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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ALIEN PROTECTOR by Penelope Woods
The day I became a Captain with the Federation Star Fleet, I dedicated my life to fighting the bad guys. Everything was going well, until I crashed our starship into his crummy planet. Now, he wants to marry me. He actually thinks I was sent from the stars. I’ve never heard of an alien who gives back rubs. But I’m willing to try anything if it means getting off this planet. Marriage with an alien warrior was not on my bucket list of things to do. He tells me he wants to breed me. But there’s more to him than his muscle-bound exterior and devilishly handsome smirk. Little by little, he opens up. He makes my heart swell. I feel for him…And then he takes the next step to feel me. Sensing immediate danger in the region, he gives me his protection, but he’s packing more than heat. A quick taste of pleasure, combined with a heavy touch, and I’m ready for more. I’ve never been touched by an alien. But I think I like it. This is not a test. This is my new twisted reality.
OPERATION ARTEMIS THE DRIFT NOVA FORCE 4 by Susan Hayes
She’s the sexiest woman he’s ever seen…and his new assignment. Kurt just got the worst mission of his life – investigate JAG officer Bobbi Castiel. He wants to get to know the vivacious beauty better, but his plan was to wine and dine her, not scrutinize every aspect of her life. If she’s the spy they’re hunting, then his life just got more complicated, and his heart might never recover. She hates secrets – but she’s keeping a big one. Bobbi is on a classified mission to learn who is spying for the enemy, and she’s running out of time. If she fails? It’s just the stability of the galaxy that’s at stake – no pressure. She’s not the only one after the spy. Nova Force’s best are on the case, too, including Kurt. He’s as sexy as sin and ranks higher than chocolate on her to-do list. When the enemy strikes, Bobbi and Kurt are thrown together on a mission only one of them is trained for, and a romance neither one of them expected.
ECHOES OF CHANGE (ECHOES OF TIME TRAVEL SERIES BOOK 2) by Rylee Swann
A madman from the past is rising in power. One who believes a woman’s place is in the kitchen and rock ‘n roll is the work of the devil. Shawn and Rayna must travel back to 1963 just as Beatlemania sweeps across the United States…or does it? It’s their mission to ensure all goes according to history, but what are they to do when the world as they know it has already ceased to exist? Faced with this new bleak, authoritarian landscape of prison camps and military police, it soon becomes clear that fixing this broken timeline won’t be easy. And this time, everyone wants Shawn dead.
CURSED COGS (WORLD CLOCK JOURNALS BOOK 1) by Angela Roquet
That’s all anyone is left with after Ezra Huxley’s time machine shatters reality in 1916, Boston. The mechanical abomination plagues the city with an hourly time warp signaled by the bells of the new Custom House Clock Tower.
When Ezra disappears, it’s left to the World Clock Council to mend the timeline before the consequences become permanent—or worse, spread beyond the clocked zone, a quarantined section of the city dubbed Late Boston. The council enlists the help of Ezra’s estranged daughter. If Isla can track down her father’s blueprints for the machine, they might stand a chance at reversing the damage. Dorian Verne, apprentice to the great inventor, is a genius in his own right, but his pride at discovering the missing component to complete the time machine is short-lived when it disastrously fails. Dorian vows to build a new machine and set things right. Not just for those living on clock-work and borrowed time, but for Isla, the one who got away.
WHEN SHE’S BOLD (A RISDAVERSE TALE) by Ruby Dixon
On Risda III, it’s custom for women to marry for convenience. It provides safety and security in a universe that offers none for humans. Me, I don’t really *need* a husband. I just want one. And I want one man in particular. There’s a new guy in town, a by-the-books military man named Rektar. Every day I show up to his office and flirt with him. I bring pies. I twirl my hair. I make it very, very obvious what I want. Rektar is patient, and gentle for all his hulking form. He’d be a great husband. He’s also completely clueless that I’m flirting with him. So it’s time for me to be a little bit bolder.
WARRIOR’S CLAIM (THE SWIRL BOOK 2) by Michele Mills
VS Note: See Author’s note on blurb. A re-release…
Wyric, Zaxon and Bex. Trish can’t stop staring at the three Xylan warriors who’ve recently moved in next door. She’s supposed to be helping them upgrade their facility, but she can’t keep her eyes off their sharp fangs and fierce claws. Wanting them. All three of them. But these males are Xylan Triumvirates, non-identical brothers who share a special bond. And they’ve been deemed dangerous and removed from the Xylan mating database for a valid reason: no female can withstand a claiming by three Xylan warriors at once, and come out alive. But Trish isn’t just any female. She’s a Cyborg, and therefore her response is: Bring. It. On. Trish might be the only female in the four sectors willing to take on all three of these ferocious warriors, and their shared enemy. But can an emotionally stunted female truly claim their hearts… and their love?
Author’s note: This book was originally released as a two-book serial, Warriors’ Claim & Warriors’ Embrace. This is a rerelease of those two books, now merged into one longer book with the same content.
THE RISING ROOKS (THE VIPER AND THE URCHIN BOOK 9) by Celine Jeanjean
The Rising Rooks, the Rookery rebels, are mounting an attack against Garrata that they hope will destabilise her enough to weaken her grip on Damsport. But not only does the mission fail, its failure causes a rift between the Rising Rooks and the rest of Damsport. Rory and Longinus find themselves retreating to the Rookery without support from the rest of the city and without resources. They’ll have to use all their ingenuity and inimitable style to somehow get to Garrata. Whether it’s cutting Rory’s hair, robbing a post office, or creating dastardly poisons, Rory and Longinus fight with everything they’ve got. Will they succeed, or will they fail to free Damsport? If they go down, at least they’ll be going down in style.
MAID FOR THE BEAST (INTERSTELLAR BRIDES PROGRAM: THE BEASTS BOOK 2) by Grace Goodwin
An Atlan Warlord in Mating Fever with two choices: Be the latest bachelor beast on an Earth reality television show to find his perfect mate or face certain death in an Atlan prison. Braun’s not sure which is worse… until a female enters his hotel suite with towels and cleaning supplies. She isn’t part of the television show. She isn’t available. She isn’t interested in mating with an alien. She isn’t his. Try telling that to his beast, because one look at the maid and Braun knows he will do anything… anything, to claim her.
RUTHLESS KING: A DARK MAFIA OMEGAVERSE FATED MATES ROMANCE (RUTHLESS WARLORDS BOOK 1) by Alison Aimes
He’s the most brutal Alpha crime boss in the galaxy—and she belongs to him now. Payment for a debt owed. Pawn for an act of vengeance. Property to be used, knotted, and bred. Irresistibly gorgeous mafia king Nikolai Skolov is dominant, hard, possessive—and determined to bend innocent omega Dahlia Lundin to his will. But she is equally determined to resist. The lives of those she loves depends upon it. Except Dahlia isn’t prepared for the insatiable hunger the Alpha’s discipline awakens. Or her soul’s recognition that her new master is also her fated-mate. As dangers mount and betrayals loom, all Dahlia knows is turned on its head. Allegiances are tested. Secrets exposed. Until Dahlia is not sure if her ruthless enemy is the monster who will destroy her or the only one left who can save her.
Amazon Apple Books Kobo GooglePlay Author’s Universal Link
THE BRASS QUEEN by Elizabeth Chatsworth
VS Note: A LOT of advance buzz on this ‘gaslamp fantasy’ steampunk novel…
She knows a liar when she sees one. He knows a fraud when he meets one. In a steam-powered world, Miss Constance Haltwhistle is the last in a line of blue-blooded rogues. Selling firearms under her alias, the “Brass Queen,” she has kept her baronial estate’s coffers full. But when US spy J. F. Trusdale saves her from assassins, she’s pulled into a search for a scientist with an invisibility serum. As royal foes create an invisible army to start a global war, Constance and Trusdale must learn to trust each other. If they don’t, the world as they know it will disappear before their eyes.
SPECIAL EFFECTS: PARANORMAL DATING AGENCY (GEMMA-HYDROX SERIES BOOK 7) by LJ Vickery
Kels Xafer, drummer for the intergalactic powerhouse metal band, Wortthest, is in huge peril. He’s blissfully unaware there’s a threat until several attempts on his life make it clear someone doesn’t want him around. With the help of the FPU he hopes to discover who wishes him dead. But will his huge attraction to the drangel assigned to his case put both their lives in danger? Sallsy is frustrated watching all her fellow agents find true love. Where is her happily ever after? She’s waited months for the man she’s crushing on to ask her out, but it hasn’t happened. Taking things into her own hands, she enlists the aid of Gerry Wilder, dating guru extraordinaire, who warns her things don’t always turn out the way one imagines. Is it possible Ms. Wilder knows something she doesn’t?
