Birds of a Feather by Sandy Butchers

WriteHive Book Club

Gifted with wings and an exceptional predator’s instinct, Gideon finds that The Keep of Whispers is not too fond of Splices like him. Growing up in a cruel city, he quickly discovers that the only people who care about him are the people who created him through generations of genetic enhancements. Trained to be a killer in the name the tech-hoarding Houses, Gael Griswold, the man behind the Splice technology, sells Gideon to the highest bidder. Here, he discovers that there’s more to life than his head on a wanted bounty pamphlet. Follow Gideon Crowby as he tries to discover who he is and how he can become a better man. Birds of a Feather is the third volume in a series of short story collections that prelude the 'The Singularian'

Cultural Practices of the Heartland by Andy C.F. Crawford

SPSFC 2023

Deep within the suburban jungle of Cincinnati, a monster has emerged, bursting out of the Rumpke Sanitary Landfill. Taking its name from its birthplace, Rumpke is a thousand feet tall, has revolting personal habits, and might be vaguely familiar to readers, considering his orange-tinged hair and proportionally tiny hands. What do Americans do when such a creature appears, lumbers around at random, and occasionally defiles a local landmark? For millions, the choice is obvious – worship it.New York journalist Fred Millard is assigned to report on the exploits of the monster, his bizarre fandom, and the ludicrous internet conspiracy theories that have caught fire since his appearance. Fred quickly learns that the absurdity of Rumpke’s fandom leads to more serious consequences than mere internet hysteria – when serious illness starts to spread in those closest to the monster, its biggest fans refuse to follow the government’s guidance of masking and social distancing, worsening the outbreak. And most appalling of all, one conspiracy theory inspires a violent mob to assemble in Washington, DC and assault a federal building, with deadly results.A funhouse-mirror reflection of modern American politics, CULTURAL PRACTICES OF THE HEARTLAND is a sci-fi tinged political satire novel. It was written for all of us who are exhausted, baffled, and even terrified by the insanity of American politics in recent times.

The Invisible Tether by JP McDonald

Cooper Belrose and his friends gear up for a sporting tournament in tropical North Queensland (Australia) for a week of carefree fun. In an unnerving twist of fate, a cryptic flight attendant hijacks the plane, altering their lives forever. After surviving the plane crash, Cooper and his friends learn the flight attendant was part of a much larger threat, not only to their existence but to the entire human race. In their desperation to return home and find answers, they discover abnormal abilities within themselves activated by the crash and the threat of an opposing force. Will these newfound abilities wield an edge over their enemies? As they strive to combat each twist and turn, Cooper and his friends learn the value of teamwork by navigating the space between life and death. If faced with an imminent threat to the human race, would you and your friends take up the fight? "The Invisible Tether," is a story of love, adventure and the pursuit of truth.

Cello’s Gate (The Sky Pirates of Imperia 1) by Maurice Africh

This one sucked me in and I couldn't put it down. Feels like Guardians of the Galaxy, but with more depth. I'm 100% invested in these characters. Maurice has done an amazing job at balancing character development, world building, plot and pacing.

Review by TheReadingRen on 2026-03-09T08:21:34Z

A Hex For Hunger by Alistair Reeves

Still just as full of charm and flawless dialogue flow and banter as the first book, this one's subject matter was darker, more plot-heavy and less cozy. I think Ambrose and Emery's story deserved this treatment, as both of their stories deserved recognition and healing.

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Review by catfacegargoyle on 2026-03-09T06:03:17Z

Bright City, Shattered by Millie Abecassis

Bright City, Shattered is a satisfying tale with a cathartic conclusion. It will appeal to genre blending mystery lovers and those who want to explore the dangers of becoming too comfortable with the way things are.

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Review by LNHolmes writer on 2026-03-06T15:03:18Z

The Seventh Sister by Millie Abecassis

Millie Abecassis knows how to spin a fairytale… I really enjoyed this novella and its gripping, sinister plot. I think it will please horror and dark fantasy fans who enjoy stories that aren’t afraid to be different from the mainstream.

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Review by LNHolmes writer on 2026-03-06T14:58:54Z

Moon Dust by Millie Abecassis

Moon Dust is a short and brutal sci-fi thriller with an emotional twist of an ending. If you’re craving a story about drug production on colonized Mars, complete with technology such as teleporters and maybe even a time machine, then this is the story for you.

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Review by LNHolmes writer on 2026-03-06T14:53:55Z

Stranger In The Mind by J R Berrywood & S L Aspen

Mystery and murder swirl around a dangerous doctor. One detective vows to unravel the truth. A supernatural thriller blending history, mystery, and the unexplainable. Liverpool, 1920. Detective Amelia Dei uncovers a string of unexplained comas in Liverpool’s most notorious workhouse infirmary. As she digs deeper, she faces a sinister psychiatrist and a truth darker than anything she’s imagined. "‘Stranger in the Mind’ quickly draws you in and does not let you go till the last word." Reader Views - ★★★★★ 5 stars

Chronicles of the Forever Land: Whitehaven by Simon Howard and Perri Corbett

Whitehaven is a home for the homeless and a sanctuary for the oppressed in the highly magical world of the Forever land. When Tate is invited to the island to study dragons, he finds mystery, danger and romance… Hopefully, he’ll live long enough to uncover the isle’s darkest secrets!

The Villains Club: A Delightfully Devious Anthology by Janina Scarlet and E. M. Noller

Welcome to The Villain’s Club! Here, chaos is mandatory, caffeine is non-negotiable, and every meeting starts with a complaint about heroes who get in their way. Inside this delightfully devious anthology, villains finally get their own POV. That means no oversight, no interruptions, just pure, unfiltered rebellion. On the surface, these villains may seem like ordinary scoundrels, delinquents, bandits, and baddies. Scratch the surface (preferably with a dagger-shaped, impeccably manicured pinky nail), and you’ll find all the complexities, contradictions, impossible choices, and longing for connection that make even villains human. You’ll get to know misunderstood monsters, overworked overlords, demons with major Inhuman Resources issues, and even a few villains who might actually be heroes (but we didn’t have the heart to tell them). There are no tidy lessons or shiny trophies here. Sometimes we’re the hero, sometimes the villain. And sometimes, it just feels good to be bad. So grab a chair, pour something bubbly, and settle in.

Mountain Man's Lucky Charm: A Steamy Instalove Romance (Wildwood Valley Rescue #4) by Lilah Hart

A matchmaker heroine. A protective mountain man. A rescue-dog meet-cute that changes everything. I was always the matchmaker heroine— the supportive friend, the emotional observer, the woman cheering from the sidelines while everyone else risked their heart. It was safer to believe in secondhand romance. I’d seen what real love could do. I’d watched vulnerability get punished. I’d learned early that emotional self-protection mattered more than happily ever after. So I stayed guarded. Careful. Alone. Until a seven-pound rescue dog charged toward traffic… and a protective mountain man in a Navy shirt caught him before disaster struck. Micah wasn’t part of the plan. He was steady strength. Unshakable certainty. The kind of man who looked at me like I was the missing piece to a life he’d already chosen. The kind of man who made falling feel inevitable—and terrifying. He asked me to dinner. I said yes. He took me to the mountaintop overlook, all open sky and quiet promises. I let myself believe. When he told me he’d known from the first moment—known I was the one— I realized the most dangerous thing wasn’t loving him. It was wanting to be loved back. I’d spent my life creating perfect love stories for everyone else. It took one stubborn little dog and one man who refused to let me run to show me I deserved one of my own. Sometimes the matchmaker romance becomes the love story. Tropes: 🏔️ Protective Mountain Man 🔥 Steamy Instalove Romance 🐶 Rescue Dog Meet-Cute 💪 Capable, Independent Heroine 🛠️ Blue-Collar Hero ⚡ Fast-Burn Attraction 💕 Instant Emotional Connection 🌄 Small-Town Mountain Romance Mountain Man’s Lucky Charm is a steamy instalove mountain romance featuring a capable heroine, a protective blue-collar mountain man, a high-stakes animal rescue, and a fast-burn, single-day love story where instant attraction turns into undeniable forever.

Reclusive Mountain Man (Iron Peak Mountain Man Series) by Lilah Hart

A grumpy mountain man romance where silence shatters, walls crumble, and love refuses to be ignored. I came to Iron Peak for one thing: silence. Three roommates. Paper-thin walls. Constant noise. Between law school pressure and a life that never slowed down, I was unraveling—and I needed a place where the world would finally leave me alone. House-sitting in a remote mountain town felt like the answer. No distractions. No interruptions. Just textbooks, solitude, and miles of untamed wilderness. I didn’t count on him. Kai Slater was everything I wasn’t looking for. Grumpy. Reclusive. All sharp edges and silence. His cabin backed up to mine, and from the moment he caught me doing yoga on the deck, he looked at me like I was a complication he didn’t ask for—and didn’t want. Except his eyes followed every stretch. His jaw tightened every time I moved. And he kept showing up to fix things I never asked him to fix. He wanted me. He just didn’t want to want me. Kai carried secrets carved deep into his silence. A past that convinced him he didn’t deserve softness… or happiness… or love. He thought pushing me away would protect us both. He was wrong. I didn’t come to Iron Peak searching for a brooding mountain man with a heart of gold buried under all that gruff solitude. But now that I’ve found him? I’m not leaving without a fight. Welcome to Iron Peak, where rugged hearts meet small-town charm in a world of wild beauty and instant passion. Tucked deep in the Colorado mountains, each story follows a gruff, loyal man who finds the woman he never knew he was looking for—and will do anything to keep her. These are fast, steamy, happily-ever-after tales packed with devotion, wilderness, and a whole lot of heat. Fall for your next favorite mountain man as 12 authors bring you new instalove stories full of warmth, wild hearts, and the kind of love that strikes like lightning.

