New Releases in #SciFi and #Fantasy Romance for Wednesday November 22

As always, I recommend sampling before you buy! I have not read most of the new releases listed (although I always end up one-clicking a bunch as I prepare these posts LOL).

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VS Note: The rest of the novels in The Great Space Race Collection released this week (and are my first four entries here.). I also did an interview this week with the authors for USA Today Happy Ever After.

FREEFALL: TEAM PRISM by Elsa Jade

Scarred by life and scared by it, Amy Long finally found peace in quiet Sunset Falls, Montana…until a malfunctioning popcorn popper transports her across the universe.

She arrives accidentally—and nekkidly—on the honeymoon cruiser Blissed where the widely viewed and wildly entertaining Great Space Race is already in progress. Now if she ever wants to return to Earth, she has to pretend to be the famous intergalactic explorer who was supposed to be half of Team Prism, searching for the legendary Firestorm Queen’s Prism.

Can this unsuspecting Earther wrap her head around a universe of aliens and adventure? While she’s at it, maybe she’s gonna wrap her arms around the uptight but sexy drakling male who is her teammate.

Luc Amaveo of the Flamewalker Clan just needs a treasure. Any treasure, even the imaginary ones teased by the Great Space Race. ..(more)..

FLARE: TEAM CORONA by JC Hay

They could go all the way, if they don’t go straight to hell

All Kayana wants is respect. Jilted by her fiancée, turned out by her family, and rejected by her crew – esteem is in short supply. When she hears about the cash prize for winning the Great Space Race, she realizes it’s more than enough money to get her old life back. Or buy herself an asteroid someplace where she won’t care what people think.

Ax Turner just needs to hide, and the Race gives him the best opportunity to do so. In plain sight. Surely the thugs and criminals he’s ripped off won’t come after him while cameras are rolling on the galaxy’s most popular reality game show. And if they do, well, having a partner who’s able to fight and looks like a devil seems like a win.

They’re on the run – from the past, from the lethal challenges of the Great Race, from their feelings, and straight into each other. They’ve got more than their share of problems, and those secrets could drive them apart, or be the key to winning the biggest prize of all: each other.

ORION’S GATE: TEAM GALAXY RIDERS by Sabine Priestley

The emotions evoked by the passionate alien empath could kill them both…

Trapped in another galaxy and forced into a deadly contest, Armond Nolde wants one thing: Win so he can return home and continue his life’s work as an Earth Protector creating portals.
His assigned partner, Vin, is large, passionate and overly talkative. She’s everything Armond is not. An Empath, Vin is fascinated by the emotionless albino. He’s easy on the eyes and cold as space—or so it seems.
Armond soon learns that Vin possesses an intelligence that rivals his own. When he is forced to connect with his psi to save Vin’s life, she discovers his deadly secret. More powerful than any psi before him, his control is slipping. Threatening to unleash a deadly force.
If they bond it could destroy them both.

CEASEFIRE: TEAM ORION NEBULA by Kayla Stonor

VS Note: These Qui books are HOT. This one is on my TBR for sure.

Qui are the enemy. Kill them all. Save the human genome! Sworn to destroy the shapeshifting alien warlords who invaded Earth, Ahnna Sokovik must now partner with her nemesis in a nightmare reality show, the GREAT SPACE RACE. To survive deadly challenges—entertainment for trillions of fans—Ahnna must befriend her adversary and pray he doesn’t murder her in her sleep.

Fanatic, terrorist, xenophobe maniac… Ahnna cannot be reasoned with! Tierc Marcel, a Qui-human half breed, is faced with an impossible task, live alongside Ahnna, the gorgeous femme fatale who nearly slit his throat. Bound by her suppression cuffs, Tierc cannot use his Qui strength to win the race and his freedom. He fights a losing battle against Ahnna’s prejudice, while the alluring assassin tempts him with her every move. Her pheromones scream for mating, and yet she defies their magnetic attraction.

She wants him dead. He wants her in bed.

If Ahnna would only set aside her enmity, she’d see the noble Qui considers Ahnna a finer prize than even freedom.

VS Note: And now moving on from The Great Space Race – not sure when CJ Cade’s book in that series will release…other new releases for the week:

SHATTERED EARTH by Jenny Schwartz

The scum of the galaxy are using Earth as a nuclear winter death camp. It outrages pirate captain Kohia Jekyll’s sense of justice. No one deserves to die agonizingly of radiation poisoning, especially not on the planet humanity had to evacuate seven generations ago. So Kohia intends to close the prison camp down.

She didn’t count on an infuriating shaman healer hitching a ride aboard her starship.

Nairo Bloodstone isn’t going to Earth to be a hero. He learned the hard way that when you’re a healer, doing your best for people is never enough. One miracle leads them to demand another and another. Heroes die exhausted and alone, and the galaxy continues with billions of people still clamoring for a miracle-worker to save them.

No, Nairo isn’t going to Earth to be a hero. He intends to change what it means to be human.

SNOWED IN WITH THE ALIEN DRAGON by Starr Huntress and Sonia Nova

A Christmas without warmth…Rachel hates her life in Alaska. She hates the weather, but even more, she hates her job which requires her to stay in the sodden state even for the holidays! Instead of going to visit her family in sunny California, she will be spending the holidays alone in the cold north. But when she encounters an unconscious, golden alien on the way home from work – amidst a massive snowstorm to top it all off – it looks like the holidays might not end up as boring as she’d thought after all!

A dragon paralyzed by cold…Captain Erro of Traag never thought to go down in a battle. Even less did he think to find his mate on the surface of the planet he crashes on! Trapped in the planet’s frozen wasteland, Erro can hardly function in the cold climate. He’s a dragon, for heaven’s sake! He needs some heat! And yet, despite the icy weather seeping into his bones, every time the strangely beautiful alien female smiles at him, his inner flame burns stronger than ever. She is his mate, there is no question about that.

Now, if only he could understand what the hell she was saying.

VALENCE (CONFLUENCE BOOK 4) by Janet Foehner Wells

VS Note: I really enjoyed the earlier books – this series is scifi with some romantic elements. Have not read book 3 or this one but since I enjoyed the first two, I’ll include this newest one.

Earth’s days are numbered.

Two very different women race to prepare for the battle to come. The future of Earth is in their hands.

One struggles to resurrect her ruined ship so she can navigate the politics at the galactic core in a desperate bid to recruit allies.

The other strives to master alien technology to supply the forces of Earth with the tools needed to defend themselves against the ravenous Swarm.

Between them, Jane and Zara offer humanity its best chance at survival, but the odds are stacked against them and their best may not be good enough.

CHAOS IN KADOMA WARD (THE HIKOBOSHI SERIES BOOK 2) by S J Pajonas

Forced into a new life on the planet Hikari, she has two objectives: find a job and get along with Rin, the man holding her life in his hands. But with her occupation missing from this planet and her enemies looking for her, she must intrude on the kindness of reluctant strangers to stay out of harm’s way. Rin’s ex-wife wants Yumi gone, and a judge threatens to deport her if he catches her loitering about town with no job. Her desire to bolt grows stronger daily.

But Rin won’t let her go. He’s fascinated with the stories she brings from home, stories that promise to save him from the madness they all live in, a meritocracy with low birth rates and malfunctioning androids. As they build a tenuous friendship, and something more, Yumi has to face her fears, her inadequacies, and her lack of control. A headstrong journalist, she’s pushing her luck on Hikari every day as the society turns bored, restless, and finally rebellious. War is coming, and Yumi and Rin are right in the middle of it.

SPACE DRAGON (BRIDES OF DRAXOS BOOK 2) by Scarlett Grove

MIT robotics student Freda Hayes is forced to abandon her research when the Archon Empire’s cyborgs attack earth. With her little sister Lottie, she takes refuge in a secluded cabin.

News that the dragon shifters of Draxos have defended the planet from the cyborgs leaves Lottie the Draxos’ biggest fan — and Freda skeptical. When Admiral Sysko D’Fray, leader of the Draxos army, lands right outside her cabin, she’s downright suspicious.

Sysko has been defending the galaxy from the Archon for decades. But he has another, even more, urgent battle to fight: the one to save his people from extinction. And human DNA, which includes a rare recessive gene making them compatible with Draxos, is the key to their survival.

Freda isn’t just any human; the curvy scientist is Sysko’s fated mate…(more)..

JEVAL (REVANT WARRIORS) by Celeste Raye

Jeval has the Dark Gift, a gift so rare that he is the only one born in the universe who
has survived it. He’s determined to never mate with a creature capable of having childrenfor fear of passing that darkness on.

Margie’s a woman who grew up under the unfair class system that allowed her father to
sell her off to pay his debts. She’s determined to never be under the rule of a male again.
So why does she seem to keep ending up way too close to the Revant, Jeval?

The rebellion has grown to a point where it is war or nothing and Jeval knows that now is the time to use that gift, and when he’s given a mission that is sheer suicide, even with his abilities he knows he has to take it, even though it means leaving behind Margie, the human that holds his heart—and body.

Will Margie let him go it alone, even if it means her life?

DANCE OF LOVE (CELESTIAL MATES BOOK 3) by C J Scarlett

Sarah is a dancer who never really got the nice end of things. She never believed in love, in a person saving her, or even getting out of her borderline slavery that she kept as a job. For Sarah, everything seemed to only go one way: to the shit. That’s how her life was, and that’s how it’s always been.

