New Releases in SciFi/Romantasy/Paranormal Romance for DEC 31

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

‘AB’ denotes audiobook and the Amazon buy link.

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THE ALIEN’S SAVAGE STARFIRE CROWN (EMPIRE OF FROST AND FLAME BOOK FIVE) by Margo Bond Collins

Every queen needs a crown—but some crowns demand a price even monsters fear to pay. In her journey from captive servant girl to dragon-shifter queen, Lara Evans has shattered every fairy tale she once believed in, becoming a ruler who knows exactly what she’s capable of sacrificing. Now she and Ivrael, the former Duke turned ruling Ice King, stand on the brink of uniting the warring Firelord and Icecaix Courts. Deposed ruler Jonyk isn’t finished with the Ice Palace, however. His final assault threatens the ancient crown device that could hold their dying planet’s magic together. As his forces target the technology that could heal or destroy their world, Lara discovers the legendary Starfire Crown offers her everything: absolute control, the strength to end all threats, the power to rule unchallenged. But the crown also demands a price: her humanity, her principles, perhaps even the love she’s fought so hard to claim. Meanwhile, enemies in both courts circle like wolves, testing whether a woman from Earth truly deserves to rule realms of ice and flame. They want a queen who plays by their rules. What they’re getting is a savage who’s learned that the real curse isn’t becoming the monster in the fairy tale—it’s choosing which kind of beast she’ll be.      AmazonKU

ASHES (POST APOCALYPTIC FAIRY TALES BOOK TWO) by Claire Kent

She needs to escape her stepmother, and the only prince available is him. Ever since my father died and my sister left, I’ve been trapped in a life of drudgery with a stepfamily as wicked as the storybooks say. Life after the apocalypse offers few choices, and I only have three. I can stay and be miserable. I can die in the wilderness. Or I can marry him. Mason is the closest thing this village has to a prince. He’s odd and antisocial and doesn’t say a lot, but he’s got a good home and a dependable income. Plus, he treats me better than my stepfamily. Neither one of us has any experience with relationships, but maybe we can muddle along together better than we have alone. If happy endings in this world are impossible, then this marriage of convenience will have to do.      AmazonKU

ARION (BLADES OF ARRIS BOOK SEVEN) by Starla Night

I am a forgotten lesser from a former servant world. The first to voyage across deadly space, knock on the spiky palace door, and demand entry. But something went wrong. My mission failed. Now my family and friends are long gone. Others accomplished what I sacrificed everything for. All that’s left are nightmares and suspicious scars. Then one day the emperor bursts into my lounge. He stalks toward me, his beautiful silver eyes flashing with rage. It turns out my snarky, boredom-inspired annotations on his personal records weren’t so private. And now that I’ve captured his interest, he’s holding me in his thrall.       Amazon

TRIGGER DISCIPLINE (TEAM OH SH!T BOOK ONE) b Jacqueline McCall

VS Note: MM SFR.

Gear up. Stay alive. Don’t fall for the guy who drags you out of the fire. When the skies over Washington D.C. darken with an alien invasion, paramedic Blake Lewis barely has time to register the end of the world before he’s knee-deep in blood, smoke, and melted asphalt. Terrified but determined, he’s holding the line for survivors—until a private military group crash lands in the middle of the invasion. Gabriel Lennox has spent his entire life fighting someone else’s battles. A hardened special forces operator, he’s focused on the mission. But when a sharp-tongued medic with a bruised face and a bleeding heart saves his life, Gabriel finds something more terrifying than extraterrestrials: hope. Thrust together in a city burning from the inside out, Blake and Gabriel must navigate hostile streets, inhuman enemies, and a crumbling government—all while trying not to fall in love at the worst possible time. Fast-paced, brutally funny, and shockingly heartfelt, Trigger Discipline is the first novel in a duet. It’s a genre-defying, queer-centric military sci-fi romp that delivers explosive action, biting banter, and a cast of survivors you’ll actually root for.   AmazonKU

GUNN: GALACTIC CYBORG HEAT SERIES by Jessie Rose Case

GUNN. He was his name. Cyborg. A soldier. A warrior. He’d been fighting to survive for hundreds of years. This, was just another mission. But, his owners had failed him. Broken their word over and over again. His men with him, they were left to die. With no way to return home. But they were created to survive any situation. A battle gone wrong, marooned on a new world uninhabited, waiting for a colony ship that never arrived. Overcoming the challenges, they did as they were created to do. They adapted. And they did survive. Making that new world their own. Until a ship finally arrived. And with it, a crew looking for value on a dead world. They, she, did not expect to find them waiting. He, did not expect his system to come alive, to fire up on seeing her. But when it did, logic ruled. At last, this was their way off world. Their way to freedom. It would be easy to overwhelm the humans and take the ship but that could harm her and her crew. The humans would fight it and lose. No, he needed an alliance. And he was trained to make that happen. He would not lose more men. She might rule her world, her ship, but he, ruled here! She just needed to know it!   AmazonKU

BODY COUNT: MERCS ROMANCE (MERCS UNIVERSE BOOK TWO) by Lizzy Bequin

How far would you go for revenge? Six months ago, Sonia Fairchild’s crew got slaughtered. Now the Mercs Guild is offering her a shot at revenge. All she has to do is infiltrate a decadent deep-space pleasure resort for the rich and powerful. Her cover? Posing as the plaything of three Merc soldiers who are as dominant in bed as they are on the battlefield. Fairchild’s never been the submissive type, but she’s willing to do anything for revenge. Anything at all. And when the line between duty and desire starts to blur, blood won’t be the only thing she’s thirsty for.      AmazonKU

ALIEN BLUEPRINT (MOTHERSHIP BOOK TWO) by Eden Ember

When two brilliant minds collide across the stars, they’ll design more than buildings—they’ll architect a future neither imagined possible. Jalina Chauncy thought she’d lost everything when a wormhole tore her colony ship apart. Rescued and stranded light-years from Earth, the human architect finds herself designing habitats on Mothership, a massive alien vessel captained by the enigmatic Zandovians. Her charcoal sketches clash with cold efficiency until she meets him. Zor’go, Head of Operations, thinks in mathematical perfection. His designs are flawless, sterile, and utterly lacking in soul—until a small human architect challenges everything he knows. She sees beauty where he sees only function. She sketches homes where he calculates storage units. And she makes him feel things he’s spent a lifetime avoiding. When a desperate rescue mission forces them to navigate impossible asteroid fields and face buried feelings, Jalina and Zor’go discover that the most daring designs aren’t blueprints, they’re built one choice at a time, one touch at a time, one love at a time.    AmazonKU

ALIEN SOLDIER’S SECRET HEIR by Athena Storm

She never told me I had a son. She just disappeared into the wreckage and left me bleeding in the stars. Now I find her on a dust planet. Hiding. Holding a boy with my eyes and my temper. He’s mine.
The heir to my bloodline. And every power in the galaxy wants him—The priests who branded me. The commanders who betrayed me. The woman who ran with my legacy. She says she’s protecting him. I say she forgot who I am. I didn’t just survive the war. I became something worse. And now that I’ve found them, I’m not letting go. Not of her. Not of the boy. Not even if I have to burn the stars to keep them.      AmazonKU

ALIEN WARRIOR’S GOT RIZZ by Cara Stone and Athena Storm

She walks into my kitchen like she doesn’t want to breathe the same air as me. Too bad. I already tasted her in the steam. I’m not just an alien. I’m exiled. Battle-scarred. Smothered in spice and the kind of heat no human woman can survive. Especially not a pretty little xenophobe with politics in her blood and judgment in her eyes. She thinks I’m soft because I cook. She doesn’t know I used to kill for less than her silence. Now she’s back. Begging for fire. And when she finds out the truth behind her uncle’s precious zoning bill—the sterilization drones, the death hidden in flavorless laws—it’s already too late. They’re coming for me. For her. For everyone with scales in their blood. I can’t save the city without burning it. But I’ll feed her first. Because even though she can’t handle my spice levels….She begs for seconds every night.       AmazonKU

ROMANCING THE DRAGON  (DRAGONS GUIDE TO SPACE DATING BOOK THREE) by Michelle Ziegler

He’s not from her world, but he’s the only one who feels like home. If Aria had made a bingo card for her life, “abducted by aliens” and “claimed by a dragon” wouldn’t have been anywhere near it. But here she is—on a breathtaking planet lightyears from home, trapped in a house built for giants, and told she’s the fated mate of a dragon shifter who vanished the moment they arrived. She doesn’t miss home, but she misses control. And when her curiosity leads her straight into danger, she discovers one thing she does miss—him. Then there’s him – Elio. The moment he found her, he knew she was his. She thinks she can run, explore, defy every instinct that screams she’s his—but every step she takes only draws him closer. And when he finds her, he’ll remind her exactly what it means to be claimed by a dragon. But Aria isn’t some fragile human waiting for her hero. She’s stubborn, fiery, and has a talent for landing herself in trouble that would make a lesser man combust. When her curiosity leads her straight into danger, he has no choice but to reclaim what’s his. She may think she’s running toward freedom—but fate, it seems, has other plans. She isn’t just his mate. She’s his weakness. His obsession. His salvation.      AmazonKU

SMALL TOWN HOLIDAY MATE (SMUTT BOOKS SHORT ALIEN ROMANCE BOOK FOUR) by Deiri Di

Annabelle is done with bad first dates. She’s done with men who panic when the bill arrives, who think a mortgage and a retirement account count as a personality, and who spend the entire evening talking without ever wondering who she is. She’s done with human men. She’s ready for someone alien. The Norratar have integrated into human society with undeniable benefits but some resistance. Advanced medicine. Clean energy. Interstellar trade. So when Annabelle signs up for the Norratar mate-matching program, it feels less like a risk and more like a step in a new direction, especially with long-term benefits that come with the contract. Her father disagrees. He spends his nights glued to an entertainment channel that insists the Norratar are manipulative, dangerous, and quietly invading humanity. Annabelle ignores him…until her mother insists she bring her new match home for Christmas dinner. Now Annabelle must decide whether she’s brave enough to defend her choice.   AmazonKU

FIFTY SHADES OF DRAGON (SMUTT BOOKS SHORT ALIEN ROMANCE BOOK FIVE) by Deiri Di

Stacia didn’t read the contract. She was too stunned that she, of all the journalists on Earth, had been chosen to interview an alien billionaire. So she signed without question. Now she’s standing in Lyxen’s glittering skyscraper on an alien world, being recorded as she reads the fine print aloud. That’s when she realizes it isn’t an NDA she agreed to. It’s a mating contract. And apparently, she said yes. Lyxen knows he’s found his mate. She’s vibrant, chaotic, impossible to ignore. But somehow, she’s completely oblivious to the fact that he’s trying to court her. Worse, she’s not running. And a proper chase is half the fun. If he wants her, he’ll have to earn every distracted, dazzling ounce of her attention. And on this world, he always gets what he wants.        Amazon

SPY YOU NEXT YEAR (SCIFI HOLIDAY SPECIALS) by Robin O’Connor

VS Note: A re-release.

One night. One stolen secret. One alien mate I never saw coming. Daria – I go to the New Year’s Eve gala for one reason: steal a data chip from a decorated general before the clock strikes midnight. Silk dress, poisoned smile, and nerves of steel; this is what I do best. Politics, power, and champagne swirl around me, and nothing is supposed to distract me. Then I see him. Killian is devastating in a way that has nothing to do with tailored suits or practiced charm. The air between us hums with heat and warning. When my mission spirals out of control, he’s suddenly there, shielding me, protecting me like my life is already his to claim. By midnight, I’ve uncovered a betrayal that shatters everything I believed, fallen into a passion I never planned, and found myself running for my life with a man who feels impossible to resist. Killian – Earth was supposed to be simple. Observe. Assess. Decide if this forming Alliance threatens my people. No attachments. No distractions. Then I see her. Daria hits me like fate wrapped in silk and shadows. My instincts roar the truth the moment our eyes meet, she is my mate. Mine to protect. Mine to choose, even if she doesn’t know what I am…yet. As the night burns into chaos, I defy my mission, my people, and fate itself. When dawn comes, I must choose between my duty and the woman who owns my soul. And I will always choose her.     AmazonKU

FALLING FOR THE ALIEN RAIDER (TUROCHS OF EARTH BOOK FIVE) by Reba Max

Aliens invaded Earth months ago, and I’ve been lying to myself ever since. The spa I worked in has become my safe haven. The solar panels, and stock of health supplements allow me to live in semi-comfortable denial about the state of my planet. Inside the comfortable, air conditioned walls, I do my best to live like nothing has changed. Until a huge, horned male bursts into my spa, and pops my little bubble in an instant. Tovis seems nice, but he’s not the only alien on Earth, and the others…are not so respectful or friendly. When the sytos find me and drag me from my safe haven, Tovis comes after me, claiming me as his mate and putting himself between me and danger without a second  thought. Confronted with the reality of a post-invasion Earth, I soon realize that nothing will ever be the same again. But with Tovis at my side, maybe that’s not as bad as I’d thought.      Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo

EMERY: LOVE IN THE APOCALYPSE by H A Jameson

When her brother was murdered two years ago in a turf war, Emery thought that was the worst thing that could ever happen to her and her family. Then the apocalypse began. Surviving means she will have to accept help from the men she holds responsible for her brother’s death. When they overhear a radio transmission about Operation Night Night, Emery’s only focus is getting her parents to safety. Can she keep her walls intact long enough for them to escape, or will these men tear them down, brick by brick?     AmazonKU

MECHANICAL MISTLETOE by Sahara Kelly

In the steam-powered city of Arcvale, Christmas officially starts with the Turning of the Green—the moment when the great Holly Maker and the legendary Mistletoe Machine fill every level with twining garlands of red and white. But this year, the ancient Mistletoe Machine has fallen silent. Lady Dorothea Renslow has always had a talent her ambitious parents dismiss—a “knack” for gears, cogs, and clockwork. After one restriction too many, she flees the marble halls of Upper Arcvale, vanishes down to the lowest levels and into the smoky Undercroft, determined to build a life where no one can tell her what a lady must or must not be. Silas Gray, Forge Marshal of Arcvale Foundry & Clockworks, prefers boilers to ballrooms and machines to manners. In the Undercroft he’s simply Silas, a man who works beside his people with soot on his sleeves and a mechanical cat in his kitchen. And he’s happy to keep it that way. When Dorothea reaches the Foundry, sparks fly—of attraction and of invention. And knowing that the Mistletoe Machine might have failed for good, Silas dares to believe that there might be one person in Arcvale who could coax life back into its clock-sick heart: the stubborn, brilliant woman whois rapidly turning his world upside down. Dorothea plunges into the guts of the ancient mechanism, where forgotten faults, and ghosts of Silas’s past lie buried among the gears. But does he realise that if she succeeds, it will mean facing the Council that condemned him years before… and revealing his true name to the woman who has finally seen him as he is. If Dorothea can fix the Mistletoe machine, Christmas will come to every level of Arcvale once more. If she fails, the Turning of the Green will end in disaster—and the holiday season would never be quite the same again.       AmazonKU

***********************BRIEF BREAK BEFORE THE FANTASY/PNR BOOKS!**************************************

VS Note: in the mood for a tale of a ship’s AI and the captain who fell in love? Actually there are two books but they can be read as standalones. It was quite a chllenge to write and do the couple justice, as they’ve been ongoing characters in my “Love Boat of the Stars”  STAR CRUISE series.