INTO THE LIGHT (OUT OF THE DARK BOOK 2) by David Weber and Chris Kennedy
VS Note: A scifi release of note, not a romance but sounded good to me. I put the first book on my TBR.
The Shongairi conquered Earth. In mere minutes, half the human race died, and our cities lay in shattered ruins.
But the Shongairi didn’t expect the survivors’ tenacity. And, crucially, they didn’t know that Earth harbored two species of intelligent, tool-using bipeds. One of them was us. The other, long-lived and lethal, was hiding in the mountains of eastern Europe, the subject of fantasy and legend. When they emerged and made alliance with humankind, the invading aliens didn’t stand a chance. Now Earth is once again ours. Aided by the advanced tech the aliens left behind, we’re rebuilding as fast as we can. Meanwhile, a select few of our blood-drinking immortals are on their way to the Shongairi homeworld, having commandeered one of the alien starships…the planet-busting kind.
HIDDEN INSTINCT (STELLAR BORN BOOK 2) by Viola Grace
Yadeel has been teaching for the last six years as far away from home as she can get without coming back. She gets fired and abducted two weeks from the end of her contract and wakes in a cell. Someone somewhere on W’lyn is looking to take her apart and use her for medical purposes. She did not volunteer for any of it. She uses her talent for instinct to escape and is on a cliff edge when a Guardian plucks her from the stone and brings her to safety. It was Toryl, and if there was anything she knew it was that she was not his type. It would have been so much better if she didn’t know that he was her mate. He had no clue. Toryl was the strongest Guardian of his age and Yadeel had been a friend of his younger sister. When he sees her climbing down the cliff face leaving a trail of blood from her lacerated hands he brought her to safety immediately. Once he met her gaze, his intentions took a sudden shift. Things complicate quickly.
Amazon Many of her books are on Apple Books and Kobo so perhaps this one will be at some point
A LAYPERRY’S TRADITION (FOR A CHANCE AT US BOOK 1) by Toby Wise
It turns out every sci-fi movie was wrong when it comes to the whole ‘alien takeover’ thing. On a drunken dare, Miles signs up for the Human Layperry Exchange. To Miles’ surprise, he and his best friend, Christian, are both accepted. Three years on an alien planet, learning their ways and experiencing their culture. Falling in love wasn’t part of the program but that’s exactly what Miles does. The Layperry people have rituals and traditions when it comes to finding their mates. Timalah has always trusted these traditions, even as he falls hopelessly in love with Miles. On the day of Timalah’s mating ritual, he stands before his people, praying that Miles decides to take the leap. Will Miles jump head first into Layperry tradition for a chance at love? Or will their differences be a bridge too long to cross?
A Layperry’s Tradition is book one in For A Chance At Us series. You’ll find mpreg, alien traditions, snarky best friends, and of course, a happily ever after.
DOORS OF SLEEP: JOURNALS OF ZAXONY DELATREE by Tim Pratt
VS Note: Another scifi release of note which sounded good to me. Added to my TBR.
Every time Zax Delatree falls asleep, he travels to a new reality. He has no control over his destination and never knows what he will see when he opens his eyes. Sometimes he wakes up in technological utopias, and other times in the bombed-out ruins of collapsed civilizations. All he has to live by are his wits and the small aides he has picked up along the way – technological advantages from techno-utopias, sedatives to escape dangerous worlds, and stimulants to extend his stay in pleasant ones. Thankfully, Zax isn’t always alone. He can take people with him, if they’re unconscious in his arms when he falls asleep. But someone unwelcome is on his tail, and they are after something that Zax cannot spare – the blood running through his veins, the power to travel through worlds.
THE LAST EXIT: A JEN LU MYSTERY by Michael Kaufman
VS Note: Not a romance…I like scifi mysteries and this is a release of note.
Set in Washington D.C. in the near future, climate change has hit hard, fires are burning, unemployment is high, and controversial longevity treatments are only available to the very rich. Enter resourceful young police detective, Jen B. Lu, and her ‘partner’, Chandler, a SIM implant in her brain and her instant link to the Internet and police records, and constant voice inside her head. He’s an inquisitive tough guy, with a helluva sense of humor and his own ideas about solving crimes.
As a detective in the Elder Abuse unit, Jen is supposed to be investigating kids pushing their aging parents to “exit” so they are eligible to get the longevity drug. But what really has her attention are the persistent rumors about Eden, an illegal version of the longevity drug, and the bizarre outbreak of people aging almost overnight, then suddenly dying–is this all connected? Is Big Pharma involved? When Jen’s investigations of Eden take her too close to the truth, she is suspended, Chandler is deactivated, and her boyfriend is freaked out by “the thing inside her brain.” This leaves Jen to pursue a very dangerous investigation all by herself.
ALIEN KILLER’S PRIZE (CONQUERED MATES) by Athena Storm and Tara Starr
Torvex isn’t like other Kraaj. This Kraaj killer is not quick to hate humans like many of his kind. There’s one human he’s particularly intrigued by. She hates him. But he wants to mate her. Merissa. She’s a human weapons smuggler bent on getting justice for her father, who was executed by the Kraaj in the early days of their brutal occupation of her world. When this Kraaj and human woman collide, there’s an even bigger enemy they have to focus on. Merissa has to rethink everything she’s ever believed about her oppressors. Torvex has to figure out how to woo a human woman dealing with a lot.Because he has to have her. But can she just give up on vengeance? Even if her heart begs her to forgive, can she forget? The future of two races are in their hands. Will their love save the planet they both live on? Or will it lead to the destruction of everything they hold dear?
THREADER ORIGINS (QUANTUM EMPIRICA BOOK 1) by Gerald Brandt
VS Note: Intriguing concept, a scifi release of note, not a romance although there seem to be romantic elements.
Pulled from his world by an experiment gone wrong, Darwin Lloyd is one of the few that can see the Threads—quantum strings that can be manipulated to change or control reality. On an alternate Earth ravaged by war, Darwin is torn between the Qabal and SafeHaven, his only goal to find a way back home and stop the same fate from happening in his time line.
Threads—thought of as a gift from the machine he helped his father create—and Threaders are both loved and hated, treated as gods by some and as criminals by others. Out of his element, Darwin must learn how to control the Threads and possibly join the hated Qabal to find the path back to his dad. But Thread use comes at a price. Follow the possibilities and probabilities too far and the human mind shatters, leaving the Threader a mindless, drooling husk. Yet the Thread’s pull is almost irresistible, and a constant battle for those that can see them. In this strange new world, Darwin discovers what he could never find on his own: friends, family, love, a mother he lost years before, and a younger sister he never had.
THE EFFORT by Claire Holroyde
VS Note: A scifi release of note, yes I pre-ordered it because you know I love these dystopian catastrophe type novels. Not listed as a romance although apparently there are romantic elements so we’ll see.
When dark comet UD3 was spotted near Jupiter’s orbit, its existence was largely ignored. But to individuals who knew better — scientists like Benjamin Schwartz, manager of NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies — the threat this eight-kilometer comet posed to the survival of the human race was unthinkable. The 150-million-year reign of the dinosaurs ended when an asteroid impact generated more than a billiontimes the energy of an atomic bomb. What would happen to Earth’s seven billion inhabitants if a similar event were allowed to occur?
Ben and his indomitable girlfriend Amy Kowalski fly to South America to assemble an international counteraction team, whose notable recruits include Love Mwangi, a UN interpreter and nomad scholar, and Zhen Liu, an extraordinary engineer from China’s national space agency. At the same time, on board a polar icebreaker life continues under the looming shadow of comet UD3. Jack Campbell, a photographer for National Geographic, works to capture the beauty of the Arctic before it is gone forever. Gustavo Wayãpi, a Nobel Laureate poet from Brazil, struggles to accept the recent murder of his beloved twin brother. And Maya Gutiérrez, an impassioned marine biologist is — quite unexpectedly — falling in love for the first time. Together, these men and women must fight to survive in an unknown future with no rules and nothing to be taken for granted. They have two choices: neutralize the greatest threat the world has ever seen (preferably before mass hysteria hits or world leaders declare World War III) or come to terms with the annihilation of humanity itself. Their mission is codenamed The Effort.
SPIN (CAPTAIN CHASE BOOK 2) by Patricia Cornwell
VS Note: Not listed as a romance. Not sure how truly SFR this is, but SFR-adjacent anyway. A release of note.
In the aftermath of a NASA rocket launch gone terribly wrong, Captain Calli Chase comes face-to-face with her missing twin sister—as well as the startling truth of who they really are. Now, a top secret program put in motion years ago has spun out of control, and only Calli can redirect its course. Aided by cutting-edge technologies, the NASA investigator and scientist turned Space Force pilot sets out on a frantic search for the missing link between the sabotaged rocket launch and her predetermined destiny…a search that someone else seems very interested in stopping. From NASA to the Chase family farm, to the White House to distant orbits of space, Calli plays a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek with a cunning and ruthless adversary. One wrong move will unleash cataclysmic consequences reaching far beyond the boundaries of Earth.