Beastly Dreams: A Cozy Fantasy Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty Fairy Tale Retelling (Displaced Fairytales Series) by Gabrielle Landi

A grumpy tavern owner, his sunshine barmaid, and the curse that traps them together. Running his grandfather's tavern is all Roan ever wanted--though the failing budget wasn't part of the dream. But when a rogue sorcerer curses him, sending everyone into a magical sleep except Roan, his too-cheerful barmaid, and his loyal dog, his priorities shift fast: break the curse before he loses everything. Abigail has never felt safer than she does at the Lucky Goat, despite how miserable Roan is at times, and she'll do anything to keep her found home intact. At first, an opportunity to tackle the never ending to-do list without distractions seems almost like a blessing, but the pressure of hiding her own magic--and pretending she isn't falling for her grumpy boss--is a whole different kind of trouble,. Trapped together in the tavern, Roan and Abigail begin to discover that opposites attract...but when the magic unravels, will breaking the curse also break the spark between them? Torn from one fairytale and trapped in another: the Displaced Fairytales series is a multi-author fairy tale retelling series of standalones from your favorite clean and closed door young adult romance authors. BEASTLY DREAMS is Beauty and the Beast meets Sleeping Beauty with clean and wholesome forced proximity, a grumpy sunshine boss romance, and an adorable dog companion.

The Naga Shaman's Pregnant Mate (Serpents of Serant, #8) by Robin O'Connor

Stranded. Pregnant. Hunted. Falling for a deadly alien shaman was not in my birth plan. Nala I woke in a glowing coffin, belly heavy, panic clawing at my throat. Then he appeared—white scales, golden eyes, and a voice like velvet over steel. He saved me… but I don’t know if I can trust anyone, not after what the Krektar did. I just want to protect my baby. That’s it. But the Krektar aren’t gone—they survived the crash, and they want me back. Artek says I’m his fated mate. I say I need a weapon. But when his strange little beast curls up beside me and he treats me like something sacred… I start to wonder if I’ve found something I didn’t know I safety. Maybe even family. Artek She is not of this world, yet the bond sings in my blood. I am Shaman, warrior and scholar, one of the last keepers of my people’s truths—and she is mine. The Krektar have survived. They will not take her. I will kill for her, die for her, and live only for her. But this world holds more than beasts and ruins. Ancient secrets stir. Nala and her child are part of what’s to come—and I will stand between them and every shadow that rises. This is Book Eight in the Serpents of Serant series. This steamy sci-fi monster romance features a mysterious Naga Shaman, a plucky pregnant human, a cute pet side-kick, and a sizzling HEA.

The Naga Scout's Daring Mate (Serpents of Serant #9) by Robin O'Connor

He stole me from my jailers. Now I’m not sure if I want him to let me go. Jolene I only meant to save lives on Earth. Instead, I’m trapped on a hostile alien world, protecting the women in my care from Krektar brutes who want to break us. I can’t afford to falter. Then he appears. Scarred, massive, a Naga scout with a broken soul. When the Krektar push too far, it’s his arms I fall into…and his protection I can’t resist. Khawla is danger and salvation in one. He says he’s broken, a father with too much to lose. When he looks at me, I feel wanted, cherished, even as every warning tells me to run. Maybe I should. But my heart is already his. Khawla I was sent by the new Queen to scout for danger, to observe but not interfere. The moment I saw Jolene stand fearless against the Krektar, I knew she was mine. Standing by idly is no longer an option. I’ve lost once before. My mate. My heart. My peace. All I have left are my three younglings, and I’d burn the world to keep them safe. But this female… she sparks something fierce in me, something I thought long dead. I took her to shield her. Now I’ll fight my clan, my past, and even the gods to keep her. Because a warrior only mates once, and I choose her. This is Book Nine in the Serpents of Serant series. This steamy sci-fi monster romance features a scarred single-dad Naga scout, a protective human nurse, three adorable Naga younglings, and a sizzling HEA.

The Witch's Journey by Keith Miller

In a town beset by demons, from which the children are disappearing, redheaded Mira grows up wild and willful. When she’s around, soups boil over and flowers catch fire, and one night in her sleep she unwittingly turns the house around. The morning of her thirteenth birthday, Mira receives a gift from the river: a gold key. It will lead her on a journey, to seek the door the key will open. The Witch’s Journey is a dark fairytale embroidered with fairytales, full of sorrows and terrors, heartbreaks and delights, chocolates and mayhem and magic.

Vacation with the Vampire: A Steamy Paranormal Romance (Monsters and Margaritas Series) by Vala Stone

I came to Paris for croissants, not coffins. Susie After my ex ran off with his secretary, I decided I’d take our nonrefundable dream trip anyway. Paris was supposed to be my rebound romance with the city itself, late-night wine, a fling or two, and definitely no strings. Then I got lost in the catacombs, tripped over a cracked marble slab, and woke up… him. Pale. Perfect. Arrogant as sin. Raoul. He looks like he stepped straight out of a history book, or a very expensive fever dream. And somehow, he thinks I owe him for disturbing his beauty sleep. He’s infuriating. He’s magnetic. And when shadows start stirring in the tunnels, I realize Paris might not just steal my heart, it might devour it. Raoul Three centuries of slumber, and I wake to a woman who smells like sunlight and heartbreak. She babbles, she insults me, she fascinates me. Humans used to tremble before my name. Now this one waves a “phone” in my face and tells me I’m “mansplaining.” I should compel her to forget me. I should go back to sleep. But something else woke when I did. Something ancient, hungry, and vengeful. Suddenly, I find myself protecting this stubborn mortal as if she were my last breath. She says she doesn’t want another man. Unfortunately for both of us, I’m not a man. I’m temptation wrapped in eternity, and I never lose. Vacation with the Vampire is a short, steamy novella that is part of the Monsters and Margaritas shared author series. It features one ancient vampire and a vacation goer looking for distractions, not romance.

Vacation with the Shifty Shark (Monsters & Margaritas Series) by Annee Jones

🦈 Antonella "Nella" DeLuca — I left Jersey to get away from men like him. The gold chains. The cologne. The smile that's all charm and zero conscience. I know exactly what Nico Torretti is the second he walks into my Miami bar — the same kind of smooth-talking, dangerous mistake my mother warned me about in between making the same mistake herself. He says he's here about my debt. I say he can park his designer swim trunks on a barstool and watch me earn it back — five days, Spring Break weekend, then he gets his money and gets out of my life. He agrees. Then he doesn't leave. He's behind my bar every night. Tasting my margaritas like he's grading them. Scaring off every guy who gets too close. Looking at me like I'm something he wants to sink his teeth into. I should be afraid of him. But Nico doesn't scare me. And that's the part that should terrify us both. 🔥 A sun-soaked Miami fling with teeth — steamy, sharp, and served with salt and lime. 🦈 Shark shifter • Enemies-to-lovers • Forced proximity • Morally gray MMC • Guaranteed HEA Quick, hot, and bingeable in one sitting. 🍹

Mountain Man’s Lucky Star: A Steamy Instalove Romance (Wildwood Valley Rescue #3) by Lilah Hart

A mountain rescue. A proving ground. A one-day love that changes everything. I came to Wildwood Valley for one reason: professional credibility. As the youngest veterinary technician at my clinic, I was tired of being underestimated, overlooked, and assigned the cases no one else wanted. The “hopeless” animals. The long shots. The emotional burnout. So when a large-scale mountain rescue operation needed volunteers, I raised my hand first—ready to prove my skill, my grit, and my worth. I didn’t come looking for romance. Especially not with a brooding mountain man who worked construction, carried quiet strength in every movement, and looked at me like he saw everything I was trying to hide. Then I met Declan. He noticed me during a breakthrough with the most traumatized dog at the rescue—right when my guard was down and my heart was wide open. One look was all it took to rattle the confidence I’d worked so hard to build. Declan was the kind of man who fixed things. Strong hands. Steady presence. Protective instincts. I was the kind of woman who’d built her life on independence, determined never to need saving. We should have stayed far apart. But Declan didn’t treat me like a fragile project or a problem to solve. He treated me like an equal. Like a woman capable of choosing her own future—and worth standing beside while she did it. And when he touched me, every carefully built wall came down. One day. One stubborn rescue dog. One protective mountain man who refused to walk away. One choice that proved I was stronger—and braver—than I ever believed. Tropes: 🏔️ Protective Mountain Man 🐶 Animal Rescue Romance ⚡ Instalove 💪 Capable Heroine 🛠️ Blue-Collar Hero ❤️‍🔥 Fast-Burn Chemistry 🏡 Small-Town Mountain Romance 🐾 Traumatized Dog Healing 🖤 Grumpy × Independent Mountain Man’s Lucky Love is a steamy instalove mountain romance featuring a capable heroine, a protective blue-collar hero, a high-stakes animal rescue, and a fast-burn connection that changes everything in a single day.

