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Returning to You by Gwen Tolios Monicaâs relationship with her father is falling apart, made more obvious when her return to Madison after years aboard results in him throwing her out of the house. Lisa Carson, her BFF and old college roommate, takes her in. Turns out Lisa has her own issues with her parents â theyâre pushing her to date despite her lack of desire. So when Monica joins a Carson family dinner, she lies and says itâs starting a relationship with Lisa that brought her back to America. Lisa goes along with the ruse â it gets her parents off her back and itâs only until Monica repairs her relationship with her father and moves out. What Monica failed to take into account however is that crush she had on Lisa in college? Yeah, that didnât go away. |
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Everybody's Missing (Somebody) (Stake Sauce Arc 2) by RoAnna Sylver Arc 2, In Which: Our friends, some old and some new, must awaken a powerful, centuries-old magical force - before an old enemy gets there first... Life for Jude is finally getting back to normal - or as normal as it gets when your new boyfriend has fangs, your old maybe-boyfriend isn't dead after all (and has even bigger fangs), and everyone's scrambling to adjust their lives accordingly. There's enough to worry about without evil, ancient vampires closing in, preparing dark rituals, and threatening to undo everything Jude, Pixie, and their loved ones have built together. But as they've all seen, normal doesn't tend to last for long. And it's hard to shake the feeling that something's missing. But then, it seems like everybody's missing somebody. |
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Hurricane Ryan by Katya Summers Carly had been the top lifeguard at Sea Side Cove for two years when Ryan arrived. Thereâs an instant spark between them after they meet during a rescue, but Carly has issues sheâs afraid will scare him away. None of that matters when they find themselves in the path of a Category 5 hurricane, and Ryan has to find her when she runs off into the storm. |
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The Blood We Spill by Jo Havens What would make the most ruthless ice-queen assassin in the Kingdom hesitate? Bound to the Kingdom for life, Cie serves a cruel King, her knives pledged to his word, her life at his mercy. She is also one of the Kingdomâs most privileged slaves â one of the Praetoria: five of the best, sworn to protect the Prince and, one day, to rule at his side. Itâs not a bad life â luxurious parties in any of the eighteen worlds, beautiful women falling over themselves to land in her bed, her orders to be obeyed by over forty-eight billion citizens. But when a routine job goes spectacularly wrong, Cie discovers there is a witness to her failure â a witness to a political assassination the King would never want revealed. Itâs Cieâs intense misfortune that the witness is a beauty â a woman with sweet, warm skin that Cie longs to sink into, with deep, brown eyes that hold promises that Cie has only ever dreamt of, a woman whose embrace offers a gentleness and a kindness Cie craves above all else. Jemma thought sheâd been in love before, but when she falls for the Kingâs assassin, she falls hard. Cie burns her up â the assassin plays fast and loves harder, and Jemmaâs head is whirling even as her body is thrilled. Jemma watches as a growing terrorist threat pushes the King to madness and Cieâs orders become more and more violent. The woman she thinks she loves is steeped in red. Is it even possible for a girl from the suburbs to love a person so drenched in blood? |
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Stake Sauce (Arc 1: The Secret Ingredient Is Love. No, Really) by RoAnna Sylver Jude used to leap out of helicopters to rescue/protect people from terrifying infernos. Now, by day, he protects the local mall from rowdy teenagers who ride their skateboards inside. By night, he protects the the parking lot, and the rest of Portland, from undead, bloodsucking creatures of the darkness. Or would if he could find them. Pixie refuses to bite anyone. Assault/murder/draining fluids isnât punk, even if being a vampire really kind of is. Heâs very hungry by now, and the much bigger, meaner, deadlier vamps kick him around on the nightly. Jude would love to find and fight some actual undead bullies. And Pixie could use some help staying⊠âalive.â Time to make a deal. Of course, life still sucks when youâre a vampire who refuses to suck blood. Fortunately, thereâs a really interesting new barbecue restaurant in the mall, with an intriguing new recipe. (They say the secret ingredient is⊠love. No, really.) |
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"I loved this sweet romance! The chemistry between Seth and Patrice was palpable, and I was rooting for them from the beginning." -Lacie Waldon author of From the Jump. "I couldn't put it down! It was just what I needed, to get lost in a story with characters I couldn't get enough of, taking me on a journey of wild fun and romance." -Allyson Martinek, Morning host 100.3 WNIC and author of Living On Air. Life isn't always a walk in the park, but when Patrice takes her Pomeranians to the park after a rough day at the office, fate steps in. An unlikely hero comes to the rescue when one of her dogs gets loose. Short, pale, and kind of cute, Seth doesn't have a lot of confidence with the ladies, but he hits it off with Patrice. But some things might be too good to be true. While Patrice wonders if Seth could possibly be "the one", fate steps in again with a horrible twist. Will it be a deal breaker or just a storm before bright blue skies? |