STAR CRUISE CAPTAIN’S PREQUEL

Maeve is the Artificial Intelligence operating a massive Space Navy battleship. A malfunction at the time of her creation gave her self awareness and emotions, all of which she has to hide to protect herself. At one time her ship was the best in the fleet, fighting and winning battle after battle, but now it’s considered old and obsolete. Gil Fleming is her current captain and the only one who knows her secret. He’s also the man she loves. Now he’s been ordered to take the ship to the interstellar boneyard to be turned into scrap, at which time Maeve will be terminated by the company that created her. Gil’s tried everything to persuade the authorities to grant her a reprieve and give her a new ship to run, without revealing her secret. He’s been met with opposition at every turn and accused of having an emotional connection with an AI, which is against the law. He loves her. But there’s nothing he can do to save her. They’re saying their final goodbyes on the deserted ship. Suddenly an unusual distress call persuades Gil and Maeve to fly into enemy territory on their own on a desperate rescue mission. Will this trip only delay the inevitable for them or will the results of their rash decision solve their problem? This 24K novella goes back to the beginning and tells the origin story of Maeve and the Captain, long running characters in the STAR CRUISE series and how they got to the Nebula Zephyr. Their love story will continue in STAR CRUISE CAPTAIN’S STORY  Author’s Note: There is the loss of a child in this book, which happens outside the pages but which affects the characters as they deal with the tragic news.      Amazon     Kobo      NOOK     GooglePlay    Apple Books

STAR CRUISE CAPTAIN’S STORY by Veronica Scott

Captain Gil Fleming has taken a mysterious leave of absence from the interstellar cruise ship Nebula Zephyr and disappeared. Maeve, the ship’s governing Artificial Intelligence is the only one who knows why he left and where he went. Desperately worried after months of silence from him, she takes drastic steps to organize a small rescue mission of loyal crew members. Can she manage to create and maintain a humanoid body as ancient aliens taught her to do, driven by her love for the captain and fear for his life? Or will her challenges and anxieties overcome her determination to find and rescue Gil, resulting in failure? As the humans on her team struggle to accept the AI they’ve known and worked with for years in her humanoid form, they have to place all their trust in her because in the wild territories at the edge of the Sectors civilization where she wants to take them, there’s no law and no help to be had. Will they find Gil Fleming in time? And if they do, how will he react to Maeve and the others interfering in his private war? Is the love between the two of them enough to overcome the challenges ahead? A 41K word novel.      Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo      NOOK     GooglePlay

************************** THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT IF YOU DECIDE TO CHECK OUT THE BOOKS (because my own books pay my bills) AND A BIG THANK YOU IF YOU ALREADY HAVE! AND ONWARD WE GO!*********************

THE UNLUCKY MISTER LOCKE (SHADOWVALE BOOK EIGHT) by Kristen Painter

Shadowvale isn’t typical small-town America. The sun never shines, the gates decide who enters, magic abounds, and every resident bears some kind of curse. For Gideon Locke, that curse has haunted his family for generations. Branded a jinx since boyhood, he’s retreated into the quiet sanctuaryof his repair shop, The Clockwork Owl, determined to keep his bad luck from touching anyone else. Better to live alone than risk destroying anyone else’s life. Sabrina Moreau has her own burden: an irresistible compulsion to rescue broken things. From cracked teacups to tarnished silver, her antique shop, Bits & Pieces, is a refuge for forgotten treasures, but nothing has ever called to her quite like Gideon does. Hired to restore an antique music box for the powerful witch Amelia Marchand, Sabrina ropes reluctant Gideon into the job. The work draws them into each other’s lives—and into a mystery that hints Gideon’s curse may not be what it seems. As secrets surface and the past refuses to stay buried, they’ll have to decide if some things are better left unrepaired … or if two damaged hearts might finally be worth mending.      AmazonKU      AB

HER SCOT OF HEREAFTER (MACLEOD DRAGONS BOOK FOUR) by Sky Purington

Two souls bound together six hundred years apart. One heart-wrenching yet undeniable attraction that might mean the end of so many. What if I told you I have loved the same handsome medieval Highland dragon warrior in multiple lifetimes? Then what if I told you I belonged to his enemy?
Sadly, it’s true, and there’s no getting around it. Despite finding my fated mate in Tavish MacLeod, I’m destined for ruthless Laird Sutherland and fulfilling an ancient pact that will usher in peace between the warring clans. A pact I must see through no matter what. If I don’t, not just the MacLeods will suffer, but the whole of Scotland. After all, there’s far more at stake than anyone realizes. A gruesome fate that will cost far too many lives. So I must evade Tavish, face my destiny, and make my way to Sutherland Castle and a monster known for his twisted ways. Face the end of the heartbreaking journey I always knew would be mine, forever longing for the man I could not have. A man I prayed didn’t try to save me, yet I feared he would, and it would cost him and his clan everything.      AmazonKU

MY GOLDEN EVER AFTER by Erin Bedford

A hilariously delicious Beauty and the Beast retelling with a vampiric twist. Mara came to Candiopolis chasing wonder. Instead, one desperate bargain chained her to Rumpelstiltskin for life. But everything changes the day she accidentally saves Blackthorn—the most feared vampire in the Candy Forest. He steals her away to his licorice palace, calling it protection. She calls it kidnapping. Now Mara is torn between the people she spent years protecting…and the monstrous, clueless vampire who would burn the forest down just to keep her. Choose him and lose abandon the ones who have no one else. Walk away and lose the only love she’s ever tasted.     AmazonKU
TENTACLE RESOLUTIONS (TINSEL AND TENTCLES 3.0) by Lisa Oliver
VS note: MMM PNR.
Sage Stirling loves his research on various tentacled entities. However, in his head, they are best kept in the pages of the books he buries his nose in. It’s safer that way. However, when doing a favor for a friend, he finds himself closer than he ever imagined he’d be to a pair of popular Krakens. Is it time for him to ditch the books for some hands on research? Or is his love for Krakens best left as broken New Year resolution.      AmazonKU
SAVAGE CROWN (BONDED BY FATE DUET BOOK TWO) by Leia Stone
To save a kingdom, I may have to surrender my soul. My hard won victory in the Arcane Trials came with a price I never expected. Now, as Kaelric fights to reclaim his shattered kingdom, I must choose between answering the dangerous call of my heart, or protecting the family I’ve always sworn to keep safe. But the deeper I step into his world, the more I realize that some bonds demand more than I ever imagined giving.     AmazonKU
THE CYPRIAN (ELEMENTAL MASTERS BOOK 18) by Mercedes Lackey
Elena Whitstone and her seven brothers, abandoned by her mother, find themselves with a new stepmother. At first she seems more neglectful than evil, until just after Christmas she proves herself to be worse than evil; she is an actual magician, a Master of Water, who attempts to muder Elena’s seven brothers when they are skating. When they survive that attempt by transforming into swans, she drives them away. But the shock of having all of his heirs perish in a frozen pond is too much for Elena’s father. He dies, and his widow is abruptly confronted with the inconvenient truth that the estate is entailed, and she not only must leave, she is lawfully in charge of Elena. Furious, and possessing “only” what was gifted to her during her marriage, the stepmother retreats to Bath, to take up residence in the luxurious townhouse that was bought for her, and resume her former profession as a “Cyprian,” a very exclusive courtesan, with Elena reluctantly posing as a page-boy and her servant. Nothing lasts forever, of course, and three years later, Elena is rapidly maturing too much to continue that ruse–and the stepmother is facing the ravages of time. The stepmother concocts a plan to establish an exclusive brothel and regain her wealth by selling Elena to the highest bidder. Alone, Elena must not only find a way to save herself, but to reverse the spell that has transformed her brothers. The latest in Mercedes Lackey’s Elemental Masters series is a stand-alone romantasy based on Hans Christian Anderson’s The Wild Swans.      Amazon     AB      Apple Books      Kobo
TOUCHED BY OBLIVION (FOURTH PACK SERIES BOOK ONE) by G Bailey
The triple goddesses made a huge mistake. They chose me, a human with memory issues, who was locked in a dungeon (because she got stabby with a shifter’s foot), to enter the deadliest set of trials designed to make new alphas for the three packs: Crone, Maiden and Mother. Only one shifter from each pack survives…and it can’t be me. There has never been a human in the Folkland…and I’ve just become the bait for the royal heirs. Blackfire from the Crone Pack, Orion from the Maiden Pack, and Reed from the Mother Pack have figured out that keeping me close will lure the other chosen out for them to kill so they can win. They hate me because I’m human, and I hate them because if I don’t do what they want, their alpha will kill my own family—my sister. But the heirs keep saving my life, caring for me, and acting possessive, growling that I’m theirs. What the wolves don’t know is my monster visits me in my dreams, a gargoyle who looks at me like I’m his and whispers that I’m from oblivion. My monster says the world will tremble when I’m unleashed. When I remember. And what if it does?       AmazonKU
BLOODHEART: PNR VAMPIRE ROMANCE (BLOODBORN SERIES BOOK SEVEN) by Sydney Winward

She faked his death and stole him from his time. Now time is stealing him back. Witch and vampire apothecary Adeline Brover hides a secret behind her spells and glamor, powerful enough to rewrite history. To save countless lives in both the present and the future, she commits an unforgivable sin: faking the vampire heir’s death and sending him into the future. But fate had other plans. Alucard is dragged back through a portal to the past and discovers the shocking truth about his origins. Once a street orphan, he learns he’s the lost vampire prince of a royal bloodline. Bitter and betrayed, he only wants to return to his found family in the future. At least until a pair of silver eyes and an alluring scent draw him back to the woman who doomed him. As enemies close in, and their forbidden bond deepens, Adeline must send him back before their world collapses. Yet, every spell pulls them closer, and every heartbeat makes it harder to let go. The clock is ticking. Love was never meant to exist between them. But destiny disagrees.      AmazonKU

NIGHTSHADES (MONSTER STALKER SERIES BOOK FOUR) by January Rayne

VS Note: Author suggests series be read in order.

In a world full of daydreams, I am the nightmare who haunts them. Being kidnapped and experimented on violated me, but I love the power I have been given. I get to inflict pain. Suffering. Fear. And my favorite, death. I will rid the world of the bad, even if it means having to kill the good. Remorse? Humanity? Kindness? The little I had as a human died the day I became what people fear. Mmm, I’m hard just thinking about it. I do love when people are terrified of me. Especially her. Detective Lula Sanchez. Her case files are a threat, and I have to protect her from the people she is hunting. The only one allowed to install fear in her is me. Her terror? I own. Her thrills? They belong to me. Her nightmares? Claimed. When her eyes close every night, Lula will succumb to my darkness. She’s mine. And all my beasts agree.      AmazonKU

LOVING FAE (LOST IN FAE BOOK FOUR) by M Sinclair

My name is Maize. Poisonous to the touch. The bastard child of one very dead Dark Fae King. A refugee of a war that freed me from my three-year imprisonment. And now, the last line of defense against a fae god who threatens my home. Oberon wants to make a deal with me. If I come to him, if I surrender my magic, he’ll let me go. Except we all know that’s a lie. My seven mates and I can feel the trap buried beneath every word and promise. We will go to Oberon, but not to surrender. We’re going to end him. To do that, I’ll have to unearth truths about my bloodline I never dared imagine, return to the land that carved its cruelty into my skin, and wield the kind of power I once feared. It will take every drop of our magic, every tether of our mate bond, to save the Horde—the only home I’ve ever known. To win this war, I’ll have to become exactly what I always feared: Poisonous.    AmazonKU

HIS KNOTTY DRAGON by Kota Quinn

VS Note: MM PNR. An expanded re-release.

His Knotty Dragon is a sweet paranormal novella with cozy monster romance vibes. It features an omega who yearns to pave his own path and a protective alpha who wants to help. You can expect a surprise heat, insta-lust between fated mates, and a little bit of Christmas magic.    AmazonKU

THE GLASS UNICORN: PART FIVE  (QUEST WARS) by Yasmine Galenorn

When Erenye Green, an editor at a small publisher, and several of her gaming friends find themselves stuck within the fantasy world of Abarria, they must learn to navigate the realities of what it really means to battle monsters, zombies, and all manner of creatures, now that the stakes are life and death, and no longer a simple roll of the dice. Part 5: Erenye and the others take on the Forest Troll, then plan for their long journey to the Summer Kingdom. Notes: This is a LitRPG serial.    Amazon

RESTLESS AND INSURGENT GODS (LABYRINTH OF GODS BOOK THREE) by Debbie Cassidy

The path to glory is veiled in deception. With the primordial evil free from its prison, my ascension is vital. The throne holds the power to help us lock away the evil for good. But there are forces at work that would rather not have me on the board, and the Authority will play every card in their hand to make sure I don’t claim my birth right. But I made a vow, to the man I love, and to myself, to free the people of this world from the cages that the asura have placed them in. I will not fail. Half-truths and lies pave the way to the throne. Discernment is all I have, and one wrong decision could cause everything to crumble. With my demigod friends at my back, and Blue and Chandra by my side, victory feels possible. But the primordial evil made me a promise in the labyrinth, and he’s coming to collect.       AmazonKU

SWORN TO RUIN HIM (THE LADY AND THE BLADE BOOK ONE) by H P Mallory

I came to defeat a monster. He made me want to become one. I was supposed to be dead. Why? The magic running through my veins—magic that has been outlawed in Camelot for over ten years. But death wasn’t in the cards for me. Instead, I found sanctuary in the magic land of Annwyn. There, I was forged into something dangerous: a weapon trained by Merlin himself. A weapon aimed at none other than the King of Camelot, Arthur Pendragon. The golden tyrant. The witch-hunter. The beautiful monster who built his throne on the ashes of magic-users while secretly wielding forbidden power of his own. Now I’ve returned to Camelot disguised as Sir Lioran, a knight competing in the deadly Shadow Trials—Arthur’s elite recruitment of magic-wielding warriors. My mission is simple: infiltrate the king’s court, betray the crown, and ruin the king. My reality becomes far more complicated. Because Arthur isn’t what I expected… He’s a storm hiding beneath the crown. A storm in the shape of a merciless tyrant who rules through fear. He’s also dangerously perceptive—a man whose icy blue eyes see through lies as easily as he wields the dark magic he’s condemned others for possessing. When Arthur drags me to the edge of obedience, the line between hatred and obsession begins to blur and I have to question my own sanity. Duty says slit his throat. Desire says taste the sin. And then there’s Lancelot–Arthur’s lethal knight. Sharp-eyed. Sinfully beautiful. A predator in polished armor. Lance watches me like he sees through the mask of the man—as though he’s already imagining the woman beneath it. And when our paths cross behind closed doors, heat turns to hazard. My mission in Camelot might be simple. But desire is not. And in a game where magic is forbidden but essential, where every alliance is a betrayal waiting to happen, and where the greatest threat may be the passion burning between enemies, only one truth remains: Some oaths are made to be broken. But some ruins are too beautiful to resist.       AmazonKU

RAVEN IN MIDWINTER (RAVEN OF THE WOODS) by Mary Calmes

VS note: MM PNR.