Claiming the Mountain Man (Mountain Man Mail Order Bride Series) by Lilah Hart

She ran from everything she knew—and fell for a protective mountain man who refused to let her go. I spent twenty-three years being invisible. My parents controlled everything—my clothes, my choices, my future. What I wanted didn’t matter. What I felt didn’t count. I learned how to be quiet. How to shrink. How to accept a life that was decided for me before I ever had the chance to dream. Then I found Kross. A stranger on a screen. A mountain man in a place I’d never seen. A man who offered me something no one else ever had: a choice. So I packed one bag, boarded a bus, and rode fourteen hours toward a life that finally belonged to me—even if I was terrified to claim it. I expected awkward silences. Doubt. Regret. I didn’t expect the way he looked at me, like I was already everything he’d been waiting for. I didn’t expect his rough hands to be so gentle, or his quiet strength to make me feel safe for the first time in my life. Kross was nothing like the man my parents would have chosen. He was better. But leaving my old life behind didn’t silence the fear. The voices telling me I wasn’t enough followed me up the mountain. And letting someone truly see me—want me—meant risking everything I’d spent years protecting. Some chances are worth taking. Some people are worth the fall. Tropes: 🏔️ Protective mountain man 🩷 Sheltered heroine 🚌 Runaway from control 🔥 Steamy instalove 🤍 First love / first intimacy 🛡️ Gentle but strong hero 🏡 Small town mountain romance 🌱 Emotional awakening 🧳 Fresh start romance 💫 Found family vibes Claiming the Mountain Man is an OTT age gap romance featuring an alpha hero and V-card heroine. It’s designed to be read in only an hour. It's part of the Mountain Man Mail Order Bride series, featuring standalone books from 16 of your favorite steamy instalove romance authors!

Seas and Scepters (Cursed Kingdoms Series) by Annee Jones

Thirteen men must die for her to rule the sea… but will the last man claim her heart instead? In the hidden realm beneath the waves, siren princess Selene must lure thirteen human men to their doom in order to earn her father’s Royal Trident—and with it, her ascension to the mermaid court. But when her song fails to claim the thirteenth man, Prince Eirik—whose life is guarded by an ancient sea pact—Selene is cast out of the ocean and cursed to walk among the very mortals she was raised to despise. Now stripped of her fins and forced to live on land, Selene has no choice but to finish her grim task or forever lose her birthright. Torn between her father’s demand for Eirik’s death and a blossoming affection for the prince himself, Selene struggles to reconcile duty and desire. As she witnesses poverty and splendor, cruelty and kindness, she discovers that humanity holds more wonder—and more danger—than she ever imagined. Caught in the crosscurrents of a dark secret and an impossible love, Selene must decide whether to obey the call of her kingdom or heed the longing in her heart. One final kill stands between her and the throne…but will the price of the crown prove too high when the man she must destroy is the only one who can save her? SEAS AND SCEPTERS is a dark, seductive new twist on a classic fairytale, blending treacherous magic, forbidden romance, and a battle for the heart of the sea. Dive in—and find out what happens when the tides of fate and passion collide!

Seduced by the Mountain Man (Mountain Man Summer Series) by Annee Jones

He was my brother’s best friend—the one man I was never supposed to touch. One night changed everything… and now he’s standing shirtless in front of me. Again. DELANEY: I had one rule: never hook up with my brother’s best friend. But Jace Redmond made it very hard to follow rules—especially the night of that destination wedding when tequila and temptation got the best of us. We agreed it was a one-time thing. No regrets. No repeats. So imagine my horror when I show up for a relaxing girls’ week at Hope Peak Lake Resort… and he’s the first person I see. Shirtless. Smirking. And apparently in charge of our entire outdoor adventure itinerary. Now he’s leading my group on hikes, paddling trips, and trust falls—and every time he touches me, I remember exactly what I’m trying to forget. This was supposed to be a getaway. But how do I escape the one man who already got under my skin? JACE: Sleeping with Delaney Shaw was the best mistake I’ve ever made. She’s my best friend’s little sister—gorgeous, mouthy, completely off-limits—and I knew it the second we fell into bed that night, we were crossing a line we couldn’t uncross. So I let her walk away. But when I found out she was headed to Hope Peak Lake for a girls' trip, I made sure I was the one running the resort's adventure program that week. Now she’s back in my world for five steamy summer days—and I’m done pretending I don’t want more. The question is... will she let me break the rules again? This book is perfect for fans of steamy lakefront escapes, forbidden hookups with the brother’s best friend, and sizzling summer romance with just the right amount of sass, sweat, and second chances. It is part of Annee Jones' interconnected series, LOVING A MOUNTAIN MAN, and featured in the multi-author MOUNTAIN MAN SUMMER collection.

Mountain Man Summer (Summer in the Pines Series) by Annee Jones

She came to hide. He made her want to be found. DIDI: I fled to Hope Peak Lake with three goals: stay hidden, stay quiet, and stay away from men. After my obsessed listener turned stalker, the last thing I needed was another complication. Then I met my next-door neighbor—six feet four inches of grumpy mountain man who thought I couldn't tell a fishing rod from a selfie stick. Detective Noah Sterling was everything I didn't want: protective, persistent, and way too perceptive for my secrets. But when he caught me skinny dipping off our shared dock one moonlit night, keeping my distance became impossible. By the time the Fourth of July fireworks lit up the lake, I realized the most dangerous thing in Hope Peak wasn't my stalker—it was the way Noah made me want to stop running. NOAH: The pretty city girl next door was trouble from the moment she nearly sank her rental boat. Didi claimed she wanted privacy, but everything about her screamed secrets. As Hope Peak's detective, I should have kept my professional distance. Instead, I found myself teaching her to fish, sharing midnight swims, and forgetting every rule I'd ever made about getting involved with summer tourists. When I discovered why she was really hiding at the lake, protecting her became more than my job—it became my mission. But as the July Fourth crowds descended on our small town, I realized the truth: I wasn't just guarding her from danger. I was falling for the one woman who might not stay once the fireworks faded. A steamy small-town romance about finding love when you least expect it—and the mountain man who makes running away the last thing on your mind.

The Mountain Man's Untamed Bride (Mountain Man Sanctuary Series) by Annee Jones

What happens when a rebellious city girl crashes into a mountain man's perfectly isolated world? Everything. SCARLETT: I had exactly two choices: marry the boring, controlling fiancé my conservative parents picked out, or run. So I did what any self-respecting rebellious daughter would do—I signed up for Mountain Mates and bolted. What I didn't expect was landing with a reclusive mountain man who looks like he'd rather wrestle a bear than deal with me. My plan was simple: lose my virginity, become unmarriageable, and finally live on my own terms. But Bodhi is nothing like I imagined. He's stubborn, infuriating, and somehow sees right through my carefully constructed act. BODHI: I never wanted a bride. Hell, I barely want human contact. When my well-meaning buddy signs me up for Mountain Mates, I'm ready to shut it down—until Scarlett arrives. She's not the demure, homemaking woman in the profile. She's a hurricane in designer heels, turning my quiet mountain life upside down. I should send her back, but something about her wild spirit and desperate determination keeps me from pushing her away. And when a dangerous stalker starts circling, protecting her becomes my only mission. A high-stakes, laugh-out-loud steamy short romance where a rebellious city girl meets an off-grid mountain man, and unexpected passion ignites in the wilderness.

Cry of Fangs by Kailey Alessi

For years, the vampire nations of Lucia and Torin have lived in an uneasy peace. That all changed when Lucia annexed the independent city-state of Cesvic. Now, war is looming on the horizon and no one is safe. A Slave Far away in the Lucian capital, Hayden is the human blood bag of the youngest Lucian prince. And a pawn in a political game of chess that might bring the nation to its knees. A Monk Mora, in Cesvic, is worried. She serves as a Monk of the Goddess of Humans, and the Lucians have declared her faith dangerous and heretical. It will take all her wits and courage to keep the humans in her care safe. A Soldier In Torin, Aldon is a cadet at the military academy. One who most definitely does not want to be there. He will have to find his strength if he is to survive both the school and the battlefield.

Bloodbag by Kailey Alessi

Tobias is a vampire, living out his boring nights in the city of Cesvic. His life is turned upside down when he rescues a human called Bloodbag. Tobias never wanted a human. Hell, he couldn’t even afford one. But now he has Bloodbag. What’s a vampire to do?

