Note: This post first appeared in the Roswell Daily Record…

One trend over the past few years has been for romance authors to take a popular fairy tale and retell it with all kinds of twists and turns the original story certainly didn’t cover. Today I’m going to look at Wizard of Oz retellings, written with generous doses of romance and adventure. Most of these books I’ll mention today are the first title in a series, not surprisingly, since if an author is going to delve further into the life of the Tin Man or the Scarecrow, of course they’re going to go on to write about the other characters in the famous ensemble. (I always had something of a crush on the Scarecrow in the “Wizard of Oz” movie myself.) Let’s just say none of these books are suitable for children.

Scarecrow: Tales From Oz (Dark Fairy Tales Book One) by S. Cinders turns Oz on its head from the very beginning. As the book’s blurb warns: “Forget everything you have ever been told about Oz, Dorothy, and even her yappy dog.” In this variation, the King of Oz has four daughters and he divides his kingdom among them, giving them an opportunity to prove their abilities and possibly inherit the entire realm. The narrator is Indy, the girl who receives the East, which includes Munchkin Land. Dorothy is portrayed as a villain, Munchkins are being murdered, the Scarecrow is a very sexy guy as well as smart and there are four happy endings. This book is extremely spicy, to the point some reviewers Did Not Finish it (DNF’ed) while others literally raved about the plot and the adventure.     AmazonKU

Rebecca F. Kenney is well versed in doing fairy tale retellings of all types, as well as other romance novels. A City of Emeralds and Envy pairs Dorothy of Oz with Alice of Wonderland (also a very popular tale for retellings but I’ll cover that another day). This is actually part of a four book series, My Wicked Darlings, focused primarily on Alice and her multiple men. It’s a Why Choose romance. The central idea is that the Fae and their kingdoms are parallel to other famous tales we know, like Wonderland and Oz, so in this book the heroines are taken by a tornado to a Faerie world for their adventures. The series is best read in order and many reviewers didn’t care for the depiction of Dorothy here, but the author adds spice and dark goings-on to her fantasy and in general the series is quite highly rated.     AmazonKU

Tin (Faeries of Oz Book One) by Candace Robinson and Amber R. Duell also starts from the premise the Oz-dwellers are Fae. As the blurb states: “He’s a fae assassin with a heart of stone. She’s the savior of Oz. Together they must defy a heartless curse.” Dorothy here is ten years older than she was in the original OZ and since returning home to Kansas everything has fallen apart for her so she welcomes a chance to flee back to Oz. The Lion here is a villain and there are many other twists and turns to what Dorothy remembered and believed. As one reviewer said, “Not gramma’s yellow brick road.” Tin is the love interest as the book progresses and there are three other books in the series to further explore the revised Oz the authors have created from the original cloth.   AmazonKU     AB

L. A. Armitage and Emma Savant have a long running series Kingdom of Fairytales, which focuses on the grown offspring of various fairy tale heroines. There’s a four book subset entitled Jakon: Son of Dorothy (available in an ebook boxset), which updates the reader on current events in Oz. The series starts eighteen years after the original Oz, with Jakon, current Mayor of Oz finding himself imprisoned by ogres without knowing why. The series covers his battle to escape, to reclaim his proper place, take care of his siblings and further his growing flirtation/romance with Clement, another prisoner he meets in the first book. These are described as fast reads.     Amazon   Apple Books   Kobo

Female Main Characters attending dark and wondrous academies is another current trope in many genres of romance and JB Trepagnier has utilized this framework to spin out her Emerald Academy Series into four books focusing on Francesca (‘Frankie’), the daughter of the late Wicked Witch of the West, who is competing with many other individuals for the right to take over her mother’s job as a Sentinel. She’s learning the magic skills she needs at the Academy. Sentinels of Oz is book one and is the beginning of a Why Choose romance series with plenty of adventure and new perspectives on the tried and true Oz we know, including Dorothy who may or may not be a villain.   AmazonKU

Kendra Moreno’s Heirs of Oz series is part of an even larger universe the author has created, with the Sons of Wonderland and the Daughters of Neverland preceding this set of four books. Most reviewers seemed to agree it was a good idea to read the other series first before diving into Heartless As A Tin Man, in order to understand certain elements of the plot. The FMC here is Briella Mae, who falls into Oz while spending time at Bullfrog Creek. Once there she has to do her best to figure out what’s what and who’s who, although the Tin Man is the conflicted villain this time around and their love story is complicated. Book two features Cinder and the Scarecrow and book three has Red and the Cowardly (now King) Lion. These are dark and spicy fantasies – nothing lighthearted here.   Amazon   Apple Books   Kobo

Follow the Yellow Brick Road indeed if retellings are a genre you enjoy and happy reading!

VS Note: I’ve never been tempted to write an OZ retelling but in Star Survivor there is a scene that was inspired by an event in Ozma of OZ  by L. Frank Baum where the main characters have been turned into objects or ornaments and Dorothy has to guess which item is which person to obtain their freedom. I have to say this is purely how I remember it all these years later and may not track with the actual book. At any rate, there’s a scene in Star Survivor where the Goddess of Flames has turned Khevan into a figurine and placed him in her museum where she keeps memories of all her D’nvannae Brothers. To save his life and her own Twilka must find Khevan in the thousands of  items the goddess is keeping. I had fun imagining it and writing it! And that’s my only connection to an OZ retelling.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

VS: I have a re-release of a Sectors novella (which was previously in an anthology)!

I have not read most of the new releases listed (although I always end up one-clicking quite a few as I prepare these posts LOL). 

‘AB’ denotes audiobook and the Amazon buy link.

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BREAKING THE ALIEN LOVE CURSE by Veronica Scott

VS Note: This 23K word novella was previously in the Supra Vellum Anthology, which is no longer available, No new material has been added.

Amellia Taneek loved her job as the office manager for a group of Sectors agents from various organizations, all based out of her central location. She enjoyed the challenges of handling administrative details for them and the excitement of constantly meeting new offworlders. She was especially intrigued by Hagan Raljarr, seven feet of green, scaled, muscular SCIA agent, and more than a little curious about his tail. Hey, she was a healthy unmarried, unattached female and there was no rule against dating a co-worker.

But so far he’d shown confusing signs of reciprocating her interest.

Hagan was an honorable warrior and before he could pursue his definite interest in Amellia, who might even be his fated mate, he had to clear up one little detail – the engagement contract he’d been entered into as a child with a female from his own planet. They barely knew each other and she was highly ambitious. Surely in this modern day and age she’d be happy for him to sever the contract and set her free, right? Leaving him in the perfect position to begin courting the lovely human.

But the jilted fiancée sends a mysterious box across the galaxy to him and when he unwisely opens it, a powerful love curse is activated, striking both him and Amellia. They’ll die at dawn if the curse isn’t broken. With help from Amellia’s aunt, who is said to have magic powers, the pair set out on a desperate quest for three special ingredients needed to break the spell. Over the course of a very long night, will Hagan and Amellia find their way to a relationship, break the curse in time and survive? Is such a thing even possible?

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo     Nook     GooglePlay

TRAXEN (SVESTI FATED MATES BOOK SIX) by Wavy Martin

Thirty years ago, the Zuvgran released a virus that killed most Svesti females and rendered the remainder infertile. The Svesti initiate first contact with Earth when their scientists discover that humans and Svesti can interbreed. Humans may be able to save the warrior species that has been protecting Earth’s region of space for a century. Rachel is MI-6 and has been ordered to gather military intelligence about the Svesti. Traxen is the King of Costonia, the Svesti home world. He’s used to sniffing out traitors.

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XALAN BONDED: XALAN MATES BOOK TWO by AJ Mullican

For N’kal, his ship’s crash into the middle of Chicago leads to a standoff with local police, including Detective Timber Millwood. Assigned as N’kal’s bodyguard until the AARO can come pick him up, Timber’s confused by her strange attraction to the alien man. As their chemistry ignites, will Timber be able to let N’kal go when the time comes?   AmazonKU

EARTH EARLS ARE EASY (LORDS OF DYSTOPIA BOOK ONE) by Catherine Stein

VS Note: From FEB 29.

Wyatt Hartford, Earl of Windborne, spends his days running a smuggling operation under the noses of his political enemies. Twenty years prior, Wyatt and three other young, orphaned aristocrats fled war- and weather-ravaged Earth for the Martian city-state of Utopia. Now the four friends—nicknamed the Lords of Dystopia—use their money and influence to champion citizens’ rights and progressive reforms. To the downtrodden, they are leaders. To the noble scions of Queen Victoria’s empire, they are a threat. Mercenary Nova Pratt likes her assignments—and her life—efficient, tidy, and uncomplicated. Her latest contract ought to be perfect: Find and arrest the smuggler known as the Viper. Lock up the bad guy and save the day. Her target is no hardened criminal, though. He’s a rainbows-and-sunshine chaos gremlin with a mischievous smile and hips that won’t stop swaying to chipper Earth-pop. Nova can’t look away. Wyatt won’t let a surly, law-abiding merc derail his operation, even if her scowl and sharp commands make his blood run hot. When he uncovers a smuggling scheme far more nefarious than his own, he seizes the opportunity to point Nova at the real villains. It won’t be easy to work as reluctant allies while resisting their inconvenient attraction. But as political games turn deadly, these opposites must trust one another to fight for what’s right—by putting their lives and their hearts on the line.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

SECRET TWINS FOR THE ALIEN NOBLE (KALEIDIAN WARRIOR DADS) by Athena Storm

I’ve got a secret that will change everything…And it comes in a pair. I lived a simple life as a bartender on a war-torn planet. Until a Kaleidian mercenary walked in and shattered it. His charm was irresistible, and I let myself give in to him. Big mistake. Suddenly, he was gone, leaving me with more than just a broken heart…Now, Drex is back. How do I face him? How do I tell him the one thing I’ve been scared to admit – even to myself? I still love him. But there’s more…How will he react when I reveal the biggest shock of all…That we have twins.     AmazonKU

CONQUERING THE ALIEN COMMANDER (PANDRAXIANS BOOK TWO) by Bella Blair

ASHLEY: Taken by the Cryons during a rescue mission gone wrong, I thought my life was over. I prepared myself to die on an alien planet, swearing I would take some of the hateful Cryons with me.
But a chance to escape leads me right into the arms of the Pandraxian’s superior commander, who claims I’m his mekarry—soulmate. He is the most handsome man I have ever seen but I’m not sure I’m ready to surrender myself to him. I’m a marine and Earth still needs its fighters.
XANDROS: Going to Colynth to smooth things over with King Crough is the last thing I wanted to do. Finding a merrily—female—tied to my bed, and another holding a blaster to my head, I expected even less. Most of all though, I never would have thought I’d find my mekarry in her.
Now I just need to figure out how to make the stubborn merrily understand that she is MINE, as well as a way for us to stay together.   AmazonKU

GALAXY LESSONS: SAPPHIC SPACE FANTASY (MAGIC OF THE GALAXY BOOK ONE) by Harlowe Frost

Viera, a second-grade teacher in the Midwest, just wants to have a relaxing spring break. Friends and family tease her that she never travels far from home. A staycation at home is her dream week off. When she ends up on a spaceship heading to a peace summit, will she find a new way to escape second graders, or will the vast variety of aliens be too much for her? As Viera learns to navigate the galactic space station full of aliens of all shapes and sizes, she slowly acclimates to the idea that humans aren’t alone in the universe. Viera’s “crush” helps her learn the ropes and she hopes this is a sign that her feelings are requited. But as the novelty keeps bombarding her, can Viera cope or will it prove too much for this human in space?     AmazonKU

FIGHT CLUB ON THE PLEASURE  PLANET: AN MM MPREG ALIEN ROMANCE by Chris Storm and Kinkaid Knight

Fyrros Daarkov has lost his way. Once a highly decorated security agent with CerbSec, the most venerated security corporation in the sector, when his partner betrayed their employer, Fyrros had to kill him. He had no choice. But it cost him his Flame, the internal fire that has made his species feared throughout the ‘Verse. Without his Flame, he has no reason to live, so he decided to undertake a suicide mission to infiltrate the Pleasure Planet’s most infamous fight club, Pinnacle Tower. Somehow, he’s managed to survive and fight his way up the ranks, earning him a ticket to the Glythokan, the universe’s deadliest martial arts tournament, where the one survivor can earn anything their heart desires. Fyrros prays for death every day, to die a warrior’s death to earn back his honor, but then he catches the scent of his mate and his Flame reignites, burning hotter and fiercer than ever before. Douglas Zerxez has lived his life in a golden cage, the adopted son of one of the galaxy’s most infamous criminals…(more blurb on ebook seller’s page)   AmazonKU

FLOATING HOTEL by Grace Curtis

VS Note: Not a romance.