Sometimes the most frightening thing is not the wind howling through the trees…but what’s lurking there. Xander Corey is certain that what his husband, Lorne MacBain, the chief of police in their little town of Osprey, is seeing outside their kitchen window is nothing to worry about. It’s concerning that whenever Xander looks, there’s nothing there, but really, it could be anything. Why borrow trouble and assume the worst? Besides, it’s midwinter, after all, and everything is sleeping. Or should be. And while during the deep, dark days and even darker nights, things can get spooky, that’s not to say that logical minds won’t prevail, even when tested at the most vulnerable time. Remaining steadfast in the face of danger is what guardians do… and staying alive would certainly help as well.     AmazonKU

HER BEARY FRESH START (WELCOME TO BEAR MOUNTAIN BOOK FOUR) by Theodora Taylor

Vacant Little Thing. That’s what I became to survive my abusive marriage. Empty. Compliant. Subservient. I escaped once. Sent my ex to prison, got the divorce, rebuilt my life, and my relationship with my daughters. Then he got out of prison and found me. I took him back. Happily. At least, that’s what I told my daughters. They think I’ve lost my mind, choosing to return to a toxic relationship. They don’t know I’m trapped again, protecting them the only way I know how. By staying silent. By disappearing into myself. By abandoning all hope of ever escaping again. Until him. Actually… until them: a grumpy smokejumper with burning blue eyes that see through every convenient lie I tell, a retired Mountie who quietly gets to fixing anything that’s broken—even if it’s me, and an erudite teacher who makes me remember all the things I wanted for myself before my ex came along. I’m fifty-six years old, but maybe it’s not too late for a Beary Fresh Start after all.     AmazonKU

CRAVE ME (ON THE PROWL FOUR) by Crystal Jordan

Love or power? For Panther-shifter Tomas Montoya, choosing between them may cost him everything…When Tomas found his mate Maru Yoshida in the Asian Pride, he thought he’d discovered his perfect future. But fate had other plans. Now, with his grandfather’s death, Tomas has been thrust into a dangerous game of Panther politics as heir to the powerful South American Pride. Sent to North America to forge crucial alliances, he’s torn between his growing responsibilities and his fierce devotion to Maru. For Maru, life has become an endless maze of political machinations she never wanted. Gone are her peaceful days as a graphic artist. Instead, she’s surrounded by strangers, watching her mate drift further away as he juggles Pride duties and his father’s relentless demands. The only time they truly connect is in the dark of night, when passion temporarily drowns out their problems. But when an attack on Maru reveals hidden enemies within the Pride, Tomas must make an impossible choice. Will he choose the power his father demands he embrace, or risk everything to protect the woman who holds his heart?       Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo

HUNTING CHAOS (SOUTHERN SOUL HUNTER BOOK THREE) by Tegan Maher

With chaos reigning, Kira and Callum have just six souls left to capture before her time is up. The problem is that they’re the worst six of those who escaped, and if they can’t get the job done, Kira will lose both her wings and her station in Celestial City. Follow Kira and her crew of magical powerhouses as they try to bring an end to her journey and recover all that she’s lost.   AmazonKU

THE SHOEMAKER by Megan Derr

VS Note: LGBTQ Fantasy.

Once upon a time…there was a lonely elf who lived in an old crate in a dingy alleyway. Every day he watched the shoemaker across the street, who once was so happy and vivacious, but now is heartbroken and despondent. As the Winter Solstice approaches, the elf is determined to help the forlorn shoemaker however he can, even if all he can do is stitch the shoes laid out every night in preparation for the next day’s work.      Amazon       Apple Books       Kobo

THING OF RUIN (THE SACRED AND THE SEWN BOOK ONE) by Cara Wylde

Born in a dungeon so deep that the sky, the grass, and the sea are just myths. He has no name, only what they call him: Construct-XII. His memories, his fears and nightmares are not his own, and his hands know skills he never learned. He is a collection of parts that came from dead men. When a fire burns it all to the ground, he finds himself alone and disoriented in a world too vast. His sudden freedom is torture. He does what he must to secure a place in a prison cell, the constriction of four walls the only thing that gives him comfort. He’d rather waste away than live. It’s what he deserves. He saw the humans outside and how they react to him. He’s an abomination. Then one night, a new prisoner is thrown into the cell next to his. Instead of screaming, like all the others, she sings. She sings, and he wants to sing with her.   AmazonKU

AVI (LITTLE RIVER STALLIONS BOOK THREE) by R E Butler

Stallion shifter Avi has dirt on his hands, sweat on his brow, and an ache in his chest that no amount of hard work can ease. He’s watched two of his friends find their soulmates recently, and he’s wondering if the universe forgot about him. Until she shows up—beautiful, scared, and on the run. Fallon was promised to a monster. Given away in an arranged mating, she fled to save herself but had to leave her mother behind. Promised safety on a farm away from the safari park that gave her sanctuary, she never expected to find her soulmate in a quiet stallion with rough hands, soft eyes…and a protective streak that sets her heart on fire. But their new relationship is threatened when Fallon’s mom shows up at the farm, the alpha she was promised to hunting her, and Avi’s dangerous cousin threatening everything the herd has built. Avi may be quiet, but when his mate is in danger, there’s nothing gentle about him. If anyone thinks they can take her from him, they’ll learn what kind of beast lives beneath the farm boy exterior.

Amazon        Apple Books       Kobo

TALK A BIG FLAME (PARANORMAL DATING AGENCY BOOK 95) by Milly Taiden

Dr. Lila Reyes has spent her life fixing everyone’s broken pieces while ignoring her own. When matchmaker Gerri Wilder offers her an escape she packs her bags for the adventure of a lifetime. She expects a difficult patient, not a world of dragon shifters and a king who looks like a dark fantasy come to life. One heated glance from the brooding Alpha, and her carefully constructed professional walls begin to crumble. King Draven Kaelith is on the brink of destruction. The ancient “fire madness” is burning him alive from the inside out, and his enemies are circling the throne, waiting for him to fall. He doesn’t have time for therapy, but the moment the curvy, brilliant doctor steps into his castle, his dragon roars with a hunger that defies all logic: Mine. Lila fights to keep their relationship clinical, but the pull between them is hotter than dragon fire. As they uncover a treacherous plot to steal the crown, the danger spirals. Can Draven master his madness long enough to claim his queen and save his dominion, or will his enemies burn everything he loves to ash?      AmazonKU

A MONARCH’S FALL (SOUL MATCH SERIES BOOK FOUR) by J K Jeffrey

VS Note: FF Fantasy.

The kingdom is splintering, and every power is hungry for the same prize — Percy Flores. Torn from Selene’s side and trapped in the power games of those who would use her, Percy uncovers the truth of her bloodline. But knowledge comes at a cost, and every secret makes her a target. Meanwhile, Selene Borealis is being pushed toward the throne and away from the woman she would burn the world for. When betrayal strikes from every direction, even love becomes a battlefield, and their bond may be the very thing that destroys them. War is coming. Crowns will fall. And when the smoke clears, Selene must choose between the kingdom she was born to rule and the soul she cannot live without. A Monarch’s Fall is a slow-burn dark romantic fantasy of power, peril, and desire—a story of witches, vampires, soul bonds, and what it means to choose love when the world demands anything but.   AmazonKU

DIAMOND DUST (SHADOWBOUND FAE BOOK TWO) by K F Breene

If you can’t beat ’em… burn it all down. The fae royalty think I’m their toy. Their entertainment. But I’m the only thing standing between their glittering world and the darkness waiting to consume mine. To buy us time, Tarian enters me into the court games—a bloodsport for the bored and cruel. No allies. No protection. Just monsters wearing crowns and smiling as they watch me fall. My odds of survival? Slim. My resolve? Unbreakable. They’ve always underestimated me. I exist in the shadows. I thrive there. And when they push me too far… they’ll learn exactly what kind of carnage a cornered human can unleash.      AmazonKU      AB

GIDDY UP ORC COWBOY (BRIDES OF THE LONESOME CREEK ORCS BOOK SIX) by Ava Ross

Riley: I’ve spent two years running from men who want me dead. Now I’m hiding as a small-town deputy in a Wild West tourist trap run by orcs. The plan: keep my head down, trust no one, and move on when necessary. What wasn’t in the plan? Sheriff Dungar Bronish—a gorgeous, methodical orc who protects his town with the same precision he organizes his sock drawer. When he looks at me like I’m his entire world, staying hidden becomes impossible. But if my past catches up with me, I won’t be the only one in danger. Dungar: The moment Riley walks into my office, the mating mark appears on my wrist. She’s my fated mate, my perfect match. But she’s running from something dangerous, and gaining her trust means giving her space she doesn’t believe she deserves. As mysterious thefts threaten our town and her secrets surface, one thing becomes clear: I’ll do anything to protect what’s mine, even if it means facing down villains and thieves with nothing but small-town determination and an orc’s protective instincts.     AmazonKU

KNIGHT OF LIONS (KINKAID SHIFTERS BOOK SIX) by Bianca D’Arc

Mrs. Entwistle has been a shadow over the Kinkaid Clan for far too long, terrorizing Liam’s extended family in Texas, orchestrating attacks, and always staying one step ahead. Now she’s back on Long Island, and Navy SEAL Liam Kinkaid is tasked with stopping her evil once and for all. He’s trained for impossible missions. But tracking a mage who hides behind false identities and carefully constructed lies? That requires a different kind of expertise. Enter FBI Special Agent Lina Goodwell, a lynx shifter with access to databases Liam can’t touch and investigative skills honed by years in federal service. She’s methodical where he’s direct, systematic where he’s tactical. But as they work to unravel Mrs. Entwistle’s web of deception, their professional partnership ignites something neither expected – the unmistakable pull of a mate bond. The closer they get to Mrs. E, the more dangerous the mission becomes. When the investigation leads them to a final showdown at Wardenclyffe, Liam must trust not only in Lina’s skills – but in a bond that demands everything and promises forever. Some missions are worth dying for. This one might be worth living for.        Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

JINGLE BATS: A PAHL  CHRISTMAS SPECIAL by Athena Steller

VS Note: MM PNR.

Come spend the holidays with Aries, Vin, Nix, Evan, and Gem. Between starting their careers playing professionally in the PAHL, finding new love, and making friends it’s already been a crazy season. Taking a few days to celebrate Christmas turns into a holiday to remember. Aries explores his little side with his brothers while Vin supports his every need. Nix finally gets to see Evan’s dragon. And who is Gem’s mysterious texter? It might only be a few short days between games, but the triplets will make the most of it. The warmest holiday wishes for you from the characters of the Paranormal American Hockey League. This holiday special follows the vents of Nix: PAHL Book 2. It is recommended to first read Aries & Nix before enjoying this story.     AmazonKU

HOT WOLF IN THE COUNTRY by Honey Phillips

Working late has never been this dangerous! Tech genius Harper moves to Monster Island for a fresh start, hoping to escape her workaholic tendencies. She doesn’t expect to fall even deeper into her old patterns, or to accidentally run into the most infuriatingly attractive man she’s ever met.Adrian Moonstone isn’t just the Alpha of the Moonstone Pack; he’s a growly, dominant force of nature. Adrian wants nothing to do with big city girls, but Harper, with her pink hair, defiant attitude, and tantalizing scent, proves impossible to resist. He knows a tiny human female can’t be his Luna. He knows she’ll never truly belong in his world. Yet, his wolf’s need to claim her grows with every encounter. When a vicious cyber-attack threatens his pack, Adrian needs Harper’s genius more than ever. But as they fight together to defeat this new threat, their undeniable passion ignites. Can Harper find her happily ever after, or will love prove to be a code that even she can’t break?    AmazonKU

WANTON WITCHMAS (THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WITCHING) by T M Cromer

Recently anointed Titan Payton Hawthorne has mastered the art of running from expectations, relationships, and most notably, her own wedding. But distance hasn’t dulled the ache of what she lost, and returning home for her sister’s engagement isn’t her idea of festive fun, especially with the man she wronged patrolling every street. So when a pair of bewitched boots arrives on her doorstep, what’s a girl to do but reach for a bit of holiday cheer by trying them on? Newly humorless Officer Dailey Cobb hasn’t forgiven Payton for leaving him at the altar or vanishing after her sister’s curse stripped him of his emotions. His feelings may be on the fritz, but his body remembers her in excruciating detail. Worse, a Trickster’s meddling has ignited a new enchantment, one that sends him straight to her door with a need he can’t control. He’s determined to reclaim every fractured part of himself. And if he has to lock her up and flirt with the dark arts to sever her hold, so be it. With dragons circling, gargoyles lurking, and gods stirring trouble for sport, Payton and Dailey must untangle a supernatural snare strong enough to destroy their idyllic small town. The more magic unravels, the hotter things get. And if Witchmere survives the fallout, it’ll be another Christmas miracle.        Amazon      Apple Books      Kobo

LAIR OF THE SIREN (FORGOTTEN GODS BOOK 22) by Laura Greenwood

Can a siren’s revenge lead to her finding something sweeter? Nadda swore revenge on the sailors who caught her sister in a net and destroyed her life. Now she’s determined to return and use her siren song to enact her vengeance. When she captures Saf with her magic, she starts to realise that her plan might not go exactly the way she wants it to, and she has to decide what’s more important – her past or her future. Lair Of The Siren is part of the Forgotten Gods series and is based on Egyptian mythology. It is based on the Legend Of El Naddaha and includes an m/f romance.     Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo

DEADLY ARROGANCE: NECROMANCER TALES BOOK IV by MJ May

VS Note: MM PNR.