Only Fools Fall in Love (Fortune of the Heart Series) by Annee Jones

Some illusions are worth believing in. SKYE: Taking a summer job as a carnival fortune teller was supposed to be easy research for my psychology thesis on supernatural delusions. Instead, I found Lux Frost—a mysterious House of Mirrors operator whose otherworldly presence makes my carefully constructed skepticism crumble. As my fake psychic readings start coming true and my attraction to him becomes impossible to deny, can I maintain my scientific objectivity when everything I believe about reality begins to shatter? LUX: Trapped for decades in a traveling carnival, my fractured soul is bound to glass and shadow. Then Skye Everhart arrives—a beautiful student whose hidden psychic gifts call to what remains of me. As the summer solstice approaches and dark forces close in, I must choose: reclaim my fae immortality or risk everything for a mortal life with the woman who makes me feel whole again. Can a skeptical scientist save a fae prince's shattered soul? Find out in this steamy summer romance where academic pride meets ancient magic, featuring a brilliant heroine discovering her psychic heritage and the otherworldly hero who needs her love to survive! ************************************************************************************************ Bite Club invites you into FORTUNE OF THE HEART, a world where seances stir the past and fortune-telling reveals the future — but love is the one thing no spirit or card can predict. In this collection of paranormal romances, destinies are crossed, fates are challenged, and every heart must decide whether to trust the unknown or forge a new future beyond the veil.

Spooked in the Woods (Monsters in the Woods Series) by Annee Jones

When the shadow man of Whistling Pines touches skeptical podcaster Riley Shaw, things get supernatural in more ways than one... RILEY: Ghost hunting rule #1: Don't screw the haunts. But here I am, lost in Whistling Pines with dead batteries, a useless compass, and a shadow man who can literally pass through my clothes. My podcast needs this episode, even if I have to camp in this creepy forest for a week. The locals warned me about the entity that stalks trespassers, but failed to mention he's got magical hands that can touch me in places—and ways—that should be physically impossible. Now we're being hunted by very human killers, and my sexy shadow is the only thing keeping me alive. If we survive, this will either be my most downloaded episode ever or the world's kinkiest ghost story. Maybe both. ASH: Forty years scaring away humans, and this mouthy podcaster just keeps taunting me to "bring it on." She thinks I'm a hoax. I'll show her how real I can be. I didn't expect her defiance to strengthen my manifestations or her touch to awaken sensations I thought died with my body. Now I can solidify enough to pin her against trees, trail shadow-fingers across her skin, and make her moan my name into those microphones she loves so much. I need her alive to expose my killers. She needs my protection from the men hunting her. What neither of us planned on was how addictive it would be when a creature made of shadows learns exactly how to make a skeptic believe. ****************** This steamy monster romance features passionate supernatural encounters, explicit scenes, and a love that transcends the boundaries between worlds. Indulge in this sizzling supernatural affair for a happily-ever-after that is truly out of this world!

Treated to a Mountain Man (Fall for a Mountain Man Series) by Annee Jones

Her candy isn’t the only thing he wants to taste this Halloween... CINN: Opening my candy shop in Woodbridge Falls was supposed to be my sweet new start. Winning the Halloween candy competition could finally put me on the map—if I can get my hands on the one ingredient that makes my grandmother’s recipe shine. Trouble is, the only man who makes the syrup I need is a grumpy mountain recluse with shoulders as broad as his scowl. My solution? Show up on his doorstep and dare him to say no. SAWYER: The last thing I need is a candy maker barging into my sugar grove. But Cinnamon Moretti isn’t just any candy maker—she’s stubborn, curvy, and far too tempting to ignore. When she agrees to work the harvest herself, I can’t look away. She’s sticky fingers, sharp wit, and heat I never saw coming. I thought I was protecting my family’s legacy. Now I’m just trying not to lose my heart. CONTENT INFORMATION: A wickedly fun Halloween romance! This short, steamy read serves up a grumpy mountain man, a candy-maker heroine, small-town harvest vibes, and open-door heat hot enough to melt more than chocolate. Treat yourself—one-click this sweet and spicy fall fling today!

Ghosted Cowboy (Dirty Cowboys Series) by Annee Jones

👻 He ghosted her once. This Halloween, he’s back—and hotter than ever. RAINEY: Midnight Springs is my home, my sanctuary, and the stage where I’ve built a life after heartbreak. I manage my grandmother’s antique shop, I act in our theater, and I don’t look back. Not since Ransom Hollis vanished without a word ten years ago. But now he’s back—cast as the “ghost cowboy” in our Halloween festival—and suddenly I’m face-to-face with the man who once shattered me. Every stolen glance stirs old wounds…and dangerous new desires. And when sabotage threatens both the production and my safety, I can’t decide if I should push him away—or lean into the only arms that ever truly felt like home. RANSOM: I thought I’d left Midnight Springs behind for good, along with the woman I couldn’t bear to face after my sudden departure. But my father’s heart attack brought me back, and now my mother has volunteered me for a role in the town’s Halloween theater. I never expected Rainey Bell to still have such a hold on me. She deserves answers—and protection when mysterious “accidents” start happening around her. I know I hurt her once. I know she may never forgive me. But I also know I can’t let her go again. This time, I’m staying…and I’m ready to fight for both the town we love and the woman I never stopped loving. Content Information: A steamy second-chance cowboy romance wrapped in small-town Halloween charm. 🔥 Open-door heat 🔥 Forced proximity in a haunted hotel 🔥 A touch of mystery and sabotage 🔥 A heroine who won’t be ghosted twice Ghosted Cowboy delivers passion, suspense, and a love story too hot to stay buried. Perfect for fans of seasonal small-town romance with a sexy edge.

Stuff My Turkey (Love & Leftovers Series) by Annee Jones

🍂🦃🍂 𝑨 𝒗𝒆𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏, 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒘𝒃𝒐𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒂 𝒇𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑... 𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐘: I'm a vegetarian public defender who accidentally committed grand theft turkey. Now I'm fake dating my ex's older brother—the one who caught me red-handed trying to stuff his prize breeding tom into my Prius at 2 AM. Heath McGraw is six-foot-three of surly cowboy who's making me pretend to be his girlfriend to save both our asses. Problem is, I can't cook, can't ride a horse, and definitely can't stop thinking about how his hands feel on my waist when we're "pretending" for his clients. Oh, and I'm planning to win over Texas ranchers with my gourmet tofurkey at Thanksgiving dinner while pretending I'm not falling for their hometown hero. What could go wrong? 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇: I've wanted Honey March for three years. Now the woman who drives me crazy is in my house, in my bed, in my head. Every "fake" kiss for our audience makes me want to pin her against the barn wall and show her exactly how real this is. She thinks this is just a business deal. Seven days of pretending. But when she's in my arms, laughing at my jokes, looking at me like I'm not just her ex's older brother? I'm done pretending. This Thanksgiving, I'm claiming what's mine. And I'm not talking about the turkeys. 📖 𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑵𝑻 𝑰𝑵𝑭𝑶𝑹𝑴𝑨𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑁 💋 Spicy fake dating with a guaranteed HEA! 🏡 Perfect for readers who love small-town romance with autumn vibes, swoony cowboys, laugh-out-loud disasters, and heroines who can't cook but can argue their way out of anything. 🍽️ Contains creative uses for gravy, creative hiding spots for turkeys, and creative interpretations of "fake" relationships. 🍂 The only thing hotter than the ovens this Thanksgiving is what’s happening in the barn.

Mountain Man's Naughty Elf (Grumpy Christmas Mountain Man Series) by Annee Jones

"When you're on the naughty list, sometimes you need a mountain man with a very big...cabin." PEPPER: Working as the head elf at North Pole Village was supposed to be festive fun—until I caught my ex embezzling from the charity toy drive. Now I'm on the run in a snowstorm, with evidence stuffed in my pointy hat and nowhere to hide except the cabin of the broodiest mountain man I've ever seen. Pax Forrester is six-foot-four of silent intensity who clearly wants me gone, but the blizzard and my vengeful ex have other plans. I need to lay low until I can expose Nolan's scheme, but hiding out is getting complicated. Especially when Pax looks at me like he wants to unwrap more than just Christmas presents. Did I mention I'm still wearing my elf costume? Jingle bells have never been this dangerous. PAX: Three years of perfect solitude ruined by one woman in candy-cane striped tights. Pepper Prescott burst through my door in the middle of a blizzard, bringing trouble, tinsel, and the first real temptation I've felt since leaving civilization behind. When her corrupt ex-fiancé shows up with armed "security," my protective instincts kick in—instincts I thought I'd buried after Afghanistan. Now we're snowed in together, plotting to take down the town's crooked mayor, and I can't stop thinking about how her curves would feel against my hands. She says it's just until the storm breaks. I say some storms are worth getting caught in. This Christmas, I'm putting someone on my nice list for the first time—and I plan to be very, very naughty. CONTENT INFORMATION This steamy holiday novella delivers a guaranteed HEA with a side of Christmas mischief! Perfect for readers who love forced proximity romance with grumpy/sunshine dynamics, protective heroes with a soft spot for holiday-loving heroines, and enough heat to melt the North Pole. Contains dangerous mistletoe situations, an overabundance of cheer, and proof that sometimes the best gifts come in elf-shaped packages.

