New Releases in #SciFi #Fantasy and Paranormal Romance for NOV 30

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). 

‘AB’ denotes audiobook and the Amazon buy link.

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

SILVER STEALTH: WARRIORS OF VALOSE SAGA 10 by Iona Strom

Sakkar – Memories of betrayal flooded my mind with glimpses of a past I didn’t recall living. I had wronged so many, not just my clan but all of Valose. I was not worthy to walk among them. Not worthy of the female who had breathed life into my ancillary heart. It was just as well. My spirit mate cared not for me. Her downcast gaze, always on her feet or the male with whom she had returned. A male from beyond the stars, and a sworn enemy of Valose. I was determined to redeem myself. To prove that I was worthy of the crown I was bequeathed and return to my rightful place as ruler of Clan Huren. Perhaps, if I was to shed this mantle of disgrace, I would be worthy of her regard. Layla – I was broken in more ways than one. Shame kept my eyes pinned to the ground. Humiliation over who I had once been haunted me. Captivity had a way of putting things in a new perspective. Now that I had seen myself for what I once was, forgiveness felt beyond my reach. Then there was the issue of the male who dogged my heels. A regal male for whom I had endangered other girls to reach. My sense of entitlement had blinded me to everything except my own desires. Now that I had been rescued and returned to the ones I had betrayed, how could I ever look them in the eyes, or feel worthy of the male who followed?     AmazonKU

PROMISED MATE: STARGAZER ALIEN SPACE CRUISE BRIDES #4 by Tasha Black

Wrecked with love…Hyacinth of the Seventh House is promised to a prince, but in love with her guardian. Magister Locke traveled to her homeland to teach her how to live in her fiancé’s world, but over time his commanding voice, subtle kindness and dark good looks have worked their way into her dreams. Now touching him is all she can think about. But her wishes won’t matter when it comes to her wedding day. If she doesn’t marry the prince, her planet will be doomed. Viktor Locke of the Firmament traveled worlds to get to Hyacinth. His sacred duty is to instruct her in the ways of her fiancé’s people, in order to save her own. But, oh, the things he wants to teach her. If only he couldn’t read her emotions, then he wouldn’t know how desperately Hyacinth wants him too. The swift approach of her wedding date is both a torture and a relief. When the engines fail on the craft carrying them to the wedding, the two take an escape pod and end up on an uncharted planet, far from anything they know. With comms down, danger everywhere, and no one to rely on but each other, Hyacinth and Viktor will have to drop the formalities that have defined their relationship for years. Alone together, on a lush, unknown planet with wild animals and aggressive plant-life, the most dangerous thing they have to contend with now is their shared desire.

Amazon      Apple Books     Kobo

SWEPT BY THE ALIEN PIRATE PRINCE (ALIEN WARRIOR SPACE PIRATES BOOK THREE)  by Zara Zenia

The ultimate betrayal has left exiled alien prince Cyburn and his human mate, roboticist Carmela Cosgrove, in a life or death battle with the Empire. Barely escaping in an almost-destroyed ship, they hide out in an asteroid belt in hopes of outlasting their enemies. But the betrayer isn’t finished with them yet and ensures they’re found, adding further damage to the crumbling vessel and strain on Cyburn and Carmela’s relationship surrounded by an injured and untrusting crew. Their only hope is to retake the center of the Empire’s power, the city where Cyburn was once a prince, but that seems like an impossibility given both the state of the ship and the mental state of the would-be king. With their relationship and lives hanging in the balance, can Cyburn and Carmela work together to fix the ship and figure out a way to succeed in what seems like a destined-to-fail mission, or will they die trying?     AmazonKU

PRIZE (BARBARIANS OF THE SAND PLANET BOOK 8) by Tana Stone

Cat’s journey aboard the luxury space cruiser isn’t going well, but things go from bad to worse when she’s forced to abandon ship. When her escape pod crashes onto a desert planet, she hopes for a rescue. She doesn’t expect it to be in the impressive form of two gold-skinned aliens.Dev and Trek are ready to find mates and join their Dothvek brothers on the bounty hunter ship. They aren’t expecting to find a human stranded on the sand dunes. When her pod is lost and the dangers of the desert threaten them all, the twins pledge to keep her safe. But can they quell their burning desire for the female who is able to sense their thoughts? Or does what happens on the sand planet, stay on the sand planet?      AmazonKU

ZAYN: ZRYGIN SCARS BOOK 1 by Marie Dry

In a bid to get the Zyrgin invaders off their planet, Amira had handed one of their warriors a cup of drugged wine. At the time she didn’t know her evil cousins would torture him. Didn’t think it would cost him his career as a conquest warrior. Now the Zyrgins had sent a governor to rule her planet. And he looked awfully familiar.

Amazon

HORSE LATITUDES: A LESFIC SPACE OPERA (BLACK FLAG BOOK 8) by Rachel Ford

Sometimes, silence is just the quiet before the storm. When the Black Flag crew is assigned to transport a young Union ambassador on his first diplomatic mission, they’re promised a few weeks of quiet downtime. Easy money. What they find is a diplomatic quagmire. On one side is an untrusting, desperate, and dying world willing to do anything to anyone in order to secure their own survival. On the other is their thriving neighbor: equally desperate, but for entirely different reasons. And dead in the water, the Black Flag readies to weather the coming storm – weather it, or be swept away in its fury.      AmazonKU

HAWK: GALACTIC CYBORG HEAT SERIES BOOK 12 by Jessie Rose Case

This is a Happily Ever After, Galactic Cyborg Heat Series, Hot Romantic Fiction Novel. A tantalizing story of passions and desires, that brings two very different people together in a way they never thought possible. This is a standalone novel but can and is more complete by reading the series in order starting with Book 1 Rage. But not doing so, will not spoil your enjoyment.     AmazonKU

BATE: GALACTIC CYBORG HEAT SERIES BOOK 13 by Jessie Rose Case

The Cyborg used in the captive wars as Bate, is now looking for his own.

AmazonKU

3 ALIEN PROMISES (CRASH LANDED ALIEN LOVE) by C Y Croc

Cassie: I say goodbye to the four other women I’ve travelled across the galaxy with to meet the alien man of my dreams and climb into my pod filled with my belongs. But something hits the ship. My pod is separated from the others, and it crashes onto the planet where I’m supposed to meet my mate. My first impression is I’ve landed in heaven—flowers are everywhere. But it quickly turns into hell. I’m now locked in a cage in a dingy alien bar full of dirty alien-biker gang members. I’m desperate to escape because the boss of the gang says I’m to please the customers any which way he sees fit to pay off the damage my crash caused to the drugs he was cultivating. Just when I’d lost all hope of ever getting out of here, an alien turns up at the bar and calls out my name. He tells me he’s here to rescue me, but he is not a humanoid looking alien like the other bikers. Should I trust him? Or is this a case of out of the frying pan into the fire? Capsi: I don’t know why but I’m drawn into the outskirts of the citydom to a bar that has a line of infamous gang members’ bikes parked outside and trouble written all over it. But I’ll do whatever it takes to …(more blurb on ebook seller’s page…)      AmazonKU

ARDENTLY ABDUCTED (REGENCY ALIEN PLANET BOOK ONE) by Latrexa Nova

It is a truth universally acknowledged that alien pirates in recent acquisition of a hideout must be in want of consorts. I don’t care that the aliens who captured us look more like monsters. I care that their grumpy, Lovecraftian nightmare of a doctor keeps poking and prodding me like a science experiment. And I definitely am not enjoying it, no matter how much he keeps talking about arousal pheromones or whatever. When the aliens plug my brain into some sort of translator thing, the first thing they ask is how to mate a human. I don’t expect my offhand comment about historical romance to be taken literally. Next thing I know, they’re scanning my brain for context and throwing a regency-style ball. When Mr. Definition of Haughty himself asks me to dance, I laugh in his face. Maybe half because I’m terrified of the heat that rushes through me when we touch. I can’t stand how dismissive he is, even if I might have daydreamed about what that tendrilous mouth would feel like between my… lips.       AmazonKU

BRUTAL MINOTAUR LOVE (MINOTAURS OF PROTHEKA BOOK 5) by Celeste King

I agreed to be the First Mate on his ship…When all I wanted was to be the only mate in his bed. I was Taneil’s servant for years. And when I earned my freedom, he asked me to be by his side on his sailing vessel on his quest. What he seeks will alter the balance of power on Protheka, and save his race from eternal damnation. I agreed to help him and told him it was because of the job he offered me. But it was always because of him. I couldn’t leave him. And deep down, I hoped he didn’t want me to. His hot minotaur body creates sparks between us. Will we be able to turn those sparks to fires of love? Or will it bring his whole race down when we crash and burn?     AmazonKU

PLAYTHING OF THE DARK ELF (DARK ELVES OF PROTHEKA BOOK 12) by Celeste King

As a human on Protheka , I have three uses. Laborer. Bedsport. Entertainment. …and I’ve just outlived all of them. I’m too defiant to please my male customers. With a broken body and unyielding spirit, the dark elves are ready to rid themselves of me. But just before my miserable existence is ended, a dark elf named Etheron takes me as a servant for his house. Am I saved? Or have I been doomed to a new form of torment? A new toy for my master to break. No. Etheron has got a secret. He likes my fire when no dark elf should tolerate it. Many call the him mad, and maybe he is. But there’s only one thing that tames that bloodlust. Me. I’m the only one that doesn’t fear him. My mate may be dangerous, but he’s no danger to me. I’m different from the rest. Why? Because I’m his.     AmazonKU

DARK ELF’S WOMAN (DARK ELVES OF PROTHEKA BOOK 13) by Celste King

The dark elves ripped everything from me. Now, I have nothing left to lose. On Protheka, the elves rule through fear. They take away our homes, our families, our freedom. They want to break us. Instead, they’ve created a monster in me. They want to see the world burn? I’ll show them real fire. I don’t expect to survive my attacks on the dark elf buildings. But Alastair surprises me. He’s supposed to be a ruthless Commander. Instead, he shows me one thing I thought was long gone. Love. Our bond isn’t enough in this cruel world, though. Not when Alastair’s father is his overseer. He’ll have to choose. Follow orders or protect me? It’s no contest. Because there’s one thing more important to Alastair than control. One thing that drives him more than his father’s fury. And I’m the only one that has it. My heart.      AmazonKU

THE NAGA’S PLAYTHING (NAGAS OF PROTHEKA BOOK 6) by Celeste King

All my life I’ve hated the snake monsters. Until I fell in love with one. I was a pet for a naga Prince. But I’d choose death over captivity. I risked my escape, only to run straight into the arms of Indus.
I wanted my freedom. Instead, I received a new naga master. He was betrothed, an arranged marriage to raise his status. But he still brought me back to his home to hide me away. I learned that he was nothing like my other masters. I was fed. Cared for. Protected. And I showed him what it meant to love. Now, Indus has a choice to make. To follow his heart or his duty? In the end, will he pick me? Or will I always be his dirty little human secret?      AmazonKU

CHANCELLOR (RUTHLESS PARADISE BOOK THREE) by Lexie Ray

VS Note: Authors states it’s better to read the series in order. Cliffhanger.

“She is poison. And I want it all.” If we knew that Spring Break on a tropical island would turn deadly, would we have still gone? That’s the question I’ve asked myself for two years. We came from the richest families in the world. We were supposed to be invincible. But the week we partied on Zion Island, the world was ravaged by a nuclear war. In the two years since, I’ve made Zion Island a safe haven. I lost people who loved me. I made a home for hundreds who hate me. I built a pharmaceutical empire that gives hope to future generations. Being a king is a solitary journey. To avoid insanity, I have to keep my mind at peace. But then I meet herKatura Ortiz. A beautiful spy, sent to my island by a Russian mobster. Her name is abrasive. She is abrasive. She makes me angry, gets under my skin, goes against the grain. But I can’t get her out of my mind. With all the money poured into this island, the place is a tropical gilded cage. But she… She is a breath of fresh air. And now her cover is blown. So guess what? She is my prisoner. She wanted to play? We’ll play. By my rules. Welcome to Zion, wild thing.      Amazon KU

GALIDIN (KLEVIAN WARRIORS) by L P Peace

When Shay and her family carried three hundred colonists to a new world, they thought they were leaving all the problems of Earth and the Klevian Cold War behind, until they arrive and are rammed by a Klevian warship. Now, stranded on a mountain and with their colonists in stasis in the forest below, they must turn to the Klevians for help descending the treacherous peaks and ice to save their colony and build their new home. When Galidin awakens it is to be told he is the enemy of the beautiful human he is determined will be his mate. Shay is small, but strong, determined but warm, a leader and everything he could ever imagine for the female he would spend his life with. But Galidin has no memories of his life before her and Shay is reluctant to touch, initiating the bond that will make her, his. With his ship mate unconscious and the ship’s AI, Jaras, determined to keep them apart, Galidin helps the humans down the mountain. But when they discover there are enemies to both their races on this new world, will the potential of their happily ever after come crashing down around them? And will Galidin still want the little human when he remembers what it is to be a Klevian Warrior?      AmazonKU

DESTINATION ALIEN TREASURE (APEX ASTRAL WARRIORS) by Dee J Holmes

Archeologist Temperance Vale is hot on the trail of alien artifacts. She’s ready to make the find of a lifetime in an ancient temple—until she discovers her dig site is overrun by evil body snatchers and she escapes into the arms of a muscled alien warrior. Irax of the Apex’ir is the only one of his brothers who can enjoy no-strings attachments. Not that he’s interested. He came to earth to do one thing: kill his enemy, the infectious Fever. Then he saves Temperance. Brilliant and fiery, she’s like nothing he’s seen in a thousand galaxies—and she might be the distraction that gets him killed. On the run in the long-buried ancient temple and tangled in growing desire, they struggle to reach the heart of the temple before their enemies. That site holds the key to the Fever’s power. And if Temperance and Irax fail to stop them, the Fever will burn across the galaxy.     Amazon KU

IN THE CITY OF TIME by Gwendolyn Clare

VS Note: Not listed as a romance. Steampunk.

In 1891, Willa Marconi’s life falls apart when her mentor at the University of Bologna unexpectedly dies. She loses her laboratory access and her stipend, but she refuses to let anyone take her research away. While testing her prototype radio equipment, she detects a mysterious signal and pursues its origin. In 2034, a cataclysmic event has rendered the Earth uninhabitable, and humankind survives by living inside of artificial worlds. Riley would do anything for Jaideep, who lost his parents in the collapse of the Bay Area pocket universe—and anything includes building a time machine so they can travel back to the 19th century, prevent the destabilization of the planet, and rewrite history. But the experiment goes wrong, accidentally pulling Willa forward in time and stranding the three of them in a strange, seemingly abandoned city. Now they’ve got a glitchy time machine, a scary android time cop hot on their trail, and some tangled temporal mechanics to unravel. Can they save the Earth when the Continuity Agency is dead-set on preserving the current timeline?     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

FIRE LORD HOLIDAY (MONSTERS LOVE CURVY GIRLS BOOK 8) by Michele Mills

The Fire Lord of Ashmoor cordially invites you to spend the human holiday termed “Christmas” at Ashmoor Manor. Join us for a special Christmas Eve dinner held in the great dining hall promptly at sunset. Decorating an Earth-type cone-shaped tree with “ornaments” and the exchange of charming, wrapped human-centric presents to follow. Lively human species songs performed by Ashmoor staff. 
Keep this invite secret! This is a surprise “original planet” holiday recreation for all the humans and half-human offspring on Tarvos. Branches of the Earth plant “Mistletoe” will be provided to all males present for their females! Author’s note: This holiday novella is much more enjoyable if read as part of the Monsters Love Curvy Girl series!      AmazonKU

ALIEN’S REDEMPTION: A SCIFI ORC ROMANCE by Cara Wylde

Caroline – I was going home when I was abducted by aliens. Then the ship crashed, and I found myself lost and alone on an alien planet. I’ve been running for two days. It seems that aliens of all shapes and sizes are after me simply because I’m… human. And a woman. They say human females are universal breeders, and that we’re extremely valuable. I won’t let them catch me. I won’t let them sell me. When I think I’ve finally found shelter, I fall into the worst trap. Then a brute of a man with sharp tusks and skin like ice shows up and saves me. His name is Ko’nar Eisvir, and he’s not who I think he is. He’s not my rescuer. He’s my new captor. Ko’nar – If I bring my king one of the universal breeders that have just crashed all over the outlaw planet known as Reazus Prime, I might be allowed to return home. It’s been three years since I’ve been banished, and I want to see my parents and my little sister. But I first have to prove to the king that I’m still useful to him. Maybe he’ll forgive me when he sees the human female Caroline, who can give him what the old queen cannot anymore – children. But Caroline is tempting. Curvy, feisty, and oh-so-delicious… I feel the urge to have a taste, and then keep her all to myself. I thought the reason I haven’t found my mate was because I couldn’t find her away from home. Now I look into her sparkling green eyes, and I find myself questioning that theory.      AmazonKU

THE RENTAL by Linda Mooney

In need of extra income, Dane Caravelle applies for a new program that allows other people to “rent” her and lets them essentially live her life. This groundbreaking scientific technology is meant to allow those who may be disadvantaged or disabled to experience a normal life. Although it requires rigorous testing to become a rental, Dane is ecstatic when she’s approved. She’s nervous in the beginning and is assured she won’t even know when her renter is observing her unless she checks the app, but that hasn’t been her experience. Nudges here and there. Feeling as if someone is watching her. And was that a man she saw reflected in her eyes when she looked in the mirror? The program promised only females would be paired with females. Who is he? Or rather, what is he? The nudges turn into phone calls, then voicemails, and she quickly learns that we’re definitely not alone in this universe. There are others other there, other species from other worlds, and they’re just looking to survive…or so she’s told. Despite warnings from her friends, she agrees to help the stranger. But is this “alien” real, or is she being led on? Either way, she discovers she’s grown to care for him. And that’s just the beginning of her problems.     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

KIDNAPPING CAMERON: CHRONICLES OF SILLON BOOK ONE by Brandy Roseth

Cameron Murphy is tired of her boring mundane life. Feeling like it’s time to shake things up and step out of her comfort zone, she drives to a lunar party in the middle of nowhere. Krix is an adventurous, ambitious male that steals his way into her world. He’s on a mission to explore the forbidden dimension and prove to his grouping that he’s a valuable member. The hand of fate puts things in motion, sending these two souls on a collision course. One big misunderstanding later Cameron is kidnapped and brought to a new alien world. As a rare and exotic female, she is now a prize that everyone wants. Add in a narcoleptic lizard scientist, three very sexy guards, a mysterious silent mercenary, a stolen portal crystal, and the alien mafia eyeing her home world, you have one heck of an adventure. What is a confused, lost Earth girl to do? At least Cameron can’t say her life is boring anymore.     AmazonKU

SCOURGE (THALASSIC) by Liz Shipton

VS Note: Not listed as a romance although there appear to be romantic elements. 

The year is 2172. The world is mostly water. Marlin Paz and her pregnant girlfriend arrive in the harbor city of Brume after twenty-five harrowing days at sea only to find themselves forbidden to go ashore. In desperate need of food and a hospital, they try to come up with a plan and wonder: what happened since they lost contact with the land? Meanwhile, Axioma Nation, CEO of the world’s leading corporation, struggles to figure out how her biotech can solve the climate refugee crisis. But when an urgent message from a colleague overseas comes through, Axioma realizes that the climate is the least of her worries. And thousands of miles away, in the ravaged heartland of the State, Heron Howsley must reckon with her family’s legacy and her own demons while facing down tornados and discovering that her love for her hometown runs deeper than she knew.      AmazonKU

ALIEN’S GETAWAY (LOST BRIDES AND ALIEN WARRIORS) by Tina Moss

As a security officer of Earth’s first deep space vessel, I always believed there were aliens in outer space. But I never imagined they’d be total jerks. I might not have bought a ticket for the Space Z Pleasure Cruise, yet here I am, brought aboard as the…entertainment. Abducted and far from home, I must rely on new alien allies to escape my captors. A sexy Rhonar warrior might be the biggest wild card of them all. When our enemies set off the self- destruct sequence, we’re thrown into an escape pod together. Crash-landing on a distant planet was not part of the getaway plan. Alone with the big lug, he’s soon calling me his fated mate. Too bad I’m not the romantic kind. Yet, as we fight for each other’s survival I can’t help but be drawn to the alien warrior’s inner fire. And well, his outside is smoking hot too. Will we be able to find a path free of the planet’s twisted caverns? And do I dare trust in the cosmic bond pulling us together? Only the stars know.      Amazon

LIVE AND LET ORC (ALPHA HORDE THE ORCS RETURN BOOK 1) by Dani Wyatt

I’m trapped in an abandoned house with a backpack full of stolen weapons when ruthless scavengers break down the front door. What’s worse is my escape route is blocked by a seven-foot orc dragging a decapitated corpse. Three-inch tusks press into his curling upper lip and deep scars decorate his pale green skin. He’s got eight-pack abs, fists the size of cantaloupes and his heated gaze devours me. I make it out of there alive, barely. Then, the next day? The same orc that blasted my panties and made me wonder what a tusk laced kiss would feel like turns up at my festival booth sending all my customers running for the hills. I’m ready to blast him with both barrels but, before I get the first word out, he throws me over his shoulder. Now I’m wondering less about those tusks and more about what’s under that leather kilt he’s wearing. Soon, I’m falling hard for this primal monster. But, will the burning bridges between our two worlds keep us apart or will we forge our own path to our happily ever after?      AmazonKU

PURSUED BY THE ALIEN LORD (WARRIORS OF THE LATHAR BOOK 16) by Mina Carter

She’s a spy. He’s an alien cyborg who doesn’t like humans… What could go wrong? Hacker extraordinaire Raven lives in the shadows, making her living by rooting out secrets of the rich and corrupt. It’s a good setup, until her boss reassigns her to spy on the Lathar. All she’s got to do is break into their super-secure system and find out what they’re keeping from humanity. She’s going to have to go undercover working in the Latharian Mate Program to do it. There’s just one problem. The very dangerous, and very sexy Risyn B’Kaar. He doesn’t like humans, and he’s her new boss…War Commander Risyn B’Kaar doesn’t want to be on Earth, and doesn’t want to be part of the mate program. But he has his orders. At least all he has to do is set the draanthing thing up, then he can leave. He certainly doesn’t want a human mate of his own. No way, no how…But when the program matches him with Raven, he can’t let her go. Not even when she betrays him. There’s a greater betrayal at work though, one that might take his beautiful little mate from him. Can he save her from the forces that conspire against them, before it’s too late?      Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

A RIVER OF ASH AND BONE by Wren Cartwright

Twenty-four years after the outbreak…River is shaken after her father’s death, adrift after the one constant in her life fell victim to the harsh landscape, just like so many others. She’s living day by day, dodging both the undead and the alive, and trying to find some sense of purpose or direction. A single decision changes her life…It should have been impossible for her life to get any worse, but upon scouting the city for resources, she finds herself in a situation that quickly turns sour. River commits the ultimate crime and, despite her protests, is brought back to a stranger’s camp in penance for her actions. For the first time in forever….She has friends, safety, and comfort. Can she really go back to sleepless nights spent alone, starving, and constantly on edge, when she’s found the shelter of her dreams? And what is she going to do about the four larger-than-life men that haunt her every move and make her feel things she never has before–the ones that took her in the first place? As her relationships grow and secrets are revealed, River is left with a huge decision, all while battling an even bigger threat looming outside the walls of her refuge. One that has the power to take away all she’s come to care about. *This is a dark(ish) romance where the main character will end up with more than one love interest*      AmazonKU

MY WICKED ALPHAS (ROYALLY CLAIMED BOOK 5) by Jupiter Belle

What do you do when your fiancé and best friend betray you and pick each other over you? You leave town and take up running. Sounds healthy right? Wrong. I’m on a run when I get abducted by aliens and wake up in a space dungeon with three growling Alphas on the other side of the bars. They keep calling me Omega. I don’t know what that means, but it can’t be good…can it?   AmazonKU

*************************BRIEF BREAK BEFORE THE FANTASY/PNR BOOKS!***************************************

VS: I’m in the mood for scifi romance gladiators today so here’s my most recent release in the series:

TALINN (BADARI GLADIATORS BOOK THREE)  by Veronica Scott

Talinn was a genetically engineered senior soldier in his Badari Warrior pack until unscrupulous laboratory guards faked his death and sold him into slavery in the galaxy’s hinterlands. Purchased by a nomadic warlord and forced to fight in games for the amusement of the crowds, Talinn has endured through sheer strength of will. He sees no possibility of escape but a Badari never gives up until the goddess calls him to the afterlife.

Bailey Kingsmere was a talented and ambitious entertainer on an interstellar cruise liner when her ship was destroyed in an accident. She escaped in a defective cryonic lifepod, which eventually drifted out of the Sectors entirely and crashed on a primitive planet. Superstitious locals decide to place her in the arena as a prize for a lucky gladiator.

Talinn needs only one look to know Bailey is his fated mate. He’ll do whatever it takes to rescue her from the other fighters and claim her as his prize but how can he ensure her safety thereafter? Since he’s not human and has alien reptilian predator DNA which gives him extra capabilities, will Bailey accept him as a mate? And can they ever escape their desperate situation and find a way to freedom? TALINN is the third book in the Badari Gladiators Series and can be read as a standalone. A steamy romance with fated mates this story was initially published in the Claimed Among the Stars Anthology (no longer available), but has been expanded here with an additional 15,000 words.

Amazon      Apple Books     Nook     Kobo     Google Play

******************************OKAY, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ONWARD WE GO!**************************************************

DECK THE MANE (A LION’S PRIDE BOOK 14) by Eve Langlais

It’s almost Christmas, and a visiting lion prince is excited to go tree hunting with the Pride ladies. Only a mishap with a squirrel leaves the posh Felix snowed in with a honey-loving bear. Edwina, owner of Honey Pine Farm, is a bear with a serious sweet tooth who prefers comfort over style. She’s counting down the days until she can head south for Christmas, only to get snowed in with a lion prince. She isn’t impressed by his silky-soft mane, and he casts doubts on honey as a cure-all, yet as they spend time together, they discover they have more in common than expected—and a passion hotter than chestnuts roasting on a fire. When Edwina is put in danger during a beehive heist, he’ll do anything—even place his trust in the squirrel that almost killed him—to help save the bear he loves.

Amazon     AB     Apple Books     Kobo

LEOPARD’S SCAR (A LEOPARD NOVEL BOOK 14) by Christine Feehan

The moment Meiling sees Gedeon she knows he’s a leopard shifter—just as she knows she can’t trust him. Meiling doesn’t take chances, life has taught her better than that. So why does she find herself rescuing this deadly, gorgeous man, when she knows she’d be better off leaving him to die? Gedeon is used to women throwing themselves at him, not throwing his injured body over their beautiful, deceptively strong shoulders and carrying him to safety. He might be embarrassed, if he wasn’t so aroused by the very thought of this feisty lotus blossom. As they strike up a working relationship that suits them both, Gedeon starts to rely on Meiling for just about everything. But when her hidden nature rises to the surface, the connection that links them shifts into an all-consuming desire. And neither will escape unmarked.

Amazon     AB     Apple Books     Kobo

THE SEVENTH KEY (ORDER OF MAGIC BOOK 6) by Michelle M Pillow

Unlucky number seven. Nina Cole thought escaping a serial killer would be the hardest thing she ever had to face. When a reporter comes sniffing around wanting her to relive the trauma, she feels she has no choice but to pack up and move to a place where no one knows her. Starting over in her forties is easier said than done. Bad memories aren’t the only thing chasing her. The killer might be in jail, but now it looks like something much more sinister from beyond the grave is hunting her. Fortunately, there seems to be no shortage of magical assistance in Freewild Cove. But will it be enough? Can her new friends and a secret love interest help Nina survive the latest chapter in her unlucky life? Heather, Vivien, Lorna, and Sue are back! With the help of Grandma Julia’s ghost, they’re kicking supernatural butt and taking names.      Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

TWILIGHT REBEL (MIDNIGHT EMPIRE: NEW DAWN BOOK TWO) by Annabel Chase

The Wild has always had its share of threats. For most of us, that threat involves a dental deformity, a hankering for juicy veins, and a superiority complex. But that all changes when one of the villages is brutally attacked. Once again I find myself tackling the region’s problems, along with my merry band of werewolves and powerful new allies. Throw a rogue zombie in the mix and we’ve got ourselves a party—except we’d like nothing more than to roll up the welcome mat. With vampires literally out for blood and a price on my head, I should be laying low, but the dire situation forces me to engage with Lord Doran, and I’m not sure either one of us is ready for that reunion. Even so, I have to set aside the past for the sake of the future. The fate of The Wild depends on it.      AmazonKU

WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS: A FROST & CROWE MYSTERY by Kristen Painter

Princess Jayne Frost and Prince Consort Sinclair Crowe have been called back to Nocturne Falls for Christmas so that Jayne can help out at the short-staffed Santa’s Workshop. Being back means seeing some old friends, but also finding new trouble that Jayne just can’t stop thinking about. Are the random break-ins really someone trying to ruin Christmas? Because as Santa Claus’s niece, that feels personal to her. But when the real reason for the break-ins gets unwrapped, Jayne decides to do everything in her power to put an end to the problem. Too bad it might also mean the end of her.

Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

HEART OF DRAGONS (DRAGON TAILS BOOK 6) by Aja James

Benjamin D’Angelo has officially replaced Ere the Black Dragon in the Jade Emperor’s mysterious quests. This time, Ere insists upon tagging along, for next to his Phoenix Mate Sorin, Ben is the greatest love of his life, and he just doesn’t trust anyone else to take care of his boy. As always, their success is limited by seemingly arbitrary rules and an even more arbitrary sandglass of time. The only things they can count on is that: 1) each of their quests takes them to a time in the past, 2) they will witness (and perhaps even enable) True Love along the way, and 3) the Universal Balance hangs in…well, the balance. Their sixth task is to retrieve the Stone Heart. Ben and Ere return to medieval Britain some years after Ere’s first quest, reuniting with old friends in the process. Meanwhile, Merlin the red dragon has escaped from the Celestial Realm to present day New York City. By luck or fate, he meets Anniea fire witch, in his human form, drawn to her unique light. The present and past collide in the discovery and recovery of the Stone Heart, old wounds heal, and new Bonds are forged. The end of the world may be just around the corner. Along the way, enemies may become lovers, reluctant friendships may form, and lots of hot, desperate, this-may-be-the-last-time-we-have-sex sex will definitely be had. And who knows, you too may help earn the…Heart of Dragons.

AmazonKU

VANITY AND OTHER MONSTERS (MYTHO BOOK 4) by TJ Nichols

All the lines of fate have been pulling Edra Tendric to LA. It is the last place he wants to go, leaving his mate Inspector Jordan Kells in San Francisco to deal with a fractured mytho population and an increasingly tense political situation. Someone wanted Edra removed as Mytho Liaison, and they got their way. With the exposure of their relationship, Jordan has to negotiate the fallout at work and among the people he called friends. As the elves arm themselves and favors are called in, Jordan will need to decide where he stands because doing the right thing doesn’t always mean following the law he swore to uphold. Being a lesser dragon’s mate isn’t all mating flights and fun. Not when his mate is the Knight of a city on the brink of war.      Amazon KU

BARBARIAN MATED (SAVAGE WARRIORS BOOK TWO) by Amber Ella Monroe

I’m a savage. Bred for war. But I never thought it would come to that. I fought to save my brother. I fought to keep my mate. The fighting isn’t over. The greatest battle has just begun. And the sacrifice—if I fail—is too great. We kept our enemies at bay for so long. And now they’re at our doorstep demanding everything we hold dear. My land, I will not relinquish. My home, I will not leave. My mate, I will not sacrifice. The consequences of my actions have caught up to me, but I’m not the only one with life-altering plans. I knew from the very moment I mated her, Celeste was a fighter. I’d give my own life before I allowed her to risk hers, but she has a mind of her own. Nothing has torn us apart despite the struggles, but the odds have stacked up against us.     AmazonKU

SIN’S BETRAYAL: RAVAGE RIDERS MC by Nikki Landis

VS Note: Author states there is a “paranormal twist).

Mack Ravage is an outlaw with a bad reputation. I should know. I created him with every breath, wrong decision, and regret I’ve made over the last twenty years. That’s why I shouldn’t want her – the sweet, pretty, young single mom that walks into my clubhouse. I promise her safety. I swear the club will protect her and her daughter. Hell, I even let her stay and gave her a room. She’s too wide-eyed, innocent, trusting, and too damn adorable for her own good. I’m not gonna touch her. I swear I’m gonna keep my distance. And then her eyes rake over me and burn like hot coals over my skin. My Sergeant at Arms Valan thinks she wants him, but I know better. Her eyes only brighten when I’m in the room. Her smile grows broader when I look in her direction. And the heat – it cranks up a good ten degrees when our eyes meet. None of this matters when the past decides to show up at our door. The Ravage Riders won’t be bullied. This is our town. We own it, and we damn well do as we please. Valan? Our enemies? The age difference? Just a few details to hammer out. I’m the president of this club. I take what I want, and I want Charlotte. Nothin’ is standing in my way.   AmazonKU

JINGLE MY BALLS: A GAY AND MERRY LGBTQ CHARITY ANTHOLOGY by Various

VS Note: From the ebook seller’s page: “Please note not all stories are complete some maybe samples of stories yet to come!!! These stories will be RH, Poly and LGBT stories.”

This collection of holiday tales features characters and pairings from every hue in the rainbow as they celebrate the holiday season. From hockey players to monsters to naughty tops and bottoms, the stories in this anthology are short, steamy, and full of holiday cheer. Proceeds from this anthology will be donated to The Trevor Project.       Amazon

SEA OF SHADOW (SEVEN SWORDS BOOK THREE) by Sarah K L Wilson

On the run with the new King of Cragspear and her shadow guardian, Ilsaletta must gather the seven swords and destroy them all or risk her rival destroying not just Cragspear but the world.
But something has changed with Ilsaletta’s shadow bodyguard and as he slips away, Ilsaletta must choose between the fate of the world and her own heart. Can she follow duty and good, or will she try to keep what was never hers in the first place? This is book three and the conclusion to the Seven Swords series.      AmazonKU

MONSTERS AND MISTLETOE by Various

Hot chocolate, snowflakes, jingling bells, and… monstersThat’s what Christmas has in store for you this year! Add a little spice to your holiday festivities by diving into this collection of monster-loving heroines who find love in the most unusual of places.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

MARK OF THE DAMNED (HELL’S BELLS AND DEMON DEALS WORLD) by Amanda Aggie

Revenge can be brutal, but nothing is scarier than a witch with a vendetta. After being body jacked by the legacy hunters last year, I’ve tried my best to move forward with my life, to lock the memory behind an indestructible wall. Only, that’s easier said than done. Charles, their leader, is dead and rotting somewhere, yet I still see his face when I close my eyes. Beyond seeing the dead, I’ve also been keeping a secret. ‘Contrary to what I’ve told my husband, I didn’t escape the ritual unscathed. It branded me with The Mark of Caine, the very curse that makes the hunters who captured me ruthless and causes their blood to sing at the thought of ridding the world of the paranormal creatures. For the most part, it’s just a jagged scar. Except, it’s linked me to the hunters. I can track them. I can stop them from transforming, and with it, I’ll get my revenge. Hopefully, Dax will forgive me, but I have to do this. I need the nightmares to stop and the only way that will happen is with every last one of the legacies dead in the ground.      Amazon KU

CROWN OF ASHES (DARK HALOS BOOK TWO) by Amanda Aggie

A year ago, we managed to escape the realm of monsters, unscathed. The mistake of trying to strike a bargain with the High King has been buried in the past…Or so we thought. Tensions rise when the people in our kingdom seek blood, claiming a beast massacred one of the villages around Hell Hold.
Pitchforks burn and the fine line between good and evil blurs until it’s nearly obliterated all together.
However, one thing is crystal clear. We’re not only gearing up for war with Heaven, but a civil war within Hell itself.      Amazon KU

COZY QUEER CHRISTMAS by K W Hether-Patterson

Featuring thee tales of love and holiday cheer, this collection of stories is sure to melt the coldest hearts. Grab your cocoa and coziest sweater for one gay old Christmas! From fairy-tales to contemporary drag queens, this has it all! Three Stories; A Cinderfella Christmas – Santa Sweetie –
A Drag Queen Country Christmas      AmazonKU

DEVOUR by Various

Devour is a collection of novellas by the cult, an insanely talented group of authors including C.N. Crawford, Linsey Hall, Jen L Grey, Amelia Hutchins and many more! With these brand new prequels, side stories, and standalones, you can reconnect with beloved characters and discover more about what your favorite authors are up to. And what’s more? None of these will end on a cliffhanger! If you love fantasy and paranormal romance in all its forms, Devour is for you. From enemies to lovers, to fated mates, possessive alphaholes to cinnamon rolls, there’s a story for every taste.      Amazon     Kobo

DIGITAL DIVINITY (GOLDEN GIRL GAMER BOOK ONE) by Rachel Ford

VS Note: This is a LitPRG, which I don’t often cover but this one sounded fun. Here’s the definition of LitPRG from The Emerging Writers.com website: “…an emerging genre of fiction that combines the experience of digital role playing games with traditional narrative plotlines. It weaves a story around a protagonist that consciously immerses themselves in a virtual world to follow the quests and challenges set by the game realm. It is not to be confused with choose-your-own-path storylines or novels that expand the lore of existing RPG games. Instead, imagine you are the spectator to someone playing as their World of Warcraft avatar, witnessing their progression through in-game campaigns while observing their development through visible statistics such as health, agility, strength, or intelligence. “

Barbara Callaghan assumed she’d spend her retirement peacefully, playing bingo and babysitting her grandson. Not fighting giants and wrangling unruly gods. But when she finds herself the victim of a digital scam, trapped as a barbarian brawler in a game world generated from old Earth mythologies, she knows she will either adapt or perish. And Barbara has never been a quitter. To survive this harsh rendering of Midgard, Barbara must win the patronage of one of the Asgardian gods. With the help of her disloyal companion Carwyn, an elven NPC with more warrants out on him than coins in his purse, she seeks out Asgard. She discovers a world in turmoil, with powerful gods at each other’s throats, rogue giants causing chaos at every turn, and dwarven craftsmen at war with one another.
A world that needs the practical, no-nonsense touch of a grandmother—and the occasional brute strength of a barbarian.      AmazonKU

NYALL: CHRISTMAS SPRITES BOOK ONE by Marcy Blake

Good things come to those who bake. At least that’s what the sign hanging in Mistledough, the bakery owned by the gorgeous and mysterious Nyall claims. When reporter Aaron Newton is banished to Mistletoe Falls for the holidays and forced to provide fluffy and lighthearted stories without a hint of scandal, or else, he finds himself drawn to both the bakery and the sweet taste of the man who runs it. Aaron may not have come to the small Christmas town for love, but a little holiday magic is in the air, and the season may bring Aaron everything he’s ever wanted… if he’s willing to get whisked away by the handsome baker whose family has a secret to rival Santa Claus himself.      AmazonKU

HOLIDAY HUNTING: A SHIFTER SEEKER NOVELLA by Heather McCorkle

Sleighbells are ringing and the snow is falling in Hemlock Hollow, Montana, but Sonya Michaelson is off saving newly bitten werewolves from losing their minds during their first change. That is, until she has to prepare the house for the visit of the werewolf parents of her hot professor boyfriend. Between that and holiday shopping with her best friend, the reaper of shifterkind, she will have her hands full. Can she pull off the perfect, Jólabókaflóðið, the Icelandic tradition of gifting books, for her boyfriend and his Icelandic parents, or will all her careful plans unravel?

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

THE TOTALLY TRUE TALES OF MINERVA KRAUSS (A PROFANE WORLD STORY BOOK 1) by JB Trepagnier

Hi, I’m Minerva Krauss. You’ve probably heard of me or read one of my books on curse breaking. 
Except an old friend with an exceptionally big mouth just revealed a big secret of mine to people I’ve come to care about. The drama has somewhat died down for now, so it’s time to tell my story from the beginning. And my story has a lot of beginnings and ends. I need to explain to Ravyn why I kept this secret from her and I should probably tell Ripley why I’m so obsessed with the werewolf erotica in her library (They are 6’3, 6’5, and 6’7 and they have names) I’m not angry about telling my story. I’ve had an interesting life and it’s about time someone got to hear the real story of Minerva Krauss.   AmazonKU

THE FALL OF NUMENOR AND OTHER TALES FROM THE SECOND AGE OF MIDDLE-EARTH by J R R Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings on the Second Age of Middle-earth, collected for the first time in one volume complete with new illustrations in watercolor and pencil by renowned artist Alan Lee. J.R.R. Tolkien famously described the Second Age of Middle-earth as a “dark age, and not very much of its history is (or need be) told.” And for many years readers would need to be content with the tantalizing glimpses of it found within the pages of The Lord of the Rings and its appendices, including the forging of the Rings of Power, the building of the Barad-dûr and the rise of Sauron. It was not until Christopher Tolkien published The Silmarillion after his father’s death that a fuller story could be told. [SNIP] Now, adhering to the timeline of “The Tale of Years” in the appendices to The Lord of the Rings, editor Brian Sibley has assembled into one comprehensive volume a new chronicle of the Second Age of Middle-earth, told substantially in the words of Tolkien from the various published texts, with new illustrations in watercolor and pencil by the doyen of Tolkien art, Alan Lee.