Amazon Many of her books are on Apple Books and Kobo so perhaps at a later date…
CALLISTO 2.0 by Susan English
VS Note: From NOV 5 (I missed it) but I just saw the excellent Whiskey With My Book Blog did a 4 star review on this so I’m including it here…
Shambhala Space Station, 2097. Solitary physicist Callisto (physics, after all, is a jealous mistress) never accepted conventional wisdom. So when she’s recruited to work on faster-than-light technology by a beautiful and mysterious older woman, she eagerly accepts the career opportunity at the women-only research station orbiting Earth’s moon. But her enthusiasm suffers when her first discovery is unexpected heartbreak. Throwing herself into work on a problematic warp drive prototype, Calli blossoms in the utopian female community that shows her love and acceptance for the first time in her life. But when a twisted conspiracy, a disingenuous affair, and a disastrous betrayal test her place in this unique environment, the brilliant scientist must dig deep to find her moment of truth. Will Calli embrace her destiny in an unexplored cosmos?
BONDED TO THE ALIEN WARRIOR (FATED STAR MATES BOOK 1) by Kyla Quinn
I have a sneaking suspicion aliens abducted me last night. My first clue? The muscular blue guys with horns and tails. My second? I’m locked in a room, and I can see two suns in the sky outside the window. I’ve no memory of how I reached this planet, and neither have the women with me. One thing’s sure—we’re stuck. Nobody tells us why we’re here, or what happens to the women who are taken by the guards and never return. The guards are sleazy assholes, and I’m glad I can’t understand what they say to me when they leer. Apart from one. There’s something strange about the way he protects me from the other guards but pretends he doesn’t. When this fierce alien touches me my blood runs hot, and the physical effect I have on him is um… obvious. But instead of taking what he wants, this guard offers me something I never dreamed of—a way out. Will escaping with my alien warrior save me, or am I walking into a worse situation? Because this domineering blue guy tells me I’m his mate and that if I want to stay alive, I must do exactly what he says. Exactly what he says? This should be interesting.
RESCUED BY THE WATER DRAGON PRINCE (ELEMENTAL DRAGON WARRIORS BOOK 3) by Jade Waltz and Aria Winters
We set out from Earth to colonize a new world, but ended up crashing on a planet full of dragon shifters. These fierce Drakarian warriors believe in a fated bond. A glowing mark appears on their chest when they find their fated one. Prince Llyr of the Water Clan insists that he knows in his heart we’re meant to be together. The only problem is, his chest doesn’t have the mark and I worry he might be wrong. Llyr is everything I could ever want, but how can I give him my heart when he might end up fated to another?
CUT HER OUT IN LITTLE STARS by Daniele Kasper
A woman lost in time. A star system on the brink of war. A man haunted by past sins. Traitors lurk in the shadows while secrets threaten to put everyone’s life in danger in the cold depths of space. Can a woman trapped in a strange new future be the one to save them or will be she the spark that ignites the war? After an accident on a New York subway, Cara DeLeon finds herself in the future, but not the one she dreamed of. Fleet Commander Nikolas Caine defends the star system he calls home from space raiders called Hostiles until Cara’s arrival sets into motion a chain of events that will change his world forever. Cara uncovers dark secrets that threaten to tear the star system apart. She must fight to survive if she wants to get home to her family. Battling a looming war and his growing feelings for Cara, Caine must finish his mission. Of course, Cara would end up falling for the one man dead set on sending her home. As the ghosts of his past catch up to Caine, Cara finds herself struggling to face an uncertain future.
SABLE DARK (HEP CATS OF BOISE #2) by Al Hess
Mazarin has everything an AI could want: a hep holographic body, a joyfriend she’s dizzy for, and asylum from Wave, the shady AI megacorporation that once held her captive. In their clutches, she’d been confined to the anxious brain of her host, Reed, serving as his navigator. Now separate, they enjoy a friendship and the knowledge that Wave’s lead engineer, Phil Rice, who terrorized them for months, is locked away in a court-ordered hospital stay.
But when Rice escapes, Reed’s stress skyrockets. Though Mazarin is no longer in Reed’s brain, their connection lingers, and she can’t resist the desire to stick close and protect them both from Wave. If Rice abducts Reed, it means certain death, and there’s no telling what the megacorp would do to Mazarin if she’s captured. Reed’s sudden nosebleeds, paranoia, and skewed sense of perception lead Maz to believe more is at play than his galactic anxiety. With Rice on the loose, she can’t be too careful. Desperate for a solution to Reed’s deteriorating health, Mazarin risks her safety venturing into the company of untrustworthy AI, decoist gangsters, and even Wave themselves, to find help for her beloved pilot before it’s too late.
MAELSTROM (WORLD FALLEN BOOK 2) by Susanna Strom
VS Note: I was intrigued so I one clicked on the first book in the series and I’ll see how I like it…
Kenzie Dunwitty is one of the lucky ones. She survived the flu that ravaged the planet, but her old familiar world is shattered. Most of the population is dead, and the institutions that hold society together have been wiped out. The love she’s found with Ripper—her bad boy biker—is more than a source of comfort. His unshakable confidence in her gives her the courage to learn how to fight for survival. And to act out her wildest fantasies. Ripper Solis will do anything to protect Kenzie. Taking care of a woman is a new role for the hardened former soldier, a role as intoxicating as she is. But even his formidable skills might not be enough to keep her from harm. They have their eyes on the prize: Valhalla, a cattle ranch “at the ass end of nowhere.” A place so far off the beaten path that he hopes they’ll be safe. But new threats await, and they might be even deadlier than the virus.
ENDEMIC (THE RECKONING SERIES BOOK 2) by D M Taylor
VS Note: Not listed as a romance. Time travel.
Dr. Taden Barrett is credited for having discovered time travel and, along with The Patriot Party—a secret government organization—has used it to resolve a terrorist attack. On the precipice of this victory over The Reckoning, she’s finding a link to the future so as to cease altering the past. But, are we doomed to repeat history? Ruth Barrett landed the most important account of her career, only, she has to work alongside her sister’s murderer from a re-written timeline. Will he deliver the same fate to her? Dr. Abel Mihal must carry the memories of previous timelines to prevent our nation from crumbling. Can he do this alone? Facing past life demons and fighting time to beat a power-hungry dictator’s shocking endemic sends each onto their own path of discernment.Who can be trusted? And will there be enough time?
BLOOD HEIR (KATE DANIELS WORLD BOOK 1) by Ilona Andrews
VS Note: I am SUCH a huge fan of the authors (a husband and wife duo)and of the whole Kate Daniels world, so yes, I had this pre-ordered!
Atlanta was always a dangerous city. Now, as waves of magic and technology compete for supremacy, it’s a place caught in a slow apocalypse, where monsters spawn among the crumbling skyscrapers and supernatural factions struggle for power and survival. Eight years ago, Julie Lennart left Atlanta to find out who she was. Now she’s back with a new face, a new magic, and a new name—Aurelia Ryder—drawn by the urgent need to protect the family she left behind. An ancient power is stalking her adopted mother, Kate Daniels, an enemy unlike any other, and a string of horrifying murders is its opening gambit. If Aurelia’s true identity is discovered, those closest to her will die. So her plan is simple: get in, solve the murders, prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled, and get out without being recognized. She expected danger, but she never anticipated that the only man she’d ever loved could threaten everything. One small misstep could lead to disaster. But for Aurelia, facing disaster is easy; it’s relationships that are hard.
THE TURNCOAT KING by Michelle Diener
VS Note: So excited to see a new book from Michelle! Pre-ordered.
A thirst for revenge . . . Ava is committed to vengeance against the man responsible for the death of her parents. The same man, the Queen’s Herald, kept her prisoner for two years, until she escaped with Luc, a warlord bent on vengeance just as fierce as her own. He’s forged a powerful army of people from all through the region, called the Rising Wave, to march on the Kassian royal family and smash its corrupt power under the weight of their anger. But for Luc, just as for Ava, his true motive is a lot more personal.
A hidden magic . . . Luc suspects Ava has magical abilities, suspects he’s benefited greatly from them, but he’s no stranger to the burdens of power, and he’s prepared to let her tell him in her own time—after all, she’s his heart’s choice and he will give her all the time she needs. Except time is running out for both of them. As they near the Kassian stronghold, forces from within their own camp and without will use every trick they have to stop both Luc and Ava and tear them apart. A secret laid bare . . . Luc knows Ava has a secret she’s keeping from him—but what he doesn’t realize is she has many. And when those secrets are exposed, everyone will have to grapple with the consequences. Ava is prepared to sacrifice her happiness and even her life to save the Rising Wave and Luc—but she would prefer to use her heart and her head to outwit her enemies instead.