That is, until he showed up.

Landon is an alien, and a frequent customer of the club. When the gritty alpha alien meets the alluring Sarah, immediately sparks fly. They fall for one another, but of course, they don’t know what they’re getting into. With Sarah embroiled in a crime ring and Landon working one of the head aliens, both of them know for a fact that this is it, that they need to figure out what they want fast.

Not to mention, Landon is also a trust fund child looking for a future wife.

Will they manage to work this out? Or will it be too good to be real?

MASTERING THEIR MATE (THARAN WARRIOR MENAGE BOOK 4) by Kallista Dane

When Saige joined an all-female crew on the Luna, she never dreamed the ship would be hijacked by space pirates. Now she’s been sold as a Consort to the Rapture Dome, forced to entertain alien males from the farthest corners of the galaxy who work in the mines on the Girra Sola asteroid.

Tharan twins Keir and Khaun are on an undercover mission on Girra Sola and they need information from the little human. But they’ve been warned that getting close to the pheromones of a female from Earth will stir their gyron, awakening a powerful need to dominate her and claim her as their Mate…(more)…

ENDLESS (DRAGON WARS BOOK 5) by Rebecca Royce

August Owens came home from the Dragon Wars a changed Wolf. He isn’t done with the war—not until every Dragon left on the planet is dead. But when one nearly kills him and he wakes up to the face of his mate everything will change.

Clarissa Knox is a damaged Wolf. Even she can’t believe the poor choices she’s made and she has no idea how to get out of the mess she’s made for herself. But when she finds her mate, who was reported dead during the war, she will fight with everything she has to give them both a future.

The war might be over—but the battle for their future is just beginning.

BOUND BY LIGHT (CAULD ANE SERIES BOOK 7) by Piper Davenport

Thane Allen is the biggest movie star on the planet. He has money, status, and the ability to make people do what he tells them to with just a word. But he’s without his mate and is losing hope that he will ever find her.

Sydney Warren has lost both her parents and makes a daring choice to move to London to live with her cousin. A chance encounter puts her in the path of what she considers nothing more than a fantasy, until that fantasy pursues her.

Will Thane be able to convince her he’s genuine?

When a threat no one saw coming threatens Sydney’s life, will Thane be able to save her?

THE CONSUMPTION OF MAGIC (TALES FROM VERANIA BOOK 3) by TJ Klune

Sam of Wilds faced the Dark wizard Myrin and lived to tell the tale. Granted, the battle left him scarred, but things could be a hell of a lot worse.

It’s not until he reunites with Morgan of Shadows and Randall that he realizes just how much worse things could be.

Because the scars have meaning and hint at Myrin’s true plans for Sam and the Kingdom of Verania.

With time running out, Sam and his band of merry misfits—the unicorn Gary, the half-giant Tiggy, Knight Commander Ryan Foxheart, and the dragon known as Kevin—must travel to the snowy mountains in the North and the heart of the Dark Woods to convince the remaining dragons to stand against Myrin. Along the way, Sam learns secrets of the past that will forever change the course of the future.

A reckoning is coming for Sam of Wilds, and there is nothing he can do to stop it.

NOT HIS VAMPIRE (NOT THIS SERIES BOOK 3) by Annie Nicholas

Magic is real. Shifters exist. Trixie Russell know this. Everyone does. But no one told her about the monster lurking in the basement of the dragon’s castle. Not until it was too late.

Victor Petrov is ancient, and vampires his age should not lose control of their hunger. And yet, thanks to the dragon who chained him in a dungeon to protect the citizens of New Port, that’s exactly his problem. Then in walks a human female with cotton candy hair who smells like sunshine incarnate, her pulse a melody in his parched ears, and the fragile thread of his control snaps.

Like it or not, Trixie is now tied to Viktor’s, and he seems short a few marbles. She plans on making his eternity a misery until he reveals they have an enemy in common. Trixie is totally on board with helping him escape so she could get her revenge. After that, she’s done. They’re over. She wouldn’t be his vampire.

EVERSONG (THE KINDRED BOOK 1) by Donna Grant

To live in the light, they hunt in the dark…

Unparalleled in beauty and daring, Leoma has been raised with a single-minded focus—to wipe out corrupt witches. But when her new target leads her to a discovery that unveils a graver plan from the Coven, she doesn’t hesitate to follow. Yet, she’s not the only one on the hunt. And the sexy, infuriating man who crosses her path could prove to be a distraction—something she’s never encountered before.

Honor and family mean everything to Braith. When his life is turned upside down by the murder of his ward and heir without cause or reason, he has no choice but to turn to vengeance. Until a stunning, dangerous woman continues to thwart his efforts at every turn. Now, he must battle not only his need for revenge but his desire for the female, as well.

BENEATH THE SKIN (DE LA VEGA CATS) by Lauren Dane

Mia Porter came home to Boston to recover, but her military reflexes kick in when a fellow jaguar is gunned down only inches away. Getting the handsome stranger to safety and removing the bullets is the easy part…discovering she’s saved a member of the very family hers has been at war with for half a century makes things tricky.

Nor is she pleased her cat finds his to be quite an attractive specimen.

Gibson de La Vega, Bringer of Justice, enforces his Alpha’s law and defends de La Vega territory against all. But even he’s not immune to silver bullets. That Gibson feels the same burning desire for Mia only complicates matters.

Negotiating an end to an epic familial feud is nothing compared to the violence sparked by the attack on Gibson. As heat and need build between them, Mia and Gibson will fight together to protect their families from a danger far closer to home than anyone expects.

BLOOD AND TEMPEST (THE EMPIRE OF STORMS BOOK 3) by Jon Skovron

Still reeling from the events at Dawn’s Light, Hope struggles to understand what it means to be a warrior who has vowed to never again take up a sword.
Red is enjoying his new role as imperial spy. Perhaps a bit too much. But his loyalties will be tested when his employer, Lady Hempist, relents and assigns him the one task he’s been begging for all along: recruiting Hope and Brigga Lin to help rid the empire of biomancery once and for all.
Fate brought them together; it will tear their empire apart.

TEN LOWS A LEAPING: AN IMP WORLD STORY by Debra Dunbar

Beatrix has to work on Christmas Day.

There are no holiday’s off for a Guardian Angel tasked with ensuring demons don’t crossover from the Gates to Hel, even when you’ve got PTSD and are subject to panic attacks from that time last year when a psychotic demon slaughtered two angels in front of you, destroyed the mall where the Gate to Hel was located, and left you pinned to the rubble with a steel beam through your wings.

The only way Beatrix is managing to get through each day is the little gifts someone keeps leaving for her. The countdown to Christmas is on, there’s no telling what gift her Secret Santa will leave when the number reaches one.

WARRIOR FOREVER by Amber Bardan

The most likely conclusion to my current predicament is psychosis.
Much more likely than actual alien abduction.
Significantly more likely than impending forced nuptials with a giant primitive alien whose society never evolved a sense of humor.
But life in a horny space-barbarian’s cave isn’t all bad…
Did I mention he vibrates?

STRANGER MAGICS by Ash Fitzsimmons

VS: I liked the book’s description, not sure if there’s romance…

All Colin Leffee wants is to be left alone: to run his used bookstore in peace, and to quietly drink himself to sleep every night in an attempt to drown out the memories of eight-hundred-plus years of existence.

Unfortunately, when a sullen teenage changeling is flung out of Faerie and onto his doorstep, the long-suffering, wayward son of Titania knows his dreams of solitude are dust. Colin—or Lord Coileán, as he is known to the Faerie court—must track down Meggy, the love of his life, and figure out how her child ended up in Titania’s clutches to begin with.

But with family, it’s never simple. He finds Meggy, only to see her yanked into Faerie—and the doors between the realms slammed and locked behind her. Now, it’s not just her life at stake . . . but the fate of magic itself.

Always the loner, Colin reluctantly joins forces with an intensely stubborn wizard, a young priest-in-training who fancies himself a knight, and his half brother Robin (the last most definitely not by choice) on a quest to reopen the doors and restore the balance between the realms. And with exiled queen Mab plotting in the shadows to take Titania’s throne, and the wizards of the governing Arcanum hiding their own agenda, Colin can’t be sure whom to trust—or whether he’ll live long enough to see the mission through.

STONE by Linda Mooney

Garenth had been awakened to retrieve an ancient artifact that was crucial to his well-being. He had few memories of what his life had been like when he had been a man. What memories that were left were filled with blood and excruciating pain.

That part of him was over now. The talisman had been taken from its sacred burial place, and it had to be returned as quickly as possible. It was up to him to follow through with his mission so he could return to another thousand years of sleep.

Brielle Van de Camp knew an extraordinary find when she saw it. The small clay figure was the key to a potentially earth‑shattering revelation about a previously unknown time in man’s ancestry. She would bet her life on it.

Unfortunately, others had gotten wind of the talisman, and they were equally determined to claim its promise for themselves. If Brielle wasn’t willing to part with the figurine, they had no compunction about prying it from her dead fingers.

They never counted on having to face the guardian of the statuette, who turned out to be more than a creature of mythology.

TRIAL BY FLAME by M K Eidem and Michelle Howard

VS Note: Always exciting to have a new book from MK and Michelle!