Amazon      AB      Apple Books     Kobo

SPELL OVER TROUBLED WATER (GRIMOIRES OF A MIDDLED AGED WITCH BOOK 4) by Renee George

Being a forty-something, newly divorced, single mom is getting easier every day. Thankfully, so is being a witch, you know, when monsters and power-hungry sorcerers aren’t trying to kill me. And they aren’t the only ones who want to take me down. Too bad for all of them. I don’t die easy. Now that my nero-craft has been triggered, I’m off to the Iron Grove compound, along with my hot druid boyfriend and his violently awesome sister, to learn magic from the best of the best. Of course, not every druid or tru-craft witch is happy about me adding water magic to the earth, fire, and air magic I already wield. There is even talk of a test they want me to take that sounds about as much fun as an alien probing. No, thank you. I’ll have to rely on allies, old and new if I want to survive the incoming tide of enemies who want me to drown in my own magic. Literally.     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

EVERETT: PARANORMAL COUNCIL ENFORCERS BOOK FIVE by Taylor Rylan

Everett Fabré was thrust into a life not of his own choosing when his entire family and the majority of his pack were killed during a tragical attack on their ship during the Civil War. One of only a few survivors, he and the others set out to continue on his pack’s mission: help those in need. When fate decided to intervene and he finds himself an enforcer in the newly formed Paranormal Council, never did he expect to scent his mate during a mission. Jennings Williams’s birth pack…sucks, to put it nicely. They were the type of pack that made other paranormals immensely dislike wolf shifters. As the oldest and only unmated of his siblings, he decided it was time for a change and set out for Timber Valley to accept a position as a teacher in the new school for their shifter children. Finding a new friend in his next-door neighbor was only a bonus. But when his neighbor’s cousin returns from a mission, sparks ignite, and canines are involved. Everett and Jennings struggle with their bond, and it’s no secret that Everett can be difficult. Will the new couple strengthen their bond in time before it’s lost? When new information is brought to light pertaining to the Evergreen pack and their involvement in the kidnapping ring is discovered, it doesn’t look good for Jennings’s parents. Can Everett be there for his new mate?      Amazon KU

BURN IN RUIN (FORTUNE ACADEMY UNDERWORLD BOOK 4) by J R Thorn

I’m going to kill my brother. But not before I kill Cole, first. Both of those idiots are the reason I’m trapped in Lucifer’s Army playing good little fallen angel. I have Kaito at my mercy—oh the irony. Lucifer doesn’t know about the chemistry between us. Or what happens when an angel and a demon decide to work together. I have a few frustrations to take out on my favorite Kami, though. Bring on the ruin. “Burn in Ruin” is Episode 4 in the Fortune Academy Underworld Episodic series. This is a short read of 5,000 words intended to be read after Fortune Academy: Year Eight, but can also be read as a standalone. Episodes feature Lily’s mates with all scenes written from the guys’ point of view. These episodes are M/M, packed with plenty of steam, and dangerously addicting!     Amazon

ONCE UPON A SHIFT by Sophie Stern

Three nights. Two dragons. One incredible romance. Joanna is as nerdy as they come. She’s obsessed with books, she loves comics, and she wears her hair in a ponytail. Draco is everything she’s not: cool, composed, charismatic. Despite the fact that the two of them have been friends and colleagues for years, they’ve never shared the fact that they’re dragon shifters with the other. When Joanna is tasked with finding a date to her parent’s annual Christmas party, Draco is the obvious choice, but what will he do when he learns her secret?

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

A BULLET AT THE BBQ (MOPS & BROOMSTICKS BOOK 2) by SL Calder

Hi, I’m Shirley Chambers—perfection-obsessed housekeeper and mostly un-wicked witch in my hometown of Hex Harbor, Texas. Got a gruesome grime predicament? My company Mops + Broomsticks will sweep in and save the day. There’s no home too filthy. Promise. I clean werewolves’ dens all the time, and if I can wrangle that fur-flying mess, I can sure as heck handle any dust and dirt you dish out. I even have a side-gig, alongside my ex, solving crime in my not-so-sleepy little lakeside town. After jilting me at the altar, he’s come begging for another chance, and I have to admit I’m tempted. The jury’s still out on whether or not I’ll take him back, but when the crankiest werewolf in Hex Harbor’s poisoned, I leap at the chance to be the undercover witch on the case, cleaning and snooping my way to solving the crime. And then the bullets start flying at the BBQ.    AmazonKU

RETURN TO GAROUREVE (THE SHIFTERS OF GAROUREVE BOOK 4) by Elle M Drew

A second chance is more than she could have ever dreamed of…A young witch and a young wolf shifter become friends. They grow older, and with time, their friendship blooms. And when the time comes, the truth reveals itself, that the bond between them is deeper than anything they could have ever imagined. One spell and nearly two decades later…He’s big and he’s strong and he actually really loves flowers and he was a bit of a goofy looking kid, but he grew up good. And she’s a born witch and she inks tattoos and she’s edgy and sassy and okay she’s not really good at the whole growing herbs for potions thing, but…It’s a good thing they’re soulmates, right? Except… they haven’t seen each other in 15 years. And she can no longer control her magic.     AmazonKU

HEART2HEART: A CHARITY ANTHOLOGY VOL 6 by Various

VS Note: No idea if any of these stories contain Fantasy/PNR elements but I thought the concept was intriguing and you know I love to support anthologies.

Once upon a time, a bunch of authors wondered… what would happen if Heart2Heart, the dating app responsible for pairing up the quirkiest, most perfect couples, brought people together by asking the questions they never knew they needed answered? From learning each other’s secret zombie survival skills, to disputing the greatest starship captain ever, to confessing their feelings about Cornish pasties, the characters in these fourteen brand new stories inspired by reader suggestions will learn that no matter how random the question… love is always the answer. And, as always, all proceeds from this anthology will benefit LGBTQ+ charities to ensure that love in all its incarnations will be celebrated and protected every day of the year!      Amazon

DARK GAMBIT RELIANCE (CHILDREN OF THE GODS BOOK 67) by I T Lucas

Marcel takes a big risk by telling Sofia his greatest sin. Can he trust her to keep it a secret? Or maybe it’s time to confess his crime and submit to whatever punishment Edna deems appropriate?
Three miserable centuries of living with guilt and remorse are long enough. Once the dust settles on the Kra-ell crisis, he will gather the courage to put himself at the court’s mercy.      AmazonKU

MAGNOLIAS AND MURDER (WITCHES OF KEYHOLE LAKE MYSTERIES BOOK 16) by Tegan Maher

Don’t let the fluffy gray hair and flowery hats fool ya – little old ladies are evil! Things are clickin’ right along for Noelle and Hunter. They’re through a flurry of weddings, tourist season is over, and it’s finally time to settle in and enjoy the cooler weather of fall. They should have known no quiet moment goes uninterrupted, though!  While decorating for the annual Halloween festival, a close friend is found standing over the body of a member of the high-hatted Magnolia Club smack in the middle of the corn maze, murder weapon in hand. With the ladies of Keyhole Lake’s high society out for blood, Noelle and Hunter have to find the real murderer before the old hens flock together to send an innocent woman to jail.   AmazonKU

HER KNIGHT IN SHINING STONE (GARGOYLE SHIFTERS OF NEW YORK BOOK 1) by Amelia Shaw and Tamsin Baker

As a Gargoyle shifter of New York City, Roman and his four brothers sit on top of the city library all day in their stone form, watching and waiting. On sun down they come alive and that is when Roman feels the tug towards his Beloved—the woman who he will be united to. Christiana is a waitress in a dead end life. One night a man with silver eyes and the most incredible aura, walks into her restaurant and changes her life. She is thrown into a world with paranormal creatures she doesn’t understand, and a bond that is impossible to break. When the rogues come to destroy Roman and his brothers while defenseless and sleeping, will Christiana reach inside herself to protect the man she’s come to love?     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

BEAUTY AND THE GARGOYLE (GARGOYLE SHIFTERS OF NEW YORK BOOK 2) by Amelia Shaw and Tamsin Baker

During the last attack on him and his brothers, Rafael Mansovich was turned into a monster. His face and upper body are badly scarred, and the PTSD of the attack has left him trembling at the idea of being frozen in his Gargoyle form every day. But he has no choice because as soon as the sun rises in the morning, he is transformed into a real, stone beast. Isabella is the head librarian at the New York City Library, and she loves her quiet life away from the corporate rat race. But when she meets a spectacular man with silver eyes and an attraction she can’t fight, she’s thrown into a world where winged creatures are being hunted, and shifters are a very real thing. Can Isabella’s love reach Rafael, or will her heartbroken beast not care if his attackers find him once more?     Amazon       Apple Books     Kobo

CROWN OF THE WITCH (DAUGHTERS OF THE WARLOCK BOOK 7) by Maggie Shaw and Amelia Shaw

Her hair matches her temper; And her magic matches her spirit. Courtney was poisoned over a year ago, which was the catalyst to Bella bringing her into the Magical Realm. They saved her life, but her health has never been the same. Everyone, including her father, the most powerful warlock in all the realms, is at a loss of how to help her. The cure comes from an unusual angle, and from a man filled with incredible guilt. Will Courtney be able to forgive the people responsible for hurting her for so long? Or will her need for vengeance undo everything she’s built?

Amazon      Apple Books     Kobo

WOLF OF THORNS (SHUFTER REJECTED SERIES BOOK FOUR) by Amelia Shaw

Talia and Galen continue to fight the demons and fall in love.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

THREE KINGS by Freydis Moon

Ethan Shaw—lighthouse keeper and local witch—lives a charmed life in his chilly, coastal hometown. Blessed with a flourishing garden and a stable livelihood, Ethan can’t complain. But when his husband, Captain Peter Vásquez, brings home a wounded seal after an impromptu storm, Ethan is faced with a curious situation: caring for a lost selkie named Nico Locke. As Ethan struggles with the possibility of being infertile, insecurities surrounding his marriage, and a newly formed magical bond with a hostile, handsome selkie, his comfortable life begins to fracture. But could breakage lead to something better? With autumn at their heels and winter on the horizon, Ethan, Peter, and Nico test the boundaries of a new relationship, shared intimacy, and the chance at a future together.    Amazon     Kobo

HOUSE OF YESTERDAY by Deeba Zargarpur

Struggling to deal with the pain of her parents’ impending divorce, fifteen-year-old Sara is facing a world of unknowns and uncertainties. Unfortunately, the one person she could always lean on when things got hard, her beloved Bibi Jan, has become a mere echo of the grandmother she once was. And so Sara retreats into the family business, hoping a summer working on her mom’s latest home renovation project will provide a distraction from her fracturing world. But the house holds more than plaster and stone. It holds secrets that have her clinging desperately to the memories of her old life. Secrets that only her Bibi Jan could have untangled. Secrets Sara is powerless to ignore as the dark truths of her family’s history rise in ghostly apparitions — and with it, the realization that as much as she wants to hold onto her old life, nothing will ever be the same.

Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

THICK OMEGA: OMEWGA PLACEMENT AGENCY BOOK TWO by Hope Mae

Mac – Mac looks nothing like other omegas. He is big, thick, and not delicate. Mac hates it because he doesn’t fit in anywhere. Worse of all, other omegas hate him. They bully him and want nothing to do with him. Not that Mac wants anything to do with them. Mac wants only two things – a job and to spend his heat with an alpha – just once. The latter is a sore spot; no matter how hard he tries he can never be what an alpha wants. After an embarrassing night with a beta, his brother promises to find him an alpha to share his heats. Mac agrees thinking his brother wouldn’t succeed, but he does. And the alpha he finds is none other than Deltta Kohle – the former Alpha King of the damn planet. His brother keeps this tidbit of information to himself until it’s too late – the alpha is already in heat.
Mac has no choice but to meet him, even though he knows he might not like him. On meeting him, Mac is not sure he can go through with it. But Deltta says something he never thought he’d hear an alpha say …(more blurb on ebook seller’s page…)      AmazonKU

PACK OF BETRAYAL (CELESTIAL ARTIFACTS BOOK TWO) by Amara Mae

Attacked during a mission for her increasingly secretive alpha, Grace finds herself separated from her shifter pack and in the company of dubious strangers. Now, she must sort friend from foe, try not to get eaten by a lunatic dragon, and figure out how much of her upbringing was a lie. And then there’s the minor matter of a mystery with world-ending potential to consider…Driven to end his curse and hunt down his mother’s killer, Arioch must form an alliance with a defective shifter he’s still not sure he shouldn’t kill. Grace is a thorn in his scaled hide, a thief unworthy of his trust, and the one person who can help him find answers. With everyone he cares about destined to betray him, can he keep his distance from the woman whose scent calms his beast? Setting forth on another hazardous journey, Arioch must rely on the direction of a questionable mentor, his staff of magical creatures, a traitorous gargoyle lieutenant, and the irresistible little wolf who could bring it all crashing down. Even the colossal strength of a dragon has limits.      Amazon KU

CHRONICLES OF RAE (KERRIGAN MEMOIRS BOOK 6) by W J May

Even the wildest blaze, begins with the tiniest of sparks…When a reckless manifesto split the supernatural community in half, Rae Kerrigan and her friends thought things couldn’t get any worse. But as it turned out, the trouble was only getting started, because all those renegade agents were about to come back. Caught in the heart of the chaos, Rae tries to hold things together and keep the future of magic from tearing apart at the seams. But there’s nothing worse than a friend turned enemy, and Cliff Barnes has more than a few tricks up his sleeve. Time is running out, as the date of a critical vote approaches. The gang tries desperately to mend fences, but there are darker undercurrents at play. Will it ever be possible to fit the two halves back together? How can a secret as big as magic, ever truly be contained? Can the friends unite the supernatural world once again, or will they be forced to learn a terrible lesson? Not all sins can be forgiven.    Amazon     Kobo

LOVE AT FROST BITE: DAVY  (MATED TO HIS REINDEER) by Jena Wade

Omega reindeer shifter Davy Frost is all for peace between the two reindeer herds that live in Shiverfall and Winterpoint. The feud has gone on too long, it’s silly. Of course he wants a truce—Davy just wishes he wasn’t the one picked for the arranged mating designed to make that happen. Alpha reindeer shifter Lachlan Blizzard wants peace and quiet. He is beginning his teaching career and has a gig as a hockey coach that he has dreamed about his whole life. There’s no reason to settle down with a mate. His herd disagrees and selects him for the arranged mating and now he has no choice but to give up all he’s worked for to mate a stranger. Davy and Lachlan agree to go along with the mating for the sake of their groups, in a year or so, when the feud is forgotten they can go their separate ways. It all sounds great until that pesky little thing called love shows up and throws all their plans out into the snow.      AmazonKU

LOVE AT FROST BITE: DONNY (MATED TO HIS REINDEER) by Aria Grace

Some gifts don’t come in a neat little package with a bow on top. Donny was raised to help others. As an alpha reindeer and the top woodsmith in the village, he grew up always building for others and making sure they had what they needed. And he loved that. But as he’s gotten older, he’s realized that if he truly wants to be happy, he may have to put himself first once in a while. Chad loves Christmas time. The lights, the songs, the cookies–it’s everything that brings him joy in life. Which leaves him without much joy the rest of the year. As a single omega who isn’t getting any younger, he’s coming closer to accepting the fact that he’ll always be alone. And those few months of happiness are all he has to hold on to. But when a tragic accident takes Chad’s sister and leaves her baby in the custody of his birth father, Donny, everything changes for the two men. They are forced to take care of this baby but it’s not a burden for either of them. Despite being conflicted about their reasons, they quickly fall into a happily ever after that neither one of them saw coming.   AmazonKU

A HAIRY SITUATION (NIGHTWOOD CLAN BOOK 2) by Harper Dakota

Tess was born a witch into a large family of witches. As the youngest of eight, she often felt disconnected from her siblings with the large age gap between them. During a visit to out-of-town family, she met the person who would become her ride-or-die best friend. Shaye was a human with no knowledge of the paranormal world, forcing Tess to keep her heritage a secret. Her magic has always helped guide her with nudges and the occasional premonition. When she discovers her friend has moved in with a vampire and that danger is approaching, Tess packs up and goes to Tennessee to check in. After years of having to keep her witchy secret, she is finally able to tell her friend everything about her life. She can only hope that Shaye will forgive her for not telling her sooner.
In Rockfort, she discovers a place that feels like home. As she tries to find her place in town, she meets her own mate, Sam. Their courtship is fast, as is often the case with fated mates. Sam and Tess begin planning what their future may hold, but when Sam is attacked, it will take the whole family to try to save him.      AmazonKU

THE ALPHA’S AUTUMN BABY MAMA (TRIPLE L RANCH SHIFTERS BOOK 4) by Kate Richards

Nova – Our pack is no longer viable. Too many left for other places, for the cities and towns and the modern entertainments and comforts they offered. Not every pack lived as we did, in the old ways, without electricity or running water beyond what the stream brought through camp, and our old alpha was stubborn and refused to allow any changes. I’ve heard of a pack that straddles the line between modern and traditional. The Triple L. Ranch has modern amenities as well as growing and gathering their food. They hunt and also raise livestock amid the beautiful mountain range. Maybe if we had such lands, we could have done better, but Death Valley is not a kind place. And our leaders were as hard as the desert itself. I’ve set off to find this pack, this Triple L. Ranch in hopes that it will be the home I’ve sought. I will approach their alphas and beg them…(more blurb on ebook seller’s page…)      AmazonKU

A HOLIDAY TO SUSTAIN US (THE MAGI ACCOUNTS COMPANION STORIES) by Michele Notaro

Convincing my pride to have a holiday celebration was supposed to be a fun way to bring everyone together. But my plan went awry when my younger pride mate convinced everyone I needed a kiss. I hadn’t expected Ash to volunteer. And I certainly hadn’t expected him to kiss me on the lips and… linger. Now, all I can think about is feeling his lips on mine again. Instead of planning gift giving and parties, I’m planning how to win Ash over. And what better way to convince him to spend time with me than to have him help me with my holiday plans? The holidays are coming to the Ono-Nai house, and I only have one thing I’m wishing for this year—AshA Holiday To Sustain Us is a fun 70K word MM urban fantasy companion story meant to be read AFTER A Purpose That Restores Us (The Magi Accounts 3). It’s from Charlie’s perspective and takes place between books 3 and 4 of the main series. This is a companion novel, NOT a standalone.      AmazonKU

THE ORC WARRIOR’S SECRET BABY (ORC WARRIORS OF PROTHEKA BOOK 2) by Celeste King

I was lucky to find my soulmate. And cursed to have lost him so soon after…I thought Tarfu was my happy ending. Until he went missing in battle. At first I waited patiently. Then anxiously. Then finally, hopelessly. Three years have passed. Orc males in his clan begin to circle me. Looking to claim me. But if I know my mate, Tarfu will never stop till he comes back to me. He will always be searching for me. Always loving me. And when he comes through my door again, my face will break out in joy. And I’ll present him a gift for finally making it back to us. Our son.      AmazonKU

SHIFTER CHRISTMAS HOWLIDAYS (SHIFTERS UNLEASHED) by Various

‘Tis the season to get furry! Join USA Today Bestselling & Award winning authors as we come together to celebrate the Howlidays with steamy Shifter Christmas stories just for you. Lions, Tigers, Dragons, Bears, Wolves, and more await you in this collection of holiday paranormal romance and urban fantasy tales. Naughty or nice, escape between the pages and get swept away with the new book boyfriends waiting under the tree. Stories guaranteed to jingle your bells. But you have to hurry, this anthology won’t last forever.     Amazon KU ??????

SHIELD MAIDEN: GAMBIT OF SHADOWS (THE SHADOWS OF VALHALLA BOOK 2) by Melanie Karsak

ust when Ervie was beginning to break free of the shadows that plagued her, the Gauls set her world on fire. With King Harald murdered, the warhorn calls for revenge. From Skagen to Grund, the Vikings will rally to avenge the heinous attack. Ervie will soon find herself in the middle of it all—even if her heart is still in the Myrkviðr. As war with the Gauls flashes to an inferno, the embers of a more serious problem smolder to life. Prince Hlod of the Huns is making plans of his own. Ervie and Loptr will soon find themselves on a collision course with destiny as they race to save the ones they love.   AmazonKU

AN ANGELIC DILEMMA (A LOVING NIP BOOK 30) by Charlie Richards

Just a little Love Bite: An angel runs into a dilemma when the man he’s supposed to be helping is associated with his stella guida. As an angel, Mordecai has the ability to read the thoughts of others. Sitting in a coffee shop, eyeing the human he’s there to help—Charles—Mordecai listens to the man’s internal troubles so he can discern the best way to assist him. Mordecai hears Charles wondering why he’s agreed to meet his workout buddy, Jeffrey, for coffee… knowing Jeffrey intends it as a date. According to Charles’s thoughts, the human has never bothered acting on his occasional flash of appreciation for the opposite sex, and he doesn’t see the point in doing so now. Mordecai assumes that his task is to help Charles come to grips with his desire for the occasional male. In the past, he’s spent time talking with his assigned human, walking them through a bit of soul-searching. Mordecai doesn’t think anything is special about the assignment. He’s done it plenty of times before. Everything changes when Mordecai gets his first look at Jeffrey and meets the man’s gaze. The human, Jeffrey—Charles’s date—is his stella guida, his guiding star—the one human he can share a soul with. How can Mordecai help Charles come to grips with dating Jeffrey, when every instinct screams at him to take him for his own?       Amazon     Kobo

ICE LORD’S BRIDE (BRIDE OF THE FAE BOOK ONE) by Ava Ross

I must marry one of the fae, but the forbidden ice lord wants me. To secure a human-fae truce, I’m one of five women traveling to their magical kingdom, where we’ll be courted by fae aristocracy. We have one month to choose a husband from among them. Only Elion, the arrogant, beastly ice lord is forbidden. His torturous scars make the other women gasp. His icy words rip them to shreds. His touch is colder than frost. He lurks in the shadows, never coming out into the light. One stolen moment with Elion, and I’m intrigued. A kiss, and I’ll do anything to call this brutishly handsome lord mine. Then one of the women is found dead. When you’re next appears on my bedroom wall, written in blood, it’s clear there’s more going on here than solidifying the human-fae truce. If I’m not careful, I won’t become a bride of the fae. I’ll wind up dead.      Amazon KU

HERETIC’S PENANCE (THE IMMANENCE SERIES BOOK 2) by Linda Robertson Reinhardt

Jovienne and Andrei face a new battle —each other. Andrei has embraced an ultra-religious mindset and sees her magical power heresy. Jovienne feels so persecuted at home she leaves. She wants to build a new life, yet the Call continues. Whenever a demon arrives, she must slay it. Not all of the demons seem evil, though, and she struggles with the work. Worse, Lucifer still wants her for her strange abilities. She turns to a local occult shop for help understanding her power. Too late, she learns she’s put them in serious danger.     Amazon     Kobo

MARTYR (THE IMMANENCE SERIES BOOK THREE) by Linda Robertson Reinhardt

As demons infiltrate her zone and plot to harm those closest to her in order to force her into Lucifer’s service, Jovienne’s quest to understand her power leads her to a shocking discovery–one that will shake the foundations of modern society. This news makes her fight for freedom seem possible, but only if she’s willing to go to Hell to fight for it. Trouble is, the rift between her and Andrei has grown, and the plan cannot work without his help. Trusting him is as great a risk as facing Lucifer.      Amazon     Kobo

A BRIDGE TO A TROLL’S HEART by Lee Colgin

VS Note: One clicked, sounded sweet.

Everyone knows a proper troll must never leave his post. Arlo is thrilled to have his own bridge to guard, though it’s a lonely job. A troll should enjoy being alone, but Arlo has never been very good at being a troll. He longs for companionship, and guards his secret as closely as he guards his bridge. Toby, a cheerful wolf shifter, serves as a messenger between villages. When his route is suddenly blocked by a fearsome troll, he must charm his way across the bridge. Little does he know, he’s charming his way into Arlo’s heart as well. But Toby has his own secrets he dare not reveal. As the seasons fly by and the holidays approach, their friendship flourishes into something more. But can Toby risk his heart for a troll bound so tight to duty? Will Arlo leave his bridge for love?   AmazonKU

PARAMOUR (TRIALS OF BLOOD BOOK TWO) by Rebecca Royce

I hate vampires….every single one of them. Life has become like hell for me. Every day is a struggle to survive and I know just who to blame for this mess, the vampires. Those blood sucking creatures who made me addicted to their venom and then left me to rot. So when one of them pushes back into my life and nearly destroys it, once again, I should be doing everything possible to kill him. I know that’s what I should do. So what does it mean that I am so drawn to those that I hate? What does it mean that I can’t stay away? *The reader should note this is book 2 of 3. The happy ending comes with book 3. You have been warned.*      AmazonKU

CAST IN ETERNITY by Michelle Sagara

When Corporal Kaylin Neya is assigned front desk duty—a task hated by every Hawk—the only thing she can look forward to besides an endless stream of complaints is visits from a dotty old woman. She always brings baked goods along with information passed on by her friends…who happen to be ghosts no one else can see. But then the old woman’s invisible friends have news about Severn Handred: his unusual weapon has caught their attention. Concerned, Kaylin accompanies the woman home because she has a few questions to ask these so-called ghosts. Sadly, Kaylin can also see them. And she can see other spirits in the woman’s house as well—four children who’ve been trapped there for decades. When Kaylin looks into the deaths in the records at the Halls of Law, something doesn’t add up. Factor in a building that isn’t supposed to exist, and nothing makes sense. But Kaylin is a Hawk, and she’s determined to free the trapped ghosts of the children, even if she’s suddenly landed in the middle of the bad kind of Barrani history. Someone doesn’t want the past to be uncovered, and they’re perfectly willing to destroy Kaylin if it preserves the secrets of the dead.     Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

BREAK THE SPELL (MAGES AND MATES BOOK ONE) by Andy Gallo

Bartholomew Hollen, professor of defensive magic at Utrecht University, just wanted a no strings, no feelings, no attachment hook up. Nothing messy like when his ex-boyfriend tried to feed him to a demon. Bart’s heart, however, has other ideas. But when he has a vision of the future and sees his hookup dying at his feet from yet another demon, Bart does the only sensible thing – he sneaks out like a thief in the night. Not like he’ll see the guy again. Caelinus Reinhold has done something no elf has done before – become the professor of creative magic at Utrecht University. His first day should be magical, except Cael can’t stop thinking about the hot mage he hooked up with the night before who then snuck out while he slept. Whatever. His loss. He’ll never see the jerk again, anyway. Things get awkward fast when the department assigns Bart to be Cael’s mentor. Despite their rocky start, neither can deny that Fate wants them together. But Bart’s premonitions all end in tragedy for the pair. No matter how he tries to change the future, Cael is always a casualty. How can Bart follow his heart when Cael’s death is sure to break it?      AmazonKU

A THOUSAND HEARTBEATS by Kiera Cass

“Love has a sound. It sounds like a thousand heartbeats happening at the same time.” Princess Annika has lived a life of comfort—but no amount of luxuries can change the fact that her life isn’t her own to control. The king, once her loving father, has gone cold, and Annika will soon be forced into a loveless marriage for political gain. Miles away, small comforts are few and far between for Lennox. He has devoted his life to the Dahrainian army, hoping to one day help them reclaim the throne that was stolen from them. For Lennox, the idea of love is merely a distraction—nothing will stand in the way of fighting for his people. But when love, against all odds, finds them both, they are bound by its call. They can’t possibly be together—but the irresistible thrum of a thousand heartbeats won’t let them stay apart.

Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

A WILDERNESS OF STARS by Shea Earnshaw

VS Note: Put it on my TBR, sounded intriguing.

When all is lost, look to the stars. Vega has lived in the valley her whole life—forbidden by her mother to leave the safety of its borders because of the unknown threats waiting for her in the wilds beyond. But when Vega sees an omen in the sky—one she cannot ignore—she is forced to leave the protective boundaries of the valley. Yet the outside world is much more terrifying than Vega could have ever imagined. People are gravely sick—they lose their eyesight and their hearing, just before they lose their lives. But Vega has a secret: she is the Last Astronomer—a title carried from generation to generation—and she is the only one who understands the knowledge of the stars. Knowledge that could hold the key to a cure. So when locals spot the tattoo on Vega’s neck in the shape of a constellation—the mark of an astronomer—chaos erupts. Fearing for her life, Vega is rescued by a girl named Cricket who leads her to Noah, a boy marked by his own mysterious tattoos. On the run from the men hunting her, Vega sets out across the plains with Cricket and Noah, in search of a fabled cure kept secret by the astronomers. But as the line between friends and protectors begins to blur, Vega must decide whether to safeguard the sacred knowledge of the astronomers…or if she will risk everything to try to save them all.

Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

THE FIRST AND THE LAST by Jesse H Reign

“Why would I choose, when anyone can see the two of you come as part of a package?” That’s what she said. Those were the words that changed my life. Until then Jules and I were friends. Best friends only. Best friends since before we could remember. We had to be. We were the last two wolves born into an aging pack. Our pack was secretive and a little backward, but we had a great life. Sure, our alpha was a bit of a douche, but all alphas are douches. Everyone knows that. Thank God, Jules and I were both going to be betas. The night new-girl Storm refused to choose between Jules and I, changed everything. The way I looked at him changed forever. He went from my goofball best friend, to being the hottest creature I’d ever seen. At the time I thought it was the end of the world. It wasn’t the end of the world…It was just the beginning. Then our first shift happened, and confusion hit harder. Why was one of us acting distinctly douche-y? And why was the other running a fever and pleading for things only an omega would want? The First and The Last is a paranormal omegaverse MM romance. It features a bi-awakening that happens during a shared experience with a woman. It contains a dash of knotting, a pinch of gratuitous violence, and a heat that’s hot enough to put your eReader at risk of melting. This story does not contain MPREG.     AmazonKU

KINGDOM OF CHAINS by Tanya Bird

She was trained to please. He was trained to kill. Isabel Maddock is living a lie. She is betrothed to a man she loathes, living in a place she does not belong. But the home she craves no longer exists, and the people from her youth are gone. Or are they? The wastelands are calling, but they are not for the faint of heart. Luckily a certain defender is close by to keep her safe. Very close. Too close. Into the wastelands they go, equally unprepared for what they will discover…Ryder Blackmane is a defender for life. His comrades are his family, and keeping them safe is all he has to offer the world. So when they are sent over the wall to investigate happenings in the east, he goes willingly, immune to everything outside of his orders. That is until he meets Lady Isabel. She is a caged bird whose scars call to his. Best to ignore the calls and follow orders. Follow orders. Follow orders. Loyalty is everything, but the lines are blurring.      Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

THE GIFT: SUPERNATURAL SECRETS BOOJK ONE by Annalise Clark

August has a gift. At least, that’s what her grandmother called it, but when ghosts start following her around all the time, it can begin to feel more like a curse. She can’t tell her boyfriend, who is growing increasingly annoyed that she’s distracted. She grows closer to her best friend, a guy she met in the graveyard who died in the 80s. As their friendship grows into something more, she finds herself wondering, can you fall in love with a ghost?     AmazonKU

ENCHANTED BEASTS by Annalise Clark

Each year on Halloween night, when everyone in town was dressed in their favorite costumes, two beasts ran free. Without the worry of being caught, they could let loose and run, howl at the moon, and stretch their legs like never before. When the sun had fully set and the Hunter’s Moon rises full in the sky, they would shift from man to beast, from human to animal. It was an agonizing process of contorted flesh and cracking bones that would make a weaker person puke or faint. Coraline had one job: Keep the beasts safe when they turned and keep the humans safe from the beasts. This year would be different, however. Enchanted beasts from all over the globe begin showing up on their doorstep in search of Coraline and her help. Their Keepers have been killed and if they turn without a Keeper, it could mean death for them all. It will test her abilities as a Keeper and her bonds with her men as they all work together to save the beasts and fight the evil who wants to control them for himself. One by one, she works to save an endangered species and to repay her, they devote themselves to her fully – mind, body, and soul. To save them, Coraline might have to make the greatest sacrifice a Keeper can ever make.   AmazonKU

WILDLANDS YULETIDE (LOVE BY GLITTER BOMB BOOK 24) by Maggie Hemlock

Slyvin’s never been much of a holiday sort of tiger. He’s usually too busy running around to ensure everyone enjoys their holiday. Well, that was the case before the War of the Wildlands. Now, his past few Yuletides have all been spent keeping folks safe. Still, it’s enough for him. It’s supposed to be the season of giving, after all, right? Haunted by a battle, he refuses to talk about Slyvin plans to charge headfirst into the holiday season this year and ensure each and every kid, adult, and visitor to his newly founded village enjoys this holiday season more than any previous one. Only he wasn’t counting on Ryder coming into his life and decking the halls of his heart. Omega lion, Ryder, feels as if he’s spent all his life running from danger. Growing up in the Wildlands, disaster really did lurk around every corner. Things only grew more dangerous after his parents passed, and he became the sole guardian of his younger brother, Bennie. Ryder dreams of living in the big city and putting his paws up to rest for a while. His first stop is a new village on the way to the Guardians of Glitter Bomb Territory. When his true-mate emerges from the woods, everything changes -inside and outside of him. He’s finally no longer alone in the world, even if he hasn’t made it to the big city yet. He’s finally home for the holidays in Slyvin’s arms. Only a dark secret looms above Slyvin’s head, and Ryder isn’t sure if it’ll swallow them all up before they ever have a chance for their own merry little Yuletide. Will love be enough to light up the Yuletide tree and their future together?     AmazonKU

GOBLIN CANDY: A MONSTERLY YOURS ROMANCE by S J Sanders

Grimsal has always enjoyed life and the numerous pleasures it brings—perhaps more so than most. But when his hunger brings him back to the human world with a particular sweet tooth to satisfy, he discovers that coming into her fertile, sexual prime has brought new appetites to assuage. He craves something delectably sweet that can only be found with the right mate. Candy is all that, and with her love of horror, her fascination with the chase, fear and desire is his perfect match in every way. With Halloween in the air, he will use all the tricks in his bag to win his mate to keep! Candy is a woman with a passion for life, sweet indulgences, horror, and most especially when they come all packaged together in the fun of Halloween. Not to mention all dark decadence that the world has to offer. When her boyfriend dumps her right before her favorite holiday because he can’t appreciate her fascination with the spooktacular, Candy knows that this is her opportunity to really enjoy the festivities the way she wants to. She never expects to meet her perfect match in a mischievous goblin who takes it all to the next level and adores all that she brings. What can a girl do but fall in love?
Goblin Candy is a 46k Halloween novella set in the Monsterly Yours universe that is full of small spooks, graphic sex, and seasonal fun.      AmazonKU

OF SHADOW AND MOONLIGHT BOOK ONE by Luna Laurier

A woman fated to die young, a man cursed to live forever, and a darkness that threatens to destroy everything they love. Cassie was never able to experience the life that many take for granted, the freedom to dictate her own journey. No, her life had been spent sheltered, protected from an inevitable fate that would come for her regardless of what anyone could do. After her medical condition goes downhill, she is left with a few years of breath in her lungs and a choice: die alone, without ever experiencing what it truly means to feel alive and free; or to find that light, that missing puzzle piece, that feeling of not feeling so alone in her final days. When Damien appears in her life, her world turns upside down when he shows her the hidden magic that lies in the shadows of her world and within herself. Suddenly plunged into a hidden war that has raged for countless centuries between gods and monsters, Cassie begins to feel the weight of her secret, which she has kept hidden all her life. Cassie must embrace the tragic, dark history that runs through the blood in her veins or risk her world falling into darkness.      AmazonKU

LONE WOLF OF PISTON (WOLVES OF PISTON BOOK THREE) by T S Joyce

Flex has a hundred reasons not to get close to anyone, his Pack included. The Wolves of Piston barely know him, and that’s how he prefers to live his life. Secrecy is what keeps his inner wolf functioning. But when an old friend appears, dragging the ghosts from his past with her, she starts breaking down the carefully constructed walls he’s built over the years. His Pack is looking at him differently now, and this is exactly what he didn’t want. Kelli is vivacious and caring, forgiving and fun, but she also feels dangerous. She’s awakening a part of him he’s tried to keep tame for all these years. He’s not meant to open up, because then people around him will find out what really built him. Kelli Kash knew it. She knew …(more blurb on ebook seller’s page…)     AmazonKU

THORNS OF BLOOD: A FAIRY TALE REIMAGINED by Sandra R Neeley

~This story is a novella. It consists of 37,707 words.~ Thorns of Blood is a reimagining of the classic childhood fairy tale of a beautiful sleeping princess and the handsome prince who awakens her. In it, you’ll see that not all beauty is good. Not all darkness is evil. And unfortunately, beauty can often hide evil. Morrigan is the beautiful Princess, cursed to sleep forever. Fairuza is the Faerie Queen, who has cursed not only Morrigan, but most everything surrounding Morrigan’s castle. Yet all is not as it seems, as Prince Alexi, pure of heart, soon finds out.     AmazonKU

WIELDER: SOLDIERS AND SWORDS BOOK 1 by Margaret Couplet

Hundreds of years after a race of magical beings called dindeary have taken over most of the world Corporal Clark Jameson is graduating from the Human Empire’s military academy after four years of grueling work. As a common born orphan from a small town too close to the border for anyone’s comfort Clark knows that he doesn’t have many prospects until, on the night before his future unit is to be decided he meets a strange pair of men who belong to the infamous Squad 42: Adam Milson, a sexy blonde that makes Clark’s blood run hot, and Harry Browning, the mysterious swordsman carrying one of the 13 magical swords which the dindeary will do anything to reclaim. He never expected to see them again, especially considering Adam Milson was the heir to one of the most wealthy provinces but the next day he is called before all three of the members of Squad 42 and is offered the opportunity to try and wield Harry’s sword, Linsgarum. But Clark was a commoner, he couldn’t wield a sentient blade that burned any who were deemed unworthy, could he?

Amazon

THE BORDERLANDS PRINCESS: BOOK ONE OF THE STONE CIRCLE SERIES by Ophelia Wells Langley

What her people need, or what her heart wants? Destined to unite the war-torn kingdoms of humans and Fae, Princess Sorcha must do her duty. But her heart has other ideas. The road to Fae-lands is long, and her Fae escort, Lord Conall, is handsome, dashing, and brave-all things a loyal knight should be. Yet no fae wants a human queen, and more war is on the horizon. Her betrothed, High King of the Fae, has secrets of his own, and she’s not sure that he’s her destiny. But her handsome knight and her heart will have to stand aside, for the princess has a duty-her people need this alliance. Until terrible secrets are exposed and the princess must choose between upholding her duty or following her dreams. One mistake, one wrong choice and it’s not just her heart that will suffer, it’s her entire kingdom.      Amazon KU

PARIS TIME (LOST IN TIME BOOK TWO) by Belle Ami

Jenee Lazaar, a successful dermatologist on a “girls’ weekend” in Manhattan with her two best friends, is snatched from the Metropolitan Museum of Art through a portal in a famous painting and finds herself in Paris, the City of Love. Jenee is shocked to discover that this Paris is nothing like the Paris where she was born and raised: the Eiffel Tower is painted yellow, there are horse-drawn carriages instead of sleek Mercedes, and the year is 1900! How will she ever find a way back to her life in the present? When Jenee meets the handsome police detective, Inspector Xavier Doumaz, a passionate attraction develops between them. But Xavier, investigating a terrorist cell, suspects the mysterious beauty might be a dangerous conspirator. Battling his own inner demons, Xavier is determined to find out the truth, no matter the cost. But Xavier’s investigation might be the least of Jenee’s worries as the famous Renaissance painter, Marco Allegretto, and his time-traveling muse, Iris Bellerose, enlist her help to recover Allegretto’s stolen painting and destroy a time-traveling serial killer before he destroys them. Can Jenee trust Xavier with the truth of who she truly is? More importantly, is Xavier, a man born more than a century before her, her true soulmate and destiny? If so, what price will she pay for loving him?      AmazonKU

VAMPIRE’S HEART (PITTSBURG VAMPIRES BOOK 20) by B A Stretke

Peter Zyra feels out of place in Pittsburgh. He followed his best friend, dragon shifter Dion and his new mate Ronin here to find The Dragon Circle and Dion’s heritage. He’s happy for his friend but feels like a fish out of water. An elf alone in the glossy glass tower surrounded by Hadden Vampires. He can feel their suspicion of his race and his magic. That is reinforced when several guards in the courtyard accost him for acting suspiciously. This brings him face to face with the beautiful, gorgeous, and terrible asshole Ivan Smith. One of Master Hadden’s elite guards, he can’t seem to stand Pete’s presence. If only everything else about him wasn’t calling Pete closer. He needs to get out. He needs to find his own people. Doing so will put him in the gravest of danger. Can Pete win the Vampire’s Heart and let Fate in? Ivan Smith has some regrets. He acted harshly, and now he’s paying for it. He wasn’t prepared for an Elven mate, especially one with magic. After everything the coven has had to deal with, magic is instantly suspect. But he should have acted better; he should have trusted fate and his vampire. Now he has to embark on a race against time to keep his beloved safe from a human and paranormal world where Elves are in constant danger and their lives threatened. Can he win his beloved’s trust before it’s too late? Ivan is offering his heart; will Pete offer his trust?   Amazon

THE BROKEN ELF KING (KINGS OF AVALIER BOOK 2) by Leia Stone 

I never should have taken that loan but my aunt needed the meds and they were too expensive for me to afford by myself. Now I’ve been sold to slavery and the Nightfall Queen’s guards have found out I’m not entirely human. I guess I’m lucky they didn’t kill me. The next thing I know I’m transferred to the Elf King’s castle to find out that he has bought me. It will take me five years to pay off the debt but I get to be his personal assistant. Personal assistant to the king. That can’t be so bad, right? Wrong. Oh how wrong I was. His council has tasked me with finding him a wife before they will fund his war against the Nightfall Queen. That part should be easy, he’s rich, disgustingly handsome, and smart to boot. The problem? He’s rejecting every high born female I send his way. The more time we spend together, the more we realize I’m not just some half elf. There is a deep power that runs through my veins, one that makes me a target. His solution? Enter into a fake marriage with him so that he can get the council off his back and I can get some protection. That’s a great idea, so long as I don’t fall in love with him. Should be simple enough.      AmazonKU

BEAR’S MIDLIFE CHRISTMAS (SHIFTER NATION: FATED OVER FORTY) by Meg Ripley

I’ve spent my life trying to create the perfect family. Now look at me, divorced at 44 with an empty nest, Spending my first Christmas alone. I just inherited my aunt’s winery up in Carlton, So at least I’ll have that to keep me busy. But when my high school first love shows up, Nothing can distract me from the feelings rushing back– Until reality smacks me in the face. Corey took off 26 years ago and broke my heart, Leaving me no choice but to move on. But now here he is with his same boyish charm, Asking for a second chance. As we go on some festive dates together, I finally start to let my guard down with him– Until I find out he’s been hiding a dark secret. He’s not only capable of morphing into a bear, He was under a feral curse for all those years. And when a wolf from his past comes looking for revenge, So much for a holly, jolly Christmas– I’m now caught in the crossfire between two vicious beasts.      AmazonKU

HER ALPHA DRAGON PROTECTOR (SNOW HAVEN SHIFTERS BOOK 1) by Brittany White

I’ve been running my entire life, and I never found a place where I felt safe. Until I found Snow Haven. Shifters, witches, and others have been trying to kill me my entire life – but not for anything I’ve done. It’s because of who I am. I’m a very powerful witch. Some want to capture me because they want to use me and use my magic for their own benefit. Some want to kill me because they are afraid that I will get in the way of their evil magic. One wants me out of the way because he thinks I’m encroaching on his territory – the alpha of the dragon clan. Snow Haven was supposed to be my safe haven, a place to hide until I turned twenty-one when my magical powers would grow exponentially and I would be the most powerful witch to exist in more than a century. The hunters have found me even here and they threaten the lives of those I love most — including Luke. Luke, the alpha of his dragon clan, saved me while I was being attacked. Then, he demanded answers. When he learned of the danger I was in, he appointed himself my protector. The chemistry between us was instant. His touch, his kisses, and his love were overwhelming. He captured my heart and my soul. Even as the rogue shifters, evil witches, and one very jealous dragon shifter try to destroy me and those I love most, I can’t make myself leave.      AmazonKU

A TIME-TRAVEL CHRISTMAS by Karen McQuestion

VS Note: I one clicked.