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Scotsman in the Stacks by Alana Oxford "Fresh and charming - a heart-warming must read romance." - Sandy Barker, author of A Sunrise Over Bali. "Scotsman in the Stacks is a delightfully sweet, cosy romance for book lovers." - Kiley Dunbar, author of The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday For fans of low-angst, slow burn, closed door romance. Paige wants two things: to land a full time librarian job and find the man of her dreams. On the cusp of thirty, she finds herself suddenly single and working part-time in a Michigan library. A handsome patron with a delicious accent appears at the reference desk, inadvertently sparking an idea that might help her land the promotion she so desperately needs. But that's not the only thing he sparks. James is in town from Glasgow, Scotland, on a summer artist residency. Luckily, the trip got him away from the pressure he feels to take over his uncle's river tour business. He only wanted to clear his head and make his art in peace, but he wasn't counting on finding an attractive librarian to fill his days. With only eight weeks before James goes home to Scotland, Paige knows she should protect her heart. After all, she already wasted years with her commitmentphobe ex. But the more she gets to know James, the less she can stick to her plan to just be friends. Is she just wasting her time again, or can they bridge the ocean between them to find a happily ever after of their own? |
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Epilogues for Lost Gods by Cat Rector Sigyn: We survived Ragnarok and tried to usher in a new era. Now the realms consist of two minuscule factions encamped in the remnants of Asgard and Vanaheim. But the gods are greedy. Anyone not under Asgard's control must fall. When they come, they're going to win. The realms are empty. There's no one left to help us. No one except the dead in Helheim. _________ Loki: When I died, I took everyone with me. Almost everyone. I've waited for Sigyn every day, but she never comes. Never dies. Everyone down here knows what I did. Who I am. And I must live-exist-with the weight of that guilt, those scars. She's going to come back someday, and I'm going to be alright. Be better. I'd do anything for her. I'd do anything to be with her. If only she'd ask. _________ Epilogues for Lost Gods is a story about grief and healing, and is the final chapter of The Goddess of Nothing At All |
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Witch of Ware Woods by Sonja F Blanco Dark secrets. Dangerous power. And a fate bound to a forest entwined with magic. Eighteen-year-old Sara is not normal, and sheâs losing her grip on hiding her inexplicable power. Hunted by a dark witch and facing devastating losses, Sara finds refuge in Ware Woodsâa spellbinding forest protected by witches, shapeshifters . . . and thorny secrets. Here she discovers true magic and an electric connection with Thomas, a wickedly charming and equally headstrong witch from a dangerous family. But Sara is an outsider who has brought darkness and a fatal prophecy to the forest. To prove she belongs in Ware Woods, Sara is tested and pushed to master new magics, all while concealing the monstrous force that makes her undeniably different. As the dark witch closes in on her and an insidious blight threatens Ware Woods, Sara must release her full powerâand either save the forest and everyone she loves or destroy everything. If you like fast-paced wonder, magnetic characters, deadly magic, forbidden romance, and a world so fresh you can smell the pine trees, Witch of Ware Woods is your next fantasy escape. |
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What The Stars Didn't Show Us by Margherita Scialla Life isn't easy when you have a brother who's always considered better than you. Hyunsuk's situation is even worse since he shares the same face as his so-called perfect twin. His life starts to change, however, when a new student arrives at his school and she sees something in him no one else had ever bothered to look for. Hialeah, already too familiar with the feeling of being alone, is set on befriending him, but can Hyunsuk finally come out of his twinâs shadow and open up to someone, when his brother makes it clear he doesnât want him to find happiness? |
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In the aftermath of WWI, Adelaide Frost is on the run from a family who do not understand her. Hoping to do some good, she signs up to become a nurse at Ashthorne, a manor house newly designated as a convalescence home for injured soldiers. She quickly falls in love with the ownerâs daughter, Evelyn, who hides a warm heart beneath a chilly exterior. But Evelyn has her suspicions about whatâs really happening at the hospital, and as Adelaide helps her investigate, it soon becomes apparent that there are more inhabitants residing at Ashthorne than first thought. A romantic Gothic treat perfect for fans of Sarah Waters and The Haunting of Bly Manor |
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Blood & Ravens by A.D. Brazeau The Originals meets Dracula in this new paranormal romance series. Set in the French Quarter of 1728, where nothing is as it seems. 22-year-old Greer is ripped from her small Paris life and thrust into the world of the casket girls of New Orleans. There she finds herself living in a convent, promised to a man who is a stranger to her. As Greer begins to experience dreams of a nightly visitor she calls the Dark Knight, she awakens to a frightening fact, the visions are real - Greer and her friends are being fed upon by whatever lurks in their casket-shaped cases. Theron, a demon cursed by Hades to live his eternity as a blood-sucking vampire, finds his bitter, cold heart, warming to the woman who was to be nothing more than food. As he finds himself falling under her spell, he helps her and her friends, putting himself firmly in the path of Hadesâ wrath. To free Theron, and save her friends, Greer must offer a sacrifice to the lord of the Underworld, but will it be enough, especially when Hades is the least of their problems? |
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Kiss Me Deadly by Jessie Thomas A necromancer and a vampire walk into a cemeteryâŠand if youâre wondering how this joke ends, that makes two of us. Iâm Seraphina Mason, Buffaloâs only resident necromancer. While other people are on normal sleep schedules doing regular human things, I spend my nights conjuring spirits, resurrecting the dead, and sometimes a bit of poltergeist removal, if you need it. But Iâm not even the most dangerous nocturnal creature lurking around the cemeteries. Thatâs where vampire Nathaniel Caligari waltzes inâall devastating eternal beauty and brooding charm, ready to ruin my life. Heâd rather have a wooden stake shoved through his chest than ask for my help, yet here we are. Turns out the bloodsucker has something of a heart after all because heâs desperate, fearing his missing son is dead. Neither of us are excited about this, but I could really use the paycheck. So, weâre just going to have to set aside our petty insults and work together before this city buries his kid. If we donât kill each other first. |
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As You Wish (Shatterproof Bond #1) by Isobel Starling 1 wedding, 2 best men, one hell of a love story! Declan Ramsay was set to be the best man at his brother's wedding in Scotland, sharing the best man duties with the bride's gay kid brother Sam. Sam was abroad finishing his studies so the best men communicated by email for more than a year and wouldn't meet for the first time until a few days before the wedding But on meeting Sam Aiken, Declan is surprised to see he isn't a kid at all, but a striking, athletic blond man with gorgeous green eyes and a wicked sense of humor. Declan is alarmed by the ferocious attraction he feels for Sam. And as the attraction is reciprocated, the events at Dunloch Castle change everything Declan has ever believed about himself. But is Sam Aiken all he appears to be? Also available in paperback and as an award-winning audiobook, narrated by Gary Furlong. |
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'Love Is A Stranger' by John Wiltshire Ex-SAS soldier Ben Rider falls in love with his enigmatic married boss Sir Nikolas Mikkelsen, but Nikolas is living a lie. A lie so profound that when the shadows are lifted, Ben realises he's in love with a very dangerous stranger. Ben has to choose between Nikolas and safety, but sometimes danger comes in a very seductive package. |
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Cambion's Blood by Erin Fulmer "I may have been a whole damn mess, but I was a whole damn mess on a mission." Half-succubus attorney Lily Knight has blood on her hands. Haunted by guilt, behind on her rent, and facing professional disgrace, Lily must figure out how to survive in the wreckage of her former life. To make ends meet, she accepts a contract job she never wanted but canât refuseâhunting another demon murderer. This time, the victims are human, and a shadowy government agency will reward Lily with a way out of her dire financial straits. If Lily doesnât solve the case before the news gets out, fear and hatred will put all demonkind at risk from the proverbial torch-carrying mob. But when a young succubus on the run from the authorities begs for her help, Lily faces a new conflict of interestâespecially after the suspect, Eve, reveals her father is Lilyâs old frenemy. Now Lily must juggle the pressures of a high-stakes murder case, her complicated relationship with her ânot-boyfriendâ Sebastian, and responsibility for a wayward teenager as she races to find the real culprit. When her investigation brings her face to face with an ancient, implacable entity fixated on bloody justice, Lily must reckon with her worst fear: the truth about what went down with Eveâs father in the desertâand its consequences. If you love Richelle Mead, Lisa Edmonds, or Seanan McGuire, discover a paranormal mystery series complete with a fierce heroine that will have you begging for the next book! |
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Lawyer. Demon. Lily Knight is bothâhalf-human, half-succubus, and utterly dangerous. Lily protects her secret and the safety of those around her by abstaining from the skin-to-skin contact that would grant her superhuman powers. An ambitious criminal prosecutor, sheâs all work and no play, determined to prove herself in the courtroom to atone for the ex-lovers sheâs left for dead in her past. But after a fellow succubus turns up murdered and the police arrest an innocent man, Lily discovers evidence of a supernatural killer stalking the foggy San Francisco streets. And when human justice falls short, she launches an unsanctioned investigation to find the real culprit. To stop the killer, she must embrace the full power of her heritage and risk the soul of the handsome suspect she canât help but fall for. Can Lily face her true nature without losing her humanityâor will she become the monster she fears most of all? If you love Richelle Mead, Lisa Edmonds, or Seanan McGuire, discover a paranormal mystery series complete with a fierce heroine that will have you begging for the next book! |
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Beauty in the Breakdown by Tegan Anderson "We can't hide like this forever, Josh. How did we even get into this mess?" Family. Money. Run. Three things that Josh Ray and Clara Roberts have their entire life based around. It's an endless loop of get away from family, get money and get running. After a few months of what feels like stability, Josh and Clara have to start the cycle all over again until everything finally comes to an end. There was something beautiful in the way that things broke down. 'Beauty in the Breakdown' represents the importance of trust and self-discovery in an unstable lifestyle through the eyes of Josh Ray, someone who believes that there is always something beautiful in a breakdown. |
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Paper Forests by Tegan Anderson âWhile your children and grandchildren are away, I like to think that theyâre visiting a fantastic place, somewhere where they arenât restrained by an illness or held back by their own emotions, a place where there is nothing but health and happiness to greet them.â Once upon a time, Oliver wakes up in a Forest full of magic and monsters, not quite dead, but not quite alive either. He wakes with three other people whose lives have been cut short, each more tragically than the last. Together, they embark on a journey that will take them deep into the heart of the Forest, where they will have to face the ghosts of their pasts and their long-hidden secrets. Secrets that will force Oliver to choose between finding a new life in the trees and finding a way home. Welcome to the Paper Forest. |
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The Brother's Curse (The Brother's Curse Saga Book 1) by Christine M. Germain A year after the brutal death of her parents, Crystal Francois moves back home to the eerie small town of Lakeview Falls. When one of her neighbors goes away abruptly leaves his home to be watched by a young man named Jason Warwick, Crystal finds herself falling for him instantly because of his charming ways and dashing good looks. Two weeks before her 25th birthday, she receives a rare antique purple amethyst stone necklace left for her by her late mother; A necklace with a deadly past and horrible consequences when worn. She finds out that wearing the necklace causes her and her friends to be the target of two sadistic tyrannical evil 18th-century old Shapeshifter brothers who will not stop till they find her and retrieve the chariot stone necklace that holds their father and 24 demonic Shapeshifters captive. When young men from town go missing, bodies appear eaten or skinned alive. Lakeview Falls is on high alert. It doesn't take long for Crystal to discover that the new guy in town isn't who he claims to be or if he is even human. |
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Skins & Needles by Bailey Elizabeth Two souls, too many secrets. What makes the criminal organizations of Phoenix, Arizona so efficient, and so untraceable? Charlotte Acosta doesn't know, nor does she care to find out. She just wants to tattoo her heart out and stay on the bad guys' good sides. But when one of her regular clients invites her to a glitzy party with all the city's most dangerous in attendance, she can't help but accept. She's neutral ground, after all. What could possibly go wrong? Arsen Volkov never wanted a tattoo. He was only in the shop for his brotherâs midday appointment. Yet something about the zany, red-haired, spitfire of an artist makes him want to change his mind. But how can he justify his attraction to her when they come from two different worlds? Not to mention species... |
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âWho are you?â I asked when I caught her, grabbing hold of her arms and trapping them at her sides. Violetâs cheeks were flushed from exertion, and her eyes twinkled with mischief as she wiggled a hand free and reached into my coat pocket. She withdrew the key, unlocked the door behind her, and tugged me into the suite. âCome find out.â â Vitale Fierro, a mafia Capo in the height of his career, finds himself thrown off balance when a sporadic, Christmas Eve hookup with a fiery art student leads to unexpected feelings. Violet accepts his criminal status in stride, but there's one problem; the two of them come from different worlds, and marrying outsiders is forbidden by mafia law. |
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V is for Venice by Bailey Elizabeth BOOK 2 Violet Harcourt has finally escaped her past. She avenged her sister, regained her love of painting, and ran away from the mafia Estate she was imprisoned in. Now, she has the chance to live the life she wanted before her quest for vengeance. But can she truly be happy when the man that helped her feel alive again is left behind in the very place she fled? Violet may be fast, but she canât run forever. Vitale Fierro lost the love of his life when he let slip that she could never be more than his mistress under mafia law. She left him with heartbreak, and the sole ambition to find her and bring her home, never to lose her again. But when his duties as Underboss of the powerful Salvaggi Family begin to conflict with his search for Violet, it all begins to slip. Someone is killing off members of the Family, and a certain purple-haired woman is hired to find them. |
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V is for Violet by Bailey Elizabeth Vengeance. Vendetta. Violence. These three words are all Violet Harcourt knows. For years, her world has been centered around killing Bill Pfeiffer, the hitman who murdered her father and sister. She's learned the criminal underground inside and out while masquerading as a quiet art student, bringing her closer and closer to her target. Now, it's time to blow her cover, and Bill Pfeiffer's brains out. Vitale Fierro lives a carefree life at the top of the Salvaggi Mafia. Business has been good, and Chicago isnât a bad place to call home when youâre a professional criminal. But when a girl with purple hair murders the Familyâs prized hitman, heâs given the responsibility of what to do with her. To kill, or not to kill seems to be the ultimate questionâ one he must answer while managing a promotion, taking down a rival Family, and trying not to fall in love. |
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Falling Through the Weaving by Leia Talon With elements of Outlander, Thor, and The Time Traveler's Wife, book one in the ROOTS AND STARS series follows a time-traveling minstrel who weaves her destiny with three men in alternate histories, and plunges so far into the past that dragons still exist. As Sheltaâs music bridges worlds, her fate is intertwined with three men who share the same soul: A Scottish spymaster. An ex-vigilante hunted by outlaws. A Viking demigod with the secrets of dragons. To be a family they must pay Time's price: Love. Grieve. Surrender. Fight. PRAISE FOR FALLING THROUGH THE WEAVING: "A spellbinding, genre-bending delight for fans of romance and fantasy alike.â â Kat Turner âThis book is sweet and steamy with a dreamy vibe that will suck you in. Like cowboys? How about Scottish Lords? Maybe you prefer Norsemen. Dragons? Blend Outlander and Game of Thrones with a few cowboys and gods and youâll almost capture the essence. Falling Through the Weaving has something for every romance reader.â â Elysia Lumen Strife âSheltaâs journey of discovery left me with an enormous sense of peace and trust. A vivid and lyrical adventure. I look forward to the next part of the tale!â â Halla Williams âTalon has the timeless voice of a classic, undying author. From beginning to end, the writing was masterful⊠each page a new brushstroke against the canvas of not just one life, but many across time. I really felt like I was living it with her.â â Kristina Castillo âThis is some seriously good series writing. Some series start slow, but this isn't one of them. This was on full boil almost from the first paragraph and it did what seems the impossible. Gave us a place to stop and catch our breath without doing any harm to the next book. It's just remarkably well done; you will absolutely love it.â â Tom Wacker |
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Second Star to the Left by Megan Van Dyke Tinker Bell, banished from her homeland for doing the unthinkable, selling the hottest drug in Neverlandâpixie dustâwants absolution. Determined to find a way home, Tink doesnât hesitate to follow the one lead she has, even if that means seducing a filthy pirate to steal precious gems out from under hisâŠhook. Captain Hook believes heâs found a real treasure in Tink. That is, until he recovers from her pixie dust laced kiss with a curse that turns the seas against him. With his ship and reputation at the mercy of raging storms, he tracks down the little minx and demands she remove the curse. Too bad she canât. However, the mermaid queen has a solution to both of their problems, if Tink and Hook will work together to retrieve a magical item for her. As they venture to the mysterious Shrouded Isles to find the priceless treasure, their shared nemesis closes in. However, his wrath is nothing compared to the realization that achieving their goal may mean losing something they never expected to findâeach other. |
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The Clan of the Moon Wolf - The Watcher's Monk by Kelly Strickland Morrow A family find they are descended from an ancient clan, the Tua De Denaan. Ancient ancestors appear to help them train to battle a rival clan and rescue one of their own. They are aided by "Light" Monks, and a supernatural pack of wolves, light orbs and Fae (Fairies). The Dark Skhaid seek to destroy a member of the clan who holds the key to their destruction. |
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The Garden of the Golden Children by Ashley Hutchison We all live somewhere. The children of Somewhere attend a prestigious Academy with a spectacular garden that celebrates its finest pupils. The history of the Academy is rich as chocolate, but things are not as they seem. Experimental and emotional, Ashley Hutchison delivers a somber, enchanting, and dark journey in this must-read literary fantasy. |
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The FInder of the Lucky Devil by Megan Mackie How can she keep her secret safe from his charms? When a charming and deadly corporate cyber-spy, shows up on the doorstep of Rune Leveau's bar, he wants only one thing: For the secretive Finder of the Lucky Devil to use her magical Talent to find a wanted criminal. This criminal is the key to something very special... she can lead him to a computer program rumored to do the impossible: cast magic spells. But Rune has a dangerous secret. She IS Anna Masterson. And despite the attraction between them, she refuses St. Benedict. If her secret gets discovered, she could lose everything again, even her life. The cyber-spy isn't going to take no for an answer. Not with his long-sought prize so close. |
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Luck has never really been on Chance's side. Fresh off a five year stint in prison, he's ready to start over, but all his plans come to a halt when he's murdered. Not one to let a little thing like death stop him, Chance sets out to track down his last worldly possession: the coin that brought him back to life. With his murderer trying to put him back in the grave, the last thing Chance needs is to find a reason to stay alive... Avery has been a mortician for close to a decade, and though he's had his fair share of strange experiences, he's never had a person wake up on him. When one does, his otherwise mundane life suddenly gets a lot more interesting. Post Mortem is an ownvoice gay thriller romance with trans MCs, low heat romance, and a HEA! Content Warning: Death; Emetophobia; Mild to moderate gore/violence and body horror (autopsy scars, mouth trauma); Past Drug Addiction; Drug Usage; References to Homophobia and Transphobia; Suicide; and Referenced Self Harm. |
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Gerald Poole And The Pirates by Johannes T. Evans Gerald Poole, a young Englishman, is miserable when he is dispatched abroad aboard a naval vessel, and is reluctantly attended to by the cold and put-upon Lieutenant Jack Wicks - this tense relationship is interrupted and put under pressure when the two are kidnapped by pirates. A novella with a little bit of adventure, M/M/M romance, and queerness in the 18th century Mediterranean! CONTENT THEMES & WARNINGS (POTENTIAL SPOILERS): This story is set at sea in the late 18th century, and throughout there is language and behaviour typical to the period, including racism, homophobia, and ableism throughout, as well as blood and violence. Itâs a kidnapping narrative, and therefore consent could be considered coerced, although everybody is enthusiastically consenting. Although there is no label applied due to the period, two protagonists are depicted as ADHD, Gerald Poole and Orion Thwaites. |
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Heart of Stone by Johannes T. Evans The year is 1764, and following a glowing recommendation from his last employer, Henry Coffey, vampire, takes on a new personal secretary: young Theophilus Essex. The man is quite unlike any secretary - or any man, for that matter - that Henry has ever met. --- 'Heart of Stone' is a slowly unfolding period romance between a vampire and his inimitably devoted clerk: lushly depicted in flowing, lovingly appended prose, we follow the slow understanding these two men grasp of one another, and the cross of their two worlds into each other's. Henry Coffey, immortal and ever-oscillating between periods of delighted focus upon his current passion project, is charming, witty, and seems utterly incapable of closing his mouth for more than a few moments; in contrast, Theophilus Essex is quiet and keenly focused, adopting an ever-flat affect, but as time goes on, he relaxes in his employer's presence. Craving resounding intimacy but with an ever aware of the polite boundaries for their situation, Coffey and Essex perform a slow dance as they grow closer to one another, and find themselves entangled. |
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The Syren Stories: Meraki & Kairos by Naomi Kelly MERAKI and KAIROS come together to form THE SYREN STORIES in a never-before-seen duology collection. In Meraki, seventeen-year-old Wren believes she has just swum away from the greatest threat in the sea. That's until she finds herself being hauled upon a warlord's boat. With her life at the mercy of a young, temperamental King, Wren must decide who is her ultimate enemy, and figure out what the Hel do the gods have planned? Syrens are bound to tell the truth, but that doesnât mean their lives cannot be riddled with lies. And in Kairos her adventure continues. Having survived the battle against Kestrel, and with spring arriving, everything appears to be going swimmingly for Wren- that is until an arrow knocks her out of the sky. When the mortals she defeated last winter come seeking retribution, Wren learns that although these mere men are not immortal, they have no problem biding their time. Revenge, after all, is a dish best served cold. And forgiveness is a gift which can swiftly be retracted. |
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Meraki: A Syren Story by Naomi Kelly Her song is a gift bestowed by the gods; so why does it feel like a curse? Seventeen-year-old Wren thinks she has just swum away from the greatest threat in the sea. That's until she finds herself being hauled upon a warlord's boat. With her life at the mercy of a young, temperamental King, Wren must decide who is her ultimate enemy. Can Fate be altered? What do gods have planned? Syrens are bound to tell the truth, but that doesnât mean their lives cannot be riddled with lies. |
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Soulmate, Stage Right by Bixby Jones Drama teacher Abby Devlin has always dreamed of being a world-famous actress. While stardom has, so far, proven elusive, she has made quite a name for herself at McMillan Playhouse, where sheâs just been cast in a self-written production. Her triumph quickly turns to dread, however, when she learns that McMillan has cast a soap star as her new leading man. After a painful divorce, Dean Altman, former soap star and a single dad, readjusted his priorities, moving back home to Galveston, Texas with his young daughter, Preslie. It doesnât take long for him to feel the itch to dust himself off and step back into the acting world, which brings him to McMillanâs stageâŠand Abbyâs attention. There is a fire between Abby and Dean when they meet in rehearsal, and not the good kind. Sizzling tension leads to drama both on and off-stage, but when they are forced to work together for the sake of the play, they slowly begin to give in to the undeniable chemistry between them. Before they truly have a chance to understand what they might have, however, an opportunity presents itself to Deanâone that could make or break what they have come to find in one another. Soulmate, Stage Right is an enemies-to-lovers, single dad romance, with quick progression and high-stakes emotion. It will appeal to contemporary romance fans, as well as fans of Hallmark movies. It is low on the heat, but high on the sweet, and can best be described as a romantic dramedy. |
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Mud Crab Kingdom: The Soft-Shelled Prince by Dr. Joel Anthony Hamilton In a time ruled by fair-skinned kings and racial divides, the son of a fair-skinned king and mud-skinned peasant, Marcious Leojé, spends his days far beyond his father's kingdom in the muddy mangroves with his best friend, Etel Duetman. Here, they form an unusual kinship with the native crabs and build a mud kingdom. These two mud-skinned teenagers feel invincible within this playground-sized fortress. The discrimination within the kingdom cannot reach them and the mud walls provide a sense of security. However, they soon learn that their kingdom is nothing more than a mud wall, as it is unable to protect those they love. Cast into despair and the unknown world, they must learn to build a kingdom capable of protecting those they love. Along their journey they encounter people who show them the products of love, war, and despair. However, Marcious cannot envision his product, his own kingdom. Everywhere, being mud-skinned is worse than murder, and being "different" is worse than being mud-skinned. Will his vow to create a kingdom withstand the rising tides or will it wash away like that of his childhood? |
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A Bargain with the Fae King (Courts of Faery Book 1) by Megan Van Dyke For Lia Ashmore, the only thing keeping her grief and guilt in check after an accident nearly killed her little sister, May, are her recurring dreams of Riven, a shadowed man whoâs become her confidant, a pleasant escape from the pain of reality. When May is taken by animalistic dark Fae, Lia journeys to Faery, desperate to save her sister. There, she comes face to face with three shocking truths: Riven is real, heâs not human, and in fact, heâs the King of the Forest Fae. They strike a bargain. Heâll help her save May in exchange for what he wants: Lia as his consort. But saving her sister is not as easy as either expected, and a failed rescue attempt reignites an age-old conflict between Fae courts. As her relationship with Riven blossoms, Lia becomes increasingly entangled in bitter rivalries and political power plays. In a world where no one can lie but everyone has secrets, Lia will have to decide who to trust. The choice alone could cost her heart, but the wrong one may demand her lifeâand her sisterâs. |
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Moonlight Love and Witchcraft by Vaela Denarr & Micah Iannandrea âI love you. And I need you like the blood in my veins. Without you I wouldnât be me.â A werewolf and a vampire with an unbreakable bond. A cute witch fleeing her home for a crime she may or may not have committed. A burning desire for something more between them. Years after becoming a vampire, Logan is finally on track to their goal: Making it big in the music industry with the support of their band and their girlfriend Kay, protector of the local supernatural community. For all its issues, with her by their side, Loganâs life is perfect. But when a new girl comes to town, Nemo, everything abruptly becomes much more complicated and Logan canât ask Kay for help anymore. Because to do that, theyâd have to admit to her that theyâve fallen for someone else⊠Nemo, having fled her home for a crime she totally didnât commit, finds a welcome distraction in Loganâs friendship. But her thoughts quickly become haunted by them and their gorgeous girlfriend⊠As Kay realizes that whatâs going on between Logan and Nemo exceeds the bounds of friendship, she has to make a choice: Keep her partner all to herself, or encourage them to explore their feelings, and explore her own. To let love make them one, or perhaps tear them apart. |
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Something Between Us by D.T. Brandt Raith is an Ichthien, a water-dwelling species that wears a mask on shore to protect the humans that live there from falling victim to their coercive siren-like voices. He has a crush on Cam, a human who works at the forge where Raith delivers carts of oreballs dredged from the lake floor. Once they finally meet cute and start spending time together, Raith begins to fall prey to the expectations of others and the constraints of their separate worlds. Meanwhile, Raith's sister Kiela is trying to uncover a secret about the Ichthiens' past that he doesn't think even exists. As her research chips away at his doubts it also uncovers a possible path forward with Cam, but at a steep cost that Raith must be certain he's willing to pay. |
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Anstey's Revenge by Susan Hancock He'd imagined himself safe, restored, with her beside him; instead he's lost and alone and he can't reach her anymore Kat hadn't wanted to return to the underground world of the Aurigan refugees. But giving birth in the outside world of sixteenth-century Earth was too dangerous for a half-Aurigan, half-human like her. Thankfully she now has a precious baby daughter, but the price is isolation from the world she knows and loves. She also has to bear the nightly misery of seeing Thomas, her husband, slip further away from her as he battles appalling memories which threaten to overwhelm him completely. Thomas can see no escape. He cannot envisage a future with the love of his life. In the darkness of depression he compares his own helplessness with the power only Kat can access. Beyond that, he will never share with her the full extent of what happened to him as Anstey's captive, and questions whether he can let her share his mind or his bed again. The desperate pair try to make a new life beyond the confines of the exiled community. Kat battles to save him. Malign fate has much worse in store for them. A natural disaster threatens Kat and their baby, while both new and old enemies have plans that will bring them to their knees. In Surviving Anstey (Anstey's Kingdom Book 1) Kat discovered she was not wholly human and fell in love with a man from beyond the stars. Thomas, an exile from a war torn planet, saved her from death and gave her his heart. It seemed as though a brand new life awaited them. But in Anstey's Revenge, the lovers seem to be fated to be wrenched apart. As this sequel draws to a close, they both must ask... will love be enough? |
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Forest Magic by M. A. Phillips Lacey and Cian embrace a new path in life, but fresh mysteries and dangers stalk the forest around their home. The dreams and visions that once guided Lacey have gone silent, and Cianâs own intuition blossoms whether he wants it to or not. With their abilities transforming, and tragedy at their heels, can Lacey and Cian do what they must to protect their family and Pagan community, even when one of their greatest threats ever comes from within? |
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Hearth Magic by M. A. Phillips After the events of RIVER MAGIC, Cian OâConnor and Anthony Russo must grapple with their relationship to the land, the spirit realm, and each other. One man wants to support Lacey and protect her from another otherworldly maelstrom. The other needs her help as he confronts an angry presence in his home so he can move on with a new lover. Are Cian and Anthonyâs lives more entwined than they ever imagined? âThe medium, the conservationist, and the poacher, all drawn together by a cord of fate.â A new Rituals of Rock Bay tale featuring kitchen magic, romance, redemption, and the spiritual bonds that link us. |
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Where Fate Whispers by E. G. Tudor BOOK ONE IN THE FATED PARTNERS TRILOGY In the Twin Realms of Nos and Sol, Ceridwen Moonshade anxiously awaits the Fated Pair Choosing; she hopes to be partnered with her best friend, Malakai Ostara. But the Fates have other plans. Something insidious lurks amongst the shadows, and Ceridwenâs whole life will turn on its head, when an ominous prophecy is foretold. In order to save the realms and stave back the horrors of the lower realm of Fog, she must put aside her own growing feelings for Malakai and do what is right. But in the process of discovering who she really is, and what she is capable of⊠will she realise that Fate isnât always set in stone? |
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Ask Me For Fire by Halli Starling The tall pines, the thick mist, the birdsong above his head.. Barrett loves everything about living outside the remote mountain town of Lake Honor, but especially the peace and quiet. His days as a forest ranger are filled with unpredictable adventure, so home is the one place he knows he can count on. But even home has been a surprise of late, as his next door neighbor and good friend has suddenly passed away, and the house has been sold to someone new. Heâs not sure this change will be good. When the new neighbor, Ambrose, arrives, Barrett realizes that the man is a loner, like himself, and clearly not looking for a friend. Which is a pity, because Barrett finds him fascinating and incredibly good looking. Ambrose didnât move to the outskirts of nowhere to make a friend. But Barrett, his new neighbor, is kind and generous, and has soft brown eyes he canât stop thinking about. As he slowly warms up to Barrett, fate finds a way to push them together when danger and sabotage strike. Barrett saves Ambroseâs life, and their bond is cemented. Ambrose isnât sure about letting in someone new, but Barrett hasnât proven to be anything but a good person. And a handsome one at that. As their lives entangle, and their relationship grows, neither man can ignore the attraction between them. But their pasts are complicated; an ex-boyfriend reappears, an estranged parent tries to get in contact, and Barrettâs nephew falls ill. On top of that, the sabotage of forest ranger equipment grows more dangerous and Barrett is pulled into the investigation. Both men want to take their relationship slow, even with all the drama swirling around them. Ask Me For Fire is a love story drenched in atmosphere, suspense, and heartfelt connections. |
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Twelfth Moon by Halli Starling Elsieâs a small town with a lot of heart. Isnât that how most small town romance stories begin? But this isnât any love story. These five stories cross paths and connections, age, gender, sexuality, and different kinds of relationships. Stories like that of Harriet, the owner of Twelfth Moon perfumery and adopted mother to her nephew, Nu. Harriet always figured sheâd be single for the rest of her life, but Dela Atwater appearing in her shop one blustery autumn day sparks something within her. A bit of romance and longing sheâd long thought buried. And what about Nu, Harrietâs nephew? Heâs quickly falling for Miles, who works in the coffee shop next door to Twelfth Moon. The shop is owned by Milesâs brother, Jones, who has his own ideas about sex and lust and romance (or lack thereof). Across town, Maeve is learning how to exist as a widower but when they meet Evie, a spark is lit. And Yuri, Nuâs best friend, is anxiously awaiting the holidays so he can see his girlfriend, Beckett, once more. It's about hope and joy and queer love in so many shapes and forms, from the author of the dark fantasy/romance novel Wilderwood ("...will shatter readersâ expectations with its bewitching complexities..." - The BookLife Prize). |
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Wilderwood is a haven for those who have been cast out of âproperâ society: academics, artists, the eccentrics and undesirous. It is also home to other kind and having weres, mages, and even an ancient griffin living amongst mortals just isnât done. Except in Wilderwood. Octavia Wilder cares for those who live in the town her ancestor built and when a feral vampire threatens the peace, she partners with the Ranger who has brought word of the threat. Ranger Roderick Arman hunts Corbin Luther, the feral vampire who killed his partner two years ago. When Lutherâs trail leads him to the odd little town of Wilderwood, he quickly realizes thereâs more to the town â and his hunt â than expected. Ranger Bellemy Eislen disappeared two years ago when what was to be a quick trip to the Faelands on behalf of the Rangers went entirely wrong. Trapped in another realm, they tirelessly sought a way back to their world. And to Wilderwood and Octavia. The three of them must fight to save Wilderwood from an invasion from another realm and protect the town from the Faelands Queen. Wilderwood is a fantasy/romance book with some violent and sexual elements. The story features a polyamorous, queer romance between three consenting adults. |
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Structural Strain by Tabitha O'Connell After realizing how badly he was failing his partner, Yaan promised to do better. Being open and vulnerable with Kel isnât exactly easy, but itâs worth it for the closeness they now share. Kel, meanwhile, continues to combat his conflict-avoidant nature and be honest about his own wants and needs. The payoff includes not just an increase in affection from Yaan, but also Yaan getting to know his family, and even pledging to help get the old neighborhood theaterâthe catalyst for their reconciliationâopen again. When Yaan begins noticing other ways the city government he works for has failed its working-class residents, his renewed commitment to Kel leads him to push back against his bossâs policies. Kel, however, is concerned Yaan might be taking on too much. When heâs proven right, their relationship will be tested anew, as Yaan is forced to decide what really matters to him and Kel must choose how far heâs willing to go for Yaanâs sake. |
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Pulsus Cordis Mei-The Pulse of my Heart (Omnia Vincit Amor Book 3) by Maxime Jaz For when you breathe, I am your air. For when your heart beats, I am its pulse. For when you are far away, look at our star. When events out of their control split the family apart, Marius, Kyle, and Claudia are challenged beyond belief. In the desperate race for power, their enemies will stop at nothing to ensure they destroy Marius and those he loves. Kyle and Claudia have to navigate treacherous waters in Rome to deal with their adversaries, and separate allies from foes, whereas Marius has his own struggles to deal with, far from his loved ones. As an unexpected and shattering blow leaves them reeling, Kyle has to be stronger than ever before to keep them from sinking into despair. Will their enemies finally shatter the small family, or will their love prevail, and conquer all? |
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Avis Aurea-The Golden Bird (Omnia Vincit Amor Book 2) by Maxime Jaz From the ashes of suffering, a new strength can be born. From embracing oneâs demons, a new life can be found. Back in Rome after his perilous adventures, Marius makes a shocking discovery about his past. But life must go on. Not only does his child need raising, but he must also resume his duties amidst the plotting of Romeâs elite. To add to that, his love for Kyle burns even brighter, melting the walls behind which so many painful memories are trapped. And as feelings bubble to the surface more and more, Marius and Kyleâs love is revealed without hindrance, slowly and sensually, even though shadows of Kyleâs past come back to haunt him, and the people involved in his suffering are thorns in their emerging love. That, and the fact, Marius also brings home a new wife, Claudia. And as Claudia takes her place within the family, unexpected emotions emerge between them all, lacing themselves into Marius and Kyleâs world, resulting in unexpected bliss. Until shattering news about their enemies leaves all of them grappling for air, facing decisions none of them want to make... caught in the race for power. Will their love surmount the many painful obstacles put in their path? Or will their enemies drive a wedge, an unbridgeable chasm between them all? Are Marius, Kyle, and Claudia nothing more than victims of the cruel world they live in? |