Autumn thought she knew who she was then she discovered she was a rare type of dragon shifter called a Supreme Dragoon. Now she is heading to her new mate’s home world to meet more of their kind. Nerves were to be expected, but Autumn is about to get more than she bargained for.

Kirall always knew who he was, a Prime Dragoon, one of the strongest of his kind. He’d never doubted who he was or his place until he traveled to Earth and met her. Autumn descended from a line of Dragoon thought to have died out many millennia ago. Their mating changed all he’d been taught to believe.

Together they will face challenges neither of them expected. With their mating threatened and everything Kirall holds dear in jeopardy, it’s up to Autumn to show who really is the baddest Dragoon of them all.

A HIGHLAND MOON ENCHANTMENT ( A TALE FROM THE ORDER OF THE DRAGON KNIGHTS) by Mary Morgan

Irish warrior, Desmond O’Quinlan has never surrendered his heart to any woman. He has no wish to have his soul tortured by love. Yet, the moment he locks gazes with Ailsa, his fate is destined for an adventure he never fathomed. He may have battled alongside a Dragon Knight, but his greatest challenge will come from within his own heart.

Ailsa MacDuff, a warrior among her clan, has no desire to have a man chain her to a life of obedience. However, that is before she meets Desmond. The temptation to allow this warrior inside her heart is a risk she dares to take, but one that could lead to a future of emptiness and sorrow.

When betrayal looms from within, the battleground of love is no match for these two warriors. Can the power of a Highland full moon be strong enough to unite or destroy them?

MAID OF ICE (BLOOD & SILVER) by Shona Husk

For Finlay Ryder, danger means playing a racecar driver on a daytime soap. That is, until he’s forced to reckon with his true identity as an Albah, a magical ancient race, by one of his own kind. Someone wants him dead. And worse, an ancient vampire is on the prowl, drawing blood left and right. Now, Finlay has no choice but to hunt enemies with unspeakable powers—or risk being hunted himself . . .

Ice skater Alina Nyx is using her broken wrist as an excuse for a career change. And when she falls for handsome Finlay, Albah drama feels like her new full-time job. Learning about magic and vampires is exciting, until her life is threatened. Now, as she begins to uncover her own mysterious powers, she must combine forces with Finlay to eradicate their foes for good, or all Albah will suffer.

LURE OF OBLIVION (MERCURY PACK BOOK 3) by Suzanne Wright

Gwen Miller may be a human, but she has no problem taking a stand against her own kind. She’s going to testify against the teenage boy she saw viciously assault a lone shifter female—and no amount of pressure from the boy’s wealthy family will make her back down. But when the harassment turns violent, help comes in the form of a lean, toned wolf with winter-gray eyes.

As a guest at Gwen’s inn, shifter enforcer Zander Devlin can’t help but notice that the fierce and leggy brunette is in serious trouble. Since she’s putting herself at risk for one of his kind, keeping her safe is the least he can do. That’s not the only reason Zander wants her close. He desires her, even as the wolf inside him backs away from her. But his feral instincts are hard to keep down, and as they take shape, they’re harder for Gwen to resist. Then again, embracing them could be the only thing that could save her life.

ALPHA BET by Milly Taiden

Nerd Queen, Aliya Grey, has been picked on her entire life for being different. She is done with shifter society. When the chance comes to leave the pack, she jumps for joy. But she didn’t expect that during the exchange of power ceremony, the super-hot and totally lickable, incoming Alpha would tell her he wants her. That doesn’t happen to Ali. Nope. Never.

Marcus and his wolf know Aliya is the one. Giving up his playboy lifestyle attests to how badly he wants her. Ali might be a half-breed, but that doesn’t matter. No way is he letting her leave. A little stalking, a bit of seduction and a whole lot of time together will get her to change her mind. He’s confident.

Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as romancing her. Ali’s done with the pack from hell and no matter how sexy Marcus is, she’s out of there. But first she needs to see him naked. He’s so big and strong and that grin…but she’s not staying. It takes an attack on Ali’s life for Marcus to see his pack has big issues he needs to fix or lose Ali for good.

A PINEROCK BEAR CHRISTMAS (BEARS OF PINEROCK COUNTY BOOK 6) by Zoe Chant

Gloria Munson thinks she’s about to have the worst Christmas of all time when her car breaks down during a blizzard in rural Pinerock County. But then she’s rescued by a very special bear shifter clan who invite her to share their rural ranch Christmas …

With no family to welcome him for the holidays, Deputy Jaron Holbrook is invited out to the ranch for Christmas by his boss, Sheriff Axl Tanner. Jaron knows that every woman on the ranch is already mated, so it comes as a total shock when Jaron and his bear recognize their fated mate in the Pinerock clan’s Christmas houseguest!

With five mated couples to play matchmaker, what could possibly go wrong?

DARK ANGEL’S SEDUCTION (THE CHILDREN OF THE GODS PARANORMAL ROMANCE SERIES BOOK 15) by I T Lucas

Brundar is fighting a losing battle. Calypso is slowly chipping away his icy armor from the outside, while his need for her is melting it from the inside.
He can’t allow it to happen. Calypso is a human with none of the Dormant indicators. There is no way he can keep her for more than a few weeks.

BEAUTY AND THE MOUNTAIN MAN by Frankie Love

The moment I saw her she woke something buried deep inside of me. A wild need.
A desperate desire. She’s stranded and alone, needing shelter from the storm.
And I’ll do more than keep her warm. I’ll make her mine. Some say there’s no such thing as happily ever after. But that changes tonight. I will show her I’m more than a mountain man.  I am her beast.

A SNOW LEOPARD’S CHRISTMAS (GLACIER LEOPARDS BOOK 6) by Zoe Chant

Lillian Lowell has a problem. She’s newly mated to the Glacier leopards’ pack leader, snow leopard shifter Cal Westland, which makes her the…she’s not sure what. Den mother? Whatever her job title is, she wants to live up to it, so she’s throwing the best Christmas party she can plan. But she’s two months pregnant, and suddenly even the simplest tasks seem impossible. She needs help–but she doesn’t want to admit it. And for some reason, Cal is making himself scarce.

Alethia Landin has a different problem. She wants to have a merry Christmas, and enjoy the time with her pack–but she can barely look at Lillian right now, because all she’s wanted for over a year is a baby, and it’s not happening. Every month with no good news brings her and her mate, Grey, down further into the dumps. She’s not proud of how jealous she is of Lillian, but it’s hard to overcome. Will this ruin Christmas?

Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy. Can the Glacier pack come together and help each other through their problems? Does someone really mean it when they say they don’t want a present? How many Pinterest decorations is too many? And will someone get a baby for Christmas?

A MATE FOR THE CHRISTMAS DRAGON by Zoe Chant

Jasper is a dragon on a mission. If he doesn’t find his mate by his twenty-fifth birthday, he’ll lose his ability to shift, and be stuck as either a human or a dragon forever. Luckily, his birthday is on Christmas Day. What woman could resist the spark of romance during the most wonderful time of the year?

Most wonderful time of the year? Curvy Abigail learned long ago what a lie that is. She hates the fake snow, the cheesy carols, the hordes of shoppers that save their Christmas cheer for everyone except shop workers—and most of all, she hates going home to her empty apartment on Christmas Eve.

Jasper knows Abigail’s the one for him the moment he sees her. But can the Christmas dragon win his mate’s heart, when Christmas is the one thing she hates the most?

VS Note: I don’t usually mention re-releases but this one was a bit intriguing, partly because it originally came out in 1992 – I wonder how much revising she’s had to do?!!! It does seem to end on a cliffhanger, per the reviews.

BETRAYED (HIDDEN WORLDS BOOK 1) by Bethany Burke

Originally published in 1992, this sci-fi classic has not been available for twenty-five years. Before there was an Internet, before there was Amazon, Bethany Burke had penned Hidden Worlds, the original kink classic. It’s been expanded into a three book trilogy, available to modern readers for the very first time!

Four hundred years in the future, life on Earth is perfect. The genders are equal. War is non-existent. Everything is clean, safe, and wonderful, due to one cause: In the early years of the twenty-second century, over 90% of the Earth’s population was relocated by force to colony planets spread over the galaxy.

Jen Marin has a gift for languages. When she’s slotted at the last minute into an off-Earth expedition to study the linguistics of a colony planet, she never questions the assignment. It’s a perfect opportunity to get an advantage over her fellow academics on Earth. She, along with her companion Christy, also never questions a recreational trip to an isolated area of the planet’s surface, that is until they go back to the space craft – and it’s gone.

As impossible as it seems, they’ve been abandoned. But why? And to what? Jen’s new reality is a world where her body is not her own, filled with heavy handed warriors, cruel Matrons whose sole purpose is “training” young women for their marriages, a prince who wants Jen for his own, and mysteries that seemingly have no answer.

It has to be a mistake, right? …(much more)…

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VS Note: Going to mention my own newest scifi romance release once more:

If you’ve been waiting for a badass female space mercenary, here she is!

Buy Links: Amazon Kobo B&N iBooks Google

canva fortune crystal ball

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LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica:

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My standard Notes and Caveats:

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

I don’t ordinarily list re-releases…

(NOTE: If the author provides me with buy links I insert those; otherwise I default to Amazon and iBooks. Pricing and availability are current as of the day I prepare the post – things can change fast in the ebook world LOL.)