This cozy science fiction novel tells a story of misfits, rebels, found family—and a mystery that spans the stars – Welcome to the Grand Abeona Hotel: home of the finest food, the sweetest service, and the very best views the galaxy has to offer. All year round it moves from planet to planet, system to system, pampering guests across the furthest reaches of the milky way. The last word in sub-orbital luxury—and an absolute magnet for intrigue. Intrigues such as: Why are there love poems in the lobby inbox? How many Imperial spies are currently on board? What is the true purpose of the Problem Solver’s conference? And perhaps most pertinently—who is driving the ship? Each guest has a secret, every member of staff a universe unto themselves. At the center of these interweaving lives and interlocking mysteries stands Carl, one time stowaway, longtime manager, devoted caretaker to the hotel. It’s the love of his life and the only place he’s ever called home. But as forces beyond Carl’s comprehension converge on the Abeona, he has to face one final question: when is it time to let go?

Amazon     AB     Apple Books     Kobo

CASCADE FAILURE:  A NOVEL (AMBIT’S RUN BOOK ONE) by L M Sagas

VS Note: Scifi, but not a romance. Sounded intriguing to me so it’s on my TBR List.

There are only three real powers in the Spiral: the corporate power of the Trust versus the Union’s labor’s leverage. Between them the Guild tries to keep everyone’s hands above the table. It ain’t easy. Branded a Guild deserter, Jal “accidentally” lands a ride on a Guild ship. Helmed by an AI, with a ship’s engineer/medic who doesn’t see much of a difference between the two jobs, and a “don’t make me shoot you” XO, the Guild crew of the Ambit is a little . . . different. They’re also in over their heads. Responding to a distress call from an abandoned planet, they find a mass grave, and a live programmer who knows how it happened. The Trust has plans. This isn’t the first dead planet, and it’s not going to be the last. Unless the crew of the Ambit can stop it.

Amazon     AB     Apple Books     Kobo

ALLIANCE WITH THE ALIEN PIRATE by Ivy Knox

Welcome to the Cursed Compound, where danger lurks in every room. Survive the compound, and you’ll win a cash prize. The monsters who live here, however, have other, nightmarish plans for you. Erin is in a serious rut. She spends her days scraping meat scraps off a kitchen fryer on Station N87, and her nights holed up in the apartment just above the restaurant. She tries to stay positive, but space is a dangerous place for humans, and she wants nothing more than to buy a house where she can plant a little garden and live a safe, quiet life. Khatazo is a surly former gladiator, current pirate who’s convinced that no one can be trusted and the universe is an endless pit of despair. During their last job, a member of his crew was critically injured, and in order to get his crewmate the medical attention he needs, they need credits, and fast. Both chasing the big pile of credits waiting at the finish line, as long as they survive that is, in order to fulfill their individual goals, Erin and Khatazo volunteer to participate …(more blurb on ebook page)     AmazonKU

THE MARS HOUSE: A NOVEL by Natasha Pulley

In the wake of an environmental catastrophe, January, once a principal in London’s Royal Ballet, has become a refugee in Tharsis, the terraformed colony on Mars. There, January’s life is dictated by his status as an Earthstronger-a person whose body is not adjusted to lower gravity and so poses a danger to those born on, or naturalized to, Mars. January’s job choices, housing, and even transportation are dictated by this second-class status, and now a xenophobic politician named Aubrey Gale is running on a platform that would make it all worse: Gale wants all Earthstrongers to naturalize, a process that is always disabling and sometimes deadly. When Gale chooses January for an on-the-spot press junket interview that goes horribly awry, January’s life is thrown into chaos, but Gale’s political fortunes are damaged, too. Gale proposes a solution to both their problems: a five year made-for-the-press marriage that would secure January’s future without naturalization and ensure Gale’s political success. But when January accepts the offer, he discovers that Gale is not at all like they appear in the press. They’re kind, compassionate, and much more difficult to hate than January would prefer. As their romantic relationship develops, the political situation worsens, and January discovers Gale has an enemy, someone willing to destroy all of Tharsis to make them pay-and January may be the only person standing in the way.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

OH NO, I CRASHED A SPACESHIP AND KISSED AN ASSASSIN (AT THE ALIEN HOTEL BOOK ONE) by Kate Sinner

VS Note: A short story.

Relationships aren’t built on secrets, and I’ve got a big one. I’ve got to be the unluckiest person alive. I mean, abducted by aliens? What are the chances? Only these aliens, they’ve got another thing coming if they think I’m just going to lie here and take it. Just wait till I find myself a weapon. When my spaceship crashes–because, of course–just outside the Alien Hotel, I decide to check in. Just for one night, I tell myself. I should be finding a place to hide out, not ending up in the arms of the giant, red alien named Sutek. He acts tough and commands me about, but touches me softly. The way he looks at me ignites a need inside of me I haven’t felt for a long time. And for just a brief moment, I find myself wondering if alien’s aren’t so bad. The question is: can I really trust him?   AmazonKU

SUNDERED MOON (MECHANIZED HEARTS BOOK ONE) by Fae’Rynn

The galaxy is a dark and deadly place, run by vicious corporate empires.
Only Central, a nation that rose three hundred years ago after violent insurrection, remains as a beacon of hope and equity to all who reside in their borders. Dia, a young mech pilot from Central, has infiltrated the upper echelons of the Fomorian Armory, an empire that prides themselves on their exceptional pilots and otherworldly weapons. It’s a dangerous game she must play—bringing down an empire—especially after becoming an unlikely ally with the imperial princess, a woman hellbent on gaining her own freedom.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

ALIEN DEVIL’S WILDCARD (BLACK STAR MATES BOOK FOUR) by Ava York

I’m not guilty of anything. Unless drooling over my boss is a crime. I’m nothing more than a low-level technician in the Black Star Casino, and Sakkar takes any threat to his security seriously. So when my giant of a Vinduthi boss unjustly accuses me of siphoning off credits, I’m not just shocked. I’m terrified. But Sakkar is surprisingly sweet, and as we work together to track down the source of the breech, I see a side of him I’d never imagined. With millions of credits on the line, our opponents will stop at nothing to win. Now I’m in the middle of it all and it’s not just the Black Star that’s under attack. Can my heart survive Sakkar’s siege?   AmazonKU

LARZ (OUMTERA CRASHLANDS BOOK ONE by Eden Ember

Hailee – Crash landing on Oumtera changed my life forever. Caught in the gaze of the warrior alien, I found my dreams shifting, inexplicably drawn to him. Larz – Her presence challenged and enchanted me. Duty bound by my people, I collide into the tempest of an undeniable fate with the human female from Earth. Can the heart overcome the vastness of space? Can two souls from worlds apart build a future together?   AmazonKU

ECHO by MJ Douglas

In a future where humanity resides in a digital world called the Metaverse, teams of techo-archaeologists, known as Echoes, explore historical games to bring back entertainment for the masses. Team Trickshot isn’t afraid to take chances –until it all goes wrong. Join Pik as she works to save her team captain and uncovers terrifying secrets about humanity’s past.     AmazonKU

ASHES COLD (SPLICED BOOK ONE) by Griffin Asher

VS Note: I one clicked. You know me and post apocalyptic romance! It could have used a little more copy editing BUT I enjoyed the story, liked the two main characters and can’t wait for book two.

Gabe Cross’s world came to an end when the first wave of the invasion killed his family. He had nothing left but revenge. So when the opportunity to have his DNA spliced with that of their alien allies, he was one of the first to volunteer. The splicing gives him power, speed and strength beyond any human, but there is a price. That power will eventually drive him insane. Em Summers has only her teenage sister, Ada, left after the Bugs swept through her hometown in a massive swarm. There’s nothing she won’t do to keep Ada safe, including making a deal with a man who’s a ticking time bomb. There’s something about Em’s touch that calms the madness inside Gabe, but is she a cure, or is this just putting off the inevitable?  Ashes Cold is a slow burn romance full of heart and action and, well, bugs… big bugs. You may need more than a can of bug spray. HEA guaranteed.      AmazonKU

THE RING ETERNAL by F G Keel

Hannah is a successful television producer trapped in a persisting cycle of grief since the sudden death of her soulmate, but a chance encounter with Greyson reignites a passion that forces her out of this self-imposed yet accustomed malaise. At first impression, he’s a winsome and naive 28-year-old who shares almost preternatural similarities to Hannah’s late husband. Is her grief gaslighting her, or is there truly something transcendental at play? Greyson, a recent PhD graduate, is relocating to Los Angeles for an extraordinary career opportunity at a premier technology company while escaping a dysfunctional relationship. He desperately wants to reboot his stagnant life and free himself from the tethers of his adolescent insecurity. When tragedy strikes, Greyson must travel back through time to confront his past and ultimately find his future.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

RECKLESS IMPULSE (VILLAINS OF VANGUARD BOOK TWO) by Ryder O’Malley

VS Note: MM Superhero romance.

You never know the shape revenge will take. But I do. Prison is a blast. I get three meals a day, a warm bed, and a state-of-the-art gym. The guard’s hip-hugging uniforms don’t hurt either. I say good riddance to it all when I’m offered a chance to take this show on the road. Heroes aren’t getting the job done, so they’re recruiting villains with rugged good looks. But you blow up one ice cream truck, and suddenly they assign you a handler. If I’m going to stay a free man, I need to stop a psycho from murdering half the city. Of course, the bad guy is attending a couple’s retreat for wealthy supers. If my babysitter is policing my every move, he’ll have to go undercover as my tech mogul husband. If I can survive a week without my cell phone, an overly enthusiastic yoga instructor, and a spouse complaining about love languages, maybe I can stop a massacre. These heroes aren’t what they seem, but then again, neither am I.     AmazonKU

JONOHKADA by Amanda Milo

My name is Jonohkada. I have been to many places on many planets. I have arrived on Earth, not for the first time, in search of my mate. This time I found her. Unfortunately, her roommate shrewdly suspects my otherness and orders me to reveal that I am an alien. As my mate is about to learn, I have to obey the order. I have to obey every order any female gives me. It has caused—and will cause even more—trouble for me. This is why I’ve begun employing a terrible defensive tactic to protect myself. But this too causes trouble.     AmazonKU

COGS AND DAGGERS: THE ADVENTURES OF IVY AND SELENA BOOK ONE by JM Steiner

VS Note: From the sample, these two are sisters.

“Cogs and Daggers” is a gripping tale of friendship, betrayal, and adventure, set in a world where steam-powered machinery meets futuristic technology. Prepare to be enthralled by the vividly imagined world, the dynamic characters, and the heart-pounding twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey.     AmazonKU

ROSA’S ABDUCTION: AN INTERGALACTIC OFFICERS PREQUEL by Mara Jaye

VS Note: Oops, I missed this one, from JAN 31.

In this exciting prequel, Rosa discovers not all aliens are little green men. When one of the Area 51’s men in black believes her about the abduction, she wonders why until learning he has a secret of his own.

Amazon 

DANGER IN DELTA SECTOR (A LADY ELIZABETH COZY IN SPACE BOOK FOUR) by Diana Xarissa

When the Lady Elizabeth stopped on Odontotyrannos, it added a few extra people to the crew. Actually having some security on board was nice, and we all knew that Becca needed another pair of hands in the medical wing, but I don’t think anyone was excited to learn that a photographer had joined us. Troy Dyffryn spent his days wandering around the ship, snapping photos of the passengers and then trying to sell them his pictures. I was polite to the man, but I wasn’t interested in having my picture taken, and I didn’t have the credits to buy unnecessary photos of myself. But when he offered me a free photo session for Singer, my tiny cat, I couldn’t resist. We chatted about life while Singer posed beautifully. Some of the things that Troy said were worrying, but I was still shocked when I found him unconscious and wounded in a corridor two days later. At least this time, the person I’d found was still alive. That didn’t mean that I was going to be able to avoid being dragged into the investigation into what had happened to him, though.     AmazonKU

THE PHANTOM INK (FAIRY TALE FLIP BOOK TWO) by Cassie Swindon

Mora is a witch burdened with thorns that twist out of her skin. After her own sister cursed her to become a monster of nightmares, she strives to break the spell before it’s too late. Brody is a visionary yearning for adventure and escapades- anything to evade his haunting past. This dreamer must learn to settle down and embrace love once more, despite the peril Mora’s very touch poses. Within a gothic mansion, veiled in secrets and enchantment, Mora and Brody are entwined in a shadowy dance. Together, they must navigate through snares, dangers, and their personal terrors to find their happily ever after.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

FIENDISH DELIGHTS (THRILL OF THE HUNT BOOK TWO) by Helen Harper

Yeah, I’m a treasure hunter. No, I’m not rich. Or busy. Or successful. Not yet. I’m doing my very best at making a living in my newfound career. I’ve got magic, a pair of brownie sidekicks and enough ambition to fill every chilly corner of Edinburgh castle. What I don’t have is any actual treasure to hunt. However, when a young girl asks me for help, I end up embroiled in a deeply dangerous search for an ancient magical artefact. Unfortunately, I’m not the only one who wants to find it. Between fire-breathing dragons, vicious vampires and lethally powerful fiends, I’ve got my work cut out for me if I’m going to locate the treasure first.At least this time I’ve got help. Hugo Pemberville might be as provocative as ever but he has also attached himself to my side. Sure, I’ve got a few teeny tiny problems of my own to deal with – but I’ve got everything under control. Sort of.     AmazonKU     AB

THE MERMAID MURDER (BROWN & DELUCA RETURN BOOK FOUR) by Maggie Shayne

VS Note: The FMC has visions.