Christmas Eve 2022 – After her boyfriend breaks up with her and her job is downsized, Elizabeth thinks life can’t get any worse. That is until she gets the news of her beloved grandmother’s unexpected death. Instead of spending the holidays together, Elizabeth will be planning a funeral. Heartbroken, she makes a wish on the brightest star in the night sky: I wish I could see Grandma one more time. Christmas Eve 1957 – Ten-year-old Dodie is home caring for her sick little sister while her mother retrieves her father from the airport. At first all is fine, but as Betsy’s fever spikes dangerously high, a terrible snowstorm knocks out the power and phone. With her parents long overdue and Betsy nonresponsive, Dodie begins to panic. In the midst of this crisis, a woman comes to the door saying she’s lost. She seems vaguely familiar, and Dodie needs the help, so despite everything she’s heard about strangers, she opens the door and lets her in.     AmazonKU

DRAGON OF PASSION (DRAGON TRIPLETS BOOK 3) by Minerva Howe

When dragon shifter Nikolas Petrov finally gives in and lets his family hire him a personal assistant, he has no intention of bringing in someone he might care about. He needs someone efficient, hard-working, and unobtrusive. Too bad what he gets is Daniel. Daniel can work his butt off, and he knows he’s just what grumpy alpha Nik needs. He organizes Nik within an inch of his life, and when Daniel needs help, Nik knows he can’t just leave Daniel in a bad situation. The two of them become closer and closer, but danger rears its head, threatening their whole family. Can they pull together to keep everyone safe? This is a non-mpreg dragon shifter romance with knotting.       AmazonKU

HIGH STAKES: A DARK MAFIA PARANORMAL  ROMANCE (SYNDICATE MASTERS: EASTERN SEABOARD) by Delta James

Killian O’ Neill controls the pulse of the vibrant horse racing world in the Finger Lakes region of New York. He also has ties to a powerful Syndicate in Ireland. Carlyn Murphy is the investigative reporter who took comfort in his arms for one night and then walked away. On the trail of a story that could rock the thoroughbred racing industry and has far larger complications, a lone shot rings out, changing everything. Instead of it hitting its intended target, Killian takes the bullet for Carlyn. Saving his mate brings chaos, sizzling heat, and enough chemistry to melt both your panties and your kindle. The Syndicate Masters were assigned as Guardians by the goddess over six centuries ago. Each generation brings new and different challenges. These ruthless and wild dons are the protectors, the Guardians of their territories. On the Eastern Seaboard the Masters control horse racing, casinos, and gambling among other things. Get ready for over-the-top, possessive mob bosses who will do what is needed to find and protect their fated mates.      AmazonKU

SPELL DON’T TELL (THE ACCIDENTAL MEDIUM BOOK THREE) by Amy Boyles

When Paige’s sister confesses to stealing money from the mob, Paige wants to return it quick as a wink! But when the handover goes south and the mobster winds up dead, everyone becomes a suspect. But that’s not the only problem at hand. Paige must learn the truth behind her ghostly friend Snow’s death. Will she track down the one person who may hold the answers? And even if she finds the person, will they help her? Do they know what really happened to Snow? And more importantly, things between Grim and Paige are heating up. Will she finally crack his hard exterior shell and they will make a commitment to one another? Or will their relationship fall apart?      AmazonKU

A VERY MEOWY CHRISTMAS (VIRTUE SHIFTERS BOOK 6) by Zoe Chant

Single dad and bobcat shifter Mason has moved to Virtue to raise his toddler in the safety of a shifter community. But minor catastrophe strikes when his daughter escapes to play in the woods, and the last thing Mason expects when she’s found is to meet his mate. His bobcat insists it’s meow or never, but Mason isn’t ready for the complication of a new relationship. Veterinary student Chrissy has always known about Virtue’s shifters, and even dreamed of finding fated love of her own, but that didn’t prepare her for a lost bobcat kitten who turns into an adorable little girl. She can hardly believe it’s fur real, but Mason really does seem purrfect. Mason needs to take it slow. Chrissy hasn’t yet wrapped up veterinary school. On the surface, it seems impawssible, but as they spend time kitten around, Chrissy and Mason realize they’re already building holiday traditions of their own, and that together, they’re going to have a very meowy Christmas.      AmazonKU

A SOLSTICE SUNDERING (TILTHOS PACK 2) by Emily Carrington

When Ethan is all but ordered to come home for Winter Solstice to the birth pack that kicked him out, his strained relationship with Jeremy is brought to the forefront. Can they, and their son, weather this storm or will they be separated for all time?

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

CONSUMED (INERTIA BOOK 3) by Devyn Sinclair

I am haunted by a madman. Only my power can make him a god, and he won’t stop until I belong to him once again. And I will not stop until he is dead. My lovers and I are finally beyond the Emperor’s reach, but the danger isn’t over. If we ever want to be free, the task that brought us together must be completed. If it’s even possible to find a myth that may not exist. But the Emperor is searching too, and every second he gets closer to his goal: Immortality. And I am the last thing he needs. No matter how much I long for us to disappear and never return, one truth remains: I am the only true Inert alive. My Inertia is infinite, and the only way to destroy the power which will make a madman a god. But in the battle to save our world, infinity still might not be enough.      AmazonKU

UNTAMED by Lillian T James

Vera had always hoped to one day leave Matherin. To travel the world and escape a life that was never meant for her. Bhasura would have everything she could ever want. Freedom, respect, family, and her mate. Her aitanta. But behind the island’s beautiful cities and smiling citizens, she can hear the lies poisoning their stories. She wants to believe it’s all in her head, but a dark anger starts to grow inside her, and she can’t ignore the feeling that something is wrong. Something besides the vivid dreams that plague her sleep the moment she sets foot on the island.      AmazonKU

RISING FEATHER (THE FORGOTTEN ANGEL BOOK 3) by Merri Bright

What’s in a name? Everything. When I left Sanctuary in a cloud of glitter, I thought I knew exactly who I was. But in the Celestial Realm, it’s clear I had it wrong. And so did everyone else. According to the shiniest of all the Celestials, I’m something new and unexpected. To my surprise, I also have a family. But their warm, naked welcome won’t matter, because I may have left a part of my soul back in Sanctuary, and I’m fading fast. All alone, armed only with an unusual gift from the Goddess of Glitter, I must sing myself across the void to rescue my nemesis/secret crush, the lost angel I’ve loved forever, my best birch’s mate-to-be, and the million-thread-count sheets I desperately miss. But to win against the Abyss, permanent, painful choices will need to be made. And this time, I’m not the sacrifice.       AmazonKU

A SNOW LEOPARD FOR CHRISTMAS (HOLIDAY SHIFTERS) by Lisa Daniel and Scarlett Stone

I thought losing my job was the worst part. But getting played and duped by my ex-boyfriend really took the cake. Because of him, I’m back in this small town, trying to find a new job before Christmas. 
And the only person who can give me that job happens to be a sexy billionaire shifter with a history of being a playboy. He’s got his sights on me, and I can’t pretend he’s not the highlight of my new workplace. Maybe I’m wrong for not trusting him, but if there’s one thing I learned from my last relationship. It’s that snow leopard shifters never change their spots. Ever.      AmazonKU

ALPHA’S COMMAND (SHIFTER OPS SERIES BOOK SIX) by Renee Rose and Lee Savino

She’s a human. Forbidden. My brother’s widow. But deep down, my wolf believes she’s mine. Before my brother died, he made me swear to stand by his human mate and their son. It’s been 10 years since his death, and I’ve done my best. I joined the military, got my sh*& straight. I sent money but stayed away from Julia and my nephew. Stayed out of their life. She didn’t need a screw-up like me hanging around. That was the lie I told myself. The truth was, I couldn’t resolve my attraction to her. And I can’t dishonor my brother’s memory by claiming his wife. But now her pup has entered puberty. He’s become a wolf. He needs me there to guide and protect him. Julia hasn’t forgiven me for the years I stayed away, but this time I’ll do right by her. I’d do anything for the two of them. But she’s the one I want to guide. Protect. Command. She’s the one I crave and will until my last breath.      Amazon     Kobo

THREE SHIFTERS FOR CHRISTMAS (MOUNTAIN SHIFTERS OF COLORADO) by Lisa Cullen

After being called in the middle of the night to reset nearly every bone in a teen boy’s body, I found myself on their list. Three sexy shifters who know how to keep things warm as winter settles over the town of Manitou Springs. They all want a piece of me, the new witch in town, and they are all willing to do what it takes to make me theirs by Christmas. Little by little, they wear me down. Touch by seemingly magical touch, I give in. They all want me to choose one of them, but it’s an impossible choice. When we’re forced to work together to find a missing teen, one of the shifter’s brothers, who had run away, I learn we make a great team… together. As the holiday approaches, I’m given the greatest gift of all. A baby. The only problem is, I’m not sure who the father is. My only wish is that they will say yes, and be my Three Shifters for Christmas.      AmazonKU

OMEGA LOST: THE OMEGA WAR #2 by Evelyn Flood

When Ava is rescued from the cruel clutches of her alpha father and the omega compound, her future is already set in stone. Shattered, traumatized, and hurting, she hides away from the world with the help of the Grey pack. Max, Lucien, Nikolai, and Bastien have their own pain to heal from, but the tiny omega in their midst gives them hope for a better life. A new life. If only Ava could see that, too. When the darkness of their world threatens to destroy them, Ava must decide where she stands. With help from old friends and the support of her pack, it’s time to fight back and make her voice heard. But who will be left standing when the omega creed falls?      AmazonKU

NANNY FOR THE WOLF DADDY (SHIFTER NEEDS A NANNY BOOK TWO) by Milly Taiden

When wolf alpha Nox Thryen’s brother and sister-in-law go missing, their toddler becomes his responsibility. What does a bachelor know about dirty diapers, snotty noses, and baby puke? He’s in deep doo-doo and totally clueless. He needs help. And when his eyes land on his new nanny, he knows one thing for sure, she’s his. After years of hard work, Kelli Wells now owns her own child-care agency. Receiving a desperate call from a non-client for help, she takes pity on him and agrees to assist until a proper replacement can be found. When he opens his front door, his gorgeous eyes make her think a substitute could wait—like forever. As his new nanny sweeps in and takes control of the situation, he realizes she’s more than just his mate. She’s beautiful, smart, and has a loving heart. So when she endangers herself to help him find the toddler’s parents, he’s frantic to save all of them now. If he can’t rescue his mate and his family from a psychotic slave driver, Nox and the little girl will find themselves both orphaned without the ones they love the most.      AmazonKU

THE DARKNESS THEREIN: ANCIENT BLOOD 2 by Kate Hill

VS Note: A re-edited re-release with “additional scenes”.

Jocelyn has chased his nemesis for centuries. He swore that nothing or no one would stand between him and revenge on the creature that destroyed his life. That same rival leads Jocelyn to the one person who can reconnect him to the human race. Art student Charlie has no idea that her family history binds her to a creature of legend–until he appears in the form of a tall, beautiful man with a thirst for revenge. The last thing she wants is to follow his orders, but if she intends to stay alive, she has no choice.      Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

HELLFIRE (SIN CITY WOLF) by January Bain

Amara St. Clair is just out for a rare night of fun on the Vegas Strip. But when she discovers her fun-loving side in the Glitter Palace casino, a life-altering altercation with a deadly ancient vampire leaves her lying unconscious in an alley near the famous casino. Doctor, geneticist and genealogy expert Dante Luceres, dedicated to research that will keep his fellow werewolves safe and healthy, is attending a mandatory yearly event of the House of Luceres. Coming across Amara, he saves her life, though vampires and werewolves are forbidden from interfering with each other in the supernatural world. There are dire consequences for interfering with another supe’ s domain, and he expects that soon both the vampires and the werewolves will be after them, but he can’ t leave the beautiful, vivacious little human to suffer alone. Drawn to each other, the pair must hide from the world. But with everyone against them, including Dante’ s clan and an evil vampire hellbent on having Amara for his own, how can they find a path to a shared future… and true happiness?     AmazonKU

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

LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica:

November 23

November 16

November 9

November 2

October 26

October 19

“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.

Her Own Interstellar Spaceship 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!)

I’m now taking excerpts from my recently published book in the award winning Badari Warriors series, REEDE’S MISSION TO THE SECTORS. It can be read as a standalone (mild spoilers for first book, REEDE.)

Continuing with Fallyn’s quest to buy a used spaceship…

The excerpt:

With a mental gulp, Fallyn gave her final offer. The knowledge she literally couldn’t pull even one more credit from anywhere stiffened her spine and she hoped Damin was good enough at reading people to realize this truly was her bottom line. She had to keep a reserve to fund her search for Reede.

Slapping the desk exuberantly, Damin said, “Accepted! Ms. Damara, you’ve made a wise choice. Just paperwork and red tape to go through and of course the small detail of you transferring the credits to my business account and you’ve got yourself a ship.” He extended his hand. “Congratulations.”

Nevertheless the process of finalizing the deal took two hours and Fallyn had to remain on guard constantly not to be agreeing to any extras. She read the entire sales contract, lined out a few things, had to threaten to walk away from the deal entirely once and they were done.

She owned her own interstellar ship.

Dazed, she allowed Damin to escort her from the office to the groundtram stop. “We’ll have her ready for you by noon tomorrow,” he said, shaking her hand one more time before he ambled across the pavement to his place of business. “Get her off my lot or pay daily rent after that.”

“I’ll be here early,” she said, wishing she could simply take the ship now and be on her way. Red tape and paperwork was the bane of her existence in the military and as a civilian.

VS: Next week Fallyn meets the Roxy’s artificial intelligence…

REEDE’S MISSION TO THE SECTORS: A BADARI WARRIORS SCIFI ROMANCE NOVEL (SECTORS NEW ALLIES SERIES BOOK 15) by Veronica Scott

Reede’s people sent him to the Sectors on a desperate mission to beg for help against overwhelming odds in their battle to destroy the alien scientists who created them centuries ago. He knew the task wasn’t going to be easy but as a Badari Warrior, he vowed to do his best. When he’s arrested by the border patrol and thrown in the brig, things go from bad to worse. He faces difficult choices ahead and unimaginable obstacles to making his case to the authorities for help.

Fallyn is Reede’s human fated mate but also the active duty military scout who guided him to the Sectors from his own planet. Reede’s choices after his arrest put her in a difficult spot and his actions threaten their mate bond. Will she give up her career to help him and the Badari succeed in making a treaty with the Sectors?

The desperate attempt to find new allies takes Reede and Fallyn on a wild set of adventures across the sprawling interstellar Sectors civilization and places them, their friends and their love in harm’s way.

Amazon     Apple Books     Nook     Kobo     GooglePlay

Star Cruise: Thanksgiving A #SciFi Short Story

016

One of my favorite representations of the Pilgrims, on a vintage plate

From the Archives…this short story is also included as an extra in the STAR CRUISE: A NOVELLA STOWAWAY WITH STAR CRUISE RESCUE AND THE GOLDEN TOKEN SHORT STORIES  Amazon     Apple Books     Nook     Kobo     Google

Veronica: I started thinking about when and where Thanksgiving might be celebrated in the far future of my interstellar civilization, the Sectors, and this little story came to mind. Complete here on the blog. I hope you’ll enjoy!

Chef Stephanie leaned back in her desk chair on board the Nebula Zephyr and stretched. Finally a quiet afternoon, now that the last gourmet tour group had departed the ship. Of course there were still thousands of passengers who needed to be fed, but her next group of foodies wouldn’t arrive for a week. Plenty of time to test a few new recipes and plan intricate tasting menus. Today maybe she could finally spare a second to get to the bottom of the inventory mystery – why were they carrying pounds of flour and sugar beyond what was required?

And who had ordered solidified vegetable shortening of all things? “Who cooks with that antiquated substance?” She looked at the records on her AI but the name of the requisitioner was missing. She raised her eyebrows at the cost of the small quantity of the rare ingredient.

“I have a healthy budget but not generous to this extent,” she said, doing a doubletake.

The com pinged. “Yes?”

The caller was Owen Embersson, the ship’s cargo master and from the look of his stern face in the vid, he was pretty upset about something.

“You and I need to talk,” he said, his voice deep and raspy. “Now.”

“Of course—“

“I’m afraid you’ll have to come to Cargo Deck A. Better bring someone to help you.”

“With what? What is that noise in the background?” She wondered if it was static on the com link, an oddly garbled noise like the call of an animal. “Is it your cat? Is she ok?”

“Moby’s fine. Your cargo may not be if you don’t get here in the next few minutes.” He signed off as the sound grew louder.

I didn’t order any special cargo. Annoyed but intrigued, she went in search of Richard, her Sous Chef de Cuisine. He denied all knowledge of any special deliveries but readily accompanied her through the ship to the cargo bay on deck seven.

Depositphotos

As she stepped from the gravlift, her ears were assaulted by the loud animal noise, coming from multiple throats. There were feathers on the deck and a strange smell. Richard yanked her backward by the elbow as a large avian creature with a truly astounding fantail of brown and gray feathers ran by, squawking loudly, chased by both Moby and Midorri, the ship’s pets. Two of Owen’s crew were apparently trying to herd the creature into an empty crate, while the rest of the day shift stood by and laughed.

“Took you long enough,” Owen said. Fists on his hips, jaw clenched, he stared at the chaos on his deck caused by the still-fleeing bird. “You know you’re not allowed to bring livestock on board this ship without advance warning and proper documentation. What the seven hells were you thinking?  My guys opened the crate and these things burst out. We’ve managed to chase down three of them but this last one is wily.”

Stephanie stifled a laugh, positive that showing her amusement at the unfolding situation would send the cargo master into a tirade. “I sympathize but I certainly didn’t order them.”

“You certainly did.” He handed her an AI, with the bill of lading displayed. Her name was in the authorizing party and the deliver to boxes.

Tilting the AI to show her sous chef, who raised his eyebrows, she shook her head. “Something is very wrong here.”

Owen moved faster than she’d ever seen him do before and grabbed the huge bird as it circled around the deck again. Caging the creature in his arms, he strode toward the livestock crate while his crew applauded. “Tell me about it,” he said over his shoulder.

There was a ping in her ear and Stephanie heard Maeve, the ship’s AI, using the channel  only for senior officers.

“I can explain the situation to you and the Cargo Master,” she said in her usual cool tones.

Stephanie glanced at Owen, who’d handed his captive off to two crew members, and saw he was obviously receiving the same message.

“Not here,” Maeve went on. “In the kitchen. You’re needed there.”

“I have too much to do to take time off for a tour of the moon damned kitchen.” Owen’s voice was a roar as he brushed feathers from his uniform. “Do I look like a health inspector to you? Did someone assign me extra duties and forget to tell me?”

“This is essential or I wouldn’t make the request,” Maeve said, unfazed.

Stephanie held her breath, afraid to utter a sound.

Owen tilted his head and shut his eyes for a moment. “Essential.”

“Yes, Cargo Master.”

He called to his second in command. “You’re in charge. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Stephanie and Richard made their way to the kitchen, with the brooding bulk of the unhappy cargo master right behind. There was a small cluster of crew members waiting at the entrance to the food preparation area. They turned as Stephanie approached and she saw most were carrying odd parcels or items.

Owen sped up and cut around her, stepping to the side of his mate, Tyrelle, the  ship’s special hydroponics officer. She was juggling several orange vegetables that looked large enough to be sentient. “What are you doing here?” he asked, taking the two most unwieldy items from her and bending to kiss her cheek.

“I brought the chef her pumpkins,” Tyrelle said. “I’ve been nurturing them especially, so they’d be ripe on this date.”

Has everyone on this ship gone mad today? Stephanie put a hand to her head. “I don’t even know what those are, much less did I request you to grow them.”

Tyrelle frowned. “But yes, you did. You put through a special written order and the packet of seeds – such odd flat seeds – were delivered to me a month ago. It required much energy from me and special nutrients to bring the vines and the flowers and then the pumpkins themselves to maturity so rapidly. I believe they must normally use a hundred or more of your standard days to become ready for consumption.”

“Either I’m losing my mind or someone is playing a practical joke,” Stephanie said, running her fingers through her hair and then rubbing her left temple, where a headache was growing. “Do the rest of you have odd food for me as well?”

There was a chorus of agreement. Meg Thomsill raised her voice. “Actually I have the rare spices you requested. My father had to jump through some serious hoops to get the one called cinnamon. He’ll be billing the ship for the effort and cost, no way around it.”

“No more hoops than I had to go through to persuade the elders on my planet to part with three pints of cranberries. Those are sacred on our world,” said Quint, the shuttle pilot. “They came with the First Ship settlers, when the colony was founded centuries ago. They don’t grow much of anywhere else. It’s a good thing I like you so much, chef. But I’ll be calling in a large favor for this.”

“If you would all please move into the small conference room,” Maeve said, projecting her voice through the AI ganglions located in every corner of the cruise ship. “I can explain.”

“What in the seven hells is going on here?” Chief security officer Jake Dilon arrived on the scene, Dr. Emily Shane right behind him.

“Don’t tell me – you brought me some delicacy too.” Stephanie sighed.

He raised the package clutched in his left hand. “Dried Azrigone venison strips, the finest quality the Varone family supplies, usually to generational billionaires, not cruise ship galleys. Mike Varone and I go way back, were in hell week during Special Forces advanced training together so I was able to sweet talk him into sending me some for quarter price, plus shipping. Even with the discount, the credits mounted up.”

“Conference room!” Maeve’s voice was sharp.

Stephanie took her place at the head of the table since the meeting was occurring in her domain.  Richard took the seat to her right and the other crew members settled themselves, setting their bottles, packages and boxes on the highly polished Zulairian mahogany table.

Stephanie  knocked on the wood. “Can we have quiet, please? First of all, I did not order any of these rare and expensive foodstuffs.” She raised her hand for silence as there was immediate protest.

The AI ganglion emitted a sharp whistle. “Chef Stephanie is right. I used her name to request everything you’ve brought.”

There was a moment of silence. “Why would you do that?” Stephanie asked.

“I wish to recreate the holiday of Thanksgiving as a surprise for Captain Fleming.”

A little ripple of shrugs and puzzled looks around the table.

“I think I’ve heard of it,” Meg said. “In the ancient history books.  Some kind of celebration on old Terra?”

“Why would the captain care about that?” asked Owen.

“Captain Fleming is from an Original Colony,” the AI said. “The colonists brought many traditions and celebrations with them from the terrestrial home world, which are still celebrated even now, millennia later. I have prepared the menu and supplied recipes for the required dishes. They’ve been downloaded to your AI, Chef.”

She pulled out her personal AI and her sous chef peered over her shoulder as she read.   “Turkey, stuffing, rolls, corn, pemmican, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie. The list goes on.” Her voice trailed off and she flicked to the recipes. “How old were the documents you scanned? These instructions and ingredients are obscure, to say the least.”

Richard pointed. “Look, you need shortening for the pie crust. I guess now we know why we have a brick of it in stores.”

“Are those things in my cargo hold turkeys?” Owen asked, brow furrowed.

“Live turkeys?” Meg choked back a laugh. “Those’ll be hard to cook.”

“They are the closest living relatives to the terrestrial turkey, yes. I was unclear on the instructions for cooking but the record I chose began with instructions for handling the live turkeys of a certain size.” Maeve sounded stubborn.

“What’s pemmican?” asked someone.

Jake pushed his sealed packet to the center of the table. “It’s a form of venison.”

“I went to the oldest original source recipes I could find, in order to ensure the thoroughness and rigor of my research was complete,” Maeve said.

“It would be an exciting culinary challenge,” Stephanie said to Richard. “Recreating an ancient meal.”

“I can bless these turkeys for you and give them an honorable and painless death,” Tyrelle offered.

Jake raised a hand and the conversation stopped. “Captain Fleming is one of the most private men I ever met and the least likely to appreciate a surprise of any kind, let alone one relating to his home planet and costing the Nebula Zephyr thousands of credits. Why are we doing this, Maeve?”

Before the AI could answer, Stephanie spoke up. “We could make a trideo of the preparation process, put together a documentary special, if I could have some help from the social media staff person. Depending on whether we had leftovers, we could offer it as a special, one time only event on the next leg of the cruise. We are renowned for our cuisine.” Thanks to my efforts. “Recoup at least some of the costs, charge it to the business. The Purser would approve.”

“I could help with the trideo arrangements,” Meg said.

“I maintain my own account as a registered sentient,” Maeve reminded them. “I intend to pay my fair share.”

Jake was undeterred in his quest to get to the bottom of the situation. “But again, and with all due respect, why are we doing this in the first place?”

“Captain Fleming is a human being.”

“Well, yes that’s a given.” Jake sounded impatient. “And?”

“This crew is his family, in a sense, and the holiday is about family, as I understand the history.” Maeve fell silent. “I will explain further to Jake and Tyrelle alone.”

“All right.” Jake rose, taking charge. “The rest of you are dismissed. Please take your contributions to the kitchen stores, wherever Chef Stephanie wants them. The Purser will be in touch regarding reimbursement where necessary.”

“They’ll be invited to the dinner with the Captain,” Maeve said.

“Only if it isn’t going to be a career limiting event.” Jake’s voice was flat. “I’m not convinced yet.”

Stephanie stayed put. “I think since my name was used under false pretenses, I’m entitled to hear the explanation. And if I’m to cook a special meal for the captain, I need to know why. Cooking isn’t just a ‘follow the numbers, throw the ingredients in a pot’ process. Food is emotion, comes from the heart, at least when I’m preparing a special meal.”

“Stay then. I’m convinced.” Jake sat down and toyed with the personal AI, studying the recipes. The portal slid shut behind all the departing crew members and Tyrelle moved to sit next to Stephanie and him. “We’re waiting.”

“I will not breach the captain’s confidence nor tell his business,” Maeve said. “I am concerned about him, however. He recently received the news that his only remaining family member, a younger half-brother, was killed on active duty in Sector 112. The body was not recovered. There was no memorial service other than the ceremonial reading of the name at Special Forces Command. This has hit Captain Fleming very hard. You are aware, I believe, Tyrelle?”

Stephanie glanced at the officer, her curiosity aroused.

Tyrelle exchanged glances with Jake. “Based on the – based on certain indicators, yes, I have been aware. I believe the captain is stronger than you estimate, Maeve, but I’m supportive of this dinner idea. We can remind him he is cared for and in a family of sorts. The Zephyr has certainly become that for me as well, so I understand.”

Stephanie knew there were secrets about the Zephyr, things she wasn’t privy to. Truth be told, she really didn’t want to be. The kitchen was her empire and she was happy there. Obviously Jake and Tyrelle shared some of the darker knowledge.

“All right, then we’ll do it.” Jake flashed her a smile. “Assuming you’re willing to try cooking in accordance with those ancient recipes Maeve unearthed?”

“Yes, of course. Are we inviting anyone else to the dinner? How many am I cooking for?”

“I’ll give you a list,” Maeve said. “After Jake approves the names.”

He looked relieved at the AI’s compromise. “And we’ll tell no one else about the captain’s brother, not even the other dinner guests, nor will we indicate we know, right?”

“I keep no secrets from Owen,” Tyrelle said. “But he will keep this one to the death. He and I owe the captain everything.”

“And I’m guessing Emily already knows, as ship’s doctor, but of course she couldn’t tell me. I won’t need to discuss it with her. No problem.” Jake waved a hand. “Are we done here?”

“When does the dinner need to be held?” Stephanie asked.

“Tomorrow.”

“Why am I not surprised? At least we’re in between gourmet groups so I have my special kitchen crew available for the task.”

Next day…

“The captain is on his way,” Maeve said. “I told him there’s a tense situation in this room.”

Stephanie nodded in the direction of the AI ganglion and surveyed the table with a critical eye. She thought her staff had outdone themselves, figuring out how to make the ancient recipes work with modern techniques and substituting current ingredients where there was no availability of what the formula called for. The platters and bowls of food all smelled mouthwatering, and the pies waiting on the side table were beautifully formed, the crusts just browned to the perfect point.

The portal slid open to allow the captain to step inside and Stephanie led the small crowd in a cheer of “Surprise!”

Fleming paused in midstep, frowning, his gaze going immediately to Jake and Owen as the senior officers present. Stephanie and Tyrelle walked forward to intercept him.

“We’ve taken the liberty of preparing what we believe to be a fairly good reproduction of the ancient Thanksgiving feast served on your home planet. At least according to Maeve,” Stephanie said.  “As we understand it, this day is for gathering with friends and family and remembering the things we’re thankful for. We wanted to honor you.” When preparing her little speech, she’d decided the less said the better. Keep it simple.

She thought for a moment Fleming might retreat, his normal deep reserve threatened by this open display of caring from people on the crew who’d known him the longest, like Chief Takkei and Jake, and others who were newer to his command, like Tyrelle and herself.

Tyrelle extended one graceful hand. “Come, won’t you take your place at the head of the table, sir?”

He gave her a half bow and tucked her hand into his bent elbow. “I would be honored. Please, sit down everyone.”

Eyeing the dishes as he walked with Tyrelle, he said, “Is that turkey? And cranberry sauce?”

“A version of it, sir,” Stephanie answered. “Quint did his best to get real cranberries for us and Maeve found genetic descendants of Terran turkeys. Everyone  pitched in on obtaining the necessary ingredients.”

Depositphotos

He helped Tyrelle into her seat next to Owen and waited for Stephanie to sit on the other side before he took his own place. All eyes turned to him as he cleared his throat for a moment. No one had ever seen him at a loss for words. “I haven’t seen a meal like this since I was a boy. I don’t think anyone has.  My family had a ritual, we’d go around the table and share what we were thankful for. I’ll start – I’m very grateful for this good ship and for the crew – and Maeve – who fly her with me. A man couldn’t ask for better comrades.” He nodded at Stephanie and she voiced her thanks for her staff.

So it went around the table and when Tyrelle had spoken her piece, thanking the crew of the Zephyr for saving her life and giving her a home, and it was Fleming’s turn again, he picked up the carving fork and knife and said, “Thank you to everyone who had a hand in putting this special meal together for us to share this evening. Now, the question is – white meat or dark?”

Copyright 2016 by Veronica Scott

Have you booked your STAR CRUISE yet? Info on the entire connected series here.

 

New Releases in #SciFi #Fantasy and Paranormal Romance for NOV 23

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). 

‘AB’ denotes audiobook and the Amazon buy link.

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

CULTIVATING THE ALIEN (BEASTLY ALIEN BOSS BOOK 4) by Ava Ross

My new job gives me the chance to put my past behind me. Only one problem: I’m falling for my bad boy boss…After my ex dumps my possessions on the sidewalk, cleans out our bank account, and steals my landscaping business, I’m once again submitting job applications. It’s that or no roof over my head. With the Intergalactic Employment Agency’s help, I land a position as a gardener for the owners of an off-world alien castle. Other than needing to tackle a rogue vine infesting the front shrubs, it’s an easy job. Best of all, I work alongside Dekrin, a dirty-mouthed fellow gardener who enjoys rolling in mud and wearing low-slung pants. His gardening skills are impressive, but I’m even more impressed by his attempts to plow my personal field. I’m falling for him, so who cares if I ever return to Earth? But after what happened with my ex, trusting my heart to Dekrin won’t be easy. Do I dare take a chance with a bad boy alien who I suspect is cultivating a big secret?   AmazonKU

GRIN AND BARE HIM (CYBORG UNITY BOOK 2) by Cynthia Sax

VS Note: Always exciting to have a new cyborg tale from Ms. Sax. Had it pre-ordered.

This cyborg will be the warrior his female requires. Cyborgs are designed to fight. That is their primary purpose and 98.2356 percent of the manufactured warriors enjoy battle. Tremendously.
Grin, a K model, is one of the rare exceptions. When he escaped his cruel creators, he set down his sword and allocated his processors to less violent pursuits. He projects he’s left his war-waging planet rotations behind him forever. Then he meets his beautiful, beguiling female, the one being he’s destined to protect, to claim, to love for all eternity, and his plans for peace are completely decimated. Mohini needs a ship. She has a dangerous mission to complete and the first step in that assignment is arranging transport to an enemy-controlled planet. The vessel she has set her sights on is guarded by the sexiest cyborg she’s ever seen. To gain access to his ship, Mohini is prepared to kiss, caress, seduce the muscular male. The mission is her focus. The pleasure she experiences will merely be a bonus. A female has to do what a female has to do to save the universe.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

A TREASURE FOR THE ALIEN WARRIOR (TREASURED BY THE ALIEN BOOK 8) by Honey Phillips

Can an alien commander allow himself to choose love over duty? Jessica’s orderly life changed forever when she became the guardian of her orphaned niece and nephew. She is still trying to learn how to be a parent when they are taken by aliens. After a desperate attempt to escape their captors ends on a deserted planet, she faces an entirely new set of challenges. The appearance of a massive alien warrior and his crew offers a chance of rescue, but she also finds herself irresistibly drawn to the stern male with the kind eyes. After the plague that devastated his race eliminated his hopes for a family, Captain Vadrar dedicated his life to preserving order in the Confederated Planets. When the pursuit of an enemy goes disastrously wrong, he is shocked to discover a small group of precious females and children fighting for survival. As they work together to find a way off the uncharted planet, he grows increasingly captivated by the alluring human and her enchanting children. His duty compels him to return them to Earth, but his heart tells him that Jessica and her children belong with him. Can he ignore a lifetime of responsibility and ask them to stay?      AmazonKU

MATED TO THE KAGETHI LORD: KAGETHI WARLORD BRIDES by Starr Huntress and Ava York

I like things neat and tidy. Schedules. Lists. Hunky alien warriors aren’t on the agenda. I had a plan for my life. Being beamed away to an alien planet and offered up to an alien prince? Not part of the plan. Even if our chemistry is electric. The longer we spend together, the more I begin to wonder what’s under that bluff exterior. But someone is causing trouble from the shadows – will we have the chance to make a new plan together?      Amazon KU

CLAIM: MOST WANTED ALIEN BRIDES #6 (INTERGALACTIC DATING AGENCY) by Candice Gilmer

VS Note: The Author has notified me that due to unfortunate circumstances beyond her control the book release will have to be rescheduled.

THE ICE ORPHAN (REWILDING REPORTS BOOK 3) by Kathleen O’Neal Gear

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

It’s been 925 summers since the Jemen introduced zyme, a bioluminescent algae, into the world’s ocean and unwittingly triggered an Ice Age that has consumed most of the planet.  All but a handful of Jemen flew to the stars, but before they left, they recreated several extinct species that had thrived in the last Ice Age. After almost a thousand summers, the archaic hominins that struggle along the edges of massive glaciers are dwindling.  All they have to save them is a dying quantum computer called Quancee and her student, a Denisovan man named Lynx. When the last Jemen, Vice Admiral Jorgenson, tells Lynx he’s going to dismantle Quancee and use her parts to create a new computer, Lynx is stunned.  He can’t let Jorgenson kill Quancee! Meanwhile, in the lodges of the Sealion People, a sick boy on the verge of manhood hears voices. One is an old woman who sings to him.  When Jawbone goes on his first quest to find a spirit helper, the old woman finds him…While Lynx battles to save Quancee,  the quantum computer has other priorities.  Before it dies, it has to save a special boy who cannot save himself.

Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

ALIEN’S HEART by Nancey Cummings

Perrigaul’s a survivor. He’s also a thief, a con artist, and very occasionally a murderer. What he is not is a nanny, yet here he is stuck with an impossibly tempting human female. Miriam is soft and kindhearted and completely unsuitable for this outlaw planet. How can Perrigal keep her safe from the worst the planet has to offer? How can he keep her safe from him?      AmazonKU

YOU WILL NEVER KNOW: A DARK MM SCIFI MAFIA ROMANCE (A WHISPER IN THE DARK BOOK 1) by Chani Lynn Feener

Hunter Thorn is on the run, living daily in fear of discovery and retaliation from the mafia leaders he once betrayed. Sanctum is a planet practically cut off from the rest of the galaxy, where ruthless people who can control the elements rule. The Emperor has turned his back on the people, more interested in lining his pockets than waging war against the Brumal mafia. Hunter once worked for the Snow family, but a threat against his sister forced him to choose a side, and in the end, he chose wrong. He’s been paying for that choice ever since, constantly moving, traveling across the planet in an attempt to hide. But everyone knows there’s no such thing as escape from a regular Brumal member if they want you, let alone from one of the Three. Odin Snow, the Dominus of the Snow family, had everything taken from him ten years ago. He’s clawed his way ruthlessly back…(more blurb on ebook seller page…)      Amazon KU

THE RED SCHOLAR’S WAKE (XUYA UNIVERSE ROMANCES) by Aliette de Bodard

When tech scavenger Xích Si is captured and imprisoned by the infamous pirates of the Red Banner, she expects to be tortured or killed. Instead, their leader, Rice Fish, makes Xích Si an utterly incredible proposition: an offer of marriage. Both have their reasons for this arrangement: Xích Si needs protection; Rice Fish, a sentient spaceship, needs a technical expert to investigate the death of her first wife, the Red Scholar. That’s all there is to it. But as the interstellar war against piracy rages on and their own investigation reaches a dire conclusion, the two of them discover that their arrangement has evolved into something much less business-focused and more personal…and tender. And maybe the best thing that’s ever happened to either of them—but only if they can find a way to survive together.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

KNOT FOR THE NEST (ALPHAS OF NASILA BOOK TWO) by V K Ludwig

Lucy – As an omega, I have certain talents—like dripping money from my ladyparts. Selling slick-soaked panties is my way to freedom, safety, and independence. Until a high-testosterone alpha more or less accidentally knocks my bodyguards out. He says I owe him money, but, the way I see it, he owes me a couple of good growls. After all, I have quotas to meet. And if I can get this massive cage fighter to work with me? I’ll get the money for a new nest together in no time. Tjor – I make my living in the fighting pits of Taril, where crime runs high, but testosterone runs higher. Omegas don’t come to this part of the city. Except for the crazy one who keeps following me around, babbling something about a business proposition where she should be running from me. The alphas who want a piece of her are aggressive, uncontrolled, dangerous. And I’m the worst of them all.   AmazonKU

STRANDED HEARTS by Leslie Chase

VS Note: I always enjoy her books!

Prince Draxus of Tagra is the worst. Huge, charismatic, rich, and he’s decided I’m his good luck charm. Only one problem – I’m supposed to be his bodyguard, not that he thinks he needs one. Now we’re stranded in a deadly crystal jungle, dressed for an interstellar cruise, and pursued by vicious pirates. It’s my job to stay close to him, and that’s given him the idea that I’m interested. Which I’m not! Certainly, definitely not. … am I? Oh no. And worst of all, there’s only one tent.     AmazonKU

PANE by Bailey Elizabeth

VS Note: Listed as a scifi/horror novella but reviews do mention the sapphic romance.

Sam lives by her “try anything once” motto to a fault. On an otherwise normal night out, she takes an experimental drug from a stranger at the bar that lets her see into alternate timelines. When she witnesses her own murder in a parallel world, she realizes that the mysterious series of hit-and-runs plaguing her college town are anything but accidents. Sam and her friends decide to stop the killer once and for all, but time travel has unforeseen costs, and one of them will have to pay.      AmazonKU

WARDER (DERIDIA BOOK 8) by Catherine Miller

Wife. Daughter. Warder. There was a shift in the mountain. Where once creatures would ascend to the peak for the winter, now they hunted. With venom and claw, warders fell. Others of her kind had settled. Wives, mothers, they flourished in their freedoms. While Gwynn struggled with the worry, the strain that came from lonely nights without news of her husband’s wellbeing. A bargain. An entreaty. To train as a companion when the missions grew longer. To no longer be left behind. And if she should find some remnant of her kind, a hint of their history, then was that so very wrong? Of a people that were not merely slaves, but explorers. Whose ships traversed the stars themselves. She would be like them. Would see the world long denied to her, her husband by her side. Because the mountain was theirs. Wasn’t it?      Amazon KU

THE SHUDDERING CITY by Sharon Shinn

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

In the city of Corcannon, everyone has a secret. Madeleine is planning her wedding to Tivol, but she’s really in love with Reese. Jayla has become the guardian of a child named Aussen, but she knows that Aussen possesses a mysterious and dangerous power. Brandon is a temple solider keeping the enigmatic Villette a prisoner in her own home, but finds himself risking everything to keep her safe. Pietro is pretending he’s surprised every time the city is wracked by tremors, but he’ll do anything to stop the devastation. Even Corcannon itself has a secret. It’s built on a lie, and that lie is about to come tumbling down.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

ALIEN MASK (FATED MATES OF THE SEA SAND WARRIORS BOOK 12) by Ursa Dax

Lerokan is a huge pain in my human butt. He’s cocky, obnoxious, and refuses to show me his face, hiding it behind a bone mask. He keeps saying he saved me from the battle. But all I see is the man who separated me from my friends. Luckily, he seems to find me just as annoying as I find him, and he agrees to take me back to my friends as soon as it’s safe. But then a sudden storm traps us in a deep, dark cave…For days on end…Together. LEROKAN – I’ve been exiled from my tribe for sixty-two days, all because I don’t want a mate. Well, that’s fine. I’ll wear the mask of an exile and remain alone out here if it means I don’t have to lose myself in the mate bond. Only, I’m suddenly not so alone after I rescue a small boy from a battle. Turns out, it’s not a small boy. She’s a female. I have now saddled myself with the strangest, mouthiest woman I could possibly imagine. The worst part? The longer we’re together, the more I grow to like that mouth. And those eyes. Her laugh. Her many, many frowns…Alas. Lerokan the exile is now Lerokan in love. But despite my obvious charms, all Priya wants is to get back to her friends. And away from me.      Amazon KU

INVASIVE SPECIES: THE ARRIVAL by Kaitlyn O’Connor

They were phadrac—genetically engineered to be superior warriors for the E-Ridian Empire—given the task of removing the ‘primitive species’ in the way of the Empire’s colonization ambitions. It never occurred to their creators that they might question the prime directive. This, Taden and his Bi, Syln, thought, was no primitive world and the U-mans were not primitives. And a phadrac warrior did not make war on the weak and helpless. They captured Autumn to save her—in spite of every effort on her part to escape.     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

FROM NOBLEST MOTIVES (VARIANT CONFIUGURATIONS BOOK 2) by Angel Martinez and Jude Dunn

VS Note: LGBTQ scifi. Authors state “sparks of a slow burn, series-spanning relationship.”