Also, I often include only the beginning of the book blurb…

New Releases in #SciFi and #Fantasy Romance for Wednesday November 8

As always, I recommend sampling before you buy! I have not read most of the new releases listed (although I always end up one-clicking a bunch as I prepare these posts LOL).

PERFECT GRAVITY (WANTED AND WIRED BOOK 2) by Vivien Jackson

VS Note: I really enjoyed the first book in the series so I one-clicked this.)

Kellen Hockley usually keeps quiet about his past, but once upon a time he loved a girl named Angela. He hasn’t seen her in a decade, but now he has to break the news to her that his team of rogue treasure hunters accidentally killed her husband. He’s had better days…

It’s not the news that’s delivered to Angela Neko that breaks her apart—it’s the rumbly, Texas drawl delivering it. She can’t believe she’s hearing Kellen’s voice again. But there’s no time for distractions. When Angela’s own life is threatened, yielding up all of her lies and secrets, she and Kellen must figure out how to reverse the geopolitical firestorm she lit to save the world, to save Kellen’s cat…and just maybe to save each other.

HAWKEYE: STARGAZER ALIEN MAIL ORDER BRIDES #9 (INTERGALACTIC DATING AGENCY) by Tasha Black

VS Note: I never get enough of this series. One clicked.

Soft-spoken Trinity loves her friends and her quiet life as an IT specialist for the police academy. But when three aliens arrive from Stargazer, Trinity’s peaceful existence is disrupted in a big way. And one of the aliens seems bound and determined to excite Trinity’s sensuality as well as the rest of her life. Trinity isn’t looking to become an alien’s mate. But there’s something about him that leaves Trinity feeling off-balance, and it’s not just his big sexy body.

DARK PLANET WARRIORS: EARTHFILES by Anna Carven

VS Note: I LOVED this series so it’s exciting to see a collection of short stories. One clicked of course!

As much as Rykal thought she was sheer perfection in that outfit, he wanted to flick out a claw and gently slice the garment from top to bottom so he could pay homage to her naked form.
Later.
She wouldn’t escape his tender clutches.
But he would behave himself for now, because this particular outing was apparently an important event in Human culture.
He was about to meet the mother of his mate.
* * *
The Earth Files are short stories (novella-length) set in the world of the Dark Planet Warriors. You can expect sweet, steamy, and offbeat stories about the colorful characters from the main series. They are intended as accompaniments to Dark Planet Warriors, and may contain the occasional spoiler. Book 1 features Arin and Rykal, our protagonists from Forged in Shadow. It’s set after Brilliant Starlight (Book 8), when the Kordolians have returned to Earth.

Although it’s a spinoff, it isn’t the spinoff. That’s coming soon.

EXPLODE TEAM NOVA (THE GREAT SPACE RACE) by Teresa Noelle Roberts

VS Note: The GSR is a collection of 6 books around the race theme, organized by CJ Cade. Some of the books are out now and some will release on November 21st. I’ll list them here on my report as they become available because I don’t have room for pre-orders. Love their concept!

Some came for fame and fortune, others were coerced. Now they must fight to survive.
These couples will find unexpected love… but which team will win? The Great Space Race. It’s show time!
*
Their chemistry’s explosive. Too bad someone wants to blow them up.

Cat-girl space racer Sarr’ma Settazz’s plan: Enter the reality show The Great Space Race. Hide she’s also an engineer. Steal super-secret technology. Win. Easy-peasy bloxfruit squeezy!

Falling for her grumpy, overprotective, smoking-hot human race teammate? Not in the plan.

Miner Tripp Gallifer’s plan: Enter The Great Space Race. Protect his playful cat-girl teammate while she handles the actual flying. Win. Pray the psycho who kidnapped his sister will honor their bargain: Tripp keeps silent about the crime and hands over the prize money, and his sister goes free.

Falling for the brilliant female he glimpses behind Sarr’ma’s bouncy façade? Not in the plan.

Then the kidnapper ups the game to attempted murder and all secrets must be revealed—including their feelings. Sarr’ma and Tripp concoct a scheme worthy of the wildest reality show to save Tripp’s sister and themselves. But they’ll need to trust each other to pull it off. Will their love be enough to let them win the biggest prize of all?

THE ALIEN’S MAIL ORDER BRIDE by Ruby Dixon

Though still carrying the scars of his past as an intergalactic soldier, Emvor doesn’t mind the quiet of his chosen life as a farmer. He doesn’t even mind that most nights are lonely on remote Cassa, but he does need help around his farm. A mail-order bride from his homeworld seems like the perfect solution. She’ll be a tall, sturdy female to help with the chores and bear his children.

Unfortunately, the person that arrives is Nicola. She’s small, delicate…and human. She also knows nothing about farming, and she’s lied and deceived her way across the galaxy to get to Cassa so she can hide from those that would capture her. She’s a problem, and also the most enticing thing he’s ever seen.

Now Emvor has to decide…can he keep the woman who’s nothing like what he asked for but is everything he needs?

TEMPTING JUPITER (ARENA DOGS BOOK 2) by Charlee Allden

VS Note: I very much enjoyed the first book in this series. One clicked.

Jupiter and Seneca are Arena Dogs, genetically engineered slaves created to serve at the will of their masters. From the beginning, Jupiter was destined for the gladiator arena where a Dog faces death every day. Seneca became a gladiator only after years of abuse in a pleasure house and he owes his success in the arena to the Dog he secretly loves—Jupiter. Slated for death after a rigged match in the gladiator arena, they’re instead rescued and taken off the planet by the Resistance. When the escape ship is recaptured, their only hope to remain free is a human woman with an agenda and secrets of her own.

Feeona is a thief and a con artist, but that doesn’t make her one of the bad guys. Normally, the Arena Dogs would be safe in her care. Even if she wasn’t crazy attracted to them she’d want to help them, but their presence has interfered with her plans and a cause so close to her soul that nothing can be more important—not even the two men who are rapidly taking up residence in her heart.

Will Feeona find a way to save them all or will she be forced to choose who to save and who to betray?

Amazon iBooks B&N Kobo

HEALING THE BROKEN: A KINDRED CHRISTMAS TALE by Evangeline Anderson

VS Note: A ‘bad’ week for my poor kindle, had to one click this too!

A warrior and his young son, both broken by loss
A girl running from her past and trying to find a future
It’s Christmas and the stakes are high.
Can Sarah learn to love Sazar and his young son Tsandor…
Or will her past ruin her last chance at happiness?
You’ll have to read Healing the Broken to find out…(MUCH more…)

WON BY AN ALIEN by Amanda Milo

I was abducted by aliens.
The aliens that I’ve been auctioned to don’t speak my language, and I definitely can’t speak theirs.
I didn’t expect to get married by accident to the sweet one.
I didn’t expect to have a grumpy alien bond to me, and go a little crazy if other males get near me, or if I try to leave.
It doesn’t matter if they’ve won my heart.
I can’t stay.
Somehow, I have to explain that I NEED to go home. Because the bad aliens that abducted me?
They took me from my babies.

CAVEMAN ALIEN’S RAGE by Calista Skye

VS Note: I enjoyed the first two books, put this on my TBR List.

Dar’ax is the kind of alien caveman who takes what he wants.
I kind of like that in a guy.
It’s just that what he’s taken now is me.

He just threw me over his lap and trotted away with me into the jungle of this jurassic planet.
On a freaking T. Rex.
Because those lethal alien dinosaurs I’m so afraid of?
Yeah, he’s riding one.

There’s no way I’m going to be the kind of girl who falls for her kidnapper.
But he’s making it hard for me to resist. Not only is he huge and super confident, he’s also drop-dead gorgeous, with his stripes and his fangs and his golden hair that shines with an inner light.

I think we’re going to his cave. Judging from the enticingly large tent he’s pitching in his loincloth, I think he has plans for when we get there.
And I think they involve me becoming his mate.

We’ll just see about that. Because while he does turn me into a hot mush on the inside, I also want to go home.
And he clearly has a major anger problem.

MARIK (REVANT WARRIORS) by Celeste Raye

Marik is a natural healer blessed with the ability to touch heal, a much-needed skill on
the primitive new planet Revant Two. When Talon arrives from Old Earth, asking for
healers to help the humans there that the Federation has abandoned, Marik agrees to
go.

Jenny is a human from Old Earth and one of the women rescued from a slaver ship by
the four Revant siblings. She’s torn between her growing feelings for Marik and her
loyalty to Ben, the human she’d been engaged to back on Old Earth…(more)…

interdimensional lords THE INTERDIMENSIONAL LORD’S EARTHLY DELIGHT: BLACK HOLE BRIDES BOOK 3 by Elsa Jade

After a bad divorce, Lishelle Lewis was finally ready to put herself out there. She just had no idea how far out there. Abducted by a cruel, heartless alien and then rescued along with the rest of the Black Hole Brides, she’s trying to find herself again in a big universe. At least she has a big wedding where she’s a bridesmaid to distract her. Now she just needs a date for the wedding…

But there are more powerful forces at play in the universe than quantum entanglement and buttercream frosting. And Lishelle, who has always kept a piece of her heart locked away, will have to open herself—mind, body, and soul—to the chance of a love bigger than galaxies, deeper than space, and more consuming than any black hole.