THE CONJURER (THE VINE WITCH BOOK 3) by Luanne G Smith
Sidra didn’t murder her husband. Yet even a jinni can’t wish away a wrongful imprisonment. Determined to prove her innocence, she returns to her adopted home—a French village renowned for its perfume witches—with her friends Elena and Yvette by her side. Here is where Sidra’s true destiny awaits, but danger also lurks in the village’s narrow lanes. On her trail is Jamra, another jinni, who’s after more than revenge for the murder of his brother. He also seeks vengeance for the indignities inflicted on jinn by mortals over the centuries. When he learns of an ancient relic capable of unleashing chaos on the world, and that the weapon is in the hands of his murderous sister-in-law, he vows to destroy Sidra to get it. Relying on a sisterhood of magic, a mysteriously faithful dog, and a second-rate sorcerer, Sidra defends herself using the village’s greatest asset: its perfume. It’s as beguiling a lure as it is a formidable shield. But is it enough for Sidra to protect herself and those she loves from powers yet to be released?
DIRTY DEEDS: AN URBAN FANTASY COLLECTION by Various
When the going gets tough, the tough get their hands dirty. Join NY Times Bestselling author Faith Hunter, USA Today Bestselling author R.J. Blain, and National Bestselling authors Diana Pharaoh Francis and Devon Monk on a wild romp where the damsels bring the distress and what can go wrong will go wrong. Venture into a thrilling spinoff tale from the world of Jane Yellowrock, join vacationing gods in what appears to be a quiet, ordinary town, visit a supernatural hotel where the bedbugs could very well eat you, and dive into the zany, deadly world of the Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count) series. In this collection of all-new urban fantasy novellas and other stories, no job is too big or too small—if the price is right.
THE DUCHESS AND THE ORC (ORC SWORN) by Finley Fenn
He’s a massive, mocking, murderous monster. And there’s only one thing he wants from her…In a world of recently warring orcs and men, Maria is desperate for escape. She’s trapped in an opulent prison, tainted by rumours of madness, and wed to a cold, vindictive duke who hungers only for war. But with no family, no funds, and no hope, there’s nowhere left to run — except for the one place even a duke can’t reach. The place where women almost always meet their doom…Orc Mountain. It’s a grim, deadly fortress, filled with fierce, bloodthirsty beasts — and the first orc Maria meets is the most terrifying of them all. A huge, hostile, hideous brute, hardened by hatred and war, who instantly accuses her of foul trickery, and threatens her with death —But this orc also wants something. Something that kindles deep in his gleaming black eyes, in his rough, rugged scent, in the velvet heat of his voice. Something that just might grant Maria his safety… but only if she grants him everything in return. Her defeat. Her dignity. Her devotion…And surely, a duchess wouldn’t dare make such a shameful deal with the devil — or would she?
VALKYRIE CROWNED (VALKYRIE’S LEGACY BOOK 4) by Allyson Lindt
“The gut-wrenching, heat-stopping, awww-inspiring conclusion …”
MIDLIFE MOJO: A PARANORMAL WOMEN’S FICTION NOVEL (NOT TOO LATE BOOK 3) by Victoria Danaan
from Rita Hayworth I have a daughter who knows nothing about my life in Hallow Hill and she’s coming for college holiday break. Her visit will dovetail the Solstice Court Meet. It will be close, but if all goes according to plan, I’ll be out of magistrate robes in time to meet the plane. The problem here is that I have to include the qualifier if all goes according to plan, and I ask you. When has anything in my life ever gone according to plan? It may be too late for super shiny hair, going without a bra, or sleeping eight hours without a potty break. But it seems that it’s not too late for navigating magical politics, expatriating, romance, and saving the world.
DRAGON REVEALED: A DRAGON KINGS NOVELLA by Donna Grant
The capture of a Dragon King is cause for celebration. Jeyra never dreamed she would actually face one of the creatures who destroyed her home. But the longer she’s around him, the more she finds herself gravitating to him. All it takes is one reckless kiss that unleashes desires and the truth that has been hidden from her to set them both on a course that could be the end of them.
Varek, King of Lichens, has known nothing but a life with magic. Until he finds himself on a different realm unable to call up his powers. Worse, he’s in shackles with no memory of how it happened. When he sees an enthralling woman who leaves him speechless, he believes he can charm her to free him. The more she rebuffs him, the more he craves her, igniting a dangerous passion between them. Can he protect the woman he’s fallen for while uncovering the truth – or will peril that neither see coming tear them apart?
Amazon Many of her books are on Apple Books and Kobo so maybe at some point…
GHOSTLY WEDDING (A HARPER HARLOW BOOK 17) by Lily Harper Hart
Harper Harlow and Jared Monroe fell in love fast and hard. Finally, their big day is here. They just need to solve a murder before they exchange their vows and take the next step to happily ever after. Peter Humphrey, an insurance salesman from a neighboring town, appeared to be minding his own business when a woman came out of nowhere and struck him down while he was crossing the street. Harper witnessed the accident and vows to solve the murder before it’s time to leave on her honeymoon. It might take more work than she realizes, though. Peter was a normal guy, a father who doted on his daughter and was friendly with his ex-wife, and yet somehow he had a secret. His ghost points Harper toward Montgomery Manor, toward a woman who suffered her own tragedy almost two decades before. On paper, Peter’s murder and the Montgomery tragedy shouldn’t be connected … and yet they are. It’s up to Jared and Harper to figure out how if they want to enjoy their wedding and what comes after … and they’re both determined to do it. Some things are meant to be. Harper and Jared believe their union is one of those things. Prepare yourselves, because this is one wedding you’ll never forget.
MAYHEM IN HELL (HELL TO PAY BOOK 1) by Kaylin Peyerk
One out of every five people end up in heaven, that’s how low the chances are. So I worked hard, never swore, and did my best to be a good girl for my entire life. Then, out of nowhere, I was hit by an oncoming car, cutting my life short at age twenty-five. Next thing I know I’m waking up in the firey pits of hell and given a scythe. My new job is to help reap the souls and take them to judgement day. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, it would be if I was a normal reaper. . . but the moment I touched the scythe it began to glow, signaling just how talented I’m going to be. Now, the three ruling princes of hell all want me as their personal reaper. So these days I’ve been thinking. . . What’s the use in being good when it’s so fun to be bad?
THE GANGSTER (MAGIC AND STEAM BOOK 2) by C S Poe
1881—Special Agent Gillian Hamilton, magic caster for the Federal Bureau of Magic and Steam, has recovered from injuries obtained while in Shallow Grave, Arizona. Now back in New York City, Gillian makes an arrest on New Year’s Eve that leads to information on a gangster, known only as Tick Tock, who’s perfected utilizing elemental magic ammunition. This report complicates Gillian’s holiday plans, specifically those with infamous outlaw, Gunner the Deadly, who promised they’d ring in 1882 together. The two men stand on the cusp of a romance that needs to be explored intimately and privately. But when Gillian’s residence is broken into by a magical mechanical man who tries to murder him on behalf of Tick Tock, he and Gunner must immediately investigate the city’s ruthless street gangs before the illegal magic becomes a threat that cannot be contained. This might be their most wild adventure yet, but criminal undergrounds can’t compare to the dangers of the heart. Gillian must balance his career in law enforcement with his love for a vigilante, or lose both entirely.
ACROSS THE GREEN GRASS FIELDS (WAYWARD CHILDREN BOOK 6) by Seanan McGuire
“Welcome to the Hooflands. We’re happy to have you, even if you being here means something’s coming.” Regan loves, and is loved, though her school-friend situation has become complicated, of late. When she suddenly finds herself thrust through a doorway that asks her to “Be Sure” before swallowing her whole, Regan must learn to live in a world filled with centaurs, kelpies, and other magical equines—a world that expects its human visitors to step up and be heroes. But after embracing her time with the herd, Regan discovers that not all forms of heroism are equal, and not all quests are as they seem.
FORBIDDEN SONG (SILVER MOON WOLF PACK BOOK 3) by Rae Foxx
River has spent his entire life as a nomad, his father dragging him across the country until one day he vanished and left River alone to play his guitar in the subways of New York. One video posted online changed all that. Now, as an international rockstar, he has to keep his wolf a secret. Locked up. Restrained. Neither of them like it. They want freedom, to find his mate, and leave the lights behind. His handler, Bianca, has other plans. So, when Harlow shows up and sends River’s wolf howling, trouble starts brewing.
Harlow has bounced from guy to guy in search of a relationship that her sister, Lilly, insists does not exist. To Lilly, there is no such thing as fairy tale endings. Even Harlow was starting to give up, until she went to the concert of her favorite singer and was invited backstage…Everything was perfect, except it turns out Lilly was right. This Bianca girl wants River for herself and insists River has some secret that’s going to tear them apart. Bianca is ruthless, and her secret is just as dangerous as River’s. Harlow will be lucky to come through this one unscratched… turns out the bitch has claws. No, really. She does.