Necromancer Erasmus Boone’s life is on hold—every shadow suspect, every trip outside his warded home a gamble. Afraid of bringing more attention to already wary necromancers, Erasmus has stopped hunting for his own kind. Unwilling to place an even larger target on his back, Erasmus has even delayed his own wedding. Human homicide detective Franklin O’Hare wants nothing more than to be there for the necromancer he loves. Unfortunately, he’s neck-deep in not one but two separate multiple-body dump scenes. With little more than skeletal remains to go on, Franklin’s days are consumed with work, and his sleepless nights are spent wishing he had more time for his fiancé.
Waiting and wondering when Tenzen Huxley will make his move is physically exhausting and emotionally draining. Information regarding shadow borne is slim and little more than hearsay, and what is known is horrifying. Will Erasmus and Franklin be ready when Tenzen finally makes his move? Is there truly any way to be prepared for the hell a shadow borne can unleash? Despite the support of powerful friends and family, Erasmus and Franklin desperately need to find a shadow borne’s weakness. Sometimes, weakness comes from within, not without, and often, arrogance is the deadliest flaw of all.       AmazonKU

WE WHO WILL DIE (EMPIRE OF BLOOD BOOK ONE) by Stacia Stark

From the bestselling author of the Kingdom of Lies series comes a slow-burn romantasy set in a Roman-inspired world ruled by merciless vampires. Filled with breathtaking combat, vengeful gods, and magical creatures, We Who Will Die is the epic first installment in an enthralling new series perfect for fans of Carissa Broadbent, Jasmine Mas, and Rebecca Yarros. Life in the perilous Thorn district is a constant battle for Arvelle and her younger brothers. And the vampire standing on her doorstep is about to turn their world upside down. Faced with an unthinkable choice, Arvelle makes a magically binding vow to do the impossible: kill the emperor, an ancient vampire created by the god Umbros. But first, she must enter the Sundering—an arena where only the fastest, strongest, and deadliest survive long enough to be selected for the emperor’s elite guard. She quickly draws the ire of the Primus, the powerful figure charged with protecting the emperor. But the vampire under the armor is the last person Arvelle expects to encounter in the emperor’s court.  With her brothers’ lives in the balance, Arvelle has no choice but to ally with the man who once shattered her heart… and with the emperor’s sadistic son, Rorrik—two vampires whose motives are impossible to pin down. Rorrik holds the key to understanding the powers Arvelle is developing—abilities that would put a price on her head if discovered by the emperor. To survive the arena and complete her mission, Arvelle must get to the bottom of a conspiracy that will change everything she thought she knew about herself—and the two vampires who are deeply entwined with her destiny.     Amazon     AB      Apple Books      Kobo

TEA AND ALCHEMY by Sharon Lynn Fisher

Cornwall, 1854. The people of Roche have always whispered about the recluse in the black granite tower that looms above the moorland. But one young woman is driven to discover the truth behind the old tales. Her life overshadowed by family tragedy, Mina Penrose escapes her lonely days by working at The Magpie, a cozy tearoom on the village’s edge. Lately she’s been seeing shapes in the sodden leaves that hint at the future. After one such omen, Mina stumbles upon a murdered man on the heath. Villagers immediately suspect Harker Tregarrick, a living, breathing mystery who never ventures beyond the bounds of his centuries-old estate. Until the day after the murder, when the handsome and compelling recluse visits The Magpie…leading to a meeting that will change both their fates. Captivated by a man around whom danger and rumors of death swirl, Mina has never felt more alive. Can she uncover Harker’s heartbreaking history—and the truth about the murder—before tragedy strikes again?      Amazon        AB

DRAGON’S TEMPTATION (MOONLIGHT DRAGON TRILOGY BOOK TWO) by Nicolette Andrews

Liane is the Goddess chosen, wielder of the golden blade. But the blade is embedded in her spine. Liane is the goddess Cyra’s Avatar, destined to destroy the dark plague sweeping the empire with the Golden Blade. Unfortunately, the sword is fused into her back. It’s said only pure souls can draw the sword, which Liane must prove her divinity by giving up material comforts and carnal indulgences. She dedicated her life to the Church of Sol and prepared for a devout life, until Erich strolled back into her life, a temptation she cannot deny. Erich crossed the continent to find Liane again, and he’s ready to burn the world to keep her safe, but can he protect her from the monster under his skin? His control over the dragon is splintering, leading him down a dangerous path from which he cannot return. The longer he orbits around Liane trying to untangle her from the Church of Sol’s influence, the more the dragon chips away at his sanity, and soon there will be nothing of him left…Caught between divinity and damnation, they try to fight the inexplicable draw to one another. Liane’s faith will be tested as Erich’s restraints are broken. Together alone are they are strong enough to subvert the apocalypse. Can they overcome their fears and biases before darkness rises to destroy them all?        Amazon      Apple Books      Kobo

THE ASSASSIN’S CHOSEN: THE CRIMSON VAMPIRE COVEN BOOK 19 by B A Stretke

VS note: MM PNR.

One forbidden discovery. One lethal protector. One bond that will change everything. Dr. Elias Vance is a scientist on the verge of a breakthrough that could change the world: a serum for immortality. Working in a secret laboratory for the ruthless billionaire Orion Mercier, Elias has no idea that his research into a mysterious “blood factor” has crossed a dangerous line—one protected for centuries by the shadows. Kael Volkov is a Guardian—an elite vampire assassin sent by the Crimson Coven to eliminate threats to their kind. His mission is simple: observe and eliminate Dr. Vance. But the moment Kael gets close enough to strike, his cold, professional world is shattered. The scent that had been masked by lab chemicals reveals a shocking truth: Elias is his Chosen. Now, the man hired to kill Elias must become his only hope for survival. As the Vampire Council sends more assassins to finish the job and Orion Mercier reveals the monstrous lengths he’ll go to for eternal life, Kael and Elias are forced into a desperate alliance. Between them grows a bond that is both wonderful and terrifying—a connection that may force Kael to choose between his people and the man he was born to protect. In a world of blood and secrets, can an immortal killer save his chosen beloved from the very darkness he helped create?      Amazon

THIRTY, FLIRTY AND FOREVER ALONE by Christine Riccio

VS Note: “Magical twist.” I preordered this, sounded good.

When your name literally means “forever alone,” it takes a lot of positive self-talk to stay optimistic in the hellscape that is dating. But on the cusp of thirty, Rikki Romona is determined to find her person. Columnist, therapist, podcaster, entrepreneur—Rikki is an overachiever who thrives on schedules. She can absolutely handle two weddings in two days, and lock down someone to drag along as a plus-one. And yet, spoiler: She doesn’t. Rikki finds herself flying hopelessly solo at a themed wedding in New Jersey. A lonely Rapunzel waiting for her Flynn. Enter Reed Tyler: writer, podcast producer, wannabe actor. Surprisingly single with startling blue eyes, he seems perfect. The catch? He lives kind of far away, so dating him would be a bit of a hike. Like an intense, all-the-way-across-the-country hike. After one unforgettable night together, Rikki’s sure this is the end. But as she braces herself for heartache, the universe, it seems, has other plans.      AmazonKU      AB

GIVEN TO THE SASQUATCH: A CASCADES BEST SHORT STORY by Sue Mercury

VS Note: A re-release.

He’ll keep me safe… and warm. On the run from the mob, I desperately need a place to hide. My cousin insists the safest option is a tribe of Sasquatches he recently befriended—but there’s a catch.
To stay, I’ll be expected to mate with one of the massive, furry creatures. For life. Then I meet Karm—a handsome, muscle-bound beast who believes I’m his fated mate. He scoops me into his arms and carries me up the mountain, fully intent on claiming me as his. Note: This story originally appeared in Snow, Lights, and Monster Nights: A Monster Anthology       Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

SEASON OF THE NAGA VOLUME ONE (BRIDES OF THE SERPENT STONES)  by Iona Strom

She was offered as peace. He was forged for war. To end centuries of bloodshed, Leira is bound by blood to a naga war commander, a living seal between enemies whose hatred runs as deep as the scars of war. As enemies coil in shadows and betrayal strikes from within, Varok must choose between the vengeance of his past and the human who is prophesied to change the fate of his people forever. Hunted by forces determined to see peace fail, their forbidden desire may be the only weapon capable of surviving the coming storm—or the spark that consumes them both. ~A slow-burn fantasy romance with enemies-to-lovers tension, forbidden desire, and ancient magic that refuses to stay buried.      AmazonKU

THE VAMPIRE BAT SHIFTER’S MATE: A GAY MONSTER ROMANCE WITH FANGS by Delaney Rain

Wiley Winslow is having a shit night that only gets worse when masked agents abduct him and throw him into a cage with a giant, hungry man bat. Hamilton Fawkes is having an awesome night now that his fated mate’s blood has given him the strength he needs to escape the government lab that’s imprisoned him for far too long. They escape, they run, they hide, but even when they find sanctuary, it’s only for a few days before the bad guys are at it again. When our heroes are captured, though, nothing will stop them from saving themselves and everyone else being forced to participate in a totally illegal government program to make super soldiers. Not everyone will make it out alive—but they’re bad guys so they don’t count anyway.      AmazonKU

STOP BULLSHIFTING ME (SNOWY COZY SHIFTER ROMANCES BOOK FOUR) by Zora Black and Milly Taiden

I was supposed to observe him. Not… absorb him. Rafe Calderon is six feet of pure rage, broken mirrors, and bullshifter DNA. The Brotherhood calls him Toro. I call him a walking HR violation with cheekbones. He growls, I analyze. He threatens, I document. Then he shifts mid-therapy and pins a man to the wall with his horns. Now I’m bleeding light. Glowing in places that should not glow. And waking up to a tattooed monster guarding my bed like I’m the last piece of peace he’s ever seen.
Apparently I’m a latent witch. He’s a cursed killer. And together we’re the spark that could burn the Pact to the ground. We are not bonding. We are not soulmating. We are surviving. Skin to skin. Pulse to pulse. Some women journal through trauma. I tend to ride it out. Literally.     AmazonKU

THE DHAMPIR by Angela Knight

An ancient vampire, Hunter can command any woman he wants — except the one woman he needs. His mate. Genevieve Drake is a Dhampir — half vampire, half mortal, born and bred to be the perfect complement to her vampire mate, like those of her family for sixteen generations. Instead, she chose to become a cop. Three months ago she survived a vicious attack by a psychotic ex that left her with psychic scars and a desperate need for a new line of work. Time to rethink her future. Hunter is tall, dark and handsome — and very, very powerful. He’s also been waiting for Genevieve. She was just eighteen when he had a vision that they’d one day become lovers. He’s been biding his time ever since. But Genevieve’s experiences have left her unable to trust any man, even Hunter. If he wants them to have a future, the vampire will have to find a way to banish her ghosts.    Amazon      Apple Books       Kobo

CHRISTMAS CHIMER by Zoe Chant

Leaving his family’s cheerful-but-very-noisy Christmas getaway is chimera shifter Colton’s favorite time of year, and this time he has an excellent excuse: his job as a lawyer is pulling him back to New York—unless the Montana winter snowstorms have anything to say about it. But the storm brings its own kind of luck, because small plane pilot Jo Talbott isn’t just Colton’s answer to getting out of the mountains and back to the real world: she’s also his fated mate, and the reason he’s prepared to change his life entirely……as soon as he wins this court case, anyway. And while Jo wasn’t planning to fly in the storm, when Colton (who happens to be the most absurdly handsome man Jo has ever seen) makes her an offer that will help save her family ranch, Jo trusts her instincts and her skills—and when disaster takes the plane down, it’s thanks to a freak event that neither of them could have anticipated. Marooned in the Montana mountains and determined to save his mate, Colton reveals himself as a shifter—and realizes quickly that Jo is going to save him right back. Together they stand every change against the blizzard—and might just make a life-changing discovery on their stormy road to love.       AmazonKU

THE DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH (BEYPOND THE VEIL BOOK 10) by KM Avery

VS Note: MM PNR.

My life has been… rough. I spent most of my childhood in an asylum, and I’ve spent the better part of the last six years trying to deal with the fact that everything I touch tells me something about the last person who owned it, the person who made it, and sometimes several people in between. It’s exhausting, and I hate it. I will do pretty much anything to avoid doing it, in fact. Until a six-four, golden-eyed FBI agent walked through the door and dropped literal diamonds into my hands. Well, a diamond necklace. And he asked me to tell me everything I could about who’d owned it, who’d given it to her, and so on. I guess I have to learn how to control my abilities fast, or a murderer might go free. And I might lose my chance to impress the FBI agent who haunts my dreams.   AmazonKU

SPILLING THE TEA IN GRETNA GREEN (MIDLIF RECORDER)  by Linzi Day 

Niki McKnight puts the ‘tea’ in team with eight tales of magic, mayhem, and midlife empowerment. Welcome back to Gretna Green, where the tea is hot—even when it’s coffee—the dragons are hotter, and the cosy-fantasy chaos never ends. Join Niki and her irrepressible team at the Recorder’s Office as they uncover secrets, meet a dragonet, and commit the occasional righteous murder—with plenty of laughter, loyalty, and a splash of uisge beatha for shock. From ancient graveyards to modern royal birthdays, Gretna Green has never been busier. This full-length collection of novellas and short stories weaves through the series, starting after Ties that Bond and continuing after Market Forces.
It contains spoilers if you haven’t read the first three books in the series.     AmazonKU

CURSED TO THE RUINED COURT (FROSTBOUND COURT BOOK THREE) by Robin D Mahle and Elle Madison

A queen loathed by her own. A king waging an impossible war. A world devoured by ice and shadow.   AmazonKU

LAST CALL IN CHCAGO (THE HAUNTED RANCH MYSTERIES) by Sara Bourgeois

Claire Caldwell has it all figured out. A corner office, a “devoted” fiancé, and a five-year plan that definitely doesn’t include inheriting a ranch in the middle of the Arizona desert. Then her boss calls her “redundant.” Her fiancé calls her “Harmony.” And a desperate teenager calls from Perdido Springs, demanding $347.82 for horse feed.In three devastating weeks, Claire watches her carefully constructed life collapse. The job she gave twelve years to? Gone. The man she planned to marry? Running off with his yoga instructor and her “spiritual energy.” The letters from Arizona she’s been ignoring? Turns out they’re not a scam. Now Claire owns forty acres, four horses, a herd of stubborn goats, and more questions than answers. Why did her great-aunt leave everything to a niece she met once? Why does Claire keep seeing people who aren’t there? And why does she dream of a copper-colored fox with preternatural eyes? She’s about to find out that losing everything was just the beginning. Last Call in Chicago is a prequel novella to Death Rides the Desert, the first book in The Haunted Ranch Mysteries series. Discover how Claire Caldwell went from corporate burnout to ghost whisperer… one terrible week at a time.      Amazon

LIAM (THE CALHOUN BROTHERS BOOK TWO) by Minerva Howe

VS Note: MM PNR.

Liam Calhoun has been looking up the mountain he lived at the bottom of for years, but in the last six months or so, the feeling has become urgent. Not only is his brother, Rory, up there with a pack of werewolves, but the old homestead at the edge of the treeline is calling to him. Something up there needs him, what he finds there when the snows clear changes Liam’s life forever. Theo is a werewolf on the run, his small pack destroyed, the survivors flung to the four winds. He has his friends’ baby, and nowhere to go until he finds a homestead at the top of the mountain and settles in to fight what’s left of the winter. When Liam comes up the mountain during the early spring thaw, Theo knows he’s finally found home. Can the two of them deal with Theo’s lost pack, Liam’s emerging werewolf identity, and the brutal high mountain weather to form a pack of three, or more?     AmazonKU

CAPTIVE BY FAE (HUNTED BY FAE BOOK TWO) by Quinn Blackbird

One minute, I’m on a road trip across Canada with my friends, the next, darkness is spreading through the sky, drenching it like spilled ink on parchment—and then came the dark warriors. In a world-wide blackout, torchlight and the death of my friends is all I come to know. But Bee has a plan, because she has a secret—but it’s a scheme thwarted by the dark warrior hunting her, the one who laid a trap for us in the middle of a frozen city—He steals Bee from me… and leaves my life in the cold hands of a fae warrior different from the others, carved from ice, hollow—and utterly terrifying. His task is to take me with his unit back to the fae realm, where hopefully I’m reunited with Bee. But that’s months away, months of trekking difficult terrain in a harsh winter, and no way of contacting Bee, to learn if she’s even still alive. She faces the same danger that I do. Broken promises, fractured bargains, and death at the hands of the fae captors.      AmazonKU

BLOODTHIRSTY BELOVED by Ella Fields

Deadly quests blur the line between hate and love in this all-new standalone romantasy. King Brey and Queen Ethel were once in love—until they became husband and wife. While Brey was instantly infatuated upon meeting his betrothed, the arrangement made by her father was an unwelcome surprise for Ethel. Forced to surrender all she knew, Ethel did so reluctantly, and her torn heart broke her husband’s. Now, the two live lazily in a palace too small for their bitter feelings and venomous words. But their reign of indulgence has been costly, and they must finally put their union to good use by replenishing the wards that protect vampirekind. To complete the deadly tasks awaiting them, they will need to cast their hatred aside and work together—or they could lose far more than a chance to salvage their bloodthirsty love.       AmazonKU

BEFORE THE FROST: A MONSTER ROMANCE SHORT READ (HARVEST mOON) by Adrian Blue

Widowed farmer Margaret has spent eight years alone, aching with a loneliness she’ll never admit out loud. Until the night she burns the last of the harvest and whispers her need into the November darkness. What answers is Jack, a massive creature of vines and earth with a carved pumpkin head and an ancient claim on her land. He says her loneliness summoned him, that she’s his now until the first frost. Margaret knows she should run while she still can. But as Jack’s vines wrap around her body and his dark voice fills her mind, she discovers that being claimed by a monster might be exactly what she’s been craving.       AmazonKU

UNEXPECTED MATE FOR CHRISTMAS (HOLIDAY ROYALS OF THE LAND UNSEEN BOOK THREE) by Lisa Daniels

VS Note: MM PNR.

