil, lunatic women who make him consider returning to the army. The alluring woman he discovers in the estate’s Greyfield Woods strikes him as equally mad. The woman wears bizarre attire, acting with a peculiar cheekiness that borders on insolence. Considering the very real dangers a madwoman faces encountering the surrounding inhabitants, he decides to bring her home to safety until he can decide what to do with her. Unexpectedly, his family has other ideas.

Faced with the realization she is trapped 200 years in the past, Cassie resolves to win her independence using her cat-burglar skills. Then things get complicated. Against her will, she finds herself caring about the Kerrington family, fighting a powerful attraction to the very proper Ross. Dependent on the Kerringtons’ good will, Cassie finds it increasingly difficult to navigate London society, the family, and even more, her growing passion for Ross. Besides, someone is trying to kill him.

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RENOVATION SPELL (A MAGICAL MYSTERY BOOK 2) by Amy Boyles

Clem’s dog can talk? Is it possible for her life to get any more complicated? Of course it is. Even though Clementine is dealing with upheavals in her life (encountering an evil wizard from her past, talking dog), she is determined to keep things normal–meaning, business as usual. But when a house cleansing goes terribly wrong and someone winds up murdered, keeping things normal seems to be a pipe dream. To make matters worse, Clementine is the only witness to the crime. And when the body disappears, no one believes that a murder was ever committed. But Clementine is convinced that a crime took place and she is determined to catch the killer. To add on even more mayhem, Malene Fredericks wants her help spying on their neighbor, Clem’s dog can now talk, and Rufus Mayes is still hanging around looking for the memory spell that she has hidden. As Clem sorts out her feelings for Rufus and searches for a killer, she finds herself entangled in a darker mystery than she ever imagined. And when everything comes to a head, Clem finds herself face-to-face with danger. Will she escape, or will she become the next victim?

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BEAR’S STRENGTH (GUARDIANS OF THE PHOENIX BOOK 3) by JL Madore

With five very different personalities bound by the universe, it’s no surprise ‘aligning our quint’ isn’t as easy as I hoped. Still, when all the life and death obstacles hit us, it’s Musketeer time – All for one and one for all. Do we have the juice to pull it together and unite the realms? Um… no one seems to agree on that. The one thing that everyone is straight on, though, is that the corruption in the upper levels of the Fae Concealment Office must be rooted out and stopped. What do superpowered teenagers have to do with anything? Who is moving behind the scenes to make our lives more difficult? And what’s the real reason Brant is holding back because I know it isn’t what’s happening behind closed doors. As a woman who’s never made it work with one guy, do I have what it takes to make it work with four? Gawd… I hope so.

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THE TIED: A DARK ROMANCE (POSSESSIVE GODS) by Loki Renard

If she will not be my guest, she will be my prisoner.  War has come to our world and the demigoddess of Okeanus is given to me to keep safe beneath my waters. How is an ocean god to keep such a guest from escaping? Ties. A lot of them. Wound from seaweed, blessed with charms, they’re practically inescapable. At first I tie her out of practical need, but every time I bind her, my hidden appetites grow stronger and my darkest desires become harder to suppress.

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DAMIEN’S MATE by Anastasia Wilde

Damien Fernandez never claimed to be one of the good guys. The last time he tried—saving a shifter woman from being murdered by his ex-boss—he ended up with his employer in jail, no severance pay, and an effed-up knee from where an exploding building fell on it. But when he finds a gorgeous, sexy thief about to be outed in public as a shifter, he can’t stop himself from helping her—even if it means losing another job and almost getting blown up. Again. Lila Mondray, lion shifter, has been raised from childhood for one mission, one destiny—to hunt down a priceless set of magical artifacts and return them to the Dragonlands, restoring her exiled family’s honor. Now she’s almost there. She just never figured on her singular focus being derailed by a drop-dead-gorgeous, ridiculously persistent human bodyguard who makes her question everything her father raised her to believe. And when he takes her into hiding with the Wild Blood Crew, a whole new shifter world opens up in front of her—and so does her heart. So when Lila’s mission takes a disastrous turn, it’s up to Damien and the Wild Bloods to show her what love, family and loyalty really mean. But will they be too late?

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CASTING A SPELL: A ZODIAC MAGIC NOVEL by PE Kavanagh

VS Note: From early JULY

Everyone has gifts. Hers happen to be illegal. Getting outed as a witch is the worst thing that’s ever happened to Libra. Worse than the betrayal of her blabbermouth ex-husband. The last straw? The big, dumb bodyguard who thinks he can protect her from a witch-hating gang. As if. Ash has one foot out of the life he’s grown to hate. The last thing he wants is to save one more life, but they’ve dragged him back in. All he has to do is guard some woman, supposedly the most powerful Magical in the country. Too bad she’s rude as hell and doesn’t believe she’s in danger. And he’s pretty sure she’s put a spell on him, because he can’t stop thinking about her. When the line between the good guys and the bad guys vanishes, working together might be their only hope. Becoming lovers, however, might just kill them.

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BEE’S ENRAGED BEAST (JAMES PACK BOOK 4) by  Lacey Thorn

Belinda…I don’t belong. Despite my alpha brother’s protection, many in our pack don’t want a freak like me around. My one chance at acceptance lies with my mate. I know he’s searching for me, but he’s not the only one. I don’t want to die without knowing his face, experiencing his touch, feeling his love. Beast…I don’t belong. With a name like Hannibal, is it any wonder? Most call me Beast, usually in a voice filled with fear. I’m a reaper of sorts. A wolf who hunts down bad wolves, bringing justice for those who most need it. My one shot at acceptance lies in finding my mate. When the man I’m hunting takes a hostage, he signs his death warrant. Once I catch her scent, I know who she is. Mine. Any harm she suffers will be returned tenfold, and her justice will be given in blood and death.

Amazon      Apple Books

SUMMER SEMESTER (OMEGA WOLF ACADEMY BOOK 1) by JJ King

A brand new life, a brand new school, and three hot guys to drive her crazy. Lexi thought her first semester at Omega Wolf Academy would be relaxed and easy, but that’s not proving to be true. Having had zero experience with guys her entire life, Lexi’s world is turned upside down when not one, not two, but three seriously sexy guys all set their sights on her. Things get complicated really fast, especially when she discovers they’re best friends. Lexi is just finding her place at OWA when a dark part of her past tears her world apart. Will her secrets destroy the connection she has with Lucian, Dimitri, and Chase or will her men rise up to defend what they’ve built against the shadows that haunt her?

Amazon

RULER: WOLVES OF WILD PAYNES by Kiki Burrelli

It all started with a mouse and a note. After that, Faust kept receiving strange messages delivered by forest animals. He’s no cartoon princess and this sh*t is weird but not life-threatening. He ignores it until he receives a flurry of notes all with the same message, help me, and there is no way Faust can ignore the odd messages any longer.
Storri was locked in a tower over five years ago, trapped there by a man he trusted. The man claims to be protecting Storri from himself and others, but Storri never had any enemies—only a teacher he thought had been a friend. Storri’s ability to communicate with animals helped him stay sane in isolation, but after so long alone, hope has faded. Rescuing his prince is only half the challenge. Faust and his pack already have a mystery, and they’ve never been closer to finding out who destroyed their family and why. But with knowledge, comes danger and the man who took Storri isn’t the only one willing to do anything to get their hands on him.

Amazon

FAE ROSE ACADEMY: YEAR TWO (FOR THE PURELY DIVINE BOOK 2) by Quinn Ashwood and Avery Song

I, Rosadette Campbell, have finally been told the truth of my heritage and all that’s been hidden from me. It’s shocking, heart-clenching, and makes me want to run back to my life as human scum in the lower lands. But I’ve fallen in love with this world, and with a daring and humble prince, so I’m determined to give it all a second chance. And not for nothing, this may be the opportunity I’ve long sought, because my many questions will lead to answers and those willing to aid me in my conquest. Before I venture into the darker depths of year two, I must walk within the shadows of my birthplace and discover how powerful a fae like me can become. I’ll face the raging magic of the lands and seas, as well as the hidden secrets that separate the purely divine from the deadly. Darkness is brewing, revenge is calling, and I know a certain prince is waiting for my swift return. Let him endure the loss of my rose, for I am in a place of belonging and when I return for my second year at Fae Rose Academy, I hope he’s ready. I hope they’re all ready.

Amazon

MORNING STAR by K M Raya

My name is Raven. Just, Raven. Like the bird, except my wings are much cooler. They allow me to do lots of things, namely–killing demons. That’s right. Demons. I’ve been on my own for years now. Just me and my devilish little cat, kicking a$$ and taking names. I’ve spent nearly my whole life hunting the evil beasties and protecting helpless humans, but I had no idea I was being hunted right back. Remember those wings I mentioned? Yeah, well it sort of means I’m not human at all.
So, after years of minding my own business, one teensy, tiny slip up brings me face to face with an elite team of beautiful, deadly celestials–guardians of the human race and punishers of demon kind. Just my luck, right? They may be easy on the eyes, but they’re also grumpy as hell, hot-headed and full of themselves. Also, they just so happen to claim that I belong to them. Well, to their race, that is. But getting that distinction through their immortal heads is another challenge. After getting kidnapped by these strange men, I’m forced to plead my case to their archangels, but not before I’m faced with an unexpected betrayal and deadly prejudice among the other celestials. Now I have no choice but to prove my allegiance to good rather than evil when my lineage is suddenly called into question. There’s a darkness living inside of me that’s begging to show its face. If I’m not careful, I just might welcome it.

Amazon

FORTUNE ACADEMY: YEAR THREE by J R Thorn

I’ve done it. My five virtues have finally accepted me and it’s better than I could have ever imagined. Hendrik, Orion, Dante, Kaito, and Logan each fill a void inside of me that I hadn’t realized had been aching. One problem: something is still missing… Or someone. I sense another Virtue coming my way… and the guys are not going to like this one. Cole is unlike any of my Virtues. He’s a monster—just like me. Abused, beaten, and downright vicious. My guys think I should chase him away, but if being a monster has taught me anything it’s that everyone has a heart. It might be cold, hardly beating, and a bit broken, but I’ll find a way to reach him… monster to monster.

Amazon

DRAGON’S OMEGA MATCHMATE (DRAGON’S MATCHMATE AGENCY BOOK 5) by Maia Starr

Catarina is the omega of my clan. A clan where I brought her. Helping her escape the Omega Hearts Agency came with consequences. I’ve fallen for her, but I can’t act on it. She’s forbidden… and tempting. And what’s worse? She has a terrible secret that’s a risk to her life. My obsession with Catarina has no conditions. I’ll possess her, keep her, and make her mine. I always protect what’s mine. Catarina is my responsibility. And escaping this clan is the only way to keep her safe. But could I lose her if there was resistance? I’ll fight until we’re free. Until her secret is no longer a threat to her.

Amazon

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VS: I combined romantic suspense with science fiction romance to write my Alien Empath Series. One of my favorite connected mini series, set in the Sectors!

 

STAR CRUISE: STOWAWAY:  The cargo master who found her as a stowaway on his ship wants to help but can she escape the reach of the crime syndicate?  Amazon     Apple Books     Nook     Kobo     Google

DANGER IN THE STARS: In love with mob enforcer who guards her, can she trust him?     Amazon      iBooks    Kobo     Barnes & Noble     Google

TWO AGAINST THE STARS: On the run from the Amarotu Combine, she risks it all to save an imprisoned soldier.    Amazon     iBooks     Barnes & Noble  Kobo       Google

THE FATED STARS: A mercenary and an enslaved empathic fortune teller join forces to bring down the interstellar mob.   Amazon     Kobo     B&N     iBooks     Google

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LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica:

August 5

July 29

July 22

July 15

July 8

“New” is generally plus or minus a week or two. I try to catch up on ones I missed in recent months.  And I may mention ‘special items’.

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 by hand 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.