Hey, I’m Rachel de Luca, a self-help guru with a potty mouth and a penchant for crime-solving. My partner, soon to be husband if I can get over my paralyzing fear, is Mason Brown, a detective with the Binghamton PD. Ten years ago, professional mermaid Eva Quaid disappeared without a trace from The Sapphire Club. Now, my niece Misty is working at the same club, doing the same job. Coincidentally, (not) Misty’s college roommate is in the thick of her self-produced true crime podcast about the same cold case. Misty has kept every bit of this from our way-too-close-for-privacy family. None of this would be a big deal, except that I’ve been having nightmares. It’s my wedding day, and I look from my adoring groom to my twin nieces, face down in the shallows of the reservoir behind the altar. I dreamt, too, of a dying mermaid who’s been trying to get my attention ever since. When my sister expresses worry about her twin daughters, Mason and I agree to do a little snooping—only to find Misty has been keeping some big secrets, and is not where she’s supposed to be. Nobody knows where she is. I’m pretty sure that Misty’s gone off the grid with her podcasting partner Zig to surveil their favorite suspects in the ten-year-old case of the missing mermaid. I’m even more sure the mermaid is dead, and that her killer is determined to keep their oldest, deadliest secret, even if it means taking another young woman’s life. I have to find my beloved niece before my visions come true—the way they always do.

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DIRE STRAITS AND ENTWINED FATES  (FANGED MISTAKES BOOK TWO) by Alice Winters

Julian – When did fake-then-real dating an ancient vampire become the easy part? Casimir’s ridiculously sweet now that he’s conquered “the art of the flirt,” as he calls it. He tries hard to fit in with my family—if we forget about those silly threatening chocolates he sent my father—and he even makes me popcorn… okay, he tried. I know, I know, I’m just bragging at this point. Everything is perfect until we stumble upon a half-dead vampire who is being hunted by someone. And I’m afraid the person hunting him knows all about Casimir’s history. Casimir has fought so hard to drive the darkness away, but we both know that he needs to bury his past… one last time. Casimir – I never saw myself in a relationship, let alone with a pesky werewolf…(more blurb on ebook seller’s page)     AmazonKU

SHIELD OF FIRE (A RELIC HUNTERS NOVEL BOOK FOUR) by Keri Arthur

Resident Relic Hunter for Deva’s Fae Council is a title Bethany Aodhán never wanted, but it isn’t like she has a choice. And in truth, the appointment might just aid her quest to find her mother’s murderers—because at least one of those responsible is a member of the council, and getting access to their records could give her the connection and their identity. But before she can be given her first task or even start her behind-the-scenes hunt, a building belonging to Cynwrig Lùtair—the highborn dark elf who is not only her council liaison but lover—is set alight, and they barely escape with their lives. It quickly becomes clear that the cause of the fire was a relic belonging to the god of smiths and fire, capable of destroying anything made within a forge, old or new. And the man wielding it is an elf who stirs uneasy echoes of past darkness within Bethany. As the attacks intensify and draw ever closer to home, it’s increasingly evident that not only do the keys to finding the culprits lie in the past Bethany can’t remember, but he’s someone who knew her very well indeed. Someone who has no qualms about doing whatever it takes to get what he wants from her. Even if that means killing Lugh.

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BLOOD TOUCHES TWILIGHT (THE SOULBLOOD SERIES BOOK SEVEN) by Brenna Harlow

Evelyn has a secret she doesn’t want to tell. Norvyc has regrets eating his soul. One human. One dhampir. Two unlikely lovers. Evelyn has grown used to the idea that she may be the only remaining female in the base who doesn’t have a mate. She’s fine with it, really. Her new friendship has blossomed, the outside world is safe enough to visit in short bursts, and she finally has a job again. Things couldn’t be better. Except they could, and the stranger she keeps meeting in the ruined cities is proving it to her with every secret kiss they share.     AmazonKU

EVIL SPEAKS SOFTLY by Maureen Bonatch

In a world where stories and spirits collide, I discover that my family’s legacy is more than ink on paper. Born in a family of writers, my life took a dark twist when I dared to change the story’s ending. Suddenly, the villain, once confined to the pages of fiction, emerges as a tangible threat, and he’s angry about the changes I made to his story. The spirit’s ominous presence forces Gage to enter my life when he’s supposed to watch me from afar. We realize we’re part of a larger story as long-buried secrets about curses and the whispers of the dead claw their way to the surface. Together, Gage and I must break the rules to uncover the truth. The dead hold the key to unraveling the mysteries, and they’ll stop at nothing to see their tales told. In a realm where the dead hold sway over the living, the only certainty is that we have everything to gain and everything to lose.     AmazonKU

TWO THOUSAND TEARS (KINGS OF CHAOS BOOK TWO) by Jocelyn Drake

Yichen is free at last…sort of. He has escaped his imprisonment, but he’s still blood bound to the crown prince of the fae. Oh gods, how is he going to explain that to his clan? Finding a way to break the bond might not be too hard. Killing the king of the fae even seems possible. But there’s no way he can let go of the elf who protected him, risked everything for him for a hundred years? Rei is the breath in his lungs, the blood in his veins, and the beat of his heart. Somehow, he has to find a way to keep him. An elf can fall in love with a vampire, right?     AmazonKU

GIFTED TO THE GARGOYLES: MATCHMAKER MONSTER ROMANCE by Luna Joya

Two gargoyles face annihilation if they don’t deliver a queen. Here’s hoping their fated mate can save them all. The Twin Gargoyles Who Would Be King – We’ve spent our long existence seeking the next Gargoyle Queen. Centuries ago we failed and were banished to the cruelest existence. That exile will be nothing next to the catastrophe the realms face if we fail our fated mate. Too bad she has no idea we exist. The Unsuspecting Human Who Might Be Queen – I’ve been invisible my entire life. Wishing for the right someone to notice me, I tapped into something mystical and got so much more than I bargained for. Now two gorgeous gargoyles insist I’m their queen and their mate…if I can survive the royal selection trials. Will these fated mates fly away to find happily ever after? Or will a centuries-old rivalry destroy their world and ours?     AmazonKU

CRYPTIC CLUES (WHISPERS OF WITCHCRAFT COZY MYSTERIES BOOK THREE) by Nellie H Steele

When Carly embarks on a mysterious road trip with her grandmother, she gets to experience the location from her grandmother’s first story and to unravel the secrets of a centuries-old English manor and the ghostly whispers of the Blackthorn Bride in a new haunting tale. As Carly delves deeper into the tales of psychic witch, Emma, and the enigmatic disappearances tied to Blackthorn Manor, she finds herself caught in a web of ancient mysteries and family secrets. With each clue they uncover, the boundary between the past and present blurs, leading Carly on a journey to discover the truth behind the haunted estate and her own family’s connection to it.     AmazonKU

HIS LUCKY MOON MATE (THE MACCONWOOD PACK TALES BOOK 14) by C D Gorri

He was supposed to run her out of town, not fall in love. When an underground Shifter casino trespasses on the Macconwood Pack’s home turf, Alpha Rafe Maccon, sends one of his new Wolves to investigate. Pack lawyer Balvinder Sidak arrives at the Lucky Moon ready to spar with the Leprechaun who runs it, but he doesn’t expect to meet the man’s daughter in his stead. His Wolf is struck dumb when he meets the curvaceous female. But could circumstances be more wrong for the Shifter to find his mate? Serving her with an eviction notice is hardly the hallmark of true romance. Shannon O’Doyle’s father has skipped out on her again! This is the last time the smarmy thief is going to leave his daughter holding the bag! Hiding out from her father’s crew of unpaid supernatural employees currently banging down her door, Shannon runs into another problem in the shape of one smarty—not to mention sexy—pants, Werewolf, who wants to force her out of town. Too bad she can’t afford the trip! Will Shannon and Binder be able to settle their differences and find true love in this whirlwind paranormal romance?

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SONG OF THE HUNTRESS by Lucy Holland

Britain, 60AD. Hoping to save her lover, her land, and her people from the Romans, Herla makes a desperate pact with the king of the Otherworld. But years pass unheeded in his realm, and she escapes to find everyone she loved long dead. Cursed to wield his blade, she becomes Lord of the Hunt. And for centuries, she rides, leading her immortal warriors and reaping wanderers’ souls. Until the night she meets a woman on a bloody battlefield—a Saxon queen with ice-blue eyes. Queen Æthelburg of Wessex is a proven fighter. But when she leads her forces to disaster in battle, her husband’s court turns against her. Yet King Ine needs Æthel more than ever. Something dark and dangerous is at work in the Wessex court. His own brother seeks to usurp him. And their only hope is the magic in Ine’s bloodline that’s lain dormant since ancient days. The moment she and Æthel meet, Herla knows it’s no coincidence. The dead kings are waking. The Otherworld seeks to rise, to bring the people of Britain under its dominion. And as Herla and Æthel grow closer, Herla must find her humanity—and a way to break the curse—before it’s too late.

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DADDY WOLF’S RELUCTANT BLIND DATE (P[ROSPECT SHIFTER DADDY MATES) by Serena Meadows

Moving to a new town meant running away from my old habit – being with hot men that are absolutely wrong for me. And yet, I went on a blind date with a single dad ranch owner I saw no future with. Grant’s five-year-old son was the best thing about him. Or so I thought. My decision to sabotage the date went out the window when I let him hold me close. I caught myself wanting something deeper – maybe everything with him. But Grant’s life didn’t allow for another woman. And we had enemies that would do everything in their power to keep us from falling in love. My life was in danger and I was the only one to blame for it. And Grant was the only person who could save me. That would show me a side of him that I may never be able to accept. Especially since that secret cost his late wife her life.     AmazonKU

SHADOW RISING BOOK THREE: SHADOWS AND LIGHT by Georgia C Leigh

Haven and Ryker are committed to building a life together, but scars from their separation run deep. The choices made in the past, if left unresolved, threaten to haunt their future. Their friends and family stand beside them and support their healing process, but an intriguing new acquaintance asks the impossible, a quest that may risk the new, fragile life they are desperate to build. Ash has broken his curse but soon discovers it wasn’t a cure. He struggles to control the demon that still lives in him, as well as those who are determined to keep him in a life he no longer wants. An unlikely friendship shows him a new path, one that asks him to be a person he abandoned a century ago. But his long-time destructive entanglement with Lilith pulls him back to a life of violence and hate that seduces a long-buried resentment he must confront before he can alter his future. Hope and her supporters are not satisfied with seizing the crown. Her new Regency is the tip of the arrow, a plan that is centuries in the making. They seek a legend, a myth that if found and liberated would unleash an evil bent on destroying everything Haven and Ryker hold dear.     AmazonKU

BARRETT (GRIZZLY GUARDIANS) by Kristen Strassel

My plan when I became a contestant on Moonlight Mates was simple: Use my fifteen minutes of fame from the dating reality show to expose my ex-boss for stealing pack land. But in the ultimate plot twist, the billionaire wolf showed up as my episode’s Moonlight Beast, and chose me as his mate. The contracts have been altered, and to keep me from destroying him, he’s forcing me into marriage. A little enemies-to-lovers drama will be good for ratings, right? Hell no. I’m not going down without a fight. When I call the Grizzly Guardians, I’m shocked the bear shifter security company agrees to help me. But I never expect them to crash the season finale and drag me away from this sham of a wedding…on live TV. Barrett Guardian insists the danger has just begun. He brings me to a tiny cabin in the middle of nowhere and refuses to leave my side. For Barrett, this case is personal. This heartbroken single dad refuses to let this wolf ruin another life—especially mine. Now, he needs my help, and it will take a lot more than gossip to bring down this powerful wolf syndicate. This bear is ready to fight for me, and he’ll give me what Moonlight Mates couldn’t…my very own happily ever after.   AmazonKU

THE WOODLAND STRANGER: A FAIRY TALE WITH BENEFITS (SYLVANIA BOOK FOUR) by Jane Buehler

Burne hid behind a tree. He wanted to talk to the handsome man picking flowers at the edge of the forest, but he’d only flub it if he tried—he’d stumble over his words and blush bright red. And now the man is gone.
He tries to continue on to the village, but the same thing happens as always: his hands start shaking and panic wells up inside him. What if he runs into the bullies who tormented him in the King’s Guard last spring? Ever since he deserted, he has hidden out in the forest. So he turns back toward home. Next time, he promises himself as he retreats into the trees. Next time he’ll be brave enough to enter the village. Next time he’ll talk to the handsome stranger instead of hiding. But next time will be sooner than he thinks. Because the stranger is Gray, a fairy and a master of illusions, who’s now following Burne home. And Gray’s got more on his mind than talking. Would a fairy that beautiful ever want someone like him? Stranger things have happened.