It’s nearly Christmas, and I already have everything. Power. Wealth. A Royal bloodline. I have no right to complain about my life. Even if I tried, no one would listen. Except for Noel. Since the first time we met, he’s set my heart aflutter. His easy smile, calm demeanor, and genuine concern are new to me. His easy charm makes him far better than any alpha. He’s the only person I’ve ever wanted.  I have no right to ask for that though. I broke up with him two years ago. Walking into paradise to find my mate, he was the first person I saw. Still, I can’t have him. Not if I want to keep him safe. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted, right down to his dragon shifter form. Watching him find his mate, knowing he can’t be mine, is killing me.       AmazonKU       AB

WHISPERS OF MAYHEM (GUARDIANS OF DEATH BOOK ONE) by Aurora Ramsden

I always suspected I wasn’t exactly human. I mean, when you’re immune to fire and see visions straight out of a horror movie—it gets a little tedious trying to play normal. So yeah, I’m just a tattoo artist—tatted up, pounding margs, surviving sweaty gym sessions, and inking drunk idiots who’ll regret it in the morning. Doesn’t that sound like paradise to you? Then this asshole swaggers into my shop, strutting around like he owns the place, and drops a coin on me like it’s a damn calling card. Suddenly my sisters and I are left scratching our heads, trying to decode the riddle of what the hell we actually are. Spoiler alert: apparently, we’re some kind of creature. Which kind? Your guess is as good as mine. But here’s the kicker: if we don’t figure it out fast, rumor says we’ll be parting ways with our heads. Cute, right? Honestly, if anyone’s going to be taking heads, it’s going to be me. Not that I’d complain. I do love the color red—blood red. Now that’s a shade worth painting the walls with. After all, a splash of color adds personality, don’t you think?       AmazonKU

HER COUGAR (SHIFTED LOVE SERIES BOOK 13) by Fiona Davenport

After aging out of foster care, Elodie Chase survived a year on her own. When a storm forced her to park near a remote construction site, she expected nothing more than another night of keeping her head down. Instead, she found Garner Wilder—a man who made her feel safe before she understood why. Garner knew Elodie was his mate the moment he scented her. The human woman with tired eyes called to his cougar like nothing ever had. And when sabotage threatened his project—and her safety—he refused to let her out of his sight.       AmazonKU

SECRETARY TO THE ORC (INDECENT MONSTERS) by Lyonne Riley

Rosette Kristoff is impeccable at her job, but there’s just one problem: she has a massive crush on her orc boss, Mr. Vincent Roth. Though he appreciates what she has on offer, he never touches, much to her indignation. That is, until Vincent discovers Rosette’s after-hours job working at a gentlemen’s sex club as “Velvet.” Then all his pent-up hunger for his beautiful assistant erupts, and he finally crosses the line. But a relationship between them is a recipe for Human Resources disaster, and Vincent knows it can’t be more than a tryst at a club. And the last thing he needs is to form a mate bond. Once he gets a taste of Velvet, though, can Vincent really stay away from Rosette? This is a short and steamy monster romance novella about a very unconventional relationship between an orc boss and his assistant. Please read the list of content warnings in the sample.      AmazonKU’

MATED TO THE ALPHA SQUAD (PACK UP AND LOVE ME) by Ella Hartwell

I thought I was giving a spa day to three very large, very grumpy stray dogs. Turns out, I was accidentally claiming the city’s most dangerous Alpha pack. My name is Penny, and I’m the best dog groomer in the tri-state area. I can tame a biting Chihuahua with a look and turn a matted mess into a show pony in under an hour. So, when three massive, majestic wolves wandered into my shop looking like they’d been dragged through a sewer, I didn’t call Animal Control. I called for the premium blueberry shampoo. I scrubbed them. I blow-dried them. I may have put a jaunty little bandana on the biggest one. And then… I found The Spot. You know the one. That magic little nerve ending behind the ear that makes a dog’s leg kick? Well, apparently, when you hit that spot on a shifter stuck in wolf form, it doesn’t just make their leg kick. It accidentally triggers a soul-deep mating bond. Whoops. Now, three gorgeous, intense, and terrifyingly familiar men are stalking my shop. Rowan: The brooding Alpha who glares at me like he wants to devour me (and is definitely hiding the fact that I put a pink bow on him yesterday). Knox: The stoic Enforcer who keeps “accidentally” breaking things just so I have to come close to fix them. Jax: The chaotic wild card who looks at me with puppy-dog eyes and practically begs for head scratches in the middle of the waiting room. They’re undercover agents who should be focusing on a drug bust, but all they can focus on is me. They need to break the bond before they lose their badges, but their inner wolves have other ideas. They don’t just want a groomer. They want a mate. And they’re willing to get down and dirty to prove they can be very good boys.        AmazonKU       AB

BEAR OF THE DEEP (TIDES OF FATE BOOK THREE) by Delta James

I came to the Isle of Skara to study the sea. I didn’t expect it to claim me. When my selkie heritage awakens and a dark mage targets me, the only one who can keep me alive is Grayson Hale, a bear shifter sworn to guard the deep places. He says the ocean is calling me home. I’m starting to believe him… and to fall for the man fate tied to my blood.       AmazonKU

FORCED REJECTED MATE (SILVER FALLS WOLVES BOOK TWO) by Ruby Knoxx

I’m forced to mate with the wolf who brutally rejected me. I’m the black sheep, the weak outcast, the dormant witch. He’s my brother’s best friend, who cruelly told me that he didn’t want me. But now I’m forced to be his mate. Next, I’m pregnant with his baby…I’m a disappointment to my pack and my family, maltreated for being weak. When I told him that I loved him, he humiliated me by saying I didn’t cut it. Now, I’m told that I have to mate with him, that I don’t have a choice. But forced or not, I won’t open up to him again. And yet my body is overwhelmed by his extreme possessiveness. When I talk to others, he gets jealous and says I’m his. When I try to resist, he brings my body to the edge of insanity. I’m losing control, obediently submitting to whatever he wants to do with me. Can I let my brother’s best friend break me all over again?       AmazonKU

NORTHERN WILD (FROSTHAVEN ACADEMY – NORTHERN SERIES BOOK ONE) by Jaye Marellen

When the frost melts, new magic stirs. After the old council’s defeat, peace settled over Frosthaven—or so everyone hoped. But when a mischievous orphan named Lumi crosses the Arctic Circle, she sees a vision blazing across Denali’s peak—a promise and a warning. Her prank-filled days at the orphanage end when the Academy summons her north, where secrets sleep beneath the ice and the word feral carries a deadly meaning. Fated mates. Found family. Forbidden bonds. Welcome back to Frosthaven Academy, where the cold hides everything except desire.     AmazonKU

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LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica

December 24

December 17

December 10

December 3

November 26

“New” is generally plus or minus a week or two. I try to catch up on ones I missed in recent months.  And I may mention ‘special items’.

NOTE: I’m doing my best to avoid listing anything generated from use of AI but it’s sometimes tricky to detect from the resources I have available. As far as covers go, I list the Amazon cover whether it’s AI or not. 

I do NOT cover every single new release in SFR/FantasyR/PNR. I never have. That would be an impossible task for any human! I assemble my list by hand every week based on various informal inputs, and I do curate the list to some extent…

Some authors aren’t in KU but still don’t list books with Apple or other platforms. This report is very time consuming to prepare so I’ve always had to limit myself and cannot go and look up every book on all the platforms. If an author gives me their other buy links, I include them here but generally I develop the post on my own, not from author-supplied information. I curate and prepare this post individually every week to help connect readers/books/authors and I have to be very careful not to give it so much time as an activity that I don’t write my own novels! Thanks for the feedback and happy reading!

Questions I Have Been Asked in 2025 About My Writing and Books

I thought for the end of the year it might be good to cover some of the book related questions I’ve been asked this year by various readers, since only they saw my answers.

When will you write the final book in the Badari Warriors series? I’m going to try to write it in 2026. This one is difficult for me because there are a lot of threads to tie up, many ongoing characters, etc., and I want to do justice to them and satisfy the readers who’ve been on the journey with me and the Badari. I had to wait till the Muse was ready. I do have the cover already. I have known the general plot outline since the beginning though.

Will there be more Badari babies?  Well Darik didn’t do all those heroics in Darik’s Quest for nothing! But as yet I have no specific plan. I don’t outline, I don’t do detailed plots in advance. If I think too much about a story then I’ll never write it.

Will there be any more Badari Warriors stories? Yes, absolutely! I can’t walk away from them. I’m planning two spinoff series – Badari Squad, which will deal with various Badari Warriors once they send men into the Sectors to serve as a special unit with the Sectors military. A lot of rich plot possibilities there. And Badari Home, which I envision as stories set on the original planet after the war is over and the Badari begin to spread out from Sanctuary Valley and settle the wide open spaces. And of course my South Seas pack of bad boys will get to go home and start over.

What about the Badari Gladiators? Will there be any crossover? I already have the next two Badari Gladiator covers. The next book won’t be Dmitri’s (sorry) because I already had a story in mind prior to his arrival on the scene in Benet. I have a hazy idea for a crossover novel  with the original Badari down the road a bit. Not in 2026. And you may be surprised who the Badari Warriors send out to look for their brethren who were sold to become gladiators. (But probably not Yonn.)

Will Yonn get his own book?  Someday, yes. I have to wait for the plot to begin stirring in my mind.

Why don’t you write all the books in a series before jumping to another series?  I’m a mood writer which for me means I have to write what I’m in the mood for. And it’s helpful to me to refresh my creativity to write different things. When I switch off to my ancient Egyptians or my romantasy stories it’s good for my Muse. Also sometimes a story will come to me completely whole and demanding to be written so then I have to drop everything and write it because that’s a rare gift. I’ve had maybe 5 books like that in my career to date.

I realize some readers find it frustrating that I don’t write all the gladiators or all the Badari or whatever but it just isn’t the way my Muse works. I’m very superstitious about my creativity and my process.

Will there be more Haven Colony stories? Yes, I plan for there to be five total and I have the cover and the basic idea for book three. Those books are partially inspired by an actual island here on Earth where I have relatives and let me tell you, some STUFF has happened there in the past few years which gives me ideas. All of the people, places and events in my books are fiction and not based on any actual place or person, living or dead but events generate ideas and concepts.

Will there be more ancient Egyptian stories? I hope so. I like to write one a year but this year was just too full of commitments. I love writing them and have a few ideas, plus a finished cover for one.

How about Star Cruise? Again, I like to write one a year. I love revisiting my cruise ship and its crew! So far I don’t have a plot lined up for 2026 but if I get invited to join a themed anthology, for sure it’ll be a Star Cruise. Otherwise I’ll try to get to it for Fall. There are endless stories possible on that ship!

Will you do the Intergalactic Dating Agency again? If I’m invited, for sure!  I wasn’t sure how readers would react to those stories. Even though I placed them in my Sectors world and they have my usual action, adventure and romance they’re a bit more romance-y than what I usually write. Royal prince and a waitress! Grumpy sunshine! Age gap! Single mom!  The thing there is that I had to write three novellas back to back to back, which (see note above about my process) my Muse wasn’t really on board with. I just felt if I didn’t I’d have a hard time completing my commitment to IDA to get 3 novellas out on time. I had to get in the IDA mindset and stay there for as long as it took. And while I was doing that, there was an opportunity cost of not having time to write anything else.

So about these zombies…I’d always wanted to write my own apocalyptic, dystopian story and I’m having a great time with Planet of Last Resort. I’m really proud of Arrival, book one. After I wrote it, I wanted to tell a sort of prequel about the outbreak happening before my characters arrived on the planet. That became Tamsyn. Then while I was writing her story, I got fired up to write another novella for two of the supporting characters in Tamsyn. But now I’m concentrating on writing books 3 and 4 of the main series. Then the series will be complete. I keep having ideas for more slice of life short stories on other parts of the planet but for now I’m just making notes and setting those aside. So yes, I’m kind of breaking my own rule about not writing in the same series in a linear fashion but it’s foremost in my mind and I have the feeling, kind of like I did with the IDA that if I wander off from it before all four main books are done, I’ll have a hard time getting back to it

Reading order for Planet of Last Resort? Arrival, Tamsyn, Escape to Nowhere, Journey, Resolution. You could skip Tamsyn and/or Escape to Nowhere and be fine but those characters will all appear in book three Journey.

When will you be at a signing or con? I no longer travel for health reasons – sorry! I used to love meeting readers and other authors at events so it makes me sad to say that.

Will you continue doing preorders? Probably not. I never did them before because I usually write the book, do the edits and put the book out as soon as it’s ready but the Intergalactic Dating Agency required them. And then because of the way my writing schedule worked this year, I had Tamsyn and Escape to Nowhere done and waiting, hence their preorders.

Writing Plans for 2026? Sort of nebulous, as you can tell from the above. I’ll finish books 3 and 4 of Planet of Last Resort and then…I’ll need to write a completely different palate cleanser…and then possibly the finale for Badari Warriors…IDA again if I get invited…who knows what else will strike the Muse’s fancy? I might do my first Kickstarter, for a Special Edition of the Dancer of the Nile romantasy trilogy. I’m also looking into setting up my own site to sell my books direct (but even if I do, I will still be wide on all the other platforms.) I also have two or three shiny new series ideas in mind but whether I’ll get to them in 2026 remains to be seen.

Why do you do the weekly New Releases Report and what makes you qualified to curate it? I started the NR report years ago because I thought there needed to be one place where my favorite genres got reported on. At the time the major book blogs like Dear Author did weekly new releases but rarely included scifi romance or indie authors. I saw a need and I filled it. It’s my contribution to the author community in the genres I love. And I buy a ton of books every week myself as I’m curating the various places where I gather up books to report.

I’ve been a published scifi romance/PNR author since 2012, I’ve hit the USA Today Best Sellers list three times and I have 80+ published books. I covered scifi romance for USA Today as a contributor for a number of years and also wrote about the genres for various other platforms like Heroes & Heartbreakers. I still do columns for the Amazing Stories website and the Roswell Daily Record newspaper. I see literally thousands of new books every year while curating the NR Report and that keeps me on top of what’s trending, hot new authors, releases from beloved established authors and other aspects of the genre book world.

Where can you be found on social media? I’m active on Tiktok  as @vscottauthor (let’s see what the new ownership and new algorithms may bring in 2026), Facebook and Bluesky.

I do a newsletter about once a month and here’s the signup.

And on that note, happy reading and Happy New Year to everyone!

VS Note: This photo below is way out of date – I have 80+ published books out there now!

New Releases in SciFi/Romantasy/Paranormal Romance for DEC 24

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

‘AB’ denotes audiobook and the Amazon buy link.