HUNTED by Libby Sinclair

Bound for an off-world job, Morgan Sandoval had a fling with a sexy stranger during her final night on Earth. But it’s the last thing on her mind when her deep space transport arrives at its destination, and the crew and passengers are forced to abandon ship. She, and a small group, crash land in an escape pod, and are stranded miles away from civilization, with no way to communicate with the other survivors. Undeterred, she scavenges for supplies, and the group marches to the closest settlement only to discover it’s abandoned. Worse, people begin disappearing in the night then all hell breaks loose. As if in a nightmare, vampires attack, and her one-night stand is one of them. When he swears he wants to help her, can she trust him? Or is she just prey for the hunters?

DRAGON’S CAPTURE (RED PLANET DRAGONS OF TAJSS BOOK 6) by Miranda Martin

The beautiful, headstrong human female contests me at every turn. She is the leader of her people and they love and respect her. As do I, though neither of us admit it. I burn with the desire to claim her as my treasure.

My people revere the Edicts above all else. Together we are stronger. I must make her see that in order for my people and hers to be one, for she and I to be one, she must eliminate the threat that could drive our entire world apart.

Gershom. He has finally gone too far and I will not tolerate his continued presence.

The humans who mate with the Zmaj have been exiled and the confrontation has come to a head. This female who tempts my Dragon will find out how possessive and dominant a Commander can be.

RIKA REDEEMED (AEON 14 RIKA’S MARAUDERS BOOK 2) by M D Cooper

VS Note: A recommendation from reader Merry. Not sure if there’s any romance but the reviews talk a lot about the strong heroine which is always a plus to me.

After years of drifting aimlessly after the war with the Nietzscheans, she has finally found a home with the Marauders—a mercenary outfit comprised of Genevian veterans.

Back in the war, Rika hated her government, but always fought for the woman next to her. Now she fights for her teammates in Basilisk, an elite spec-ops team that takes on the toughest missions.

When General Mill, CO of the Marauders comes to Rika with a top-secret solo operation, she wants to turn it down. But the mission comes with a chance to save Silva, her old team leader from the Nietzschean war.

Without team Basilisk, without the Marauders, Rika must stand on her own against all odds and save the woman who once saved her.

TORDAN 1.0 TO 5.0 (CYBORG WARRIORS) by Immortal Angel and Aeon Igni

VS Note: This seems to be the set of all 5 episodes, which were previously released one by one in October.

The Ardaks, terrifying creatures that stand seven feet tall and use laser ray technology, are sweeping across the galaxy, killing every humanoid race their wake. But in this time of destruction, there are heroes and heroines who are willing to stand up, to risk torture and even worse, to save the lives of their people.

Aielle led a mission to defeat the Ardaks three years ago—and has been languishing in prison ever since. Deprived of her magic, Aielle willingly faces death by the brutal Ardaks to keep her people’s secrets. The last thing she expects is to be rescued by one of the sexy and lethal Cyborgs enslaved by them.

Tordan woke from his chip to find he’s a Cyborg, with no memories of his past or who he is, and no idea what freed him. Filled with rage and confusion, he feels a powerful, unexplainable connection to the elven prisoner in the last cell, and he’s willing to risk anything to find out why.

Now they are fugitives, and for each of them, survival depends upon their willingness to trust the very people who might be their greatest threat: each other.

VENTURE’S GAIN by J J Lore

Star tussle player Cai travels the galaxy with his team playing intense matches, but is too introverted to have much of a social game. At a mixer before the next day’s match, he meets a man who is capable of drawing him out of his shell, and he lets his guard down, hoping for a connection.

Stalking his target in a crowded bar seems like a good idea to Venture, at least until the conversation he’s sharing with the handsome athlete turns personal. But he has a job to do, and no matter how much he likes Cai, Venture still has to knock him out, tie him up, and hide him away until payment from gamblers hoping to influence the outcome of the contest comes through.

The dynamic between captor and captive shifts and evolves even in the short time Cai and Venture spend together. Despite the binds holding Cai, he longs to touch Venture, and it doesn’t take much encouragement for Venture to let down his guard with his attractive prisoner. Who is the jailor now?

ALIEN DRAGON’S BABY (ALIENS OF RENJER BOOK 1) by J S Wilder and Juno Wells

As a respected elementary school teacher, Isabella Givens is not the kind of woman to visit bars, drink all night or take a stranger home… until she meets him. Tall, handsome and full of trouble, Kohl is a bad decision waiting to happen. Suddenly, Isabelle is two shots and one dance away from changing her life.

Prince Kohl has returned to Earth injured and in need. He knows that somewhere on this planet there are crystals that can turn the tide of a war that has raged on his world for years… one that has stripped his once proud people of their place, their status and their home. When he learns that one of the precious crystals is hidden in a safe at a local bar, he intends to retrieve it. Meeting a beautiful distraction is NOT part of his plans, yet for some reason, Kohl can’t help himself…

Neither of them knows where their night of passion will lead, nor how soon their actions will threaten everything both of them hold dear.

KOSH’S OMEGA (ALPHA’S WOMAN BOOK 2) by Carolyn Faulkner

The termagant being brought into the small clinic isn’t exactly what second in command and Alpha soldier, Kosh, envisioned as his perfect Omega, but he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is his. She’s a fierce little thing, more of a threat than most would take her for, but he isn’t one of the unfortunate ones who will get caught underestimating her.

They wouldn’t be given the chance to do so again.

Tura doesn’t want to be here, even though she knows it’s a well-controlled, relatively safely run small city. And she most definitely doesn’t want to be paired off with some giant who thinks he has a claim on her …(more)…

RED DUST AND DANCING HORSES AND OTHER STORIES by Beth Cato

VS Note: Probably doesn’t have a romance element but sounded intriguing. Plus…horses!

This debut collection from Nebula-nominated author Beth Cato brings together works that span history and space, a showcase of vividly imagined speculative stories that range from introspective and intense to outright whimsical. Here you’ll find the souls of horses bonded into war machines of earth and air, toilet gnomes on the rampage, magical pies, a mad scientist mother, a bitter old man who rages against giant extraterrestrial robots, and a sentient house that longs to be a home. The book features 28 stories and 6 poems, and includes Cato’s acclaimed story “The Souls of Horses.”

ROMANCING THE WEREWOLF: A SUPERNATURAL SOCIETY NOVELLA by Gail Carriger

Biffy, newly minted Alpha of the London Pack, is not having a good Christmas. His Beta abandoned him, his werewolves object to his curtain choices, and someone keeps leaving babies on his doorstep.

Professor Randolph Lyall returns home to London after twenty years abroad, afraid of what he might find. With his pack in chaos and his Alpha in crisis, it will take all his Beta efficiency to set everything to rights. Perhaps, in the process, he may even determine how to mend his own heart.

ALPHA’S ALPHA (MOON POINT BOOK 2) by Elyzabeth M Valey

VS Note: I’ve been reading the HOT snippets from this on the Weekend Writing Warriors blog hop so it’s on my TBR.

Lee never thought he’d find his mate at a club, but even less so, did he expect him to be, Alkaline, the leader of the mafia organization known as the Claws. If the lion shifter were not an alpha, things might be easier, but as it is, his mate is bent on keeping them apart. Not that it matters to Lee, he’ll hunt him down and make him his.

Alkaline doesn’t do sweet. Nor vulnerable. Nor submissive. So when his lion decides that his soulmate is an alpha puma, he refuses to accept it. After all, whoever heard of two alphas mating? However, resisting Lee is harder than he ever imagined.
With two men battling for dominance, who will end up on top? And will their romance survive the match?

BOUND BY TEARS (CAULD ANE SERIES BOOK 6) by Piper Davenport

Jesska Shane has suffered a devastating loss, and now pushes away those who love her the most.

Kaspar Baldursson is in search of answers concerning his brother’s sudden disappearance. When he finds his brother–and his forever mate in the process–he must uncover the threats surrounding his family and protect his mate at all costs.

Will Kaspar’s love be strong enough to tear down the walls Jesska keeps building around her heart?

Will he be able to save her before the secrets in their past destroy them all?

AQUAMARINE (AWAKENED SEA DRAGONS BOOK 3) by Terry Bolryder

Marina, the last unmated sea dragon, is about to make the toughest decision of her entire life. The Mercury dragon, hated prisoner of the earth dragons and the only person willing to help her when she needed it most, has been captured. Taken away by compatriots he never knew existed, possibly to face execution. Her only choice? A one way trip to the distant planet of Drakkaris, to risk everything in the hopes of saving the one person everyone else says is irredeemable. But deep in her heart, she knows there’s hope. If only she’s not too late…

Mercury knew his past would catch up to him. He just didn’t expect alien dragons from another planet to be the ones to take him away, ready to serve him his just desserts. But everything is turned on its head when Marina, the only ray of light in the darkness that is his existence, mysteriously shows up at the last second, offering herself in exchange for his life. …(more)…

THE WOLF’S MAIL ORDER BRIDE by Ella Goode

Cassie Madson doesn’t believe in true love, fated mates or happy ever after which is why when she’s approached by a matchmaker for a marriage of convenience, she agrees immediately. She needs a place to hide from her dangerous ex-boyfriend and the backwoods of upstate New York sounds perfect. She’ll vow to honor this stranger sight unseen, but she won’t love him.