Several months have passed since Blaze and the infamous Variant activist Shudder McKenzie helped Damien rescue the captives of the sinister Fredamine Project. Professionally, everything’s great. He’s back to working with Damien again and they have a new lead on the three kids who are still missing. Personally, not so much. Blaze has made his peace with Shudder, though nothing between them has even been easy, but his relationship with Damien has taken several steps back. Blaze no longer has any idea where he stands. Adding to the tense atmosphere are the anti-Variant members of legislature who have been slowly gaining popular approval, and the cryptic messages Damien receives from an unknown source. Shudder’s back to his old haunts and his old tricks, trying to raise public awareness of imperiled Variant rights…(more blurb on ebook seller’s page)…      Amazon      Apple Books     Kobo

HER ALIEN PRINCE (DRAGONS OF NACILIA BOOK 1) by Brenda Trim

A Lothario alien prince. A magical human female. A determined alien hunter. As far as everyone else knows, I’m just an ordinary woman helping her mother run the family bakery. But the truth is I have magical powers and a discarded alien prince at home who also happens to be a dragon. He’s got the body of a Greek God and a panty-melting smile, so when he materialized right before me in the town park, my hormones took notice, and I couldn’t help drooling over his sharp features and stormy eyes. Unfortunately, I’m not the only one who wants him. And the alien hunter who’s just arrived on Earth is prepared to destroy the planet just to capture my new love.      Amazon KU

FAKING IT WITH THE HYBRID: KINDRED TALES #47 by Evangeline Anderson

Dr. Mattie Porter has landed her dream job as a Xeno-Cultural Anthropologist with the Kindred, but she has one very big problem—a seven-foot-tall, grumpy, growly warrior named Grath. The huge Hybrid has been assigned to her as her Protector—a kind of bodyguard to keep her safe on alien planets. But he’s a surly bastard who won’t even talk to Mattie if he can help it! Grath is a Triple-Hybrid, a male with Beast, Blood, and Flame Kindred strains in his DNA. This makes him a formidable warrior, but also ensures he won’t be able to bond with a female, which leaves him with a problem—he’s desperately attracted to the tiny, curvy Earth female he’s been assigned to Protect. But he knows he has to keep her at arm’s length to avoid pain and heartache. It seems Grath and Mattie will never get along…but then Mattie needs a date for the Holidays. So now they’re going to her hometown to try and fool her family into thinking they’re engaged. But fake-dating during the Holidays isn’t without its pitfalls and neither of them knows that even in the quiet little town of Christmasville, danger is stalking Mattie.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

ALIEN PROTECTOR’S LADY (FATED MATES OF THE QOL’RAKII BOOK 1) by Maddie Syn

Pia – I’ve got big dreams. I’m all set to become a pilot at the biggest interstellar space port I can find. So when my dodgy freighter ship crash lands on a mysterious planet, I’m just looking to find the fastest way off-world. Unfortunately the only person around for miles is Qol’rakii Protector, Volrai. Well, him and his not-so-tame dragon! I swear that dragon has it in for me. There’s nothing here but dirt and grass. Volrai is strong, capable and totally gorgeous, and I’ll admit I’m just a little bit curious about what he can do with that tail! But he’s taken a vow to wait for his fated mate. Could my luck get any worse? Volrai – Life as a Qol’rakii Protector can get real lonely. But tradition dictates that I must protect the most vulnerable creatures of my homeland from outside poachers. They’e hunted for the aphrodesiac pheromones they produce during mating season. Until I find my fated mate I must suffer through the rakii heat as best I can. When the fiery little human crash lands in the middle of my flock I instantly feel drawn to her. It can’t just be the pheromones. I know there’s something more. She doesn’t belong here. She couldn’t be the one I’ve waited for. But what can I do when the urge to claim my little shooting star becomes too great to resist?      AmazonKU

PUNISHED BY AN ALIEN GOD (CAPTIVES OF THE ALIEN GODS BOOK 2) by Dove Ford

Oceane and Brea are two human women who volunteer for an intergalactic cultural exchange with the Nevali, the latest aliens to land on Earth. But partway through the journey, both women are woken from their sleeping pods and thrown into a locked hold with several other women. The cultural exchange is a scam. On a refuelling stop on a rustic planet similar to Earth’s ancient Rome, eight women are gifted to the alien gods of that planet as a rare, erotic delicacy. There, Oceane and Brea face the worst future of all when the alien god Summanus, the most savage, heartless, and perverted of the gods, marks them to serve as concubines in his harem. When he catches them trying to escape, Summanus orders the women be left for dead in the planet’s brutal southern desert. There, Oceane and Brea face two very different fates with two very different alpha male aliens. But when Summanus learns that they are both still alive, the hunt is on.      Amazon KU

THE LAST OASIS (THE ORIGINS OF THAW BOOK 3) byc Heidi Catherine and

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

Fyve and Halo have never felt more vulnerable than when The Oasis becomes lost at sea. The ship was supposed to be a beacon of hope, a way to reach Tomorrow Land. But war is breaking out within its confines. Terra was never who they thought she was. And now the ship itself is dying. With no food, water, or fuel to power the ship, the search for Tomorrow Land has become futile. And now deadly. As lie upon lie is uncovered, they begin to wonder if the mysterious land they’ve been searching for even exists. When the sky turns black and a storm threatens, Fyve and Halo must face one final battle. The future they were promised may not exist, but there’s something more important to fight for…the truth.      AmazonKU

BESTIAL by Sarah Winters

VS Note: From OCT 31. Also listed in Erotic literature.

Having her ship hijacked by space pirates was bad. Getting thrown into a cage sucked. Being sacrificed to a crazed alien beast as some sick form of entertainment for those same pirates? Yeah, that’s the pinnacle of a shitty day. Kessia Donovan of New Terra is on the way to her next job when her life goes sideways. In the space of a few hours she’s been kidnapped, stripped and offered up to the mercy of a terrifying alien. Assuming she’s about to become his dinner, she’s shocked when this brutal giant vows to protect her. Stolen from his planet and kept like an animal in a cage, Baron is just waiting for a chance to escape. When it finally comes, he finds a female unlike any he’s ever seen. Small, soft and curvy with a scent that tantalizes and taunts his mating instincts. He wants her. But first he has to get them both out of this situation alive. With her brains and his brawn, they will form an unlikely alliance – and perhaps much more.     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

THE MASTER OF PUPPETS (THE WAR OF THE SOULS BOOK 1) by Molly J Bragg

Jakari, an alien assassin, receives orders taking her to a primitive alien world. She expects the mission to be like any other. Get in, eliminate the target and get out again. Instead, when she arrives, she finds out that one of the leaders of the fascist Char Oram is there, seeking to turn the inhabitants into mindless soldiers that could tip the war in favor of the Char. Hayami Takahashi follows a strange woman down a dark street and all she wants is to make sure the woman didn’t wind up as the next victim of a kidnapping ring working the streets of Dallas. Instead, she finds herself in the middle of a civil war between two factions of shape shifting cyborg aliens. After Jakari saves Hayami from becoming a test subject in a Char lab, the two of them are working together to stop a war that’s been raging for nine thousand years.

Amazon     Kobo

ALIEN’S STAKE by Elin Wyn

The little human slave who’s crashed into my path better learn some things fast: Life is nothing but a con. Stay ahead of the game. Watch your back. Because as soon as I repay my debts, that lush body is mine…To sell. Of course. Except before long, what I want isn’t to sell her, but to taste her. To hold her. To keep her next to me. But I know the game. You don’t always get what you want. Until she’s tricked from my side, trapped and captured. And then I’ll tear the planet apart to get her back.   AmazonKU

WHISPERER (GALAXY CIRCUS BOOK 3) by Lexie Winston

VS Note: Not listed as a romance but seems as if there are romantic elements.

Blood, sex, and magic… Isn’t there a song that goes something like that? Or maybe that’s just what you get in a typical afternoon spent with a Vilaxian. Throw in a few loving mates, one that just so happens to have tentacles, a cyborg doctor with mad sex skills, along with a warlock hell-bent on protecting me. and you have a running episode of “Life with Lila.” With alien detainees, Celestian healers, and a mate challenge on the horizon it’s going to get even crazier as I navigate my new life in the Galaxy Circus. I’ve said it before, but it really is out of this world.      Amazon KU

THE SPYMASTER’S STORY (INTERGALACTIC ALLIANCE SERIES BOOK 11) by Bella Blair

I will gladly sacrifice eternal life to make her MINE! Gabby: How do you outwit the known universe’s notorious spymaster? Easy, you acquire something he covets and lure him in. What is a lot harder to figure out though is how to resist him. I wasn’t prepared to meet a man this refined, challenging and alluring. Aggamont: Human females, the bane of the known universe. And yet, hard to resist. I am in the middle of saving the known universe from a menace they don’t know anything about yet, I don’t have time to play with a human female. But Fate has obviously other plans, as she sends the most exasperating human female my way, intend on killing me.       AmazonKU

*************************BRIEF BREAK BEFORE THE FANTASY/PNR BOOKS!***************************************

VS: THe backlist highlight this week is THE FATED STARS, the fourth in my alien empath series. My daughters had been challenging me to write a female mercenary so for this book I made the alien empath male and the heroine is kickass mercenary Larissa Channer.

The Fated Stars – fourth in the series but can be read as a standalone

Larissa Channer, a tough no-nonsense mercenary in the Sectors, is celebrating success on her last job and a big bonus, with no slightest thought of taking on another assignment anytime soon. Out for a night of carousing with her friends at a third rate carnival on a backwater planet, she walks into the tent of a fake fortune teller and finds herself confronting the most intriguing man she’s ever seen. But something’s wrong, ominous currents lie beneath the surface of their encounter and Larissa can’t leave well enough alone.

Samell, a powerful, high born empathic priest, has been kidnapped from his own primitive planet along with a number of his people, and sold to the shady operator of an interstellar carnival. Kept enslaved, pretending to be a fortune teller while forced by his captor to steal information from the minds of all who come before him, Samell despairs of every breaking free.

Until Larissa walks into his tent and he recognizes the warrior who might mean the difference between life and death.

The situation becomes dire when Larissa and Samell come to the attention of the Shemdylann pirates who kidnapped him in the first place and the deadly Mawreg, aliens who threaten the Sectors. Can she save herself and the empathic alien noble, and derail the Mawreg plot against the Sectors? And will the soldier end up with her prince when all’s said and done?

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo     B&N         Google

******************************OKAY, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ONWARD WE GO!**************************************************

THE CHOICE: THE DRAGON HEART LEGACY BOOK THREE by Nora Roberts

Talamh is a land of green hills, high mountains, deep forests, and seas, where magicks thrive. But portals allow for passage in and out—and ultimately, each must choose their place, and choose between good and evil, war and peace, life and death…Breen Siobhan Kelly grew up in the world of Man and was once unaware of her true nature. Now she is in Talamh, trying to heal after a terrible battle and heartbreaking losses. Her grandfather, the dark god Odran, has been defeated in his attempt to rule over Talamh, and over Breen—for now. With the enemy cast out and the portal sealed, this is a time to rest and to prepare. Breen spreads her wings and realizes a power she’s never experienced before. It’s also a time for celebrations—of her first Christmas in both Talamh and Ireland, of solstice and weddings and births—and daring to find joy again in the wake of sorrow. She rededicates herself to writing her stories, and when his duties as taoiseach permit, she is together with Keegan, who has trained her as a warrior and whom she has grown to love. It’s Keegan who’s at her side when the enemy’s witches, traitorous and power-mad, appear to her in her sleep, practicing black magick, sacrificing the innocent, and plotting a brutal destruction for Breen. And soon, united with him and with all of Talamh, she will seek out those in desperate need of rescue, and confront the darkness with every weapon she has: her sword, her magicks—and her courage.      Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

LONG NIGHT OF THE RADIANT STAR (HEIRS OF MAGIC) by Jeffe Kennedy

VS Note: She’s an autobuy for me.

At long last, Jakral Konyngrr—lowly sailor, gambler, and sometime rogue—has won the heart and hand of Princess Stella of Avonlidgh. Never mind that Stella’s mother is determined to make their wedding the event of the century, he’s happy to endure any trial to marry the love of his life and his guiding star. Very soon they can sail away together into the rest of their lives. Unfortunately the wedding becomes delayed for several months, until midwinter. Stella—sorceress, empath, and bearer of the mark of the Tala—has been through great trials. But nothing has tested her as sorely as her passionate and flamboyant mother planning their wedding. Even Jak’s steady love and companionship isn’t enough as Stella finds herself crumbling under the pressure of being snowbound in a castle with the press of so many minds and emotions. When she lashes out, she hits the worst possible target, jeopardizing her chances for happiness. With several kingdoms and a former enemy empire bearing down on them, Jak and Stella’s wedding on the longest night of year might not happen at all… Unless they can create their own happy ever after.

Amazon     Kobo

BETRAYED (LEGACY OF MAGIC BOOK 2) by Lindsay Buroker

After thirty years, Matti has learned that the dwarven mother she believed dead might only be missing—kidnapped by those who want to control her ability to enchant powerful world-changing artifacts. But where is she now? And why is the elf assassin Sarrlevi so invested in helping find her? Matti knows she shouldn’t trust Sarrlevi, or be drawn to his dry humor and dark past. But he keeps standing at her side to battle enemies, and she keeps forgetting that he might be an enemy himself.      Amazon KU

ONCE UPON A WICKED HEART by Various

How do you break a villain’s heart? The first step is to steal it…Join the authors of Once Upon A Wicked Heart as they detail the bittersweet, tragic, and sinister love lives of the villains we all love to hate! These twelve dark retellings of fairy tales and myths will leave you shocked, entertained, and hungry for more! a Faerie queen with a score to settle –  a jilted goddess who starts a bloody war  – a heart of ice that will either thaw or shatter  – a cursed maiden finds worth in her affliction –  a serial killer might have just met her match –  a nymph seems to have found true love at last…(more blurb on ebook seller’s page…)      Amazon      Apple Books      Kobo

ANGEL BREAKER (ANGEL PRISON BOOK 1) by Loki Renard

Fallen angels deserved to be punished. But not like this. Sheriff Starlight is my worst nightmare. A harsh lawman ruling over a prison for divine deviants, he has me incarcerated. Sheriff’s got a reputation for being able to tame even the wildest of our kind, and though everybody says I am beyond redemption, he reckons he’s going to teach me a lesson. He thinks he is going to rehabilitate me. Make me a good little angel. But I am not going to make this easy for him. I refuse to submit. I won’t kneel. I won’t bend. If he wants to rule over me, he’s going to have to break me. Angel Breaker is a standalone spinoff of the Blood Brotherhood series     AmazonKU

TALYN: DESCENT (TALYN’S SAGA BOOK TWO) by Benjamin Medrano

Talyn is finally beginning to take control of her life in a new world. Learning that her problems aren’t natural is a first step, but before she can take true measures, her life takes a turn for the worse. Cast into the depths of Castra’s dungeon, she survives only on the sufferance of others. On the other hand, should she live, she will shake the very foundations of the city itself.     AmazonKU

THE SIXTH DEMON BOOK THREE (THE LAST VAMPIRE WORLD 16) by R A Steffan

After Mab’s escape to Fae realm, the only way to stop a war is to risk a war. With Nigellus poised to attack the Fae forces massed at Dhuinne’s gate, Neveah must decide what she is willing to sacrifice to alter the balance of power between long-standing supernatural enemies. Hell’s forces will soon spill into the human realm, and if the Fae queen gets her way, no safe haven will remain anywhere for humans, vampires, or demons. There’s only one possibility that might bring a halt to the encroaching madness. Neveah’s people washed their hands of the other races’ conflict millennia ago, but if she can somehow persuade them to help, they could put an end to Mab’s power-mad ambitions as easily as snuffing a candle flame. A famous queen in a book once believed six impossible things before breakfast. Neveah would settle for achieving one impossible thing before doomsday.   AmazonKU

BITE OF BETRAYAL (BLOOD OATH 2) by R L Caulder

Bite of Betrayal is book two in the Blood Oath series, which is set within the shared universe of Dark Imaginarium Academy.      AmazonKU

THE GHOST AND THE NEW NEIGHBOR (HAUNTING DANIELLE BOOK 31) by Bobbi Holmes

Lots of activity on Beach Drive, with wedding plans and preparing for the stork’s arrival. But it’s the new neighbor moving into Pearl’s house who has the neighborhood in a deadly uproar.

Amazon      Apple Books     Kobo

THE NOEL BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Harper B Cole, Trisha Linde and Colbie Dunbar

Alpha wolf shifter Noel has always hated Christmas. Everyone just assumes he’ll be festive to the max, with a name like his, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. He can’t help but associate this time of year with sadness and loss, and he’d much rather just hibernate for the entire month of December. The irony isn’t lost on him, however, when he finds himself wearing a bright red suit, chanting ho, ho, ho. Omega fae Calen loves this time of year. The lights, the tinsel, the overall joy–it fills him to bursting with Christmas spirit. This is the exact reason why he’s always first in line amongst his coworkers at the department store to volunteer to work at Santa’s Workshop. The two find themselves working together, and while their personalities clash, Noel can’t help but feel himself being drawn to Calen. Will the grumpy alpha find a way to change his mind about the holiday season? It would be a Christmas miracle.     AmazonKU

BLOOD WITCH (PHASES OF THE MOON BOOK 2) by M Sinclair

Casting a Lure 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!)

I’m now taking excerpts from my recently published book in the award winning Badari Warriors series, REEDE’S MISSION TO THE SECTORS. It can be read as a standalone (mild spoilers for first book, REEDE.)

Continuing with Fallyn’s quest to buy a used spaceship…

The excerpt (Damin is the salesperson and he’s just named his price for the Roxy):

With relief Fallyn thought she could negotiate his opening number down to a sum she could afford and countered. Damin pretended to be horrified she expected him to basically give her such a prime little ship and quoted his next price with much grumbling and practiced blather about how the fact she was a veteran and he respected her service was making him take leave of his senses. Negotiation was one of her core skills and Fallyn was at ease with Vallington so she ignored his hyperbole.

“Why do you want to sell her to me so badly? What’s the fatal flaw I’m missing?” she asked.

Eyeing her as he considered his answer, Damin nodded. “Fair question. Don’t worry, the Roxy’s not a clunker. Told you my reputation matters to me more than any one sale and I meant it. Honestly? The previous owner made so many damn customizations like the pretty rosebushes you were admiring in hydroponics and a few other much more serious idiosyncrasies—all of which are fully detailed in the information file I gave you access to—that my crew is going to have to spend a lot of time ripping out and redoing. No offense but more experienced mercs aren’t going to give the Roxy a second glance even then. She’s a good ship for a novice in the trade.” He raised one hand in case she was going to protest. “Not saying you don’t have extensive military experience but you are starting as a rookie mercenary.”

Not offended in the least, especially as she actually had no plans to pursue the mercenary career, Fallyn nodded and waited.

“So if I can turn her over right away, as is, it’s a win-win for me. I’ll make my month end sales goals too.” Damin sat back in his chair and waited like a fisherman who knows he’s cast an irresistible lure.

VS: And will Fallyn go for it? Next week we’ll see…

REEDE’S MISSION TO THE SECTORS: A BADARI WARRIORS SCIFI ROMANCE NOVEL (SECTORS NEW ALLIES SERIES BOOK 15) by Veronica Scott

Reede’s people sent him to the Sectors on a desperate mission to beg for help against overwhelming odds in their battle to destroy the alien scientists who created them centuries ago. He knew the task wasn’t going to be easy but as a Badari Warrior, he vowed to do his best. When he’s arrested by the border patrol and thrown in the brig, things go from bad to worse. He faces difficult choices ahead and unimaginable obstacles to making his case to the authorities for help.

Fallyn is Reede’s human fated mate but also the active duty military scout who guided him to the Sectors from his own planet. Reede’s choices after his arrest put her in a difficult spot and his actions threaten their mate bond. Will she give up her career to help him and the Badari succeed in making a treaty with the Sectors?

The desperate attempt to find new allies takes Reede and Fallyn on a wild set of adventures across the sprawling interstellar Sectors civilization and places them, their friends and their love in harm’s way.

Amazon     Apple Books     Nook     Kobo     GooglePlay

Favorite Scene Friday Summoning the Snake Goddess DANCER OF THE NILE

One in a continuing series of occasional posts talking about a personal favorite scene from each of my books. It may not be my most favorite scene, since that would probably involve spoilers, but I thought it might be fun.

I’m working my way through my backlist pretty much in the order they were published so the next book is DANCER OF THE NILE and this couple – Nima the dancer and Kamin the Egyptian soldier – are two of my all time favorite characters. I have any number of scenes I relished writing in this novel but for today I’ll share the one where they’re on the run from their enemies and have to ask for help from Renenutet, the Snake goddess.

New cover SEPT 2019

The scene:

“Renenutet is a goddess of grain and harvests. Bread is the closest to a proper offering we can get on this rock.” Holding the bead carefully, Kamin rose and walked to the edge of the rock shelf, checking on the hyenas. A chorus of shrieking sounds rose as he peered over the precipice. “Still prowling. I have no real hope of their giving up and slinking away.”

“Sounds like they’re laughing at us,” Nima said, rubbing her bare wrist. “Like demons, enjoying our predicament. What do we do now?”

Setting the bread in the sunniest spot on the rock, Kamin laid the bead in the center, pushing it into the soft bread and coiling the broken ends of the black thong in a circle. “I need one drop of your blood, sweetheart, so the Great One hears the call through your bond with her—”

“I keep telling you there’s no bond, no link, nothing.” Nima held out her hand, closing her eyes. She gritted her teeth. “Go ahead, prick my finger.”

Nothing happened. Puzzled, braced for the pinprick, she opened her eyes to find Kamin oddly hesitant. Bewildered, she studied his face for a moment. “What?”

Pointing the knife at her ankle, he explained his insight. “I’m thinking a drop of your blood from where the hyena bit you might be better. Then the goddess would be aware of the black magic as well.”

Nima picked at the edge of the bandages he’d just applied. “You have a certain grim logic to this insane idea, soldier. Should I be concerned how much you know about black magic?” Removing the makeshift bandage, she gazed at him with a furrowed brow and wrinkled nose.

Wincing in obvious sympathy, he studied her foot as the bandages fell away. ”I’ll try not to hurt you.”

“The whole foot hurts and throbs, so don’t worry about one more prick.” She shut her eyes tight as he gently touched the tip of the knife to one of the angry, long, red slashes left by the hyena’s fangs and got a few drops of her blood on the blade. The black lines had not progressed much further up her leg, for which she was grateful, but they were a jarring, disquieting occurrence nonetheless.

Sharp pain for a brief moment, then Kamin stood. “I’m done. Cover the wound up again.”

Hastily, she wrapped the cloth over the gashes and bruises, tying a neat little knot.

As Kamin moved the knife slowly over the bead, Nima watched first one then two drops of the ruby blood fall onto the raised snake on the bead’s surface. The red ran to cover the entire bead without dripping off the edges. Kamin laid the knife aside and spread his hands out, palms up. “Great One Renenutet, we pray most earnestly for you to send us thy servants, the black cobras of the rocks, to kill the hyenas waiting below. The beasts were released to hunt us by priests of Qemtusheb, ruler of demons and enemy of Egypt. We ask for the one intervention Nima’s mother begged for, when she left your service so many years ago. Our need is dire, and Egypt’s fate may rest on our shoulders.”

Eyebrows raised, hand extended toward her, he nodded expectantly.

Pure panic froze Nima’s vocal cords for a moment. I don’t know any chants! What does he want me to add? She swallowed past the lump in her throat, licked her lips. “Please, if my mother meant anything to you, as a dancer, as your priestess, help Kamin and me now,” Nima said.

Riding the thermals overhead, the falcon let out a fierce cry and flew into the glare of the sun as she raised her head to watch him.

A thin tendril of black smoke spiraled from the bead. Kamin half lifted Nima away from the spot as first the bead, then the bread burst into angry purple-black flames. Writhing in the fire’s grasp, the leather thongs grew, splitting in two then splitting again, lengthening, fattening and spreading beyond the circle of the offering, in a tangle of tails. Nima screamed as eight black cobras raised their heads from the center of the fire circle, sinuously weaving and entwining around each other, red eyes gleaming, black tongues flicking. Hood pulsating, a ninth cobra, black like the others but with a golden head, reared four feet off the surface of the rock. The snake extricated itself from the tangle of lesser reptiles, slithering toward Nima, head weaving from side to side.

She scooted over the rough stone, heart pounding against her ribs, mouth dry, dizziness assailing her. Grabbing her by the shoulders, Kamin held her tight. “It’s the goddess, come at our request. Don’t panic now. You’ve got to face her, tell her what we need. Renenutet won’t grant any appeal just from me.” He gave her a little shake. “Falcons and snakes are sworn enemies.”

Plainly listening to his words, the cobra swung its head, studying him for a moment with cold, red-faceted eyes, then hissed loudly and continued to advance on Nima.

She shook in his arms, digging her nails  into him, but met the snake’s regard. “Please, Great One, we need your help to kill the hyenas waiting below, so we can escape before the enemy arrives. We must carry our news to the nomarch so he can defend Egypt.”

Advancing in tiny increments, the snake’s flickering ruby tongue touched Nima’s parted lips, the feathery touch leaving behind spreading coolness, a taste of vanilla and honey in her mouth. Then the goddess retreated, hissing and spitting, and slithered down the rocks toward the pack of hyenas, her minions going behind her like a rippling black brook. Nima collapsed against Kamin, trying to stop herself from trembling.

Depositphotos

DANCER OF THE NILE

2014 Golden Quill Award Finalist

The Story:

Nima’s beauty and skill as a dancer leads an infatuated enemy to kidnap her after destroying an Egyptian border town. However, she’s not the only hostage in the enemy camp: Kamin, an Egyptian soldier on a secret mission for Pharaoh, has been taken as well. Working together to escape, the two of them embark on a desperate quest across the desert to carry word of the enemy’s invasion plans to Pharaoh’s people.

As they flee for their lives, these two strangers thrown together by misfortune have to trust in each other to survive.  Nima suspects Kamin is more than the simple soldier he seems, but she finds it hard to resist the effect he has on her heart.  Kamin has a duty to his Pharaoh to see his mission completed, but this clever and courageous dancer is claiming more of his loyalty and love by the moment. Kamin starts to worry, if it comes to a choice between saving Egypt or saving Nima’s life…what will he do?

Aided by the Egyptian god Horus and the Snake Goddess Renenutet, beset by the enemy’s black magic, can Nima and Kamin evade the enemy and reach the safety of the Nile in time to foil the planned attack?

Can there ever be a happy future together for the humble dancer and the brave Egyptian soldier who is so much more than he seems?

Buy Links:

Amazon     Apple Books     Barnes & Noble       Kobo   Google Play

New Releases in #SciFi #Fantasy and Paranormal Romance for NOV 16

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). 

‘AB’ denotes audiobook and the Amazon buy link.

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

WED TO THE ALIEN GLADIATOR (ACCIDENTAL ALIEN BRIDES BOOK 4) by January Bell

Things were improving between us… that is, until he got the bright idea to kidnap me. I never thought I’d be tricked into an arranged marriage with an alien warlord. Still, it’s been easy enough to keep my former gladiator husband at arm’s length. But once my translator starts working, the hulking himbo decides he’s tired of waiting and freaking kidnaps me. I wake in a picturesque seaside village, and the big lug is only too happy to inform me that it’s all part of his plan to give us time to fall in love. Strangely enough, it turns out he was listening when I told him I loved historical mysteries, because he’s brought me to Sueva’s own unsolved mystery: a once thriving town where all occupants vanished without a trace. My overthinker brain is all too easily sucked into the riddle— and maybe even the idea of Alvez. Except… the reason the villagers disappeared? It’s not stuck in the past, and we’re in trouble. If Alvez and I want to escape the same fate, we’ll have to rely on each other… and I’ll have to stop over analyzing my feelings about him.      Amazon KU

MALAKAZ (SOCIETY OF SAVAGES BOOK 5) by Hope Hart

I landed on Brexos with fire in my heart and vengeance running through my veins. On that strange planet, I met its unofficial ruler—an alien who infuriated and captivated me in equal measure. Autocrat. Dictator. Control freak. Malakaz. We agreed to ignore this thing between us. Agreed to dismiss our chemistry and focus on all of the reasons we despise each other instead. But then I was taken. And for the first time in his life, Malakaz defied logic, ignored common sense, and came after me himself. I have to escape before Malakaz falls into their trap. And before the Grivath king goes through on his sick threats. Because he won’t kill me slowly. No, if I can’t get out of here my death will be broadcast across this galaxy and used to dissuade anyone fighting back against the Grivath. I’d never let Malakaz know it, but some days, the sound of his low voice in my ear is the only thing keeping me going. Because that future he talks about? I can almost imagine it. Can almost imagine being happy. With him. I just have to make the Grivath pay first.      Amazon KU

SAVAGE CONTROL (THE CONTROLLERS BOOK 10) by L V Lane

After a fateful meeting on a besieged space station, everything changed. What followed was an episode of crazy, post-danger intimacy with two insanely hot men. I thought they were alphas. It turned out they were something much worse—deltas. “Alphas are territorial toward omegas under their care,” Doctor Lilly said when explaining my fate to me. “Deltas are worse.” I read the information pack she gave me, filed an intergalactic restraining order, and fled. When they turned up at my practice seeking therapy, I convinced myself that everyone had gotten it wrong. They hadn’t. Now the two insanely hot delta males are determined to claim me as their mate.     Amazon KU

MIMIC by Yolanda Olson and C A Rene

The world died before I had a chance to take a breath. There’s a small number of survivors scattered around what was once Los Angeles. At least, that’s what I think this piece of land used to be called. I can only go by what I’ve been told, and the one person that guided me and kept me safe died seven years ago. With her last dying breath, she told me that I’m special. That I can fix this, and so I hunt. Scavenge for the scraps that haven’t been turned to poison, for the animals that can provide a meal for the ones I’m hiding in my home. But that’s a dangerous thing now. I’ve stumbled across a family that hunts more than just animals. Anything they see as a threat, they’ll take down. Find the cure or watch what’s left of humanity die. I have to take this burden on my shoulders because I promised her that I would. I just didn’t know how difficult things would get until I saw them. Because he has something I want, and I won’t stop until I take it from him.     AmazonKU

WAYWARD: A NOVEL (WANDERERS BOOK TWO) by Chuck Wendig

VS Note: I’ll have to reread book one before diving into this one. I do remember the first book frustrated me but I HAD to know what happened so I kept reading. Sometimes I love his books and other times not as much…Not romance but a scifi release of note.

Five years ago, ordinary Americans fell under the grip of a strange new malady that caused them to sleepwalk across the country to a destination only they knew. They were followed on their quest by the shepherds: friends and family who gave up everything to protect them. Their secret destination: Ouray, a small town in Colorado that would become one of the last outposts of civilization. Because the sleepwalking epidemic was only the first in a chain of events that led to the end of the world—and the birth of a new one. The survivors, sleepwalkers and shepherds alike, have a dream of rebuilding human society. Among them are Benji, the scientist struggling through grief to lead the town; Marcy, the former police officer who wants only to look after the people she loves; and Shana, the teenage girl who became the first shepherd—and an unlikely hero whose courage will be needed again. Because the people of Ouray are not the only survivors, and the world they are building is fragile. The forces of cruelty and brutality are amassing under the leadership of self-proclaimed president Ed Creel. And in the very heart of Ouray, the most powerful survivor of all is plotting its own vision for the new world: Black Swan, the A.I. who imagined the apocalypse. Against these threats, Benji, Marcy, Shana, and the rest have only one hope: one another. Because the only way to survive the end of the world is together.     Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

HUNTER’S TRIAL (XARC’N WARRIORS: MOUNTAIN BOOK 5) by Lynnea Lee

YVETTE – Of all the muscular purple warriors, I get stuck with the grumpy one. Stuck in the cliffside lodge for months, I’m going stir-crazy while all the other women get to explore with their mates. Even Judy has her biker beau. I need to get out of here, so I ask Bre’k to take me foraging. I’m not surprised when, yet again, he says no. At the clubhouse, after a freak storm cut the power to our lodge, one of the men offers to take me foraging. All of a sudden, Mr. Grumpy decides he wants to take me out after all! What kind of I-don’t-want-you-but-he-can’t-have-you-either bullcrap is this? I don’t think so, Grumpy. But, to stop a fistfight from breaking out in Gabby’s kitchen, I agree—for one trip. Too bad the mate bond has other ideas. BRE’K – She’s the sunshine that brightens our ledge. Yvette was terrified of all hunters when she first arrived on the ledge. Not wanting to scare her, I learned to limit myself to human noises. No growling, no snarling, and absolutely no purring. Desperate to keep her safe, I offer to look for the items she needs instead of taking her out foraging. I didn’t expect another male to offer to take her instead! After shutting him down, the goal is simple: get her items, then get her back in one piece. Too bad my purring chest, mouthy shuttle, and a badly-timed mate bond decide to complicate things.   AmazonKU

BORN ANDROMEDA by K M Watts

Being eighteen is difficult, especially when you’re a cyborg and heir to the entire kingdom of the Moon. Disillusioned with royal life, Princess Andromeda dreams of nothing but freedom and adventure outside the protective dome of royalty. But when her parents arrange her marriage to an Earthen prince, she is forced to put her kingdom before her dreams of independence. While traveling to Earth, Andromeda’s ship is attacked by galactic pirates led by her father’s sworn enemy, the Lord Captain Bran. Taken prisoner, Andromeda realizes that her captors are unaware of her true identity and sees an opportunity: To best her enemies, she may have to join them.     Amazon     Kobo

BABY FOR THE GRIMLOCK GENERAL (ALIEN BABY PACT BOOK 1) by Aurelia Skye, Juno Wells and Kit Tunstall

She’s been drafted to be a surrogate for the alien. Violet Jones discovers she’s been matched to a Grimlock general. She’ll accompany the huge alien general to his home world. She only has to give him a year to woo her and act as his surrogate before she can walk away. At first, she’s sure she can’t give the massive alien what he wants, but he’s completely contrary to what she expects. He’s tender, caring, and obsessed with ensuring her pleasure and ability to accommodate him. Soon enough, the idea of leaving him seems crazier than the possibility of staying. Seven years ago, the Faction agreed to save Earth from the Vorathan invasion in exchange for Earth women giving them one year of proxy rights to act as a surrogate, since the aliens of the Faction faced a dwindling population. With the Vorathans feared throughout the galaxy as bloodthirsty, vicious marauders, the Earth’s government agreed. That doesn’t mean the women did.      Amazon KU

ALIEN PRINCE’S MATE by Tammy Walsh

Claim. Mate. Breed. After human females are no longer capable of becoming pregnant, I enter a program to be seeded by an alien male. But when the facility is attacked, I discover my mate is none other than Ezal, a powerful alien prince and heir to the Krev throne. I rebel against his tyrannical rules but he’s determined to protect and seed me, no matter the cost. And when I discover he’s tormented by inner demons and consumed by the need to control, we embark on a passionate love affair. When he touches me, I yearn for more. When he kisses me, I surrender in gratitude. When he undresses me, I ache to scream his name. And when he makes me fly, I soar higher than ever before. When Ezal warns me to keep my distance, it only makes me want him more. I discover my true desires, as well as the dark secrets he keeps hidden away from prying eyes.      Amazon KU

SAVED AND SATED (STRAFOR BOOK THREE) by D E Chapman

My happily ever after has never seemed so far away. Life on Strafor has been agonizing, and the only two people who’ve made it manageable are now bonded to me for life. I’m still struggling with that concept, and with being in a polyamorous relationship, but I could do a lot worse for myself. Wen and Olo are two of the kindest souls I’ve ever met, and they’ve saved me time and time again. I owe them everything. Too bad my little honeymoon doesn’t last. My “owner” has come to reclaim me. I truly feel like our triad could have had something, but now, I may never know. But it turns out Wen and Olo aren’t letting me go without a fight. As flattering as that is, I’m scared for them, terrified. If they get hurt, it’ll break me. And if I lose them, I’ll break this whole world.     Amazon KU

PLAGUE DOCTOR (BUFFALO STEAMPUNK ADVENTURES BOOK 9) by Laura Strickland

VS Note: One reviewer states the romance is a “strong undercurrent”.

A menace stalks the streets of Victorian Buffalo. Costumed like a medieval physician, it brings panic, sickness, and death to a city already in turmoil over automaton rights. Fresh off a boat from Poland, Kasper Czak can’t let politics or mysterious figures deter him. He’s willing to work anywhere for an honest wage, including as caretaker at the Lost Waifs Orphanage. Tori Anderson, a young woman with a withered arm, also works at Lost Waifs, where there’s never enough time, hands, or money for their young charges. Locked down at the orphanage with ailing children, cranky steam units, and the handsome Kasper, Tori wonders if she’ll survive. But when she comes face to face with the plague doctor, she discovers her true strength.      Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

STAR SEASON by Jove Chambers

A female rebel – I work for the resistance, and I need to get to a wrecked ship on this planet’s pole. I must retrieve schematics vital to our struggle against the evil alien overlords who terrorize our galaxy.
I’ll do anything for the cause. So, when this alien guide tells me that taking me up to that part of the planet will trigger what he calls a rut—a maddened mating instinct that his kind has left in their primitive past—and that he’ll lose control and, uh, take me, well…Acceptable risk. An alien guide – I should not take her up to the pole. It’s too dangerous, and I don’t want to risk violating her. I know there’s a good chance I’ll lose control. The thing is, this human girl, I’m reacting to her in a way I’ve never reacted to anyone. The way she smells is phenomenal. I know what the right thing to do is. So, why can’t I seem to stop myself from doing the wrong thing? Author’s Note: This is dub-con confetti, ladies! Just handfuls of raining dubious consent, all over your face. You’re welcome.     Amazon KU

RESCUED BY A DISIAC WARRIOR (DISIAC BROTHERS BOOK 3) by Tania Sharp

VS Note: Reviews are mixed on ths series to date but the author does state the stories are ‘humorous’ and of course not everyone finds the same things amusing. Listed in Erotica.

Can Tavark rescue Zoe from the evil King Sloid and the dreaded Noids before they ruin his chances of prolonging the Disiac race? Zoe’s life is about to change forever. Her Mom is suffering from an overpowering Alzheimer’s disease, and her care home fees are extortionate. To continue the payments, Zoe must gain a promotion to sales director by convincing her CEOs that her new strategies will increase profits. So she does not need distractions today, especially tingly, toe-curling erotic dream distractions about a gorgeous blue alien whose …(more blurb on ebook seller’s page…)   AmazonKU

TO EACH THIS WORLD by Julie E Czernada

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

Biologist Julie E. Czerneda’s new standalone science fiction novel, To Each This World follows a desperate mission to reconnect with long lost sleeper ships, sent centuries earlier from Earth to settle distant worlds. A trio of Humans must work with their mysterious alien allies to rescue any descendants they can find on those worlds. Something is out there, determined to claim the cosmos for itself, and only on Earth will Humans be safe. Or will they? The challenge isn’t just to communicate with your own kind after generations have passed. It’s to understand what isn’t your kind at all. And how far will trust take you, when the truth depends on what you are?

Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

UNYIELDING (XITHILENE MATES) by R L Olvitt

Can you bribe an alien with a pumpkin pie? Kayla Chang would’ve been just fine staying on Earth without ever encountering a Xithilene warrior, but when her big sister Sam goes missing after traveling to Xithilene to meet her prospective mate, Kayla is almost certain that there’s trouble in paradise. When no one else will listen to her, she takes matters into her own hands. Fleet Captain T’xith of Vastiss has transported countless humans to his home planet, but hardly any of them ever seem to notice him. Even his crew doesn’t know the real man behind his rank. A soldier trying to navigate his new peacetime identity, T’xith feels as if he’s approaching a crossroads. He just never expected it to arrive in the form of a determined human woman. When Kayla shows up on his bridge requesting assistance, he has a decision to make. Helping Kayla will mean returning to a place that he promised himself he’d left behind for good, but if he doesn’t confront those bitter memories, they’ll have no chance of finding Sam. A trip deep into the remote jungles of Lisseethi pushes T’xith and Kayla even closer together. Add in a flower laden treehouse in the middle of a secluded forest village, a convenient lie about how Kayla might be his mate, and Christmas on the horizon, and they just might have the recipe for a real romance. T’xith and Kayla just need a little holiday magic to discover what really matters—and how to make a love between two planets work.   AmazonKU

FORGOTTEN PLANETS: EMISSARY by Ginny Young

VS Note: Reviews/ratings are mixed. This is not listed as a romance although there appear to be romantic elements but it is charting in SciFi romance.

It’s a mission fraught with danger and shrouded in secrets, but if it means a chance to salvage his disgraced military career, Captain Bradley Decker is on board. Armed with a sexy android first mate and a bumbling engineer, Decker sets out to find planet Seryph and uncover the remains of an abandoned colonization project. But the closer they get to their goal, the more they realize this mission is not what it seems, and Decker will have to decide if saving his career is worth risking the fate of the galaxy. Meanwhile, on Seryph, the threat of war hangs over the territories. Gemini Flynn wants nothing more than to escape her gilded cage, but leaving her home doesn’t go quite as planned. Marked as a target by an evil cyborg general, Gemini must convince the fierce warlord Jarrett Banther to protect her before she becomes the general’s next victim. But if help doesn’t show up when she needs it, will Gemini be strong enough to save herself? At this point, it will take a miracle to survive. Emissary is book one in the epic sci-fi saga Forgotten Planets. If you like political intrigue, military subterfuge, aliens, and blaster battles, all topped with a healthy dose of steamy relationships and comedic relief, download Forgotten Planets today and jump into the fight for the galaxy.      Amazon KU

STONE AWAKENED (GLADIATORS OF THE VAGABOND BOOK SIX) by Robin O’Connor

Agatha – I don’t think twice about diving headfirst into a dangerous rescue mission, especially when it’s for the people who saved me. I’ll kick in teeth, swap uniforms, go undercover as a gladiator trainer. Nothing can throw me. Except him That man in the uniform has his eyes trained on me. And I’m caught off my guard. He’s a little older and he looks like a freaking gargoyle, but each look gives me shivers. I need to rescue these kids, escape. But it’s hard to think of a plan, when those gray eyes are always watching. Not everything is what it seems, and when changes come one after the other, I don’t roll with the punches, I might just fall straight into his arms. Sunder – There’s only one thing on my mind. Rescue my son. I’ve got a meticulous plan for that and I’m not about to let anyone mess that up. The stern faced, straight-laced teacher is the last thing I want to deal with, but she’s between me and my son. I shouldn’t find her attractive, she’s on a Crimelord’s payroll. Yet I can’t keep my eyes of her. She’s an unlikely ally I can work with, and beneath that stern exterior? She’s hiding a fire I shouldn’t want to tame, but I can’t seem to stay away.      Amazon KU

SAVED BY THE WARLORD (ALIEN WARLORD BRIDES BOOK 2) by Cass Carlton

I’ve had dreams about her. I’ve never seen her but I can’t get her out of my head. She shouldn’t exist. This shouldn’t be a thing. But it is. She’s mine. My soul has marked her as such. I’m Kaze, the newly minted captain of a warship. I’m a warlord from another planet. A human cannot be my soulmate. So why is fate bringing us together? And why are my senses telling me she’s on a slaver ship? Lyric. That’s me. A human slave, captive on a slaver ship, held since I was a young girl, facing the most desperate time as one of my captors tries to take away my maidenhood. That’s right. I’ve never been with a man. I’d like to keep it that way if I can avoid the cretin who’s trying to change that. Until an alarm sounds. The ship’s being attacked. I’ve had a life full of turmoil and it looks like it’s getting worse.      Amazon KU

ENGINEERIUM (THE CERULEAN AIRSHIP BOOK TWO) by Ruxandra Tarca

VS Note: Not a romance. Steampunk with – as one reviewer puts it – “a smidgen of romance”.