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ZAPHAROS: LEGENDS OF THE LOST GODS (ARKHEVARI RISING BOOK ONE) by Bella Blair

ELLA: I woke in a world that shouldn’t exist—dark skies, twin moons, and a golden god who claims I belong to him. Zapharos. Praetor of War. One of the last Arkhevari—an ancient race born of light and forged in shadow. He says I’m his Aelyth—soulmate—his balance, the one thing keeping him from falling into the Dark Abyss that consumes his kind. I don’t know if I believe in gods or destiny, but when he touches me, galaxies seem to breathe again. Still… I’m human. And humans don’t belong in wars between immortals. Especially not when the Arkhevari enemies—Cryons, Moggadesh, Ohrurs—want me as a weapon. I’ve been sold, caged, and hunted through the stars. But Zaph came for me. And now I have to decide if saving the universe means surrendering my heart to the one being who could destroy it.  ZAPHAROS: For eons, I’ve fought the darkness clawing at the edge of creation. I’ve lost brothers, armies… and once, my soul. Until I found her. Ella. My Aelyth. My light. My undoing. I swore I would protect her, even from myself—but when the Oracle betrays us and the Cryons take her, the void inside me snaps. I will tear through space and shadow, through gods and empires, to bring her back. Because she is the only thing anchoring me to the light. But the universe is shifting. The old balance is dying. And the power that created the Arkhevari wants her too. If I fail—if the Abyss claims me first—then every world, every star, every breath she takes… will fall into eternal night. Because she is mine. Mine to protect.       AmazonKU

CAPTURING HIS DRAGON (ALIEN MASTERS OF A’LLURE BOOK TWO) by Bella Barwin

She stands before me like a vision of fire—hair the color of a blood-lit sunset, skin shimmering with molten gold. She’s breathtaking. But she isn’t what she seems. She’s a stowaway. A shapeshifting dragon who’s infiltrated my ship, slipped past my crew, and she dares to think she can remain unseen. But we found her, and she’s now locked in our security’s jail. Defiant. Untamed. A provocation I cannot ignore. She stirs every ruthless instinct I keep buried, igniting a hunger as dangerous as it is undeniable. And she will learn—my grip is unyielding, my justice merciless, and once I take hold of her, there will be no escape.      AmazonKU

JINGLE BELLS AND TENTACLE SPELLS (TINSEL AND TENTACLES 3.0) by Chloe Archer

VS Note: Sapphic SFR.

Gemma – It’s not every day your brother gets abducted by aliens—and decides to stay with them. When Felix told me he was in love with one of his captors-turned-boyfriend and wanted to tour the galaxy with him, I thought he’d lost it. But I’m not about to let my only sibling and last remaining family member blast off into the cosmos without me. And, okay, maybe I have a little motivation of my own. One particular alien has been slipping into my DMs… or whatever the intergalactic equivalent is. Her name is Luna—she’s saucy, snarky, and gloriously tentacled. There’s definitely something sparking between us—and I’m dying to see where it leads. Preferably somewhere warm, private, and zero-gravity. Luna – Being single on a spaceship full of lovebirds? Galactic torture. Watching everyone pair off while I drift alone in the stars? Even worse. Then Gemma appears—bold, curvy, and absolutely irresistible. Our late-night transmissions soon turn into something deeper, and downright electric. I’ve never been with a human before, but she feels as right as the purr of a perfectly tuned engine beneath my hands. And the way she talks, laughs, and looks at me? She makes me want to purr, too—and not just over engine noise. She’s joining the crew just in time for Christmas—my favorite Earth holiday. Lights, laughter, and maybe… love? If fate’s on our side, this could be the start of something more amazing than a holiday Hallmark movie!      AmazonKU

MATCHED TO THE ALIEN RANCHER AT CHRISTMAS (LATHARIAN MATE PROGRAM:  UNMATCHED MATES BOOK ONE) by Mina Carter

All she wanted for Christmas was a second chance. What she got was a grumpy alien rancher who voted against allowing humans into his colony. Juniper thought signing up for the Mate Program would give her a fresh start. Instead, she’s been assigned to Goraath—a massive, scarred rancher on the most isolated homestead on the planet. He made it clear he doesn’t want her here. Doesn’t want anyone here. But it’s Christmas, and Juni’s not about to let a grumpy alien steal her joy. Goraath spent years building walls—around his ranch, around his heart. The last thing he needs is a tiny human female hanging decorations, humming carols, and making his empty house feel like a home. Worse, she makes him want things he buried long ago. When a stampede nearly kills her, his carefully controlled life shatters. One desperate kiss changes everything. And Juni realizes the most dangerous thing on this frozen frontier isn’t the wildlife. It’s falling for a warrior who’s forgotten how to hope. He’s given up on miracles. She’s about to show him one.      Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo

XEL: BROKEN BOND: MM SFR (ROGUE BONDS BOOK THREE) by Laura Taylor

Trained as an erotic companion, Xel has spent the past three years serving an arrogant and selfish master, constantly hoping for a life in which he’s truly appreciated, but never finding it. But all that changes when his master dies suddenly, and Xel is sent to live with Cole, his master’s estranged nephew. After a tragedy took his family from him five years ago, Cole has retreated into a life of isolation and solitude, spending his days caring for injured and abandoned pets in the city’s largest animal sanctuary. He has little hope for the future and no interest in exploring the wider world… until unexpected news drops a confused and apprehensive slave on his doorstep. Cole is well accustomed to caring for lost and abandoned creatures. But Xel is nothing like what he expects. Xel’s confidence and seductiveness constantly catch him off guard, and he finds himself scrambling to keep up when his ‘slave’ starts behaving in decidedly un-slave-like ways. As the tension between them grows, they are both forced to begin questioning their past decisions and trying to imagine what the world could hold, if they could only dare to hope for a brighter future.     AmazonKU

CAVEMAN ALIEN’S BABY  (CAVEMAN ALIENS BOOK 27) by Calista Skye

Theodora – I had one safe place on this deadly planet. One place where I could hide from the dinosaur-infested alien jungle trying to kill me. Then my broken-down flying saucer was claimed by a caveman alien who marched inside, announced he lived here now, and moved in with his baby daughter, whom he clearly treasures above all else. Now I’m a guest in my own home, waiting for the moment this eight-foot-tall, bearded, laser-eyed brute decides I’m no longer welcome. Yes, he’s saved my life more than once. Fine, the baby is adorable. And sure, he makes my pulse race in ways I absolutely do not have time for, especially if that very obvious reaction under his loincloth is any indication. But I need to get back to Earth. I’m armed, desperate, and running out of options. If this alien stands in my way, things are going to get physical. Just not in a way he’s expecting…Kenz’ox – Theodora is an alien. But she is also a woman. That should be impossible. There are no women on Xren. Still, I have a daughter of my own. The Ancestors gifted her to me. And my tribe tried to kill her for it. Little Aker’iz must be protected at all costs. The strange metal ship the alien woman lives in is the safest place on this cursed world. The problem is Theodora herself. I cannot look away from her soft, dangerous shape. From her defiance. From the way she smells of lightning and fire and temptation. She challenges me, threatens me… and draws me in all the same. She wants to leave. I need her to stay. Because if she goes, she will take more than my shelter with her. She will take my heart. And the future I never knew was possible.       AmazonKU

MOTHBALLS AND MISTLETOE: A CRYPTID FROM OUTER SPACE ROMANCE by Kit DeVos

“I am far from a bug. Monster, sure… but no, little human, I am not a mothman.” Delaney Hart is barely holding her life together. She’s drowning in debt, haunted by grief, and clinging to her grandfather’s failing Christmas tree farm—the last piece of family she has left. The holidays are supposed to be magical, but for Delaney, they feel like a countdown to losing her home. Then something crashes onto her land. Maelic isn’t a monster... but he’s not human either. An elite Artaisan bounty hunter stranded on a restricted planet, his technology is destroyed and his biology is spiraling out of control. Without his damper mask, his pheromones fixate on the one person he believes he shouldn’t want—soft, stubborn Delaney. Snow traps them together. His presence heats her blood. What starts as fear turns into an attraction neither of them is prepared for. But Maelic’s body isn’t just reacting—it’s bonding. Once an Artaisan male marks his mate with Luminance, there is no going back. As Christmas draws closer, they must decide if this connection is just a temporary heat… or something powerful enough to cross the stars for.      AmazonKU

FORBIDDEN ALIEN: MATED SOULS SCIFI ROMANCE BOOK ONE by B A Star

I woke up strapped to a table—cold lights, cold hands, no name… just property, calling me asset instead of Lila. Then Cain locked me into a cell next to him. Kaelar is danger wrapped in beauty—silver-lit veins, voice like thunder, gaze like he sees straight into the parts of me I don’t show anyone. One touch, and the world goes electric. Our minds fuse—heat, memory, longing—shared and undeniable. I shouldn’t want him–shouldn’t need him. But every breath we share pulls us closer. Cain wants that connection–to cage it, study it, turn it into a weapon capable of rewriting worlds. So we escape together—breathless, bruised, hearts pounding in sync. We run into a world not ready for what we’ve become. We don’t know if our connection is fate or a countdown—but every moment we’re apart, the ache is unbearable. If Cain catches us? He won’t just take our freedom. He’ll weaponize our hearts—and burn worlds with the fallout.     AmazonKU

DRAGON LORD II: EMPEROR DRAGON by Kaitlyn O’Connor

VS Note: Listed in Erotica.

Anya was as stunned by the tall ‘cowboy’ that sauntered into the Wagon Wheel Saloon where she worked as a cocktail waitress as Bastian was when he caught the scent of the woman he wanted to make babies with. Desperately. He hadn’t gone to look for a mate, however. He had gone in search of a willing woman to grace his bed. Anya wasn’t looking for a man to grace her bed or anything else. And yet …Then, just when things were getting really interesting, a death squad caught up with Bastian in Anya’s bed and things got really scary in a very big hurry. He wasn’t just not who she thought he was. He wasn’t what she’d thought he was!

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CLAIMED BY THE ALIEN GUARDIAN (STARLIT MATES UNIVERSE ALIEN ROMANCE) by Nova Thalen

When Ava’s research transport is torn from the sky, she wakes alone on a jungle planet where everything wants her dead. Everything except the massive, silver-skinned alien who steps between her and the first predator with a growl that shakes the trees. He doesn’t speak her language. He refuses to let her stray more than a few steps from his side. And every time he touches her, her skin lights up in a way she can’t explain. Kael is a Guardian—trained to defend his world, sworn to protect the vulnerable, and cursed with a dormant bond that has never awakened… until her. A human female who should be impossible. A stranger who smells like destiny. A weakness he cannot allow. But the jungle is growing restless. Something ancient hunts Ava, and Kael is the only one who can keep her alive. Forced together in a hidden shelter as night falls, the tension between them shifts from fear… to heat… to something far more dangerous. Ava doesn’t want to belong to anyone. Kael never intended to claim a mate. The universe has other plans. And when the bond between them finally awakens, nothing—human or alien—will ever be the same.     AmazonKU

BOUND TO THE ALIEN PRINCE (STARLIT MATES UNIVERSE ALIEN ROMANCE) by Nova Thalen

He was born to rule a galaxy. She was never meant to stand at his side. But fate has other plans. When Talia, a stubborn human nurse, is taken to the Varyn Empire as part of a fragile diplomatic treaty, she expects politics—not the prince whose gaze burns hotter than the stars. Prince Varick is cold, controlled, and bound to a future chosen for him. Until the moment he scents her. His fated mate. An impossibility. A danger. A temptation he can no longer ignore. But claiming her would tear apart alliances. Rejecting her may destroy him. As ancient rituals, deadly bonding trials, and rising enemies threaten the Empire, Lira must navigate a royal court that would kill to keep her from the prince who cannot stay away. Enemies are closing in. Desire is becoming dangerous. And the bond between them is awakening. He will defy a galaxy to claim her. She must decide if she can survive loving a prince born for war.     AmazonKU

MERRILY ABDUCTED (PROUVIANS ON EARTH) by Rachel Nova

Julia thinks her Christmas week can’t get any worse until she nearly dies when a truck spins out on the icy highway, totaling her car. She wakes up miraculously unharmed and face-to-face with Clark, the high school boyfriend who vanished without explanation twelve years ago. Except his name isn’t Clark. It’s Clarix, and he’s an alien from the planet Prouv. When they were both teenagers, Clarix accidentally fluid-bonded Julia, tying them together with a mate bond. However, after his diplomat mother discovered the bond, she dragged him back to Prouv. Meanwhile, Julia has spent over a decade unable to have a normal romantic relationship with anyone. Now that they’re reunited, Julia’s body is demanding what it’s been missing: regular doses of Clarix’s bonding fluid. As the biological urgency intensifies, she’s forced to choose between her normal life on Earth or a life among the stars with the guy… alien who got away. But first, they have to survive Christmas with her family.   AmazonKU

***********************BRIEF BREAK BEFORE THE FANTASY/PNR BOOKS!**************************************

VS: I decided to mention STAR CRUISE MYSTERY DANCER this week from my backlist. It’s my Anastasia retelling and I had a lot of fun figuring out how to bring the story into the far future.

STAR CRUISE MYSTERY DANCER by Veronica Scott

First published in the Embrace the Passion: Pets in Space 3 anthology, which is no longer available…

Tassia Megg is a woman on the run after the death of her elderly guardian. She needs to get off the planet in a hurry when chance directs her to an open dance audition for the luxury cruise liner Nebula Zephyr’s resident troupe. One thing Tassia can do is dance.

Security Officer Liam Austin is suspicious of the newest performer to join the Comettes. She shows all the signs of being a woman on the run and seems to fit the Sectors-wide broadcast description of a missing thief, accused of stealing priceless artifacts. As he gets to know Tassia during the cruise, he starts to wonder if she’s something more – a long vanished princess in hiding from deadly political enemies of her family perhaps?

And what’s the story with the three eyed feline companion other crew members swear Tassia brought aboard the ship? Does the animal even exist?

As the ship approaches its next port of call, all the issues come to a boil and Liam must decide if he’ll step in to help Tassia or betray her. F’rrh the alien cat is the key to the mystery and Tassia’s fate.

A science fiction romance take on the Anastasia tale…

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************************** THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT IF YOU DECIDE TO CHECK OUT THE BOOKS (because my own books pay my bills) AND A BIG THANK YOU IF YOU ALREADY HAVE! AND ONWARD WE GO!*********************

OOPS! I SUMMONED A LIDERC (WITCHES LOVE MONSTERS) by Regine Abel

Crack an egg, hatch a demon! When Coral goes to pick up the remaining belongings her obnoxious ex-roommate Angelique left in their old flat, she inadvertently starts the mother of all shitstorms. How was Coral to know that she’d brought back Vazul—an insanely hot sex demon, with a sharp tongue and wicked wits? She should cast him out, but the thought of parting ways with her irreverent demon is unbearable. With Angelique hellbent on reclaiming what she deems hers, should Coral protect Vazul from the nefarious plans that wicked witch has in store for him, or should she seize the opportunity to run?       AmazonKU

DRAGON HER HEELS (BOOK 23) by R J Blain

Crystal Culling never should have moved to Lake Hancock. Her real estate agent had warned her: the property on the end of Fox Hunt Drive was cursed, and if the Dragon of Crystal Lakes ever roused from his slumber, she’d be the first to be sacrificed to his appetite. Her new neighbors, upon discovering she’d bought the lakefront planation manor, brought pies along with their condolences and sympathy. According to the nasty old lady down the way, no sensible dragon would want a woman with toxic green eyes, more than one piercing in her ears, and jet black hair the envy of any goth. The day a castle emerges from the lake’s depths, Crystal realizes the town’s legends and myths are more than mere stories. Unfortunately for her, everyone got the stories wrong. Rather than a snack, the dragon needs an executive secretary. As the owner of the plantation, his affairs, including his castle and his lack of a love life, become her problem. But what Crystal doesn’t know dumps her into one hell of a mess: where the Dragon of Crystal Lakes goes, trouble surely follows. If she doesn’t find a way to rein him in, he might just end up taking over the world—and she’ll be his first conquest.