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DEATH AT THE DRIVE-IN (SOUTHERN GHOST HUNTER MYSTERIES BOOK 13) by Angie Fox

For ghost hunter Verity Long, ‘helping out a friend’ can mean anything from passing the peas to solving a homicide. This time, it involves digging into a cold case that’s been on ice since poodle skirts twirled and Elvis’s hips shook the nation. In 1956, Kitty Cunningham disappeared on the way to the Starlite Drive-In. Now the first real evidence of foul play is coming to light in the ghostly realm—and it links directly to a modern crime. Only a sleuth with one foot in the past can solve the mystery and make things right. Armed with her wits and flanked by a wise-cracking gangster ghost, Verity explores the hidden side of 1950s Sugarland—from the haunting echoes of the abandoned drive-in to the dusty secrets of a long-forgotten mob vault. As she stirs spirits and secrets alike, she finds some corners of Sugarland’s history are darker and more dangerous than she ever imagined. Can Verity bring the truth to light, or will she be the next one to suffer death at the drive-in?

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A DARK DAWN: BOOK ONE OF THE COURT SERIES by Shaye Torrel

Makayla Morgan has always had it tough. In her life neglect, poverty and the threat of violence were standard. Now the sole upside to her daily grind is her friend Oakes and his younger sister Juni. They are the only real family she has. When their already risky life is further threatened, she and her friends are introduced to a shadowy underworld they never dreamed existed. Andras Kerekes is an Enforcer, his long history awash with blood and darkness. Driven by loyalty and the need to protect his own, he never expected to find someone like Makayla. Even in his world she is an anomaly. Striking, powerful and completely unaware of the truth. Makayla’s life has taught her not to trust, but could this dangerous fighter help her navigate an unknown path? Will his mysterious Boss, the one they call The Count, turn out to be an ally or just a charming villain? As Makayla discovers a whole other side of herself she must find the strength to survive in the unfamiliar world of The Court, deal with old adversaries and keep her family safe. And perhaps find a way to understand the dark Enforcer, Andras. Set in the fictional city of Norwesur, Virginia, A Dark Dawn is Book One in The Court series, an interconnected series of stand-alones. It is a M/F romance with an HEA.   AmazonKU

LUCK OF THE IRISH: A COZY MYSTERY ANTHOLOGY by Various

VS Note: NOT paranormal or fantasy. But hey, I like to support anthologies and I am Irish so…

Ten authors got together to bring you these super Cozy mysteries, themed around Luck, Saint Patrick’s Day and — in rather surprising ways — sometimes leprechauns, too. Some of our authors are well known to you, such as radio celebrity Kathleen Marple Kalb
and USA Today listed author C. A. Phipps. Some are total unknowns, such as W. Jenkins (but IMO Will’s story is the funniest Cozy in the book). Short stories, novellas, and all stops in between! Enjoy dipping into this book whenever you have a few minutes when you can read.
Whatever your taste in Cozies, we hope that you will enjoy these stories, and I do not hesitate to say that there’s something here for everyone…
100% of book sale proceeds go to the non-profit RAICEStexas.org who help children living in dreadful conditions.

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MATCHED TO HIS BEARS (THE DATES OF OUR LIVES BOOK 15) by Lorelai M Hart and Colbie Dunbar

Human alpha Anson is boring. Everyone says so. He can’t help it if he’s not into the club scene and would rather stay home reading a good book or watching a movie. And what’s the point? To hook up with a random stranger. He doesn’t want that. Anson longs for the complete package; true love, marriage, and a family. And he’s not willing to settle. Maybe this hot new dating app his neighbor keeps raving about might be worth a try. It has to be better than a night on the town. Alpha bear shifter, Hector, hates the city. His beast longs to be in the mountains, not surrounded by concrete, but when his boss sends him to a week-long training, he has no choice but to comply. If only his beast weren’t antsy AF. When Hector gets a notification from his dating app saying there are matches nearby, he decides to go for it. Maybe time with another shifter will soothe his animal. When omega bear shifter, Travis, gets a call from his grandfather asking for help with his move…(more blurb on ebook seller’s page)     AmazonKU

HIS DAMAGED PURPOSE: A WAITING HEARTS ROMANCE (ASILO PRIDE BOOK FIVE) by Jena Wade and Lorelai M Hart

Asilo Pack lives in the shadows protecting those without a voice. When I find my lion mate beaten and near death, I plan to bring him home to Asilo. We pride ourselves on healing more than just the body and no one is left a pile of broken bones and blood without needing more than a healer’s elixir and a bandage or two. I vow to protect him from those who did him harm. If only it is that easy. This isn’t some bad guys attacking my mate at random. He’s on the run from Steelwick, who by all accounts is the best of us. Now I need to help him heal, clear his name of the crime he’s being hunted for, and oh yeah… find our happy ever. Easy peasy. His Damaged Purpose is a sweet with knotty heat M/M Mpreg Shifter Romance.     AmazonKU

DARK HORIZON ECLIPSE OF THE HEART (CHILDREN OF THE GODS PARANORMAL ROMANCE BOOK 81) by I T Lucas

Margo’s life takes an unexpected turn when she reunites with old friends aboard a cruise ship and discovers a world beyond her wildest dreams. She soon learns that the man who saved her from the cartel is not human but an alien with god-like mind-control abilities who was genetically engineered to embody physical perfection. He also holds the key to unlocking her own immortality, but for that to happen, she must fall in love with him first.      AmazonKU

THE DAY TRIPPER: A NOVEL by James Goodhand

It’s 1995, and Alex Dean has it all: a spot at Cambridge University next year, the love of an amazing woman named Holly and all the time in the world ahead of him. That is until a brutal encounter with a ghost from his past sees him beaten, battered and almost drowning in the Thames.
He wakes the next day to find he’s in a messy, derelict room he’s never seen before, in grimy clothes he doesn’t recognize, with no idea of how he got there. A glimpse in the mirror tells him he’s older—much older—and has been living a hard life, his features ravaged by time and poor decisions. He snatches a newspaper and finds it’s 2010—fifteen years since the fight. After finally drifting off to sleep, Alex wakes the following morning to find it’s now 2019, another nine years later. But the next day, it’s 1999. Never knowing which day is coming, he begins to piece together what happens in his life after that fateful night by the river. But what exactly is going on? Why does his life look nothing like he thought it would? What about Cambridge, and Holly? In this page-turning adventure, Alex must navigate his way through the years to learn that small actions have untold impact. And that might be all he needs to save the people he loves and, equally importantly, himself.

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ADORED BY THE ORC (MONSTER ORC BRIDES) by Rena Marks

He’s determined to keep her safe, despite the visions that say otherwise. Shalia: Growing up orc was perfect—especially because I have the constant attention of Bakog, the prince of the West Mountain Orcs. Except for one small problem. Bakog refuses to make me his. I know he loves me. But he seems determined to set me in the same category as his own little sister, who happens to be my age. Then one day he kisses me and my world is changed. It’ll be six weeks, but can’t wait to get home to him to explore where we’ll go from here. It never dawns on me that day will never arrive. Bakog: Doing my best at keeping her safe wasn’t good enough. She’s always been mine, but I couldn’t claim her with a prophecy looming over our heads. “My mate would be stolen by others.” Easy enough to thwart, I simply won’t make her mine. But she still disappears from my grasp. And when I finally beat the odds to find my kidnapped love, she no longer remembers me.     AmazonKU

TO FALL FOR A DRAGON: A GAY PARANORMAL NOVEL (MONSTERS IN LOVE SIDE STORIES) by Toshi Drake

A lost vampire returns to the small town of Granite after learning that a letter he wrote a century ago is featured as a love letter in a museum exhibit. Not wanting anyone to see such drivel, Poe attempts to sneak in and steal it back, only to run into a dragon protecting his horde. Hakko, Granite’s fierce dragon protector, will do anything to keep his new home safe. He’ll be the lone guard against the might of the town’s mayor, Elijah. But when he discovers a homeless vampire speaking to the trees in the museum’s cemetery, the scales around his heart shatter around him and he falls hard for Poe. Poe doesn’t want to become attached to the place that wrecked him when he was human. Once he takes his letters, he’s out of Granite forever. Fate has other plans for him. Reuniting with Sawyer, the vampire who made him, Poe finds a strength he didn’t know he had. And a future he never thought he’d see.   AmazonKU

HERCULES (SPEED DATING WITH THE DENIZENS OF THE UNDERWORLD BOOK 36) by Angel Payne

Drowning the past…Ten years after a mysterious curse drove him to commit the unthinkable sin, Hercules of Thebes is still a haunted man. He’s traveled the realms to atone for his nightmares—never expecting a dream to fall into his path again. But here she is. At a silly speed dating event, of all things. Writing for her future…Lois Lance, named after the most intrepid femme reporter of all, makes ends meet as a dazzling look-a-like for her pop starlet employer—but she’s certain her luck is bound to run out. At the DeLux Café’s speed dating party, her suspicions prove true. Swept into a fantastical realm by a daunting stranger, she must accept that demons and demigods are real—especially the captor who saves her life and awakens her body. As the adventure intensifies, Herc and Lois must learn how to shatter personal defenses, expose sacred secrets, and trust each other with painful parts of themselves. But will the vulnerability make them strong enough to outsmart an Underworld lunatic—or will love prove their greatest downfall of all?

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THE LAST BLOODCARVER DUOLOGY BOOK ONE by Vaness Le

Nhika is a bloodcarver. A coldhearted, ruthless being who can alter human biology with just a touch. In the industrial city of Theumas, Nhika is seen not as a healer, but a monster that kills for pleasure. And in the city’s criminal underbelly, the rarest of monsters are traded for gold. When Nhika is finally caught by the infamous Butchers, she’s forced to heal the last witness to a high-profile murder. As Nhika delves into the investigation, all signs point to Ven Kochin, an alluring yet entitled physician’s aide. Despite his relentless attempts to push her out of his opulent world, something inexplicable draws Nhika to him. But when she discovers Kochin is not who he claims to be, Nhika will be faced with a greater, more terrifying evil lurking in the city’s center…Her only chance to survive lies in a terrible choice—become the dreaded monster the city fears, or risk jeopardizing the future of her kind.

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SHADOWED GRAVES (THE GRAVESIDE MYSTERIES BOOK THREE) by Kennedy Layne

For eleven years, Phoebe Burrow has been tormented by the tragic loss of her sister and the haunting visions that continue to plague her. Convinced that Jenna’s death was no accident, Phoebe launches a dangerous investigation to uncover the truth. As a renowned expert in the occult and successful podcast host of Graveside Mysteries, Phoebe uses her skills and influence to delve deeper into the old case files and unearth long-buried secrets. She knows all too well that secrets are taken to the grave. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more she realizes that her sister’s past was darker than anyone could have ever imagined. With every step closer to the truth, Phoebe finds herself in grave danger, and each new revelation threatens to destroy everything she thought she knew about her sister, her family…and even herself. Will Phoebe finally find justice for Jenna, or will Phoebe become the next victim of a chilling and deadly conspiracy?     AmazonKU

ORACLES ALWAYS WIN (WILLOW LAKE SUPERNATURALS BOOK THREE) by Lori Ames

Jake believes he is absolutely ordinary… But what if he isn’t? Jake is absolutely, completely ordinary, even if he has a weird painting affliction. Painting is relaxing, right? It helps. It’s a form of art therapy. Even if his painting is the subconscious kind. The middle-of-the-night, paint-while-you-sleep kind. The kind that makes him puke every single time it happens. Okay. So, maybe that’s not exactly normal. But when a sexy but presumably imaginary guy with horns, who Jake’s strange painterly alter-ego has been fixated on for the last year, suddenly shows up in town with horns and all, Jake doesn’t know what to think. Especially when the not-so-imaginary guy claims he’s a demon and that Jake’s an oracle, of all things. That’s when Jake begins to suspect his life is never going to be the same again. After all, he mentioned the horns, right?     AmazonKU

TO TOUCH A REAPER by R R Mangold

A reaper burdened with envy for humanity, diligently carries out her duties under the strict supervision of her boss, Death. As she goes about her grim task, a peculiar incident occurs one night at a children’s hospital: Jimi, a nurse is able to see her, something deemed impossible. Intrigued and captivated, she stalks him to uncover the source of this extraordinary ability. To her astonishment, the reaper discovers that not only can the nurse see her, but he can also talk with her and, against all logic, touch her. Faced with this inexplicable connection, they grapple with the realization that breaking the rules and taking substantial risks is the only way they can be together. As they navigate the dangerous terrain of defying the natural order, the looming question remains: are the potential dire consequences of their actions worth the pursuit of love?     AmazonKU

HONORED (BEGINNINGS END SERIES BOOK 12) by W J May

Be careful who you invite to the table, they might end up running the game…From the moment the Tezerin horde swept into the valley, it became clear that Kiera and her friends weren’t getting out. An alliance with the warlords had sounded good in theory, but they had waded far from the shoreline, and those quick-churning waters could just as easily drown. Forced to smile their way through what was quickly becoming a hostage situation, the friends try to navigate a razor’s edge of warring agendas and peaked tempers, content to merely escape the palace with their lives. But there are secrets held within the Tezerin valley. Secrets dark as the night that bore them. Secrets older than the earliest whispers of time. Be careful who you trust. Even the devil was once an angel.