With the Engineers Order’s approval and an unexpected addition to the team to help them, airship engineer Jasper Kendall Asher and aeronaut Ivy Blackwell are ready to see their airship come to life. Or so they think – until a series of unsettling newspaper articles make their workers quit one by one. To make matters worse, a powerful contender for the title of England’s representative to the Engineers World Gathering not only challenges their project, but also throws Ivy and her airship into an unwanted race against time from London to the Australian colonies and back. When unforeseen events change the journey’s course, relationships and loyalties are put to test. With scarce resources and only a few months left until the most anticipated engineering event in the world, Jasper must find a way to protect his work and his place at the Gathering. Opening a case with Her Majesty’s Office of Classified Affairs seems a good idea for this purpose. So long as he follows the right trail.      Amazon     Kobo

REDLINE (HUNTED RELICS BOOK 2) by Sybur Phyre

Titans never got the mates they were promised. Solcrue and CSP have figured out CyberTitans can’t resist trying to rescue human females. If the Solcrue capture and decommission enough cyborgs, they will attain total dominion over the galaxy, which means humans will be forced to serve them forever. CyberTitans and humans have to work together if they want to survive.Redline: I assume it’s a trap. The escape pod that rockets across the sky is a Solcrue vessel. My scanners tell me the occupant is human. Savage warned me to be careful on our private channel, but my programming won’t listen. There’s a human in need of help. Everything I do is at maximum throttle. I race through the forest to the crash site only to discover I’m too late. Solcrue have found and captured the escapee. She’s in bad shape yet still stuns me into a full stop. The female fights hard, relentlessly…with everything she has. I’m overheating. I don’t think it’s because of the run this time. I’ve finally found someone else like me. Aniah: I thought with the alien Solcrue distracted by hunting CyberTitans that I had a chance of escaping the warship I was forced to serve on. But I’m not a pilot. When Solcrue shot at me, the pod’s autopilot failed. Now I’m stuck on a mostly deserted planet with a blazing headache from the crash, cyborgs, and Solcrue, none of which I like. It doesn’t take long for ..(more blurb on ebook seller page…)      Amazon KU

HER ALIEN ADMIRAL (TAL WARSHIP ROMANCES BOOK 1) by Serena Astra

I never intended to fall for an alien, but after a steamy session with the Warship’s Admiral, I didn’t stand a chance. We didn’t even know aliens existed before several giant ships surrounded Earth and requested ten thousand women. These women were to serve as companions for the advanced alien species called the Tal. I never thought I’d be chosen, but six months later, I woke up from cryogenic sleep in deep space. Admiral Arrens was the first to greet us when we finally arrived at the Warship. None of the Tal were what I expected, especially him. They were huge and muscular weirdest of all: kind. I just wanted to get through the five years I was supposed to serve on the ship, but how was I supposed to resist someone like the Admiral? My only problem was, did he want me back? Or was he only going along with our little relationship because his leadership told him to?     AmazonKU

DEFYING GRAVITY by Charles Payseur

Gravity has it pretty together. He’s got a nice apartment with neighbors who don’t mind him flying in and out at all hours and a superhero career that, while maybe not out of this world, keeps him busy and with enough of a following to crowdfund his living expenses. Until, of course, a strange man shows up hoping to be his sidekick. Bruce doesn’t seem like a bad guy (and he certainly looks good in tight clothes), but after he shows up Gravity finds himself suddenly getting trounced by villains he used to have no problem with. Is he just distracted by his growing attraction to Bruce, or is there something else going on that might explain why every villain suddenly has no problem defying Gravity?

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

JACK THIS HEART (FULL THROTTLE CYBORGS) by Landra Graf

Love like you stole it. Jack Renfro lost his leg in a racing accident ten years ago. The cybernetic replacement he received from the Moon techies have increased his strength, stamina, and fortitude making him prime for racing. But the racing dome doctor says no, Jack’s implants are poisoning his blood and his body. If he doesn’ t get them fixed racing will be the least of his worries. Enter moon tech, Shannon Moore, a survivor of the Humans First Terrorist cell purge. She’ s known for her cybernetic work but finds the racers and their philosophies disgusting. Especially since she was born on Mars and is spying on behalf of the MacIntosh gang in exchange for her getting her betting debts paid off. Too bad close quarters make Shannon realize her and Jack have a connection far deeper then simply saving Jack’s life, and his Full Throttle partners are supporting a town not tearing it apart. When Shannon’ s secret unravels will the newfound relationship she and Jack have survive?   AmazonKU

FATED TO THE ALIEN DRAGON by Rebekah Wright

She swindled money from people, which he abhorred. He kept meddling in her personal affairs, which infuriated her. But when their hands made contact for the first time, sparks flew in different ways. All her life, Aeryn was a con artist trying to make ends meet. She was a fake psychic, a fake real estate broker, a fake wife-to-be. When something real finally comes into her life in the form of a gorgeous skydiver, she’s scared to death. Kylo wants to revive his long-lost shifting ability since his space pod crashed on Earth. The curvy, strong headed fortune teller is the only one who made his dragon self resurface. But that isn’t the only reason he couldn’t stop fantasizing about her. When he finally moves on, his mission is to abduct her and bring her to his planet. Will they keep fighting their destiny or will they capture each others hearts?      Amazon KU

5 ALIEN MINDS (CRASH LANDED ALIEN LOVE BOOK 1) by C Y Croc

Who would fly across a galaxy pursuing love with aliens? 5 human women, that’s who! Ava: I’m about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Out of billions on Earth, four other women and I have been chosen to be the first ever women to be matched to an alien. We are about to cross the universe to meet alien mates chosen for them in an intergalactic match making scheme agreed by Earth with Vysarians, in exchange for their intellectual knowledge. Only things don’t go quite to plan. As we are entering Planet Vysarian’s atmosphere, something hits our ship. We all escape in our individual emergency pods, but that’s just the beginning of our battle to survive. I’m the first to meet the planet’s inhabitants, but the extraterrestrial I meet looks nothing like the grainy photos of the handsome alien that were shown to me. Is this her dream, or a nightmare? Aphis: My brothers and I crashed onto our neighbouring planet, Vysaria. Only, Vysaria is no longer only inhabited by Vysarians. My brothers and I were captured by the cannibal species, Badligons. I escaped, but I have just days to find a buried capsule and free my brothers before they are eaten. But I discover a female instead. I’m shocked. Females are rarer than gems. What’s even more astonishing is, she said she travelled here with four more females. I’ve promised to help her if she helps me find the capsule. That is, if I can concentrate on the job at hand, because she’s captivating.     AmazonKU

*************************BRIEF BREAK BEFORE THE FANTASY/PNR BOOKS!***************************************

VS: The backlist highlight this week is another one of my alien empath novels! I couldn’t resist the question of what such a person would do if she’d escaped the interstellar crime mob, was in hiding and confronted with a situation where only she could save another person’s life…but in so doing would blow her own cover. The risks for her are huge…but can she leave the handsome stranger to die?

TWO AGAINST THE STARS by Veronica Scott

Empathic priestess Carialle has escaped the evil Amarotu Combine, but she’s hardly out of danger. Not when she risks everything to rescue a drugged man from a crooked veterans’ clinic. By lulling the clinic staff to sleep, she reveals her powers. And once again, criminals are after her and her rescuer.

Marcus Valerian, a wounded Special Forces veteran, never expected to have his life threatened by the clinic that’s supposed to help ex-soldiers like him. But when he wakes from a drugged state to find a lovely woman urging him to run–he does. In his family’s remote fishing cabin, he suffers the agony of withdrawal, soothed only by her powers.

In their idyllic hideaway, the two also discover a nova-hot attraction flaring. But can they stay alive long enough for it to become more? Not if the Combine has anything to say–they are not giving up until Marcus is dead and Carialle is their weapon

Amazon    Apple Books    Barnes & Noble  Kobo       Google

******************************OKAY, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ONWARD WE GO!**************************************************

EARTH’S ELF (EARTH’S MAGIC BOOK 3) by Eve Langlais

This oversized elf is on a mission to save Christmas. The unthinkable has happened. Krampus has escaped his prison and is out for revenge. It’s up to Leif Blitzen, member of the Yule Squad, to locate the dangerous prisoner before anyone is harmed. His mission takes him from the North Pole to a small town with an interesting shop and an even more intriguing owner. Bella might be almost forty but that hasn’t diminished her love of the holidays. Filled with unique gifts and antiques from all over the world, her Christmas store keeps her spirit bright all year round. However, it doesn’t make her a sucker for the man with pointed ears who claims he’s Santa’s elf. Once Leif shows proof he truly does work for the man in red, Bella is ready and willing to do anything to help him against the coming evil, including offering herself as bait for a trap. What they don’t count on is Krampus coming early and taking her hostage. Now, Leif will do anything to rescue Bella—risk his own life, forsake Santa—because there’s only one thing this elf wants for Christmas. Love.

Amazon     AB      Apple Books      Kobo

A LIGHT IN THE FLAME: A FLESH AND FIRE NOVEL by Jennifer L Armentrout

The only one who can save Sera now is the one she spent her life planning to kill. The truth about Sera’s plan is out, shattering the fragile trust forged between her and Nyktos. Surrounded by those distrustful of her, all Sera has is her duty. She will do anything to end Kolis, the false King of Gods, and his tyrannical rule of Iliseeum, thus stopping the threat he poses to the mortal realm. Nyktos has a plan, though, and as they work together, the last thing they need is the undeniable, scorching passion that continues to ignite between them. Sera cannot afford to fall for the tortured Primal, not when a life no longer bound to a destiny she never wanted is more attainable than ever. But memories of their shared pleasure and unrivaled desire are a siren’s call impossible to resist. And as Sera begins to realize that she wants to be more than a Consort in name only, the danger surrounding them intensifies. The attacks on the Shadowlands are increasing, and when Kolis summons them to Court, a whole new risk becomes apparent. The Primal power of Life is growing inside her, pushing her closer to the end of her Culling. And without Nyktos’s love—an emotion he’s incapable of feeling—she won’t survive her Ascension. That is if she even makes it to her Ascension and Kolis doesn’t get to her first. Because time is running out. For both her and the realms.     Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

TREAD OF ANGELS by Rebecca Roanhorse

The year is 1883 and the mining town of Goetia is booming as prospectors from near and far come to mine the powerful new element Divinity from the high mountains of Colorado with the help of the pariahs of society known as the Fallen. The Fallen are the descendants of demonkind living amongst the Virtues, the winners in an ancient war, with the descendants of both sides choosing to live alongside Abaddon’s mountain in this tale of the mythological West from the bestselling mastermind Rebecca Roanhorse.

Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

HAMMERED (LEGACY OF MAGIC BOOK ONE) by Lindsay Buroker

Seattle native Matti Puletasi has the strength of a bear, the stamina of an ox, and a magical hammer inherited from her dwarven mother. She’s happy renovating homes and occasionally thumping bad guys until she learns of a mysterious artifact hidden under the house she’s working on. Everybody from humans to orcs to werewolves wants it, and they’re willing to kill to get it. Things go from bad to worse when someone frames her for murder. The only person interested in helping her is a haughty elf assassin from another realm. He’s handsome, powerful, and deadly, but he’s got an agenda of his own. She dare not trust him—or be attracted to him. But if she can’t clear her name, the assassin will be the least of her worries.      AmazonKU

PROPHET MOTIVE (HEDGEWITCH FOR HIRE BOOK 8) by Christine Pope

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, Selena finds herself soothing the nerves of her friend Josie, who’s now Globe’s newly minted mayor. Popular television preacher Aaron Galloway is bringing his traveling prayer gathering to town, and Josie is worried Selena’s New Age shop will attract negative attention. Josie’s concern is touching, but Selena can’t imagine her humble little shop being any more than a blip on the faithful’s radar. Still, she does a quick Tarot reading, just to be sure. To her dismay, the cards warn there’s trouble brewing. What kind and how deep it goes is anyone’s guess. Until Galloway falls over dead of arsenic poisoning — and Josie is accused of murder. Holiday plans are put on hold as Selena races to prove Josie’s innocence. And as she begins unearthing something rotten under the megachurch’s squeaky-clean veneer, the real killer is getting nervous…and determined to mow down anyone who gets too close to the truth.      Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

UNBROKEN STAR (IN THE QUEERNESS OF TIME BOOK 2) by Alex Washoe

Two women from different times, whose hearts beat with a single passion. In the 21st century, burned-out ex-cop Britt Halliday sets out on a tour of the west, hoping to reconnect with the stories of her childhood heroes. Outside of a ghost town in northern Wyoming she rushes to the rescue of a woman pursued by armed men, and finds herself whisked back into the real world behind her youthful fantasies. In 1887, Dr. Agnes Sheedy struggles to find a cure for the malady that ravages the mining town of Pigeon Point. The residents believe they are cursed, but Agnes’ crusade draws the ire of powerful enemies. Escaping an attempted abduction, she flees into the arms of a mysterious woman who appears out of a storm, on a railroad trestle that shouldn’t exist. One timeless love to protect Pigeon Point — and the world — from a gathering darkness.     Amazon KU

STONE CHAMPION (HEART OF STEEL) by Demelza Carlton

It was meant to be a joke – trying out a demon summoning spell from an ancient spell book. Callie didn’t expect it to summon one demon, let alone four. Now she can’t get rid of him. Grant Steel isn’t sure what’s worse – that Callie is a better Latin scholar than he is, or that he’s forced to protect her. But when a family wedding looms and Callie needs a date, she has no choice but to make a deal with Grant. If he pretends to be her fake fiancé for the week of the wedding, she’ll help him find a way to be free of the curse binding him. A lot can happen in a week.     Amazon     Kobo

A COURT OF BLOOD AND BONE (THE IRONWOOD SERIES BOOK 2) by Candace Osmond

She’s part Fae with sunlight in her veins. He’s a vampire with a soul. But as Avery’s fledgling power grows beyond control, a Dark Lord with a claim to her immortal soul may be the only one who can help. As Avery’s circle of friends grows, so does her power and desire to uncover who she really is. But with each secret she unravels, a new threat presents itself. With a potential war looming, headed by the Therians who want to take back what was stolen from them, even if it means destroying everything and everyone in their path, Avery is afraid she won’t be strong enough to protect those she loves. Oden, the Dark Lord of Nightmares, seems to be the only one who can help her find control. But the deeper she sinks into his domain, the further she drifts from the one she truly loves…Set against a backdrop that straddles the line between the mortal world and the land of Faerie, A Court of Blood & Bone is a dark and fantastical tale of power, war, and love as Avery finds her way in a dangerous world she feels bound to protect. If only she can learn to control her chaotic magic.      Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

NIGHT TREASURES (MIDNIGHT MAGIC BOOK 5) by Richard Amos

VS Note: Author states series is best read in order.

There’s no rest for the, erm… Well, for me. Or for Tae Frost. The world is spinning into chaos, calling out for a hero. Can I rise to the challenge, or am I doomed to linger in this darkness? I have to hold on to hope. I have to be strong. For Tae. For Fizz.  For the whole of my heart.     Amazon KU

OF GODS AND WOLVES: DEATH’S CAPTIVE by G K DeRosa

The god of death is coming for me. He watches me through the eyes of a violent wolf—one who believes I’m his fated mate. He’s cruel and vicious… to everyone other than me. I know I should run, but I can’t deny the longing for him stirring deep within me. Just when I allow myself to trust him, he reveals his true nature. Enveloping me in his deadly embrace, he seeks to claim my soul. Despite my aching desire for him, I’ve made a vow to myself. Only I will be the one to determine my fate.   AmazonKU

OWL IN DUE CURSE (OWL STAR WITCH MYSTERIES BOOK 10) by Leanne Leeds

I should have known the gifts Athena sends always have a price. I just didn’t expect the yuletide godsend’s arrival to herald a test of Archie’s loyalty—and of our family’s ability to unravel what the goddess is really up to. Opening the door to yet another gift from the goddess Athena, I’m not too worried. After all, she sent me my familiar, Archie, and I really love that owl. Most of the time. But when the unwrapped toy soldier strides up to my owl, points, and announces he’s here to test Archie’s competence as a witch’s familiar, I know we’re in trouble. As the yule celebration becomes a trial of wills, we grow increasingly suspicious. Did the goddess really send this toy to Archie for a divine trial, or is something else going on? While my sisters and I work to unravel the cryptic clues unlocking the riddle of the toy soldier’s arrival, ominous forces gather. In a desperate race against time, we’re faced with an impossible choice without knowing where those choices will lead us—or how we will survive it.     Amazon KU

LITTLE KISS OF SNOW: A CREATURE CAFE CHRISTMAS ANTHOLOGY (CREATURE CAFE BOOK 11) by Clio Evans

VS Note: 10 short stories plus a New Year’s novella with two new characters.

The Creature Cafe Christmas Anthology has a short story for each novella in the Creature Cafe Series, with everyone the Barista has matched, along with a bonus novella with a new couple. Each story will have content warnings listened before hand.     Amazon KU

TAINTED BLOOD (EVERLY ABBOTT BOOK THREE) by K N Banet

I’m Everly Abbott, and I work for one of the most dangerous vampires in the world. He’s known as Alexius, the Hunter and he’s also one of the oldest. We’ve been invited to a gathering of ancients like him, and we can’t pass on this opportunity. We’re hoping to gather information, anything that might draw us closer to the group behind Jacob’s murder, the events in Alaska, and the threatening email I received. However, we’re not the only ones attending with our own agenda. Ancient political rivalries and dangerous schemes wait for us in upstate New York. Even our host, Isaiah, Master of the Tribunal, is on edge. He has good reason to be. A gathering of ancient vampires can be a grand affair. It can also be a deadly one.      Amazon KU

MONSTERS BEFORE MEN by Various

When men fail, our monsters will satisfy…A primal growl. The rustle of fur. Eerie eyes peer out from the darkness. There’s no use resisting. They’ve been waiting, patient in their hunt. Now, they’ve come to corner you. Take you. Claim you. But beware… No man can compare to the savage love of a monster. Thirteen exceedingly sexy short romances that will give you goosebumps in all the right places. Reticent Desire Publications and the monster-loving readers’ group, Monsters, Demons & Knotting, oh My! is thrilled to present this limited-edition anthology featuring steamy encounters with creatures both paranormal and alien.     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

THE HUSKY AND HIS WHITE CAT VOL 1 by Ru Bao Bu Chi Rou

Cruel tyrant Taxian-jun killed his way to the throne and now reigns as the first ever emperor of the mortal realm. Yet somehow, he is unsatisfied. Left cold and bereft, abandoned by all he held dear, he takes his own life…only to be reborn anew. Awakening in the body of his younger self–Mo Ran, a disciple of the cultivation sect Sisheng Peak–he discovers the chance to relive his life. This time, he vows to attain the gratification that once eluded him: all who defied him will fall, and never again will they treat him like a dog. His greatest fury is reserved for Chu Wanning, the coldly beautiful and aloofly catlike cultivation teacher who betrayed and thwarted Mo Ran time and again in their last life. Yet as Mo Ran shamelessly pursues his own goals in this life he thought lost, he begins to wonder if there might be more to his teacher–and his own feelings–than he ever realized.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

PURRFECTLY NAUGHTY (THE MAVERICK PRIDE TALES BOOK 5) by C D Gorri

Sometimes being naughty is very, very nice…Pamela has turned her life around for the sake of her son and the Maverick Pride, but is this reformed bad girl ready for more than one night of naughtiness? Her only focus is to provide her cub with the best life possible and she’s worked hard to mend her past mistakes. Forging relationships with her Pride mates is no small feat, but totally worth it. Especially when the Nari chooses her to represent the entire Pride at Uncle Uzzi’s Magical Holiday Ball. Javier Auberon is an Andean Bear Shifter who’s recently moved to the states from his South American home. Spending the holidays with his favorite honorary uncle, the owner of the renowned Magical Matchmaking Service, Uncle Uzzi himself, is a no-brainer. Javi’s Uncle Uzzi has been trying to get him to use his service forever, but the Bear had no idea he’d arranged for his fated mate to be at his famous holiday party. Can Javi make all of Pamela’s Christmas wishes come true?     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

THE DRAGON’S SURPRISE (THE FALK CLAN SERIES BOOK 6) by C D Gorri

Nothing can surprise this six hundred-year-old Dragon, except maybe her. After the fall of the Blackthorne Clan, Devine and his brother, Nicholas, find themselves in Falk Clan territory. Once they’d cleared up the little—okay, more like huge—misunderstanding, the two brothers are invited to stay with the Falk Clan to adjust to the modern world. What choice do they have? Vulnerable and without a home, Devine Graystone still had his brother. As the last of their line, they had a duty to carry on. But finding a mate in today’s world seemed an impossible task. Would loneliness be this QuartzDragon’s fate? Sunny Daye was as bright and perky as her name. But when a girl had hippie Werewolves for parents, she had little choice in the matter—uber cheerful was her norm. Always looking for the next adventure, she’s stunned when it comes walking through her shop door in the shape of a seven foot tall Dragon. Can this curvy Werewolf tame a cranky Dragon and change his outlook on life?

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

A DARK CRYSTAL CURSE (A CRYSTAL CURSE COZY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by Constance Barker

Cora has lived a quiet life up until a few days ago when she learned she comes from a long line of witches and her family is relying on her to complete the Trial of the Six Crystals and redeem the forgotten Lightheart name. The only problem is, Cora has no idea what it means to even be Magical. Thankfully, Cora has a crew. With the help of her cat Hades (who can now suddenly talk and has a lot to say) (like, a lot) and her new mentor Ali Kazam (who happens to also be her estranged aunt), as well as her best friend Ashley and her good friend (and crush) Lucas, she won’t feel alone. Between the five of them, Cora feels not only supported but like she can maybe take on this new challenge. Maybe being Magical isn’t so scary, and maybe this Trial of the Six Crystals isn’t so daunting, and maybe Cora really can do it. But right when she starts to feel comfortable, in comes Petrov Blackwell, an evil warlock with his own goals for the Six Crystals. Not only does she have Petrov and the crystals to deal with, but a death occurs. A man has fallen to his death. Was it accidental, suicide or murder? Cora and Ashley fancy themselves as Nancy Drews…even when they were youngsters, so this mystery draws them in. Could the death have anything to do with said crystals?      Amazon KU

CHAMBERED (THE BUREAU BOOK 10) by Kim Fielding

VS Note: I pre-ordered this because the author is an autobuy for me.

Agent Dash Cooke likes simple assignments: annihilate the dangerous monsters and move on. He likes a simple life too: a furnished apartment that he switches out for a new one every few years and no messy personal connections. Then his boss gives him an assignment that’s not simple at all. Reports claim that a beautiful old house in Sacramento is haunted by a poltergeist, but Dash soon discovers a very different type of spirit. Henry will be destroyed if Dash evicts him. And suddenly Dash’s life has become very complicated indeed.      AmazonKU

LOKI (SPEED DATING WITH THE DENIZENS OF THE UNDERWORLD BOOK ) by Rebekah Ganiere

What happens when Loki falls for the one woman immune to his charms? Val has spent the last hundred years doing two things, protecting Princess Sutrelle of Muspelheim from her father, and hating the Norse Gods who forced her and her Valkyrie sisters to fight in Ragnarök. When she meets the God of Mischief at a Speed Dating event, the last thing she intends to do is fall for the man-whore, woman-using, Trickster God. But getting away from Loki isn’t as easy as she had hoped because despite him being irritating, vain, and stubborn, he’s also kind, understanding, and hotter than Hell itself. Val has a decision to make—let go of the past and embrace what could be a fantastic future with a sexy, rich playboy God, or settle for someone that the Fates didn’t have in mind for her and save her heart from the possibility of the heartbreak of a lifetime.     Amazon      Apple Books     Kobo

HITCHED TO THE DRAGON (HELLSCAPE HOLIDAYS BOOK 2) by Milly Taiden

Alpha dragon shifter Cooper Dawson didn’t plan on visiting Hellscape Holidays Resort. It’s not his fault he crashed on the beach, barely clinging to life after a battle. Saved by a witch, he owes her a life debt. The problem is, Cooper can’t stop thinking about her, and once Portia and Lou get involved, he might leave the resort with a whole other kind of life…Lone witch Alice Gatlin is in big trouble. She has pissed off one too many witches, and now, someone wants her dead. The only safe place for her is Hellscape Holidays Resort. Portia and Lou leap into action to help Alice. Their plan to save Alice from the assassins? Marry her off to the billionaire dragon she just happened to save! Married in Hellscape Holidays to fulfill a life debt, Cooper and Alice won’t know what hits them when love comes to the devil’s playground.        Amazon KU

WICKED LITTLE THINGS by Justin Arnold

Join a coven. Catch a killer. Get a makeover…? When his cousin is murdered, recently outed 16 year old Dane Craven, is forced to return to his unbearably small hometown of Jasper Hollow. It would be easy enough for him to keep his head down if it weren’t for three inescapable facts. One, Dane is a witch with fiery powers he can barely control. Two, he’s been claimed by a coven of fashion forward ‘mean girls’ desperate to give him a makeover. And three, Dane is pretty sure he’s responsible for the death of his cousin. Being the gay best friend to a trio of teenage witches was never high on Dane’s list of aspirations, but fortunately for him these girls have the necromantic powers he needs to figure out who killed his cousin. Plus, he could do with some new clothes. While on the hunt for his cousin’s killer, Dane discovers life in Jasper Hollow isn’t all bad. There’s the cute boy who works at the local coffee shop and enjoys long walks in the woods, for one. But when the rabbit-faced killer comes for Dane, he’ll be forced to come to terms with who he is and where he belongs before it’s too late for him and everyone in Jasper Hollow.     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

SAVAGE GIANT (CASCADE BEATS BOOK TWO) by Sue Lyndon and Sue Mercury

The huge sasquatch says I belong to him. When I need a place to lie low for a while, my late grandfather’s mountain cabin seems like the perfect solution. That is, until I discover there are actual Sasquatches living in the forest. And my hover-truck just broke down. Awesome. Guess I’m getting kidnapped by a Sasquatch.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

THE BUGBEAR’S HEIRESS (KING’S FALL) by Lizzie Strong

VS Note: I had to go look up bugbear and the classic definition is a sort of hobgoblin/boogeyman.

Dan is a shift Manager at Hauntings&Company, and every Friday he goes to Mumford’s with his best friends for beer, wings, and games. And every Friday he sees the beautifully sad woman walk in with a large group of other businesswomen. One day he strikes up the courage to go out and say hi to her. Before he knows it, he’s giving her a piggyback ride through town, fueled by her laughter and beaming smile. If only he knew that the broken-hearted woman was the heiress to a fashion empire business full of old money. Cassandra hasn’t had fun in a long time. Between managing the King’s Fall shop for her family’s fashion empire, a failed engagement to a trash man her parents set her up with, and an overwhelming pressure to be perfect, she swore off love and fun. But then a goofy, adorably cuddly Bugbear shows her that it is possible to order your cake and eat it too.   AmazonKU

THE SYREN’S MUTINY by Jessica S Taylor

It’s frightful bad luck to have a woman aboard.” Brigid knew the superstition, but when her father tried to marry her off, she had no choice but to stowaway on a ship bound for Bhodheas. When she’s discovered and discarded, her fate seems sealed…until she’s saved by the ocean and its queen. Transformed into a syren and given new life, Brigid now has the power to seek revenge on those who wronged her. Caelum has spent his entire life trying to help those who couldn’t help themselves. After years suffering the cruelty of his pirate father, saving others from a similar fate was ingrained in him. But when he’s unable to save a young girl from being thrown overboard for hiding away, he’s devastated. Until one day, when he’s thrown into the water by unforeseen forces, he comes face to face with the past, and maybe, with his future. But there’s a darkness lurking on the seas they both call home. And Caelum and Brigid have no idea just how intertwined their stories really are.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

MONSTROUS INTENT (MISCHIEF AND MONSTERS BOOK 1) by Alice Winters

Declan – It’s really hard to pretend like life is normal when you’re staring a monster in the eyes, though he’s both tempting and irritating in his human form. I put my days as a hunter behind me, unable to cope with the death and pain anymore, to become an upstanding citizen and for what? To assist Lake, a man who claims he’s not a monster but keeps talking about me like I’m edible and–even worse–wants to woo me? Between my old organization trying to pull me in and Lake proving that things aren’t quite what they seem, I’m dragged back into this world of fighting the things that humans fear the most. Lake – The human is exquisite. The first moment he told me he was going to hunt me down, I felt my heart burst. He’s beautiful, sassy, angry, and going to be mine (even if he thinks he can refuse my charms). But what Declan doesn’t know about me is that there’s a reason I’m hiding as a human among monster hunters. And while he definitely doesn’t know why, he’s willing to work with me because the people around us strangely want Declan and me dead at the end of this (I mean, who would want to kill us? We’re amazing). But honestly… what’s more fun than dragging a hunter off to the dark side?      Amazon KU

THE PASTRY WARLOCK: A BROOMSTICK BAKERY STORY by Laura Greenwood

Ash has been in love with his best friend since the moment they met, but he’s never done anything about it for fear of ruining their friendship. When Ellie is nervous about an internship interview, Ash takes things into his own hands and makes her croissants filled with hope magic. Can a shared moment in the kitchen finally take their friendship to a romance?

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

NIGHT OF THE VAMPIRES (VAMPIRE HUNTERS BOOK 2) by Heather Graham

VS Note: A re-release.

As a soldier, Cole Granger fights to restore peace to a world divided by war and evil. His extraordinary talents are enlisted to prevent the president’s horrific premonition from becoming reality. Nothing—and no one—will stop him from fulfilling his duty. Especially the mysterious young woman who claims to be his comrade’s sister. Enemy or ally, he can’t yet determine. But one thing he knows for certain is that he must keep her close. Very close. Megan Fox’s quest to uncover a family secret leads her to the center of vampire riots in West Virginia. To find the answers she needs—and clear herself of suspicion—she must join forces with Cole. They work undercover to bring justice, but they can’t disguise the potent attraction and need that draw them together. Yet trust doesn’t come easily for Cole…and when Megan unearths the grim, dark truth, can she trust him to believe her?

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

GODDESS OF THE BROKEN by Jamie Dalton

Immortality favors the gods of the blessed. For the goddess of the broken it’s an unending hell.
Tempest abandoned the land of the gods long ago. No longer willing to feel the damage from or fix their lies. The man she found left for dead bore one of the most broken souls she had ever felt. But to bring retribution on those who had wronged him means entering the very world she had spent her life avoiding. The goddess of the broken may be broken herself, but what could she be if she wasn’t?     Amazon KU

MOSQUITO DISTRICT by Leora Bentley

Lee, a librarian bored with his daily routine, knows better than to play nice with the mosquitos who rule his district. After mouthing off to one of these vampire flunkies, he loses the carefully crafted order of his life. Next thing he knows, there is Ira, a millennia-old vampire new to Lee’s side of the world with questions for which Lee has few answers. From the moment Ira steps into Lee’s library, the delicate balance of Lee’s life is threatened. Following the rules and keeping his head down gives him a measure of safety that helping Ira challenges, but he can’t deny his unwelcome attraction to the ancient mosquito. What game does Ira play? Lee’s curiosity, coupled with Ira’s irresisti-ble charms, promises an escape from routine Lee isn’t sure he is strong enough to deny. He might be able to help Ira uncover the answers he seeks—if they can learn to trust.     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

TRIAL OF THE SUN QUEEN (ARTEFACTS OF THE OURANOS bOOK 1) by Nisha J Tuli

The Bachelor meets the Hunger Games. Ten women. A deadly contest. Only one can win the Sun King’s heart. Lor has endured twelve long years of torment under the Aurora King’s rule. Her only desire is to get free and pay him back for every moment of misery she’s endured. When a surprise release finds her in the hands of the Sun King, Lor is thrust into the spotlight as she competes against nine other Tributes for the role of queen. If she wins his heart, she’ll earn her freedom and finally get her revenge. But Lor doesn’t belong in the Sun Queen Trials. Not only does she not understand why she was freed, she isn’t a citizen of the Sun King’s court. The other Tributes resent her presence and will stop at nothing to ensure Lor is wiped off the gameboard, permanently. Now Lor must win, because if she loses, she dies. Or worse, she’ll be sent back into the hands of the Aurora King.   AmazonKU

EPILOGUES FOR LOST GODS (UNWRITTEN RUNES DUOLOGY BOOK TWO) by Cat Rector 

Sigyn: We survived Ragnarok and tried to usher in a new era. Now the realms consist of two minuscule factions encamped in the remnants of Asgard and Vanaheim. But the gods are greedy. Anyone not under Asgard’s control must fall. When they come, they’re going to win. The realms are empty. There’s no one left to help us. No one except the dead in Helheim. Loki: When I died, I took everyone with me. Almost everyone. I’ve waited for Sigyn every day, but she never comes. Never dies. Everyone down here knows what I did. Who I am. And I must live—exist—with the weight of that guilt, those scars. She’s going to come back someday, and I’m going to be alright. Be better. I’d do anything for her. I’d do anything to be with her. If only she’d ask. Epilogues for Lost Gods is a story about grief and healing, and is the final chapter of The Goddess of Nothing At All     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

SUSURRUS by Warren Rochelle

Varon Cambeul has made it to the top: Royal Magician of the Kingdom of Lothia, at the right hand of the king, who is his lover. He has always kept the promise he made to his mother and his apprenticeship master: he has used his magic for good. This promise is tested when the king asks him to make a curse that will be cured by the king so everyone will love him. Helping the king is using his magic for good, right? But is Varon doing this because he has fallen in love with the king? What about those who will suffer from the curse and slowly be transformed into ghosts, people like Theo and Russell in the town where the curse is released? Can Varon undo this great wrong? Can he save Theo and Russell and the others as they turn invisible? How can he love someone who is not doing good?

Amazon     Apple Books     Susurrus

AFRICA RISEN: A NEW ERA OF SPECULATIVE FICTION by Various

From award-winning editorial team Sheree Renée Thomas, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, and Zelda Knight comes an anthology of thirty-two original stories showcasing the breadth of fantasy and science fiction from Africa and the African Diaspora. A group of cabinet ministers query a supercomputer containing the minds of the country’s ancestors. A child robot on a dying planet uncovers signs of fragile new life. A descendent of a rain goddess inherits her grandmother’s ability to change her appearance—and perhaps the world. Created in the legacy of the seminal, award-winning anthology series Dark MatterAfrica Risen celebrates the vibrancy, diversity, and reach of African and Afro-Diasporic SFF and reaffirms that Africa is not rising—it’s already here.     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

BENEATH THE BURNING WAVE (THE MU CHRONICLES BOOK ONE) by Jennifer Hayashi Danns

I was incapable of imagining what I had never seen…Kaori and Kairi are the first twins to survive infancy on the ancient island of Mu, where gender is as fluid as the crashing waves. One was born of fire, the other of water. But there’s a reason why none have survived before. A prophecy that has haunted the elders since time began. A rivalry destined to sink the entire island beneath a twin catastrophe of volcano and tsunami. As hatred spills from the forbidden twins like the deadly poison of sacrificed sea snakes, they must decide what matters to them most…The fight for the island – for tradition and duty. Or the fight for freedom – for love and light. The Mu Chronicles is a visionary YA fantasy trilogy exploring the origin of gender and desire in an epic queer fusion of Japanese folklore and Egyptian mythology.

Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

CONSPIRCY OF DRAGONS by Louisa Masters

There’s only one person I trust…It’s no secret that I’m hard to handle. People get annoyed by me. Sometimes they’re amused, but not for long. It’s not easy to deal with a paranoid conspiracy theorist, and I stretch everyone’s patience. Everyone except Wil. He was there at the beginning, when I left my old life behind, and he’s stuck with me since. He’s been my friend when no one else wanted to. Patiently taught me how to fit in. He’s the one person I know I can rely on. He’s the only man I can see myself ever being with. The only man I would want to spend eternity with. But when my past rears its ugly head and the stuff of my nightmares rises from the dead, the hope of a happy future rapidly fades. I need him more than ever, but I can’t risk him. I can’t let anyone use him against me. Torture doesn’t have to be physical to hurt. And I’m not going to let myself be hurt again.   AmazonKU

FLIGHT RISK: A NOVEL (BOOKING AGENTS SERIES BOOK TWO) by Cherie Priest

When psychic travel agent Leda Foley is approached by a man searching for his sister, she quickly agrees to help. The missing woman disappeared with a vintage orange car, a fat sack of her employer’s cash, and a grudge against her philandering husband—a man who never even reported her missing. Meanwhile, Seattle PD detective Grady Merritt has temporarily misplaced his dog. While he’s passing out bright pink “Lost” flyers at the Mount Rainier visitor’s center, the wayward pooch appears—with a human leg in his mouth. Thanks to DNA matching, Grady learns that the leg has something to do with Leda’s new client, and soon the two cases are tangled.

Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

HEART OF THE SUN WARRIOR: A NOVEL (CELESTIAL KINGDOM BOOK TWO) by Sue Lynn Tan

The stunning sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess delves deeper into beloved Chinese mythology, concluding the epic story of Xingyin—the daughter of Chang’e and the mortal archer, Houyi—as she battles a grave new threat to the realm, in this powerful tale of love, sacrifice, and hope. After winning her mother’s freedom from the Celestial Emperor, Xingyin thrives in the enchanting tranquility of her home. But her fragile peace is threatened by the discovery of a strange magic on the moon and the unsettling changes in the Celestial Kingdom as the emperor tightens his grip on power. While Xingyin is determined to keep clear of the rising danger, the discovery of a shocking truth spurs her into a perilous confrontation. Forced to flee her home once more, Xingyin and her companions venture to unexplored lands of the Immortal Realm, encountering legendary creatures and shrewd monarchs, beloved friends and bitter adversaries. With alliances shifting quicker than the tides, Xingyin has to overcome past grudges and enmities to forge a new path forward, seeking aid where she never imagined she would. As an unspeakable terror sweeps across the realm, Xingyin must uncover the truth of her heart and claw her way through devastation—to rise against this evil before it destroys everything she holds dear, and the worlds she has grown to love . . . even if doing so demands the greatest price of all.     Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

THE SERPENT IN HEAVEN (GUNNIE ROSE BOOK 4) by Charlaine Harris

Felicia, Lizbeth Rose’s half-sister and a student at the Grigori Rasputin school in San Diego—capital of the Holy Russian Empire—is caught between her own secrets and powerful family struggles. As a granddaughter of Rasputin, she provides an essential service to the hemophiliac Tsar Alexei, providing him the blood transfusions that keep him alive. Felicia is treated like a nonentity at the bedside of the tsar, and at the school she’s seen as a charity case with no magical ability. But when Felicia is snatched outside the school, the facts of her heritage begin to surface. Felicia turns out to be far more than the Russian-Mexican Lizbeth rescued. As Felicia’s history unravels and her true abilities become known, she becomes under attack from all directions. Only her courage will keep her alive.

Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

LOVE AT FROST BITE: NICK (MATED TO HIS REINDEER) by Lorelie M Hart and Colbie Dunbar

Alpha reindeer shifter Nick has one last delivery before he can head home to see his family for the holidays. Or, that’s his plan until Mother Nature swoops in and thwarts it when “chance of a dusting of snow” turns into so much more. Unwilling to give up on his plans, he opts to risk it and make the trip anyway, which is fine and dandy until they close the highway. He heads to a local B&B, only to have his car get stuck at the side of the road. At least he’s got hooves if he needs them and won’t freeze to death. human omega Beckett volunteers to work over the holidays. He always does. Why take the time off when he is both alphaless and childless? Christmas is for kids, anyway. When the storm is reclassified as a blizzard, Beckett heads home to discover a car abandoned in front of his place. Only it isn’t as abandoned as it looks and he finds himself inviting the smexy stranger to stay at his home until a tow truck arrives. Little does he suspect the man is going to make all of his Christmas wishes come true, even those he doesn’t know he has.      Amazon KU

THE WILDERWOMEN: A NOVEL by Ruth Emmie Lang

Five years ago, Nora Wilder disappeared. The older of her two daughters, Zadie, should have seen it coming, because she can literally see things coming. But not even her psychic abilities were able to prevent their mother from vanishing one morning. Zadie’s estranged younger sister, Finn, can’t see into the future, but she has an uncannily good memory, so good that she remembers not only her own memories, but the echoes of memories other people have left behind. On the afternoon of her graduation party, Finn is seized by an “echo” more powerful than anything she’s experienced before: a woman singing a song she recognizes, a song about a bird…When Finn wakes up alone in an aviary with no idea of how she got there, she realizes who the memory belongs to: Nora. Now, it’s up to Finn to convince her sister that not only is their mom still out there, but that she wants to be found. Against Zadie’s better judgement, she and Finn hit the highway, using Finn’s echoes to retrace Nora’s footsteps and uncover the answer to the question that has been haunting them for years: Why did she leave? But the more time Finn spends in their mother’s past, the harder it is for her to return to the present, to return to herself. As Zadie feels her sister start to slip away, she will have to decide what lengths she is willing to go to find their mother, knowing that if she chooses wrong, she could lose them both for good.     Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

GHOSTS AND GARLANDS: A STITCH IN TIME NOVELLA by Kerlley Armstrong

Victorian novelist Miranda Hastings is in London for a modern-day Christmas with the man she loves, and they want to see everything. Luckily, they have friends who are going to make sure they get their wish. They’re sent on a whirlwind holiday adventure, following their friends’ mysterious messages…until an encounter with a ghost who was part of an infamous gang of highwaymen. Murder, mystery, and a ghost in need? Now that’s Miranda’s idea of a holiday treat. Note: this is a holiday novella not a full-length book. This novella is also included in the paperback and audiobook compilation “Christmas at Thorne Manor”     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

TIME UNWRAPPED (HACKLE COUNTY BOOK 3) by Pamela Ferguson

It’s four days before Christmas, and Hackle County health inspector April Islip is up to her ears with super-spreader investigations. On top of that, her boyfriend Clay Nolan is adding to her stress by insisting she avoid confrontations that could send her through time. When an altercation at a suspicious gathering catapults her to 1972, April must face her family’s messy past and the real reason she avoids celebrations.      Amazon KU

A KISS FOR SANTA by Mia Monroe

One night every year, I deliver gifts to all the good people around the world. I have everything I could want—a beautiful private home, loving friends and family, and the most amazing job in existence. All my needs are more than met, and the other 364 days of the year are mine to spend how I wish. The only thing I don’t have is a love of my own. I’ve been hopelessly in love with Luca Vincent for years, watching him from afar, but he has a full life and it would be selfish of me to woo him away. Which is a problem because I have to be married soon or lose my Christmas magic to my brother. Neither of us wants that to happen, leaving me with two choices—let the Council arrange a marriage or find my own husband fast. With my looming deadline and Luca’s holiday cheer slipping away, I know the time to act is now. Somehow, I have to convince him to come back to my home with me. I’ll use every tool I have and plenty of holiday magic to make him mine. Maybe this Christmas, I’ll find a Kiss For Santa under the tree.   AmazonKU

THRONE OF HELL (FATED MATES MONSTER ROMANCE) by Annalise Clark

Xae had spent over 200 years searching the Earth realm for his fated mate. At the very first time his eyes fell upon her, he knew it was her and he vowed to never let her go. It was because of this that he followed her and after she was kidnapped by some monsters who broke the sacred vow, he rescued her. But it might not be love at first sight for her. Will Xae’droth finally win her over and bring her home to rule with him? Or is he destined to spend eternity with only his succubus Lilith to keep him company?      Amazon KU

A SIREN’S FINALE: PART THREE (ARIA AND THE SEVEN SEAS BOOK THREE) by Gwyneira Blythe 

Am I a princess of the waters or is this my final siren’s song? As death and betrayal sweep across our ship to clash with the South Pacific tribes, their solution to our troubles is a tournament. The games for my hand are in play, but when the mate-song hits, it’s from an unexpected source. I’m in hot water and my body knows it. Midsummer looms high and time is running out to finalize peace. I know who my mates are, but are we destined to harmonize? Their attempt to bend the treaty may snap the ties that bind us. There’s only one who would dare to alter a contract. Our destination is inevitable with my last mate held where it all began—the Sea Witch’s lair. The sea witch has a lot to answer for, but so too do the rulers of the seas. I’ve played their part, been their bait, and lured the sea heirs in their game. Will the pod I formed shatter under pressure?      Amazon KU

FATED: HARE AND THE SPIRIT (PACK OF HEIRS BOOK 6) by Hawke Oakley

Animus – No one gets Animus. In the eons he’s existed, Animus has been rejected by whole world. Mortals don’t revere him and his fellow spirits belittle him. Furious and hurt, Animus concocts a dastardly plan to get back at them all. Shifters are strongest when protecting their loved ones. What better way to incite that power by capturing one of their own? But there’s one big risk Animus never calculated: falling for the mortal alpha he kidnapped. Leveret – No one gets Leveret. He’s not like the rest of his family. He’s different. And that’s okay. What’s not okay is that his family expects him to be mateless forever. Just because he doesn’t express himself like everyone else doesn’t mean he wants to be alone. So it’s actually a nice change of pace when he gets whisked away by the dark spirit everyone’s so terrified of. Leveret thinks he’s pretty cute. Fated: Hare and the Spirit is ampreg book with an autistic hare shifter, a scorned spirit,sweet fluff and hurt/comfort, and an HEA as usual! This is the final book in the Pack of Heirs series and best enjoyed in series order.      AmazonKU

TRIP THE LIGHT PHANTASMIC (THE GOTHIC GWYN MYSTERIES BOOK 1) by Judith Sterling

Gwyneth Camm has just inherited her great-aunt’s house in Salem, Massachusetts, along with an extensive collection of gothic romance novels. As a PhD student who prefers “serious” books, Gwyn has always avoided pulp fiction. Now, in honor of her beloved Aunt Ethel, she gives one of the gothics a try…and promptly falls asleep. When she wakes, she finds herself inside the story, thrust by forces unknown into the heroine’s role. There’s magic afoot, and the only way back to her own life is to play her part and solve the mystery. When fiction becomes fact, anything can happen.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

WICKED MATCH (THE WICKED BOOK 2) by Luna Joya

Can a good girl witch princess and a bad boy bodyguard fight their way from enemies to lovers and stop a killer? Good girl Prys Bane is the ultimate witch princess—titled, rich, beautiful, and from the best royal bloodlines. But the STEM genius would rather hide with her statistics and crush on a forbidden bodyguard than marry a proper prince. Better to guarantee that no one discovers her true magic—powers more suited to a storybook villain than any princess. Bad boy John Donovan has pretended to be a bodyguard while hiding his supernatural double agent status from everyone—even his own sisters who see him as the villain. Crushing on Prys seemed safe until he learns she’s not only the witch magistrate investigating a murder where his sister is the chief suspect, but Prys is also the matchmaker hired to force him into an arranged marriage. When John and Prys are pulled into a deadly mystery that comes closer and closer to the couple by the hour, they must work together. When Prys discovers John’s kink, these enemies quickly become lovers whose passions ignite. Can this princess and her antihero find happily ever after or will the killer be a best friend whose betrayal neither can survive?     Amazon     Kobo

THE COURT THE FAE FORGOT (A COURT OF THIEVES AND TRAITYORS BOOK ONE) by Eden Beck, Annalee Ford and Sabrina Thatcher

The only thing more dangerous than the Wildness is the dark fae lord that controls it. Too bad by the time Aurra learns this, it’s already too late. Abused, mistreated, and neglected by the human parents who kept her true nature a secret, no one is more surprised than Aurra when the fae show up on her doorstep to sweep her away to a new life. Shiel, Zev, and Finch—three golden-haired warriors from the Western Court. They swear to protect Aurra at all costs, to carry her to safety where she can learn what it is to be fae. More than just any fae, however. They say she’s the true heir to the kingdom, a changeling switched at birth to protect her from the fae lords who would want to control her and the humans who would want to harm her. They warn her of the sweeping Wildness, the vast fae forests ruled by a lord perverted by a glamour so powerful that no one dares contend with him. Icarus—Lord of the Wildness. The Dark Fae of the Forest. There’s a problem with their warning, however. That dark fae lord, that winged creature of terrible beauty, already knows Aurra … intimately. Only one thing is certain in Aurra’s new world. No one is to be trusted, not even herself.     AmazonKU

JACK-O-LANTERNS AND JINXES (WHAT THE CAT DRAGGED IN COZY MYSTERIES BOOK 7) by Sara Bourgeois

VS Note: From OCT 26.

The fall season is in full swing, the streets of Conflict, Oregon festooned with displays for the annual Scarecrow Festival. But tattoo season is over at the Graphomancy tattoo shop, and apprentice Jen finds a side gig at the local haunted attraction to make ends meet.
Local crime writer Andy Cooper talks Jen and her witch-mentor Lilith into investigating a clue at the Luxe Theater. What starts off as no big deal suddenly blows up. Renovations have uncovered the lair of serial killer Peter Piper, and they aren’t the only ones aware of the evidence. Police are onto them, as well as the FBI. Worst of all, it seems the serial killer has come out of retirement—and he’s after Jen and Lil.      Amazon KU

DEVIL MAY CARE (THE RECKLESS DAMNED BOOK 2) by Lark Taylor

One life-altering kiss sets our whole world on fire. Harlow – I’ll tell you what isn’t on my agenda for this century: finding my fated mate only to have him reject me. In fact, having a mate and tying myself down for eternity isn’t even a blip on my radar. But the moment I meet Bailey, there’s no denying he’s meant to be mine. Everything about the gentle Welsh giant calls to me, consuming my thoughts. The problem? He doesn’t feel the same way. One life-altering kiss has him running in the other direction, leaving me to watch over him from the shadows. When the opportunity arises to build a friendship, I grab it with both hands. Surely being his friend is better than nothing, right? It will have to be, especially with a clan of mages sniffing around and looking for trouble. Not unusual since I am an estranged son of Lucifer. But now that I have my mate to consider, things are a lot more serious. How can I truly protect Bailey when he doesn’t even know I’m a demon? Bailey – I learned a long time ago that relationships aren’t for me. Nobody wants to commit to a bigger guy, especially one who craves a different role in the bedroom. When Harlow sashays into my life, I can’t help but wish things could be different. Sure, he seems interested, but history has proven that eventually, everyone leaves me. There’s no way a vibrant firecracker like Harlow wants to be anything more than friends. But the closer we get, the harder it is to keep him at arm’s length. He tells me he wants a relationship, but how can I believe him when I know he’s hiding something from me?   AmazonKU

A VOICE IN THE AIR by Daryl Devore

VS Note: I’ve enjoyed the snippets the author has shared from this; put it on my TBR.

Leading an army of faeries and pixies into battle against mountain trolls was not what Cadi expected when she accepted the task of rescuing Ewen – the son of the Overseer of the Faeries. Squire Ewen followed his liege into battle with a head full of romantic notions of knights, heroics, and damsels in distress. Being captured by a troll, thrown into a cave, and awaiting a hideous death was not how he had foreseen his adventure to play out. Can Ewen stay out of trouble long enough for Cadi to rescue him? Will Cadi overcome her doubts and fears and bring her beloved Ewen home to Plucks Ridge?
Or will the petty evilness of The Scorned One defeat all and destroy the magickal realm?      Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

A DRAGON FOR THANKSGIVING (HOLIDAY SHIFTERS) by Lisa Daniels

My fortune’s been down, lately. Right until I met the dragon shifter. My family’s not well off. They’re the nicest people you’ll ever meet, but a lot of bad luck fell on them. They try their best though, and I want to help them. For me, that means risking it all. Going into the fight pits. A forbidden place of supernaturals, feral fighters, and people like me betting on the outcomes. A place normally off limits to humans. One person catches my eye. One name among the others. An alpha fighter with a cursed form, with a craving to win fights. A man with a heart of gold lurking under that toughness. A man, who, of course, my parents would love to have over for Thanksgiving.     Amazon KU

THE WISHING ROUND (THE QUEEN TRIALS BOOK TWO) by

Against enormous odds, Clio Fathom has advanced to the next round of The Queen Trials, along with dozens of other women and girls… some of whom are already making plans to kill her. But first comes The Wishing Round, where three winners will receive the ultimate prize: the chance to make one wish, which King Ergondy is bound by duty to grant… whether he wants to or not. But not everyone is allowed to play in The Wishing Round, and those that do will learn…. be careful what you you wish for. It just might come true.     Amazon KU      AB

PHASE OF MATE (PHASE MOUNTAIN PACK BOOK THREE) by CoraLee June

I was an alpha. A loving mate. A girl swept up in a cruel world.  escaped, but not without casualties. A determined force of nature, I’ve learned how to use my gifts. I’ve got an army of wolves willing to fight under my command. They call me their queen. My loved ones are in trouble, and it’s going to take everything I’ve got to bring them home. I’ve accepted my fate. Once a curse, now a leader. Once fear, now forever.     AmazonKU

BURN THE STARS (DYING GODS BOOK 2) by Elisha Kemp

VS Note: From OCT 21

Time-travelling to the Bronze Age Mediterranean was never part of Adrienne’s plans. Adrienne has been doing her best to adapt to life among the Minoans. But the language barrier is nothing compared to the cultural divide – and the ensuing misunderstanding that results in Adrienne falling for a man already promised to another. When Adrienne discovers that the famed Oracle on Crete might know how she can return home, she agrees to leave her newfound friends behind and embark on a dangerous journey. Will the Oracle give her the answers she seeks … or will she find her destiny is already written in the stars? Burn the Stars is the second book in the Dying Gods series. It is a slow burn historical time-travel reverse harem romance suitable for readers 18+. Contains mm. Author will be donating all pre-order proceeds to the Center for Reproductive Rights.     Amazon KU

HUNTED BY THE WOLF by Raven Willow

I thought he was just a myth. Then he took me as his mate. When her video blogging efforts brought her to Black Wolf Falls, Violet Batten didn’t truly believe she’d encounter the beast local legends claim prowls the forest… and she definitely didn’t expect to be dragged off into the woods to be mounted, rutted, and claimed as his mate. She could pretend it was all a dream if it weren’t for the wolf pelt he wrapped her in for warmth. Or the marks he left with his teeth…Maybe she could have gone back to her life and forgotten all about that night spent pinned beneath him, writhing in helpless ecstasy and screaming her surrender into the starry night. But the babies he put in her belly made her his forever.   AmazonKU

THE BODYGUARD’S VESSEL (DUTY AND MAGIC: MM MODERN DAY REGENCY) by S Rodman

Born into the British nobility and married to a lord, he has never had to work a day in his life. Instead he drinks, parties and sleeps around. Much to his husband’s disgust. But Eban is a vessel, a person who grows and absorbs magic within them, and his husband is a mage. As with all mages and vessels, his husband takes his body, to take his magic. This arrangement, combined with Eban’s dazzling beauty, ensured that Eban’s husband tolerated his bad behavior. Until now. Alpha wolf shifter Bastion is happy to be paid a ton of money to keep a spoiled brat in line. Keep him safe. Stop him sleeping around. Make him behave. Easy money. He knows the brat seduced his last bodyguard and that he has been hired as no human would sleep with a dog, not even the reckless Eban du Fray. Bastion can take the insult for the money. Bastion expects to find a vain, selfish brat, bored in a loveless arranged marriage. He doesn’t expect to uncover something far darker, or that beneath Eban’s dazzling exterior is a soul that shines far brighter. But he can’t let himself fall in love. Eban is married to a powerful, dangerous man who is not going to let him go. Falling in love with Eban will only lead to tragedy and heartbreak. Bastion must resist, must stay strong. Or will he sacrifice everything for the man who is carelessly stealing his heart?       Amazon KU

SHATTERED VOW (SHADOWBLOOD SOULS BOOK ONE) by Eva Chase

We vowed to escape together. I broke that promise. Now the men I loved just might break me. There were six of us. Caged, turned into monsters, and tormented with brutal tests of our horrific emerging abilities. We had only each other to count on… until our escape attempt ended with one dead, the others recaptured, and me dragged away into a different nightmare. Now I’ve finally fought my way back to rescue them. Except the men I set free are hardened, beastly versions of the devoted boys I remember. They see me as a traitor and a murderer—but they refuse to let me go now that they have me back. They have no idea that the greatest threat may be the new darkness that’s woken up inside me. I don’t know how to control it. And if these men break me, I could destroy us all.    AmazonKU

EVILDOER (CROSS BREED SERIES BOOK 12) by Dannika Dark

Raven has come a long way since joining Keystone. She embraced her Vampire side, learned to work with others, and even fell in love. But how far is she willing to go for the greater good? When Viktor receives an anonymous tip regarding the whereabouts of the most notorious oligarchs in the Breed world, Keystone’s courage is put to the test. The stakes are high—one wrong move could have catastrophic consequences. In a shocking turn of events, Christian’s recent disappearance reveals secrets that could ruin him. The past is finally catching up, and Raven is faced with her greatest decision yet—one that could seal her fate forever. Will Keystone deliver the justice these men deserve, or will the cost be greater than the reward? Find out in this powerful conclusion to the Crossbreed series. The hardest demons to conquer are often our own.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

THE ALPHA WOLF’S HUMAN MATE (THE WOLVES OF ANCHORAGE BOOK 6) by Brittany White

The Human Nurse – After my ex-fiancé lied to me and cheated on me, I left Louisiana for good. I moved far away from my home, all the way up to Anchorage, Alaska. Starting over was tough, but I was committed to my new life. I knew I could be happy without a man. But I wasn’t single for long. I met Knox when he brought his nephew to school. That gorgeous man was hot, and he was a loyal uncle, stepping in to help with his niece and nephew while his sister-in-law had a baby. He asked me out, and I said yes. In spite of my reluctance, I fell for him. But every now and then, I noticed that there was something off. I couldn’t put my finger on it. My gorgeous boyfriend had secrets. I just didn’t know what they were. Then I found out in the worst way possible. I was attacked by Knox’s enemy, and my boyfriend transformed in front of my eyes. He was not a human, but a wolf shifter. I could accept that, eventually, but I could never accept his deception. Now that he’d lied to me, could I ever trust him again?  The Wolf Shifter Playboy – My pack never had any faith in me. And neither did my parents. When I asked for permission to …(more blurb on ebook seller’s page…)   AmazonKU

THE LAST STORM (ROGUE X ARA BOOK ONE) by J D Linton

Ara Starrin’s entire life has been a lie. Hidden in the shadow of her controlling father, General Evander of Auryna, Ara has never tasted true freedom. For most of her life, she’s been locked away in his estate as he is determined to protect her from the bloodthirsty Fae across the border. But as her twenty-sixth birthday comes and goes, he decides it’s time for her to marry, against her wishes and completely unbeknownst to her. Ara’s fate is sealed the moment he announces her engagement. Rogue Draki’s entire life has been a painful truth. Raised at the hands of his father, the merciless king of Ravaryn, Rogue has never tasted an ounce of kindness. Now that his father is dead, the crown has been thrust upon him, and it is his responsibility to save his people from the wrath of Auryna. It is for that reason he crosses the border into Auryna to spy on the court in the Capitol—for secrets, leverage, anything. Rogue’s fate is sealed the moment he lays eyes on Ara Starrin.   AmazonKU

ANGEL’S TARGET (ELEMENTAL ANGELS BOOK 1) by Aimee Robinson

Titan is second-in-command of the fallen sentinel angels, a fearsome group of earthbound angels who are tasked with protecting heaven from the demon charmers. The eternal struggle has cost many lives, one of which Titan still blames himself for six months later. But when a mortal woman becomes a target of his enemy, he saves her—only to discover she looks just like the woman he lost months ago. Not a day goes by that Rose Meyer doesn’t spend looking for her twin sister. With a newfound lead at her fingertips, she heads out in search of clues to her sister’s whereabouts. What she finds, however, is a frightening magic user intent on killing her—and a hulking angel of gleaming metallic titanium who shuttles her out of the kill zone. And refuses to let her out of his protection. Her touch has sparked a celestial power in him that has been lost since he and his brothers fell. But as Titan’s power grows, so does the mysterious bond between him and the woman occupying his every thought. When they learn that Rose unknowingly possesses what the demons are searching for, their deep connection is tested as tensions run high. Because this elemental angel refuses to put her in harm’s way. Even if it means shattering his heart in the process.   AmazonKU

THE SEVENTH SONS by Edward Kendrick

On his twenty-first birthday, Andre discovers something both amazing and terrifying. As the seventh son of a seventh son, he is now a werewolf. One of the relatively few in the world. If it hadn’t been for Mario, who was also a seventh son werewolf, being there for his first shift, Andre doesn’t know how he could have handled it. Now he has to tell Donal, the man he loves with all his heart, what he has become. It won’t be easy, but he hopes his long-time lover will be able to accept it — and him — when he learns the truth. Much against his will, Mario is left to watch over Andre until he gets a handle his new life. The only saving grace? He can spend his time at the same PI agency where Donal works. When they get a new case, Mario has no idea it will change his life forever … if he lets it happen.

Amazon     Kobo

THE ALPHA OPTION (TIMBERWOLF LODGE BOOK 1) by Vivian Arend

WIN A WILDERNESS LODGE! Ready for the chance of a lifetime? Enter now to become the new owners of the Timberwolf Lodge, located near Jasper, Alberta. You’ll have one year to meet the requirements, and the lodge will be yours! Small print (very, very, very small print):
Warning: Lodge may contain werewolves, fated mates, and tons of shifter pack drama. Good luck and have fun! Don’t die! The learning curve just grew fangs and claws…The out-of-the-blue opportunity to take over a wilderness eco-lodge in the Jasper wilderness is the fresh start Cassidy Rundle and her friends have been looking for. Except the roof of the grand Timberwolf Lodge needs fixing, the rental cottages need to be overhauled, and the seemingly incompetent caretaker who comes with the place is sexy enough to make Cassidy’s brain stutter. Still, she’s determined to ignore all distractions and make this work. When Jace Carter discovers his auntie has given him the Timberwolf Lodge property, but not the building, he expects mayhem to follow. Now he’s back home, dealing with memories, multiple cousins, and an outstanding death threat from the local Alpha. (Who is also a cousin. Go family!) But nothing can compare with discovering his new “boss” is a petite woman with enough attitude to take on a bear—and she’s his fated mate. Cassidy wants to reach for her dreams? Jace will be there to make it happen, even if that means taking over the Jasper pack leadership. Once he explains shifters to his very human mate.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

CONDOR DECK PARTY (ANIMAL RESCUE SHIFTERS BOOK TWO) by Zoe Chant

When Ros’s best friend offers her an all-expenses paid vacation to a cabin in the Northwoods, Ros jumps at the chance to get away from it all. Her apartment’s flooded, she lost her job, her boyfriend ran off to France, and it seems like her luck can’t get any worse… and that’s when the fire condors show up. The flaming deadly birds of legend have set up shop on the deck, and Ros’s only chance to get rid of them lies with an animal rescue specialist named Teagan Howell. She didn’t expect the fire condor deck party, and she sure as heck didn’t expect Teagan, big, blond, and with a smile that could melt winter itself. Eagle shifter Teagan was ready for trouble, but he wasn’t ready to find Ros, his true mate. Now all he has to do is tell her about shifters and how he’s completely hers before the fire condors set the Northwoods aflame.      Amazon KU

LYCAN AND THE PRINCESS (LYCAN CLAIMED BOOK ONE) by Milana Jacks

He’s waited years to claim her. When the time came, she slipped away …I was a Kilseleian princess until the hordes conquered and took over my father’s crown. Now I’m in the Summer fae Court, hiding from Father’s enemies, trying to figure out what to do with my life. Turns out life has a plan for me already. He’s tall, handsome, furry, and goes by the name Lenox. The attraction between us is undeniable, but then, at the public gathering, he takes me down in the dirt and bites me. He says the bite is a marking telling others I’m his mate, and now he wants to take me away from the only place that’s safe. He wants me in his lycan clan. And nobody gets in the way of a lycan and his mating claim. Not even the reluctant mate.      Amazon KU

FEMMES FATALE by Erik Scott de Bie and Amanda Cherry

This woman hurt Jaccob, and she’s Lady f***ing Vengeance. Vivienne Cain has come to Cobalt City for one reason and one reason only: to confront the villainous sorceress who broke her friend’s heart. Getting hired by said villain to purge her shiny skyscraper of an invading demon was not on her agenda, especially not given her messy past with possession. Nor did she anticipate exactly how hard it would be to resist a redhead bombshell in a green silk dress…The other other woman…? Of course Ruby Killingsworth is ready for her once-flame Jaccob “Stardust” Stevens’s dangerous goth booty call. But she isn’t prepared for exactly how good she looks in leather, nor for the demon that has made her tower its new feeding ground. If she’s going to get her tower and her empire back, she’ll have to make a deal with Lady Vengeance, one that involves both business and pleasure. Self destruction be damned… she wants this. It will take every ounce of knowledge, skill, magic, and trust the two can conjure to defeat their supernatural adversaries and save Cobalt City, the world, and each other. Femmes Fatale is the sexy, sapphic story of two women battling their demons, both within and without.      Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

WORRIED BY WEREWOLVES (MIDLIFE MONSTERS BOOK 2) by Margo Bond Collins

More monsters? That’s the last thing I need. I’m having a hard enough time trying to figure out how to juggle my life working my day-job as a website tester from home, raising my two children, and figuring out how to once again resume dating as I train to become a full-fledged member of the monster-hunting squad headed up by the gorgeous, enigmatic Anson Bentley. So when I come up against werewolves running amok in my neighborhood big-box store? It’s more than I can deal with alone. But if I’m going to survive—and more to the point, protect the people I love—I have to keep a handle on the creatures attacking us. No matter how much they worry me.

Amazon      Apple Books     Kobo

WOLF GOD (RUTHLESS GODS BOOK ONE) by Veronica Douglas

Samantha – When the Dark Wolf God threatened my pack, I defied him. His retaliation was quick and brutal. The ruthless god tore me from my life and imprisoned me in his kingdom. He’s convinced I have magic that will free him from a curse. He’s as powerful as he is sexy—but he’s also wrong. I’m just a wolf shifter, right? Cadean, the Dark Wolf God – I know the little wolf’s secret: she has the power to save me, or bring me to my knees. I need her help to protect my kingdom from the fae, but she thinks I’m a monster. The truth is far worse: I’m a brutal beast that will defend my people, no matter the price.  Could the woman who wields the power to undo me be my mate? If so, I’ll destroy the world just to keep her safe.      Amazon KU

BLOOD AND REIGN (BLOOD AND RUINS SERIES BOOK 3) by Rumer Hale

It’s time…Time to end this once and for all. With my mates by my side, I know we can get through anything…even if the world burns around us. It all started with King, and it will end with him too. Even if that means I have to hunt him to Hell to finish this. One way or another…One thing’s for sure. King’s reign will end…That I can promise you.      Amazon KU

VS: And finally, something different in nonfiction. Being a huge LEGO fan myself, I pre-ordered this one.

THE LEGO STORY: HOW A LITTLE TOY SPARKED THE WORLD’S IMAGINATION by Jens Andersen

It’s estimated that each year between eighty and ninety million children around the globe are given a box of LEGO, while up to ten million adults buy sets for themselves. Yet LEGO is much more than a dizzying number of plastic bricks that can be put together and combined in countless ways. LEGO is also a vision of the significance of what play can mean for humanity. This book tells the extraordinary story of a global company and a Danish family who for ninety years have defended children’s right to play—and who believe grown-ups, too, should make the time to nurture their inner child. The LEGO Story is built on Jens Andersen’s unique access to LEGO’s own archives, as well as on Andersen’s extensive conversations with Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, former president and CEO of the LEGO group and grandson of its founder, Ole Kirk Christiansen. A riveting cultural history of changing generations’ views of childhood and the importance of play, The LEGO Story also a fascinating case study of how innovation and creativity helped leaders transform LEGO from a small carpentry business into the world’s largest producer of play materials and one of the most beloved brands in the world. Richly illustrated with never-before-seen photos from the family’s private archive, this is the ultimate book for fans of LEGO, revealing everything you ever wanted to know about the brand.

Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

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

LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica:

November 9

November 2

October 26

October 19

October 12

October 5

“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.

 

 

Used Spaceship Negotiations Commence 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!)

I’m now taking excerpts from my recently published book in the award winning Badari Warriors series, REEDE’S MISSION TO THE SECTORS. It can be read as a standalone (mild spoilers for first book, REEDE.)

Continuing with Fallyn’s quest to buy a used spaceship…

The excerpt (Damin is the salesperson):

“We can take her up,” Damin offered. “I’ll need a few minutes to get clearance from the spaceport control but you should do a test drive, to satisfy yourself. I assume your pilot’s license is current? I’ll need to see proof.”

Fallyn showed him her credentials as a military pilot and did indeed take the Roxy for a short flight, remaining within the atmosphere. “We don’t allow test drives in space,” Damin said apologetically. “Did I mention we provide a full warranty for the first ten million lightyears at no extra charge?”

Choking on a laugh, Fallyn said, “If anything goes wrong out there it’ll be a challenge to return here to use the warranty but I appreciate the thought.”

Now the salesman acted hurt. “Hey, we have a five star rating with the Mercenary Guild and less than a 1% problem rate. Satisfied customers is what I’m all about. You joined the Guild yet?”

She shook her head. The idea had crossed her mind earlier in the day but she wasn’t ready to jump into another organization yet, not even one as loose as the mercenary association. “I need to be a completely free agent for a while.”

“Too bad. Guild members get a 3% discount.” Damin shrugged, watching her pilot the Roxy effortlessly through the required landing pattern and back to her spot on his part of the spaceport. “Seems like you and this ship were made for each other.”

Keeping her tone noncommittal, Fallyn finished the landing and powered down. “I’ve seen enough.”

Leaving the ship behind was hard but Fallyn made the trip to the sales office in silence, doing mental calculations of what the absolute maximum might be that she could afford today. Damin respected her concentration and forbore to offer any more conversation or sales pitches. He offered her another cold drink when she entered his establishment and fended off a couple of his salespeople who had apparently pressing matters to query him about. He ushered Fallyn into his private office, indicating a chair for her pulled up to the desk and seated himself. Flipping his handheld on, he projected a miniature Roxy and named a price.

VS Note: Negotiations commence…

REEDE’S MISSION TO THE SECTORS: A BADARI WARRIORS SCIFI ROMANCE NOVEL (SECTORS NEW ALLIES SERIES BOOK 15) by Veronica Scott

Reede’s people sent him to the Sectors on a desperate mission to beg for help against overwhelming odds in their battle to destroy the alien scientists who created them centuries ago. He knew the task wasn’t going to be easy but as a Badari Warrior, he vowed to do his best. When he’s arrested by the border patrol and thrown in the brig, things go from bad to worse. He faces difficult choices ahead and unimaginable obstacles to making his case to the authorities for help.

Fallyn is Reede’s human fated mate but also the active duty military scout who guided him to the Sectors from his own planet. Reede’s choices after his arrest put her in a difficult spot and his actions threaten their mate bond. Will she give up her career to help him and the Badari succeed in making a treaty with the Sectors?

The desperate attempt to find new allies takes Reede and Fallyn on a wild set of adventures across the sprawling interstellar Sectors civilization and places them, their friends and their love in harm’s way.

Amazon     Apple Books     Nook     Kobo     GooglePlay

Favorite Scene Friday from TALINN Meeting His Fated Mate at an Inopportune Time

One in a continuing series of occasional posts talking about a personal favorite scene from each of my books. It may not be my most favorite scene, since that would probably involve spoilers, but I thought it might be fun.

In honor of TALINN (BADARI GLADIATORS BOOK 3) being my most recent release, I pondered which non-spoilery scene from this book would be my favorite. I decided to pick the moment where Talinn realizes he has a fated mate and he’s not totally happy about the idea, in part because he’s about to take part in a major fight and she’s the prize…I try very hard to vary the circumstances in each book (although of course the basic gladiatorial plotlines are similiar to some extent). I thought having the situation be such that Talinn has to make split second decisions in the midst of battle and where his entire life has just changed due to finding his fated mate to add to the pressure, would be a good challenge for me as the author and for Talinn as the gladiator.

Excerpt:

Talinn headed straight for the obstacle course, using his Badari strength to leap to the top of the first barrier, a wall which was supposed to be difficult to climb. Not for him. He always fought barefoot in order to use the powerful claws he could deploy on his feet and he clung to the barrier with these daggers firmly dug into the soft wood. At the top, ready to leap to the next challenge—ropes hanging over a pit filled with acid-tinged water and predatory fish with fangs as big as his—he hesitated as the mysterious scent overwhelmed him again. A flash of color caught his eye and he turned his head to see what lay at the other end of the obstacles.

A human woman, bound to a pole and looking ready to collapse.

And she was his mate.

Talinn nearly lost his grip on the top of the wall where he balanced as the overwhelming, unexpected and unwelcome realization flowed through him. Now, of all inopportune moments, the goddess gave him a mate? One who had to be savagely fought for and then protected in this harsh place? What sin did I commit to bring this upon myself? Why does this woman have to suffer?

The beast wrapped around his DNA didn’t hesitate and launched them into the air toward the vines, which Talinn grabbed from pure instinct, swinging across the churning, stinking water with ease, even as another man slipped and fell to his death beside him. Landing neatly on the far side, Talinn made it two steps toward his objective when he was challenged by a Jorvathian, who’d decided to be a spoiler today, or who had been paid off to eliminate certain elite fighters. Talinn didn’t care which—he was in an immediate fight for his life, as the alien got a grip on his shoulder with its savage pincers and tried to inject him with poison from the tentacles wriggling obscenely on its carapace. Yes his system could fight off and neutralize toxins but not if too many flooded his body at once. Jorvathians could deliver a massive dose of their poison.

Talinn’s claws had been genetically engineered to pierce and rend super hard metals and materials used by the Sectors military, so he had no problem cracking open the Jorvathian’s bony chest plate and sending the fighter reeling away in his death throes. Without a glance, Talinn pressed onward, running the obstacle course as required because there was no other way to reach the main prize dais, where the woman was bound. Although he’d had an excellent head start, his brief hesitation when he saw the woman and realized what she was to him and the delay caused by the need to defeat the Jorvathian had allowed others to make up time on him.

He judged three to be actual rivals for the woman. Any one of the fighters was a deadly opponent, none would have her. Sprinting ahead at times, pausing as required to fight men or aliens who got in his way, working through the fiendish obstacles, Talinn extricated himself from the last barrier, a quicksand like bog with clinging carnivorous  plant life and rose to his feet, shaking off the sparkling sands and crushing one stubborn tendril like a bug.

The woman didn’t look well and was plainly terrified. He caught her eye and nodded, even as he was moving into combat stance against a four armed alien he’d fought and bested before. The fighter was deadly with the curved knives it preferred and Talinn forced himself to concentrate on parrying the opening blows, waiting for his opportunity.

Bailey didn’t want to watch the chaos and bloodshed occurring in front of her but the sights were riveting in their horror and she couldn’t look away. Fighters from a wide variety of species thronged the arena, many struggling with the obstacle course, others battling each other fiercely. There were four who had her as their objective and the idea terrified her. One was completely alien to her eyes, insectoid, with scary-looking pincers, missing a few limbs, scarred across the face, utterly terrifying. She’d be a meal for it, there was no doubt in her mind.

Three were humanoid males although none was human. Her attention was drawn repeatedly to one who was quite handsome, although each time she checked, he seemed less human as scales spread over his body. Moving smoothly in the chaos like a giant predatory beast, he captured her attention every time she was brave enough to look at the fighters. He was battling with determination and their gazes had met two or three times already. Each time she saw him looking at her, she felt a tiny shred of comfort, although why that would be, she had no idea…

TALINN (BADARI GLADIATORS BOOK THREE)  by Veronica Scott

Talinn was a genetically engineered senior soldier in his Badari Warrior pack until unscrupulous laboratory guards faked his death and sold him into slavery in the galaxy’s hinterlands. Purchased by a nomadic warlord and forced to fight in games for the amusement of the crowds, Talinn has endured through sheer strength of will. He sees no possibility of escape but a Badari never gives up until the goddess calls him to the afterlife.

Bailey Kingsmere was a talented and ambitious entertainer on an interstellar cruise liner when her ship was destroyed in an accident. She escaped in a defective cryonic lifepod, which eventually drifted out of the Sectors entirely and crashed on a primitive planet. Superstitious locals decide to place her in the arena as a prize for a lucky gladiator.

Talinn needs only one look to know Bailey is his fated mate. He’ll do whatever it takes to rescue her from the other fighters and claim her as his prize but how can he ensure her safety thereafter? Since he’s not human and has alien reptilian predator DNA which gives him extra capabilities, will Bailey accept him as a mate? And can they ever escape their desperate situation and find a way to freedom? TALINN is the third book in the Badari Gladiators Series and can be read as a standalone. A steamy romance with fated mates this story was initially published in the Claimed Among the Stars Anthology (no longer available), but has been expanded here with an additional 15,000 words.

Amazon      Apple Books     Nook     Kobo     Google Play

New Releases in #SciFi #Fantasy and Paranormal Romance for NOV 9

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). 

‘AB’ denotes audiobook and the Amazon buy link.

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

CONQUEROR (GALACTIC KINGS BOOK 4) by Anna Hackett

After two years of alien captivity, Evie is free, but her captors have changed her. Now struggling to control a terrifying new power, her only hope is one formidable, dangerous alien king. Logistics manager Evie Mason is no longer a prisoner on an alien space station, but she’s far from Earth, suffering nightmares, and fighting to ignore the growing power inside her. She just wants to be normal, but when she comes face to face with the intoxicating ruler of the planet Taln, normal isn’t an option. He speaks to the power inside her, and ignites a fierce desire she’s never felt before. Conqueror Graylan Taln Sarkany is the king of Taln and its people, who can control the geological forces of their planet. He’s dedicated to protecting Talnians from his evil father and uses his immense power to command the rocks, soil, and earthquakes. But Gray must always keep a part of his power leashed. The part that’s too volatile, too enormous, too dangerous. Then one small, tough woman from Earth threatens all his control. As a final, violent showdown with Graylan’s father draws closer, Gray and Evie are swept into a whirlwind of power and passion, their powers connecting them in ways neither of them understand. With Gray’s brothers, their mates, and allies by their side, they will fight, and Gray will unleash everything he has to protect his planet, his people, and Evie.   AmazonKU

VIXIN: A SCIFI HOLIDAY TAIL by Tana Stone

VS Note: The first seven books today are from a shared world – here’s part of the ‘series’ blurb: ” the Stranded With an Alien collection, a collaboration of authors telling holiday tales with a science fiction romance twist. Each book is a standalone, containing its own Happily Ever After, and they can be read in any order.”

Noelle is finally leaving her job on the Drexian space station and going home to Scotland for the holidays. Two things she didn’t expect: to be sharing the trip with a hot Neebix named Vixin and for their ship to crash land on a frozen planet. To add to their problems, the natives on the icy alien world believe she’s one of their goddesses. To make things even more complicated, they’re convinced she’s the goddess of the fertility festival they’re celebrating. Frying pan meet fire! To stay alive until they can be rescued, Noelle and Vixin decide to go along with the case of mistaken identity. But can they continue to convince the aliens that Noelle is their goddess until the Drexians find them? More importantly, can they fight off their growing attraction now that they’re forced to share a sumptuous suite worthy of a fertility goddess?      Amazon KU

SINTA: A SCIFI HOLIDAY TAIL by Honey Phillips

Sinta is coming to town – but this time he’s the one receiving a gift. An unexpected inheritance comes at the perfect time for Holly. Her on-again, off-again relationship is off for good, her Christmas plans have been canceled, and her parents have decided to spend the holiday traveling. But the remote mountain cabin she inherited is not the idyllic paradise she remembers from her childhood. There’s no power, no cell service, and she’s quite sure someone – or something – is watching her from the woods…Sinta’s observation trip to this primitive planet has gone disastrously wrong. His ship’s systems have gone haywire, the freezing temperatures have thrown his body into his beast-like survival mode, and he’s lost touch with his world. Then the enchanting human female he spies from the woods threatens to throw his beast into a mating frenzy…When Sinta and Holly are forced to work together to survive they discover an unexpected connection – but is there any future for them once the holidays are over?      Amazon KU

TALIZ: A SCIFI HOLIDAY TAIL by Alana Khan

Zaydie – I’ve traveled all the way to planet Hallion to research their winter holiday. Though I came to write a fluffy article for my editor, there’s nothing fluffy about the seven-foot-tall Khal-rah with his tail, fangs, horns, claws, and appetite for the hunt. He’s lethal and powerful and exudes sex appeal. Something deep inside me yearns to run to see if he’ll give chase. Taliz – I’ve never wanted a female more than I want Zaydie. Being stranded in a cabin and sharing a single bed means I can’t avoid her scent, her lush curves, or the way her tiny pink tongue licks her full, berry-red lips. And while I want to please the intoxicating female, it would be sheer madness because she’ll want to flee from my beast. No power in the galaxy will help the little Earther run fast enough to escape me.   AmazonKU

BAKI: A SCIFI HOLIDAY TAIL by Ella Maven

While on the run from the aliens who abducted me from Earth, I find an abandoned shack on this alien planet and hide inside. When a winter storm descends, I’m stuck inside with no food, no warm clothes, and only melted snow for water. But I’m not alone. There is a blue alien outside watching me with his violet eyes. I’ve seen his bulk, his powerful tail, and the sharp blades that emerge from underneath his scaly skin. I figure that I’m done for, and that I’ll freeze to death in this shack like a lonely human popsicle. But then the gifts start appearing under a snow-covered tree. And I have to wonder—is this a lure to coax me out of my hiding spot, or is this some sort of miracle?   AmazonKU

SAKAR: A SCIFI HOLIDAY TAIL by Ella Blake

My two girls and I are going to be snowed in for Christmas and that’s fine with us, until an alien spacecraft crashes behind our wooded Maine home. I take the gorgeous Virilian, Prince Sakar, home with me. He’s injured and tracking an endangered alien dog with a taste for my neighbor’s goats. Spending Christmas with an alien prince is the last thing my daughters and I expected, next to my falling in love with him. My heart’s been beaten up plenty, but can I take a chance on this male who adores my young girls and awakens desires I thought long dead? I usually avoid Earth at all costs, but tracking the daerli led me to crash-landing on Nessa’s property in the middle of a snowstorm. My kind are forbidden on Earth, but I can’t leave without the rare creature I’m tracking, and the female I’m stranded with has enthralled me. I want her with all of my being. When the human authorities arrive to take me away, the deepest hidden side of my Virilian nature comes out to protect her. I must find a way to prove to Nessa that I am her fated mate, or lose her forever.     Amazon KU

ZEARN: A SCIFI HOLIDAY TAIL by Rena Marks

Alyssa: As one of the few female Earthians who works in space, I’m not about to give up my career for marriage and babies. I scorn the idiots who created the podcast “Earth Girls Are Horny.” Unfortunately, they’ve gone viral in a whole new way, calling unwanted attention from galaxies far, far away. The planet Thropian is one secretive and unknown planet who are paying big money to have a bride shipped in a pod to drop down in time for their holiday gift-giving games. And our horny Earth girls? The volunteers are a mile long, even when it’s unknown what the mysterious Thropians look like. But not me. No, my job is to test the pod before the actual prize is sent. I’ll earn a boatload of money for not being a bride. Zearn: A mate is the last thing on my mind, especially those from a dismal planet who offer themselves to complete strangers as prizes. The utter arrogance is astounding. But when a female lands in the danger zone of our competitive Twelve Days of Cheneca, I’m dispatched as the lead hunter to track her down and to keep her safe. I do not expect a female who is as much a warrior as me. A female who is worthy of me. A prize who marries me in the traditional way during the celebrations of our holidays. It does not matter that she does not know.   AmazonKU

FROST: A SCIFI HOLIDAY TAIL by Ava Ross

I need to deliver a shipload of presents to a colony orphanage before Christmas. After my parents died in the Evarian-Human War, I grew up in this orphanage. They gave me a home and a new start on life. Now I fly supply runs from one planet to another, donating the credits I earn to ensure other orphans get everything they need. But when my ship crashes during a snowstorm in an alien forest, an Evarian warrior, Frost, saves me. He’s a gruff guy with a heart as lonely as mine. We ride out the storm together, and by the time the sky clears, I’m falling hard for someone I used to consider my enemy. Frost promises he’ll get me to the orphanage before Christmas. But once we’ve delivered the presents, will I be able to tell him goodbye?      Amazon KU

AMUKKAN’S PRIZE: TUNRIAN CYBORGS BOOK 3 by Marie Dry

Did she run from one monster into the arms of a bigger monster? On the run to keep her four-year-old daughter safe from her monstrous ex, Marysol is determined to never again marry, never trust again, never love again. The last thing she expected was to be kidnapped by a cyborg who claims to be the cook on the spaceship. But something must be seriously wrong with her because the more she gets to know Amukkan, the more she sees a lonely man instead of a dangerous cyborg. But would this handsome gentle giant who loves to cook, turn into the sort of monster her ex did once he knew he had her? Could he be something more sinister than a cook?