There Might Be Complications Weekend Writing Warriors

I released a new book two weeks ago but I’ll do a few more weeks of excerpts from COLONY UNDER SIEGE: INTERSTELLAR PLAGUE…

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!)

May be edited a bit from published version.

The excerpt: Saffia continues her examination of the sick child:

Leaning closer, she donned her special visors, upped the magnification and added the light, to inspect the red bumps. Clearly the rash had peaked probably a day ago and was fading, the blotches contracting rather than spreading. “Does it itch?” she asked the child. Getting a head shake in return, Saffia smiled and straightened, “I doubt the animal is involved then. You’ve managed to catch a kind of cold, the one thing the human race has never resolved in all these centuries of progress.” Focusing on the mother now, she added, “Fairly often a child will develop a rash with a fever as the immune system overreacts to the stimulus.”

“So what’s the diagnosis? She’s not merely suffering a common cold. Give us some credit for good sense here.” The father was contemptuous and seemingly impervious to the fact he was giving a diagnosis to an actual doctor.

VS Note: More of the scene…

“Prescribe an inject for the symptoms and let us get out of here. We have to be on Yamurk Five by next week for the annual charity auction. My wife and I donated several items and have more we’re bidding on.”

“Oh yes.” Mrs. Fremington-Ulms sat up straighter and positively bubbled with enthusiasm. “The Babbajrr Diamond Chalice and the new painting by the artist whose name I forget and—”

“I’d like to keep her here overnight for observation,” Saffia said, making rapid notes for the AI on her handheld  and asking Warby to get a vid of the child’s rash. “She’s not presenting with any specific illness but she’s a bit dehydrated, which is affecting her heart rate. I’d also like to see the fever come down before releasing her. There might be complications developing. We’ll have results from the various tests shortly, so I should be able to eliminate any more serious possibilities.”

Tapping his toe on the clinic’s floor, the father frowned. “I should have known better than to waste my time coming to this obscure planet. Are you sure you’re Sectors-trained? Check your AI, give my daughter a medinject of whatever and we’ll be out of here so fast—”

“No.” Saffia assessed the wan, thin child and had no trouble making the call. “Surely you can spare one night to ensure your child receives proper care. I’m assuming you don’t have a medical module on your ship’s AI or a medtech on the crew or you wouldn’t have come to me.”

VS: Next week Saffia will put her foot down…

The blurb: Newly graduated from a prestigious interstellar medical school, Dr. Saffia Mandell has been assigned to the Haven Two colony on the galaxy’s outer rim as the only doctor for some 2000 human residents. She’s counting the days until her five years there is up, trying to adjust to rural living after life in the crowded Inner Sectors and fighting her attraction to Chief Ranger Micah Navonn. She’s dreading the upcoming tourist season when the rich and pampered will descend on the planet for the scenic wonders and novel sports opportunities and no doubt inundate her little clinic but the colony depends on the seasonal income to survive.

As the senior official for his people, the Calinurra, the indigenous inhabitants of Haven Two, Micah enforces the treaty, regulates the tourist permits, patrols the forests and resists his fascination with Dr. Mandell. He never expected to be involved with a human woman and doesn’t want to believe in the concept of a fated mate. He wants to keep his life simple and isn’t ready for any long term commitment. Besides Saffia keeps proclaiming she’ll be leaving when her appointment is up in four and a half years so why should he risk his heart?

Then a ship arrives unexpectedly carrying a very ill little girl and soon the deadly virus is spreading through Haven Two. The colony authorities are desperate to cover up the problem to preserve the all-important tourist season and Saffia and Micah have to work together to battle the outbreak, the local administration and their undeniable feelings for each other.

Can the colony survive? And will Micah and Saffia be able to move past their fears about entanglements to act on the mutual attraction?

An 87K word novel of the far future…

Amazon      Apple Books      Kobo      Nook      Google Play

Pets in Space 5 Anthology Is Coming – Cover Reveal

I’m excited to announce that for the fifth year in a row the PETS IN SPACE anthology will be coming your way!

PETS IN SPACE® 5 ANTHOLOGY BLURB:

It’s time for an escape! Pets in Space® 5 is back for the fifth amazing year! Escape to new worlds with twelve of today’s top Science Fiction Romance authors. They have written 12 original, never-before-released stories filled with action, adventure, suspense, humor, and romance that will take you out of this world. The giving doesn’t stop there. For the fifth year, Pets in Space® will be donating a portion of the first month proceeds to Hero-Dogs.org, a non-profit charity that supports our veterans and First Responders. If you are ready to forget the world around you and make a difference while you are having fun, grab your copy before it’s gone!

Authors:

Pets in Space® 5 authors are:

  1. S.E. Smith
  2. Michelle Diener
  3. Veronica Scott
  4. Pauline Baird Jones
  5. Laurie A. Green
  6. Carol Van Natta
  7. Regine Abel
  8. Alexis Glynn Latner
  9. JC Hay
  10. Kyndra Hatch
  11. Cassandra Chandler
  12. Leslie Chase

Release Date: October 6th, 2020

My Story in PISA5: STAR CRUISE: RETURN VOYAGE

Gianna Nadenoft is a reclusive survivor of one of the worst interstellar cruise ship disasters in the history of the Sectors. Now a renowned artist, she hasn’t left her home planet in decades, not since returning there after the wreck as a traumatized three-year-old. With her service animal at her side, she’s going to attempt to travel across the star systems to attend her brother’s wedding and reunite with her fellow survivors.

Trevor Hanson is a security officer aboard the cruise liner Nebula Zephyr with his own traumatic past as a former Special Forces soldier and prisoner of war. He’s assigned to provide personal protection to Gianna during her time aboard the ship but soon finds his interest turning from professional to romantic.

Onboard the Nebula Zephyr, powerful enemies are watching Gianna and making plans to seize this rare opportunity to gain access to her and the secrets they believe she’s still keeping about the wreck. Can Trevor overcome his personal demons and rise to the occasion to save Gianna from the danger waiting on his ship, or will she slip through his fingers and suffer a terrible fate deferred from her last disastrous voyage?

VS: Yes, this 50K word novel is about Gianna from my award winning novel WRECK OF THE NEBULA DREAM, although this story is perfectly fine to read as a standalone.

Here are the other PETS IN SPACE® 5 STORIES:

THE KING’S QUEST

Dragon Lords of Valdier Series Short Story

by S.E. Smith

A playful trick leads to love for a Goddess, but will the King she falls in love with accept her for who she really is?

DARK AMBITIONS

A Class 5 Novella

By Michelle Diener

VS Note: Rose and Sazo from DARK HORSE!!!

When a planetary exploration trip takes a dangerous turn, a human woman and her powerful AI friend will need all their skills to come to the rescue.

GENERAL’S HOLIDAY

Project Enterprise Series

By Pauline Baird Jones

A General is ready for another fight—this time for the woman he loves.

JUGGERNAUT

The Inherited Stars Series

By Laurie A. Green

A security commander must decide if she can trust a mysterious stranger and his bioengineered StarDog when the secret underground site she protects is threatened.

GALACTIC SEARCH AND RESCUE

Central Galactic Concordance Series

By Carol Van Natta

Two military first-responders and an animal team of rescuers are the only hope for saving an entire town when disaster turns deadly.

REAPER

Xian Warriors Series

By Regine Abel

With time running out, a woman accepts her fate only to find hope in the genetically engineered warrior created by her captors.

PASTFINDERS

Starways Series

By Alexis Glynn Latner

A woman’s psychic gift might be the catalyst needed to save the life of the man she loves—in an ancient archaeological site that contains a stupendous discovery.

MITTENS NOT INCLUDED

TriSystems: Smugglers Series

By JC Hay

He craved order and discipline to help his life make sense. She offered him cats instead.

FINDING MOGHA

Before The Fall Series

By Kyndra Hatch

A human’s effort to save a sentient being takes her straight into the path of a Korthan warrior.

RATE OF RETURN

The Department of Homeworld Security Series

By Cassandra Chandler

Falling for an Earthling sends an alien and his adorable, six-legged pet in a tailspin.

GLITCH

Crashland Colony Romance Series

By Leslie Chase

An alien pirate and a human find love in the shadow of disaster.

BUY LINKS – Up for Preorders now

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2BRiWxU

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pets-Space-5-SE-Smith-ebook/dp/B08F2XF73Q/

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Pets-Space-5-SE-Smith-ebook/dp/B08F2XF73Q/

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Pets-Space-5-SE-Smith-ebook/dp/B08F2XF73Q/

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/pets-in-space-5

Apple Books: https://apple.co/30maDUg

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pets-in-space-5-s-e-smith/1137421518?ean=2940162669395

GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/SE_Smith_Pets_in_Space_5?id=AGH0DwAAQBAJ&hl=en

OUR CHARITY:  HERO-DOGS.ORG

Proud supporters of Hero-Dogs.org, Pets in Space® authors have donated over $15,300 in the past four years to help place specially trained dogs with veterans and first responders. 10% of all pre-orders and 10 % of the first month’s royalties (through November 11th actually, in honor of Veteran’s Day) of Pets in Space® 5 will again go to Hero-Dogs.org. Open your hearts and grab your limited release copy of Pets in Space® 5 today so together we can continue to assist this worthy charity!

 

New Releases in #SciFi #Fantasy and Paranormal Romance for Wednesday AUGUST 5

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).

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SSLY: BOOK 3 IN THE GALAXY PIRATES ALIEN ABDUCTION ROMANCE SERIES by Alana Khan

Carrie – An abducted human slave deemed too old to mate escapes to the far end of the galaxy, but has no prospects and no way home. She’s drawn to the mysterious male who keeps his face covered and his head down. He wants little to do with her until he discovers she holds the key to saving his daughter.

Ssly – Abducted from his planet at the barrel of a laser and forced into slavery, he risked everything to rescue the defenseless human child about to be subjected to his master’s perversions. He kept her safe while on the run until she’s injured. Now he needs the help of the human woman whose interest in him becomes far too personal. Why would she risk her life to save them both? And why can’t he keep her out of his dreams? Journey with Ssly and Carrie as they travel the galaxy, race a hover-chariot, steal an expensive painting, buy illegal guns, survive a shootout, kill more than one bad guy, save a life, and discover all the ways a prehensile tail can be put to good use. *wink*

Amazon

HER CYBORG CAPTOR (TERRAS FIVE 7) by Anne Kane

Keily: Human. Curvy. Independent. An intense, do-good activist who’s never without a cause to throw her limitless energy into. She likes her sex hot and impersonal. She doesn’t have time for silly romantic dalliances. She has a planet full of Battle Rats to save!
Ryker: Cyborg. Scarred. Cynical. Rejected by the females of Terras Five, he becomes one of the most sought-after mercenaries in the galaxy. But when he accepts a contract to capture a female activist he finds out not all females find his scars terrifying. One particular human female finds them incredibly sexy. Engine failure, hastily terminated jumps, and a fluffy stowaway challenge the unlikely pair to work together to find their way home and into each other’s hearts.

Amazon      Apple Books

THE WORST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS (THE SALVAGERS BOOK 3) by Alex White

VS  Note: Not a romance but I know a lot of SFR readers love Firefly and the Expanse so if this series appeals to fans of those….a release of note.

The rag-tag crew of the Capricious hunts down rogue AI, ancient colony ships, and the biggest treasure in the universe in this pulse-pounding space adventure for fans of Firefly and The Expanse. The crew of the Capricious seems to leave a trail of devastation wherever they go. But with powerful enemies in pursuit and family and friends under attack planetside, there’s no time to worry about all that. Ensnared by the legend of Origin, humanity’s birthplace, and a long-dead form of magic, the Capricious takes off on a journey to find the first colony ship . . . and power that could bring down gods.