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MAGE DRAGON’S CURVY MATE (STOLEN DESTINY BOOK THREE) by Danie Clark

I couldn’t possibly be lucky enough to land the woman of my dreams, and Kameron fits the bill to a tee. Kameron, grappling with the weight of her responsibilities, finds herself in a battle to steer her rebellious younger sister away from the dangers lurking in their city’s shadows. In her quest for guidance, she turns to Garrison, whose library in the human world holds more than just books; it’s a sanctuary of wisdom and a bridge between two realms. Garrison, living a life secluded among his scrolls and tomes, finds in Kameron a spark he’s never known, realizing she is his destined mate. But fate has a tumultuous journey in store for them. Kameron’s sister, seduced by the thrill of danger, falls into the clutches of the Destiny Robbers, a nefarious group with intentions dark and vile. In a twist of events, Garrison is captured, throwing him into the depths of peril, far from Kameron. With the clock ticking against them, Kameron must muster all her courage and wit to rescue Garrison and her sister, challenging the very forces that seek to tear them apart.   AmazonKU

UNFETTERED DEMON (FOUND AND FREED: THE UNFETTERED BOOK THREE) by S Rodman

For a hundred years I’ve been chained to a bed and used by humans. I’m a pathetic, broken excuse for a demon. An incubus who is lost. All I know is fear. I drift, dream and dissociate. It is my only escape. I barely remember being kept in a billionaire’s harem. I hardly recall these paranormal boys who call me their friend. They say we are free now. I’m not so sure. My new keeper is called Mal. He is handsome and dangerous. He feeds me well and pulls me back to reality. He is stern and dominating, and I think I like it. Surrendering to his will would be so easy. I think he likes me. I think he cares enough to catch me when I fall. But I don’t trust. I can’t trust. That part of me has been shattered into a thousand pieces. Is Mal strong enough to hold me so tight that all my jagged parts fit back together? Or is he my final destruction?   AmazonKU

THE ART OF AVOIDING YOUR ALPHA (WILDWOOD BOOK TWO) by Lola Glass

My soulmate bought me a sugar cookie… and now, he’s not going to let me go. He wants a mate bond. I don’t. He’s even more stubborn than I am, though. So, I agree to move in with him, for the sake of putting more emotional distance between us. But the plan backfires. And it makes me like him more. If I can’t convince him to walk away, I’m eventually going to have to accept a difficult truth: I’ve never met anyone I want to avoid less than him.     AmazonKU

THE FLAME KING’S BRIDE (FIRE AND DESIRE BOOK TWO) by Chloe Chastain and Lily Vincent

VS Note: Cliffhanger.

I was the Flame King’s reluctant mate, a bride he snatched from another man’s funeral pyre. Zabriel was chosen for me by fate, and I fought my craving for him every step of the way. At seven feet tall and riding the biggest, meanest dragon in the flare, Zabriel is an Alpha who can take whatever he wants and burn those who stand in his way. Yet he healed my wounded heart with coaxing words and fiery kisses until I craved no one but him. In the midst of war, I found love in the arms of the Flame King. My first heat is drawing closer and soon Zabriel will finally claim me and make me his. I’m his Omega and his bride, but I’m also a witch. There are many in Maledin who would rather see me burn than become Zabriel’s bride, or even kill their king before he can marry me. Friends wear masks that conceal their blood-soaked intentions. Enemies past and present are sharpening their knives. Dragons hunt for prey, and protecting the man I love could leave my heart bleeding on ashes.   AmazonKU

DEMON ON DECK (BEDEVILED BOOK TWO) by Deborah Wilde

When Aviva lands a baffling murder investigation, she discovers that the key to solving the crime lies in the last place she expects—a deadly magic gaming hall aboard a freaking yacht. Because why solve a supernatural murder on nice solid ground? While she navigates this high-stakes inquiry on the high-seas, she’s also hunting a mysterious artifact. Should it fall into the wrong hands, it’s game over for any half-demons—like her. No pressure. But here’s the real storm on the horizon. Her ex-lover and partner-in-crime, Ezra, is still in the picture. Sparks are flying, and not the good kind. Well, not always. Old wounds and smoldering desires have resurfaced, and she’s not sure if she’ll sink or swim. Bon voyage.

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MY DEMON ROOMMATES: AN MMM PARANORMAL ROMANCE (DEMON DEBACLES BOOK ONE) by Stella Rainbow

Ever since Nico, Star, and Ryk became my roommates, I’d sensed something strange about them. Nico loved cooking. Ryk enjoyed painting. Star was a pro at napping. They were all unique, incredibly quirky, and just a little out of touch with reality. When they told me they were demons, and I was their mate… well, that changed everything. I’d never expected I’d end up with three demon boyfriends, but at least now life would never be boring.     AmazonKU

THE WRONG NOTE (A SIREN’S SONG PARANORMAL COZY MYSTERY SERIES BOOK ONE)  by Courtney McFarlin

Autumn Waverly, the siren who can’t carry a tune to save her life (or anyone else’s for that matter), is in for a wild ride when a murder shakes up her bar, the Siren’s Song. But wait, it seems the target was never meant to be the poor soul who met his demise—it was Autumn all along! With her steadfast sister, Summer, by her side, they set out to crack the case wide open. Enter Gabe Frost, the irresistibly charming shifter with a bit of an identity crisis. Despite his inability to shift, he’s determined to protect Autumn and uncover the truth. Sparks fly between them as they navigate the twists and turns of the investigation. But this investigative team isn’t complete without the quirky brilliance of Meadow, Autumn’s best friend, with a nose for trouble. And then there’s Penny, the enigmatic cat who insists she’s more than just a feline… Talk about a purr-fectly peculiar companion. With the help of a mysterious sorcerer whose cryptic advice might just lead them to the answers they seek, this motley crew races against time. Can they outwit the real killer before last call at the Siren’s Song? And what long-buried secrets of Autumn’s family history will they unearth along the way?     AmazonKU

DRAGON AFLAME (COVERT DRAGONS BOOK 11) by Viola Grace

Grown in water, born to fire, she has to find a place for her particular brand of heat to have room to move. As the first of the rescued clones to hatch out of her tank, One has to name herself, identify her particular brand of magic, and learn about the world she has been born into. Her guardian sets her up with a wardrobe, an identity, and a mentor who can help her tame and focus the fire she can summon. Working with the frost dragon and a non-human is different, but since she is less than a month old with an ancient soul, everything is different. The world around her is a wonder, and learning to call the fire from the depths is a skill she has to master if she is going to be allowed to travel or even live on her own. Time is a factor, and lives are on the line. She can either tame the flame or let it take over. Decisions, decisions.

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DEFEATED (MATE REJECTED BOOK SIX) by Eve Bale

I’m used to running…From a mate who ground me down, a pack that watched me suffer, and the shifters who see a lone female and try to own her. It’s a life I never would have chosen for myself. I want a pack. I want a home. Most of all, I want to belong. When I least expect it, my path crosses with Chris, the handsome dark-haired shifter determined to protect me. Suddenly, I no longer want to run. Chris makes me feel safe. He’s like no man I’ve met before. And despite his tragic past and my inability to trust, we find something neither of us ever hoped for. Love. If only we had time. The shifters I ran from are back to threaten my unexpected happiness, and they won’t let anything stand in their way. Including Chris.     AmazonKU

NELSON & MCILWRAITH: MOON MURDER MYSTERIES BOOK TWO by K Sterling

What’s it like having a witch for a partner? Nelson has figured out that keeping Nox satisfied is the key to his freedom during the day. But he’s also afraid their mystical connection could be harming Nox. That’s not their only problem. They’re still working on the Moon Murder Mysteries and now, suspects and witnesses are dropping like flies. And their murderer is getting far too close to home. Nelson & MacIlwraith: Moon Murder Mysteries #2 is a paranormal mystery book, with an MM couple, plenty of spice, a murderer to catch, and a continuation of the overarching magical storyline based on Celtic mythology. Nox is a little bit witchcraft. Nelson is a little bit Federal Bureau. Together, they’re a wickedly good team, but can they solve the puzzle and catch a murderer before Nox’s fate catches up with them?     AmazonKU

A SWORD OF SHADOW AND DECEIT (MORTAL GODS BOOK ONE) by Lucinda Dark and Lucy Smoke

Desperation makes warriors of captives. The Gods split the skies and rained down tyranny upon the mortal realm long ago. Ever since then, the only thing worse than being human is being of Divine Blood. For someone like me—an undocumented God child, indebted to the Underworld Assassination Guild—that means only one thing: A life in the shadows. Or so it should have been … until Mortal Gods Academy. Until them. The Darkhaven Brothers are truly the worst of all the Gods’ spawn. Arrogant. Wicked. Violent. To them, I’m nothing more than a human plaything meant for torment. For me … they’re the path and the key to my freedom. But if any of them find out who I am, what I am … even the shadows won’t be able to save me.     Amazon

RESTORING HARMONY (ARTEMIS UNIVERSITY BOOK 22) by Erin R Flynn

My name is Tamsin Vale and I’m about to smack people around until they get in line… No, really this time because it almost cost Neldor his life. I refuse to let the lies, biases, and stupidity of the past ruin the future Faerie and her people could have. Not while I’m the damn boss.
I knew I might not survive from the moment I swore to find out what happened to my people and stepped into Faerie. And I knew people could be lost in the battles others have taken up with me since. But if we lose someone to evil, that is the price paid for a better future. I refuse to lose someone to stupid. I won’t do it. Especially not when things have been so much better. And luckily, I have five men on my side who love and support me while giving me what I need to do what I must. Yes, it’s time to include Neldor in that even if I only admit it to myself. Artemis University is an ongoing, hot burning reverse harem, university-age paranormal academy series with darker elements, strong language, violence, and a heroine who follows her own moral compass of what is right… And who she ends up giving her heart to.     AmazonKU

WITCH IN DISGUISE (CRYSTAL BEACH MAGIC MYSTERY SERIES) by Karen McSpade

When psychic witch Sidney Grace discovers a crime wave in Crystal Beach, she’s determined to use her magic to unveil the culprit. But her plans take a dramatic turn when her witchy grandmother enrolls her into a school for magic. “What? Enrolled me? Into a school for witches? But I’m too old to be in school!” Her telepathic cat, Mojo, agrees…until he finds himself in his own predicament, leaving Sidney to navigate her newfound powers and solve a perilous mystery, one that leads to murder. Guided by her grandmother’s wisdom, Sidney evokes the spirits to ask for guidance. But a surprise spectral figure joins the séance, and Sidney must convince this unlikely helper to aid them in solving the murder. With time ticking away, Sidney grapples with a malevolent force that threatens to devastate the town and the people she cares for deeply. Can she convince the authorities that magic is real, unravel the mystery surrounding a strange death, and decode a ghost’s ominous prophecy in time to save Crystal Beach from impending disaster?     AmazonKU

KISS OF SEDUCTION: A STEAMY SAPPHIC SUCCUBUS ROMANCE (COURT OF CHAINS) by Rawnie Sabor

Evie is trapped. Held captive by the vampiric Court of Night, she has experienced nothing but pain and terror for over a year. Treasured for her rare and delectable blood, Evie knows she will never see the outside of the dark estate that is her prison. She is fated to be forever ruined by cruel monsters. Her freedom is a concept lost. Natalya is the second-in-command of the Chicago-based Court of Chains. She is among the rarest monsters—a greater fiend, a succubus. A being of pure Sin, whose touch is agony and whose kiss is a death sentence. Following a less-than-diplomatic visit to the Court of Night, Natalya finds herself responsible for a human who was so hurt during her captivity that she is believed to be broken. But there’s something different about this strange woman. She suffers no pain under Natalya’s touch, and she can survive the infernal kiss of a succubus. But Sin does not invite peace. The vampire King of the Court of Night is a patient man who doesn’t like when people take what he believes to be his property. Or which could be his property. And only few things are rarer or more precious than the bound powers of a greater fiend.     AmazonKU

THE VEILED KINGDOM SERIES BOOK ONE by Holly Renee

Fleeing my father’s cruelty, the wicked king who robbed me of a future, I face death in the streets, caught between a rebellion and a tyrant’s reign.Captured by those sworn to kill me, the rebels remain blind to my true identity—the missing daughter of the despised king. Faced with an impossible choice, I stand before them: join the rebels or face their blades. Yet, Dacre, the son of the ruthless rebellion commander, becomes torn between suspicion and a desire that mirrors my own. He allows no one to touch me, tries to protect me, yet threatens me at every turn. As secrets are weaved beyond our hidden realm, a fierce battle unfolds within me. As I get closer to the rebels, and their cause, my loyalty to my kingdom clashes with my undeniable devotion to Dacre and the burning connection between us.     AmazonKU

RUBY RED by Letizia Firmani

Love can be immortal, especially if you sink your teeth deep enough. She could bleed for him. Talulla Popescu just wanted to live a normal life. She was a history major, trying to avoid her destiny for as long as possible. Her father never accepted her refusal, and will do just about anything to get her back on his side. She is a vampire hunter after all. But then she laid eyes on Flynn, and that last bit of loyalty to her family just went out of the window. Will Talulla choose her blood family or an eternal life with the one she is trying to create on her own? He will bleed for her. Flynn Lancaster just wanted to live under the radar until he laid eyes on Talulla. His world changed completely and she became his entire existence. His North Star. His Red Ruby. Too bad Talulla is supposed to be his mortal enemy. And even if she loves his attention, and control, won’t she run away when she discovers his real identity? AmazonKU