Salt, SEAL, and Sin (Tidehaven SEAL Romance Series) by Annee Jones

🌊⚓🌊 A shipwreck worth millions. A cartel with guns. And a rivalry that's about to get dangerously wet. MARLEY: I've spent two years tracking a Confederate blockade runner carrying $4 million in gold—and I'm one dive away from the discovery of my career. Then Beau Rutledge shows up with a government contract to shut me down. He's six-foot-two of brooding ex-SEAL who thinks I'm reckless. I think he's an uptight control freak with a savior complex. But when a cartel crew shows up with automatic weapons and zero patience, Beau offers me a deal: work together, find the wreck legally, and stay alive. Problem is, every dive brings us closer—and not just to the gold. He steadies my tank. I trust his hands. And when we surface, gasping and salt-slicked, the tension between us is more dangerous than anything waiting in the deep. BEAU: Marley Heyward is brilliant, stubborn, and completely out of her depth—literally. She's diving protected waters without permits, pissing off federal agencies, and about to get herself killed over a shipwreck that might not exist. I'm supposed to stop her. Instead, I'm her backup diver, her tactical support, and the bastard who can't stop thinking about her in that wetsuit. When the cartel escalates—sabotaged equipment, boat attacks, a body in the marsh—keeping her alive becomes my only mission. She fights me at every turn. Challenges every order. And when I finally get her alone, she looks at me like I'm the thing worth finding. This wreck is going to kill us both. And I'm starting not to care. 📖 CONTENT INFORMATION 🔥 Spicy ex-SEAL romance with a guaranteed HEA ⚓ Perfect for readers who love rivals-to-lovers, treasure hunts gone wrong, forced partnerships, danger-fueled tension, and heroines who'd rather dive than be rescued 🌊 Contains creative uses for dive equipment, creative justifications for close quarters, and creative ways to burn off adrenaline after near-death experiences 🌊 The most dangerous thing in these waters isn't the cartel—it's what happens when salt, steel, and sin collide. ************************************************************** Hurricanes, heists, and heart-stopping kisses. Tidehaven’s ex-SEALs hold the line by day and fall hard by night. Salt & Steel Security brings the heat. This March, romance authors come together to give you grit, heart, and tons of heat! The Tidehaven SEALs are falling hard and fast for the women who bring them to their knees.

Planted by the Mountain Man (Spring in the Mountains Series) by Annee Jones

FLORA: 🐝 I had a plan. A good plan. Insemination, positive test, baby on the way — all on my terms. Nowhere in that plan did it say “drive to Montana to stalk your sperm donor.” But his profile kept rattling around in my head. I just wanted to see him. Quietly. Like a normal, well-adjusted person. Instead I tripped over a hive box and landed at the feet of the grumpiest, hottest beekeeper in the mountain west. Then I panicked and told him I was a landscape designer. At least that part is true. Now I’m planting pollinator gardens I invented on the spot while he drizzles wild honey over everything he cooks and looks at me like I’m trouble he wants to taste. 🍯 The longer I stay — swallowing his honey, feeling his hands, watching spring crack this mountain wide open — the harder it gets to remember I came here to observe. Not to stay. And definitely not to fall. He’s starting to suspect I’m not here for the flowers. I’m starting to realize he might be right. 🌸 🔥 Grumpy-sunshine • Breeding kink • Forced proximity • Who-falls-first • Guaranteed HEA Quick, hot, and bingeable in one sitting. 🐝

The Omens of War by Livia J. Elliot

A philosophical fantasy of Thucydidean politics, eldritch intellects, and psychological horror woven into fractured timelines. The peace between Firard and Sestel teeters on the edge of collapse. In the fortress of Egon Hold, strategist Dante Praeto becomes the unwilling host of the War a simulated battle fundamental to rising in the ranks of Firard’s Legions. As the contestants march towards the ravine shared with their enemy nation, a landslide swallows the soldiers within. Across that ravine, Lady Calya Seve guards the Sestelii frontier, aware the War Games will provoke a diplomatic upheaval. She deals in treaties and political alliances, but little does she know the next threat isn’t coming through the border. Unbeknownst to them, both are pieces in a larger a game played by eldritch beings for whom entire nations are little more than tools, and humans mere pawns. For in the end, the alchemists of The Orders will unleash chaos in their eternal pursuit of arcane knowledge. The omens of war will be heard by all. Psychologically intense, and written for readers who read to solve.

Surviving Humanity by Jake Stein, Robin Rose Graves, Rob Nisbet, Juliette Jarabek, Joshua Boliard, Janel Comeau, Rayleigh Call, Susan L. Lin, Ian M Salavon, Toshiya Kamei, H.M. Joinville, Donald J Bingle, Holly Goode, Victoria Ojo

Humanity can be beautiful and resilient, but it can also be violent and cruel. In this collection of fifteen insightful and inventive tales, discover characters—both human and otherwise—who have the determination and grit to find a path to a life beyond the cruelty brought on by humanity’s failures. Follow each of these intriguing protagonists as they struggle to navigate their worlds and find their way to a new and redefined future, no matter the cost.

Kansas: An OTT Instalove MC Biker Dark Small Town Short Romance (Steelwood MC - Willowbrook Ridge #07) by Julia Stone

Her stalker wants her back. The biker who finds her refuses to let her go. Engrid: I had one job—write an article on Crossroads Ink’s grand opening. A few questions, a quick feature, done. Instead, I’ve caught the attention of the Steelwood MC… and now bikers are watching my every move. I should be terrified. But I’m used to looking over my shoulder. My ex still lurks in the shadows, convinced I belong to him. The last thing I need is more dangerous men in my life. Then Kansas shows up. A biker with a mission—to scare me off. Too bad I don’t run anymore. When he sees the real threat stalking me, his warning turns into an offer: protection. No strings. Free of charge. I shouldn’t trust him. I shouldn’t need him. But with nowhere else to turn, I’m forced to rely on the Steelwood MC… even if it means trading one obsessed ex-partner for another who might be far more dangerous to my heart. Kansas: My orders were simple—break into her place, shake her up, and make her drop the article. Then I meet Engrid Parks. Sweet. Innocent. Scarred. Beneath it all—fierce. Walking away is no longer an option. The moment she tells me about the man hunting her—the monster who thinks she still belongs to him—I make a new plan. I’ll protect her. I’ll keep her safe. I’ll show her what it means to be claimed by someone who would burn the world down for her. She thinks I’m just helping. But I’m not letting her go. And if anyone tries to take what’s mine… they’ll learn exactly why the Steelwood MC should be feared. Each story in the Steelwood MC series is part of a shared storyline that is best enjoyed in order. Each couple ends with a HFN ending that will result in their HEA by the end of the series! Dark themes are present!

Burning Snow: A Retelling of The Little Match Girl & The Snow Queen (Displaced Fairytales Series) by Abigail Manning

Princess Safara wanted nothing more than to marry the prince of Averglas and secure protection for her suffering kingdom—until her fiancé left her to freeze to death. Til death do us part comes early for Safara when a brutal winter sweeps through her betrothed’s kingdom, forcing everyone to evacuate or be buried by the snow. To make matters worse, toxic trees have been burned in fireplaces in a desperate attempt for warmth, infecting Safara and many others with a slow-acting paralysis. Abandoned and alone, Safara uses the last flick of her fingers to light a match, wishing for a chance to have been a better queen. By some miracle, life returns to Safara as she wakes up months in the past. No longer diseased or trapped by snow, she decides to make good on her wish and do everything in her power to be the queen she should have been in the first place—the snow queen. Now knowing what the future holds, she’s not aligning herself with the losing side. The only way to stop this winter is to win over the snow king who created it. Can Safara claim his frozen heart? Or is her life destined to always burn away? Torn from one fairytale and trapped in another: The Displaced Fairytales series is a collection of standalones from your favorite no-spice, young adult romance authors. Burning Snow is a Little Match Girl meets The Snow Queen reimagining with the perfect blend of marriage of revenge, grumpy x sunshine, and a pet rock named Douglas.