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DEVIL’S DANCE (JAGA AND THE DEVIL BOOK THREE) by Layla Fae

I am broken. A piece of my soul burned away, leaving me hollow and unfeeling. I wander the caverns of Nawie, the only place that’s not entirely unsafe. When I can’t stand the boredom of a life with no meaning, I amuse myself watching Woland’s pitiful attempts to atone. He grovels. He begs. He brings me gifts. His despair grows deeper with every shake of my head. Oh, how well he lies. Little does he know, nothing will make me trust him again. And if that broken part of my soul ever heals, I will rip it out and destroy it. Because Woland was right. Love is a terrible weakness.     AmazonKU

SHADOW STEALING (SHADOW BLAD SERIES BOOK FIVE) by Yasmine Galenorn

When the mysterious “lizard people” start appearing in the city sewers, at first we think that somebody just decided to flush their baby alligator, but then, we discover a link to the Reytilia, carnivorous creatures straight out of legend and lore. This leads us to one of the ancient portals, which has been opened by mistake. Now, we must manage to close it before the new apex predators gain a foothold in our world.     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

UNDER GORSE AND STONE by Lily Morton

VS Note: MM PNR.

Cary Sutton isn’t surprised when his boyfriend walks out on him during a holiday in Cornwall at Christmas. It’s far from the first time that someone’s accused him of being cold—both inside and out. Cary’s spent his whole life feeling like he’s separated from the world by a sheet of glass. Nothing touches him. Nothing moves him. Which is why it’s so strange to find himself drawn to a small Cornish beach and the man he meets there. Sigurd Arvesen is handsome and charming, but he also holds a secret—one that’s big enough to overturn Cary’s whole world. Sigurd is a centuries-old dragon, and Cary is his mate. Whisked into Sigurd’s magical world, Cary meets strange and wonderful creatures that he’s only ever read about in books. The mystical realm is both enchanting and dark, but even scarier are the warm feelings that Sigurd brings out in Cary. What will happen when Christmas Eve dawns and Cary must go home?      AmazonKU

SPIRIT OF THE SAGUARO (HAUNTED RANCH MYSTERIES BOOK THREE) by Sara Bourgeois

Claire Caldwell has finally settled into her strange new normal. Two months after the Robert Harrison incident, she’s learned to trust her spirit fox’s warnings and Rosa’s ghostly advice as she runs her animal sanctuary in the desert. But some visitors bring their own darkness to Perdido Springs. When famous artist Aurora Brightwater arrives to paint the “desert spirits,” she brings more than just her canvases and her crystalline laugh. She brings grudges, theft, and a cruelty that hides behind flowing scarves and talk of universal energy. Then Aurora turns up dead in her studio, a palette knife through her heart, and everyone she’s wronged becomes a suspect. The artist who steals others’ work… dead. The documentary filmmaker who seems cursed… filming everything. The exhausted ex-husband she abandoned… watching from the shadows. As Claire investigates with her veterinarian boyfriend Sam, she discovers Aurora left a trail of destroyed careers and stolen dreams across the Southwest. But in a town where the dead talk, the dolls in the motel have their own agenda, and something that used to be human roams the desert at night, finding the truth means distinguishing between those who wanted Aurora gone and whoever actually made it happen. In Perdido Springs, the veil is thin, the spirits are watching…Welcome back to the desert, where inspiration can be deadly.       AmazonKU

SNOWED IN WITH KRAMPUS by Melody Lynch

When Santa and Krampus Decide You’re Theirs – Hearing my boyfriend say his ex was “the one that got away” should have been my last straw. But when his family gave me a awful Christmas gift and called me a drama queen for being hurt, I realized I was done. I escaped to Shadow Wolf Creek for peace and healing, only to get roped into playing Mrs. Claus at a children’s event. The Santa was drop-dead gorgeous. His helper was tall, tattooed, horned, and looking at me like he hated me on sight. One wrong car ride later, I jumped out of a moving truck while Krampus himself chased me through the snow and carried me off to a cabin. At that point, the truth was not hard to believe. They are cursed, immortal, and they both want me. Now I am snowed in with two supernatural men who claim I belong to them. I came here to get over one man. I did not expect to fall for two.   AmazonKU

THE BRIDGE KEYS (MAGIC IN THE MATCH by J Houser

Nila never anticipated the terrifying monsters roaming unseen in the magical meadow she frequents. Nor had she anticipated being grilled by the king’s snake of an investigator. Sacrificed as the family scapegoat, Nila alone is expected to keep her sisters’ secrets after a beast mauls one of them. Her loyalty is strained as she struggles to do what’s best for her family and her kingdom, all while battling unexpected feelings for the man whose interrogation makes her heart beat to a new rhythm. Even if she finds a way to break the dark magic pact that silences her, none of the people she loves will come out of this unscathed. The Bridge Keys is a retelling of the German fairy tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses.       Amazon

BREAKING THE RULES (DREAM ALPHAS BOOK ONE) by Grace R Duncan

VS Note: MM PNR.

Hunter Black is a Dream Alpha—an alpha wolf shifter for hire who helps omegas get through their heats. After three years, he knows it’s time to quit when he realizes he’s lost his detachment when he sees a picture of the son he helped an omega have—and signed a contract to stay away from. But he agrees to take a final job to help one last omega fulfill a dream to get pregnant. And one look at the beautiful, shy Cody Michaels has him throwing out his personal rules. Cody, alone and tired of dating asshole alphas, decides it’s time to make his own family. The incredible four days he spends with Hunter has Cody falling in love with the one person in the world he can’t have. Hunter is everything he wants—funny, caring, and accepting when he confesses he’s a submissive. Instead, the dominant Hunter stuns him with an interest in playing. When Cody finds out he didn’t get pregnant, he’s devastated. Hunter, despite the agency’s non-compete rules, commits to helping him until he conceives, and they continue to fall in love. At the same time, Hunter is desperately looking for work now that he’s no longer a Dream Alpha, hoping that if he can get out of the contract, he’d have something to offer Cody. But when Cody discovers it’s the lack of job, rather than the contract keeping them apart, he makes it perfectly clear what Hunter can do with his hangups. Now it’s up to Hunter to figure out how to fix the mess he’s made and convince Cody he really can make Cody’s dreams come true—forever.       Amazon

GUARDED BY THE SYMBIOTE: MONSTER SECURITY AGENCY by Cara Wylde

The second she lets me in, I’m a ruined man. I’ve been merging with hosts my entire life. Slipping under their skin, living in their minds, protecting them – it’s what I do. I’m a professional, and I keep my distance. Then I’m hired to be her bodyguard. An undercover cop infiltrating the deadliest criminal organization in the country, and I’m her hidden weapon. Merged with her body, experiencing her every thought, her every desire. I’m supposed to protect her and stay detached. But her thoughts unravel me. The fantasies she’s been hiding drive me insane. She wants to surrender, to be claimed by someone strong enough to handle her intensity. And I’m a monster too dangerous for anyone to want. I become addicted and terrified, knowing that when I must separate from her, I’ll leave my sanity behind.       AmazonKU

HOT COCOA AND HELLFIRE (FERALLY F*CKED BOOK TWO) by B Grimm

he Hearth café has been managerless since theirs died under mysterious circumstances leaving Simone to take charge and keep things a float while the owner hides in the shadows. Simone has always been a good girl. She’s run the monster café with a smile even when she’s bone-tired and hiding how lonely she feels. The holidays? Just another reason to keep busy and distracted. But when Krampus himself descends on the Hearth to handpick a new manager for his café, Simone’s sugar-sweet routine is shattered. He’s all dark horns, darker humor, and filthy promises wrapped in velvet and sin. And he sees through her so-called cheer like glass and straight to the ache underneath. Now he’s shadowing her every move. Teasing her. Testing her. And promising punishments that make her knees shake and her thighs clench. She’s not supposed to want him. He’s not supposed to want her. But the Naughty List has never been so tempting…And Krampus always gets what he wants.   AmazonKU

SNOWED IN AT HALLOW’S COVE by Petra Palerno

Daphne thought she finally found her family with her wealthy fiancé. So much so that the fact that he’s her professor seems like an unimportant detail. But when he drags her to a snowy monster ski town called Hallow’s Cove, it’s not for romance (or even fun). No, it’s so she can “learn not to embarrass him” during the annual family ski trip. Between the constant corrections and the way he cuts her down in front of people, she doesn’t feel like a bride-to-be so much as a student who’s already flunked the course. Then she crashes—literally—into the arms of Andri, a ridiculously hot yeti ski instructor who actually thinks her wipeouts are cute. Suddenly she’s drinking cocoa without side-eye, laughing until her cheeks hurt, and maybe falling for someone kind with actual warmth under all that fur. Will Daphne stick with the security of the pompous professor, or hit a 180 into the messy, thrilling kind of love that doesn’t come with a syllabus?      AmazonKU

GOOD TIDINGS AND TENTACLES (TINSEL AND TENTACLES 3.0) by Cari Z

VS note: MM PNR.

Morgan Miller isn’t hiding. Just because he’s lost his partner, his company, and his self-respect in the space of a week doesn’t mean he’s run off to the sanctuary of Parrish Island to lick his wounds. Or…fine, maybe it does. But at least he’s not alone! There’s one other person living on this island refuge, and all Morgan has to do it find him. Say hello. Be neighborly. That’s easier said than done, but after Morgan almost drowns, he and the laconic Ty are stuck together while he recovers. Ty ends up being a lot better company—and a lot hotter—than Morgan expected. Parrish Island is more than just a place to hide—it’s a place to heal, and maybe even fall in love. But Ty has a secret of his own, one that means he has to stay on the island even when Morgan feels ready to leave. When the secret comes out, Morgan has to decide—go back and rebuild his old life, or stay and create something new with his awkward, gorgeous, tentacularly talented lover.      AmazonKU

MERRY HISSMAS (HOLIDAY ROMANCES) by Alora Quinn

HOLLY – Once again, it’s the most horrible time of year—Christmas. The time when everyone is filled with a fake sense of happiness, spends money like it grows on trees, and calls self-preservation “greediness.” I avoid Christmas, and all things related, at all costs—and I do a damn good job of it. That is, until the snow traps me at my company’s Christmas party. A party that for some reason has strippers at it. One of which is a very, very hot gorgon. He’s full of Christmas puns that make me want to vomit, but his heart is like a magnet made for mine. He convinces me to have a holiday fling, and I’m not one to turn down good sex…but it scares me that there might be something more there. Can two people so different find a way to make it work? Especially at this terrible time of year? FELIX – The best time of the year has finally rolled around—Christmas. The time when everyone is kinder, more generous, and overall, just filled with happiness and love. It’s my favorite time of the year. When Joy, my best friend, asks me and my crew to strip at her work’s Christmas party, it’s almost an automatic yes. I’ve never heard of work parties having strippers, but I won’t turn down a job that’s also festive. She tells me her boss hates Christmas, something I can’t fathom, and now it’s my goal to show the grumpy beauty just how special Christmastime can be. What I expected was to give a festive lap dance—what I get is a night of the best sex I’ve ever had. Convincing Holly to commit to a fling is easy enough. Convincing her that this fling is meant to be forever—not nearly as easy. But, it’s the most magical time of year, and I’m praying for a Christmas miracle to help me win her heart.      AmazonKU

MOTH TO HIS FLAME by Biblio Barbie

Lyra, a moth woman drawn to light and longing, heads to the quiet mountain town of Avalon in search of peace, not passion. But when she crosses paths with Rylan, a brooding, widowed man still lovingly haunted by the ghost of his wife, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to the warmth he tries so hard to hide. Rylan has walled off his heart, finding solace in the echoes of the past. Yet something about Lyra stirs feelings within him that he believed were lost forever. As snow falls and Christmas nears, the two must decide: will they let the past keep them apart, or surrender to the spark flickering between them?      AmazonKU

THE GARDEN OF REGET (THE TWILIGHT COURT BOOK 19) by Amy Sumida

A forgotten garden is waking. A kingdom is being swallowed by blight. And the Queen of Seelie must decide how much of her own heart she’s willing to sacrifice to save her people. After months of battling the forbidden dreams tying her to the King of Hell, Seren Sloane has more than enough emotional turmoil to contend with—but her personal guilt becomes the least of her worries when villages across Seelie are found coated in a creeping, oily black infection. The blight seeps up from the ground, winding through roots, forests, and fields before covering the Fey themselves in slick darkness. Plants wither, magic falters, and entire communities are left frozen where they stood, encased in a living shadow that spreads faster each day. The source? The Garden of Regret—an ancient creation made to strengthen the royals of Fairy, now starving after centuries of neglect. What was once a sacred place meant to balance the royals is now consuming Fairy. As Seren, King Tiernan, and their regiment track the blight’s path from village to village, they uncover long-buried truths about Danu, the cost of emotional magic, and the purpose the Garden once served. But whatever force has reawakened it is demanding tribute: the pain, grief, and regret of the Fey. If Seren refuses, the Garden will take what it needs by force—draining their people of every emotion that makes them whole. Worse, Astaroth’s lingering presence in Seren’s dreams is straining her marriage at the very moment she needs her husbands united. Love, loyalty, and old wounds collide as the blight forces every Fey to confront the emotions they’ve spent lifetimes avoiding. To save her kingdom, Seren must enter the heart of the Garden itself and face the one thing she fears more than any enemy: Her own regret.       AmazonKU

THE LOVE HE COULD KEEP: APOLLO’S STORY (THE GODS MADE ME DO IT BOOK 17) by Lisa Oliver

VS: MM PNR.

“If I meet you, then I’ll fall in love with you for real, even more than I am now,” Apollo, ancient god of Muse, Prophecy, Light and Healing, always knew his love life was cursed. Every love he’d ever had would either leave him, or suffer a tragic end. Which is why, when he saw Titus Haverland the first time and immediately fell in love, Apollo deliberately avoided him. The man might walk around with his own personal light show, but that just indicated how much of a good soul Titus was. All the more reason to stay away. “I don’t deceive anybody in any aspect of my business dealings, and that applies to all areas of my life.” Titus Haverland, wolf shifter and owner of Titus Industries, had loved and lost before. He was still paying the child support. He kept his personal relations to quick interactions and rarely opened his pants for the same person twice. He had his work, which he micro-managed to the nth degree, and he’d convinced himself that was enough. Until one day he came face to face with a future he didn’t believe he’d have. “Do you have any idea what you have done?” Mates can’t be frozen by godly powers, and gods can get bored on a road trip. But as Apollo and Titus work towards their future, the past rears its head and changes life for them both all over again. Will it be a change too far, or will Apollo and Titus realize that they were on the same page all along.