CURSED OPAL (THE CARDINAL WINDS) by Kathryn Ann Kingsley
Opal had received a lot of propositions in her career, but none were as tempting as when the commander of the West Wind Dominion offered to save her life. But like all things, it would come at a price. What he would have to do to save her would leave her…not human. But Hugo Finch was not entirely what he seemed. Powerful, yes. Clever, yes. Attractive…oh, yes. And he also had a secret so dark and dangerous that it could cost them both their lives. A secret that came with scales, sharp claws, and a taste for blood. When the beast catches the scent of his new patient, Hugo isn’t sure he can protect the woman he worked so hard to save. But he’s willing to die trying.
ALLURE OF THE VAMPIRE KING (BLOOD FIRE SAGA BOOK 1) by Bella Klaus
I’m no one—just a magic-less woman who fled the supernatural world after being dumped and humiliated by the most powerful vampire in Britain. He made me a laughing stock , a cautionary tale. I had no choice but to leave.
That was a long time ago. I got over the betrayal. Now, I’m on the mend. But when an assassin tracks me down to London, claiming that a deadly power thrums beneath my veins, only one person is strong enough to save my hide:
Valentine Sargon—the Vampire King who stole my virginity and broke my heart. He’ll help, but only if I move into a safe house. With him. Valentine is as handsome as the devil, silver-tongued and seductive as sin. I don’t trust him or the way he hungers for my blood. But I’ve run out of choices and can’t refuse. He’s going to protect me from the assassins, but who’s going to protect me from him?
WOLF ROULETTE (WEREWOLF DENS BOOK 3) by Kelly St Clare
Exiled from my tribe. Living with a pack who hates me. In bed with a werewolf I can’t ignore. Things were simple when I just had to win the game. Yet now, even winning means I’ll end up the loser. Big time. The mysteries surrounding my mother might be solved, but I’m haunted by her lies and sorry end. As if walking in her footsteps, I feel a breath away from sharing her fate. Because Grids must be played. I must decide which side I’ll play from. And that choice grows more difficult by the second. Would you win the game if it meant losing the man you love?
VISION OF THE WITCH (WITCHES OF KEATING HOLLOWQ BOOK 10) by Deanna Chase
Amelia Holiday never thought she’d be a single mother. But when the father of her child disappears without a trace, that’s exactly what she’ll be. Moving to the enchanted village of Keating Hollow was supposed to be her fresh start. Only it appears her past has followed her. Now she has to decide if she can trust again or if she’s destined to make the same mistakes. Grayson Riley met the woman of his dreams. The problem? He isn’t who he said he was and when he had to go back to his old life, he had no choice but to leave her. Now his entire life has blown up, and with the help of his visions, he’s looking for a do-over. But will the woman he loves forgive him? Or will he end up losing everything he never knew he wanted?
THE MAGICAL PINK PENDANT (A WITCH’S COVE MYSTERY BOOK 9) by Vella Day
Don’t get me wrong. I love magic, just not when it is used for evil. It’s bad enough when some poor soul is murdered in my hometown, but when he’s near and dear to someone I care about, I have no choice but to look for the killer. Since magic seems to be involved in his death, my teenage cousin and I might be the only ones who can discover the killer’s identity. After all, we are witches. I was hoping this would be a run-of-the mill case, but no. The number of suspects keeps mounting, making our job more difficult. Considering most suspects live across the state makes it doubly hard. Can we say road trip!! Seriously, this person is super dangerous, and we have to take precautions. But never fear, between my trusty talking pink iguana, my very talented business partner who has mad computer skills, and my teenaged psychic cousin, we’re sure to crack the case.
SEALED WITH A HISS (COUNTRY COTTAGE MYSTERIES BOOK 13) by Addison Moore and Bellamy Bloom
***Includes RECIPE – My name is Bizzy Baker, and I can read minds—not every mind, not every time but most of the time and believe me when I say it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. It’s Valentine’s Day in Cider Cove. Love is in the air and so is murder. It’s February, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and a couple of popular podcasters have descended on the inn with their rabid listeners in tow. The Perfect Pairing hosts decide to throw a funeral for every bad relationship their loyal fans have had, and things take a turn for the deadly before the casket can close for the night. A double homicide seems to have played out on the grounds of the Country Cottage Inn, and it’s up to Bizzy to solve the case before the very next funeral belongs to her. Bizzy Baker runs the Country Cottage Inn, has the ability to pry into the darkest recesses of both the human and animal mind, and has just stumbled upon a body. With the help of her kitten, Fish, a mutt named Sherlock Bones and an ornery yet dangerously good looking homicide detective, Bizzy is determined to find the killer. The Country Cottage Inn is known for its hospitality. Leaving can be murder.
NOIR REFORMATORY: FIRST OFFENSE: A DARK FANTASY ANGEL ROMANCE by Lexi C Foss and Jennifer Thorn
Trapped in a world of sin and sexy alpha angels. Forever defined by my black wings. My father, King of the Nora, sent me to Noir Reformatory to atone for crimes I didn’t commit. So what’s a girl to do? Escape, obviously. Except I need allies to accomplish that feat and no one wants anything to do with King Sefid’s daughter. If anything, my claim to the throne has only made running that much harder, and worse, I’m stuck with two hot angels standing in my way. Auric is my supposed guardian, his white wings marking him as my superior in this deadly playground. Only, I’m his princess and I refuse to bow to a warrior like him. And Novak, the notorious Prison King, is hell-bent on teaching me my place. Which he seems to think is beneath him. In his bed. This prison resembles a training camp for soldiers more than a reformatory for the Fallen. I suspect something nefarious is at play here, but of course, no one believes me. I’m the guilty princess with black wings. Well, I’ll prove them all wrong. I just hope it isn’t too late. My name is Princess Layla. I’m innocent. And I do not accept this fate.
RUTHLESS LADY’S GUIDE TO WIZARDRY by C M Waggoner
Dellaria Wells, petty con artist, occasional thief, and partly educated fire witch, is behind on her rent in the city of Leiscourt—again. Then she sees the “wanted” sign, seeking Female Persons, of Martial or Magical ability, to guard a Lady of some Importance, prior to the celebration of her Marriage. Delly fast-talks her way into the job and joins a team of highly peculiar women tasked with protecting their wealthy charge from unknown assassins. Delly quickly sets her sights on one of her companions, the confident and well-bred Winn Cynallum. The job looks like nothing but romance and easy money until things take a deadly (and undead) turn. With the help of a bird-loving necromancer, a shapeshifting schoolgirl, and an ill-tempered reanimated mouse named Buttons, Delly and Winn are determined to get the best of an adversary who wields a twisted magic and has friends in the highest of places.
THE WITCHING FLOUR (SPELLFORD COVE MYSTERY BOOK 1) by Samantha Silver
Robin Carter’s life is less than stellar. All she has going for her are a minimum-wage job she hates, an uncanny ability to attract the biggest losers on her dating app, and a raccoon sitting in her kitchen sink eating her chips. So, when she finds out she’s inherited a bakery in a small Washington town, Robin thinks this might just be the fresh start she desperately needs. Upon her arrival, however, Robin finds out she’s inherited more than just a small business: she’s also got her mother’s magical powers. However, things start going south for Robin when a man dies at the local diner just after her arrival in town and she’s fingered as the prime suspect. With half the town thinking she’s a killer, Robin decides to take matters into her own hands. But between a ghost who desperately needs therapy, a snarky familiar who loves to quote literature, and a grandmother who walks to the beat of her own drum, Robin really has her hands full. Will she be able to navigate this new reality and find the killer, or will she crumble like an overcooked brownie?
DRAGON SHIELD (GUARDIANS OF CHAOS BOOK 2) by C D Gorri
Kingston Baldric is a Diamond Dragon Shifter and the leader of the Guardians of Chaos. Holley Mount is a Witch who has been trapped in the walls of the Guardians’ Keep for almost three hundred years. A devoted soldier, Kingston has already paid the ultimate price for duty causing him to seal off his Dragon’s heart for good. But can Kingston resist the call of his fated mate?
TWISTED GINNI by Nicola Rose
Some call me Djinn. Some call me Genie. Some call me Demon.I only ever get to call them one thing — Master. Only, this time, it’s not one master, it’s three. Three beautifully haunted and damaged men, fleeing from the satanic cult that raised them. The apocalypse is coming, horsemen and all. If they don’t stop it, their bodies will become nothing more than meat-suits to Princes of Hell. Demons that are already seeping into their beings, battling for control.