All The Queen's Horses And All The Queen's Men (Once Upon A Rhyme #7) by Abigail Manning

All The Queen’s Horses and All The Queen’s Men… Could never put her soul back together again. Princess Amirah of Sarnold has been shattered ever since the day her family was killed in front of her. Before her parent’s death, the ruling king and queen embraced the use of magic by containing their fickle emotions in rare magic stones with the intention of making them fairer rulers, doing the same for their royal children. But when their soulless rule brought unrest among their people, only Amirah remained once the dust had settled—her soul stone shattered. Prince Soren is the most legendary bachelor in all the kingdoms, willing to stop at nothing to find himself a proper bride that won’t leave him to run a black market or scurry off with a gargoyle. After hearing that Princess Amirah has come of age to ascend to the throne, the eager prince makes his way to Sarnold to support the new queen in anyway he can. He knows hardly anything about her other than her appreciation for magic jewelry, but as a magic scholar himself, at least his chances with her aren’t entirely abysmal. With her coronation coming, and her soul split into shards of jewelry, Amirah welcomes the neighboring prince with the hope that his knowledge can help her repair her shattered stone. But help comes too late when the princess discovers that a piece of her magic jewelry has gone missing, taking part of her soul along with it. No longer able to access all of her emotions, only Prince Soren’s endless optimism can motivate her to track down her missing pieces. Can they finally put her back together? Or will someone in the shadows ensure the queen suffers a great fall? Once Upon A Rhyme is a collection of clean, intercepting stories, best enjoyed when read as a series. For more information on Once Upon A Rhyme sign up for my free monthly newsletter at: Abigailmanningauthor.com

The Curious Voyage: A Retelling of Alice in Wonderland and The Odyssey (The Fairmyth Chronicles Book 5) by Abigail Manning

Alice in Wonderland meets The Odyssey Alyssius’s wedding day was meant to be blissful, peaceful, and not interrupted by a panicked divine one who desperately needed her help. Being an accomplished doctor occasionally meant making house calls, even those that include jumping into a hole that sends her to the Kingdom of Underworth. The job is quick, but the journey home is long. Alyse has no trouble sailing her own vessel after growing up on a quiet island, but she quickly learns that it isn’t the sea that is complicating her journey. Percival knew what he was getting into when he married the island doctor, but he had also hoped it would keep all of the swooning island girls away from his modest palace. Being the king of Ithar doesn’t come with much power, but that doesn’t dissuade all the young ladies from offering him company in his new wife’s absence. He’s already chosen the queen of his heart, but fending off the debutantes might require a club. Curious islands appear before Alyse in spades, pulling her boat in, trapping her, tricking her, and often nearly claiming her life. Getting killed isn’t an option while Percival awaits her, but even time begins to stand in her way as the clock suddenly turns her back to the start of her journey. Then turns back again, and again, again… Such a wonder would surely drive any voyager mad. How long had she been at sea again? Will this curious voyage ever lead her home? The Fairmyth Chronicles is a collection of clean interconnecting fantasy romance novels that can be read in any order. For more updates on The Fairmyth Chronicles and my other series, sign up for my free newsletter atabigailmanningauthor.com

Crimson Claws (The Ruby Realm #1) by Abigail Manning

A girl and her grandma... separated by an entire pack of beasts. A Retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. Roisen Karro and her grandmother run the most beloved bakery in the province of Omaira. Ever since her father disappeared seven years ago, Ro has decided there is no place for a man in her heart, especially an obnoxiously flirty woodcutter. Unfortunately, her granny has no issue encouraging the young man’s advances toward her. At the far end of Omaira, a strange foreigner washes up on the shores and finds himself amongst the ranks of a nefarious group of beasts. With no knowledge of the Ruby Realm or even a grasp on their language, the foreigner agrees to do their dirty work until he gets back on his feet. All they asked him to do was kidnap some girl from a bakery, anyway... As Ro discovers there is more behind her father’s disappearance than she knew, she finds herself entangled in the schemes of a sly new foe. With only the clothes on her back and a pack of wolves on her heels, Ro must find her way back to her granny before it’s too late for them both. Will Ro be able to survive the hunt? Or will the beasts swallow her family whole...? The Ruby Realm is a collection of clean, intercepting stories, inspired by classic fairy tales.

Framed in Florals (The Emerald Realm, #3) by Abigail Manning

A shoeless girl stumbles into the prince's garden... A Retelling of Cinderella. Kalina Aristi hasn’t had much time to stop and smell the roses after her loving father passed, leaving her in the tender care of her greedy stepfamily. Her scheming stepmother has successfully swindled every penny of Kalina’s inheritance, and now she only has a few weeks until she turns eighteen. With nothing left to her name, Kalina must find a way to support herself without even a simple pair of shoes to call her own. Just a few miles away, Prince Jasper is tasked with finding a wife at his upcoming betrothal ball as his father’s pick, Queen Arabella, was already spoken for. Will he be able to pick a suitable bride in only one night? He hopes his elusive pen-pal will make an appearance, but he doesn’t even know her true name. Can Kalina determine the right moment to be brave? Or will she only dig herself deeper into a bed of thorns and lies? Only a night with a magic dress, a handsome prince, and a deathly dance will determine her fate. This book can be enjoyed as a standalone, but is best enjoyed when read in order due to potential spoilers. For more information on The Emerald Realm sign up for my free monthly newsletter Abigailmanningauthor.com

The Color of Time by Millie Abecassis

A science-fantasy retelling of Charles Perrault’s fairy tale “Peau d'Âne,” The Color of Time blends the whimsy of classic fairy tales with the sapphic romance of Fable for the End of the World and the large-scale politics of The Mercy of Gods. Princess Cyrelle has always been faithful and true to her family, country, and Goddess. But now her brother, King Elias of Cicia, has asked for—no, commanded—her hand in marriage. Desperate to avoid this incestuous union, Cyrelle requests a series of increasingly impossible gifts and petitions the Goddess for a sign to sway her resolute brother’s proposal. As Elias persists undeterred, Cyrelle must risk everything to escape the only life she’s ever known. Soon, she becomes Green Scales, hiding and struggling to survive on her own, far across the galaxy. But Phau isn’t the peaceful refuge Cyrelle had hoped for, and when the leader of its burgeoning rebel faction recognizes the runaway princess, she is forced to choose between safety and freedom. With the fate of two kingdoms on the line and nowhere left to run, Cyrelle must decide what it means to be true to herself, to her people, and to her heart.

Hard Hearted Cowboy (Not Looking for Love) by Annee Jones

💔🤠💔 A hard-partying cowboy, a woman with secrets, and one Valentine's wedding neither of them will forget... I'm two years sober, working two jobs, and keeping my head down in Bitter Root after the life I left behind in Houston. When a drunk, gorgeous cowboy offers me five grand to be his fake date to his twin brother's over-the-top Valentine's wedding, I should say no. Hunter Massey is trouble in a Stetson—cocky, reckless, and everything I swore off when I got clean. The plan is smile pretty for a weekend, collect my cash, and never see him again. But Hunter keeps surprising me with glimpses of the man beneath the bad-boy reputation. And he's starting to ask questions I can't answer—sensing the secret I'm desperate to keep hidden. Falling for Hunter would be the biggest risk I've ever taken. Especially when he finds out the truth. I'm the family screw-up. The party boy. The twin who can't measure up to my perfect brother Hudson. So when my family pressures me to bring a date to Hudson's Valentine's wedding extravaganza, I do what any drunk, rebellious cowboy would do—I offer my Uber driver five thousand dollars to fake it for a weekend. Dixie is gorgeous and clearly thinks I'm an idiot. Perfect. No feelings, no expectations, just a business arrangement. Except Dixie's hiding something. I can see it in the way she deflects, the shadows in her eyes, the careful way she guards every word. And instead of running like I always do, I want to know her secrets. I want to prove I'm more than the mess everyone thinks I am. For her. Even if it means becoming the man I've been too scared to be. 📖 CONTENT INFORMATION 💋 Spicy fake dating with a guaranteed HEA! 🤠 Perfect for readers who love redemption arcs, swoony cowboys with hidden depths, and bad boys who find their purpose 🎂 Contains creative uses for wedding cake, creative ways to avoid your judgmental family, and creative interpretations of 'fake' relationships 💕 Secrets and second chances, Valentine's wedding chaos, meddling small-town bakery owners, and a cowboy learning that being a good man is sexier than being a wild one 💔 The only thing sweeter than wedding cake is falling in love when you've sworn it off forever.

Operation: Temptation (Cupid City Security Romance) by Annee Jones

💕📸💕 She hunts scandals for a living. He's the one secret she can't expose. I'm Cupid City's most notorious paparazzo, and I've just pissed off the wrong person. My apartment's trashed, someone tried to run me off Lock & Key Bridge, and there's a bullet hole in my window. Problem is, I have no idea which story triggered it—the corrupt politician, the CEO's mistress, or the mob-connected developer I exposed last month. My editor's solution? Hire me a babysitter. Dominic Knight is six-foot-three of former Marine who thinks I'm reckless, irresponsible, and in desperate need of a keeper. He's not wrong. But Valentine's week is my busiest season, and I'm not hiding while someone else gets the shots. If he wants to protect me, he'll have to keep up. The only problem? I can't stop thinking about what his handcuffs would feel like when they're not for suspects. Charlotte Collins is a nightmare assignment. She climbs balconies, hides in linen closets, and has more fake IDs than a CIA operative. She's fearless, brilliant, and completely out of control. My job is keep her alive for seven days without letting her get us both killed. But she won't listen. Won't stay put. Won't stop putting herself in danger. And every time I catch her—pressed against me in the dark, breathless and defiant, looking at me like she's daring me to do something about it—I want to pin her against the nearest wall and make her understand exactly who's in charge. She thinks this is a game. She has no idea how badly I want to show her what happens when she pushes me too far. 📖 CONTENT INFORMATION 🔥 SCORCHING forbidden bodyguard romance with guaranteed HEA! 💋 High heat with explicit D/s dynamics, handcuffs, blindfolds, and a hero who knows exactly how to make her surrender 🎭 Perfect for readers who love paparazzi heroines who take no prisoners, dominant ex-military heroes, forced proximity that ignites, and Valentine's week danger 📸 Features adrenaline-fueled desire, closet quickies, kink negotiation, power exchange, and a commitment-phobe about to discover some risks are worth taking ⚠️ Contains creative uses for tactical gear, public temptation, and a Marine who proves protection can be very, very personal 💕 The only thing more dangerous than her job is falling for the man hired to save her. **************************************************************************** In Cupid City, Valentine’s means glittering galas and dangerous secrets. Heartline Security keeps the city breathing between fireworks and threats. That is, until each protector meets the one person worth breaking protocol for. Fall in love this February where these standalones serve high heat, high stakes, and heart-melting HEAs. Guards up. Hearts open. Valentine gives love the last word.