Amazon      Apple Books

URSA MAJOR (CYBORG SHIFTERS BOOK 7) by Naomi Lucas

Terraform Zero, a virtual reality colonization game, has swept the galaxy by storm. The Champions are household names that give humanity hope. Vee Miles believes she is good enough to compete amongst them, but the costly entrance fee is holding her back.
Enter the Earthian Planetary Exploration Division. Still reeling from a publicity nightmare named Zeph, the corporation is desperate to change the public’s opinions toward Cyborgs. They offer to sponsor Vee. The EPED gets the PR boost, and she gets to keep the prize money. The EPED’s deal comes with strings though, and she has to pretend to be a made-up Cyborg shifting bear named Cypher. A male that had the look of a Viking space warrior, with enough scars and otherworldly brawn to make any woman swoon. An imaginary male that makes her heart race…Little does she know she’s being used as bait to lure the real Cypher from his den. He’s out now. He’s coming for her, and there’s no place virtual or otherwise for her to hide.

Amazon

LOVED BY A BEAST (HEARTS OF STONE BOOK 5) by Miranda Bridges

My marriage is in trouble. Jaxar and I didn’t exactly have a regular romance since he abducted me and then sent me on a journey that could’ve resulted in my death. But that’s neither here nor there. And what doesn’t kill you, makes you bitter. I mean, stronger. Anyway, the point is that my husband, who I adore, is becoming distant. That, plus my hormones, are turning me into someone I don’t recognize. With war imminent, now is not the time to be insecure and emotional, and yet tell that to my pregnant self. All she wants to do is eat and cry. *insert eye roll here. I need to figure out how to save my relationship with Jaxar, as well as lead my people or I won’t be just dead emotionally, but physically as well. And I didn’t travel all across the galaxy to just give up now. Guess it’s time to grab my hairpins and put on my big girl panties because I’m going to let my inner Boraq come out to play.

Amazon

CHAOS VECTOR (THE PROTECTORATE BOOK 2) by Megan E O’Keefe

VS Note: Not a romance but a scifi release of note.

Sanda and Tomas are fleeing for their lives after letting the most dangerous smartship in the universe run free. Now, unsure of who to trust, Sanda knows only one thing for certain — to be able to save herself from becoming a pawn of greater powers, she needs to discover the secret of the coordinates hidden in her skull.
But getting to those coordinates is a problem she can’t solve alone. They exist beyond a dead gate — a Casimir gate that opened up into a dead-end system without resources worth colonizing, and was sealed off. To get through the dead gate, she needs the help of the enemy Nazca. But some Nazca are only interested in the chip in her head — and they’ll crack her open to get to it.

Amazon     Apple Books

TREY: SONS OF TALLEV BOOK 4 by Cailin Briste

She’s the opposite he can’t resist. Trey Johannsen’s preference is to stick to managing a private club on Beta Tau. It’s dark. It’s sexy. The cries of pleasure, the thud of a flogger, and the mingled scents of arousal and fear are evidence he’s damn good at it. So when his boss insists Trey’s perfect for assisting a new hire to develop a cabaret, Trey is nonplussed. How the hell do you make burlesque accurately represent the lifestyle? Then he meets her, and instant attraction has him imagining peeling her clothes off, tying her to a bed, and sinking into her until she can take no more. He’s determined to make her his own despite differences that could thrust them into bitter conflict. A lust-inducing man isn’t on Patsy O’Shaughnessy’s shopping list. Her commitment to refuse his overtures, they’ll be coworkers after all, slides into oblivion. She’s got a lot on her plate, but dessert never hurt a girl. Especially when the dessert is built like a Celtic warrior of old, lacking only the kilt and sword.

Amazon      Apple Books

REDEEMED BY THE CYBORG (CYBORG PROTECTORS BOOK 8) by Alyse Anders

A criminal redeemed by love from across the galaxy. Rennick is guilty. In a moment of mental trauma during battle, he’d killed his best friend and his patrol, only to be brought back to life as a cyborg. After the war, he paid for his crimes, housed in the darkest cell in The Prison and left to his shadowy thoughts. He’s shocked when an unexpected light shines in to the darkness of his mind – Tara, his mate, is awake.
Tara left Earth knowing no one would miss her. When she’s told her cyborg mate is a murderer, she’s unable to accept this, not understanding what she’d done to warrant having a mate like Rennick. When Rennick is offered the opportunity to be cybernetically linked with Tara to fix his dark nature, he sees it as his one chance to be redeemed . Together they must work together to stop an attack that could destroy all cyborg life on Zarlan.

Amazon

ICE REVELATION: ICE TRILOGY BOOK 3 by Kevin Tinto

VS Note: I went back and checked book 1 of this trilogy and it sounded intriguing so I put it on my TBR list. It is listed in scifi romance but I’m politely sceptical. Seems more like romantic elements to me…Anyone read it?

Leah Andrews is on the Antarctic Continent, her single-minded goal, return the Ancients to their destiny while at the same time, hoping that will stop the increasingly powerful and destructive Anomaly, that threatens a planet-wide extinction event should it continue to widen its grasp.She is far from the only interested party in finding the source of the extraterrestrial Anomaly. The Russians and the American military are desperate to reach ‘Complex 2’ and harvest the bounty of hyper-technology, then destroy the alien Anomaly. Jack Hobson is trapped in the USA, with no way to reach Antarctica through traditional means. He must formulate an audacious plan risking his life and those of the Globemaster pilots, Major Janie West and Captain Charlotte Ross.The Russians, the Americans, Leah Andrews, and the Ancients begin to converge on the bottom of the world, in the thrilling ending to the ICE Trilogy!

Amazon

SIX MILLION DOLLAR ZOMBIE by Imogene Nix

VS Note: From late July

What do you get when you mix a priest and a kindergarten teacher in the middle of a zombie apocalypse? Lots of red-hot sparks of passion. Dove may be a priest, but he’s also a man, and he’s been alone for a long time. Rescuing Leonie by the side of the road is just the first step on a journey no one expected—one that just might lead to love.
Leonie’s family is gone, the zombies are chasing her, and she’s on the run, when she’s rescued by a priest on a motorbike and taken to a community which welcomes her. Life should only get better, but the forces that began the apocalypse are building an army of mutated, super-strong zombies. They plan to overtake everything those in the communities have built. Times are only going to get tougher until they can defeat those with no interest in survival.

Amazon      Apple Books

UNDER THE CAPE: AN ANTHOLOGY OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE by Various

Super speed, incredible strength, the ability to fly, throw fire, read minds or change forms. What superpower would you choose if you could? Would you be the hero or the villain? And how would it affect your relationships? The challenge of connection, secrets, and the murky line between good and evil are explored in this collection of 11 original romances…

Amazon      Apple Books

BASTILLE SPHERE by Leona Windwalker

The Bastille Sphere: a penal colony being developed by Harmony Inc. Entry is one way only, with no way out. It’s supposed to be for habitual reoffenders and the worst violent offenders. River knew there was a chance that he and his brother would fall behind on the loan they took out to cover their mother’s medical bills and funeral. He never expected Harmony to call in the debt under the Debtor’s Prison Act. He certainly wouldn’t have believed that they’d send him to Bastille to become a gladiator’s prize. Leyland knew just how corrupt Harmony was. Eager to populate their colony, they used the system to grab anyone they thought wouldn’t be missed. If they qualified for gladiator training, it was a bonus, as the broadcast games added to the revenue the colony brought in. The prize: A fight to the death with the winner gaining his parole. He couldn’t leave Bastille, but would gain a modicrum of freedom, including his own home behind the walls of the Compound outside of the prison grounds, and be gifted with a mate. It was a win/win as far he was concerened. Leyland would either be freed by death at last, or he’d win and gain as normal a life as Bastille offered. If only it was that easy.

Amazon      Apple Books

SEVEN DEVILS by Laura Lam and Elizabeth May

VS Note: Not listed as a romance…

When Eris faked her death, she thought she had left her old life as the heir to the galaxy’s most ruthless empire behind. But her recruitment by the Novantaen Resistance, an organization opposed to the empire’s voracious expansion, throws her right back into the fray. Eris has been assigned a new mission: to infiltrate a spaceship ferrying deadly cargo and return the intelligence gathered to the Resistance. But her partner for the mission, mechanic and hotshot pilot Cloelia, bears an old grudge against Eris, making an already difficult infiltration even more complicated. When they find the ship, they discover more than they bargained for: three fugitives with firsthand knowledge of the corrupt empire’s inner workings. Together, these women possess the knowledge and capabilities to bring the empire to its knees. But the clock is ticking: the new heir to the empire plans to disrupt a peace summit with the only remaining alien empire, ensuring the empire’s continued expansion. If they can find a way to stop him, they will save the galaxy. If they can’t, millions may die.

Amazon     Apple Books

COURT OF LIONS (MIRAGE SERIES BOOK 2) by Somaiya Daud

VS Note: A release of note. I put it up here in SFR because the blurb mentions ‘planet’...sounded lijke a fantasy otherwise.

On a planet on the brink of revolution, Amani has been forced into isolation. She’s been torn from the boy she loves and has given up contact with her fellow rebels to protect her family. In taking risks for the rebel cause, Amani may have lost Maram’s trust forever. But the princess is more complex than she seems, and now Amani is once more at her capricious nature. One wrong move could see her executed for high treason.
On the eve of Maram’s marriage to Idris comes an unexpected proposal: in exchange for taking her place in the festivities, Maram will keep Amani’s rebel associations a secret. Alone and desperate, Amani is thrust into the center of the court, navigating the dangerous factions on the princess’s behalf. But the court is not what she expects. As a risky plan grows in her mind, and with the rebels poised to make their stand, Amani begins to believe her world might have a future. But every choice she makes comes with a cost. Can Amani risk the ones she loves the most for a war she’s not sure she can win?

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HARROW THE NINTH (THE LOCKED TOMB TRILOGY BOOK 2) by Tamsyn Muir

VS Note: Not a romance.

She answered the Emperor’s call. She arrived with her arts, her wits, and her only friend. In victory, her world has turned to ash. After rocking the cosmos with her deathly debut, Tamsyn Muir continues the story of the penumbral Ninth House in Harrow the Ninth, a mind-twisting puzzle box of mystery, murder, magic, and mayhem. Nothing is as it seems in the halls of the Emperor, and the fate of the galaxy rests on one woman’s shoulders. Harrowhark Nonagesimus, last necromancer of the Ninth House, has been drafted by her Emperor to fight an unwinnable war. Side-by-side with a detested rival, Harrow must perfect her skills and become an angel of undeath — but her health is failing, her sword makes her nauseous, and even her mind is threatening to betray her. Sealed in the gothic gloom of the Emperor’s Mithraeum with three unfriendly teachers, hunted by the mad ghost of a murdered planet, Harrow must confront two unwelcome questions: is somebody trying to kill her? And if they succeeded, would the universe be better off?

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IT CAME FROM THE SKY by Chelsea Sedoti

VS Note: OK not a romance, not exactly scifi but it sounds fun.

This is the absolutely true account of how Lansburg, Pennsylvania was invaded by aliens and the weeks of chaos that followed. There were sightings of UFOs, close encounters, and even abductions. There were believers, Truth Seekers, and, above all, people who looked to the sky and hoped for more. Only…there were no aliens. Gideon Hofstadt knows what really happened. When one of his science experiments went wrong, he and his older brother blamed the resulting explosion on extraterrestrial activity. And their lie was not only believed by their town—it was embraced. As the brothers go to increasingly greater lengths to keep up the ruse and avoid getting caught, the hoax flourishes. But Gideon’s obsession with their tale threatened his whole world. Can he find a way to banish the aliens before Lansburg, and his life, are changed forever? Told in a report format and comprised of interviews, blog posts, text conversations, found documents, and so much more, It Came from the Sky is a hysterical and resonant novel about what it means to be human in the face of the unknown.

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NOT COMPATIBLE (STAND ALONE TALES BOOK 11) by Viola Grace

She works at a space station catering to everyone else’s virtual fantasies. When a man gets stuck in the scenario she must wake the sleeping prince. Styra works at the Blue Station and has been programming since she was able to reach a keyboard. When she became and adult she went from writing the simple scenarios and backgrounds to guiding tangled clients through the environments they had selected. Lately, she has been going in to pry out the difficult cases and making sure that everyone plays by the rules. Her boss calls her in on her day off and sends her in after an imperial captain. Somehow, he has gotten stuck in one of their fairy tale environments.
She headed in to find the missing client and the computer had locked him in the role of the sleeping beauty. The criteria was clear. A kiss was necessary to wake him and the protocols were set. Once he was awake she was ready to get him out of the scenario but the computer was still locked. Yr-el wasn’t counting on his distaste for the virtual princess, but his drake had wanted to play in the scenario. When he wakes in the arms of a woman with moonlight for skin he begins to understand why he was steered to this station at this time. All he had to do was get her to release the drake the same way she had released him and he could begin a courtship.

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RAZAR (JORKAN PROTOCOL MATES BOOK 2) by Ava York and Starr Huntress

They say she’s another Jorkan’s mate. They’re all wrong. I know it in my soul. She’s mine.

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CLAIMED BY THE CONQUEROR (ALIEN MASTERS BOOK 5) by Alyx X

Who wants to farm carrots when you can sneak aboard the spaceship of the burliest, largest, Alien you’ve ever seen and go for a carrot hunt of your own? My great-grandfather set my family up for generations thanks to an exclusive farming contract from TerraLink. We were going to survive on this dying rock surrounded by food and water and everything reserved for only the wealthiest of humans. I don’t want a damn bit of any of it. I’m gonna find my way off this planet if I have to bribe every Alien Overlord that TerraLink brings to give a tour of ‘their farm’. My dear old dad is onto my game however, and after being discovered one too many times with my pants down, I’m getting out of here. I’m hitching a ride off this rock, by any means necessary. The Alien Conqueror, Qui, had been all into me back on Earth, but discovering me laid out on his bed when we were already thousands of miles away from Earth must have been quite a shock, because he tied me up in the brig with a dire warning that’s making me all tingly with desire. I’d happily stay down here, except this Alien is a bit darker than I bargained for, and if I don’t stop him from enacting his plans, those stars I want to travel are going to become a distant memory.

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ALIEN PRIMAL’S MATE (PRECURSORS BOOK 3) by Athena Storm and Ann Hale

My head says no. But my heart says yes. I shouldn’t be having these thoughts about an alien. My imagination should not be running wild about Ehro. But ever since he rescued me and saved my life, I can’t get him out of my head.
I want his shadow to blot out the sun when he’s next to me. Hold onto his horns as he lifts me up. Ride on his back as he carries me on his massive shoulders. I want to whisper and coo into his ear as he holds me up with one giant arm.
Then I want to nestle myself in his warm body. I need to get a grip. I have to take care of my people. I can’t be playing house with a massive alien warrior. But no matter how hard I try I can’t stop. And no matter what happens… I won’t stop. Ever.

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HIS HUMAN PRIZE (ARGENTUM ALIEN WARRIORS BOOK 1) by Diana Winters

VS Note: From July 31.

There’s always a catch, right? I find myself in a bit of a pinch. I’m thrown in a holding cell, paraded in front of every kind of alien imaginable, and told I’m going to be the prize in some barbaric gladiatorial competition straight out of a movie. But the biggest pinch of all comes when—like any decent prisoner—I attempt to dig for my freedom (and my sanity), and I’m poisoned to death by a critter. But fear not, because I discover the afterlife is full of big silver alpha-angels who look like Greek statues and wanna do naughty things to you. Except… that’s not strictly true. That was the poison talking. Apologies for getting all our hopes up. My savior isn’t an angel, but he does give me the kiss of life… transferring some of his weird silver symbiont to me in the process. The catch? He saves my life, so now I need to give him one. A brand new shiny one with chubby cheeks and his father’s eyes. So… yeah. I should be running for the hills. Everyone knows betraying body syndrome is clichéd, right? But have they ever had a weird silver symbiont go to town all over them? Well I have. And now my previous existence on Earth seems downright dull as dishwater in comparison. The only problem? I might have unknowingly made a deal with a devil. I’ll have his symbiont, but do I really want his spawn?

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THE FIRST SISTER TRILOGY BOOK 1 by Linden A Lewis

VS Note: Not listed as a romance.

First Sister has no name and no voice. As a priestess of the Sisterhood, she travels the stars alongside the soldiers of Earth and Mars—the same ones who own the rights to her body and soul. When her former captain abandons her, First Sister’s hopes for freedom are dashed when she is forced to stay on her ship with no friends, no power, and a new captain—Saito Ren—whom she knows nothing about. She is commanded to spy on Captain Ren by the Sisterhood, but soon discovers that working for the war effort is so much harder to do when you’re falling in love.
Lito val Lucius climbed his way out of the slums to become an elite soldier of Venus, but was defeated in combat by none other than Saito Ren, resulting in the disappearance of his partner, Hiro. When Lito learns that Hiro is both alive and a traitor to the cause, he now has a shot at redemption: track down and kill his former partner. But when he discovers recordings that Hiro secretly made, Lito’s own allegiances are put to the test. Ultimately, he must decide between following orders and following his heart.

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ALIEN COMMANDER’S CAPTIVE (OREAN WARLORDS BOOK 1) by Aline Ash and  Athena Aston

I know those golden eyes mean danger…One moment I’m celebrating with my friends, and the next my lush curves are being covered in oil and I’m on the block to be sold to the highest bidder. In space. Because the people who abducted me? They were aliens. I don’t like the way any of them are eyeing me. Especially the terrifying octopus-like creature who wins the auction. Yuck.  should be thankful when I’m rescued and taken to Commander V’orin. He’s got rippling muscles and a tail, shimmering skin, and a package I can’t take my eyes off. He says I am free, so why won’t he let me go home?

The frail human female is mine…the little human, L’isa, has no idea what I’m capable of, or what I rescued her from. I am a Commander in the Imperial Army and have no time to watch over her, but when orders come from the king I have no other choice. Her soft curves ignite my desires but I can’t let her distract me from my duty. Fated mates are a legend, and I will not succumb to a childish fairy tale. And yet, the closer we become, the more I need to make her mine. How can I keep her when she’s determined to leave me forever?

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UNTAMED: AN ENDING WORLD SURVIVAL NOVEL (SAVAGE NORTH CHRONICLES BOOK 3) by Lindsay Pogue

It’s been eleven years since a pandemic devastated the population and left survivors with superhuman capabilities, and the world has finally settled into a new sense of normal. Beau has learned to embrace and grow into his Ability, but when he loses his best friend, Beau’s world crumbles all over again. Brokenhearted, he embarks on a transformative journey of self-discovery, fraught with danger and adventure, and most unexpectedly, love. But the scars left in the wake of the Virus run deeper than Beau can possibly imagine. Those who were isolated during the outbreak have remained unchanged and vulnerable to Crazies and Ability-enhanced humans alike. When Wren, a native to the wildlands, finds Beau at his worst, the two lost souls learn to trust each other despite the turbulent paths that have brought them together. But the horrors Beau has faced over the years are nothing compared to what unfolds after a single reckless decision. And in a race against time, he must act quickly, drawing upon his survival skills and native teachings, or risk losing Wren forever.

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THE SPACE BETWEEN WORLDS by Micaiah Johnson

VS Note: Not a romance. Intriguing concept…

Multiverse travel is finally possible, but there’s just one catch: No one can visit a world where their counterpart is still alive. Enter Cara, whose parallel selves happen to be exceptionally good at dying—from disease, turf wars, or vendettas they couldn’t outrun. Cara’s life has been cut short on 372 worlds in total. On this dystopian Earth, however, Cara has survived. Identified as an outlier and therefore a perfect candidate for multiverse travel, Cara is plucked from the dirt of the wastelands. Now what once made her marginalized has finally become an unexpected source of power. She has a nice apartment on the lower levels of the wealthy and walled-off Wiley City. She works—and shamelessly flirts—with her enticing yet aloof handler, Dell, as the two women collect off-world data for the Eldridge Institute. She even occasionally leaves the city to visit her family in the wastes, though she struggles to feel at home in either place. So long as she can keep her head down and avoid trouble, Cara is on a sure path to citizenship and security.
But trouble finds Cara when one of her eight remaining doppelgängers dies under mysterious circumstances, plunging her into a new world with an old secret. What she discovers will connect her past and her future in ways she could have never imagined—and reveal her own role in a plot that endangers not just her world, but the entire multiverse.

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ALIEN WARRIOR’S MATE (PLUTONIAN WARRIORS BOOK 1) by Nelia Alarcon

I’m on the alien auction block in outer space. That’s a sentence I thought I’d never say. But there’s no way I’m going down without a fight. These evil alien jerks will sell me over my dead body. Which is something they seem rather eager to do. Until a hot, blue-alien with tattoos and purple eyes steals me away from the auction. His touch makes me tremble. And not from fear. But my alien rescuer has a secret and I might not survive when it’s revealed.
Can I trust my heart or will this alien be the death of me?

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BACILLI (THE EXPERIMENTS BOOK 1) by A P Foote

The world fell apart faster than anyone would have thought. Not from nuclear war, or famine. No, the military was messing with things that should have never been tampered with. No one has the right to play god—or hire biochemists and virologists to create weapons. But they did, and in doing so created a lethal virus that is wiping out the human race in some form or another. They never intended for them to get out, for things to turn catastrophic in the matter of minutes, but it happened, and there’s no going back. My name is Billie, and the military took something of mine. I will do anything—and WILL—to get it back. My immunity is the key to survival, and the Experiments extinction. But who is the real danger? The Experiments? Or the other Survivors. Bacilli is Apocalyptic Reverse Harem Romance, and the first in the series.

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GLORIOUS DAY by Skye Kilaen

The bodyguard is a traitor. The princess is her one true love. And the revolution is almost here. Elsenna Hazen left spaceport security and ended up a royal bodyguard. She should have known better than to fall in love with a princess. It’s been two years since one ill-advised kiss in the garden pulled them apart. With uprisings in the streets, the nervous princess transfers Elsenna back into her service. Her Highness has no idea Elsenna is leaking data to the revolutionaries bent on overthrowing the princess’s oppressive father. Now Elsenna wakes up each day wondering what will happen first: her own execution, or that of the woman she could never stop loving. When rebel attacks escalate and the king plans retaliation, Elsenna discovers that the fights for her love and her life are one and the same.

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THE ACCIDENTAL EMPRESS by Justin R Smith

VS Note: Not listed as a romance…

Since she was a child, Kristín Ormsdóttir has had the ability to spot people who are marked for death, causing other children to shun and bully her as a witch. She yearns to escape her tiny Icelandic fishing village and see the world.
Kristín gets her golden ticket out when she passes the Temple of Knowledge Exam, a test of knowledge and — secretly — of latent psychic powers. Her prize is a coveted position in the Temple, learning and participating in its research. In her honor, Germany’s kaiser even diverts a packed commercial zeppelin flight to take her there.
On this flight, though, nothing is as it seems. After she’s mistaken for the Iron Throne’s heiress, murderous palace intrigue and wars derail Kristín’s cherished plans — forcing her to walk a tightrope, weighed down by deadly secrets.
One slip could land her in prison — or a grave.