Can I help them? Well, that depends on how nicely they treat me. You see, I’m not a very good genie. I don’t like following orders, I’m partial to twisting up my owner’s emotions for kicks, and I’m running from my own apocalyptic fate — an eternity in purgatory for the crime of murdering a previous owner. Oops. They’re about to learn that summoning me brings a whole lot of fresh hell with it. If any of us survive this mess, it’ll be a miracle.
DEMON’S WISH (DEMON MATES BOOK 1) by Xenia Melzer
Finding love is hard—especially when you’re a demon and your potential mate is your sacrifice…Sammy is content with running his bookshop and leading a book club consisting solely of paranormal creatures. Despite the persistence of his friends, he has resolved himself to a life without romance, since he doesn’t think anybody could find him and his tendency to spill useless knowledge whenever he gets nervous attractive. Dresalantion is a demon prince and slightly—make that majorly—annoyed when somebody persistently tries to summon him. He finally decides to show up and put the fear of Dresalantion into his summoners but finds himself rescuing their sacrifice instead. Sammy intrigues him from the get-go, and when Dre realizes that Sammy can get him the manga he’s been hunting for months—not to mention that he refuses a wish he offered him—the sexy demon decides to get to know this fascinating man better. Much better.
ROUTE 666 (THE DADE SISTERS ADVENTURES BOOK 1) by Loretta Johns and Sarah Johns
VS Note: From DEC 25
Route 66. Two sisters, one hell of a road trip. It was supposed to be a reunion celebration, two Navy Brat sisters separated by the tragedy that had led to them both becoming Gold Star widows at the same time now together again and having some well-deserved fun. Connie and Lexie’s two daughters had graduated from high school, one now off to college, the other to the Air Force Academy. There was nothing to hold them back from making the most of their time. Step one: Buying the right car for the trip. It had to be a classic, and wouldn’t you know it? In the parking lot outside of the Wal-Mart they’d decided to meet up at, there it was. A faded beauty of a ’66 T-bird convertible, it had a For Sale sign in the window with a price not to be ignored. One restoration later and their bags packed, they were ready to rock-n-roll their way down the historic Route. Step two: Visiting both their father and brother and let them know about their trip. That meant a detour through the Southern states, but hey, it was a road trip! More adventure, right? Go see them, stop at some roadside attractions along the way, and then hit the closest end of the Route and get their party properly started. More road trip, more adventure!
TEMPT THE DRAGON (THE LEGION BOOK 3) by A C Arthur
After the love of his life walked away, powerful half-human, half-dragon Aiken French isn’t about to risk his emotions on a woman ever again. It doesn’t matter that his Drakon beast wholeheartedly disagrees, or that his powers of telekinesis are suffering as a result. He can’t live through that kind of heartbreak again. But with a long-buried vampire stirring, he might not have a choice. Bounty hunter Mel Kane never wanted a preordained future—she will be in control of her life, not some Drakon beast who supposedly selects her mate for her. She had to leave, even if it just about killed her. But if she’s going to decide her own future, she’ll need to stay alive long enough to see it, which means trusting Aiken with her life, even though she couldn’t trust him with her heart. With war on the horizon, Aiken and Mel must track down the rogue vampire behind it all. Temptation leads them back into each other’s arms, but even fate isn’t a sure thing when faced with a legion of the undead determined to kill them all.
TALES FROM THE HINTERLAND (THE HAZEL WOOD) by Melissa Albert
Journey into the Hinterland, a brutal and beautiful world where a young woman spends a night with Death, brides are wed to a mysterious house in the trees, and an enchantress is killed twice—and still lives. Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans alike, Melissa Albert’s Tales from the Hinterland features full-page illustrations by Jim Tierney, foil stamping, two-color interior printing, and printed endpapers.
MAGNUS THE VAST (DOKIRI BRIDES BOOK 4) by Denali Day
Fiercely loyal to her country, Nadine will do whatever it takes to destroy the ancient evil threatening her world. Anything. Except allow a wild savage to put his mark on her. Plagued by survivor’s guilt, Magnus the Vast vows to do whatever it takes to bring home the friend he left behind. Claiming the beautiful hellcat who wants his head is a convenient bonus. One he won’t let her get out of. Bound together, Nadine and Magnus must rely on one another to complete their mission and save their people. Easier said than done for the woman-warrior who thinks her new ally a domineering brute, and the sly barbarian who is all too happy to play the part. They’ll walk into the pit of the earth, and they’ll do it together—or they may never walk out.
MAGIC AND MISFITS (STARRY HOLLOW WITCHES BOOK 13) by Anabel Chase
Bentley Smith is tired of being the red-headed stepchild in the office of Vox Populi and is determined to prove his mettle by warming up the cold case involving Sheriff Nash’s murdered father. The deeper he digs, however, the more uncomfortable he becomes when the information he unearths implicates one of Starry Hollow’s very own. Meanwhile, Ember is dealing with the fallout from her refusal to give Aunt Hyacinth the power she craves, which has greater consequences than she anticipated. Will Ember be able to sustain the fairytale life she’s built in Starry Hollow or will it all finally crumble to dust?
WOLF SHUNNED (THE ALPHA QUEEN LEGACY BOOK 1) by Laurel Night
When you’re a nineteen year-old girl who can beat the crap out of every wolf in your pack, suddenly it’s not so great. Love isn’t everything, I know; but even the most powerful she-wolf submits to her mate. If you can’t be dominated, you can’t be mated. And an unmated wolf has no place in the pack. My one hope is the clan gathering in the Blackwood Fortress. Every wolf in the continent attends, and a few seriously sexy wolves catch my eye. I’m bound to find at least one who can match me, right? Then there’s my other problem: My alpha is a grade-A jerk. After treating me like a genetic freak my whole life, he suddenly decides to stake a claim. But I can’t refuse the challenge, and my wolf won’t back down. Either I submit to the alpha and become mated to his skeezy pelt, or I win the challenge and my freedom… by taking his place as alpha. Only no one has ever heard of a female alpha, and if I become one, I’ll never find a mate.
THE HAZARDOUS MEASURE OF LOVE: TIME INTO TIME BOOK 5 by Louise Allen
Once more the drifting threads of time send Cassie Lawrence back to Regency England and her true love, Lucian, Earl of Radcliffe. A murder has been committed almost next door to Luc’s London home and Adrien Prescott, a good friend, and his entire family are prime suspects. But a mysterious killer is not all that is on Cassie’s mind: how can she ever find happiness, let alone start a family, with a man out of her own time?
Obsession, accident and a great deal of love, to say nothing of the interventions of an elderly antique dealer, a youthful solicitor and one very grumpy ginger cat, conspire to answer Cassie’s question. Can she possibly hope for her heart’s desire?
HER FATE by Fiona Davenport
Trinity Ruslan wasn’t a fan of small towns or wolf shifters. And she really didn’t like the pack that lured her little brother away from his family. Timber Ridge was the last place she wanted to visit, but she couldn’t resist the chance to name her newest niece or nephew. Damon Kemp never expected to find his fated mate. Not with the awful luck the males of his family had. But he got the best shock of his life when he caught Trinity’s scent and realized she was his destiny. Now he just had to show her how great living in a small town with a wolf shifter could be.
SCRY HARDER (MYSTIC’S END MYSTERIES BOOK 7) by Leanne Leeds
The end of the chaotic holiday season couldn’t come fast enough. Now that Gabe’s settled into a new career, the town has settled into relative normalcy, and Martin has accepted the fact that Fortuna won’t be jumping every time he makes a demand, the witch finally feels like she and Miss Bessie can focus on the magic secrets of the town she’s sure are hidden just below the surface. But then the new town coffee shop goes up in flames—along with all her plans. When victim Dalida Dodd hires Gabe to investigate the arson that set her business ablaze, Fortuna can’t help but worry that the newcomer isn’t being completely honest with the earnest detective. As Gabe is pulled further and further into Dalida’s drama, Fortuna has no choice but to dust off her crystal ball and help set things right. Will Fortuna be able to douse the flames threatening to consume her friend Gabe? Or will her help expose too many secrets, threatening them all?
FUR AND FANGS: THE EVIE CHESTER CASE FILES: BOOK THREE by Nita Round
Some fight evil with swords and force. Evie and Hesta stand against evil with no more than their will and a song. In a series of violent and horrific murders, The Butcher of Bristelle, strikes terror into the heart of the city. No one is safe. When Evie Chester encounters the remains of one such victim she knows that this is the work of no ordinary killer. With mistrust of the gifted rising, can Evie and Hesta solve the case and keep the city safe. Will their wits and their gifts be enough against brute force?
MAD BAD BEAR (SHIFTERS IN PLAID 2) by Jessica Coulter Smith and Kenna McKay
Jessalyn Delaney has only known pain at the hands of her shifter ex-husband, a coyote who thrived on making her scream. When a brash Highland bear shifter insists she’s his destined mate, she knows better than to go down that path again. Except Tavish isn’t anything like her ex, and she can’t ignore how much she yearns for his touch.