SEDITION (URBAN ACADEMY REJECTS BOOK TWO) by Mazzy J March

I came to the Urban Rehabilitation Academy for refuge from the Light Kingdom. There was only one thing I had to do—hide my wolves. That’s right. Wolves. Plural. As in two, which is apparently a bad thing. Not even a whole semester, and I’ve messed up. One of the Three Kings saw me shift. Neither of my wolves is what other shifters would call normal, but he saw my night wolf—the one who is larger than others and whose fur shimmers with silver threads. Not exactly your typical wolf. Now he knows, and he will tell the others. Not only will they maybe oust me for my wolf, but someone could alert the Light Kingdom to my location. Plus, I thought they liked me—all three of them. One run in the woods might’ve ruined everything for me. Now for damage control—if that’s even possible.     AmazonKU

PIECES OF ME: MM MONSTER ROMANCE by Jacey Davis

What happens when a jaded chimera meets a skeptical and stressed human? True love, of course. Why did I decide to live in the human realm again? I asked myself that question nearly every day lately. Sure, many monsters are thriving here, and I don’t think I could go back to never having coffee or cheese danishes again, but…humans can be so infuriating sometimes and I’m over it. I’d much rather be back at my cabin in the monster realm than trying fit in here. But my best friend is concerned I spend too much time alone and takes matters into his own hands when he signs me up for the Monster Match dating app that pairs humans and monsters together. I plan to just delete the app, but then I match up with Kennedy. He’s a young college student, but he’s so different from any human I’ve ever met. His prickly shell hides a soft interior I want to crack open and explore. He has desires he’s hidden for a long time, and I want to be the one who opens that world for him. He just needs to feel like he belongs somewhere. Which is a feeling I understand. The more I get to know him, the more I’m sure that he belongs with me.     AmazonKU

AVALON TOWER (FEY SPY ACADEMY BOOK ONE) by C N Crawford and Alex Rivers

Avalon Spy Academy rules: spy on the fey, resist falling for your mentor, and try not to die in the process. I spent five years saving up for a European vacation. But instead of drinking champagne on the beach, I get swept into a war of espionage between the humans and the fey. It turns out, I have a magic power needed to fight an evil fey king. I’m quickly whisked off to an elite spy academy in a hidden realm. There, in the ancient and gothic halls of Avalon Tower, snobbery and brutal competitions are among the oldest traditions. As if I didn’t have enough trouble, my new mentor is Raphael Launcelot, a maddeningly sexy demi-fey who already ruined my life once. I can’t fall for him again. Romance is forbidden here; a distracted spy is a dead spy. So I need to push his dangerous allure out of my mind as we travel into the Fey realm. If we get captured, we’ll die horrific deaths–and humanity won’t stand a chance.     AmazonKU

MATE ME: A SHIFTER GOD ROMANTASY by Kel Carpenter and Aurelia Jane

Beauty and the Beast meets Hades and Persephone in this shifter fantasy romance standalone! A god wants me dead. My ancestors stole half his soul then imprisoned him in Tartarus, thinking he’d be forgotten. That he could never return. They were wrong. The day he rips open a portal between our worlds, my life is over. As the current guardian of his cursed soul, my head is on the chopping block, but there’s a snag in his plan. This dark god believes he’s my fated mate. We’re not, but he refuses to take no for an answer. When he kidnaps my cousin, I’m forced to make a deal. To rescue her, I have to spend six months in Tartarus. Pretending to be his mate. His queen. Saving both our lives means fake dating the king of monsters. The real danger comes when my modern-day Hades makes it clear that he wants not just my life, but my love. That was never part of the bargain, but with every stolen kiss and forbidden touch—I just might be handing him my heart.     AmazonKU

UNDEAD TO RITES by Jade Bones

You know the phrase rest in peace? As soon as I figure out how to stop dying and coming back to life, I’ll let you know if it’s true. This city has always hated me. I’ve spent my life trying to save up enough money to clear my mom’s debts-may she, at least, rest in peace-and get out of here. But right when I’m banking a huge bag of money to do just that… Bam. I’m dead. And then I’m alive again. Which would be great, except it happens again. And again. Now, I need to figure out if I owe someone a fruit basket for bringing me back to life… or if they’re just trying to kill me and doing a really crap job of it. To complicate things, three super hot mercenaries—Darion, Silas, and Miles—have made it their mission to look out for me. They’re all supes, by the way, although they won’t tell me what kind. All I know is they won’t let me handle this alone, no matter how hard I try, and they’re starting to break through my walls as easily as they break through bad guys’ heads. The only problem is, I can tell they have secrets. I learned long ago never to trust people who keep secrets. Especially because I think this secret might have something to do with my little undead problem…Do I let them break down my walls, or will that just kill me forever this time?

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FURY HEART: AN FF OMEGAVERSE SHIFTER ROMANCE by Winter Thorne

VS note: From FEB 28.

Arik Bane is lost. On the run from a tragic past that still haunts her, the royal wolf shifter is trapped between two paths: to rise above or disappear. Fate nudges her toward the answer one snowy night when she saves the life of an omega mage and finds her heart bound to a path she least expected. Ember Snow carries the weight of the world on her fragile shoulders. She’s an omega with royal blood, a perfect pawn in a dangerous noble’s quest for power. The night she tries to escape this fate, she falls into the arms of a fierce alpha wolf who saves her life with a mate-mark, tethering their souls. An unexpected bond blooms as Arik and Ember find solace in each other’s arms. But when family burdens and royal treachery crosses their paths, the pair must choose between their desire for what lies ahead and their allegiance to what came before. Must Arik and Ember let fate slip between their fingers or will fated love defy all odds?     AmazonKU

THE WHITE KING’S FAVORITE (THE DRAGON EMPIRE SAGA BOOK TWO) by Jenny Fox

She was destined to Love. He was born to Hate. Princess Cessilia was born in the Dragon Empire, Prince Ashen in the Eastern Kingdom. With their nations separated by countless wars and endless hate for centuries, those two should have never met. However, destiny had other plans for them, and instead of another war, a new Era comes, with unexpected twists and new dangers. With only her skills and a legendary War dragon by her side, Cessilia is sent as a prospective wife to the ruthless Ashen, the new ruler of the Eastern Kingdom, and now known as the White King. What will happen now that she is confined in his castle, at his mercy…?     Amazon

NEVER TRUST A FAKE FIANCE (WOLVES OF BLACKWOOD BOOK TWO) by Sadie Sears

I’ve tried everything to resist my fake fiancé…The breathtaking alpha and mayor of Blackwood Creek pretended to be my fake fiancé to protect me and give me an alibi. Only now our lie has become the truth after we discovered we’re fated mates. It’s left me doubting if our feelings are real. I refuse to claim Ridge as my mate just because fate is forcing us together, but our wolves are growing more aggressive the longer we resist each other. The one thing that is certain—the hunters who are after us. Ridge is determined to make Blackwood Creek a haven for paranormal creatures and prepare everyone for imminent attack. Except tensions between refugee packs are reaching breaking point. Especially with a wolf in town under the influence of dark magic who will die if we don’t find a way to reverse the spell. I’m left feeling like Ridge is the only one I can trust. But it doesn’t mean trusting my feelings for him isn’t dangerous.     AmazonKU

GUARDED BY THE BLACK BEAR (ASPEN RIDGE PACK: MOUNTAIN RESCUE BOOK THREE) by Luna Wilder

Frankie – When I go with my best friend to Alaska, it’s just to get away from my father’s creepy friends. Aspen Ridge is supposed to be a safe place for me to hide, but I’m not sure that I even know how to feel safe anymore. Then I meet Gunner and suddenly, I feel at home here in this small town. Gunner – When I first agreed to watch over Frankie, I thought that it would be a boring assignment. Then the curvy bombshell shows up and I realize two things at once. One, guarding her isn’t going to be boring in the slightest, and two, I just found my fated mate. Now I need to explain shifters and mates to her, while also making sure that she’s safe. Will I be able to win over my girl and keep her safe?   AmazonKU

BENEDICT AND BEAR TRILOGY BOOK ONE by Lisa Oliver

Necromancer Benedict Dule’s morning was completely upended when a spirit of a young woman appeared in his bookshop. Emma was particularly insistent that he find a way to get a note to her brother, claiming the man who killed her was her brother’s lover. Unable to resist Emma’s persistence, Benedict finds a way to get a note to the man concerned and notches that up as his good deed for the day. Little did he know how much that simple note would change life as he knew it. Bear shifter, Dixon Cottle was having a crap-fest of a day, starting with a phone call from a stranger letting him know his sister had been in an accident. Surrounded by humans, on a busy city street, Dixon had no way of tracking the killer or doing anything at all to help his dead sister, except let the police handle the case in their own way. Until one of the officers handed him a note, and suddenly Dixon had clues… he just wasn’t sure what to do with them. Sometimes it doesn’t pay to get out of bed in the morning, as Benedict and Dixon soon learn. Despite help from unlikely quarters, a monster evolves before their eyes. When the dead start rattling their bones under the streets of San Francisco, the intrepid pair might find they have bitten off more than they can chew. While this story is a Fated Mates book, it is also a slow burn for obvious reasons. Benedict and Bear is part one in a three book trilogy and while the plot lines in this part are resolved, the book does end with a lead into book 2. This story was originally written as a serial for my Patreon members. Thank you my lovely friends.

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BOND AND CLAIM (THE RIFT BOOK TWO) by Laura Wylde

One sexy single mom. Four super-hot wolf-shifters. A mission to save the world. Having a fantastic career and a twenty-year-old son who’s got a life of his own might sound great. But twenty years of single-mom life can be lonely. Being a therapist helps. But I’m allowed to freak out when supernatural forces I knew nothing about could destroy everything I love, right? And when I’m recruited for a secret mission to save the world? Yeah, that’s not part of the plan either …But there are perks. I get to work with four super-hot guys who, in one way or another, have a hold on me. There’s Lucas, my gorgeous neighbor, who I’ve had a thing for—like, forever. Wyatt, my military vet client, has wanted to explore more than my skills as a therapist for a while. My son’s best friend, Owen, is twenty, sexy, and hasn’t got over the crush he’s had on me for years. And Roarke, my first love, who left me with his heart and a son he knew nothing about, twenty years ago. Oh, and did I mention that they’re all wolf shifters? Now all we have to do is heal The Rift—a tear in the fabric of reality. And only by joining together, body and soul, can we hope to overcome the dark force that’s threatening to tear the world apart.     AmazonKU

USED BY THE UNICORN (MONSTROUS DEALS BOOK SIX) by Ami Wright

I’ve got a secret and I haven’t told a soul: I’m pregnant to my deadbeat ex-husband and thousands of dollars in debt. So when the chance comes up to become an escort with Monstrous Deals, I jump at it. After all, it sounds like my dream job. I wear pretty lingerie, I flirt and serve drinks and the perks are I can play with a whole herd of unicorns if I want to? Sign me up! I’m in my ho era, OK. Gotta have fun while I can. Only one of the herd won’t stop watching me. Stirling is big and strong and hung like a horse! During the party he makes my pleasure the main attraction and I’m absolutely swooning. But when he tells me I’m his bond mate and he wants me to join his herd, I run a mile. I’m not looking for anything serious. Not again. Besides, there’s no way he’ll stick around when he learns my secret.     AmazonKU

A GAME OF LOVE AND BETRAYAL (THE CHOOSING CHRONICLES BOOK ONE) by Elayna R Gallea

He requires a wife. She needs to kill him. All’s fair in pursuit of love and revenge. What’s a vampire to do when the fae who made her an orphan is searching for a wife? Make him choose her and end his life on their wedding night, of course. Brynleigh has been carefully planning this for years. Her plan is simple: date Ryker Waterborn, the Fae Representative’s son, make him fall in love with her, and kill him after they say, “I do.” Unfortunately, it will not be that easy. She won’t be the only one going after Ryker’s hand. Far from it. Two dozen men and women are competing in the Choosing, each searching for their perfect partner. The catch? It’s a blind selection process, and contestants won’t see each other until they have made their choice. Nothing will stand between Brynleigh and her revenge, not even a competition for love.   AmazonKU

CLAUDE’S MATE: A LESBIAN PARANORMAL ROMANCE (FATED MATES BOOK EIGHT) by Jenna Kent

Claude is a dragon shifter, I never imagined finding a mate who could handle my fiery spirit. But fate brought me my angel, Sora, an elemental with the power to tame my inner beast. Though it was love at first sight, winning her heart took patience and understanding. Our passion was undeniable, consuming us both in its intensity. Now, having claimed each other as eternal mates, we look forward to spending forever safe in our love. Sora is the missing piece of me I never knew I needed. Sora – My life was filled with loneliness until fate delivered Claude, my destined dragon shifter mate. Though powerful, I struggled to find acceptance among others for what I am – an elemental. But Claude’s fierce love and protection gave me the home I craved. Our all-consuming bond took time to nurture, but our hearts and bodies molded into one. With Claude, I’m no longer searching for belonging. Our everlasting love erases the pain of my past. I vow to cherish this woman always, for she is my eternity.     AmazonKU

REBIRTH OF A PANTHER (ASHEN TRIBE BOOK ONE) by Jennifer Snyder

Neo Torres woke from a spell placed on him by one of his own to a living nightmare where everything had changed for his tribe. Two undeniable truths quickly emerged: he needed to make amends for the havoc he had brought to his tribe, and the witch who awakened him stirred his panther like no other. Kiera Wilder was hired to break the spell placed on the leader of the Ashen Tribe, never expecting to be drawn to him by an irresistible magnetism she couldn’t seem to shake. Her time in Crescent Creek was only meant to be brief, a short escape from city life, while potential danger from her last job brewed in the shadows. Little did she know, her visit to the small town would alter her destiny. As Neo wrestled with the ghosts of his past and their looming repercussions, the magnetic pull of his panther toward Kiera grew irresistible. It isn’t until trouble catches up with Kiera, and she finds herself at Neo’s doorstep, terrified and shaken, that the full force of their entwined destinies hits home. Neo’s protective instincts flare, and he vows to keep her safe, but will his vow be enough?     AmazonKU

GILDED THORNS (THE CRIMSON COURT BOOK ONE) by

VS Note: From FEB 29.