Amazon     Kobo

BUCKED BY THE ALIEN by Loki Renard

I was assigned a mandatory emotional support animal when I volunteered for a five year solo mission to a remote alien planet. I got a goat called Strumpet. (Probably should have questioned the name.) She’s sweet until she comes in season, and then there is no stopping her. No tie, no fence, no barrier will stop her from seeking a mate. When Strumpet escapes into the wild, I go looking for her.
When I find her, she’s in trouble. (What else is new.) She’s found a local mate. That male belongs to a big, bad alien barbarian with big, hard… horns. As soon as Gruff sees me, he forgets all about my goat. It’s mating season, and I’m going to get bucked.      Amazon KU

BLOOD MOON: THE RISING SERIES BOOK 2 by Heather Graham and Jon Land

They may have managed to win a major battle against the powerful enemy determined to destroy civilization as we know it. But the war continues, with Alex and Sam embarking on a desperate journey to save mankind, even as their friendship blossoms into something much more. The roadmap for their journey lies in a mysterious book, the language of which has never been deciphered, until Alex finds himself able to translate the words that may hold the keys to saving the future. Toward that end, Alex’s and Sam’s quest spirits them away to a myriad of locations around the world, each of which holds another piece of the puzzle that can defeat the alien invaders. But an ageless foe, long the guardian of the secrets his race has left behind on Earth, arises to stop them at all costs. At his disposal is a deadly and merciless army that has been awaiting this very war, an army as unstoppable as it is relentless. Over the ruins of the lost Mayan city of El Mirador, a blood moon is about to rise, triggering the end of mankind unless Alex and Sam can prevail in a struggle that will determine the fate of the planet. As forces both ancient and modern converge, as painful choices must be made and sacrifices accepted, two young heroes will rise again to stand as the final line of defense to preserve their world and their love.

Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

THE Q by Amy Tintera

Seventeen-year-old Maisie Rojas has spent her entire life in the Q—a post-pandemic quarantine zone that was once Austin, Texas. Born and raised behind the high security walls that sealed their fate, she’s now a trusted lieutenant for one of the territory’s controlling families. Lennon Pierce, the charismatic son of a US presidential candidate, has just been kidnapped by his father’s enemies and dropped out of a plane into the Q with nothing but a parachute strapped to his back. Lennon is given a temporary antidote to the disease and crucial intel for his father, but Maisie must get him out of the zone within forty-eight hours–or he will be permanently infected and forced to remain.
With unrest brewing both inside and outside the Q, reaching the exit is a daunting and dangerous task. But if Maisie and Lennon fail, it could mean disaster for the entire quarantine zone and its inhabitants—and could cost Lennon his life.      Amazon      AB     Kobo

TAKEN BY THE ALIEN WARRIOR PIRATE (ALIEN WARRIOR SPACE PIRATES BOOK 2) by Zara Zenia

After barely escaping an exploding enemy ship, human roboticist Carmela Cosgrove and exiled alien prince Cyburn return to his rebel ship, but they are far from safe. The Belic Empire controls the entire solar system, and all they’ve managed to do is destroy one single ship. If they don’t flee fast, they’ll be overrun with no chances of making it out alive. The last thing they need is another complication, but a member of Cyburn’s crew isn’t happy about Carmela’s new relationship with their leader or that she’ll be staying on with them indefinitely. With tensions rising toward the boiling point and their ultimate plan in jeopardy, Cyburn struggles to gain control over his team while deepening his connection with Carmela. Though she feels safe in Cyburn’s arms and bed, Carmela can’t help but feel a sense of dread with each mounting confrontation with those who want her gone from the ship. As they move toward their planned attack on Cyburn’s home planet, a stronghold for the Empire, can Cyburn and Carmela win over the naysayers, or will the conflict on board spell their destruction?   AmazonKU

NEOM: A NOVEL FROM THE WORLD OF CENTRAL STATION by Lavie Tidhar

VS note: Not a romance but a scif release of note. Also: Neom is a present day city being built in the real world desert of Saudia Arabia, using ‘smart city’ technology. This novel is set in the far future of that city.

The city known as Neom is many things to many beings, human or otherwise. It is a tech wonderland for the rich and beautiful; an urban sprawl along the Red Sea; and a port of call between Earth and the stars. In the desert, young orphan Elias has joined a caravan, hoping to earn his passage off-world. But the desert is full of mechanical artefacts, some unexplained and some unexploded. Recently, a wry, unnamed robot has unearthed one of the region’s biggest mysteries: the vestiges of a golden man. In Neom, childhood affection is rekindling between loyal shurta-officer Nasir and hardworking flower-seller Mariam. But Nasu, a deadly terrorartist, has come to the city with missing memories and unfinished business. Just one robot can change a city’s destiny with a single rose—especially when that robot is in search of lost love.     Amazon      AB     Kobo

SEA OF ENDLESS LIGHT: AN MM SCIFI FORBIDDEN LOVE ROMANCE by Chani Lynn Feener

Fox Axford has been tasked with capturing a feared thief who has been terrorizing the Hild Empire, not flirt with the impassive captain he’s been unlikely paired with. When Fox is assigned to the Hild case by the Intergalactic Police Force, he doesn’t anticipate it taking very long. He’s known for his wits and charm and is confident enough in his abilities to have this thing solved and closed before the week is through. Except, he didn’t account for how distracting working with Captain Jiro Arc was going to be. Jiro Arc has a secret he’s been keeping all his life, one that he’s never wanted to share with anyone. Until the day Detective Fox appears. Having lived quietly climbing the ranks of the Hild Comets, Captain Jiro is used to rebuffing attention with his steely disposition. All of his efforts seem to have the opposite effect on the detective, however, who only seems more and more interested in Jiro and his personal life as time goes on. Their main task is to find the mysterious thief Shilling and bring him to justice, but Jiro has an agenda of his own, one that might ultimately lead to him betraying Fox, whether he likes it or not. Fox grows even more conflicted after meeting the thief they’re after. Shilling isn’t at all what he expected, and when he finds himself sympathizing with the enemy, Fox is forced to acknowledge that there may be things he doesn’t yet know or understand about the vast universe, and the people living in it.      Amazon KU

WRATH (ELITE ROGUE ALIEN WARRIORS BOOK 5) by Hattie Jacks

VS note: Sorry to see this series end!

He’s the monster from the dark. I’m the girl who keeps a secret. Huntr was the first Gryn warrior…the first alien…I met. Injured and hurting, I helped him heal. I fell in love. And then he rejected me. Once he left, I was resigned to living on this alien planet without him. Resigned to trying to forget him. Thing is, I have a secret. It’s only tiny right now, but soon I won’t be able to hide it any longer. When I least expect it. Huntr is back in my life. Big, muscled and as ferally handsome as ever. One look and I know I’m going to have to spill. But if he rejects me again, I’m not sure my heart can take it. And if I don’t tell him, he’s going to find out anyway, and I might just lose him completely.   AmazonKU

MATE FOR THE ALIEN P*RN STAR:  AN LGBTQIA+ ALIEN ROMANCE (SAGITTARIUS QUADRANT) by Alexis Osborne

VS Note: A re-release

Lied to and cheated on by her ex, Lacey wants to meet someone who will make her forget all about her heartbreak for one night. One filthy night. A dancer on the luxury space cruise liner Miss Conduct, she has her pick of partners alien and human, but no one at the nightclub seems to pique her interest… until she meets a drop-dead gorgeous alien with shimmering scales. Auren is a Rounaii, a nonbinary alien species, on holiday in space, far away from prying eyes at home—and exactly where they need to be to meet an enchanting little human female who instantly captivates them. Their instant attraction feels like fate. But the night’s bliss is shattered the morning after when the evacuation alarms blare. One thrilling obstacle after another follows on the pair’s heels, from escaping a doomed ship to being held for ransom by space pirates—pirates who are very interested in what Auren does for a living. Can a one-night stand gone awry blossom into something meaningful and long-lasting for Lacey and Auren, or will the differences between humans and Rounaii prove too great an obstacle for the pair to overcome?      Amazon KU

ALIENS: VASQUEZ by V Castro

VS note: “Aliens” is my favorite movie of all time and so I was excited to see this book; one clicked. NOT a romance but a scifi release of note.

A groundbreaking Latinx Aliens novel by a rising star Latina author, featuring the fan-favorite character PFC Jenette Vasquez from the hit movie Aliens and the family she is forced to leave behind. For the very first time, the canonical background of the breakout Aliens hero Jenette Vasquez, as well as the story of the children she was forced to leave behind as written by the rising Latina horror star V. Castro (Queen of the Cicadas). Even before the doomed mission to Hadley’s Hope on LV-426, Jenette Vasquez had to fight to survive. Born to an immigrant family with a long military tradition, she looked up to the stars, but life pulled her back down to Earth—first into a street gang, then prison. The Colonial Marines proved to be Vasquez’s way out—a way that forced her to give up her twin children. Raised by Jenette’s sister, those children, Leticia and Ramon, had to discover their own ways to survive. Leticia by following her mother’s path into the military, Ramon into the corporate hierarchy of Weyland-Yutani. Their paths would converge on an unnamed planet which some see as a potential utopia, while others would use it for highly secretive research. Regardless of whatever humans might have planned for it, however, Xenomorphs will turn it into a living hell.    Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

AMORPHOUS LOVE (SPACE HICCUPS THE SERIES BOOK 1) by Jeanette Lynn

When you go from jelly at the shipmate you’ve been running around with’s sudden change of heart, or other body part… to a run-in with a gelatinous based space-cryptid who not only feeds off of other beings’ emotions in a disturbingly parasitic fashion, but when finding himself encroached on by a distraught human who mistakes him for an inanimate object, chooses to console instead of pointing out her mistake and castigating her for it. Jelly with a heart? What’s a human woman on a shiny ship on a mission along the outer reaches of space to do when that once cool customer of a being she was informed was best left to itself, has decided there just might be something to attaching himself to a certain curvy engineer?   AmazonKU

CRUELEST OBLIVION by Michelle Heard and M A Heard

VS Note: Not listed as a romance but there appear to be romantic elements for sure. A scifi release of note. Cliffhanger.

Over the past five decades, the dome over our Ecocity has protected us from the deviants living in the forbidden territory. Since the great war ended, our lives have consisted of virtue and order. Once a year, seven people are sent out to the forbidden lands to see if there are any deviants worth saving. None have returned, only increasing people’s fear of what lies beyond the safe border of the dome.
When I’m chosen as a crusader, the world, as I know it, is ripped from under my feet. In the forbidden territory, I learn things I never dreamed existed – a world I’ve been totally oblivious to. I meet people who freely show emotion and affection. People who dare make their own choices. It’s frightening and the opposite of everything I’ve ever known. Suddenly, I have to fight for my life. I’m thrown into chaos where time is running out to become a skilled fighter who will be an asset for the coming war. But my mind’s bombarded with questions – who’s right and who’s wrong? Which side should I fight on? I don’t belong in this world filled with cruelty and depravity. Then there’s Chance, my reluctant trainer. The man is the definition of deadly and so attractive I struggle to think straight around him. I’m also pretty sure he would love nothing more than to snap my neck. Cruel, impatient, and harsh, he’s a brute who seems annoyed by my existence. Honestly, I’m not sure I will survive living with the deviants, never mind fighting in a war. Unless I find my courage and learn to fight for myself, I fear this new world will crush me.       Amazon KU

WARRIORS OF PHAETON BOOK 8: KAINE by Leora Gonzales

Kaine’s place on the Phaeton council may have changed his title, but it didn’t weaken his warrior instincts. When his human bride is threatened, he doesn’t hesitate to take off his robes and go back to his roots…and Phaeton Prime.      Amazon KU

REFUGE: A HALCYON UNIVERSE SHORT STORY by Mindi Briar

VS Note: Not a romance but I’m also reporting on a scifi romance by the same author (see next item).

Prince, a starship pilot, is stranded and about to crash-land when a teleporting dragon decides to rescue him. The dragon believes he belongs on zir utopian homeworld, but when Prince’s past mistakes catch up to him, it’s going to take more than wishful thinking to get him out in one piece.     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

PETRICHOR BLOOMS: THE HALCYON UNIVERSE BOOK 2 by Mindi Briar

Danya Xiang would rather dig potatoes than wield a blaster. Raised as a member of the Greenjacket rebel organization, she’s content to stay away from military glory and spend her days in food production—until her soldier twin, Nox, is injured right before a mission. Nox begs Danya to take her place, hoping to use their secret telepathic link to spy through Danya’s eyes. Reluctantly, Danya agrees. But her loyalty to the Greenjackets is stretched to its limits when she’s asked to capture university student Amy Ediya, whose mother’s valuable genetics research has been missing for a decade. The Greenjackets are convinced that Amy has it hidden. Danya realizes that, while Amy may not have the research, she’s the only one who can find it. The two of them desert the Greenjacket army and Amy’s university studies to embark on a quest for Amy’s estranged family. As trust grows between them, attraction blooms, too. But that only means they have more to lose when the search draws them into danger.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

THE FATE OF SHIN-OSAKA (THE HIKOBOSHI SERIES BOOK ) by S J Pajonas

VS Note: Author states series must be read in order.

Life as an android isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. After three months of living in an android body, slinging noodles, and fending off ornery men, Yumi’s done waiting to get her life back. But to do that, she’ll have to deal with her biggest rival, Gen, and the powerful Aoi Uma. Together, they’re mercilessly conquering the capital city, including the hospital where Yumi’s frozen body is stored. Yumi wants her eggs, and the only option to retrieve them is an undercover mission right under Gen’s nose. Rescuing her frozen eggs is only the beginning. Her new body is waiting for her… and so is the love of her life, Rin. He barely trusts her as an android, and he’s slipping away. If she can stop Gen and Aoi Uma from stuffing humans into androids, she can transfer to her new body and win back Rin. Easier said than done when Gen is on her tail at every turn. With the help of an expert team of journalists, assassins, and hackers, Yumi pushes forward with a risky strategy to take down Gen and Aoi Uma and end their reign of terror. Will Yumi end the siege of Shin-Osaka before the city is destroyed? And will Rin eventually welcome her back in her new body? This plan is dangerous at best and devastating at worst, and Yumi only has one life left.     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

EVE’S SALVATION (RED PLANET JUNGLE BOOK 5) by Miranda Martin

This fierce dragon warrior wants forever but that’s the one thing I can’t give him… no matter how much I want to. Othim wants to lay his claim and for the sweltering hot, seven-foot tall, alien dragon-man, that means forever. Zmaj mate for life, never choosing another. There is no “until death do you part” for them. There’s something messed up deep inside me, all the way on a genetic level. I’m going to die early, just like my mother did, and I can’t do that to Othim. I can’t promise him forever when I know it’s a lie. I don’t have forever. He has to be wrong. I can’t be his fated mate, that would be too cruel. He’s going to have to turn his attention and ‘claim’ to one of the other girls. It’s the right thing to do, I know it is, even when it hurts so much. But this stubborn and willful dragon won’t take no for an answer.      Amazon KU

WOKE UP HUNGRY by Becky Black

Margot McCallan expected to sleep peacefully through the months’ long journey to a new life on a distant colony planet. But she’s rudely awakened and rescued from a hypersleep chamber full of fellow colonists who have turned into ghouls with an insane hunger for flesh. Chief of Operations Izzy Ramirez expected the usual uneventful trip ferrying sleeping colonists and their supplies. But when a saboteur repeatedly triggers a virus that cripples the ship’s computer and wakes colonists randomly, she has to lead the rescue parties to save those lucky few who don’t wake up hungry. Margot and Izzy should never have met, despite sharing that journey. But now they’re a team, working to end the nightmare and save the lives of thousands of people. As their feelings for each other grow stronger, they try to wait, to put romance on hold until they are no longer facing danger together. But it’s hard not to reach out for hope in the midst of horror.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

THE STARS UNDYING (EMPIRE WITHOUT END) by Emery Robin

VS Note: Not a romance but a scifi release of note. Publisher states Cleopatra and Julius Caesar are one inspiration for the story.

Princess Altagracia has lost everything. After a bloody civil war, her twin sister has claimed both the crown of their planet, Szayet, and the Pearl of its prophecy: a computer that contains the immortal soul of Szayet’s god. So when the interstellar Empire of Ceiao turns its conquering eye toward Szayet, Gracia sees an opportunity. To regain her planet, Gracia places herself in the hands of the empire and its dangerous commander, Matheus Ceirran. But winning over Matheus, to say nothing of his mercurial and compelling captain Anita, is no easy feat. And in trying to secure her planet’s sovereignty and future, Gracia will find herself torn between Matheus’s ambitions, Anita’s unpredictable desires, and the demands of the Pearl that whispers in her ear. For Szayet’s sake and her own, she will need to become more than a princess with a silver tongue. She will have to become a queen as history has never seen before.     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

DARK CHAOS: SPECIMEN 2 BOOK 1 (AIIKERIAN MATES 4) by Ever Nightly

I’ve been hunted by the government for months now, and I’m ready for all of this alien chaos to be over. But when my path collides with a huge alien called Specimen Two (or S2), I’m drawn back into a world of secrets, lies, and terrifying danger….All I want is a normal, boring life, but S2 makes that impossible when he kidnaps me and holds me captive. We’re the subjects of an alien prophecy, and he’s determined to see our shared destiny fulfilled—even if it’s the last thing I want. But as much as I try to fight S2’s raw alien magnetism, I know it’s only a matter of time before I surrender, and he lays claim to me…body and soul.      Amazon KU

THE SUNRISERS by Robyn Singer

After years of adventures, professional thief and amateur noodle critic Yael is invited to join The Order of the Banshee, a collection of the greatest female thieves in the universe, despite being decades younger than any of them. Yael’s childhood best friend, Molina, has lived the opposite life: a stern and serious member of The Sunrisers, the universe’s premiere peacekeeping organization, she’s just been promoted to Captain, serving under her father. Her first assignment of her new command: Bring down The Order of the Banshee. Yael and Molina now find themselves on opposite sides of a conflict neither of them will escape unscathed. The love they have for each other is the same as when they were young, but either their personal values or their love will break. In this game of cat and mouse, both women must use all their wits and tricks to stay ahead of their new enemy. Will order triumph, or will chaos? No matter what, Yael and Molina will both lose.

Amazon     Kobo

THE FALL IS ALL THERE IS (FOUR OF MERCIES BOOK 1) by C M Caplan

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

You never want to ruin a really good dramatic exit. When you flee home on a cyborg horse the exact second you turn eighteen, you don’t really expect to go back to the place you fled from, you know? But sometimes your old life hits you from behind. Sometimes you spend years away from home, killing dangerous people who had the bad luck to get infected by a lungful of ghostfog, only to find out that your dad, the king, is dead, and now your siblings are ordering you back home for a high stakes family reunion. But when the heirs are quadruplets, the line of succession tends to get a wee bit murky. So in order to regain your independence, you’ve got to navigate a deadly web of intrigue, where every sibling wants your allegiance, and any decision might tear your country—and your family—apart.      Amazon  KU

KYRZON’S CLAIM (KYRZON ISLAND TRIBE BOOK 1) by Luna Voss 

An alien planet, 20 crash-landed human women trying to survive… and a clan of warriors desperate for mates. Yesterday, my life was boring. Crummy job, skyrocketing bills, and my only romance in years with a “boyfriend” I plugged into the wall at night. Today, I crash-landed on an unknown planet. And now I’ve been captured—err, “rescued”—by a seven-foot-tall barbarian who seems to have a crush on me. He promises he’ll keep me safe, but when he looks at me, there’s a hunger in his eyes that makes me shiver. It turns out on this planet, women are the most valuable resource there is. Tribes go to war for them. Men fight and die for the chance to claim one as a mate. And now this huge, virile beast has me all to himself. And he really wants me to have his babies.   AmazonKU

THE WILLOWS by Alex Silver

No one guessed the zombies would reach our rural town so fast. We thought we had time. We believed we were safe. It was pure chance that I found Russ by the side of the road the day our world fell apart. The first boy I ever loved was hardly my first choice for riding out the apocalypse with. But he wasn’t my last choice either. Thing is, the business of surviving the end times gets lonely. None of us can go back to before the zombies shattered our illusions of safety. And that goes double for Russ and me. Our relationship ended long before the virus changed everything. The bonds of the family we’ve built from the ashes of society mean more than taking a second chance at romance. True love doesn’t mean much when heartbreak could be the distraction that gets us all killed out in the wilds. Still, with the gnawing fear of a fate worse than death as a constant companion, it’s easy to seek comfort in old habits. Russ doesn’t make it easy to keep my emotional distance, but we get by on furtive moments stolen together. Until our niece gets sick and we’re her best shot at a cure. Only, it turns out our situation is even more dire than we knew, and in exchange for saving Lily, we’re sent on a hopeless mission. I’m not sure which is worse, facing certain death, or watching the man I can’t have risk everything by my side.      Amazon KU

THE NAGA WARRIOR’S LOVE (NAGA WARRIORS OF PROTHEKA BOOK 2) by Celeste King

I should fear the snake monster. But I can’t help but love him. There is no such thing as a safe space on the dread world of Protheka. I thought that living in the woods would keep the monsters that roamed the land from finding me. But when I find Vaishuu in the forest, I can’t leave him for dead.
I should fear the snake monster. But I find the danger thrilling. And I keep coming back for more. 
He tries to own me. Control me. The worst part? I let him. Because his touch is more tender than I expect. Despite his harsh exterior, there is more to him than brutality. Deep down, Vaishuu has something else to offer me than his body. His heart.      Amazon KU

THE PROMISE OF SACRIFICE  (DARANII JUSTICE BOOK 2) by C J dragon

VS Note: Author states you must read book one first. 

Acknowledged at last by the Governing Council, his life mating accepted, Jonathan Thomsin makes a home on Daran with his husband, Talin of the Warrior Order. He knows he will never see Earth or his family again and learns to live with that endless grief. Jon is ecstatic when the Daranii Council gives Jon permission to return to Earth for life-saving surgery and allows him to contact and stay with his family for six months. He will be healed in body, his grief left behind on Daran. Everything is possible, even peace between Daran and Earth. There are many issues to solve, people to convince, and prejudices to overcome. For Jon, there was one problem that overshadowed the rest. He had been irrevocably changed while on Daran. Jon forgot the old adage “you can’t go home again.”     AmazonKU

STAR WARRIOR by C A Beymer

VS Note: An expanded, revised re-release. Author’s Note: “This book was originally published as Star Warrior by C.F. Harris but has been completely rewritten and extended with an all new ending!”

Talia was a captain in the Combined Interstellar Fleet until the day she lost her ship in battle and found herself carried off to a strange alien world, stuck with an alien general she should hate. An alluring alien she can’t get out of her head. A woman she might just be falling for. There’s just the pesky business of conquering her enemies she has to get out of the way before she can consider a date. Varis used to be feared. Respected. The most decorated general in the Livisk Ascendency. All that was in the past when she mounted a daring raid against the human homeworld. She was searching to restore her honor, but instead she found Talia. Exotic. Beautiful. The only human to ever defeat her in battle, and the only human who might just win her heart. The only problem? There’s a mad empress trying to kill them, nobles plotting around them, a crew to rescue, an empire to overthrow, and maybe even a wedding to plan. On a world where wedding planners think trial by single combat is a perfectly reasonable way to deal with a human bridezilla. Who knew it would take traveling halfway across the galaxy to find love, or that it would be so complicated once they found it?      Amazon KU

*************************BRIEF BREAK BEFORE THE FANTASY/PNR BOOKS!***************************************

VS: Returning to my backlist highlights, next up is DANGER IN THE STARS, which just received a really glowing 5 star review from Sophia Rose at the Books of My Heart blog. In part she said: “…a tension-wrought mafia-style sci-fi romance with enough twists and turns to keep the reader flipping pages right from beginning to end.”

DANGER IN THE STARS by Veronica Scott

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

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

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

VS Note: This is the story of the sister who is mentioned in passing in Star Cruise: Stowaway, my story in the award winning, first Pets in Space™ anthology. The new novel is completely standalone.

Amazon     Apple Books   Kobo     Barnes & Noble     Google

******************************OKAY, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ONWARD WE GO!**************************************************

RAVEN UNVEILED (THE FALLEN EMPIRE BOOK THREE) by Grace Draven

VS note: She’s an autobuy for me and her novel RADIANCE is one of my all time favorites, just exceptional.

Siora has been on the run for longer than she cares to remember, from her past and her gift. Born with the ability to see and speak to ghosts, she has heard their desperate pleas as an otherworldly predator stalks the dead amid the fertile killing fields of the collapsing Krael Empire. The creature’s power and reach are growing with every soul it consumes, but Siora is preoccupied with her own troubles: namely an assassin who has sworn an oath of vengeance against her. Gharek of Cabast was once the right-hand man of the reviled empress but is now a wanted fugitive. Although his reasons for hunting Siora are viscerally personal, what Gharek can’t anticipate is that when he finally does find her, she will hold the key to saving his world, or what’s left of it. To make good on old debts and protect the vulnerable dead from a malevolent force, Gharek and Siora will both need to make an ally out of an enemy—and trust that will be enough to save each other.     Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

SUGAR PLUM SPIES: A SECTION 47 BOOK by Jennifer Estep

Most spies take a break for the holidays, but not me, Charlotte Locke. As an analyst for Section 47, a secret spy organization, I normally use my magical form of synesthesia to uncover lies and track paramortal criminals from the comfort of my cubicle. But tonight I’m going out into the field, along with my partner, Desmond Percy, a powerful galvanist. Instead of enjoying Christmastime in the city, I’m in a German castle, dressed like a toy soldier and masquerading as a waitress at a swanky Christmas Eve party. My mission? To gather information that will help Section 47 track down a dangerous enemy. Despite the glitz and glamour, I can’t shake the sense that something is wrong—and that Desmond and I might not leave the party alive. DANCES OF DEATH . . .My name is Desmond Percy, although I’ve had many aliases during my years working as a cleaner for Section 47. But I’ve never had a real partner until Charlotte Locke. My part of the mission is simple: pretend to be a guest and keep an eye on things at the party while Charlotte uses her synesthesia to track down the information we need. But what starts out as a sugar plum dream quickly turns into a holiday nightmare. Forget the mission. All I want for Christmas is to keep Charlotte safe.     Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

CRUEL ILLUSIONS by Margie Fuston

Ever since a vampire murdered her mother, Ava has been determined to get revenge. This all-encompassing drive has given her the fuel she needed to survive foster home after foster home.
But it’s been ten years since anyone’s seen a vampire, and Ava has lost hope that she’ll ever find one…until she stumbles across a hidden magic show where she witnesses impossible illusions. The magicians may not be the bloodsuckers she’s hunting, but Ava is convinced something supernatural is at play, so she sneaks backstage and catches them in acts they can’t explain. But they’ve been waiting for her. The magicians reveal they’re part of an ancient secret society with true magic, and Ava has the same power in her blood that they do. If she joins them, they promise to teach her the skills she needs to hunt vampires and avenge her mother. But there’s a catch: if she wants to keep the power they offer, she needs to prove she’s worthy of it. And to do so, she must put on the performance of her life in a sinister and dangerous competition where illusion and reality blur, and the stakes are deadly.     Amazon     AB     Apple Books     Kobo

KEEPER OF ENCHANTED ROOMS (WHIMBREL HOUSE BOOK ONE) by Charlie N Holmberg

Rhode Island, 1846. Estranged from his family, writer Merritt Fernsby is surprised when he inherits a remote estate in the Narragansett Bay. Though the property has been uninhabited for more than a century, Merritt is ready to call it home—until he realizes he has no choice. With its doors slamming shut and locking behind him, Whimbrel House is not about to let Merritt leave. Ever. Hulda Larkin of the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms has been trained in taming such structures in order to preserve their historical and magical significance. She understands the dangers of bespelled homes given to tantrums. She advises that it’s in Merritt’s best interest to make Whimbrel House their ally. To do that, she’ll need to move in, too. Prepared as she is with augury, a set of magic tools, and a new staff trained in the uncanny, Hulda’s work still proves unexpectedly difficult. She and Merritt grow closer as the investigation progresses, but the house’s secrets run deeper than they anticipated. And the sentient walls aren’t their only concern—something outside is coming for the enchantments of Whimbrel House, and it could be more dangerous than what rattles within.   AmazonKU      AB

EVEN THOUGH I KNEW THE END by C L Polk

A magical detective dives into the affairs of Chicago’s divine monsters to secure a future with the love of her life. This sapphic period piece will dazzle anyone looking for mystery, intrigue, romance, magic, or all of the above. An exiled augur who sold her soul to save her brother’s life is offered one last job before serving an eternity in hell. When she turns it down, her client sweetens the pot by offering up the one payment she can’t resist—the chance to have a future where she grows old with the woman she loves. To succeed, she is given three days to track down the White City Vampire, Chicago’s most notorious serial killer. If she fails, only hell and heartbreak await.

Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

THE LAST HUNTRESS: MIRROR REALM SERIES BOOK ONE by Lenore Borja

Alice Daniels has a problem. Her reflection keeps misbehaving when she looks in the mirror—and the longer she ignores it, the harder it tries to get her attention. On her eighteenth birthday, she learns why: she is a huntress, someone gifted with the power to enter mirrors and the magical world that exists beyond. But with this power comes immense responsibility, for in the Mirror Realm lurks an evil that has infected the human race for centuries: demons. It is up to her and her three huntress sisters—with the help of one handsome and overbearing protector—to hunt and banish this evil one demon at a time, thereby keeping the chaos in check. But when an ancient god pays Alice a visit that turns deadly, it is clear the Mirror Realm is more than it seems, and she soon finds herself in a race against time to save the life—and soul—of the one man the gods are determined to never let her have.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

THE LUMINARIES by Susan Dennard

Hemlock Falls isn’t like other towns. You won’t find it on a map, your phone won’t work here, and the forest outside town might just kill you. Winnie Wednesday wants nothing more than to join the Luminaries, the ancient order that protects Winnie’s town—and the rest of humanity—from the monsters and nightmares that rise in the forest of Hemlock Falls every night. Ever since her father was exposed as a witch and a traitor, Winnie and her family have been shunned. But on her sixteenth birthday, she can take the deadly Luminary hunter trials and prove herself true and loyal—and restore her family’s good name. Or die trying. But in order to survive, Winnie enlists the help of the one person who can help her train: Jay Friday, resident bad boy and Winnie’s ex-best friend. While Jay might be the most promising new hunter in Hemlock Falls, he also seems to know more about the nightmares of the forest than he should. Together, he and Winnie will discover a danger lurking in the forest no one in Hemlock Falls is prepared for. Not all monsters can be slain, and not all nightmares are confined to the dark.     Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

NIGHTLAND EXPRESS by J M Lee 

When bright, brash Jessamine Murphy finds a recruitment poster for the Pony Express, her tomboy heart skips a beat: not only for adventure, but for the chance to track down her wayward father in California. Eager to reunite her fractured family, Jessamine cuts her hair, dons a pair of trousers, and steps into the world as Jesse. With a bit of trickery, Jesse wins a special assignment—as does Ben Foley, a quiet but determined boy who guards secrets as closely as Jesse does. The two are to transport unusual cargo along an unusual route: the Nightland Express. They ride west together, one excitedly navigating the world as a boy, the other passing as white to escape the monsters from his past. Ben and Jesse soon realize their assignment is special in more ways than one: their tireless horses cover ground faster than should be possible, and inhuman creatures watch their journey from the darkness. The Nightland Express is more than a mail route—it traces the border between the mortal world and a vibrant, magical land just beyond. As both realms hover on the precipice of disaster, Jesse and Ben must learn to fully trust one another before a catastrophic rift separates the two worlds—and the two riders—forever.     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

LOVE IN THE AGE OF DRAGONS: A NOVEL by Fatima R Henson

VS Note: Put it on my TBR list. Reminds me of that old scifi movie “Reign of Dragons”.

Two years ago, a wormhole opened and ushered vicious dragons into the world. The dragons burned Earth’s cities to the ground and sent its inhabitants scattering for cover—and since then, Ayanna Grace, a seventeen-year-old Black girl, has been scratching out a life in an abandoned subway system, part of an extensive underground community. Underground, medicine runs short and outbreaks of disease spread uncontrollably. The water supply is low, uprisings occur frequently, and dragon attacks are imminent. But those aren’t the only challenges Ayanna is facing: she’s also busy wrestling with her feelings, torn between Richard, who she’s known all her life, and Jackson, a mysterious newcomer. Worse, her mentor, the community’s only doctor, is dying from a failing heart. With no hope of rescue from aboveground, will Ayanna be able to save him before it’s too late?

Amazon     Kobo

THE VOYAGE OF THE FORGOTTEN (THE LEGACY OF THE MERCENARY KING BOOK THREE) by Nick Martell

Michael Kingman has discovered his destiny, but the distance to what he wants, namely a life with Serena, the queen of Hollow kingdom, is as wide as the world, and just as cruel. Meanwhile, Dark, the realm’s most fearsome mercenary, Michael’s sometime mentor, and son of his nemesis, Angelo, is trying to keep Michael in line, for his own purposes as he too has a hidden agenda. Michael comes to realize that he is outclassed by powers that have been working for centuries to bring about a fresh end to the world filled with those he loves. But when has merely being overpowered ever stopped Michael from getting what he wants? To prevent what may bring about the end times Michael must gather his remaining allies and push himself to achieve the impossible because the alternative is worse than he can imagine: it’s not just the beginning of the end of the world, it’s being alone and forgotten.

Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

THE HEART’S BLOOD ARROW (SAN AMARO INVESTIGATIONS BOOK 5) by Kai Butler

An old nemesis is out for blood… Parker Ferro’s life would be easier if his enemies stayed gone. When the man responsible for the death of Parker’s mother breaks out of prison, Parker finds himself in the crosshairs of the Bureau of Paranormal Threats when he tracks the criminal down. With succubae going missing, an old god on the loose, and his boyfriend’s mother in town, the last thing Parker has time for is human politics. But with a marriage proposal that he can’t quite figure out and mysteries that keep landing him in hot water with the feds, Parker must keep one step ahead or end up in handcuffs himself.      Amazon KU

WHEN FRANNY STANDS UP: A NOVEL by Eden Robins

Franny Steinberg knows there’s powerful magic in laughter. She’s witnessed it. With the men of Chicago off fighting WWII on distant shores, Franny has watched the women of the city taking charge of the war effort. But amidst the war bond sales and factory shifts, something surprising has emerged, something Franny could never have expected. A new marvel that has women flocking to comedy clubs across the nation: the Showstopper. When Franny steps into Chicago’s Blue Moon comedy club, she realizes the power of a Showstopper—that specific magic sparked when an audience laughs so hard, they are momentarily transformed. And while each comedian’s Showstopper is different, they all have one thing in common: they only work on women. After a traumatic flashback propels her onstage in a torn bridesmaid dress, Franny discovers her own Showstopper is something new. And suddenly she has the power to change everything…for herself, for her audience, and for the people who may need it most.       Amazon      AB      Apple Books     Kobo

WHITE HORSE: A NOVEL by Erika T Wurth

Some people are haunted in more ways than one…Kari James, Urban Native, is a fan of heavy metal, ripped jeans, Stephen King novels, and dive bars. She spends most of her time at her favorite spot in Denver, a bar called White Horse. There, she tries her best to ignore her past and the questions surrounding her mother who abandoned her when she was just two years old. But soon after her cousin Debby brings her a traditional bracelet that once belonged to Kari’s mother, Kari starts seeing disturbing visions of her mother and a mysterious creature. When the visions refuse to go away, Kari must uncover what really happened to her mother all those years ago. Her father, permanently disabled from a car crash, can’t help her. Her Auntie Squeaker seems to know something but isn’t eager to give it all up at once. Debby’s anxious to help, but her controlling husband keeps getting in the way. Kari’s journey toward a truth long denied by both her family and law enforcement forces her to confront her dysfunctional relationships, thoughts about a friend she lost in childhood, and her desire for the one thing she’s always wanted but could never have.

Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

BLOODMARKED (THE LEGENDBORN CYCLE BOOK 2) by Tracy Deonn

The shadows have risen, and the line is law. All Bree wanted was to uncover the truth behind her mother’s death. So she infiltrated the Legendborn Order, a secret society descended from King Arthur’s knights—only to discover her own ancestral power. Now, Bree has become someone new: A Medium. A Bloodcrafter. A Scion. But the ancient war between demons and the Order is rising to a deadly peak. And Nick, the Legendborn boy Bree fell in love with, has been kidnapped. Bree wants to fight, but the Regents who rule the Order won’t let her. To them, she is an unknown girl with unheard-of power, and as the living anchor for the spell that preserves the Legendborn cycle, she must be protected. When the Regents reveal they will do whatever it takes to hide the war, Bree and her friends must go on the run to rescue Nick themselves. But enemies are everywhere, Bree’s powers are unpredictable and dangerous, and she can’t escape her growing attraction to Selwyn, the mage sworn to protect Nick until death. If Bree has any hope of saving herself and the people she loves, she must learn to control her powers from the ancestors who wielded them first—without losing herself in the process.

Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

RUINS (WINGS  ‘N WANDS BOOK ONE) by AJ Sherwood and Jocelyn Drake

Samuel has one goal in life: fix his broken core. What does he not want? A bossy, overprotective, possessive, teasing dragon sticking his nose in business that is not his. Even if he is sexy. And supports Samuel on his quest to find the lost Sousa Mage Clan. Utterly beside the point. He does not need a dragon boyfriend. (Un)fortunately, Dimitri disagrees.      AmazonKU

THE FRUIT: A NOVEL OF THE WRATH AND THE ATHENAEUM by Na’amen Gobert Tilahun

Following The Root and The Tree, the final novel in the Wrath & Athenaeum, a compelling urban fantasy set in a San Francisco merged with a dimension filled with gods and magic. The ravenous darkness threatening the twin worlds of Earth and Corpiliu is trapped . . . for now. But the alliance of two societies is fragile: new species clash with existing ones, monster-like Antes enslave humans, and humans hunt the “invaders” down. Meanwhile, young warrior Erik has left everything behind to wander the world keeping order, haunted by visions of his lost love. But is it a trick like before—or the real thing? And even as word of Erik’s deeds begins to spread, his own father, now fallen to the darkness, is spreading hatred and gathering legions. Elsewhere, seer Tae and dream-visionary Melinda must learn how to defeat the forces arrayed against them, but they’ll need the help of gods driven beyond morality and sanity. And as Lil adapts to her new world, her magical powers grow beyond her control and threaten everything she’s working for. When all of these powers collide, the world will break. And the one created afterward may not be what anyone expected.      Amazon

INTO THE FOREST: TALES OF THE BABA YAGA by Various

Deep in the dark forest, in a cottage that spins on birds’ legs behind a fence topped with human skulls, lives the Baba Yaga. A guardian of the water of life, she lives with her sisters and takes to the skies in a giant mortar and pestle, creating tempests as she goes. Those who come across the Baba Baga may find help, or hinderance, or horror. She is wild, she is woman, she is witch— and these are her tales. Edited by Lindy Ryan, this collection brings together some of today’ s leading voices of women-in-horror as they pay tribute to the Baba Yaga, and go Into the Forest.     Amazon      AB      Apple Books     Kobo

NUBIA: THE AWAKENING by Omar Epps and Clarence A Haynes

For Zuberi, Uzochi, and Lencho, Nubia is a mystery. Before they were born, a massive storm destroyed their ancestral homeland, forcing their families to flee across the ocean to New York City. Nubia, a utopic island nation off the coast of West Africa, was no more, and their parents’ sorrow was too deep for them to share much of their history beyond the folklore. But New York, ravaged by climate change and class division, is far from a safe haven for refugees, and Nubians live as outcasts, struggling to survive in the constantly flooding lower half of Manhattan, while the rich thrive in the tech-driven sky city known as the Up High. To many, being Nubian means you’re fated for a life plagued by difficulties and disrespect. But Zuberi, Uzochi, and Lencho are beginning to feel there might be more. Something within them is changing, giving each of them extraordinary powers. Extraordinary and terrifying powers that seem to be tied to the secrets their parents have kept from them. And there are people Up High watching, eager to do anything they can to become even more powerful than they already are. Now Zuberi, Uzochi, and Lencho will be faced with the choice—do they use their inheritance to lift their people, or to leave them behind. The fate of their city, and their people, hangs in the balance.

Amazon      AB     Apple Books     Kobo

THREE GHOSTS by Kevin Klehr

VS Note: from OCT 18. Judging by the reviews there’s quite a twist in this story.