Tavish MacBride is determined to claim his mate and her cubs, even if she’s human. The fact that her ex is causing problems is easily enough handled. As a bear, Tavish isn’t afraid of shedding a little blood. When the coyote harms his mate, Tavish knows he’ll have no choice but to take the shifter out. But first, he has a mate to claim… and what a claiming it will be!
THE FROZEN CROWN: A NOVEL (WARRIOR WITCH DUOLOGY BOOK 1) by Greta Kelly
Askia became heir to the Frozen Crown of Seravesh because of her devotion to her people. But her realm is facing a threat she cannot defeat by sheer will alone. The mad emperor of the Roven Empire has unleashed a horde of invading soldiers to enslave her lands. For months, her warriors have waged a valiant, stealth battle, yet they cannot stop the enemy’s advancement. Running out of time, she sets sail for sun-drenched Vishir, the neighboring land to the south, to seek help from its ruler, Emperor Armaan. A young woman raised in army camps, Askia is ill-equipped to navigate Vishir’s labyrinthine political games. Her every move sinks her deeper into court intrigues which bewilder and repel her, leaving her vulnerable not only to enemies gathering at Vishir’s gates, but to those behind the palace walls. And in this glittering court, where secrets are worth more than gold, Askia fears that one false step will expose her true nature. For Askia is a witch gifted with magical abilities—knowledge that could destroy not only her life but her people. As her adversaries draw closer, Askia is forced to make an impossible choice—and no matter what she decides, it may not be enough to prevent Seravesh’s fall.
A THOUSAND SECOND CHANCES BOOK 1 by Mia Clark
VS Note: Not clear to me if this is a cliffhanger but reviews mention alternate endings and ‘what if’ chapters…
Gavin Knight is an arrogant, cocky, womanizing jerk. He’s a one-night-only rockstar lover and nothing could ever change that. Yes, he turns up the “nice guy” charm when he feels like it. There’s nothing nice about him, though. Unless you count his ridiculously attractive hard-sculpted jawline and chiseled abs that show through his tight-fitted tees. Don’t even get me started on his panty-melting bad boy grin that makes you want to…Enough! Now for the fun part: Gavin and I are reliving the same day over and over again. We’re trapped in a time loop of epic proportions. We can do anything we want and nobody else remembers. …Like when I leapt into his arms in the middle of the college cafeteria and we made out in front of everyone like our lives depended on it. Or, you know, that one night we accidentally, um…Look, it was a mistake. It didn’t mean anything. No one remembers. Except for Gavin, and he wants a repeat performance, a second chance at the raging hot chemistry I’ve never had with anyone before. What’s the harm in tempting fate? It’s not like he’d ever fall for me, right?
SHARING THE WITCH by A J Ryder
Five years ago, Miriam lost her beloved Guardian, Ivar, and knew her life was over. After all, if a demon did not end her, she was certain her broken heart would. But now, a still grieving Miriam has chosen to dive wholeheartedly into her work as both a medical examiner and a powerful Medium who helps the dead when others can’t.
After a chance meeting through mutual aquantances, Matthias Braun – the Alpha of the coyote shifters – is drawn to Miriam immediately. He makes it his mission to heal the witch’s shattered heart, and Miriam reluctantly begins entertaining the hope of finding happiness once more. However, the Twin Cities are plunged into chaos as an ancient and long forgotten evil begins walking the earth once more while it leaves a trail of blood and chaos in its wake. Racing against the clock to stop this force of darkness, all of Miriam’s beliefs are called into question as it is revealed that nothing is as it seems.
RECLAIMED (SHADOW BEAST SHIFTERS BOOK 2) by Jaymin Eve
They all made a terrible mistake. One they will pay for. For the past ten years I’ve been a victim. A victim to my pack. A victim to my true mate, who rejected me in the most brutal of ways. And a victim to Shadow Beast, who used me for his own gains. Or did he? The beast of mystery never reveals his whole hand, but one thing is for sure… in my time with him, I’ve changed. Now I will no longer walk the path dictated by the powerful men in my life. Never again will I let my strength be taken from me. I must evolve or die. And we all know, with a choice like that, there’s really only one answer.
SOUTHERN JINXED (SWEET TEA WITCH MYSTERIES BOOK 18) by Amy Boyles
So far, Pepper Reign’s second trimester is smooth sailing. That is until the proverbial crap hits the fan. A rogue werewolf is on the loose and it has got its sights set on Pepper, wanting to make her its next meal. But help is on the way. The werewolves of Clan Reign have recently lost their king. That means Axel is their new alpha–which makes Pepper their new queen. That’s a lot for a gal to deal with while expecting a baby. On top of that, it looks like love is in the air. Grandma Betty has her sights set on one of the werewolves in Clan Reign and she’s even changing her appearance to make him like her. But even with all the good werewolves around, the dangerous one’s attacks on Pepper become more frequent and violent, and no one can seem to catch him. Can they catch the werewolf before it hurts Pepper or will she become its next meal?
TO CLAIM A DRAGON (DRAGON NIGHTS BOOK 2) by M L Guida
Séamus, a dragon knight, is a fish out of water and must protect his woman in a mysterious world. She’s a Keeper and determined to fight. He’s got to be one step ahead of her before she gets herself into serious trouble. Blaire doesn’t need a protector. She’s on a mission to find out who murdered her parents, but the only way to do this is to work with the heart-stopping knight from the past. Love has never been part of her agenda, and she must work hard not to fall under his spell. Trapped in a library, Séamus and Blaire must find a missing twenty-year-old childhood that holds a secret that could save both their worlds before their enemies do. It’s a race to find the book. Only true love can conquer the evil. Séamus must convince his fiery Keeper to mate with him, but first he must heal her broken heart.
GLINT (THE PLATED PRISONER SERIES BOOK 2) by Raven Kennedy
For ten years, I’ve lived in a gilded cage inside King Midas’s golden castle. But one night changed everything. Now I’m here, a prisoner of Fourth Kingdom’s army, and I’m not sure if I’m going to make it out of this in one piece. They’re marching to battle, and I’m the bargaining chip that will either douse the fire or spark a war. At the heart of my fear, my worry, there’s him—Commander Rip. Known for his brutality on the battlefield, his viciousness is unsurpassed. But I know the truth about what he is. Fae. The betrayers. The murderers. The ones who nearly destroyed Orea, wiping out Seventh Kingdom in the process. Rip has power sizzling beneath this skin and glinting spikes down his spine. But his eyes—his eyes are the most compelling of all. When he turns those black eyes on me, I feel captive for an entirely different reason. I may be out of my cage, but I’m not free, not even close. In the game of kings and armies, I’m the gilded pawn. The question is, can I out maneuver them?
MOON ELDER: A SAMANTHA MOON MYSTERY (VAMPIRE FOR HIRE BOOK 22) by J R Rain and Matthew S Cox
Wealthy, reclusive families seldom hire private investigators for ordinary jobs. So when a woman from such a family asks Samantha Moon to locate her missing brother, the vampire detective suspects all is not quite as it seems. Indeed, it doesn’t take her long to discover her suspicions prove valid, though she’s not prepared for exactly how deep the rabbit hole goes: straight into the depths of madness. The trail to the missing brother leads her to bizarre people wielding ancient, unspeakable powers. The very fabric of reality strains to hold back the evil they attempt to unleash on the unsuspecting residents of Anaheim Hills, California. If Sam doesn’t walk away from this case, she might just lose her sanity… but if she does, the world could be doomed. What’s behind the sibling’s disappearance? What are the Elder Gods? Find out in J.R. Rain’s latest “Vampire for Hire” supernatural mystery!
THE SAVAGE GOD: A FATED MATES FANTASY ROMANCE (ARES TRIALS BOOK 2) by Eliza Raine
In order to save my only friend’s life, I am being forced to complete three Trials set by the Lords of War; Pain, Panic and Terror. And I have to work with the most arrogant, stubborn, untrustworthy jerk in Olympus to do so. Ares not only won’t teach me how to use my powers, he also keeps trying to steal them. And he’s crossed a line that should be unforigvable. Something connects me to the brutish God of War though. Something more real than I’ve ever experienced in my life. There’s more to him than he shows the world, and the more I fight alongside him, the deeper into his soul I can see. Which makes the betryal so much worse. He and my sphinx-shifter cat know more about who I am and where I came from than they’re telling me. And in order to stay in the world of Olympus, a place where anything is possible and I’m no longer an outcast, I need to be able to use my magic. For all my determination to save Joshua and learn to use my powers, an equal part of me needs to understand Ares. It’s a part of me I simply can’t seem to switch off. I need to know why I hear the drums of war when I look into his eyes, and why flames dance in his irises and my body utterly betrays me when he’s near. And even more, I need to know if he feels the same.