Edon Rule believes in two things—the importance of his pack and the sanctity of the mate bond. When his new bride arrives, he recognizes instantly that Cassie is the only woman for him. He’s shocked when she doesn’t know he’s a shifter. Even worse, she declares that the marriage is only a business deal.

THE FOUR PSYCHOS (THE DARK SIDE BOOK 1) by Kristy Cunning

I’m not so different from most people.
Like everyone else, I have life goals.

Goal #1: Become a real girl instead of this invisible ghost thing I currently am.

Goal #2: Convince the four men I’ve been haunting for the past five years to pick me to be their new toy after goal one is complete.

Goal #3: Figure out who/what I am and why I can’t remember anything past the five years I’ve been haunting this quad.

Goal #4: Eat popcorn.

See? Perfectly normal. Sort of.
Gotta start small, after all.
It’s not like anyone else is perfect either.

NANNY TO THE SHIFTER (STONYBROOKE SHIFTERS) by Leela Ash

He needs a Nanny…BADLY…but he can barely pay for things as it stands…how will he be able to afford one?

She desperately needs a job…but with her own child to care for now, how can she possibly get a job caring for another’s child?

Sometimes fate steps in and turns our biggest fears and weaknesses into our biggest strengths and opportunities…delivering us exactly who and what we need at just the right moment…but will this be one of those times? or will if just be another bitter disappointment for them both…?

BLAME IT ON FATE by Lexi Post and various

How great is the price of Fate?

Six stories about love, passion, and the role Fate plays in the lives of lovers. Six couples must decide whether to accept Fate or fight against it. Have your soul touched and your heart set afire. You won’t be able to put this anthology down.

SNOW MAGIC: TALES OF THE WERE (WERE-FEY LOVE STORY BOOK 2) by Bianca D’arc

Evie has been a lone wolf since the disappearance of her mate, Sir Rayburne, a fey knight from another realm. Left all alone with a young son to raise, Evie has become stronger than she ever was. But now her son is grown and suddenly Ray is back.

Ray never meant to leave Evie all those years ago but he’s been caught in a magical trap, slowly being drained of magic all this time. Freed at last, he whisks Evie to the only place he knows in the mortal realm where they were happy and safe—the rustic cabin in the midst of a North Dakota winter where they had been newlyweds. He’s used the last of his magic to get there and until he recovers a bit, they’re stuck in the middle of nowhere with a blizzard coming and bad guys on their trail.

Can they pick up where they left off and rekindle the magic between them, or has it been extinguished forever?

DEJA NEW (AN INSIGHTER NOVEL) by Mary Janice Davidson

Leah Nazir lives in a world where the past can and will come back to bite you in the ass. No, not teething ghosts—reincarnation! As an Insighter, it’s Leah’s job to delve into the murky and (often) deadly former lives of her patients. And she knows a thing or two about danger after killing her mother’s murderer with the help of new beau, Archer Drake.

Isn’t he the best?

Now, it’s time to take their relationship to the next level, but not in any way Leah could have predicted. She and Archer head to Chicago to meet his parents—and try to figure out why Archer’s dad killed his brother decades ago. When someone tries to sabotage their investigation, Leah must decide if the Drake family past is a deal breaker.

GUARDIAN UNRAVELED (FALLEN GUARDIANS BOOK 3) by Georgia Lyn Hunter

A loner, Dagan, lives with an inexorable thirst he’s kept hidden for eons, even from his fellow Guardians. Until he meets a beautiful, maddening human who awakens in him a hunger that shakes him to his very core, and threatens to shatter his tightly erected shields, exposing his dangerous secret. And wanting her is a path leading to destruction.

Driven to find her missing mother in a shadowy world, Shae Ion refuses to be sidetracked. When she becomes the target for a sinister force, a sinfully sexy and utterly impossible immortal abducts her, and he’ll stop at nothing to keep her safe…(more)…

SHIFTER’S UNIVERSITY by K R Thompson

Claire Pratten has a secret—one that she’s never shared with a soul. Whenever she is frightened, her “other” self comes out. Normally she has no problem hiding what she is, but lately life at her foster home has gotten harder and keeping her secret is getting tougher.

Logan Fairmont is a dragon shifter and more than accustomed to looking out for himself—and others. In fact, he is one of the few Imperium University students tasked with spending weekends in the city, searching for young shapeshifters on the edge of revealing their magic to the human race. When he finds Claire, Logan knows she will need the help of the University and its teachers to blend into society…(more)…

WOLF HUNTER (ARCTIC BROTHERHOOD BOOK 5) by Jane Godman

Six months ago, the Arctic Brotherhood was torn apart when a respected former member, Hendrik Rickard was murdered. Cindy Harper, Hendrik’s best friend and housekeeper, is still struggling to come to terms with his death when she feels an invisible presence watching her. Alone and frightened, she turns to the only man who can help her.

Sebastian Novak is the maverick of the Arctic Brotherhood. Infuriated at the lack of progress they have made toward defeating their sworn enemy, Chastel, Sebastian wants to go on the attack. The discovery that Cindy is being targeted, increases his fury further. Forced to deny his feelings for Cindy in the past, Sebastian is overwhelmed by the strength of his desire for her as he protects her from this new threat.

Sebastian and Cindy succumb to the intensity of the attraction between them, but their lives are thrown into turmoil by a series of unexpected events. Before they can claim the happiness they have long denied themselves, they must face the evil mastermind determined to destroy the brotherhood.

WOLF LEADER (ARCTIC BROTHERHOOD BOOK 6) by Jane Godman

Their sworn enemy is dead, but the Arctic Brotherhood can’t relax. Fenrir, the Norse god of destruction is still determined to destroy the world. Vigo Durand agrees to lead the team against the most feared werewolf the world has ever known, but dark secrets from his past are threatening to catch up with him.

Amber Merova has been on the run for the last five years ago. When she meets Vigo, her werewolf mating impulse almost overwhelms her human instinct for survival…(more)..

A SPOONFUL OF MAGIC by Irene Radford

Daphne “Daffy” Rose Wallace Deschants has an ideal suburban life—three wonderful and talented children; a coffee shop and bakery, owned and run with her best friend; a nearly perfect husband, Gabriel, or “G” to his friends and family. Life could hardly be better.

But G’s perfection hides dangerous secrets. When Daffy uncovers evidence of his infidelity, her perfect life seems to be in ruins. On their wedding anniversary, Daffy prepares to confront him, only to be stopped in her tracks when he foils a mugging attempt using wizard-level magic.

Suddenly, Daphne is part of a world she never imagined–where her husband is not a traveling troubleshooter for a software company, but the sheriff of the International Guild of Wizards, and her brilliant children are also budding magicians. Even she herself is not just a great baker and barista—she’s actually a kitchen witch…(more)…

FOUNTAIN OF BEAUTY (THE CUBI BOOK 4) by Meraki Lhyne

Daniel’s Kingdom was born to the threat of war that he, Seldon, and Caledon don’t have the experience to deal with. But his Kingdom has an ally far more experienced, and with this ally comes hope of a brighter future.

In the meantime, Daniel has to stay hidden and leave the problems to the ones capable of handling them. He needs to focus on learning and growing along with his new Kingdom. However, responsibilities to his people prematurely force Daniel out of hiding and into the spotlight.

The only problem is, his enemy has counted on that.

HIGHLAND DRAGON REBEL (DAWN OF THE HIGHLAND DRAGON BOOK 2) by Isabel Cooper

After a long and bloody war, Scotland has finally won its independence. But Highland dragon Moiread MacAlasdair knows peace balances on the edge of a blade, and she will do anything to keep her homeland from falling to English control.

Even if that means escorting a powerful new ally into the otherworld itself…and defending him with her life.

Madoc of Avandos is on a critical mission to cement alliances against the British. Powerful men would kill to see him fail—but as he and his fiercely beautiful warrior fight their way through hostile lands, Madoc is faced with a difficult choice: sacrifice everything for the cause…or let himself burn for the love of a dragon.

MURDER BY MAGIC (THE WITCHES OF NEW MOON BEACH BOOK 6) by Meriam Wilhelm

VS Note: From early October

The word outsider described Ola Mae Masters to a T. Orphaned at seven, raised by nuns, and tortured by an unexplainable ability to read minds and see the dead, Ola Mae wanted nothing more than to find a place she could call home. Determined to make a new life for herself, she lands in New Moon Beach and opens Literally Magic – her own bookstore. Things seem to be finally looking up for her.
But all is not as it seems. Fate has dropped Ola Mae, into a cauldron filled with unexpected shocks and surprises. Not the least of which is that she’s no longer an orphan, but part of a powerful family of witches who settled in her town. Opening their arms to their sister, they help her hone her witchy powers just in time. A dark evil has descended on New Moon Beach that threatens to engulf Ola Mae in a maze of murder, magic, and mayhem that she must now learn to control.
With the support of her new family, some emerging supernatural skills, and the guidance of a handsome witch – Ola Mae must navigate a maze of death and destruction to save New Moon Beach and the man she loves.