Every time a shooting star is scheduled, Arthur, Carol and Tim choose a house with the best vantage point to haunt, carefully making sure its residents are not home. But this time Arthur recognises the decor. The furnishings belong to his ex-boyfriend, Alexander, a man he never got over. And judging by the happy snaps in the photo frames, Alexander lives with a new lover. Just as the ghosts settle in to watch the celestial event, the occupants return home early.     Amazon

THE DEAD FRIENDS SOCIETY by Paul Gandersman and Peter Hall

Drew and her friends aren’t like most college kids. They’re dead. Murdered in 1998 by a masked killer known only as The Fireman, their spirits are trapped in Greywood House, desperate to escape…until Abbey and her family arrive. The new girl finds herself drawn to their haunting presence, which only makes things worse. Because the dead know what the living can’t: The Fireman is coming back. And this time the ghosts of Greywood House will have to do whatever it takes to stop the next bloodbath, even if it means the end of their afterlives.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

RAGE (THE FATED: KINDRED BOOK ONE) by Donna Grant

Elin feels as if she’s been in the fight of her life forever. She lost her mother to prejudice and misunderstanding and her sister to the Coven, not to mention her home and the freedom to use her magic without consequence. But she finally feels as if she has found a place to at least rest—that is if she can remain hidden. When a mysterious illness befalls his clan, taking many lives, Rob Mackenzie finally goes to check on the person squatting in the cottage on his family’s land. He hopes to find help. He doesn’t expect the most enchanting and enigmatic woman he’s ever seen or the way she makes him feel—the passions she rouses. But it’s clear she has secrets, and earning her trust may be the toughest battle of his life. When the truth comes to light that a witch has been targeting the Mackenzie clan, Elin can’t remain sequestered. She knows she can help, and some things are more important—especially when they include saving the man she has quickly come to love. But it means revealing her secret to him and those who have hunted her kind for eons. Those who see anything they don’t understand as evil. Still, Elin hasn’t been able to safeguard those she’s loved in the past. She has to at least try to save Rob and his family. Even if it means her end.      Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

RUTHLESS LOVE (THE VAMPYRES’ SOURCE BOOK THREE) by R L Caulder and M Sinclair

Thrall. Dhamphyr. Empress. Each is a title that has been thrust upon me, but there’s another I’ll willingly claim for myself: Malakai’s executioner. He thought he could break me…twist me into his obedient pet–but all he has done is add to the list of reasons why I’ll find him and then kill him. Of course, it isn’t that simple, and I have made many promises that I have to uphold.To bring as many of our soldiers home to their families as possible. To free the citizens of Malakai’s empire of his oppression. To unite two empires under the mantles of freedom and equality. Will my ruthless love be enough to end this for good, all while staying true to those promises? It has to be.   AmazonKU

LITTLE ROCK by Alex Beltran

VS Note: From OCT 4.

England, fall 1993. Sent against his will, Owen Appletoff arrives at Little Rock boarding school from his hometown of San Diego. Within its high walls awaits Taylor, his handsome golden-haired roommate, with whom a strong friendship quickly blossoms. Meanwhile Daniel, the sexy school bully, lends a watchful eye to the school’s newest arrival. As the days go by, any harmony Owen sought is torn apart by the strange visions haunting his dreams. The kelpie, a spirit of ancient Celtic legend, has marked him out as a target. In a school where things are not quite as they first appear and everyone seems to be hiding something, Owen, Taylor, and Daniel must put aside their differences to unravel the mysteries of Little Rock.      Amazon KU

SEA OF STORMS (RUINED LANDS) by Lindsey Pogue

The Reaper’s name is whispered throughout Norseland–the infamous sea captain who visits the frozen kingdom with each rising tide to collect a shipful of unfortunates. No one knows where he’s from or where he takes them, only that he leaves wreck and ruin in his wake. After a terrible tragedy, Brynn wakes on the Reaper’s ship. Bloody, broken, and with nothing left to lose, she vows she’ll avenge her family before they reach the Reaper’s homeland. But the gods of old play wicked games, and when the Reaper and Brynn are stranded together, destiny weaves an epic, unforgettable love story of pain, passion, and jaw-dropping discoveries.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

IGNITE ME (IMMORTAL VICES AND VIRTUES BOOK 7) by Heather Renee

I thought I knew what a bad day was. That was until my mate tried to kill me. Kinsley – As a broken witch, I’ve grown up learning to do things the hard way, while doing my best to stay under the radar. I even thought I’d succeeded until Grayson Barrett shows up. He accuses me of crimes I wouldn’t commit on my worst day and says it’s time for me to pay, but that’s not going to happen. Turns out Grayson is my mate and, thanks to the magic that connects us, he can’t kill me. Not unless I accept his rejection and that’s not something I have any intention of doing. At least not until I prove my innocence. Grayson – This was supposed to be an easy job. One where I took out a magic-crazed witch, got my reward, then went about my business. Except when I find my target, things get complicated quickly. Kinsley isn’t just any mark. She’s my mate. One I don’t want. Only the longer I’m with her, the more I realize that Kinsley might be telling the truth. That maybe I was lied to when I took this job because one thing I know for sure…my mate isn’t a witch. She’s the shifter heir to a house that will sooner take her life than welcome her in.      AmazonKU

PAPA BEAR (SHIFT WORK BOOK 1) by Alex Silver

VS note: From OCT 15.

Raising a kid on my own wasn’t the plan. Then again, neither was falling for the first shifter I allowed to get close to me after my ex left me with a newborn. I’ve always been a solitary bear, and that suits me fine. Until a remodel at the zoo where I work showing off my shifted form to an admiring crowd turns everything upside down. Bramble moves into my habitat and after a rocky start, he worms his way into my heart. My daughter, Myra, is my entire world. Being her papa doesn’t leave much room for romance, but Bram is one persistent bird when something shiny catches his eye, and somehow—impossibly—to him, I sparkle. Papa Bear is an M/X mpreg romance with a grumpy genderqueer single parent bear shifter and a sunshiny raven shifter who wants to fix everyone’s problems for them.   AmazonKU

THE BEWITCHED LIFE OF MOLLY THORN (MAGICAL MIDLIFE MOONLIGHTING BOOK THREE) by Lisa Wells

◆◆Spoiler Alert. This is book three in a series that needs to be read in order. Start with: THE UNDEAD LIFE OF MOLLY THORN. This blurb will give away plot twists from book two.◆◆ Molly Thorn used to be the assistant to the hunky Mr. “X”, Grim Reaper of the Magicals. And his heart had belonged to her. Then sh✓t happened! Now her world is careening on broken stilettos into avenues the other Magical residents of Mayhem and Harmony want nothing to do with. In fact, they are fighting her wand and spell to keep her plan from succeeding. But Molly isn’t one to back down when it comes to fixing a soul-wrenching wrong. Not even when righting it might cost her any chance of reuniting with Mr. “X”. Of course he might not want her back since she foolishly said…ummmm…no thank you to his previous sexy-time-forever offer. As if that weren’t bad enough, middle age’s so called silver lining had turned out to be just a bunch of stale Hostess Ding Dongs!     Amazon    NOTE: Other books in this series are on Kobo so maybe this one will be.

CLUB MONSTRUM BOOK ONE by Rune Hunt and Muse Hunt

“Welcome to Club Monstrum, where all your scary desires come to life.” After being left unsatisfied in the bedroom with human men, I took the dive and decided to explore a side of me that I never knew existed. Suggested Club Monstrum by my friend, she expected me to go for the werewolves and vampires. Not exactly what I was looking for. Club Monstrum is 18k word novella, set in the future where monsters are allowed to roam freely. This is a why-choose novella, so the female main character won’t choose between any of the five monsters.     Amazon KU

THE NYMPH’S HEARTWISH (HEARTWISHES BOOK 5) by Daisy Dexter Dobbs

Ask pub owner Nevan Malone anything about beer, wine and spirits and he’s got the answers. But flowers? All he knows is they smell good, they’re expensive, and women like getting them. So when his cousin, owner of Cupid’s Headquarters flower shop, needs Nevan to watch the store for him, Nevan’s completely out of his element. Plus he’s stuck pet-sitting for his cousin’s devious devil cat, which doesn’t help lighten Nevan’s grumpy mood. It’s going to be one hell of a day. To her horror, Aladee loses all her Cupid Academy class materials, including the map to Cupid’s Earthly headquarters, during turbulence on her chariot ride to Earth from Mount Olympus. The capricious nymph fears she’ll never be able to find Cupid, who’ll be incognito. How will she ever make a positive impression on him before taking her final exam? Nevan’s dismal day starts looking up when a gorgeous, curvy, nearly naked blonde bounces into the flower shop, calling him Cupid and jabbering about nymphs, chariots and invisible wings. Aladee’s overjoyed. At last, she’s found Cupid! Nevan is cautiously captivated by the blonde, who’s obviously a fruitcake, and probably a hooker. A nymph? The preposterous idea tickles him…right up to the moment her wings spread open.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

LUCIEN (VAMPIRE’S MATE BOOK 3) by Grae Bryan

Jamie Hernandez loves his life. He has his family, his friends, and a successful freelance career at just twenty-three. The only thing missing? His monster. The one Jamie has seen in his dreams for the past five years. Jamie doesn’t know much about the enigmatic man from his visions, but he doesn’t need to. He knows enough. He knows they belong together. Lucien Volaire has been losing his mind for almost half a century, the monster within him steadily taking greater control over his thoughts and actions. He’s destroyed everything he’s touched, including the people he’s cared for. The one thing that could stop his final descent into madness? A mate. So when Luc meets a young man in the desert, one who smells like heaven and doesn’t run in fear, Luc knows he’s met his last chance at redemption. But the more Lucien is enchanted by Jamie, the more reluctant he is to taint him with his own vampire curse. Can Lucien find a balance between love and obsession? Or will those that want Luc out of their territory step in before he has a chance?      Amazon KU

DEMON IN MY CELL (DEMON LORDS BOOK 2) by Sydney St James

I’ll play your villain but beware, I bite back. Betrayed by one of our own, I’m now a living trophy of the Luminous Court’s victory. But all is not right on the continent. A murderer stalks the halls of elves while a monster rattles the foundations of the castle. I’m alone, powerless, and speeding toward a terrible end. I can’t wait on my demon lovers to rescue me. I used to think I lived in a cage, now I know what it’s truly like. Every night I search for a way back to the demons who have my heart and every day I play cat and mouse with the man who wants to destroy everything I love. The dungeons of the Luminous Court house a terrible secret. A prisoner more fearsome than me. My unexpected ally could spell my death or salvation. In this terrible place, we only have each other. I fear my heart is already lost to the creature that stalks the depths of the dungeon.      Amazon KU

THE AURA ANSWER: PSYCHIC SOLUTIONS MYSTERY BOOK 5 by Patricia Rice

Ghost talker Evie Malcolm’s family converges on her eccentric Victorian home for a warm and welcoming family Christmas, but the murder of a former mayor requires that she investigate his cranky ghost. Evie’s quiet schoolteacher sister Gracie reluctantly becomes involved while trying to help the family of a homeless artist who died weirdly in the same courthouse as the mayor. An offer by a sexy Brit marketing expert to help Gracie frame the late artist’s sketches appallingly evolves into another murder when they reveal the late mayor’s corrupt business dealings. Evie is suffering spectral burn-out dealing with a mounting list of ghosts, but what she learns from Gracie tells her that if they don’t find the killer by the holiday, Afterthought is likely to be plowed under for a theme park in the new year.     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

RAVEN REDEEMED (MOON BURROW BEARS) by Fel Fern

Half of Zackary Jones’ soul died the day rogue wolves ended the life of his mate and half of his flock. Being the lead alpha of the Moon Burrow Ravens is the only thing keeping Zack going. That, and an adorably ditzy vampire who runs Moon Burrow’s famous bakery. No strings attached. That had been Thad and Zack’s original arrangement. When the vampire wants more than what Zack can give, Zack retreats. It doesn’t take long for Zack to realise he’s made the worst decision of his life. Thaddeus Blackthorn slammed the door to his bloodthirsty past when he moved to Moon Burrow. Here in this sleepy little town, no one knows who Thad truly is. Developing a crush on the town’s handsome new Raven King, had never been part of Thad’s plans. When Zack begins to reciprocate Thad’s feelings, it’s too late. A psychotic vampire from Thad’s past resurfaces. That monster won’t rest until he’s destroyed everything Thad holds dear in his heart—that includes Zack and his ravens.   AmazonKU

HER ORC WARRIOR (BLACK BEAR CLAN BOOK 3) by Zoe Ashwood

I escaped a life of crime to save my daughter…But my plan for making it to a safer town has gone awry. The driver of the wagon we snuck on isn’t human at all, and now we’re stuck in a traveling caravan of massive orc merchants. And the driver who first noticed me? He claims I’m his fated mate. The one person destined to be everything to him. He says we’re safe. That he’ll protect me and my little girl from the men following us. But I know better than to trust pretty lies. Life has taught me that I can’t rely on anyone but myself, and I intend to keep it that way. But orcs are a warrior race, and if I can learn from them, I will. And my orc mate is the perfect male to teach me everything he knows about combat…and perhaps about love.     Amazon KU

SURRENDER IN DREAMS (AN UNSEEN MIDLIFE BOOK 4) by L A Boruff and Lainie Anderson

The explosive final installment of the Unseen Midlife. Jen Johnson must figures out how to save the future of the Leyak babies. Can she and Riley work together to save the babies? Or will they have to surrender them? New enemies appear and old ones will walk through fire to redeem themselves. Jen faces an unexpected obstacle in the form of an infant while coming to grips with her heritage and the new loves in her life.      Amazon     Kobo

FAMILY CLAIM (WOLF RANCH BOOK 4) by Lia Davis

Kourtney has no choice but to seek Logan’s help more than a year after their brief fling. Returning to Kelmount Ranch unannounced will certainly surprise the whole family, but it’s time that Logan found out Kourtney left him behind with more than just her memories. Learning about his daughter is a bombshell Logan wasn’t prepared for. But as Kourtney asks for his help protecting little Emma from an evil witch, he dutifully steps up. The baby deserves the protection of her father and her pack.
Working with Kourtney to keep their daughter safe forces Logan to face a startling reality. His heart is on the line in more than just one way now. And as the dark witch closes in on them, he will stop at nothing to protect his baby girl and the woman he now knows is his fated mate.     AmazonKU

TANK: THE SPELL SAGA: BOOK THREE by Cari Z

VS Note: From OCT 25

All Anton Seiber, newly-minted Master Thaumaturge, wants is to use his training to support himself out in the world. Well, that and to see the man he loves, Imperial Investigator Camille Lumière, more than once every six months. What he gets instead is an invitation to visit L’Institut D’Ingénierie Technologique in Paris, the foremost research institution for thaumaturgy and the arts of war in the world. It’s an offer he can’t turn down…quite literally. Getting to the Institute is a mess that Anton barely survives, and that’s just the beginning of his troubles. Drawn into a web of lies and betrayals, Anton will have to use every trick he can conjure to survive—and perhaps hand over the most diabolical spell in the world in exchange for saving the life of someone he loves.   AmazonKU

THE TRIALS: THE SPELL SAGA: BOOK FOUR by Cari Z

Anton Seiber, Master Thaumaturge and reluctant architect of the French Empire’s newest weapon of war, is on the verge of collapse. It wouldn’t be so bad if his blood wasn’t required to power the spell revolutionizing the battlefield, or if he were allowed to communicate with his friends and family, or if he could see his lover Lord Camille Lumière, special investigator for the emperor himself, more than once every few months. As it is, he’s barely holding himself together. He’s determined to make it through…until an accident in the laboratory leads to his collapse. Camille is a loyal servant of the empire, but it will take more than a war to keep him away from Anton. He returns to find his lover on the brink of death, and it takes Camille’s special “gift” to keep him alive. He is ordered to leave Anton behind and return to service—the future of the empire, and everyone “gifted” like him, might depend on it. There’s only one thing to do: escape to England with Anton. If only they weren’t surrounded by armed guards, dangerous magic, deadly cannons and, oh yes—a war for control of the entire continent.      Amazon KU

CROWN AND GLORY (FAE WILDS SERIES BOOK 4) by W J May

My demons are not that easy to shake…The Fae Realm was paradise, but compared to the place Gilly finds herself now, anything would be. Kidnapped from her kind, she finds herself in one of the Seventeen Hells, face to face with a creature who’s set on selling her to the highest bidder, who just happens to be one of the Princes of Darkness. Escape seems impossible, but that won’t stop her from trying. However, the more time she spends with her captor, the more she finds herself begrudgingly liking the man—until he transforms into a nine-foot-tall monster with horns. But Gilly isn’t the type of Fae to let a little thing like a monster get in her way.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

FAMILIAR YULE (OXFORD MAGIC KITTEN MYSTERIES BOOK 7) by Rosemary A Johns

My name’s Astra, and I’m a witch. Who knew that having a merry Witchmas in Witch Hollow would be so dangerous? All I want under my tree is my hot next-door-neighbor, Sheriff, and dragon Shifter, Earl Sin. Instead, I’m shocked to discover a rejected familiar: my own demon familiar’s twin, Beelzebub. Satan, my devilish kitten familiar, is keeping secrets. But when isn’t he? When cursed gifts endanger Satan and the rest of Witch Hollow, Sin and I must work together to solve the magical mystery in time. Plus, stop our own warring families from wrecking our first Yule dinner together. Should I adopt Satan’s adorable but wicked twin? And can I save Witchmas?    AmazonKU

SHADOWS AND SHAFTS (THE KNOTTIVERSE: HALLOWEEN OMONSTERS BOOK 1) by V T Bonds

She shouldn’t have come to this Halloween party. Monsters lurk in the shadows… and we’re hungry.
My brother and I want her screams. Her slick. Her fear and pleasure. We can’t wait to ravage her. She should be an easy, fun conquest…So why does this time feel different?

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

BONFIRE NIGHT FOR FLAMMABLE DRAGONS: AN OBSCURE AND ACADEMY HOLIDAY STORY by Laura Greenwood

VS note: From OCT 31

Jazz knows better than to let herself get too close to fire, even if she is a dragon shifter. When she gets assigned to fire duty for Bonfire Night, she knows she has to do something or her secret will be revealed. Idris can’t stop thinking about the dragon he’s been paired with for the bonfire. The only problem is that he seems to have done something to make her want to avoid him, and he’s determined to find out what. Can he help Jazz stay safe from the flames?

Amazon      Apple Books      Kobo

THE PHOENIX PROPHECY: EMBERS by Cara Clare

Can ancient secrets set my power free? My power grows stronger every day. I feel it pulsing inside me, beating against my ribs, surging to be set free. But what if it’s not enough? With the Human Extinction League hell-bent on raising the underworld, and just five days until they begin their ritual, time is running out. Finding the truth behind the prophecy will mean uncovering long-buried secrets, but will it help me finally understand who I am? And will the truth be enough to help me stop what’s coming? ‘Embers’ is the fourth book in The Phoenix Prophecy series. It is a full-length paranormal romance novel with MM and a cliffhanger. Check author’s site for TW.       Amazon KU

KNOTTY OR NICE by Various

Treat yourself this Christmas to a collection of never before released omegaverse stories that’s sure to land you on the naughty list. But don’t worry, it’s the best list to be on! This is a limited edition anthology, so make sure to snag it before it’s gone forever! Hot, Dark, Decadent, Sweet — There’s an omegaverse story in here for everyone.       Amazon

EXTERNAL FORCES (THE MARROWBONE SPELLS BOOK TWO) by Shannon Fay

London, 1958. By crafting magical outfits for his friend, Princess Katherine, cloth mage Paul Gallagher is getting ahead. It’s not a seamless path. Not since the Virtuis Party came to power. The far-right faction is using criminals to create a protective barrier around England. The enchanted uniforms the prisoners wear may beget a demand for mages, but using luckless convicts as tools for warmongering reactionaries isn’t Paul’s dream for cloth magic. His road to success takes an even darker turn when the unexpected death of a member of the royal family plunges the country into chaos. The Virtuis Party is rising, its mysterious puppet master is gaining control, and Paul and his allies are prepared to do anything to protect the princess, the throne, and ultimately, the soul of the country. That means falling back on the innate magic Paul dreads using again. It’s illegal, dangerous, and so potent it can raise the dead. But as the fate of the entire nation hangs by a thread, dire times call for extreme magic.     AmazonKU      AB

RETURNING TO THE WEREWOLF by Holly Day

Lex Gray was in love once. He was young and gave his heart to Cash Udolph, who he believed would be with him forever. When his world fell apart, Cash was nowhere to be found. Lex left Warwood, the tiniest village ever placed on a map, and swore never to come back. Seventeen years later, he’s there to attend his grandmother’s funeral. Cash lost his mate. Lex begged him to run away with him, but as the enforcer of a werewolf pack, Cash can’t leave Warwood. When everything came crashing down seventeen years ago, he shifted into a wolf and ran off into the woods. He ran to clear his head and make a plan of how to convince Lex to stay and how to get the pack to accept Cash having a human mate. But when he came back, Lex was gone. Lex needs to get out of Warwood, but driving in the middle of the night might not have been his best idea. A naked man jumps up on the road only to turn into a wolf before his eyes, and Lex slams the brakes hard enough to slide off the road. When Cash is called in to sort a situation with a human, he never expected the human to be his Lex. He’s been given a second chance, but Lex wants to leave as soon as possible. Can Cash convince Lex to allow him back into his life before the tow truck gets there?     Amazon     Kobo

MAGIC IN THE HIGHLANDS (FAE HIGHLANDERS BOOK FOUR) by Miranda Martin

Captured by the enemy… my love is imprisoned so it’s on me to save everyone. The armies of the shadow have captured most of the Clan, including the highlander hottie Duncan I’ve fallen in love with. We’re hauled to the Isle of Skye, a place of ancient power where a Scottish Lord has given himself over to the darkness and shadows now reign. The Fae Dugald tries to warn me that winning might not mean exactly what I think it will, but I don’t listen. A stubbornness which I come to bitterly regret. The results of setting magic free are catastrophic. My one true love Duncan and I have been through it all, more than any couple should have to endure. All we want is to be happily ever after married, but destiny isn’t done with us yet. Even when Destiny is a b****, I don’t have any choice but to answer her call.       Amazon KU

ONE LAST BITE (MOB TIES BOOK 3) by Milly Taiden

Krystallo’s the deadliest hitman the Moretti family has ever had. He knows his job and he does it without any problems or even a bit of conscience. Nobody harms his family and survives. When the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen suddenly comes into his life, he wants her. Her angelic face calls to his animal and he’s ready to keep her, no matter who it pisses off. To keep her father out of prison, Regina agreed to go undercover for the FBI to get information on the Moretti family. Luckily, she met a slightly intimidating, but cute, guy named Krys. She might not know anything about the mafia, but how hard can it be to play the girlfriend role? It’s oh, so much harder when Krys looks at her like she’s his everything. The stakes are high and it’s only a matter of time before Krys finds out Regina’s working with the feds. They might not get a chance to figure out their relationship if she gets killed for being undercover. Krys might have to turn on his family in order to keep the first woman he’s ever loved.      Amazon KU

FANGING UP (PARANORMAL DATING AGENCY BOOK 63) by Milly Taiden

This panther shifter wins every competition he enters, but can he win her heart? Devlin Mitchell is a panther shifter and billionaire who has everything anyone could want… except a mate. That’s fine by him. He’s learned that people can’t be trusted, and darkness can lurk in even the most trusted friends. But when he meets Kate, he is tempted to throw all his trust issues to the wind and give her his heart. Kate Reese dreams of becoming an interior designer, but is stuck working at a discount furniture store in the meantime. She’s had a lifetime of bouncing between her divorced parents’ homes, and always felt like the odd one out. Devlin’s trust issues match her own. Loving him should be a big no-no, but instead her heart is arguing for her to open up to him. Gerri Wilder brings these two together, but even the fated mate sense doesn’t guarantee that two people with trust issues can come together. It will take hard work and determination on both sides, for these two to find their happily ever after.      AmazonKU

BLOOD AND FATE (MONSTER APOCALYPSE BOOK THREE) by Alexa Piper

VS Note: Cliffhanger.

Rory has accepted love. So what if his lover is blue, horned, and very protective? Actually, a bagu mate suits Rory just fine, especially since Inkiri loves doting on Rory. But after the attack on Esaka, Rory once more finds himself frustrated with the magic he has access to, and he’d prefer to get rid of it. If that’s not an option, he’d prefer never to be in a situation where he has to use it. Inkiri, ever the supportive mate, does his best to encourage Rory to learn about his magic, and new friends are more than happy to help Rory with that. Actually, Rory discovers that learning about magic isn’t all that bad, especially if no one wants to murder you or your friends. However, Rory’s power attracts those who would use him to their own ends, and escaping those forces forever is not possible. Which leaves Rory with a choice: hide and run, or fight.    Amazon     Kobo

A WIDOW’S WEB (THE NIGHTBANE SERIES BOOK 1) by BJ Rysewyk

“A Widow’s Web” is a New Adult, Dark Epic Fantasy that follows Dante and the Nightbane Guild as they help the Bremore Kingdom win a war they’ve been entangled in for a hundred years. It begins with an assignment allegedly from Bremore’s rival kingdom, the Stelux Empire, asking them to steal documents that’ll help them win the war between the two nations. However, after taking the assignment, Dante comes to realize it’s a trap set up by Bremore to force the guild into contractual employment. The novel follows the guild leader, Dante, and the other guild members as they navigate the elven court and carry out a plan that’ll not only end the war but hopefully won’t kill too many of them in the process.      Amazon KU

OH COME ALL YE DRAGONS: A VALKYRIE BESTIARY HOLIDAY TALE by Kim McDougall

The Inbetween is full of magic, monsters and marauders. But it’s also full of booty, if you know where to look. And Roden & Hogg Reclamation Services knows just where to find those resources that are so scarce and valuable in the post-Flood-War era. But when dragons nest on a valuable copper reclamation site, who do they call? Kyra Greene. No pest too large or too small. Now Kyra must leave home days before her baby’s first Christmas for a three-day trek into the wilds. Can she convince a stubborn dragon queen to move her nest before the scavengers bring in guns? Kyra Greene’s new adventure into the Inbetween turns into a rollicking girls’ weekend away and brings her face to face with some old friends even as she comes out of her comfort zone to make new ones.     AmazonKU

THE MACARON WITCH (BROOMSTICK BAKERY BOOK TWO) by Laura Greenwood

When Hazel is invited to teach a cooking class on magic imbibed macarons, the last thing she expects is to meet a handsome sous chef who sweeps her off her feet. Antonio has always felt like he’s living in his father’s shadow, but now there’s a gorgeous witch who seems to see him for who he really is, and he’s determined not to let her slip away. They soon discover that the sparks flying between them aren’t just in the kitchen.     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

REAVER OF SOULS by Stephanie Burke

The Warriors’ Realm – Cursed at birth and barely tolerated in his childhood, Torn is a being divided. He is doomed to travel the magical realm secretly as the protector of innocence, The Reaver of Souls, a mythical being known for its ability to cleanse, heal, or kill evil. Betrayed by a greedy redhead with an agenda of her own, Torn finds himself pulled away from all he has known and loved, and magically sent into another realm. Earth – Scotland has a huge demand for American artists and a special calling for one redheaded artisan in particular. Leaving behind her home and a difficult past, Sable, an up-and-coming sculptor, follows the call. A near-accident introduces her to the only man who has been able to arouse more than just her artistic passions. But with him comes a whole lot of baggage, including a pair of recently reconciled and concerned parents, a guard sent to protect him, and an insane ex-fiancée. Danger, greed, and duty threaten to pull the two lovers apart at every turn. Torn has to learn to forgive the past and accept both sides of his soul. Only then can he expect his destined soulmate to see him for himself and accept him for what he is. He must merge the two sides of his soul in order to stop a crime of unspeakable evil and protect his woman, or he will exist alone, losing himself and his sanity in his role as the terrifying Reaver of Souls.

Amazon     Kobo

DEMISE (QUEENS OF THE UNDERWORLD BOOK 1) by RA Winters

VS Note: From OCT 22.

One moment changes Death’s perfect realm of the dead. Imagine spending millennia without emotions. No love, hate, sorrow, pain, or any other emotion, just nothing. That’s the world of a Death Taker. Until one day when a nasty Keres demon threatens to make a deal with a dying man for his soul, A lowly Death Taker, Demise, does something unthinkable. She reaps Aiden’s soul orb before it was ready. In her haste to save him, she killed him. Intense anger burst from his soul changing the death realm. For the first time ever, Demise feels real emotions. Two powerful gods want Aiden destroyed. Death wants Demise’s head. The other Death Takers sample Aiden’s soul’s power and turn against Demise. They want to steal him away for themselves to feel again. They would do anything to keep the new sensations and emotions alive, even fight against the Olympian gods. Can Demise right her wrongs and return to the unfeeling reaper? Will she give up the only happiness she has ever known? Or will Zeus and Hades take their revenge on her?       Amazon

MERRY TWINNESS by Margaret L Carter

On Christmas Eve, Nicole expects an engagement ring from her lover, Cal. She doesn’t expect the other surprise he springs on her. Why hasn’t he ever told her he has an identical twin? Can she even trust him after he’s been effectively lying to her all this time? Furthermore, according to the two brothers, they share a telepathic bond far deeper than simply reading each other’s thoughts. She must either accept this incredible claim or give up the man she loves.

Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo

THE HUNTED MATE by Darcy Dahlia

The only thing I want is revenge. I just never counted on the monster that wants me. The ocean’s seemingly endless depths call to me, tempt me not to surface. I want to obey, to push myself until it’s too late to turn back. For years, I’ve fought the call. But when an accident claims my mentor’s life my resolve weakens. Only my anger keeps my feet on firm ground. The only thing stronger than my grief is my hatred for the man that so casually takes her place. Jack Hunter. He erases her memory and no dares to stop him. I will. The only thing that can stop my quest for revenge is the monster. When I’m trapped on the beach alone with it I have to admit it’s real. A thing that isn’t just shadows. It’s something that is real, and hungry for me. Now I’m a woman hunted by something I don’t understand and as much as I want to get away from Jack, I’m drawn to him. Hungry for him. It’s no longer a matter of revenge, but survival of both my body and heart.      Amazon KU

MIDNIGHT REPEATED (MOVIE MAGIC NOVELLAS) by Dani McLean

VS Note: OK, I one clicked. I can’t resist time loop romances!

At twenty-five, Lauree Miller knows what she should want — a serious job, a serious boyfriend, the ability to cook a meal that doesn’t involve two types of cheese. Who cares if it isn’t the future she had in mind for herself? It’s about time she stopped pining over her best friend’s brother, Max, anyway. New Year’s Eve is a time for resolutions, and as the clock ticks closer to midnight, Lauree makes a decision – next year, she’s going to let go of the past and finally grow up. Except when she wakes, it’s still December 31st. Then it happens again. And again. And again. What’s a girl trapped in a time loop to do? Will kissing the right man at midnight set her free?      Amazon KU

FERAL SHIFTER UNTAMED (NASTY RABID BEASTS BOOK 1) by Olivia T Turner

They hunt shifters like me. With good reason. I’m a threat to everyone. Even myself. My bear has gone feral. It’s lost control. Sometimes fate can be cruel. Sometimes it makes us wait too long for our mate. Some bears can’t handle it, and my wild grizzly is one of them. He’s gone too long without her and he’s snapped. This untamed savage creature lashes out at everything it can get its nasty paws on.
He’s become a danger to society. So, they’ve come for me. A group of shifters have come to put me down. To stop the threat. To put me out of my misery. To put a bullet it in my head. My mate is the only one who can save me. She’s the only one who can tame this savage beast. But with the killers closing in on me, will she be too late? And is my monstrous grizzly too far gone to be saved?   AmazonKU

NANNY FOR THE BEAR (A SECOND CHANCE AT BEAR CREEK LODGE BOOK THREE) by Harmony Raines

Bear shifter Darrell is having the night of his life! When Poppy’s mom disappears, Darrell is left holding the baby. As if this wasn’t unexpected enough, his mate, Zoey, walks into his life on the same cold winter’s night. Now he’s juggling a baby, his mate, and the mysterious disappearance of Poppy’s mom. Add in dragon shifter Fiona, who is not convinced Darrell is a suitable foster parent or a competent private eye, things are about to get worse. When Zoey offers to be his nanny, Darrell should be happy. since the news might get Fiona off his case, Plus, he’ll get to spend plenty of time with her when she moves into his house to care for the baby. But Darrell suspects Zoey might not be who she seems and finding the truth about Poppy’s mom, might destroy his future with his mate.   AmazonKU

SLAY THE DAWN: SUPERNATURAL LEGACY THREE (ANGELS AND DRAGON SHIFTERS) by Everly Frost

The hunt is mine. But now I’m hunting the man I love. The war between dragons and angels has taken everything from me. Instead of vengeance, I found heartbreak. I awakened the soul of a destroyer and set him free. Now I’m caught in a game of his making, and I have no choice but to form alliances with those I once called my enemies. With every step I take, I follow a path that threatens to shatter my hope and bring me crashing down. But not even the darkest secrets can extinguish the flame that Callan Steele ignited within my heart. To save him, I must seek the devastating power that will free all dragons. Even if it destroys me. Some angels fall, but I won’t surrender my heart.      Amazon KU

THE GOLDEN PRINCESS: A RETELLING OF ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES (RETURN TO THE FOUR KINGDOMS BOOK 4) by Melanie Cellier

Exiled from her old life as the daughter of a vizier, Zaria still grieves the lost friends of her childhood. She’s grown accustomed to her new role as a servant, though—up until the day she stumbles on the fabled lost cave of treasures. The wealth inside is enough to transform anyone’s life, but Zaria isn’t the first to find it. A gang of cutthroat thieves got there first, and their behavior makes Zaria question everything she sees. With an unknown enchantment at work, and forty criminals desperate to protect their hoard, she doesn’t want anything to do with the gold. But when her royal friends reappear, Zaria discovers the cave is the key to defeating a threat to the entire kingdom. She can’t turn her back on her people, even if that means facing thieves and traitors with Crown Prince Tarek at her side. Zaria thought she’d found peace with her past, but now she isn’t sure if she’s more in danger of losing her life or her heart.      Amazon KU

SAVIOUR OF THE PACK (THE OTHER WOLF SERIES BOOK 3) by Heather G Harris

My mum told me I could be anything I wanted to be – and it turns out that I want to be an alpha werewolf. I’m finally starting to get a hang of this alpha malarkey when destiny sticks her oar in once again. There’s a prophecy about me, and it’s time for me to find out what it says. So when my best friend Jess cooks up a hare-brained scheme to get hold of the prophecy through fair means or foul, I’m along for the ride before you can say ‘bail money’. Getting my wolfy paws on the prophecy is only the beginning, though, because I’m not the only one aware of its existence. Some of my enemies will stop at nothing to prevent the prophecy from coming true. I’ve a battle on my hands, so it’s lucky that I have super soldier Greg Manners by my side. I’m a pretty chilled-out alpha, but when unknown wolves slink onto my land and attack my unicorn, all bets are off. No one attacks my murderous little Ares and gets away with it. Beckett Frost is coming my way with vengeance in mind; the black witch is still free, ready to steal powers and destroy lives; I have enemies piling up around me – so I do what any girl would do and call in my family, my weirdly Other birth family. I need allies, and fast, because war is coming to Home Counties Pack whether we’re ready or not. Luckily, Esme was born ready. Bring it on.      Amazon KU

CELESTIA: YEAR ONE (ASLAN ACADEMY: UNICORN BLESSED CHRONICLES BOOK 1) by Avery Phoenix and Yumoyori Wilson

A unicorn shifter…You’d think being the only known unicorn shifter in the world would have a few benefits, like people treating you kindly or getting special treatment from the council. Not in my case. I’d be lucky to get a piece of bread thrown at me. My name is Celestia Rainbow, and yes, my last name is f*cking Rainbow. Shifters assume that I’m kind by nature, but trust me, I’m not. I’m fierce, short-tempered and have the mouth of a sailor. Add in my stealthy fighting skills, advanced magic casting, and swift movement, you’ll soon realize I’m someone you wouldn’t want to mess with. But everyone seems to only look at my shifter side— my ditzy peaceful half, sprinkling magic dust and on a mission to end world hunger. Regardless of my dual personality, I’ve sworn to become a huntress at Aslan Academy. Now that I’m of age— my lucky twenty-fifth birthday just happens to coincide with the entrance exams —I’m ready to prove my worth. Too bad I’ve been grouped up with six sinfully attractive men. Time to prove to my community, classmates, and this attractive bunch of weirdos that unicorns can kick ass too.      Amazon KU

A TRICK OF MOONLIGHT (WEREWOLVES AND GASLIGHT BOOK THREE) by Shawna Reppert

It’s winter in Victorian London, and Inspector Royston Jones is determined to solve the mysterious murder of a young Irish woman new to the city. Suspects abound, from the woman’s wealthy husband to Fenians to werewolf rights activists. Is the itinerant stage magician newly arrived to Royston’s uncle’s household somehow involved? Is the man from the Home Office here only to serve his own agenda? When a bomb goes off outside Scotland Yard, the stakes grow higher. Royston is running out of time, and he has few he can trust outside of a clandestine werewolf and a lady alchemist with attitude. If he wants to save his hard-won reputation, his career, and the city he loves, he’ll need to find the murderer before suspicion, fear, and rage blow London apart.   AmazonKU

THE TRUTH BEYOND THE LIES (ISLES OF MNIADHRA BOOK 1) by Kathleen Bird

All she wants is to be a normal girl. But normal may be too far out of reach. Peri may look like a picturesque beauty with a perfect life, complete with a loving father. But that life is a lie, and the longer it goes on the more she longs for normalcy. So when an opportunity to live free from her lies becomes available, she jumps to take it. Unfortunately, she finds herself plunged into darkness in a way she couldn’t have imagined. Will she find her way back to the father who loves her or remain trapped in her new life forever? A clean genderbent Pinocchio retelling set in a brand-new steampunk world.      AmazonKU

DELILAH’S PAIN by Kira Roman

VS Note: A revised re-release. See note at end of blurb.

I would rather be an unavowed servant, with no pack protection, than attend Primal Moon Academy… unfortunately, no one cares what I want. Not the future Alpha making my life hell. Not the Wolf I thought I’d lost long ago, and not his best friend either. Everyone has a plan for me, but no one thought to clue me in first. So here I am, being lied to about my very existence, and treated like dirt. My world is about to get flipped upside down, and not for the better. These men all want something from me, but they didn’t ask nicely. Now I’ll have to show them exactly what it means to be human. This book was previously in an anthology. Many of the details have been edited or changed completely to fit the story better. (For example, there are a few additional love interests/bullies.) MMFMM       Amazon KU

TIES THAT BIND: A PARANORMAL WOMEN’S FICTION NOVEL (SHELBY NICHOLS ADVENTURE BOOK 16) by Colleen Helme

What do explosions, murder, and cryptocurrency have in common? You guessed it – Shelby Nichols. Who knew that dabbling in cryptocurrency could be life-threatening? In a game of cat and mouse, it’s not always obvious who is chasing whom, especially when it involves a mind-reading soccer mom like Shelby Nichols. It’s hard to fool a mind-reader, but that doesn’t mean finding a killer is easy, especially when the killer disappears into thin air. But threatening her family changes everything. Now, nothing will keep Shelby from finding the truth, and it soon becomes apparent that it’s never a good idea to mess with Shelby Nichols.      Amazon KU

THE GOVERNESS AND THE ORC (ORC SWORN) by Finley Fenn

He’ll make all her dreams come true… but only if she can pretend to love him. In a realm of orcs and powerful men, Geva Okoro is a proud, impoverished governess, trapped in a dismal, dead-end post — until the day the orc breaks in. He’s a huge, insolent, arrogant brute, swaggering with smooth, shameless wickedness. But unlike the orcs from the terrifying tales, he only wants one thing from Geva…Her employers’ gold. There’s no escaping his devious clutches, and soon a furious Geva is reduced to raiding her employers’ house with an orc. Compromising her career, and destroying all her dreams… until the orc proposes another shocking scheme. He’ll split the day’s plunder with her — if she’ll pretend to be his mate. For one month. At Orc Mountain. Sharing his rooms. Smiling sweetly at his side. Smelling all over of his deep, decadent scent…He’s offering more wealth than Geva’s ever dreamt of, but there’s no way she can trust this treacherous thief… can she? Let alone convince all of Orc Mountain that she loves him?! And surely, even her best play-acting would never start to feel real… or win over an orc’s cold, broken heart?      Amazon KU

THE OTHER BELLE by Whitney G

“I’m giving you one last chance to tell me that I own you…” Those are thirteen words that I refuse to give to the beastly man who kidnapped me in the middle of the night and forced me on a never-ending journey through the woods. While he’s desperate to break a tragic kingdom-wide curse that’s ruined him to his core, I’m determined to escape and find my way home. I’m not the woman he wants anyway…He wants my sister, the beautiful, book-loving girl who wants more out of life and believes a prince is all she needs to find a happily ever after. Of course, he has no idea that she’s none of those things, and as much as I want to deny the chemistry between us, I can only take so much punishment, and I may be forced to finally submit to his desires…Until then, I’ll hold off on getting closer to a man like him, a true villain, destined for Hell…He’ll never have the real me, the other Belle.      Amazon KU

BENEATH NOTICE (AN OBSCURE CITY BOOK ONE) by Viola Grace

Hazel was never the favourite daughter. One parent hated her, she revolted the other, and then she messed up at work when someone cursed her. It just wasn’t a good day. Hazel has tried just to follow the family path and do what was asked of her. Her work in the financial industry has her pegged as an analyst and a notary for the company contracts. She has one secret she holds for herself, which is a small matter that gives her a reason to keep going. A summons, a curse, and a blue-skinned elf tangle themselves into the worst day ever. She runs to a friend to get help with the curse, and her friend has to go to higher magic, the elf clan leader. He just happens to be the omega who gave birth to Hazel, and it doesn’t help untangle the disaster of her day. An elf, a marriage contract, and surrogacy combine with Hazel to protect her and restart her life, but it is a little too much, and her new husband calls for an assist. Every girl needs her best friend when she has a new guy, family troubles, and a baby on the way. Good thing Sevval just showed up.

Amazon     NOTE: Author’s other books are on Apple Books & Kobo so maybe this one will be too

ALPHA MALE by Various

Paranormal romance lovers will devour these thirteen novellas featuring alpha male shifters and the women they’re determined to claim. Our handpicked stories are full of heat, passion, and romances to remember. Fourteen authors, including some of your favorite Evernight bestsellers, are proud to present Alpha Male.

Amazon     Kobo

SOLD TO THE DEMON PRINCE (SINS OF THE BLOOD WAR BOOK ONE) by Lauren Crowne

The demon prince is arrogant, dangerous, and hot as sin. He is also my new owner. As a fae slave, I knew that one day I’d be sold at auction, but I never expected to be purchased by royalty, much less by the demon prince himself. Rumors say that Prince Leo is a cruel master who murders his fae when they no longer entertain him. They say he’s just like every other species that harvest the magic in our fae blood. But I know the truth. There’s more to the demon prince than what the world sees. He has plans, big plans, and if I agree to help him, it could mean freedom for me and every other enslaved fae. When the day comes that I’m given the chance for freedom, will I take it, even it means leaving Prince Leo forever? Or can I admit that the demon prince who owned my body might own my heart as well?      AmazonKU

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

LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica:

November 2

October 26

October 19

October 12

October 5

September 28

“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.