Six vampire nobles. Six desperate humans. One formidable estate. And no way out. In the shadow-laced ballrooms of an alternative Regency England, Nathanial Blackwood and his noble family are not what they seem. Bound by an insatiable thirst, the Blackwoods need more than just wealth to survive. And their latest scheme offers a solution: invite Society’s social-climbers to their opulent estate and have them pay the price in crimson. Seraphina Sterling has no interest in power or influence, but her family does. Shunned from Society by a darkness that marks her as different, Sera is thrust into the Blackwoods’ clutches and plunged into a world beyond her wildest imaginings. At Nighthaven, surrounded by monsters, Sera will be forced to question everything – and everyone – she has ever known. For as the lines between prey and protector blur, and the Vampire Season begins, one thing becomes clear…Trust is a luxury Sera cannot afford.     AmazonKU

PANTHER’S CATCH (ANIMAL RESCUE SHIFTERS BOOK THREE) by Zoe Chant

He came to catch a rare magical creature, but he caught his fated mate instead …Small-town mayor Macy Lang thinks judging the high school science fair at City Hall will be just another day on the job. Next thing she knows, a magical snake is slithering around the baking soda volcanoes, and the most gorgeous guy she’s ever seen – with an adorable toddler in tow – is telling her he’s here to help. Panther shifter and magical animal rescuer Luca Reyes likes to be prepared, whether he’s babysitting his little nephew or handling endangered flying bunnies. But nothing could prepare him for getting trapped inside City Hall with a rare magical snake, exhibits like “The Noble Soybean” and “Our Heroes the Decomposers,” and the woman who’s captured his panther’s heart. Before they even get a chance to go on a date, they’re stuck overnight in City Hall with a rare horned snake that has no interest in making things easy on them. This forced proximity will forge their bond forever, or break them asunder.     AmazonKU

SINGLE DAD AND HIS TRUE MATE: DARK MM MPREG SHIFTER ROMANCE (WEST COAST COYOTES BOOK ONE) by Aria Grace

VS Note: From FEB 29.

As pack alpha and leader of the West Coast Coyotes, Esteban had a lot of people who counted on him. After the sudden and suspicious death of his wife, he went into a depression that kept him from being the man, father and alpha he knew he could be. Not because he missed her so much, but because of the guilt he felt for not missing her enough. She was a good woman and mother, but he never loved her. Theirs was a marriage of convenience that produced the true love of his life. His baby girl. Mateo was one of the few omegas who had climbed the ranks of the West Coast Coyotes. Most of that was the result of his hard work and above-average strength, but the other guys still attributed it to his other position…as Esteban’s best friend. They grew up together and Este never treated him like an omega. He respected Mateo and trusted him with his life, which is why Mateo was the only person who could step in and help out with Stella after her mother’s death. Esteban just needed some time to figure things out before getting back into the groove of his daily life again, but when the rumors of a threat became more serious, he quickly realized that Mateo was more than just his friend and nanny. He was…more. Always had been. They just needed to get out of their own ways to accept the fact that they were meant to be mates all along.    AmazonKU

THE STONE CURSE (GARGOYLES OF STONEHAVEN BOOK THREE) by Debbie Cassidy

Gargoyles are meant to be unbreakable, until they aren’t…The devastating attack on the cadets has the academy in lockdown, and with betrayal coming from within our ranks, my circle of trust grows smaller. The only panacea to my grief is the promise of vengeance against the graynite alpha. I’ll need to pass the elite trial and obtain the power needed to take him down. But the path to justice is never smooth, and as more secrets and lies are revealed ,I’m forced to realise that everything is about to change.     AmazonKU

UNSEEN DESTINY (ALPHA ASCENSION CHRONICLES BOOK FOUR) by Milly Taiden

Being a lone wolf, Ash has no trouble infiltrating an abused pack to take down their cruel alpha. The problem rises when she discovers that this pack’s alpha is her true mate. But are the abuse rumors true? So far, all she knows is Mason isn’t what she expected. He’s handsome, strong, fair and he’s working his way into her heart. Something isn’t adding up. Mason Blackmoss has had enough of the rumors about him being a bad alpha. He’s done his best to take this pack from the edge of going feral to a caring and civil community. When Ash comes into his life, he needs her on his side to help figure out the mystery. He also really wants to keep her close to him for other lustful reasons. Mason isn’t sure who wants to end his rule, but he really needs Ash’s help. He can only hope their mate bond can withstand anything that’s thrown their way. He’s either going to get her trust, or watch the only woman he loves stand against him with the very people he swore to protect.     AmazonKU

NOT MY VAMPIRE (FATED VAMPIRE BOOK TWO) by Nikki Grey

The vampire I loved is gone. I never thought I could love a vampire.
But I fell for Adrian hard and fast. It wasn’t just his perfect sharp features, his deep eyes, or his rockhard muscles. It was the way he carried himself. Fierce, protective, sharp as a whip. Every touch of his sent electricity through my body. Every kiss told me he was my soulmate. Adrian became my protector, my king. I thought he loved me as fiercely as I loved him. But now there’s a coldness to him I don’t recognize. His hunter side is rising, and I don’t like it. The more he pushes me away, the more I feel like I’m dying inside, bit by bit. As I start digging, I realize a frightening truth. My husband isn’t my husband anymore. I have to get him back. o matter the cost.     AmazonKU

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LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica:

March 13

March 6

February 28

February 21

February 14

“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’.

NOTE: I’m doing my best to avoid listing anything generated from use of AI but it’s sometimes tricky to detect from the resources I have available. As far as covers go, I list the Amazon cover. I won’t feature a cover in my weekly promo for this post if I believe or suspect it was done with AI.

 

 

Taking my first meeting snippet from one of my ancient Egyptian paranormal romances for no particular reason other than I haven’t done one of them yet and I’m very fond of my Egyptian tales!

The excerpt:

“What in the seven hells have we blundered into?” Khay said, jumping from his chariot and joining Nesmont as both men surveyed the fortifications on all sides.

“Pretty lucky to have found this ancient fort, if you ask me,” Nesmont answered with a grin. “The raiders had us seriously outnumbered.”

“And more coming, from what the scouts said.” Eyes narrowed, Khay assessed the situation. His troops had deployed to positions on the wall for now, which he approved, and the wounded were across the courtyard, being cared for by whatever women were dwelling in this strange place. From their demeanor and dress he assumed they were fleeing the death and carnage to the south, in and around Neserakhet. Children milled underfoot, staring at the horses and the general feeling was chaotic.

He turned to his driver. “And how is the horse?”

The man straightened from a close inspection of the white horse’s flank. “Merely a graze, sir. She’ll be ready to run in a day or two.”

“There must be a stable in this place,” Khay said. “Take charge of getting the horses properly cared for. Ah, this must be the man in charge coming now.” A grizzled soldier in a torn and dirty temple guard uniform came striding up from the direction of the gate.

Saluting and standing at attention, the newcomer had a huge smile of relief on his face. “Pahri, from the temple of Isis in Neserakhet,” he said. “We’re certainly glad to see you, sir.”

Khay acknowledged the salute. “Thanks for the assist with getting us all safely through the gate. Are you in charge?”

“I’m commanding our volunteer troops, such as they are, sir,” Pahri said, “But the priestess is in charge.”

“Priestess?” Khay scanned the people in the immediate vicinity quickly but observed no one with the demeanor and appearance of a high-ranking priestess. “I need to speak with her—where is she?”

“Right there.”

Following the line from Pahri’s outstretched finger all Khay saw was a group of more villagers, tending to the sick. Pahri could be pointing at any number of people but two stood out. One woman was elderly and the other was young and neither resembled any priestess he’d ever met, even allowing for the circumstances. “I don’t see—”

The younger woman turned and the words choked off in his throat as he stared at the woman from his goddess-given dream of several nights prior. Removed from the glamour of the enchanted dream, she was every bit as beautiful to his eyes, despite the dirt, the shadows under her eyes and the dire situation in which they stood. No unattainable occupant of the Afterlife then but a living, breathing woman and the person Isis had commanded him to help.

Khay strode forward with purpose.

Mayet saw the Egyptian officer coming across the courtyard in her direction and caught her breath. He was tall, well built and handsome despite the dust and dirt from the recent battle he’d fought. Surely he was from an elite unit—his kilt was crisply pleated and his leather breastplate was made of intricately placed pieces of colored leather overlapping to offer the maximum protection possible in a fight while allowing the wearer full range of movement. His red cloak billowed as he walked and there was a golden badge at the clasp with a falcon head emblazoned on it. An officer’s flail was at his belt, he wore the black and gold nemes headcloth and the full effect was dazzling. People instinctively moved out of his way. She’d never seen anyone to equal this man and she swallowed hard.

“Watch yourself, my lady,” Tem whispered. “He’s straight out of a scribe’s tale and no doubt as deadly with the women as he is with the enemy. See the falcon badge? Pharoah’s Own regiment no less.”

Mayet had no time to answer as the newcomer was right in front of her, bowing in a formal manner as if she was a queen. “Priestess? I’m told you’re in charge. Captain Khay, son of Kaminhotep, deployed from Thebes on a mission for Pharaoh but presently at your service.”

DANGER ON THE NILE (CHILDREN OF FATE BOOK ONE) by Veronica Scott

1550 BCE. Mayet is a newly appointed priestess at the temple of Isis in a southern Egyptian border town. When enemies attack the city, she must flee alone with a sacred effigy to keep the invaders from claiming it and using it for their own magic rituals. Joining with other refugees from the stricken city, she has to hide the statue from curious eyes and comfort her companions as if she was a learned, senior priestess. They all look to her for leadership on their desperate trek north. With the enemy close on their heels, Mayet stumbles over an ancient, abandoned fort, where her party takes refuge. Surrounded and trapped by the invaders, she faces a bleak future.

Khay is a high-ranking Egyptian officer, sent by Pharaoh to negotiate treaties with various southern tribes. He and his soldiers narrowly escape an ambush at the city where Mayet’s temple was located and are on the run from the invaders when he sees the shelter of an abandoned fort. Now he and his men are also trapped inside the stout walls with no food and no hope of rescue. Yet he has no regrets for the priestess leading the refugees is the woman the goddess Isis has shown him in a vision, the one who could become his wife.

Together Mayet and Khay must find a way to bring their people to freedom. Will Isis listen to pleas from such a fledgling priestess? Khay comes from a famous family, smiled upon by other gods – will any of them come to his aid? As the pair struggle to stay alive and save the other Egyptians, attraction grows and unites their hearts. But is there to be a future in this world, or only in the Afterlife?

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My other ancient Egyptian paranormal romances:

VS: I had the opening scene of JADRIAN in my mind and not much else when I started writing the book, so I enjoyed how the Muse made it all play out. I’m not normally much of a fan of the amnesia trope but found myself writing it here because it fit the story – never say never, I guess! The cover of JADRIAN (by Fiona Jayde as always) is one of my favorites.

The excerpt – the Badari are taking down another alien scientist lab and the place is now on fire: 

Taura curled into the smallest ball she could make of herself, hands over her ears as the sound of the pulse rifles in the corridor outside whined and reverberated. Suddenly, a man stepped into the cell, emerging from the swirling smoke like a hero in an adventure trideo. “I’m sure I heard something,” he said over his shoulder to companions she couldn’t see.

Eyes stinging, tears coursing down her cheeks, she reached out, tugging at his pants leg. “Help me, please.”

Shifting his weapon to leave his hands free, the soldier crouched in front of her. His eyes glowed golden as he said, “We’ll get you out, lady.” He picked her up in a single motion, rising to his full height, and hastened from the cell.

She clung to him as tightly as she could while he carried her through the smoky corridors and outside into clear air and bright sunshine. Eyes watering, she blinked, not having been outdoors since the day she arrived at this cursed place.