A LION’S HEART (SHADOW SHIFTERS BOOK 7) by A C Arthur

VS Note: From late September

Nisa Reynolds is a soldier. Despite her love and respect for her parents’ position in this fight, Nisa is determined to do things her way. If only she can convince the devilishly sexy white lion shifter traveling with her that her plan is the best option for the shifters survival…if only she were strong enough to fight the passion brewing between them…(more)…

ON WINGS OF TIME (LOCHLAINN GUARDIANS) by Linda Boulanger

One man with a dragon’s soul. A self-proclaimed bachelor for life, modern-day Luke Tavish has no idea he’s more than a mere man. One thing’s for certain, though… he’s not looking for love. He doesn’t want a relationship, but he needsthe fair maiden from the past… in more ways than he knows.

One woman with the key to unlock his powers. Amileigh McCollum isn’t your typical Medieval Lady. She’s always known there’s something special about her. She just isn’t sure what. The day she rides beyond her father’s gates alongside a man who isn’t her husband, she’ll learn that destiny is about to find her.

Six hundred years separate them…(more)…

INSIDE PHOENIX by Roni O’Connell

When tragedy strikes, Phoenix Reynolds abandons her high fashion modeling career to open Brown Burro Coffee in a tiny mountain town. NFL wide receiver and wolf alpha, Ian Brody, comes to town to investigate the killings of college-aged shifters but finds his soulmate in Phoenix. Will Phoenix embrace her inner wolf and become Ian’s mate or remain a virgin in denial of her heritage? Or will the killer find her first?

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And if you haven’t had a chance to pick up my New Release from last week – paranormal romance and adventure in ancient Egypt: canva plain cover and text

Buy Links:

Amazon iBooks Kobo B&N

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LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica:

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My standard Notes and Caveats:

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

I don’t ordinarily list re-releases…

(NOTE: If the author provides me with buy links I insert those; otherwise I default to Amazon and iBooks. Pricing and availability are current as of the day I prepare the post – things can change fast in the ebook world LOL.)

Also, I often include only the beginning of the book blurb…

New Releases in #SciFi and #Fantasy for Wednesday October 11

As always, I recommend sampling before you buy! I have not read most of the new releases listed (although I always end up one-clicking a bunch as I prepare these posts LOL).

VS Note: OK I am ALL EXCITED because Pets In Space 2 released this week!!! Pardon me while I squee. My rock star romance is included! And there’s a new GRIM story 🙂 among other treats.

EMBRACE THE ROMANCE: PETS IN SPACE 2 by SE Smith, M K Eidem, Susan Grant & More

he pets are back! Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2, featuring twelve of today’s leading Science Fiction Romance authors brings you a dozen original stories written just for you! Join in the fun, from the Dragon Lords of Valdier to a trip aboard award-winning author, Veronica Scott’s Nebula Zephyr to journeying back to Luda where Grim is King, for stories that will take you out of this world! …(more)…

10% of the first month’s profits go to Hero-Dogs.org. Hero Dogs raises and trains service dogs and places them free of charge with US Veterans to improve quality of life and restore independence.

Amazon iBooks Kobo B&N

COSMIC CABARET by Kerry Adrienne & SFR Shooting Stars Authors

VS Note: So far I’ve read 5 of the 13 stories and enjoyed…(Note: For full disclosure, I received an ARC to review the book for Heroes & Heartbreakers). Great fun to have two good SFR anthologies out in one week!

Join us aboard Blue Star Line’s crown jewel, the LS Quantum. Thirteen USA Today, Amazon best-selling, award-winning speculative fiction romance authors deliver their twists on tales set in the dance halls and clubs of this luxury starship as it travels through space and time.

Follow princes, sultans, rock stars, scientists, cirque artists, and dancers as they solve murders, track thieves, fight bullies, plan heists and fall in love.

FREEING THE PRISONER (A KINDRED TALES NOVEL) by Evangeline Anderson

VS Note: One clicked this book ASAP.

Kyron is a Touch Kindred, able to physically touch others with the power of his mind and Touch sense, but he has sworn a solemn vow to use his power only for good. When he is captured and held prisoner on the small planet of Goshan Prime, his resolve is sorely tested. He’s beaten, starved, and kept constantly chained. There’s only one bright spot–a girl who slips into his cell because she’s curious.

Dannella is a Princess of the Blood. Raised to be a proper lady, she knows that one day she will be given in marriage to a male who will act as both her husband and owner. Females aren’t valued in Goshan society and she has little control over her own life. Despite her restrictive upbringing, Dani rebels and finds her way into the cell occupied by the strange new warrior, a Kindred so huge he dwarfs every other male she’s ever known…(more)…

THE INTERSTELLAR RAKE’S IRRESISTIBLE KISS (BLACK HOLE BRIDES #2 INTERGALACTIC DATING AGENCY) by Elsa Jade

Imprisoned on an abandoned space station orbiting a black hole, Trixie Boudreaux prayed for just one chance to escape…and she failed. When she and the other Black Hole Brides are rescued, she’s left adrift between the coward she was and the new universe ahead of her. If only she had a guide she could trust…

Nor irThorkonos paid good galactic credits for his captain’s commission on the flagship dreadnaught, and how many erstwhile interplanetary pirates have come as far? If he has a secret that the Azthrnos nobles mustn’t discover, well, certainly one skittish Earther girl won’t be the one to find him out.

But when interstellar imprisonment can’t hold an old evil, Trixie and Nor must save not only the worlds of Azthronos but each other.

RENALL (REVANT WARRIORS) by Celeste Raye

VS Note: Brought to my attention by reader Merry.

Clara Waters is aboard a supposed brideship headed to a planet far from her home
world, it’s her punishment for being a carder and carrying currency on a world ruled by
an oppressive and dangerous government that often lets its poor citizens starve.

The ship is taken over by wreckers headed up by four brothers, none of whom know
that there are brides aboard as the ship is listed as a mere non-life-form carrying cargo
ship. When the wreckers attack to strip the ship Renall, the eldest, finds himself face to
face with Clara, who is not about to go down without a fight.

Clara does not want to be attracted to Renall…(more)..

THE HEART IS A UNIVERSE by Sherry Thomas

VS Note: Author Vivien J made sure on twitter that I saw this one.

On the remote planet of Pax Cara lies the greatest secret of the universe. Once every generation, the inhabitants must offer up an exceptional young person—the Chosen One–who sacrifices his or her own life for the sake of that secret, and the planet itself.

But Vitalis, the current Chosen One, is desperate to break free of the yoke of destiny. An unexpected invitation to an aristocratic courtship summit seems to be the perfect opportunity for her escape. As soon as she arrives, however, she receives a proposal of marriage from the most eligible prince in existence.

Eleian of Terra Illustrata can have any woman he wants. Why has he set his sight on Vitalis, who, unless she manages to flee, will die in sixteen standard days? Is it as simple as he declares, “To know you as I’ve always wanted to, but never had the chance?” Or is he hiding an ulterior motive, one that could put her plans, her life, and her heart in jeopardy?

And can Vitalis truly say no to the man she has secretly loved all her life?

TRIAD (TRIAD SERIES BOOK 6) by Kate Pearce

VS Note: Missed this in September. I love her writing so this went onto my TBR List.

Captain Jay Roberts knows his mission to infiltrate the isolated province of Neveks is dangerous, but the future of Planet Pavlovan depends on his success. As a telepathic super-soldier, he doesn’t expect the banished Neveks female, Rain Datta—his passport into Neveks—to cause him too much trouble. But Rain’s not playing by his rules, and Jay is in for one hell of a life-changing ride.

ALIEN ZOOKEEPER’S ABDUCTION by Zara Zenia and Juno Wells

Jewel is a tomboy who was eventually discharged from the military because she struggled to get along with others and couldn’t adjust to the military’s restricted lifestyle.

After a scandal that disrupted the social order back home, Kay is banished to a zoological research vessel, where he acts as Curator. He struggles to prove himself, trying to earn his place in the order again so that he can end his exile and return to his normal life.

But when it turns out that Jewel was abducted from home and placed in an alien zoo, with Kay as the only other being around, she questions his intentions. He didn’t know that her species was an intelligent life form, and he tries to learn more about her…(more)…

BLIND BEAST MATE (DYSTOPIAN ADULT ROMANCE BEAST MATES BOOK 1) by Milana Jacks

Since the day Rey’s defiance earned her a blinding blow to the head, fear has hovered as close as the guide dog that clings to her side. But the terror that grips her now is almost beyond description.

Like her sister before her, Rey has been sold to satisfy the lusts of one of the alien Beasts that now rule the Earth. If the towering, leather-clad Alpha discovers his prize can’t see, he could kill her with a flick of his claw. Or worse, send her home—where the only mercy she’ll get is a bullet.

From the moment the Alpha Beast spotted Rey smiling tenderly at her flowers, his desire to own her, body and soul, roared louder than his bike’s throaty engine. But the only smiles his new pair aims his way are forced—and oddly off target. She is liquid heat in his arms, yet ignores the notes and gifts he leaves for her.

If he can’t win her over, he can’t trust her with his own truth. And the combined weight of their secrets could destroy everything.

THE ALIEN’S BACK (UORIA MATES V BOOK 1) by Ruth Anne Scott

When Aubrey comes home with a story from work about a colleague who once explored a factory owned by the Orion Corporation and discovered strange rooms and other odd happenings, Jonah knows that he has to keep digging. A return to the medical ward reveals something that turns everything that he thought he knew upside down and he and Aubrey must decide what is the most important and what they should do next…(much more)…

MISADVENTURES WITH A SUPERHERO by Angel Payne

Working the night shift at a five-star hotel in downtown Los Angeles, I get my fair share of weirdos. But none of them prepared me for the night I met Bolt. He saved my life.