The Spindle Box: A Retelling of Pandora and Sleeping Beauty (The Fairmyth Chronicles) by Abigail Manning

Pandora meets Sleeping Beauty A Fairmyth Chronicles Short Story All Princess Twyla wants for her birthday is a box. Not a pillow, not a dress, and certainly nothing else that’s round. She wants a nice squared box with sharp edges so she can prove to both the king and her charming guard, Felix, that there's no reason for her to fear them. Now that Twyla is eighteen, she should finally be allowed to learn why the king insisted she grow up in a round tower with round furnishing. However, the king shows no interest in explaining himself to Twyla when he has other ambitions for her circular little world... Getting a box seems far less exciting when one learns they are already cornered. The Fairmyth Chronicles is a collection of clean interconnecting fantasy romance novels that can be read in any order. For more updates on The Fairmyth Chronicles and my other series, sign up for my free newsletter atabigailmanningauthor.com

Cupcakes for My Orc Enemy (Fairhaven Falls, #1 / Sweet Monster Treats, #3) by Honey Phillips

One very large orc. One very small human. Does size matter? When Elara flees corporate life to open a coffee shop in the small southern town of Fairhaven Falls, the last thing she is looking for is a relationship. But when she meets Grondar, the gruff orc owner of the bakery next door, sparks fly. Literally. Grondar has been burned by human females before. He has no intention of letting the feisty little female next door get under his skin - no matter how attractive he finds her. And it certainly doesn’t mean he’s going to let her get away with sabotaging his business. Despite their disastrous first meeting, Elara still finds herself having inappropriately heated thoughts about the massive orc next door. The attraction seems to be completely one-sided - until he reluctantly comes to her rescue and she discovers a very different side to the grumpy male. Can they overcome their initial animosity, their ongoing rivalry, and their very obvious differences to find a future together? * * ~ * * "Cupcakes for My Orc Enemy" is the third sweet and steamy monster romance that make up the Sweet Monster Treats multi-author, shared world collection. Each book is a standalone, containing its own 'Happily Ever After', and can be read/listened to in any order -- (but the series is likely enjoyed most when read/listened to in order, as characters may appear throughout the stories!) Be sure to explore all the titles brought to us by three bestselling authors: • Book 01: "Cookies For My Orc Neighbor" by Michele Mills (2023) • Book 02: "Candy For My Orc Boss" by Ava Ross (2023) • Book 03: "Cupcakes For My Orc Enemy" by Honey Phillips (2023) • Book 04: "The Single Mom and the Orc" by Honey Phillips (2023) • Book 05: "Single Dad Orc" Ava Ross (2023) • Book 06: "Twins For The Wild Orc" by Michele Mills (2023) • Book 07: "Undercover Orc" by Ava Ross [2024] • Book 08: "Protected by the Orc" by Honey Phillips [2024] • Book 09: "Arrested by the Orc" by Michele Mills [2024] * * ~ * * "Cupcakes for My Orc Enemy" is also the first story in Honey Phillips' Fairhaven Falls series: • Book 01: "Cupcakes for My Orc Enemy" • Book 02: "Trouble for My Troll" • Book 03: "Fireworks for My Dragon Boss" • Book 04: "The Single Mom and the Orc" • Book 05: "Mistletoe for My Minotaur" • Book 06: "Valentine for My Vampire" • Book 07: "Protected by the Orc"

Mistletoe for My Minotaur (Fairhaven Falls, #5) by Honey Phillips

Her minotaur is ready for a holiday treat! The day before Ginger’s family left Fairhaven Falls in disgrace, she made the mistake of kissing her older brother’s best friend. It was the best - and most embarrassing - moment of her life, but she never thought she’d see the big minotaur again. Now she desperately needs his help, but she has secrets she can’t put on those brawny shoulders. Mayor Howard “Houston” Ironmane is used to solving problems - for everyone else. But when the deliciously sweet - and completely off-limits - woman he’s never forgotten comes to him with an outrageous proposition, he knows it’s finally time for his own chance at happiness. All he has to do is uncover her secrets, convince her that their fake relationship could be perfectly real, and save the town’s Christmas festival! It’s going to take more than kisses under the mistletoe and a little holiday magic to unravel this naughty knot! Welcome to Fairhaven Falls - where the holiday lights twinkle, love sparkles, and monsters know exactly how to unwrap your… heart! Each book in the Fairhaven Falls series can be read as a standalone romance. This sweet and steamy holiday tale is intended for mature readers.

Gift for My Ghost (Fairhaven Falls, #8) by Honey Phillips

Can a lonely pair create a new path to love? Jessica has always felt as restless as the spirits who choose to appear to her. Then an unexpected encounter in the small southern town of Fairhaven Falls changes everything. Now she leads an ordinary life - or at least as ordinary as a girl with a constant ghostly companion can have. But is simple companionship enough? Leo was trapped in Midnight Manor for many years before a pretty little psychic finally set him free. Now that he’s been released, he’s discovered that freedom isn't nearly as enticing as the woman who freed him. The more time they spend together, the more he yearns for their relationship to be real. Who said that love, laughter, and the afterlife couldn't mix? Welcome to Fairhaven Falls! Each book in the Fairhaven Falls series can be read as a standalone romance. This sweet and steamy holiday tale is intended for mature readers.

A Filling of Fables and Firelight: A 1,001 Nights Retelling (Enchanting Confections) by Sarah Beran

A slice of bridal competition A dusting of mistaken identity And a whisk of love that might be nothing more than a fable. Rana Schehera is fully content with her simple life. Newly employed as a seamstress under one of the most sought-after tailors in El Huram, she’s paid enough for her beautiful creations to both provide for her aging grandmother and keep a steady supply of her favorite sweets. That simple life is threatened, however, when the new Sultan decides to select his bride the traditional way—through competition—and Rana is one of the lucky seamstresses chosen to attend the competitors. Still, it should all be fairly straightforward…until the Sultan mistakes her for one of the princesses he’s meant to be courting and inexplicably keeps coming back. Kamaran knew the throne was inevitable, but he wasn’t prepared for it to be his so soon. Now, reeling from loss and weighed down by the crown he never wanted and the responsibilities he never cared for, his council of viziers has added insult to injury by arranging for him to select a bride. His plan is Go through the motions, eliminate a prospect each week, and hope that by the end, the last one standing will be at least tolerable. What he didn’t plan for was the pragmatic princess with an obsession for needlework and stories that capture his imagination. With each evening that passes, Rana begins to see that Kamaran is more than the fickle, irresponsible Sultan he pretends to be, and she wants to be the one to fill the empty spaces in his heart. But as the end of the competition draws near, it becomes all too clear that the story she’s weaving may never have a happy ending. A Filling of Fables and Firelight, a retelling of 1,001 Nights, is a standalone novella, complete with tropes such as Mistaken Identity, Commoner x Royalty, and Forbidden Love. It is part of The Enchanting Confections series, a collection of clean and cozy stories guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth.

Mountain Man's Lucky Heart: A Steamy Instalove Romance (Wildwood Valley Rescue #02) by Lilah Hart

A reclusive mountain man. A woman who believes in fate. One life-changing night. I didn’t believe in luck. Life in the foster system teaches you self-reliance, not miracles. I built everything I have with my own hands— a remote mountain cabin, a solitary woodworking business, a quiet life in the mountains that didn’t need anyone else. For twelve years, that was enough. Then a woman blocked my driveway. Josie Brennan was pure sunshine— a bright, talkative heroine with a hopeful heart, a woman who believed in fate, signs, and second chances, and the most beautiful distraction I’d ever seen. She’d driven a dangerous mountain road looking for her missing friend. I told myself I was just helping— a search through the woods, a shared dinner, one night in my spare room when she didn’t want to stay with strangers. That was all it was supposed to be. But Josie believed in meant-to-be love, and the way she looked at me cracked open every wall I’d ever built. One night. One connection. One woman who saw something in me worth staying for. She called me her lucky charm. Turns out, she was mine. Tropes: ⛰️ Mountain Man Romance 😠Grumpy Hero / Bright-Spirited Heroine 🤝 Forced Proximity 🔥 One-Night Connection 💘 Instalove Romance 🛖 Remote Cabin Setting 🧔‍♂️ Protective Alpha Hero ✨ Fate & Destiny Romance 🌲 Small-Town Mountain Life 💛 Emotionally Guarded Hero 🐾 Search for a Missing Friend 🥂 Strangers-to-Lovers Mountain Man’s Lucky Heart is a mountain man instalove romance featuring a reclusive, protective hero, a bright-spirited heroine, forced proximity in a remote cabin, and a fate-driven connection that turns one night into forever.

Dirty Duet: A Rock Star Romance by Alana Khan

When a classically trained flutist and a tattooed rocker collide, the result is pure combustion. Ana I need complete solitude in this remote rental to finish the symphony I’ve been working on. Who am I kidding? I haven’t written a note. The harder I try, the more the music eludes me… until the most irritating man on Earth barges into my cottage at midnight and insists he’s supposed to be sleeping in my bed. I want to wipe that cocky smirk off his face, but the more I get to know him, the less immune I am to his rough-edged charm, his gorgeous mismatched eyes, or the simmering, soulful energy that hides beneath the façade of a man so untamed he calls his fans “the rats.” Nyxx From the moment we meet, Ana’s rigid posture and tight-lipped disapproval shout Stay away. Ignoring the ice queen should be easy for a man with a reputation for being wild—even by rock-star standards. Except when she plays, I see the vibrant, untamed woman burning beneath her polished surface. The more she opens up, the more I want to explore what happens when her passionate desires finally break free. This enemies-to-lovers, one-bed, rock-star romance hits every perfect note—wit, heat, and a duet that lingers in your soul long after the last note fades. If you love forced proximity, slow-burn tension that erupts into undeniable passion, and opposites who make soul-stirring music together, you’ll fall for Dirty Duet. Previously published in the Bite Out of Love collection—now with expanded scenes, bonus content, and a brand-new epilogue.

The Naga Exile's Frozen Mate: A Sci-Fi Monster Romance (Serpents of Serant #10) by Robin O'Connor

Frozen in ice. One touch to wake me. A storm of desire, and a planet that wants to eat us alive. Felicia They said deep space was lonely. They never warned me it could ache. After years in stasis, I wake to a dying ship, a broken world, and a man—or not quite a man—watching me like I’m oxygen after a lifetime of drowning. Levant’s voice slides through me like heat in the cold, his eyes promise sin, and when his tail brushes my skin, I forget how to breathe. He calls me his. Says the bond between us is written in the stars. I should fight him, focus on fixing my ship before it tears Serant apart. But every time he touches me, I want to shatter. The wind howls beyond the hull, but the real storm is the one he’s stirring beneath my skin. Levant I was sent to the pole as punishment. Alone. Exiled. Then I found her. Human. Fire-willed. Fragile in a way that makes my pulse burn. When I found her sleeping in the ice, the bond struck like lightning through my veins. My exile doesn’t matter now. Only her. The Council watches. The ice moans with the waking Revenants below. Her ship is unraveling, and the planet trembles with it. To protect her, I must bind her to me. To save her world, I may have to sacrifice my own. The longer I’m near her, the more I know, I’d let the universe fall if it meant keeping her in my arms. This is Book Ten in the Serpents of Serant series. This steamy sci-fi monster romance features an exiled Naga Shaman, a bold human explorer, and a sizzling HEA.

The Alien Warrior's Valentine: A Sci-Fi Valentine (Sci-fi Holiday Specials #4) by Robin O'Connor

On a struggling alien vineyard, the only thing harder than surviving is letting someone get close. Mariska I have two years to make this work, and time is running out. The cozy small town is scary when the Aderians are all empaths who seem to know your innermost thoughts. I came to Llykhe to escape, to find myself again. The vineyard granted to me by the Aderians is supposed to be my salvation, even if it’s rundown and the machines are failing. I have space, but not the privacy I came for. Then there’s Jeltom. Grumpy and silent, he’s not your typical Aderian empath. When I ask him for help, he actually says no. With Valentine coming, I wonder if explaining a human holiday and asking him to share it is brave or foolish. Jeltom I hadn’t come home to fall for anyone. After being shot, I want simple: familiar air, quiet nights, and absolutely no responsibilities. Then Mariska crosses my path, human and shy like a skittish animal. Giving her my help when she needs it is easy. It feels like the purpose I’ve been searching for all my life. When she mentions a custom called Valentine, a strange human ritual, I don’t understand it, but I want to. Not for tradition’s sake, but for hers. This human might just be the one thing my people have forgotten how to find: my fated mate. The Alien Warrior’s Valentine is a standalone Valentine-themed steamy sci-fi romance featuring a scarred alien warrior searching for home, and a traumatized human looking for peace. This is a story of love and redemption. It’s cozy, sweet, with a little action and a whole lot of romance.

Never Text a Minotaur: A Cozy Monster Romance (Wrong Move, Right Monster) by Honey Phillips

She wanted a ladder. She got a minotaur. Clara Bellweather’s professional life is a meticulously organized system of color-coded calendars, perfectly cataloged books, and emergency backup bookmarks. Unfortunately, her personal life is a chaotic mess of tripping over air and failed online dates. In desperate need of a ladder for the annual spring reading event, Clara does what any socially awkward librarian would do—she texts her handsome new neighbor. Or, at least, she thinks she texts him. A series of awkward texts leads to an even more awkward meeting where she discovers that she’s actually been exchanging messages with a massive, horned minotaur. Rion is gruff, reclusive, and intimidating but he's also unexpectedly kind and ridiculously handsome. After recruiting Rion to help with her event, she starts to realize that the grumpy minotaur might be the only male in town who isn't completely and utterly wrong for her. The library needs a ladder. The town needs a festival. And Clara needs to stop having feelings for a minotaur who's probably allergic to sunshine. (Each book in the Wrong Move, Right Monster series can be read as a standalone. These sweet and spicy romances are intended for mature readers.)

They Meet in Dreams by H. B. Wasiak

It’s 1999, and Max Reid’s summer takes a strange turn when a boy in his dreams starts feeling way too real. Seventeen-year-old Max seems to have it all—friends, attention, the kind of effortless charm that makes people look twice—but inside, his life feels hollow. He drifts through his days avoiding his mother’s meltdowns and going along with whatever life puts in front of him. Everything changes when he starts dreaming of a boy named Andy. Andy is nothing like anyone Max has ever met. He’s unguarded, honest, a little bit weird—the kind of person Max didn’t realize he’d been missing in his life. He makes Max feel truly seen. But here's the weird part: Andy insists he isn’t just a dream, but a real person, sharing the dreams with Max. Max doesn’t believe him, of course. That would be insane. And yet, night after night, he escapes into that hidden world, forming a bond more vivid and intense than anything he experiences when he wakes up. But the dreams are changing. Andy is hiding something. Whenever Max asks him to meet in real life, he refuses. He won’t explain why, leaving Max questioning everything, including his own sanity. Max is determined to prove Andy exists, because if the dreams end… what is he supposed to do with feelings for someone who might not be real at all? And sooner or later, everybody wakes up. They Meet in Dreams is a bittersweet, coming-of-age story about identity, emotions, and depression. It explores what it means to love someone you may never truly have.

Hidden Away with the Mountain Man (Valor In The Mountains Series) by Lilah Hart

When nowhere feels safe, a gruff mountain man offers shelter, silence, and more. I defended myself. The internet destroyed me for it. One viral video. Fifteen seconds. No context, no explanation—just me, standing up to a man who wouldn’t keep his hands off me, while millions of strangers decided who I was. So I ran. I didn’t plan an escape. I didn’t even notice the snowstorm until it swallowed the road whole. I was just trying to reach my brother’s cabin in the mountains—somewhere I could disappear until the world forgot my face. That’s when I hit the bear. Not a real bear. A chainsaw-carved mailbox holder. One careless moment in a blizzard that left it splintered in the snow. I could’ve driven off. No one would’ve known. But that’s not who I am. So I knocked on a stranger’s door at midnight, shaking in my work uniform, ready to confess. The man who answered was big, gruff, and clearly irritated—until he looked at me like he could see straight through every defense I had left. T.J. didn’t know about the video. Didn’t care about my body. Didn’t reduce me to fifteen seconds of someone else’s narrative. He saw the bruise on my arm and wanted to burn the world down for me. He listened to my story and believed me without hesitation. One night. One storm. One man who saw the real me when the rest of the world refused to. Sometimes love doesn’t come from being understood by everyone— but from being believed by one stranger in the woods with a mailbox he never liked anyway. They’ve served their time in the armed forces. They’ve faced battles most people could never imagine. They carry the scars—emotional and physical—to prove it. Now these gruff, off-the-grid mountain men want nothing more than peace and solitude. What they don’t expect? For her to walk into their lives. She’s half his age. She’s completely off-limits—maybe she’s the landlord’s daughter, his daughter's best friend, his best friend’s little girl, the sheriff’s daughter, his younger nanny, or the girl next door he watched grow up. She’s the temptation he swore he’d never touch. And yet, in the quiet of the mountains, the lines start to blur… and resisting her might be the hardest mission of his life. Each book in the Valor In The Mountains series is a standalone romance with high heat, real heart, and the kind of spice that will warm you all year long.