“Where did you find her?” another soldier asked her rescuer as he continued to move rapidly away from the building. The entire structure was alight and she shivered at the sight. But for her mysterious hero, she’d have been a casualty and no one would ever have known.

“In the burning cell block, only one there. She’s in pretty bad shape.” His voice was deep, his arms around her comforting.

She leaned her head against his broad chest, clutching his arm, until a spasm of coughing shook her. “I can’t breathe.” Panic stricken as her vision darkened, and the coughing continued without expanding her lungs, she pushed against him. Truthfully, she didn’t think she could stand but her fight or flight reflexes were overruling her conscious thoughts. Taura didn’t recognize her own voice, pleading with the soldier. “Don’t let me die.”

“I’ll get you to the medic, hang on. Take small breaths and hold them, in and then out.” He quickened his pace.

As he ran with her, dodging into cover on occasion as weapons fired, Taura tried not to give into her overwhelming relief at being out of the prison. Too soon to allow the tears of joy to fall. For all she knew, these soldiers could be an even worse group to have fallen in with. The men certainly weren’t human and their motives for rescuing her could be just as bad as the Khagrish intentions had been.  She was afraid to trust the hope trying to take root in her mind.

The man who’d rescued her was easily seven feet tall, amazingly fit and muscular, and almost preternaturally handsome, but definitely not Terran descent human like her. His amber eyes were kind, even when glowing golden, and he seemed concerned with her welfare, as evidenced by their current race to find a medic. A good sign, but she’d learned not to take anything or anyone at face value on this hellhole planet.

Unable to draw a deep breath despite his encouragement, she drifted in and out of consciousness until she realized she was lying across a row of seats on a flyer, while voices talked above her head. She reached out, wanting to keep her rescuer close. He represented safety, she trusted him as much as she was able to put her faith in anyone other than herself. He’d saved her once and she was going to rely on him to continue to intervene on her behalf.

Her fingers were engulfed in a huge hand, gently squeezed. Her rescuer leaned close, his voice low pitched. “My friend Timtur’s a medic, he’s going to take care of you now till we get home and you can see the human doc.”

A human physician? Were these men connected to the Sectors after all? She had so many questions but was too debilitated to ask. Time would tell and she was too weak to take any action until someone tried to place a medical mask over her face. She struggled to sit up, shoving away the mask even after catching a whiff of pure, fresh oxygen. “Don’t leave me—how can I be sure I’m safe if you’re not here to keep watch?”

The soldier rescuer crouched to be at her eye level. Even in her state of confused panic, she was woman enough to notice yet again how incredibly attractive he was and how hypnotizing his eyes could be. Taura wanted to relax into the golden glow and keep him by her side, but it wasn’t to be.

“Battle’s not over, I gotta get back.” He smiled. “There might be someone else who needs to be rescued. You want me to check, right?”

JADRIAN (A BADARI WARRIORS SCIFI ROMANCE NOVEL): Sectors New Allies Series Book 3

Taura Dancer has been pushed to her limits by alien torturers known as the Khagrish and is ready to die when suddenly the lab where she’s held as a prisoner is taken down by an armed force of soldiers.

The man who rescues her from a burning cell block is Jadrian of the Badari, a genetically engineered alien warrior with as many reasons to hate the Khagrish as Taura has. This set of shared past experiences and the circumstances of her rescue create an unusual bond between them.

Safe in the hidden base where Jadrian and his pack take her, Taura struggles to regain her lost memories and overcome constant flashbacks during which she lashes out at all who come near. Only Jadrian can recall her from the abyss of her visions and hallucinations.

As the war against the Khagrish continues, it becomes increasingly critical to find out who she really is and how she can help in the fight. Until she can control her terrors and trust her own impulses, Taura’s too afraid to pursue the promise of happiness a life with Jadrian as her mate might offer.

When he’s captured by the dreaded enemy, will she step forward to help save him, or will she remain a prisoner of her past?

This is the third book in a new scifi romance series and each novel has a satisfying Happy for Now ending for the hero and heroine, not a cliffhanger. Some overarching issues do remain unresolved in each book since this is an ongoing series but romance always wins the day in my novels!

Amazon     Apple Books    B&N    Kobo     Google

VS: And the entire series, to date:

 

 

NOTE: This post first appeared in the Roswell Daily Record.

In the past few years science fiction romance authors have gotten pretty good at writing stories tied into holidays, especially romantic ones. Since this month contains Valentine’s Day, there are quite a few ‘special’ releases to choose from.

The Alien Love Letters series has a fun concept, revolving around correspondence between a human and an alien, and the complications and romance which ensue. Five of the top SFR authors came together to take on this writing prompt and developed very different tales. In From Vangar With Love by Julie K. Cohen, the main character duo has been pen pals for two years but the alien man has been pretending to be someone else. In this take on the classic trope, the author brings the woman from Earth, ready to marry the male she thinks she’s been writing to – suerprise! Reviewers of this novella enjoyed the complicated world building, which supplied the reasons for the MMC’s deception, as well as approving of the way the romance developed and the spicy scenes. From Earth With Love by Sandra R. Neeley has a unique setup, in that the FMC is widowed and bitter and has been sending her thoughts and longings out to the galaxy via her late scientist husband’s inactive email. Unbeknownst to her, an alien scientist who was receiving the official SETI communications has been reading everything she’s sent and fallen in love with her. As one reviewer said, summing it up so well: “It’s all about losing and gaining and embracing life in the moment. Maybe we are not alone in the universe like we think we are.”

There are three more books in the series.     AmazonKU Series Page

The Alien Love Encounter Series began in 2023 and now contains 18 books by different authors. The original emphasis was on April Fool’s Day and mistaken identities, with HEA endings. The most recent 2024 releases center on Valentine’s themes. As the alien man states in the blurb for Deiri Di’s A Heart for a Scoundrel: “Now all I have to do is convince her that I am the right mate for her. Lucky for me, her species has a holiday that is all about that.”  There are a lot of twists and turns in this story but the human FMC is in a financial jam and takes on a roommate who just happens to be an alien trying to set up a dating agency on Earth. In A Heart for Alien Hunting BY Alina Riley, the  FMC is a human biologist who is convinced aliens exist and sets out to find one to prove her point. The alien MMC is here on Earth to obtain more chocolate when he happens to save the lady’s life and the story goes from there.     AmazonKU Series Page

Of course the paranormal romance author world takes an interest in Valentine’s Day-themed stories as well. A new charity anthology Heart2Heart presents stories from ten well known authors of LGBTQ+ paranormal romance and as the blurb states: “This Valentine’s Day, the sunshiny necromancer, the lonely vampire, and the nonbinary dragon will put their trust in H2H and a certain cheeky cherub of romance. Will Cupid’s arrows strike true?”     AmazonKU

XOXO: A Steamy Valentine’s Day anthology by various authors includes some paranormal romance tales and is another excellent chance to sample new-to-you authors. This anthology’s proceeds benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Author C. D. Gorri’s tale Her Chocolate His Bar isn’t paranormal this time but reviewers single her story out consistently as being one of the highlights of the volume.      AmazonKU

Head Over Heels for Monsters by various authors serves up spicy and sweet stories, with the proceeds going to benefit St., Jude’s Children’s Hospital. (Can you tell how much I love anthologies? I’ve found so many great authors after reading a taste of their story telling in a collection like this.)   AmazonKU

Lisa Daniels and Scarlett Stone write the Holiday Shifters of Frost Mountain series and have recently released A Dragon Den’s Valentine’s and A Mountain Man’s Valentine’s, both taking place on the mountain of the title and involving survivors of an airplane crash who went through a portal to arrive at this paranormal place. There’s no way back to the world they knew. Despite the light hearted titles and book cover art, the characters have quite a bit of emotional backstory to work through, which adds up to a satisfying romance read.     AmazonKU

Things are more lighthearted in Honey Phillip’s Valentine for My Vampire. The MMC is a vampire who also happens to be a gourmet chef with a restaurant in the cozy little town of Fairhaven Falls. A foodie influencer who pans his restaurant on her first visit decides to give the place a second chance and then gets drawn into helping him solve a mystery. It’s a cozy but spicy tale. All kinds of stories take place in Fairhaven Falls, not just at Valentine’s Day so if a reader enjoys this story, there are plenty more to dip into.   AmazonKU

My Stuffed Valentine by Rozy Mack takes a single mother who discovers the cute stuffed animal she was given by a friend is actually a Guardian of Cupid, who has been cursed to stay in this form until he meets the right woman to break the curse. Hmmm, who might that be? Readers enjoyed the mix of realism and magic and rated this shorter work as a fun read for the holiday.    AmazonKU

Petty Cupid by Sarah Blue involves a cupid who lies about having a date for the Valentine’s Ball. She ends up with a grim reaper for her fake date and will anyone be surprised when the fake relationship turns into the real thing? Readers loved this take on the classic fake relationship trope and the mixing of Love and Death together forever for their HEA. The only complaint was they wished the book was longer because they were enjoying the story and the characters so much.    AmazonKU

I hope you have an excellent February full of happy reading, whether you celebrated the specific holiday or not! Romance and Happy Ever Afters aren’t tethered to any one day, thank goodness.

VS NOTE: Here are five more titles which I was unable to include in the RDR column but which I did want to mention.

CUPID’S LOVE (SEASONAL PARANORMAL AND FANTASY ROMANCES BOOK THREE) by Amelia Shaw

Love is a tough gig when you’re a cupid, but on the most romantic day of the year, who knows what can happen…High up in the clouds, hidden from human eyes, Valentine helps people fall in love. But it’s his heart that yearns for connection—with his fellow cupid, and best friend, the beautiful angel Amery. Divided by the rules of Heaven, this Valentine’s Day may be the day that changes his life forever. When Amery seeks his advice about a forbidden dalliance, the eternal best friends’ true feelings come to light and soon the pair of angels find themselves giving into the desires of the holiday! But when their one day of bliss is over and the feelings remain, will the loved-up angels succumb to the powers that would tear them apart? Or is it possible for two cupids to find their own Happily Ever After?

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

MY MONSTER VALENTINE by Various

VS Note: Not new stories but a chance to sample many good authors.

Take home a monster – A collection of Bestselling and Emerging Monster Romance authors have come together to bring you this steamy monster romance anthology. This is your opportunity to sample stories from all these wonderful authors: Emily Antionette Zoe Ashwood Catrina Bell Wendi Gogh Trish Heinrich Lucy Limon Krista Luna Hazel Mack Lyonne Riley Kass O’Shire Ami Wright – The stories in this anthology may have previously been published separately, but they’ve never been together as a collection. So there’s never been a better time to take home a monster.

Amazon      Apple Books     Kobo

LOVE’S ALIEN GIFT (HOLIDAY ALIEN MATES) by Lexi Lunar

When this hunky pink alien crash-landed on Earth, falling for a cynical Earth woman was the last thing on my mind. But from the moment I laid eyes on Clarissa, I just knew she was my fated mate. Winning over her guarded heart would be my greatest mission yet. Armed with romance and humor, I set out to show her that love can be magical when you open your heart. From silly misunderstandings to steamy starlit nights, Clarissa and I embarked on a cosmic romantic adventure unlike any other. Passion ignited between us, hotter than reentry. But just when things were heating up, secrets from my past threatened the love we’d built. I had to pull off the ultimate romantic gesture to win back her heart. Will Clarissa and I find our happily ever after on Earth or Amore? One thing’s for sure, I’ll stop at nothing to show this gorgeous Earthling that our love can conquer all. Even across galaxies.     AmazonKU     AB

ONE VALENTINE’S KISS: A STARSTRUCK STORY by Brenda Hiatt

Is one Valentine’s Day kiss too much to ask? Marsha and Rigel are deeply in love, and have been for months. But Marsha, known to her school friends as M, also happens to be Princess Emileia, born Sovereign of a secret, underground colony on Mars. Unfortunately, Martian tradition decrees that she must pair with Sean, Jewel High’s recently-arrived basketball star, and not Rigel, her soulmate. To prevent Rigel’s execution for “treason,” M agreed to make it look like she and Sean are dating and that she and Rigel are just friends. But this will be their very first Valentine’s Day since falling in love. Surely, after all they’ve gone through, they deserve one real kiss to mark the occasion? They just need to find a way to make it happen without breaking M’s promise to the ever-observant Martian Council.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

VALEN-CATS (MATCHMAKING CATS OF THE GODDESS) by Pepper McGraw

Jane spends her days working for the public library and the local bookstore in Zero, Kansas. She reads all about adventure and romance, but never experiences them for herself. That’s okay, though. Jane may spend every Valentine’s Day alone, but she always has a new book boyfriend to turn to. This year, however, Valentine’s Day is looking up because Jane has fallen in love with two adorable kittens. Who needs romance when you have a pair of purrfectly purrfect kittens to care for?
That’s when things take a turn for the weird. A man shows up claiming to be Lucifer, as in Satan, and accuses Jane of stealing his hell-kittens. Then, to make matters worse, Lucifer decides that Jane will make a perfect mate and wants to take her to the Underworld to be his bride. There’s just one problem with that plan. There are no libraries in hell. Or bookstores. Or books. That’s a hell no from Jane. Only the matchmaking cats of the goddesses can save this match now.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo