I do not usually if ever post books with a shirtless man on the cover, but I am a huge sucker for a love story and this one grabbed my attention.
Can he save her from her future?
Shane Harding only became an enforcer for the paycheck. With a sister and elderly parents to support back in Alabama, making money was all that mattered. However, he quickly learns his new pack has dark secrets to hide. Orders are orders, but now the blood of an innocent man is on his hands, and there’s nothing he can do to change that. He knows he’ll never be able to forgive himself, but worse, he knows she won’t either.
Isabella Simmons has lived in captivity her entire life. Her bars may be made of gold, but they were just as good at keeping her trapped. She used to rebel against her parents, but when she lost her twin, she also lost her will to fight. Every moment spent in her lonely tower chipped away at the person she’d been until there was almost nothing left. Meeting Shane was like finding the light at the end of a long, lonely tunnel, but a happily ever after is out of the question.
When Shane is given another cruel command from the alphas, he’s finally had enough. He was getting the hell out of Atlanta and taking Bella with him. Can he save her from the fate her parents arranged, or will he lose her for good?
This book contains sexual themes and violence that is intended for audiences 18 and older.
Discover action like Throne of Glass and Graceling, with a twisted fairytale like Maleficent in this epic fantasy adventure. Delve into a slow-burn romance, blended with fae magic and warrior shieldmaidens, that will keep you reading all night long.
She craves vengeance. He requires justice. Fate demands both.
Without enchanted powers and struck with a curse, Princess Rowena could not prevent her family’s murder or save herself from the fallout.
Vulnerable but determined, she dares to conquer her enemies and free her people. But secret deals force her into a betrothal, tempting her into a bold decision that could cost her life.
only 99c for Two Complete Series: The Adventures of Maggie Parker and The Witches of Pressler Street
Austin Detective Maggie Parker’s world is about to be turned upside down in a frantic search for 4 Elementals.
Meanwhile, her neighbors down the road have an entirely different problem to handle. A deadly creature has been locked away for millennia. It was accidentally released. The three sisters must put it back in the vault.
Get both complete adventures in this 12-book urban fantasy boxed set to discover their stories!
Amber’s life has not always been easy. The one bright spot is that she accidentally discovered the supernatural world and to keep her from spilling her new secret she now goes to supernatural high school? Sadly being the only human there doesn’t make her a cool rarity but a target.
Jumping the low-rise stone wall that marks the outermost edge of Lone Pine Estate, the tall grass crunches beneath his feet as Jonathan lands on the other side. He takes off dashing across the open field and listens for the footfalls that give chase, then stops when they do not. With a slight glance over his shoulder, he observes her stopping behind the half wall. Her arm resting against the bark of a massive Pine tree. Spots of sunlight penetrate between the dwindling leaves, aglow her light hair, resembling shimmering stars. But her face is clouded with an emotion he can’t decipher. He looks to the heavens as the last of the dark blue hues of dawn vapors away. Then he gazes back at Lina, he wishes he could stop the clock just then. This is Lina – from the first glace, a graceful beauty, but there is an infectious speck of outlandish enthusiasm bubbling near the surface. But she is anything but graceful, he smiles to himself.
“Come on Lina!” He calls to her as she hesitates on the other side. He takes a leisurely walk back towards her. Her blonde curly hair floating on the cool breeze conjures up the feeling of freedom, even if it is just for a few fleeting moments. He doesn’t want to think about how much he is going to miss her.
The early morning rays warm against his back, glint off the buckles of his boots with each step he advances. With his fists to his hips he stands a short distance away from Lina. But her face is pale, skin clammy, and her arms tremble as they holds herself up against the tree. He chooses to not bring her condition to light, for today, is Lina’s day. A day they have planned for months, a day they stole for a slip in time – for normalcy.
Johnathan wiggles his auburn eyebrows, “Are you having second thoughts?”
She huffs, “I care not for your challenges Johnathan.”
Her face absent of any expression, she flicks her hair over her shoulder.
He leans forward. “No?” Lina’s violet eyes meet his with conviction as she lifts her skirts and says. “I cannot outrun a hunter boy wrapped up in these… these… blankets.” She remarks, pulling at the layers of her skirts. And by the way, Lina avoids his gaze, he knows she isn’t being truthful. Lina the girl who can scale trees and jump streams in a dress – she’s growing weaker by the day he realizes. And they both know why. But they both avoid the painful subject matter altogether.
Jonathan bows before her. “After you, my lady.” He motions toward the open field.
Lina snickers at that. “Do not patronize me Jonathan Junkyn.” She says while lifting her skirts just below her knees where her boots end, and climbs the little wall. One of the stones loosens as her hand leans on the edge, and she slips, tumbling face-first into the dirt, legs flailing in the air like a fat cat stuck in a mouse hole as her body summersault over the wall. His first instinct of course is to rush toward her, but Lina is up as quick as she has fallen and gives him a stern look before he can reach her. Her anger falls away and Lina bursts out laughing, “I wish I could see what I looked like from your point of view.”
“Are you alright?” He tiptoes around her, stifling a laugh, and reaches out to assist her to her feet.
“Do not dare laugh, Jonathan.” She pouts and slaps his hand away, her pale cheeks immediately taking on a rosier hue.
“You know,” He says with a faint smile playing at the edge of his mouth. He stares at her while she furiously dusts off grass and dirt from her dark blue skirts, and pulls at her white puffed-up sleeves.
He rolls his eyes, “Just take it off.”
“Excuse me?” Her voice peaks, her eyes widen.
He leans forward, expressionless. Johnathan’s hand grabs at the bottom of her skirts, as he says, “We both know what you are hiding under there, you just fell with your dress over your head.”
Lina slaps his hand away for the second time.
Johnathan pulls away, shoulders squared. “If you do that again, I am not going to be a gentleman…”
“A gentleman does not lift a lady’s’ skirt.” Lina interjects.
He in turn gives a loud snort. “You are no lady,” He backs away dodging a fist that might be coming his way. “Ladies do not wear pants, tinker with tools around the house, and they definitely do not belch during dinner.”
Lina chuckles at his list of not so ladylike habits of hers. “Well then, I guess it’s a good thing that I, sir, am nothing like the tedious ladies of the town.”
“So what will it be?” Jonathan asks as he crosses his arms over his chest. “We need to go now if we want to get back before Charmain or your mom realizes we are gone,” he jerks his head towards her outfit, “but in that dress it will slow us down.” His eyebrow arch.
With a sigh, Lina points out. “Well now that the cat is out of the bag,” she motions for him to turn around while she undoes her skirts. With his back to Lina, Jonathan unsheathes his blade and starts slicing at the tall grass around him out of boredom. As he brings a long strip of grass to his mouth his shiny blade catches her reflection while she loosens her corset to remove her undershirt. The devil he is, Jonathan Junkyn watches her in the reflection of his blade as she struggles to unlace.
“Need some help there?” He calls over his shoulder.
“You keep your eyes out for any peeping-toms.” A smile playing at her blushing lips as she stares right at him.
With a few more puffs, and the quick work of practiced fingers she manages to loosen her bodice just enough to slip her dress out from under the corset. Jonathan almost chokes on the piece of grass and spits it out, as he catches a glimpse of her breasts in the reflection of the smooth shiny surface of his blade. He drops his blade with a thump as heat rushes over his entire body. As the warmth spreads, all thoughts and time seem to dissipate with the bird’s song in the nearby meadow.
“You dropped this.” he hears her say unexpectedly from beside him. Lina passes him the blade. He sheathes it and blinks furiously trying to get hold of his senses.
Lina, the smirk still playing on her lips. “Would you mind just fastening the laces please?” Staring at her back, his eyes shift from her hand holding the laces together to the tight brown leather pants he recognizes as one of his own he had outgrown a few years ago. With a gulp his eyes quickly drop to the ground, ashamed of his thoughts as he fixates on her perfectly shaped bum and shoulders. He pulls the ribbons trying not to quiver.
With nothing more than a corset at the top, the early light and dancing shadows highlight the curve of her spine and her tanned shoulders gleaming under the rising sun. “Tight enough?” His words only but a whisper.
She nods and slowly skips away toward the line of trees in the distance.
“Your shawl Lina!” He looks back to her pile of clothes stashed beneath the tree. With his blade, he lifts the thick white frill girls’ wear under their dresses and snatches up her purple shawl.
“I don’t need it out here.” Lina twirls around in the open breeze, feeling the wind, and the sun caresses her shoulders, arms, and comb through her hair, like a swallow playing in the current of the breeze. She tilts her face to the sun feeling its glorious warmth on her cheeks, her lips, and her neck. All but one place warms up. Her Mark.
“I am afraid I have to insist.” Jonathan’s stern voice breaks through her dazed dance with the sun and the sky.
Lina stops twirling, her one eye opening slightly, she gives him a sideways glance. She takes note of him standing with his blade in one hand, her purple shawl with blue flowers scrunched up in the other. “I am to decline your insulting offer.” She opens both eyes then gives him a sneaky smile and bolts. Johnathan is quicker than she is, catching her arm and spins her toward him. Lina is petite and soft, and very flexible, twisting her way out of his grip, making it past him, and takes off with a giggle echoing into the nearby valley. But his hand pulls her by her middle.
“Lina this is to be taken seriously.” He shoves the shawl before her. Her eyes narrow on his.
“I will not take that thing seriously today!” She bellows back at him and twirls out of his grasp as if all the sorrow that awaits her has vanished. Her hair flying through the wind, her skin alight with the feel of open-air, of freedom, of life, she starts to whistle – an awful sound at that. She zigzags across the meadow, bushes and saps playfully, turning around and waving at Jonathan. Her curls like a silky, sweet-smelling cape around her.
A glimpse of Lina’s black mark on her neck catches his attention, and Jonathan storms at her, catching her firmly by her shoulders. His nostrils flare, the vein alongside his temple pulsing,
“Lina, should someone see your mark…” even though his voice is soft, his eyes dig deep into hers with urgency.
She looks down at the shawl in his hand, the touch of it on her skin making her feel sick. “All I see when I look at that thing, or when it’s draped around my neck – is death.”
His other hand still wrapped around her tiny arm, he stares at her violet eyes, scared of searching for the truth that echoes in his. Eyes that hold so much bitterness and sorrow he himself feels the weight of it.
“Have I ever for one moment in your, or even mamma’s eyes been Lina, not Lina they girl marked by death?”
He so badly desires to tell her she is being insane, overdramatic even. But he can’t, because her mark is evidence enough that death is coming for her.
A Love so Lonely, from Award-winning, International, and USA Today bestselling author, Carlyle LaBuschagne
Lina Tokar knows exactly the day she will die and the manner. Born stillborn, her parents made a deadly deal to save her life. The cost? Her father’s life in exchange for her, and on her Twentieth birthday, Prince Leif of Purgatory will reap her soul –his last pure soul to deliver unto the Queen to set him and his cursed Kingdom free… A week before her birthday Lina and her best friend Jonathan save a mysterious warrior’s life. In return, he gifts them a piece of a powerful artifact that may help her with her problem. In one of five pieces, Lina sets forth a plan to save herself and free Prince Leif from his 700-year curse. The problem is that there are powerful men who want the artifact and will kill anyone who gets in their way and the people they love. Easy enough for an innocent gypsy girl in the 1600’s right?
A Love so Lonely is perfect for The Originals and Six of Crows fans.
With your pre-order of A Love so Lonely (Can be read as a standalone) , you will receive a limited edition , custom-made mobile screen saver with your name on it for free. All you have to do is email your proof of purchase to carlylefqp@gmail.com with the subject limited edition screen saver. Do not forget to let me know what name you want on the graphic.
A down on her luck witch, Isobel Arden reads the cards to earn a living & her clients all have one thing in common – they keep dying. One is a coincidence but two in as many days?
It isn’t long before the police come knocking and declare her the prime suspect. But there’s more to these murders than meets the eye. Magic is the motive and Isobel’s skills put a bullseye on her back for the real killer.
If she wants to clear her name and stay alive in the process, she’ll have to convince a handsome and hardheaded homicide detective she’s innocent before he has her in handcuffs.
Fans of Urban Fantasy with a dash of romance, a pinch of humor and a whole lot of coffee are sure to devour this new series from USA Today Bestselling author Rachel Rawlings
From the USA Today Bestselling Author of Kingdom of the White Sea comes a new series of standalone fantasy romance tales set in the same vibrant world: The Book of All Things. Disappear into this scintillating tale of mortal enemies forced into a perilous, passionate marriage.
Yesenia Warwick artfully dodges her father’s talks of marriage, set on proving she is just as capable as her brothers. Her three loves—kin, homeland, and independence—are all she needs.
Corin Quinlanden suffers under the cruel contempt of his ruthless father and brother as they scheme and plot from their castle in the trees. He’s given up wishing for happiness. A strategic marriage, far from home, is as high as he dare dream.
When an attempted kidnapping leads me to be rescued by a dark and sexy Fae, I assume life can’t be any stranger… Until I discover I’m his fated mate, and that he needs my help to stop a ruthless enemy from kidnapping his kind.
If someone doesn’t stop the brutal attacks, it could lead to earth’s ultimate destruction, so if I want to survive, I have to join the Fae Bureau of Investigation, with Damien as my superior.
But while Damien may be both hot as hell and my one-time hero, my unearthly ability to sense things through my hair is telling me to run: Damien can’t be trusted, and I would hate him as my boss.
With the enemy closing in, though, time is running out for me to make my choice: join the Bureau…or return home to my death.
The survival of an entire race or the freedom she desperately wants.
Held captive by an unknown assailant, Nika is thrust into a dark and mysterious world. Desperate to reclaim her freedom, the young orphan fights to regain a morsel of the life she once led. Soon, though, her plight reveals startling information about who she is and what she’s destined to become.
Demyan’s centuries-old search finally ends when he finds the rightful ruler of his race. Unfortunately, she knows nothing about her true identity or the great powers she possesses. But the clock is ticking. If he can’t convince her to claim her throne, her brother’s plan to extinguish the Immortal race will be fulfilled.
Can Demyan convince Nika to accept her destiny before it’s too late?
Fans of Sarah J Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout will devour this introductory novella to the Lost Thrones series.
Heartbroken after the events of Fallen, Rosalind returns to Oxford, unaware of the dangers which stalk her. Cloaked in shadows, secrets hidden in her unrelenting dreams hint at a perilous destiny to come.
Haunted by the same nightmares—and determined to reclaim Rosalind’s heart—Zeke embarks on his own journey to England. But the journey is rampant with danger as those who serve the faded are determined to keep them apart at any cost. And Zeke is not the only one vying for Rosalind’s hand.
Meanwhile, Ursula continues to unfold her sinister plot, one which may see darkness conquer all.
The runes are cast, the rituals prepared. Now it’s time to break the rules…
Fall under the spell of swoon-worthy supernatural heroes and magical heroines in fantastical worlds filled with dangerous adventures and epic romances.
Witches, Wizards, Shifters, Vampires, Demons, Devils, and other mythical creatures prowl the pages of this limited edition collection of paranormal romance and urban fantasy tales.
Scroll up and secure your copy of BRAND NEW, unforgettable stories from your favorite USA Today bestselling authors and exciting up-and-coming talent before it’s gone forever!
The Sphere is an ultimate weapon to destroy a world and requires the sacrifice of ten magical kids. Nine are missing and novice fae, Sophie, is the tenth.
Seventeen-year-old Sophie Emerson struggles to keep her clairvoyance a secret. Seeing the future belongs to the Dark Ones. But when Sophie’s visions display the nine missing kids from the village and place herself in the middle of it all, she has a choice to make. Reveal her secret and suffer the consequences or end up being the missing segment of a weapon that will bring forth the apocalypse.
The Council made me their best assassin. Now I top their hit list. They want me dead, and with reason. I’m going to bring them down.
Ordered to kill two clan leaders who threaten to expose the paranormal world, I threw myself into my last job. That’s when things went to hell.
A Prophecy, an age-old Shaman, my revenge. Torn between vengeance and salvation, which will I choose? What I do next will send my life in a new direction… or kill me in the process.
The slow stir of fog and the rustle of leaves gives away the location of their deadly prey. The four Rurith warriors taper in, pursuing the moan coming from the shadows, confirming their path forward. The king signals the halt of their pursuit while their eyes search the dim light for a glimpse of what kind of beast they hunt. But this deep into the forest, pillars of vines and walls of foliage grow between tall trees, smothering the light. The hunters are lead only by sound and something else. Between faint bands of light, King Ivar catches glimpses of his son’s reactions. Unknown to the two guard, Ivar uses Leif’s responses as a guide to finding the beast.
The prince comes to a halt beside Eric, where, for the first time, Leif seems to have the feeling of danger under control. He wonders if all warriors have that same voice of instinct so loud that sometimes it is like a compulsion, one that cannot be controlled. But the fact that he has been locked away for the past six years has him doubtful.
The men stand awaiting the king’s next signal. For now, a wall made up of a wild webbing of brush, branches, flowers, and ferns keep them hidden. In the distance behind them, they hear the warning calls from the horses, aware that the beast is mindful of their presence. The forest awakens with a feral moan echoing into Hutmar Woodlands— a warning from the creature to the humans to stay away. But they have come this far, tracked their kingdom’s prowler into the darkest woodlands of the kingdom, and the men know they will never get another chance like this anytime soon. The beast must die today, should it not, the death of another villager at the claws of this deadly creature will be on their hands. The King is worried about the workers protesting against the lack of safety the Kingdom offers, and make Ivar’s reign a big familiar.
When a huffing sound breaks the moment of silence, they are made aware of the beasts close proximity. The creature seems to be moving closer to the wall of foliage that separates them. Knowing this is their only chance. The king indicates to his son to come to the front-line. Hesitantly, Leif makes it past Eric and Audun without meeting their gazes, the coil in his gut tightening to such an extent Leif finds it hard to breathe or think of anything else— just like the day his mamma died. King Ivar pulls Leif forward by his chest-plate and forcefully snatches up his blade and undoes his sons’ chest-plate and spiked gauntlet; then shoves his son forward. And even though Ivar’s face is shrouded by shadow, Prince Leif knows his father’s blue-black eyes scrutinize him and can almost feel the heated hatred directed at him through his father’s gaze. At fourteen, Leif is already half a head shorter than his father, his shoulders already meeting the breadth of Ivar’s— he can easily take his father down. But Leif fears such an act might cause him to lose the only thing he loves in his rotten existence: Avelyn.
She is the only one keeping him sane, he will not let that light die, for the sake of hope, love, and the peace he so desperately craves for their kingdom. Mostly, those sentiments are the only thing that he remembers of his mamma. And to share those traits is one of only a handful of ambitions that keeps him motivated. For now, Avelyn is that to him. With her, he is hopeful that one day, the kingdom will be ruled by the light he clings to in her eyes.
From behind the wall of overgrowth, the creaturesque moan comes again— louder and followed up by the roil of potential danger. The warriors draw their second weapons, Eric a bow with nails on one end, and king Ivar a battle axe and sword. Audun snatches up his throwing knives eagerly from under his blue tunic. The knifes a silent slice through the air as he unsheathes two thin blades, deadly hooks on each end, assuring the target can’t pull them out without taking a piece of flesh with it. Resting in his leather belt with the crest of Runith kingdom – a shield with two horses on each side, and in the middle two battle axes marking the worries of their kingdom, at the very tip of the shield a symbol for their water gods.
King Ivar warns his guard to keep behind him should the threat be bigger than expected. But there has not been anything or anyone that has challenged and won over the King of Runith before. Confused, Eric and Audun share a look at the same time a thump is followed by another. They listen carefully as the crushing of leaves and the sharp snap of twigs gives away the close proximity of the beast, almost upon them.
A shadow moves out of the obscure darkness from behind the intertwining laburnum, its yellow flowers stark against a midnight-furred pelt. A soft gasp escapes Leif. About to backpedal with the realization of the closeness of the massive form, Leif feels something forceful push up against him , the hand of his father forcing him into the clutches of the creature
The king and his guards watch as Leif is swallowed up by the brush. Immediately, the huffing, moaning, and grunts of the gigantic animal morph into a deep-throated pulsing sound rumbling through the woods— a recognizable sound to all hidden creatures that dwell in these lands. It is the sound a fierce black bear makes as its last warning. This warning is then followed by a yell from Leif.
“Stay back, please,” the prince shouts so loud it breaks his voice.
Audun is ready to leap through the bushes, but King Ivar stops him with a hard shove to his chest.
“Wait,” he demands of his men.
The prince’s plea is met by the menacing sound of a feral bellow that reverberates off the surrounding woods and is chased down by an unearthly silence. Unable to stand the tension anymore, Audun leaps forward, wanting to save his prince. Yet again, the king stops him, this time with the shove of a blade at his throat.
“My king!” Audun’s voice cracks with utter confusion, “Your son…”
“How will he become a king worthy of protecting our people if he can’t take on a simple bear?” Ivar sneers.
Eric interjects. “My lord, young Leif is only fourteen and unguarded with no weapon. This thing has killed grown men. The sheer size of—”
“He is not a young man anymore.” The king’s menacing voice shakes the very air around them, “It is about time we test his capabilities.”
Despite their king’s warning, both his guards get in front of Ivar— this, they know, will cost them dearly. But as last of the high guard in the Rurith kingdom, these men feel they cannot afford to ignore the risk that this threat might cause them to lose the heir to the throne. The survival of their people depends on Leif. Audun and Eric storm the bushes, weapons slicing and jabbing at the shadows beyond. King Ivar follows his men when a sudden beam of light shines upon the remnants of blue tunic. Audun notices the light is coming from the king’s gauntlet. He swallows his thoughts as he realizes king Ivar holds witch magic in his gauntlet, he now understands why the gauntlet is always on the kings arm. Audun crouched to the ground, inspecting the evidence left behind. No Leif and no menacing bear— only pools of blood, chunks of black fur, and slivers of Leif’s blue tunic littering the ground.
The forest comes alive once more with a beastly moan, followed by the bears’ bellowing, then a deep pulsing sound trailed by what sounds like snapping fangs. Looking into the direction of the commotion, they conclude the brawl between the bear and Prince Leif has advanced deeper into the forest.
“But how?” Audun pulls at his beard. “They were right here, we heard it…” He stops talking and stands on finding deep gouges in the soil as if something heavy was pushed over the ground; claw marks not matching that of a bear.
The men leap forward at the same moment the screams and grisly shrills turn to something unrecognizable, sending shivers down the spines of the two guards and their fearless king. They quickly advance in that direction. Swords swinging as they keep their weapon of choice in the other hand. Audun breaks through one more barrier of foliage, flowers, leaves, and prickling twigs taking to the air in his wake.
“Help me,” Audun’s strangled voice comes from beyond the bushes.
Eric moves forward slowly, the smell of blood stinging at his nose. A few steps more, through the brush and the rays of the beaming gauntlet, they behold gigantic paws crowned by bloodied claws lying motionless on the forest floor before them.
Audun is trying hard to pull the bear off Leif without success. Eric wants to help, but as he moves forward, King Ivar yanks Eric back to take his stance beside him.
“Leave it be,” King Ivar says.
King Ivar and Eric take in the astounding scene before them; matted pieces of black pelt lay on the leaves at their feet. Eric and the king share a look while Audun tries hard to remove the branches from the bear, then screams at Eric. “Help me, Erik; the bear is crushing our prince.”
The king steps forward then pulls Audun’s hand; the force of his yank causes Audun to falter and drop the branch while falling to his haunches.
“Look,” King Ivar tells Audun with a slap to his bearded jaw.
Audun’s eyes fall to the movement coming from the bear on top of Prince Leif. Only a piece of Leif’s blue tunic and a spray of broken blue beads peek out from under the form of the gigantic black bear.
“What is it? What am I to see, my lord?” Audun cries out.
When he directs his eyes back to the scene, a river of blood stains the soil a cherry black, and as Audun’s stare intensifies, he sees movement. As the black bristly figure rises, they see their young prince has his feet under the massive form of the bear, and with an inhuman scream, giving one more thrust of his scrawny legs, the bear collapses, kicking up dirt and forest debris as its lifeless form smacks down on the earth.
In reaction, Eric takes a step back, wanting to look the other way, but the three warriors can’t look away. From the dead body of the hulking black bear, their eyes shoot up to watch as Prince Leif rises to a slow stand. With disbelief, they are anchored to the spot, unable to fathom what they think they see. Leif’s eyes are two bright golden orbs gleaming like a full moon against a starless sky, their glow emitting out into the woods around them. Leif’s hands have extended to claws resembling eagle talons, dripping with blood and forked with fur and pinkish flesh. Leif’s face is masked with garish insides and drool.