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IN A DRAGON’S SOUL (DRAGONS OF MOUNT TERES BOOK 4) by Riley Storm

They’re both keeping secrets, but only one could get them killed…Samantha Hall never asked to be told the secret of dragons. She was content working at the nicest restaurant in Five Peaks, living with her best friend and saving up for her dream. Life was good. Now she’s lost her best friend and, even worse, the dragons have decided she can’t be trusted. So they’ve kidnapped her and taken her to their mountain stronghold.
Sache Teres doesn’t sleep much anymore. His dreams are plagued with nightmares about the black mark on his past. His fellow dragons judge him for it too. Not with words, but he can see it in their eyes. He’s not welcome and he knows it. If he leaves though, they’ll think he’s just turned traitor. There’s no winning. That is, until the gorgeous human woman arrives at the compound, fresh with the knowledge of dragons and looking for a way home.
When the hunky shifter with haunted eyes volunteers to escort Sam home, she can’t believe her luck. A way out! She just has to put up with him being around for a little while, until she’s gained the dragons’ trust. It should be easy, but having a dragon shifter around brings its own set of problems. Tensions flare over unexpected bedroom intrusions, late night longings and evil dragon attacks. Through it all, Sam keeps her distance. She knows that letting Sache in would mean heartbreak in the end. It always does. No man can handle her secret, not even a dragon shifter. Or so she thinks.

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ECHOES OF THE STORM: A MILITARY SPACE OPERA by Charlene Newcomb

VS Note: Not listed as a romance but sounds good.

The battle for Torredo is over, but the war has just begun…Jack Gamble’s lover is a double agent. Norse betrayed the resistance and now commands Galilei’s military operations. Rallying what remains of the resistance and their galactic allies wasn’t part of Jack’s plans. His contacts are scattered, maybe dead. Streams are broadcasting his face from one end of the galaxy to the other, and mercenaries under the command of Captain Ben Stone intercept his ship. Space pirates, friendly interrogators, security grunts, and Norse stand in Jack’s way. Can he trust Stone? The intriguing captain has his own problems with the empire – and an interest in Jack. Jack isn’t looking for a one-night stand, and any emotional entanglements need to be off the radar. He has a rebellion to win and a world to take back. Failure means his people will never break the empire’s chains, and his homeworld is screwed. Norse already did that to him. He won’t let it happen again.

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HECTIC: POWERHOUSE INSTITUTE BOOK 2 by Athena Franco

Between cramming for midterms and fighting crime, my superhero grad school life is challenging enough. A villain network has made itself at home in my city, kidnapping and trafficking young preternaturals. My team and I are determined to bring down the mastermind responsible, even if it means getting in over our heads. In the midst of late night surveillance and study sessions, I’ve gone and made things complicated by falling for my stakeout partner. Charming, sexy, and funny, Hector’s everything a woman could want. Except we’re former best friends who kind of live together and I sort of used to date his brother. I’m not the only one with regrets. Hector’s always been there for me, but the lies he’s told shatter my trust in him. As the bad guys close in and the choices become impossible, I have to decide between our friendship, the mission, or the newfound passion sparking between us.

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THE ENFORCER ENIGMA (THE SAN ANDREAS SHIFTERS) by Gail Carriger

ENFORCER – Judd has wandered from pack to pack his whole life, searching for wolves who will accept him for who he is and who he loves. Now he believes that he’s finally found the right pack and the right man. NERD – Rejected by his family for being gay and geeky, Colin has never fit in with werewolves, yet now he is one. He doesn’t know how to react when Judd starts courting him. He’s even more lost when a famous singer, the selkie mob, and the feds also start chasing him. Can Judd protect Colin and still prove his love? Can Colin figure out why enemy shifters are invading his favorite cafe? And what’s with all the gold sparkle?

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THEIR CONTROLLED CHAOS (WINTERVALE PACKS BOOK 4) by Milly Taiden

Jinelle Sutton has known from a young age that she is more than human. Chaos is a big part of her life and she’s learned to ball it up and hide it away from the world. Which isn’t too hard because she’s always been a bit weird. A high IQ and social awkwardness means she’s got very few friends. She longs for the day she doesn’t have to hide who she is. When she hears about a surrogate program with an alien shifter planet she jumps at the chance. After all, who to better understand her than alien shifters?
Daeria is much more than she expects. Her new friends are also surrogates and have special abilities of their own. She feels like she belongs for the first time in her life. Then there are the four wolf shifters who each claim to be her mate. The war that took so much from the Dearia shifters may have ended, but they’re still dealing with the aftermath. The evil that wants complete control over the planet seeks out a powerful relic that gives him anything he desires. It’s up to Jinelle, Harland, Turk, Seff, and Merric to find the relic before Xaxhin does. All the while, Jinelle’s powers grow stronger and more uncontrollable. Then again, when has chaos ever been controlled?

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MIDNIGHT SUN by Stephanie Meyer

When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella’s side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward’s version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun.
This unforgettable tale as told through Edward’s eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting Bella is both the most unnerving and intriguing event he has experienced in all his years as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward’s past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he justify following his heart if it means leading Bella into danger?

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BRIDE OF THE SEA MONSTER (WELCOME TO HELL BOOK 9) by Eve Langlais

Watch out for those umbrella drinks. Not even one day at sea, and I find myself the bride of a sea monster. In order to break a curse, I am supposed to marry a sea monster. Considering I only barely tolerate seafood, that isn’t going to work for me. Nor will I be guilted into doing it. Why should I wreck my life for a stranger? Instead, I leave on a cruise and get bitch-slapped by fate. The first night aboard, not only do I get wasted, I accidentally wind up married to the multi-armed beast I’d sworn to avoid. Turns out he’s not half bad, though, which is why I am trying to find a way to break the curse before he turns into a monster forever.

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THE AUNT WHO WOULDN’T DIE by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay

VS Note: Reviews are all over the place on stars. Magical realism. Reviewers note there really isn’t anything humorous despite the blurb. A release of note…

Somlata has just married into the dynastic but declining Mitra family. At eighteen, she expects to settle into her role as a devout wife in this traditional, multi-generational family. But then Somlata, wandering the halls of the grand, decaying Mitra mansion, stumbles upon the body of her great aunt-in-law, Pishima. A child bride widowed at twelve, Pishima has finally passed away at the ripe old age of seventy. But she isn’t letting go just yet. Pishima has long harbored a grudge against the Mitras for keeping her in perpetual widowhood, never allowed to fall in love.. Now, her ghost intends to meddle in their lives, making as much mischief as possible. Pishima gives Somlata the keys to her mysterious box of gold to keep it out of the Mitras’ hands. However, the selfless Somlata, witnessing her new family waste away their wealth to the brink of bankruptcy, has her own ideas. Boshon is a book-loving, scooter-riding, rebellious teenager who wants nothing to do with the many suitors that ask for her hand. She yearns for freedom and wants to go to college. But when her poor neighbor returns from America she finds herself falling in love. Perhaps Pishima’s yearning spirit lives on in her own her heart?

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EVER CURSED by Corey Ann Haydu

The Princesses of Ever are beloved by the kingdom and their father, the King. They are cherished, admired. Cursed.
Jane, Alice, Nora, Grace, and Eden carry the burden of being punished for a crime they did not commit, or even know about. They are each cursed to be Without one essential thing—the ability to eat, sleep, love, remember, or hope. And their mother, the Queen, is imprisoned, frozen in time in an unbreakable glass box. But when Eden’s curse sets in on her thirteenth birthday, the princesses are given the opportunity to break the curse, preventing it from becoming a True Spell and dooming the princesses for life. To do this, they must confront the one who cast the spell—Reagan, a young witch who might not be the villain they thought—as well as the wickedness plaguing their own kingdom…and family.

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WOLF’S BANE (WOLVES NEXT DOOR BOOK 1) by Auryn Hadley

Leaving my husband was hard. Trying to face the world alone with my teenage daughter is the sort of thing nightmares are made of, but I caught a break. My best friend just hired me for a great job. It’s not anything special, simply managing the leasing office of this very fancy and highly exclusive neighborhood, yet the perks mean I get my second chance. Speaking of perks, my rent-free house is right beside not just one handsome man, but five! Each one is hotter than the last, and all of them seem interested in me. Maybe I can’t remember the last date I was on, but if I want to master being a strong woman, then this is a good place to start. It’s just dating, right? Normal life stuff. Not so much. Everyone around us has these strange golden eyes. Then there are the questions no one will answer. And who cares if there’s a lot of wildlife running around at night? I do, especially when a wolf keeps sneaking into my backyard. I have a kid to worry about. Things have got to change before someone gets bitten! Normal is going out the window, and fast. My neighbors say I don’t belong here, and they don’t mean because I’m Hispanic. Never mind that I just heard a man growl. Now they’re talking about fated somethings, and I’m pretty sure they mean me.
I feel like I’m going crazy! Because when I said I wanted to learn how to be strong, this wasn’t what I meant at all. Still, when it comes to taking care of my little girl, I will definitely learn how to be the biggest bitch on the block. I just hope that doesn’t become literal.

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HEALING LANCE (A WARRIOR’S REDEMPTION TRILOGY BOOK 1) by M D Grimm

A baby’s laughter. A mind uncaged. Lance is known as Scourge, the warrior in the black armor, the dog of the warlord Ulfr Blackwolf. He was just a boy when Ulfr found him and molded him into the perfect weapon. He slaughters and pillages on command, merciless and numb, devoid of emotions. Then a baby girl laughs at him during a raid. And everything changes.
When Gust, a talented healer, is out deer hunting and stumbles across a magnificent horse bearing a mortally wounded rider, he has no idea that his life is about to change forever. Gust applies all his skills to his patient, determined to save the rider’s life, and is rewarded when the man opens his eyes. As friendship, and more, bloom between warrior and healer, so does the danger over the horizon. Ulfr has not forgotten, and Lance must take his first steps on the long road to redemption.

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VAMPIRE’S PROMISE (MAFIA MONSTERS SERIES BOOK 3) by Atlas Rose and Kim Faulks

He captured my hand and kissed my palm. “If anything happens to me they’ll take care of you.”  Tears shimmered in my eyes, like a damn burst inside me.  A car crash finally igniting.  He was the flames.  They were all the flames.  urning inside me like a damn inferno.  He stretched my arm over my head. I lifted the other in instinct, feeling his fingers grip my wrist. I’d never been so turned on…so agonizingly desperate for a man to consume me. “You are ours.” He warned. “Say it…say who you belong to.” “You.” My heart blazed as I whispered. “I belong to all of you.”  They promised to keep me alive.  They promised to keep me safe.  But what happens when death is payment for a debt I never knew? Death or an eternity in servitude?  The Costello’s are steeped in betrayal. Lies and corruption taint my family’s bloodline, owing debts to monsters more dangerous than the Vampires I love. Now the Inner Circle has come to collect. Only I won’t go easy. To protect those I love I’ll fight for them a thousand times over…if need be I’ll die as well. In a dark alley I face down my corrupt past. I have one small chance to keep us alive. As my thoughts turn to those I love; Elithen, Hurrow, Justice, Rule and my savage Unseelie bodyguard, Russell, I pray we make it…hearts and lives intact.

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RED HEIR by Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey

Imprisoned pickpocket Loth isn’t sure why a bunch of idiots just broke into his cell claiming they’re here to rescue the lost prince of Aguillon, and he doesn’t really care. They’re looking for a redheaded prince, and he’s more than happy to play along if it means freedom. Then his cranky cellmate Grub complicates things by claiming to be the prince as well. Now they’re fleeing across the country and Loth’s stuck sharing a horse and a bedroll with Grub while imitating royalty, eating eel porridge, and dodging swamp monsters and bandits. Along the way, Loth discovers that there’s more to Grub than meets the eye. Under the dirt and bad attitude, Grub’s not completely awful. He might even be attractive. In fact, Loth has a terrible suspicion that he’s developing feelings, and he’s not sure what to do about that. He’d probably have more luck figuring it out if people would just stop trying to kill them. Still, at least they’ve got a dragon, right?

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SHIFTERS GONE WILD: A SHIFTER ROMANCE COLLECTION by Various

Fall in love with this paw-some collection of 12 shifter romances.From spell-binding romances to heart pounding adventures, there’s something for everyone in this collection of paranormal and urban fantasy romances. Whether you want to challenge the alpha, fall for the bear, or fly with the dragon, you can find it all within these pages. This set includes full-length books by: New York Times Bestselling Author Felicity Heaton USA Today Bestselling Authors Keira Blackwood & Liza Street USA Today Bestselling Author Ann Gimpel USA Today Bestselling Author Laura Greenwood USA Today Bestselling Author Skye MacKinnon USA Today Bestselling Author Rebecca Rivard USA Today Bestselling Author Arizona Tape J.A. Belfield Ophelia Bell Marie-Claude Bourque T.K. Eldridge Kate Rudolph

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SUCKER PUNCH (ANITA BLAKE VAMPIRE HUNTER BOOK 7) by Laurel K Hamilton

When a fellow U.S. Marshal asks Anita Blake to fly to a tiny community in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on an emergency consult, she knows time is running short. When she arrives, there is plenty of proof that a young wereleopard killed his uncle in the most gruesome and bloody way possible. As the mounting evidence points to him, a warrant of execution is already under way. But something seems off about the murder, and Anita has been asked for her expert opinion on the crime scene. Despite escalating pressure from local cops and the family’s cries for justice for their dead patriarch, Anita quickly realizes that the evidence doesn’t quite add up. Time is against Anita, as the tight-knit community is up in arms and its fear of supernaturals is growing. She races to uncover the truth and determine whether the Marshals have caught the killer or are about to execute an innocent man—all in the name of justice.

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SHIELD IN TIME (WOMEN OF TIME BOOK 8) by Eva Blackwing

Astrid’s life was boring. Sure, she owned and taught at the dojo her grandmother had left her, but she didn’t have anything else going on. No friends, no boyfriend (not that she really needed one, right), no life. Well, except her dog Jax. On October 31st, her thirtieth birthday, her life takes a turn. She found a letter and a necklace from her grandmother. Putting it on led to her waking up in the 700s, confused, lost, and totally out of place. What else is there to do but figure out a way home? Though maybe Astrid’s journey has more than just some self-discovery in it when some mysterious Vikings cross her path. Will she figure out how to get home? Or will she discover something more important along the way? Only time will tell.

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CURSE A BREW STREAK (A SUPERNATURAL SPEAKEASY COZY MYSTERY BOOK 3) by Lily Harper Hart

Ofelia Archer is living the dream … or as close as seemingly possible. She owns her own business, her father seems to be on an even keel, and her new relationship with Detective Zacharias Sully is cruising right along. Everything changes in an instant, though, when screams from the street lead to zombies running amok through the French Quarter. Ofelia is a tough witch who takes no guff but even she is at a loss. Who is creating the zombies? Where are they coming from? They’re not rising from the dead as much as being bumped off and used as an invading army.
Sully wants to take control of the investigation but the higher-ups in the New Orleans Police Department assign the case to a new detective, much to his chagrin. That detective is keen to find answers. Unfortunately, he’s looking hard at Ofelia to find them. Sully and Ofelia are going to have to work together to find answers. Their adventure will lead them from the French Quarter to the Garden District and beyond. Even then, when things start coalescing, gnashing teeth won’t be the worst of their problems. Months ago they were two factions working on their own. Now they’re together, and stronger for it. Not all the magic in the Big Easy is good. Some is evil … and the two sides are about to collide.

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DARK POSSESSION (PURE/DARK ONE BOOK 14) by Aja James

VS Note: Not a fan of the cover…

Alend Ramses is not who he seems…The first-ever Dark King, the most powerful vampire ruler in the world, was once the lowest of the low. A slave who became a Consort who became a King…he’s lived long enough to learn from his mistakes and never repeat them.  Or has he?Eveline Marceau knows a lot…The Pure Ones’ Seer and Scribe is an intellectual female with hidden depths, which no male across time has come close to uncovering. She is certain that Ramses is no different; she knows what she wants, and he is exactly opposite. But she doesn’t know everything. Their paths cross unexpectedly… Pulled into the Dark Ones’ dizzying world of intrigue, violence and mayhem, the meek little “librarian” shows her steely backbone and holds her own. By all appearances, she is one of the Dark King’s possessions, a symbol and portent for a potential future as tensions between the Dark Ones and their enemies run high. Appearances can be deceiving. Can Eveline work with Ramses to steer Destiny in the right direction, or will history once again repeat itself toward a bloody, oppressive end?

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THE IMMORTAL CITY (THE SACRED DARK) by May Peterson

I don’t remember you… Reborn as an immortal with miraculous healing powers, Ari remembers nothing of his past life. His entire world now consists of the cold mountainside city of Serenity. Ruled with an iron fist. Violent. Lonely. I may never remember you…Regaining the memories of who he once was seems an impossible dream, until Ari encounters Hei, a mortal come to Serenity for his own mysterious purposes. From the moment Hei literally falls into his arms, Ari is drawn to him in ways he cannot understand. Every word, every look, every touch pulls them closer together. But I’m with you now…As their bond deepens, so does the need to learn the truth of their past. Together they journey to find an ancient immortal who can give them what they both want: a history more entwined than Ari could have ever imagined, but which Hei has always known. It’s the reason they will risk the world as they know it to reclaim who they used to be—and what they could be once again.

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THE EYE OF EVIL (THE DEVIL’S IN THE DETAILS) by Pelaam

VS Note: From early July

In the upcoming council elections of the rural town where he lives, Jason is working as assistant to his cousin Neil, a man who’s as narcissistic as he is ambitious. Almost running into Morena, the fortune teller from the visiting fair, Neil is able to turn the situation to his advantage and look good in the small community by offering free seats to the fair’s big top. Paranormal detective Garen begins an investigation into a death where the victim is turned to stone and finds an unlikely ally in the victim’s housekeeper, Chloris Webling, a woman with powers of her own. However, when they are attacked by something that kills with fang and claw, Garen needs the help of his husband Luke. Against his cousin’s wishes, Jason begins a relationship with Anaru, the nephew of one of Neil’s competitors. Jason’s concerned that not only might Neil discover his deception and sack him, but also about the infected bite on Neil’s forehead, which seems to be getting worse and making Neil more prone to furious outbursts than normal. Luke comes to believe that the strange growth on Neil’s forehead is a manifestation of the evil eye of the demon Balor and that the fortune teller is using Neil as a vessel for the demon. When the battle begins, it pits Garen and his forces against Madam Morena and her deadly familiar, while Luke and Chloris track down Neil to prevent the demon from using him as a gateway into the human world.

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DARK ARTS (SOCIETY OF ANCIENT MAGIC BOOK 1) by Fiona Starr

They say being called to the world’s oldest magic organization is the pinnacle of achievement for a witch. The lottery is done in secret. The names appear by magic. Membership in this exclusive club is like receiving a golden ticket. When you’re called—you go, because that’s how it has always been. With only a trace of magical ability, I’ve accepted a different role… a life of service to the witching community. So when the leader of the Society of Ancient Magic arrives at my door to escort me to initiation, I’m convinced there’s been a mistake. My name doesn’t belong on their list. And yet…The first guy I meet makes me feel like a princess. The second one I meet sparks an inferno in my heart. The third feels like the reason I was born. They are the sexiest males I have ever met. Dazzled by the glamour and the fabled history, I let myself fall into a world whose mystery and intrigue are as seductive as they are secretive. But not everything is as it seems within the Society of Ancient Magic.

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FREAKY SEAS (A MYSTIC CARAVAN MYSTERY BOOK 10) by Amanda M Lee

Mystic Caravan Circus is heading to Charleston and – per usual – trouble is not far behind.
For Poet Parker, who is grappling with saying goodbye to her assistant, she’s looking forward to quiet nights on the beach and quality time with her boyfriend. All that changes when the sea starts giving up its dead … and they appear to be hungry. Under normal circumstances, zombies wouldn’t be a big deal. They’re slow, lumbering, and easy to dispatch. This infestation is different … and they appear to be controlled by a strange creature long since thought extinct. Gorgons were believed to be things of myth and legend but one is haunting the beaches of Charleston … in close proximity to the circus and a writer’s retreat. In fact, the nutty individuals spouting fantastical stories and trying to one-up one another in the bluff house overlooking the circus grounds are all suspects because one of them is controlling the gorgon. Finding the individual responsible for causing endless upheaval and death is no easy task, though. Poet is a fighter but this battle is all-encompassing. Not every monster is obvious. Sometimes they hide behind human faces. This time Poet is going to have to wade through layers of darkness to find the light. Surviving to see the final sunrise will take them all working together … and even then they might not be strong enough to claim victory. Darkness is coming. Will anyone survive to see the dawn?

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BREAKING EVEN: A MAGIC OF MAYHEM WORLD STORY (MAGICAL PRISON BOOK 3) by Nicole Zoltack

Freedom. Glorious freedom! Sophie and I are no longer stuck in Magical Prison. But that doesn’t mean we’re truly free. We aren’t safe. Neither is the entire world. The head master of Magical Hunters Academy’s actions would have caused paranormal creatures to be outed. I couldn’t let that happen because it would cause war. I never realized that my actions, however, would cause another war, war among the paranormal creatures. Clearing Sophie’s and my names isn’t my biggest concern after all. Trying to stop the war and surviving is.

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HUNTED MATE (FATED MOUNTAIN WOLF PACK BOOK 4) by Jessica Aspen

A forbidden love…Too many secrets….Fated to be Mates…Glimpses of her dead sister push Sarah to leave the safety of her rich, privileged life, and venture into the dark. But when pursuing the truth leads to more than she’s bargained for…she risks not only her life, but the life of her sister—If Glenna is still alive…Caleb’s been tasked with keeping Sarah out of harm’s way—as well as hide every detail of her sister’s new existence as a wolf shifter. But how can he do that when sexy Sarah is determined to turn over every rock and hunt out the pack’s secrets? And when a mysterious informant contacts Sarah—Caleb knows she’s in danger. To protect Sarah, Caleb risks his job, his status in the enforcers, and his life. But most of all…he runs the risk of losing his fated mate.

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RISE BY MOONLIGHT by Nancy Gideon

VS Note: I’ve been enjoying the snippets she’s shared from this book…

He’s the Promised One –A Mobster’s attack dog turned legitimate business powerhouse, Max Savoie is the reluctant leader of New Orleans’ shapeshifter clan. They’ve kept to anonymous shadows, working and living unnoticed by the human world until their new Shifter King’s past draws dangerous outsiders who threaten all.
She’s the Protector – A fiercely determined NOPD detective, Charlotte Caissie has sworn to defend her beloved city and her unborn child from both criminals and otherworldly factions at war. While standing boldly at the side of her mate/husband, secrets from the past return to shake the foundation of her beliefs. They have a Problem – Walking a marital tight rope between opposite worlds, Max and Cee Cee’s paths place truth and trust at odds when outside threats force enemies to become allies. The time to take a stand for their family and their future is at hand. Time to rise together for the survival of all they love!

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CROSSING TIES (THE FAMILY NOVAK BOOK 5) by Susi Hawke and Crista Crowne

When Rory O’Malley’s dad goes missing, with only a photograph of him unconscious and covered in blood to clue them in to what happened, he does what he’s always done. He steps up and takes care of things. His quiet competence has been the O’Malleys’ strong backbone for years. He’ll get his father back, and his kidnappers will regret having ever messed with the O’Malley boys. He didn’t expect his bloody brother Patrick to go dragging the Novaks into family business. But Rory might have forgiven that if Misha Novak didn’t smell like his mate. He doesn’t have time for that kind of distraction, no matter how sexy. Misha has always believed work and play go hand in hand. And that’s even more true when he finds his fated mate while on a rescue mission. Rory’s a tough nut to crack. Misha doesn’t want to break him… but he will do whatever it takes to soften him up. Hopefully, saving Rory’s da should do the trick. Rory is chagrined to realize that he needs the Novaks to access the only people who can help him untangle this mess—the Chen dragon triad. Events bind the two lovers closer and draw them together until even stern and controlled Rory might not be able to avoid his destiny.

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THE BACHMANN FAMILY SECRET by Damian Serbu

Jaret Bachmann travels with his family to his beloved grandfather’s funeral with a heavy heart and, more troubling, premonitions of something evil lurking at the Bachmann ancestral home. But no one believes that he sees ghosts.
Grappling with his sexuality, a ghost that wants him out of the way, and the loss of his grandfather, Jaret must protect his family and come to terms with powers hidden deep within himself.

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THE LOST HEIRESS by Cassidy Cayman

Catie Ferguson wants freedom. Her family wants her to marry so she can inherit her vast fortune, but she thinks adventure is worth more than any amount of money. She’s so sure of it, she runs away from everyone who cares for her to start a new life in a faraway land.
Oliver Cliffstone has loved Catie for a long time, and both his common sense and his mother think it’s time to give up on the flighty farm girl, no matter how much she might be worth. When she runs off, his heart overrides his common sense and he goes after her. Surely she’ll be reasonable and return with him, won’t she?
Of course not. They both end up further from home than either of them could have ever imagined, fighting for the lives of people who haven’t yet been born. And who may never be born if they don’t succeed. Pirates, accidental time travel, and sweet romance abound in this new series featuring beloved characters from the Lost Highlander books.

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BONDED TO THE SOLDIER WOLF (SHIFTER NATION: SPECIAL OPS SHIFTERS: LA FORCE BOOK 3) by Meg Ripley

Ever since my abuela posed that question to me years ago, I’ve been on the hunt for my one true mate.
But of all the places, I never imagined finding her in a cemetery while on a mission with the Special Ops Shifter Force.
Penny’s voluptuous curves made my inner wolf stand at attention, begging to claim her. And I knew focusing on this mission was suddenly going to be a hell of a lot harder than I thought. Spirits of dead shifters have been wreaking havoc all over L.A. And I’m working with Penny’s ghost hunting crew to solve this freaky mystery once and for all.
But my hackles raise when I realize one of her teammates is her prick of an ex. And my protective instincts tell me he’s hanging around for all the wrong reasons. When the truth comes to light and Penny’s life is in danger, nothing will stop me from keeping her safe. But will her personal ghosts put our fated destiny on the line?

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MY TWO TIGERS (DOUBLE DESERT SHIFTERS BOOK 7) by Mia Wolf

I know their type. They’re macho jerks and completely useless. They party like they’re on the brink of extinction, and they think they’re all that. Women fall over themselves to get to them all the time. Well, I won’t. I vowed to do the exact opposite: stay away from them as much as I can. To me, men are like needy houseplants The problem is that if you ignore them, they don’t quietly die. The bigger problem is that these two have been ordered to work on my new project. I’m stuck with them, whether I like it or not. I have to look at those tasty bodies day in, day out. They boss me around, and slowly, they’re getting to me. Slowly, my desire for them is getting the better of me. I still have my pride to maintain, though. The problem is that my pride is starting to want something from them. It wants to lie right here with them. In the dirt, like the wild cats that we are.

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THE QUEST by Pam Binder

Medieval Highland apprentice witch Ana de Dannon is desperate to free her imprisoned mother and needs a champion. Her evil stepbrother has offered her mother’s freedom in exchange for his defeat at the tournament. Knowing it’s a trap, she still summons a legendary warrior. But instead of Cuchulainn, a famous 21st century quarterback appears.
Kenneth MacKinnon (Mac) is stunned he has traveled to 14th century Scotland but agrees to help Ana free her mother if she will return him to the future. Fighting their mutual attraction, Ana trains Mac for the competition. He is a fast learner, with a kind heart buried under his arrogance, but he has much to learn. Ana fears their chances of escaping with her mother—and their lives—diminish by the day.

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LAST OF THE MOON GIRLS by Barbara Davis

Lizzy Moon never wanted Moon Girl Farm. Eight years ago, she left the land that nine generations of gifted healers had tended, determined to distance herself from the whispers about her family’s strange legacy. But when her beloved grandmother Althea dies, Lizzy must return and face the tragedy still hanging over the farm’s withered lavender fields: the unsolved murders of two young girls, and the cruel accusations that followed Althea to her grave.

Lizzy wants nothing more than to sell the farm and return to her life in New York, until she discovers a journal Althea left for her—a Book of Remembrances meant to help Lizzy embrace her own special gifts. When she reconnects with Andrew Greyson, one of the few in town who believed in Althea’s innocence, she resolves to clear her grandmother’s name. But to do so, she’ll have to decide if she can accept her legacy and whether to follow in the footsteps of all the Moon women who came before her.

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BEAUTY FROM ASHES: AUTHORS AND DANCERS AGAINST CANCER ANTHOLOGY

VS Note: My author friend Ruth A Casie has a story in here. The one review of the anthology so far seems pretty brutal. No idea  if any of the stories are fantasy or PNR but it’s for a good cause. Anyone else have more insight? 19 Stories.

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DISCOVERY OF MAGICK (DARK LIGHT ACADEMY BOOK 1) by Tabitha Stephenson

Life was predictable, though far from exciting, in Boring, Kansas.I’d thought about getting a job and maybe taking some community college classes after graduation. Those were all part of the plans I’d sort of made with my best friend since elementary school. We’d even talked about sharing a crappy apartment somewhere in our little nowhere town. Then my aunt and uncle surprised me with a graduation trip and it changed everything.No, really. EVERYTHING.For one, we’d not only left our little town of Boring, Kansas, but the United States– no, actually, the human world– entirely. I was going to college all right, only it was one for witches to hone their skills. Boy, was I ever behind. I hadn’t even known I was one. That should have made things hard enough, but I caught the attention of one of the hottest guys I’d ever seen, though I wasn’t sure if he liked me or hated me. Add to that, I also got noticed by the popular girl who saw him as hers. Oh, and did I mention I somehow acquired a ghost cat as a familiar? Or that the hot guy comes as some sort of magical package deal with his two best friends? Yeah, my life in Boring was over and interesting just might be overrated.

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WINTER’S KISS (TIME AFTER TIME SERIES BOOK 2) by Dee Davis

Now that the overbearing men in her family are gone, Ailis Davidson sees the chance to right her family’s many wrongs and bring peace to the valley she loves. The only problem is that someone wants her dead. Ranald Macqueen has lived his life brandishing a sword for others. Now on the eve of his greatest triumph, serving as guard for his king, a wee fairy of a woman has interrupted those plans with the need of his protection. As Ailis and Ranald fight against an unknown enemy, they are drawn together by a powerful connection. A love that promises something greater than either of them has ever imagined. But before they can have a chance at true happiness—they have to survive.

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THE WARRIOR’S PROGENY (THE HEAVEN AND EARTH SERIES BOOK 2) by Jeny Heckman

Colton Stone, a newly traded tight end, arrives in his new city ready to play ball. His reputation is as beaten as his football helmet. When he receives a vacation invitation, he accepts. A decision that could be fueled by magical interference. When he meets Dr. Lillian Morgan, he isn’t certain what to think.
A widow with two children, Lilly is looking forward to her friends’ wedding. When she meets Colton Stone, his arrogant attitude only makes her long for the love she took for granted. She adores her work as a pediatric surgeon, but the football player reminds her of a child. When black energy touches their world Colt and Lilly become the pawns of immortal gods. So is the love developing between them natural or part of a larger prophecy?

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THE MORNING FLOWER: THE OMTE ORIGINS (FROM THE WORLD OF THE TRYLLE) by Amanda Hocking

Welcome back to the kingdom of the Omte—a forest realm where secrets and danger, human nature and ancient mythology collide. Where truth is stranger than fiction. Searching for answers to her own shrouded origins, Ulla Tulin’s journey of exploration takes a sudden turn when Eliana is kidnapped. Turning toward the Omte capital instead of the institute where she hoped to learn the truth about her identity, Ulla must put Eliana’s welfare before her own—a sacrifice that will present all new dangers to them both. When history is still unwritten. Ulla never expected that once she arrived she’d discover the identity of a Skojare man who crossed paths with her mother—a man who could very well be her father. Given the man’s connections to the Älvolk, a secret society tasked with protecting the location of the First City, Ulla is soon dispatched to Sweden to find him. One woman will dare to go wherever fate will take her…
Now Ulla, along with her maybe boyfriend Pan, finds herself on a desperate race against time to locate her kin—who could very well pose a danger to her kingdom. Nobody and nothing is as it seems as she penetrates the dark heart of the Älvolk…all the way to the secret Lost Bridge to the First City, where an unknown future awaits for Ulla and her kind.

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YESTERDAY’S BLOOD (A SLIP IN TIME BOOK 5) by Jane O’Brien

Yesterday’s Blood, Book 5 of O’Brien’s series A Slip in Time, begins in the year 2025 where we last left Daniel Kent, the deputy sheriff. Having come across some heirlooms in an old secretary drawer, he handles each one carefully wondering who they belonged to and how they were connected to him. After looking into his genealogy, he discovers a name on a Civil War medal which not only is on his family tree, but is the same name as his own. Puzzled, he picks up the Bowie knife next, but as he does so, he nicks his finger, causing a flow of blood to drip onto the leather case. Once the droplet in his ‘present time’ touches the stain from the ‘past’, Daniel is thrown into a trip he had not expected to take.Where will Daniel land? Will he end up in a strange place and a different century than his own; will he be with Dora, his ex-wife, who has gone before him back to 1881? Dora was eager to return to the past and the love of her life, but what will she find when she arrives? Is Wade available, and if so, does he still want her?Francine and Luke are excitedly making plans to start their family. The orphan train is once again coming their way. If they are able to get any children, Fran wonders if she will be able to stay in the 19th century and continue her life as the mother she has always longed to be. Or will the Universe upset everything and send her back, leaving Luke alone as a single parent?Best friends, Ruth and Mavis, still long for a man to fall in love with. They dream about a handsome stranger who will step off the steam driven train at the depot in town. Will these young women each find a suitable match in the small town of Twin Lake, or is there an unknown person waiting on the horizon for each of them?

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WHAT A GIRL WANTS by Kate Steele

Four women find their destinies embracing the paranormal.
Almost Home: When Shannon’s car breaks down a quarter mile from her house, she braves the moon-drenched shadows and comes face to face with her destiny.
What Friends Are For: What girl would refuse the offer of sex from the sweetest, handsomest, most intelligent man of her acquaintance? The only trouble is, he’s my best friend. And I think I’m in love with his brother!
A Heart Concealed: Rafe Kutter is cursed … or so he believes. Lindy Timberlane sorely tests his resolve. When Lindy learns Rafe’s secret she’s determined to risk her heart to keep this very human and vulnerable bear shifter from condemning himself to a life without love.
By Blood’s Decree: Dana Hamilton has a few problems — healing powers that make her blood ambrosial for vampires, self-renewing virginity, and a sexy vampire who not only makes her doubt her preconceived notion that all vamps are evil, but brings out her desires with a capital D.

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SORCERY OF A QUEEN (DRAGONS OF TERRA BOOK 2) by Brian Naslund

They called her the Witch Queen…Driven from her kingdom, the would-be queen now seeks haven in the land of her mother, but Ashlyn will not stop until justice has been done. Determined to unlock the secret of powers long thought impossible, Ashlyn bends her will and intelligence to mastering the one thing people always accused her of, sorcery. Meanwhile, having learned the truth of his mutation, Bershad is a man on borrowed time. Never knowing when his healing powers will drive him to a self-destruction, he is determined to see Ashlyn restored to her throne and the creatures they both love safe.

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WHAT THE FRACK (THE ABC’S OF SPELLCRAFT BOOK 7) by Jordan Castillo Price

VS Note: From June

It’s all fun and games until something blows up. Thanks to the recent explosion in Pinyin Bay, most of its residents got out while the getting was good. Not Dixon Penn. He grew up there, and from the power plant to the strip malls, the city is full of fond memories. But if the mysterious corporation that bought up the shoreline doesn’t stop drilling, memories may soon be all that remain.  Yuri Volnikov is finally fitting in. He crossed an ocean to find a loving home with Dixon. Now, that home is threatened. And he won’t give it up without a fight. The drilling has attracted plenty of attention. While a harebrained reporter covers the scene, a traveling geologist shows up who might shed some light on the situation. He’ll need all the light he can get, since he can hardly see three feet in front of his own face. Whoever is digging up the shore, they’re using Spellcraft to exploit every possible loophole so no one can put a stop to their operations. Can Dixon and Yuri defuse the Craftings before Pinyin Bay goes up in smoke?