Now, he’s my super hero—the hunk I’m yearning to thank in more creative ways than a damn kiss on the cheek. Too bad he’s actually Reece Richards, my full-on nerd of a real-life boss.

He’s got some commitment issues thanks to his evil ex and global empire—and from having to save the city from a maniac out to destroy everything he loves.

But there’s something that just may interfere with all those plans. My heart.

CAROLINA PEARL by Sela Carson

Conn Lucas is the illegitimate son who inherited the family home on the Congaree Swamp in Culford, South Carolina. Now he has to deal with his cousin sabotaging him, his ancestors haunting him, and his gorgeous neighbor distracting him.

Blair Moreau knows Conn is her mate, but he’s proving to be difficult to convince that they’re a fated pair. If only the stubborn man would let her help, all his problems would be solved.

It takes a wild night with a nail gun before they find they work better together than they ever can apart.

THE INCUABRI: TAKEN PART TWO (WOMEN OF DOR NYE BOOK 3) by Poppy Rhys

Captured. Imprisoned. Trapped. When Tosh wakes to a strange room with pieces of the previous night missing from her memory, she’s confused and disoriented.

But she’s not alone.

Caged in an elegant prison with a creature composed of her deepest nightmares, Tosh begins to wonder if something bigger is at play… and if the creature is the only one who can free her.

HEXED ON BOURBON STREET by Deanna Chase

Between enjoying her first pregnancy and helping her two besties plan their weddings, Jade Calhoun’s life is just about perfect. But when two novice magical TV stars walk into her life, suddenly her magic goes haywire. Is the pregnancy causing her power to fizzle or is it something else?

Now with her empath abilities on the fritz, a newbie TV witch in need of instruction, and a sinister evil lurking in the background, Jade must find a way to navigate her new and unusual powers, keep her unborn child safe, and somehow save everyone she loves and the city of New Orleans… again.

TALES OF THE DJINN: THE CITY OF THE ENDLESS NIGHT by Emma Holly

When your boyfriend is a real live angel other men can’t compete.

Amateur magician Georgie swears this is true . . . until she and Connor leave everything they know to help the genie world. That’s where she discovers angels don’t have a monopoly on sex appeal.

Sultan Iksander would rather lose his smoke than fall for Georgie, no matter how smart and brave she is. The human race are rivals to genie kind—and angels are just traitors! Rescuing his people is what’s important, not getting tangled up in love triangles.

Only Connor believes in their chances for happiness. This angel knows love is worth fighting for, whatever form it takes.

OUT FOXXE’D (THE ADVENTURES OF ROSIE PEAKS BOOK 5) by Madison Sevier

Markus Foxxe is in Eriewood for one reason. His boss wants Rosie Peaks. He doesn’t know why and he shouldn’t care, but after meeting her, there’s no way Markus will hand her over to the highest bidder.

Rosie Peaks left DuFour, Indiana two years ago and found a safe haven away from all things paranormal. Working at Mulcahy’s Pub has been fairly uneventful. Until Markus Foxxe rolled into town in his silk suits with a primal sex appeal that makes her want to spend every night with him banging like a screen door in a hurricane. The only problem is, Rosie isn’t looking for a commitment and Markus seems as though he’s a one-mate kind of guy.

EVIL SPEAKS SOFTLY by Maureen Bonatch

They were never supposed to meet.

Fame came easy for Liv by following in the footsteps of the female writers in her family. The cycle repeated for decades…until Liv changed the story. Her villain doesn’t like the revision—and he isn’t a fictional character. In his story, the bad guy always wins.

They were never supposed to find love.

Liv never questioned her demanding nocturnal muse, or the strange incidents in her old, family home until she met Gage. His job was to watch her from afar, not reveal the truth about the curse and the stories of the dead.

They’ve broken all the rules.

Together they unravel secrets as they strive to stop the cycle. Liv’s ability to find love, and protect her loved ones, hangs on the fickle whims of the dead—and they’ve got nothing to lose.

THE WITCH’S QUEST (THE DECADENT DAMES) by Michelle Hauf

Kelyn Saint-Pierre always had a bit of a thing for Valor Hearst. But after he makes a harrowing sacrifice to save the tomboyish witch from a gruesome death, Kelyn’s certain that any spark between them is gone forever.

Valor wishes she’d known about Kelyn’s crush before she ruined everything. There may be a way she can repay her smoking-hot champion…but it won’t be easy. Circling the globe on a dangerous mission that pits them against deadly magics and dark creatures, Kelyn and Valor are pushed scorchingly close together. But surrendering to passion may only further bind them in pain.

DAWN OF THE DRAGONS (EXILED DRAGONS BOOK 10) by Sarah J Stone

Times have changed considerably since it was grounds for exile if a dragon shifter took a mate not of their own kind. The small dragon village in the Mourne Mountains where a secluded group of dragon shifters live has changed as well. Now, with dragon shifters, tiger shifters, and even multi-shifters in their midst, one would think a mere half human, half dragon shifter would be the least of their concerns.

It is this very kind – the young Dawn McCord – that begins to rise among the ranks with powers like no one has seen in centuries. By her side, as always, is her friend, Liam Donnelly. As time goes on and their childhood passes into youth and matters of the heart, will they stand the test of time, or will they find themselves on the wrong side of history?

MAGIC AND ALPHAS by Scarlett Dawn and Various

Paranormal Romance blazes hot in Magic & Alphas. And it became even sexier… More dangerous… Scandalous. These 8 full-length, first in series books have NEVER BEEN READ BEFORE. Each has brand new content, brand new worlds.
Everything is totally unique and fresh. Perfect for romance and paranormal addicts alike.

WOLVES OF WRATH by Quinn Loftus

Long ago, during the Great Purge, the witches that had grown too many in number and too powerful, were destroyed. The high fae council saw that the balance of good and evil had been tipped too far in one direction and it had to be rectified. So they killed all of the witches, and their creator…or so they thought. But they were wrong. Volcan, the high fae, who had once been a member of their council, until he decided he wanted to be all powerful and created the witches, had bided his time, hiding in the Dark Forest.
Now he’s back and hell bent on rebuilding his army of witches…(more)…

FINDING THE DRAGON (STONEFIRE BRITISH DRAGONS BOOK 10) by Jessie Donovan

VS Note: Not a standalone per note on Amazon, author advises to read Book #5 first)

On the day Jane Hartley’s online video series finally launches, she and Kai receive word that his younger half-sister, Delia, is missing. Gaining permission to search for her in Wales, Kai and Jane work together to find the teenage dragon-shifter before she winds up in the hands of the dragon hunters, or worse.

As the danger amps up, Kai and Jane’s relationship is put to the ultimate test. Will Kai and his dragon choose Jane above all? Or, will a ghost from Kai’s past end up tearing them apart?

MIDNIGHT UNLEASHED: A MIDNIGHT BREED NOVELLA by Lara Adrian

For Breed vampire Trygg, a menacing former assassin and the ultimate loner, duty is everything…until his solo mission to destroy a powerful enemy earns him an unwanted partner in the form of Tamisia, a beautiful, ice-hot immortal who ignites a flame in his cold heart, and his blood.

Banished from her Atlantean colony, disgraced immortal Tamisia longs for a chance to redeem herself and return home where she belongs. Her work at a Rome women’s shelter has given Sia purpose, but when a break-in results in a brutal killing, her quest for answers puts her in the middle of the hunt for a dangerous enemy of the Order–and brings her up against one of the deadliest of their Breed warrior members, the Gen One vampire, Trygg….(more)…

BOOK OF SWORDS by George R R Martin and Various

VS Note: Not romance but I know we have a lot of Game of Thrones fans in our community.

New epic fantasy in the grand tradition—including a never-before-published Song of Ice and Fire story by George R. R. Martin!

Fantasy fiction has produced some of the most unforgettable heroes ever conjured onto the page: Robert E. Howard’s Conan the Barbarian, Michael Moorcock’s Elric of Melniboné, Fritz Leiber’s Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. Classic characters like these made sword and sorcery a storytelling sensation, a cornerstone of fantasy fiction—and an inspiration for a new generation of writers, spinning their own outsize tales of magic and swashbuckling adventure.

Now, in The Book of Swords, acclaimed editor and bestselling author Gardner Dozois presents an all-new anthology of original epic tales by a stellar cast of award-winning modern masters—many of them set in their authors’ best-loved worlds. Join today’s finest tellers of fantastic tales, including George R. R. Martin, K. J. Parker, Robin Hobb, Scott Lynch, Ken Liu, C. J. Cherryh, Daniel Abraham, Lavie Tidhar, Ellen Kushner, and more on action-packed journeys into the outer realms of dark enchantment and intrepid derring-do, featuring a stunning assortment of fearless swordsmen and warrior women who face down danger and death at every turn with courage, cunning, and cold steel.

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LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica:

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

My standard Notes and Caveats:

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

(NOTE: If the author provides me with buy links I insert those; otherwise I default to Amazon and iBooks. Pricing and availability are current as of the day I prepare the post – things can change fast in the ebook world LOL.)

Also, I often include only the beginning of the book blurb…