LUKA by Dianne Hartsock
Luka makes a desperate wish and the earth shifts to his will. Regretting it immediately, he tries to undue the sorcery, but it is too late. He asked for hope, and to his horror, all the hope in the world is given into his keeping. He desires nothing more than to return this gift to the world. Aethan wants to get his hands on the Well of Hope in Luka’s keeping. If he can ransom out hope to others at his whim, the world will be at his feet. Where it belongs. With the aid of his lover, Rhys, Luka stays one step ahead of Aethan. But Rhys has his own enemy in Aethan, his estranged father.
Rescued by Luka, his sweet, gentle witch, Rhys now stands with him against Aethan. They have vowed to return the Well of Hope to the earth despite all odds, or die trying. For what is life worth, for anyone, without hope?
OF GOBLINS AND GOLD (OF GOBLIN KINGS BOOK 1) by Emma Hamm
Freya knows the sound of goblin bells. She knows to move to the side of the road and let them pass. Never buy any of their wares. And above all else, never make a deal with the monstrous beasts. But when her sister takes a necklace and is kidnapped, Freya knows there is no other choice. She must journey to the realm of the fae where the Goblin King himself has stolen her sister. Once there, she must perform four tasks to save the only family she has left. The Goblin King won’t make this easy, however. He always seems one step ahead of her. To defeat him, she’ll have to put everything on the line. Even her heart.
THE ROWAN (THE KILLION BLADE SERIES BOOK 1) by Stella Brie
A powerful witch with little knowledge of her heritage, Arden’s first step on the path of destiny is The Abbey. A place of sanctuary and power, it’s a haven in a sea of unknowns and where she hopes to find an ally. An Elven prince, a Fae lord, the First Vampire, a warlock, and the King of Dragons make up the Imperium Cadre, one of the most powerful cadres in existence. Owning and managing The Abbey for over a thousand years, they’re not known for taking in strays. But Lord Theron’s life debt paves Arden’s entry into the formidable sphere of their protection. As the sweeping winds of change blow, Arden and the cadre will navigate the path of destiny together. Secrets are revealed, heritage found, and alliances forged and lost.
TAKEN: THE COLDEST FAE by Katerina Martinez
I make magic dresses for a living. I’m not rich or pretty enough to wear them, but I love what I do, working out of my family’s shop on Carnaby Street in London—until the fae show up. It’s a straight-up kidnapping, and before I know it, I’m brought to this wintry place of cold hearts and beautiful nightmares, but that’s not the worst part. The worst part is, they think I’m fae, and I’m supposed to participate in some competition against a host of other women who have been training their whole lives for this. The prize? The winner is to marry the Prince. On the surface that sounds almost like a fairytale, only this competition is brutal and bloody, and the Prince is the jerk that kidnapped me. I can’t get too close to him or he’ll know I’m not fae, and then I’m dead. But I want to get close to him. His body burns with the fire of a cold star, and I’m drawn to him. I need to fight the pull and survive long enough to find a way out of here, but these winter fae won’t make that easy.
A LITTLE FAIRY DUST by Mell Eight
Nine tales of magic, love, and a little fairy dust: A military posting at the Rapunzel Tower to avoid war in The Tower; a Brownie that just wants to do something right in Cleanly Wrong; a dream of love unfulfilled in A Heart’s Dream; saving the victims of an evil witch in The Red Apple Witch; a boy who just wants to go to the ball in Cinder-Elle; a cursed kingdom and search for lost love in The Curse; a thief and his fairy godparent with different ideas about love in Happily Ever After; a lightning strike, a lost egg, an ancient battle, and love at first spark in Thunderbird; and a prince trapped, knowing his true love will never save him in The Beast.
RAPTURE (HADES CASTLE TRILOGY BOOK 2) by C N Crawford
The angel of death locked me in one of his castle rooms, surrounded by books and delicious food. Not bad, right? Except for the loneliness, and the lust-fueled dreams that torment me every night. Specifically, dreams of Samael. And did I mention a psychotic ghost keeps trying to kill me? Because no one else believes me about that. Now, I’m desperate to get out of the castle and hunt down the murderous Free Men who led to my imprisonment. Samael wants to destroy them, too. We have the same goal, but don’t trust each other. When distrust shifts into passion, it only makes things more complicated. Despite what we feel, we’re destined to be enemies. If we can’t rewrite our fates, we will lose each other forever–and one of us will end up dead.
DRAGON ROOMMATE (CITY OF DRAGONS BOOK 6) by Kayla Wolf
I have a new roommate. He ended up here by mistake. My mistake. He annoys the hell out of me. He’s one of those privileged rich guys. One of those arrogant, entitled dragons. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s very good-looking. Those hard gray eyes, that jawline…The mop of dark brown hair, shot through with auburn highlights…that are set off rather spectacularly by the late afternoon sun…But I can’t shake my irritation with him. Because I know about his past. I know about his evil family. Still, what is it about this guy that is taking up so much room in my head?
That blistering silence stretches out between us, and there’s only one way I want to break it. I want to kiss him. How ridiculous.
CLAIMING CHLOE (NORTHERN ROCKIES PACK BOOK 4) by Ann Kane
Chloe: Young, passionate, and independent, Chloe’s just bought a coffee shop and has plans to make it everyone’s favorite place in town. While away from home learning how to make the best ever pastries for her new venture, she hooks up with a hot stranger for her first sensual experience. She doesn’t expect to ever see him again, certainly not in her new coffee shop. Damon: He’s ex-military. Tough. Protecting others is his mission in life. He long ago gave up expecting to find a bond-mate. When he agrees to watch over his Navy SEAL buddy’s little sister, he doesn’t expect her to turn his world upside down. He’s too old for such a vibrant young woman, but their mate-bond is hard to ignore, even if he wanted to.
FALL SEMESTER (OMEGA WOLF ACADEMY BOOK 2) by JJ King
Lexi’s first semester at Omega Wolf Academy was anything but relaxing. She was plagued by her past, captured by an insane wolf, and discovered she has not one, but three soul mates. The threat to her life is gone now and, despite the challenges of having three soul mates, Lexi’s life is perfect, after a lifetime of fear and pain. But perfection doesn’t last long, or so she discovers. The past isn’t buried or left in peace. A new threat rises its ugly head, this time threatening not just her, but her sisters and her friends. Will Lexi find the strength to fight back for the future she’s building with Dimitri, Lucian, and Chase, or will the darkness devour her and those she loves?
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Wanted to mention the Otherworldly Mates BookFunnel promotion going on. Here’s the link: https://books.bookfunnel.com/otherworldly_mates_2/7kulkqz7hm
Covers 27 New Releases in SciFi Romance, from best selling authors and includes my own JAMOKAN.
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VS Note: Continuing through my Badari Backlist, the next book is Reede, who was Aydarr’s second Enforcer. I thought it would be an interesting situation if a Badari resisted committing to his mate (for what he thinks are worthy reasons), much as he longs to be with her. I also thought it was time that the Sectors might have sent someone to investigate the call for help that was launched via fastlink back in JADRIAN’s book. There’ll be a direct sequel to this one at some point, possibly in mid 2021….
REEDE: A BADARI WARRIORS SCIFI ROMANCE NOVEL (SECTORS NEW ALLIES SERIES BOOK 9)
Lt. Fallyn Damara was sent by the Sectors to investigate a strange transmission from an isolated planet and determine whether the residents of a vanished colony had been transported there by alien enemies. Fallyn’s ship crashes and she’s taken prisoner by the Khagrish scientists, to await her fate in the slate of horrifying experiments being conducted.
Reede, the second ranking enforcer in the Badari Warrior pack, volunteers to be recaptured by the Khagrish in an effort to locate and rescue Fallyn inside the deadly lab complex.
While a prisoner Reede discovers Fallyn is the woman destined to become his fated mate but the moment is bittersweet because Fallyn will be leaving their world at the first opportunity, to report back to the Sectors. He refuses to complete the mate bond, believing to do so will lead to nothing but lifelong misery for them both, separated by lightyears and interstellar politics.
For her part, Fallyn wants to shake up the rule-bound enforcer and persuade him to take a chance on love.
But first they have to escape the Khagrish.
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LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica:
“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…
Some authors aren’t in KU but still don’t list books with Apple or other platforms. This report is very time consuming to prepare so I’ve always had to limit myself and cannot go and look up every book on all the platforms. If an author gives me their other buy links, I include them here but generally I develop the post on my own, not from author-supplied information. I curate and prepare this post individually every week to help connect readers/books/authors and I have to be very careful not to give it so much time as an activity that I don’t write my own novels! Thanks for the feedback and happy reading!
I check and verify all the buy links at the time I create the post but after that I’m not responsible.
Required Statement: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifiying purchases.
Required Statement: As an Apple Books Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.