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UNNATURAL OMEGA (ALPHA ELITE SERIES BOOK 2) by V T Bonds

Britani I’m stuck. Stuck in a lonely world of mourning. Once a month I travel to the pier and find peace in the barren desert, reliving the wind swirling my parents’ ashes away. If only I’d skipped my trek this month. For a moment, they held me tight again. Now I’ve found the true meaning of hell. Kwame – Something is wrong. Honed instincts won’t let me celebrate Seeck and Nova’s union. A seething black cloud of premonition warns of terrible things to come.
Things I can’t control. Things I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy, much less my lifemate. Deadly things. Horrible things. Nightmares come to life. How can I save her from an enemy I never knew existed?

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WILD: A SAVAGE ALPHA SIHIFTERS ROMANCE by DD Prince

Ivy’s weekend misadventure in the sticks goes from bad to worse when she hits an animal with her car and winds up in a ditch. One minute, she’s faced with a giant black wolf and the next, he’s transformed into a naked man before her eyes. And he insists – she’s coming home with him. Tyson hasn’t been in man form for years, for very specific reasons. Instead, he’s chosen to stay a wolf, deep in the forest. He didn’t grow up with his pack and he doesn’t have a solid understanding of human or shifter nature. All he knows is Ivy is meant to be his.

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DRAGON’S RUNAWAY BRIDE (RUNAWAY SHIFTER BRIDES BOOK 1) by Sky Winters

Garrett – I was hired to track down an omega, Wanted for murder. It’ll be easy. Just seduce her with my alpha nature, turn her in.  Except she’s not the guilty little omega I thought she’d be. My alpha nature wants me to protect her, Like a force out of my control But is the cost too high? 
Maddie – It was going to be the wedding of the year. I was marrying the perfect alpha—or so I thought. Walsh Black ended up being a murderous beast And now my ex-fiancé is hunting me down. Framing me. His dragon eyes hungry for my blood. My only hope is a cop from the shifter police force, The one Dragon I truly want. But will he ever believe me after my betrayal?

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WOLF’S RUNAWAY BRIDE (RUNAWAY SHIFTER BRIDES BOOK 2) by Sky Winters

Brock – I’m hired to get dangerous jobs done. Make things disappear. No one in this city messes with me. But I never thought I’d wake up married to a virginal wolf. And no matter how hard I try, I can’t make my feeling for her disappear.
I want to help her. I want to protect her. But now that her ex-fiancé is in town, It might be the final thing that pulls me under. 

Milly – Running away from my wedding, and my evil fiancé was easy. The hard part? Waking up and finding myself in an accidental marriage. He’s a bad wolf and he has secrets. But it doesn’t make me want him any less. And what will happen when he finds out my secret? Can a marriage without trust ever last?

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REBORN: DEMON HUNTER ANGEL ROMANCE (WILD HUNT BOOK 4) by Nancy Corrigan

A random act of violence forces Rowan, a female rider in the Wild Hunt, to face eternity without the man she loves. She fills her nights with hunting and her duty to mankind…until she meets Trevor, a human who helps her remember love. Trevor’s cocky. He’s rude. He’s difficult. And he doesn’t look upon her with fear when she turns into a beast from Hell. He demands her love. How is a daughter of the Devil supposed to resist someone like Trevor? Especially when he reminds her of the man she once loved and lost. One goal sends Trevor O’Connor prowling the streets at night—revenge against the man preying on tall, dark-haired women. But in the ‘Otherworld’, plans never go as expected, especially when he’s only a human playing with monsters…or sleeping with one of them. From the moment Trevor laid eyes on Rowan, he was hooked. If she’d stop talking so much, she’d be the perfect woman—hot, dangerous, and just the right mix of innocence and deadliness. But Rowan does talk. A lot. And somewhere along the way, he’s fallen in love with her. There’s only one problem. She’s been cursed. And if they can’t break it, they lose…everything, including each other.

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STARTING OVER: TWO WEREWOLVES FOR PETER by D J Heart

VS Note: From mid July

Set up to take the fall for a crime he didn’t commit, Peter faces ten years behind bars at Lockland Omega Penitentiary. It’s hell. Unable to handle the intense heat-blockers used to keep the prison under control, he decides to sign up for the Delinquent Omega Matching Program, hoping against hope that a good alpha is better than spending the best years of his life drugged up and locked away in a cell. The program assigns him to Tex Wilson and Carver Wilde. The two alphas have been searching for a mate for years, and when Peter reads their profiles, he understands why. They’re the kind of alphas that send sane omegas running for the hills. Dominant, aggressive, and kinky in ways that Peter has no idea how to deal with, the idea of belonging to them scares the living daylights out of him. How the program decided that they were compatible with him, Peter has no idea.

Amazon

JASMINE (SPELL LIBRARY BOOK 12) by Crystal North

Jasmine: an insanely talented half-witch who can’t see her own worth, even though the humans and the Supes of Silver Springs all adore her; shop owner; holistic healer; visionary; fortune teller. The only problem she ever has with fortune telling, however, is her own. All she ever gets is visions of trees when she tries. You know the saying, can’t see the wood for the trees? Well, Jasmine just can’t figure out what it all means. However a spelled library book, left behind in her shop by accident, may just give her the clarity – and romance – that she’s been missing. Fate has funny plans for Jasmine, no matter how disbelieving she is, or how hard she tries to fight it! Take a firefighting shifter, fae builder twins, and the hottest bouncer you’ve ever seen, despite his unusual appetites…four guys named after trees and one witch who’s still too clueless to see the sexy answers staring her in the face. It’s got to spell a recipe for disaster, right?

Amazon

REBEL BITTEN (BLOOD ALLIANCE BOOK 4) by Lexi C Foss

Once upon a time, humankind ruled the world while lycans and vampires lived in secret.
This is no longer that time.
Willow – They’re chasing me, even into my dreams. And when I awake, I see him. Striking black eyes with a hint of the devil inside. He’s my savior and my worst nightmare combined. Because he owns me. He found me. He saved me. But I don’t want to be owned. I want to be free. Even if it kills me.
Ryder I needed a diversion, a plaything, something to distract me from this perpetual boredom. And she appeared as if the Almighty above had heard my prayers. Or, more accurately, the devil. Because I’m not a good man. Humanity died inside me long ago. It was what I needed to survive. But she’s such a pretty little thing. I think I’ll keep her and make her mine. At least for a little while. Humans are so fragile, after all.

Amazon

IMMORTALITY: A DARK WITCH’S TALE (THE IMMORTALS BOOK 4) by Maggie Shayne

A CORRUPT LEADERThirteen little girls are sired by a power-hungry king with delusions of grandeur. His actions are guided by self-serving prophets who crave nothing more than power of their own. Thirteen little girls are trained to fight, to kill, until only one remains. The survivor will be used as a tool by those in authority, a puppet of her father and his soothsayers. A STEP TOO FAR…But when the boy she loves is torn brutally from her life, Puabi will be used no longer. And so begins her rise to power in one ancient city-state after another. In her quest for vengeance, she will rip the crown from the heads of a corrupt king, and she will steal the immortality from his heart, even though doing so will cost her very soul. She is the darkest villain among her kind. A SPARK OF HOPE… And yet, there is hope for redemption, even for one as evil as she. The journey she must take in a quest for healing, wholeness, for restoration of her true self, is one that will sweep readers irresistibly into its current.

Amazon      Apple Books

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VS: Some titles from my backlist for good summertime reading!

STAR CRUISE: IDOL’S CURSE   Amazon      Apple Books     NOOK      KOBO

STAR CRUISE: MYSTERY DANCER   Amazon       Apple Books      NOOK      KOBO

STAR CRUISE: SONGBIRD    Amazon     iBooks      Kobo     B&N

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LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica:

July 29

July 22

July 15

July 8

July 1

“New” is generally plus or minus a week or two. I try to catch up on ones I missed in recent months.  And I may mention ‘special items’.

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 by hand 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.

You Will Be Getting Fired Weekend Writing Warriors

I released a new book two weeks ago but I’ll do a few more weeks of excerpts from COLONY UNDER SIEGE: INTERSTELLAR PLAGUE…

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!)

May be edited a bit from published version.

The excerpt: Saffia continues her examination of the sick child, who has just proclaimed that “Fluffytail died…” :

Unsure if this was a significant fact, Saffia leaned closer, “And who or what is Fluffytail?”

The father gave the nanny a glare, “A pet my daughter was allowed to acquire on Hantimere, against my specific orders.”

“He was soft and sweet,” Liddy said, addressing Saffia, her voice hoarse, “He had stripey colored fur.”

“Sounds pretty,” Checking her patient’s inner left ear and then the right, Saffia followed up on the original point, “What kind of animal was it?”

The parents exchanged glances and the mother shrugged.

“A mangy rodent of some sort, big tail, annoying chitter. Fit for a street child to keep in a box, hardly suitable for my daughter. Why we’re wasting time discussing wildlife, I can’t imagine,” Having delivered himself of this heartfelt scorn, the father turned away with an oath and pulled out a feelgood stick.

“No smoking in here,” Saffia said sharply, “Didn’t the pet have papers describing its species? It must have to be allowed off the planet with Liddy.”

VS: And the rest of this discussion:

“She lured the beast in with food at the damn park,” the father said, stuffing the feelgood back into the elaborate metal box he’d withdrawn from his jacket pocket. “And allowed to sneak it aboard the ship.” He pointed at the nanny with his free hand and shouted, “And you will be getting fired.”

The child wailed, clinging to the nursemaid. The mother made soothing noises, directed at the husband, rather than the child.

“Seven hells, the damn thing probably got into a vent on the ship and is perfectly fine, living off crumbs in the crew mess for all I know,” he said. “Why all this interest in the animal anyway? My daughter is the one who’s sick. Unless of course the damn manager at the spaceport got it wrong and you’re actually a veterinarian.”

Ignoring the jab at her professionalism, Saffia said, “I was curious about the rash on her chest. Could have been an allergy to the pet fur.”

The blurb: Newly graduated from a prestigious interstellar medical school, Dr. Saffia Mandell has been assigned to the Haven Two colony on the galaxy’s outer rim as the only doctor for some 2000 human residents. She’s counting the days until her five years there is up, trying to adjust to rural living after life in the crowded Inner Sectors and fighting her attraction to Chief Ranger Micah Navonn. She’s dreading the upcoming tourist season when the rich and pampered will descend on the planet for the scenic wonders and novel sports opportunities and no doubt inundate her little clinic but the colony depends on the seasonal income to survive.

As the senior official for his people, the Calinurra, the indigenous inhabitants of Haven Two, Micah enforces the treaty, regulates the tourist permits, patrols the forests and resists his fascination with Dr. Mandell. He never expected to be involved with a human woman and doesn’t want to believe in the concept of a fated mate. He wants to keep his life simple and isn’t ready for any long term commitment. Besides Saffia keeps proclaiming she’ll be leaving when her appointment is up in four and a half years so why should he risk his heart?

Then a ship arrives unexpectedly carrying a very ill little girl and soon the deadly virus is spreading through Haven Two. The colony authorities are desperate to cover up the problem to preserve the all-important tourist season and Saffia and Micah have to work together to battle the outbreak, the local administration and their undeniable feelings for each other.

Can the colony survive? And will Micah and Saffia be able to move past their fears about entanglements to act on the mutual attraction?

An 87K word novel of the far future…

Amazon      Apple Books      Kobo      Nook      Google Play