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WHAM BAM THANK YOU WOLF (AN ALICE WORTH SERIES NOVELLAS BOOK SIX) by Lisa Edmonds

Sean – I didn’t plan to fall for the beautiful and secretive mage private investigator I met in a vampire’s after-hours bar just before last call. I didn’t plan to spend the hours she was sleeping in my arms wanting to know who’d given her all these scars and thinking about what I’d like to do to them in return. And I definitely didn’t plan for her to refuse my request for a second date and kick me out the door the next morning. Now I’m standing on her porch trying to figure out what just happened and wondering how to persuade Alice to give me a chance to see her again. A chance to earn her trust. A chance to find out who did this to her and keep her safe. Just…a chance. Because when I look at her, I see my future. I see happiness. I see a woman more powerful, more strong, and more deeply hurt than anyone I’ve ever met before. And my wolf sees our mate. So what the hell do I do now?   AmazonKU

COCKY PUCKING ORC (ORCS ON ICE BOOK TWO) by Debra Dunbar

Hockey is better when the home team has green skin, tusks, and a mission to find human brides – willing human brides, because kidnapping wenches from a village is a thing of the past. Eng has some very specific criteria for the female he plans to marry. She needs to be the perfect figurehead of a princess whose only requirements will be standing in silence at court appearances and bearing him children. He’s not particularly interested in a wife or family right now, but Eng has known his responsibilities since birth. Besides, it shouldn’t be that difficult to find a human bride for a rich, handsome, orc prince destined to be king one day, right? Wrong. None of the females Eng encounters meet his lofty standards or seem interested in marrying an orc, even if he is royalty. Worse, it’s become impossible to search for a suitable bride when his every waking moment is consumed with unquenchable desire for a very un-suitable female. Willa is done dating bad boys. Done. But she can’t resist a quickie with an infuriatingly arrogant orc hockey player after the Baltimore Tusk’s inaugural game. Then her one-and-done turns into a series of hook-ups, overnights, and even a date, and Willa finds herself once more falling for the wrong guy.      AmazonKU

THE HEALER’S REDEMPTION (HEALERS SERIES BOOK FOUR) by A J Manney

She escaped the darkness once. Now she has to walk back into it—but this time, she’s not alone. Sherese never thought she’d escape the vampires. For too long, she lived in their cold, merciless world, a healer forced to serve her captors. Rescued by the Phoenix pack, she finally has a chance at healing—but peace doesn’t come easy, especially when it means living under the same roof as Hunter, the pack’s cold and watchful enforcer. He’s difficult to read, impossible to trust—and the one assigned to protect her when she volunteers for the unthinkable: to return to the vampires as a spy. Going back means risking everything. But this time, she’s not the only one with something to lose. Hunter’s secrets run deep, and when their mission begins to unravel, so does the fragile thread of trust between them. Betrayals will surface. Loyalties will be tested. And if Sherese and Hunter can’t learn to lean on each other, they’ll lose more than just the battle—they’ll lose their lives.   AmazonKU

FESTIVE WITH A GRUMPY FAE by Louisa Masters

VS Note: MM PNR.

All I want for Christmas is to not be lonely…It’s hard to get into a festive mood when I know I’ll be all alone on Christmas Day. Can anyone blame me for getting tipsy and deciding to try out a fae-summoning spell I found in an old book? Yes, they can. Because the spell works, and suddenly there’s a hot-and-sexy fae in front of me, unable to go home until he’s kept me company for Christmas. Too bad he’s so cranky, or it would be a dream come true… right?       Amazon

DARK RUNNING (EXILE OF THE WINTER COURT) by  B R Kingsolver

When Charles II kidnapped a Sidhe princess in 1680, her father didn’t send diplomats—he sent armies. The Fae stormed through the Veil, leveled cities, and rewrote history. Centuries later, Humans and Fae still share the Mortal Realm uneasily… and England never recovered its empire. Alanis Nightshade, Winter Court Fairy, smuggler, and occasional pirate, prefers to stay far from royal drama. She flies under the radar, smuggling rare goods between worlds and minding her own business. But when she’s stranded in Edinburgh during a coup, she’s dragged straight into the kind of trouble she tries to avoid. A new Sidhe king has seized Scotland. He’s hungry for conquest, and he wants what Alanis possesses—a ship that can cross the Veil and carry an army straight into Faerie. If she doesn’t outwit him, outrun him, or outright kill him, both realms may pay the price.  AmazonKU

MIRROR MAN (PINE RIDGE UNIVERSE) by S C Principale

Agatha – I’ve been in a dark place for so long. Recovering from an actual mental breakdown that derailed my career plans put me back in my parents’ house and under their control. Instead of helping me get stronger every day, it seems my stepfather prefers me weak and needy—and that creeps me out. Even if I fail when I leave the nest, I’ve got to try. Pine Ridge seems like a nice little town to spread my wings in, especially once I start to feel like my old self again, instead of some sickly shadow. Lucius – She’s a delight to watch, this pretty thing who likes lace and floral patterns, cats, antique chairs, and gilded mirrors. Especially gilded mirrors—like the one where I’m imprisoned. Trapped in icy glass for centuries for an innocent act, I’ve grown weary of my torment and started tormenting others. My only pastime is to slowly break down the minds of my owners, until they invite me out to play. But Agatha is different. She already believes herself to be broken. She’s an easy target to crush, and yet I find myself rooting for her, especially once I learn about her enemy in the mortal world. And when she accidentally frees me from my prison, I have to decide whether to fight my darkest desires, or draw Agatha deeper into a web of madness, tangling her in my shadowy coils.   AmazonKU

KANE (THE PROTECTORS SERIEES BOOK 29) by Teresa Gabelman

Monica has one mission, and that is to expose the monster who destroyed her sister’s life. No distractions. No compromises. And definitely no falling for the lethal, sinfully gorgeous Dark Guardian now shadowing her every move. Kane lives for the hunt, lots of women, and no attachments. But the moment he tastes Monica’s fire, he wants more—wants all of her—no matter how hard she pushes back. She’s sharp-mouthed, stubborn, and inconvenient as hell… and he can’t get enough. But someone is watching. Someone who knows the truth Monica is chasing and will kill to keep it buried. Now Kane has a choice: walk away like he always does…or burn the world down to protect the only woman who makes him forget every rule he lives by.      AmazonKU

WELCOME TO HYDE PARK: A VAMPIRE’S MATE COLLECTION by Grae Bryan

VS Note: LGBTQ PNR. 

Return to the world of Hyde Park, with all of its steam, humor, and devotion. This collection of stories follows our den of vampires and their mates with bonus epilogues, group stories, and thirteen formerly Patreon-exclusive mini-fics of each couple. Get a deeper look at our fanged friends’ happy-ever-afters, and the found family they forged against all odds. Go ahead and take a bite. You won’t be disappointed.        Amazon

TEASED BY THE YETI (CRESCENT COVEN BOOK FOUR) by Evelyn Embers

A stubborn baker. A grumpy yeti. And a fate she can’t outrun. Rowan only trusts her magic and her desserts. When a tarot reading predicts Fated Love with a monster, she scoffs. She has three hundred Yule Festival desserts to make, not a protective, primal beast to fall for. But a ferocious blizzard and a spreading magical corruption force her into a hidden cave–the den of the magnificent, seven-foot-tall Yeti, Bjorn. Haunted by the human loves he left behind, Bjorn has sworn off attachment. But the curvy, vanilla-and-cinnamon-scented witch standing in his cave is an avalanche of desire. She’s mouthy, she argues with him, and she’s everything he has sworn to keep his distance from. Trapped together, their scorching banter gives way to a white-hot, primal heat. With ancient ley lines failing and a fierce new attraction consuming him, Bjorn must choose: let the sassy witch go, or answer the undeniable call of Fated Mates and claim her as his own.       AmazonKU

A MAGICAL MENDING by Kory M Shrum

After decades of war, battle-mage Saya Duskbane expected to die with a weapon in her hand. Instead, she survives—only to lose everything she fought for: her family, her purpose, and the magic she once trusted. When illness nearly ends her life, one question remains: What do you do when the fight is over, but the wounds remain? With nothing left in the North but war stories and ghosts, Saya flees to her mother’s abandoned cottage in the warm, sea-swept village of Spring Hill. The cottage is crooked, the roof leaks, and something is definitely living in the walls—but it’s hers. She intends to spend her quiet days repairing her cottage as she heals. She does not intend to acquire a loyal hound, a stubborn old maid, a cottage full of small mysteries, unpredictable magic, or a village determined to welcome her home.But as Saya begins to stitch a new life together, her magic stirs—not with violence, but with something softer and older. Something her mother once whispered about: magic meant not for battle, but for belonging. To rebuild her home—and herself—Saya must face the grief she outran, the magic she fears, and the quiet truth that healing is its own kind of courage.      Amazon      Apple Books      Kobo

STORMFIRE OMEGA by Kitty Siberia

A century ago, when the ancient god Baltazar rose, magic returned to humanity—and the world ended. Now the Empire is the last bastion of human life, held together by Alphas who command elemental magic and fight the zombie-like Deaders clawing at the borders. Larissa Cooper is one of the rare female Alphas with fire in her veins. Strong, fierce, and stubborn as hell, she never walks away from a mission. Everything changes the night she’s trapped in a remote mountain hut with her former mentor, the cold, brilliant spy and Alchemy professor Darius Crow. He has lied for years about being a beta. He’s an omega—one who has never gone into heat. Until now. When his first heat hits, biology and instinct tear through every boundary between them. By morning, Larissa must face the truth: her relationship with her mentor will never be the same. As Larissa is drawn into a web of powerful alphas, forbidden secrets, and the crumbling myth of Baltazar, she discovers that Darius isn’t the only one hiding the truth.      AmazonKU

AWAKENING HIS VAMPIRE MATE (BLOOD BONDED MATES BOOK SIX) by Jay Castle

VS Note: MM PNR.

Cole – For eight hundred years, I’ve walked this world without feeling even a shred of human emotion. I hunt murderers with a song in my heart, but I’m no hero, anti or otherwise. I enjoy besting other predators, and my own pleasure has always been the only thing that matters. My world is clean, simple, and perfect. Then Eli stumbles into my life, and everything changes. The moment he looks at me with those dark, haunted eyes and calls me by a name I haven’t used in centuries, I feel something I thought lost to me forever: the ability to care for someone who isn’t me. Suddenly, my existence isn’t about pleasure anymore. I would burn it all down for him without even a moment’s hesitation. But Eli has built his life around saving others. If he ever learns what I’ve done or who I really am, he’ll never forgive me. He can never know the truth. Eli – I’ve seen Nicolas in my dreams for as long as I can remember. I always wake up gasping, drowning in feelings of heartbreak I can’t explain. But that’s sheer madness. I should be focused on the grueling hours I’m putting in at the ER. On my unstable ex, whose threats are getting worse. On my sister, whose life is falling apart right in front of me. Or maybe even on the fact that every man I’ve ever given my heart to has shattered it. Those things matter. The dreams don’t. Until the night I meet Nicolas. Then everything I thought I knew starts to unravel. Because he’s real. And he’s not human. I know I should run. But how can I leave the one person who’s always been mine, even before we’ve ever met? Still, I know he’s hiding something from me. Something far worse than his lack of heartbeat. And I have to know what it is. Even if it destroys everything.      AmazonKU

SNOWED IN WITH KRAMPUS by Melody Lynch

When Santa and Krampus Decide You’re Theirs – Hearing my boyfriend say his ex was “the one that got away” should have been my last straw. But when his family gave me a awful Christmas gift and called me a drama queen for being hurt, I realized I was done. I escaped to Shadow Wolf Creek for peace and healing, only to get roped into playing Mrs. Claus at a children’s event. The Santa was drop-dead gorgeous. His helper was tall, tattooed, horned, and looking at me like he hated me on sight. One wrong car ride later, I jumped out of a moving truck while Krampus himself chased me through the snow and carried me off to a cabin. At that point, the truth was not hard to believe. They are cursed, immortal, and they both want me. Now I am snowed in with two supernatural men who claim I belong to them. I came here to get over one man. I did not expect to fall for two.    AmazonKU

MIDNIGHT AND MINCE PIES: A FALHAVEN CASTLE PREQUEL by Laura Greenwood

When the clock strikes midnight, Evie has to return to the ball…Princess Evie would love nothing more than to bake the Yuletide away, making sweet treats with her best friend Nate in the castle’s kitchens. Unfortunately for her, royal duties call, no matter how much she wants to avoid them. When her sister helps her escape from the masquerade ball, she heads straight to the kitchen, but she needs to be back before the clock strikes twelve…Midnight & Mince Pies is a prequel to the Falhaven Castle series, a cozy fantasy with a baking dragon, a princess who wants to be in the kitchen over the throne room, and the baker who wants to be there with her. There is a slow burn friends to lovers romance, with a pinch of steam in later books, and an ace heroine.      Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo

THE FALLEN ANGEL (LADY MORTICIAN’S VISIONS SERIES) by Helen Goltz

It’s the most wonderful time of the year until fear overtakes festivities a week before Christmas. Mortician Phoebe Astin is visited by several young women who met their deaths after a visit to the Christmas market, and witnesses claim to have seen a woman leading them away. The last words the victims hear are the killer’s chilling nickname – “Fallen Angel.” As the town’s joyous mood turns to apprehension, Phoebe along with sharp-eyed Detectives Harland Stone and Gilbert Payne, and daring reporter Lilly Lewis, are desperate to unmask the ruthless killer before another lady is claimed. It’s a busy time for Phoebe and her brothers, Julius and Ambrose, at The Economic Undertakers amid twinkling lights, a proposal, and a baby’s arrival. But can Phoebe help unravel the sinister truth before death casts a pall over the holiday cheer?        AmazonKU

THE KRAMPUS’S FIRST CHRISTMAS GIFT (MM MONSTER CHRISTMAS BOOK SIX) by Gigi Rivers

A lonely and touch-starved monster. A human dealing with a mysterious illness. A bond that changes everything. Since the day Jasper nearly died in the forest, a strange sickness has consumed his life. More than that, an ache inside him urges him to find something. Or someone. With his fox familiar, he searches without knowing what or who he’s searching for. Only that he must find them, or the ache inside will never be fulfilled. Sometimes, he feels the weight of unseen eyes on him. But when he turns, no one is there. Kraghol is not like other krampuses. He despises the fear his kind is meant to inspire. When Kraghol saved Jasper’s life, a bond forged between them. But since that day, Kraghol has hidden from Jasper, watching him from the shadows, unable to bear the thought of Jasper seeing his monstrous face. Then one day, Jasper collapses in the snow. Unable to stop himself, Kraghol rushes to his aid. And when Jasper awakens, he knows that Kraghol is the one he’s been searching for. But their worlds could not be more different. Kraghol knows a human and a krampus have no future. Can Jasper help him overcome his doubts? Or will Kraghol condemn them both to a lifetime of loneliness?      AmazonKU

FLICKERS OF DECEIT (QUILLHAVEN MAGICAL COZY MYSTERIES BOOK 10) by Tessa Silver

Every candle tells a story . . . if you dare to light the wick. Serena Rosewood’s enchanted candles are famous for their soothing light and heartfelt spells—until they suddenly start misbehaving. Calming candles are bringing chaos, love charms are sparking quarrels, and dreams are being twisted into nightmares. Someone is meddling with Serena’s magic, and the cozy town of Quillhaven is buzzing with whispers. Determined to clear her name, Serena teams up with a charming science teacher who believes in chemistry and enchantment, plus two talking Siamese cats with opinions as sharp as their whiskers. Together, they’ll follow the scent of sabotage through moonlit markets, spellbound shops, and flickering clues that refuse to stay hidden. In Quillhaven, where secrets burn bright and friendship glows warmer than any flame, truth has a way of revealing itself . . . one flicker at a time.   AmazonKU

LIGHTBRINGER by Evelyn Floor

VS Note: MMMF.

Nobody knows why the war began. But I have always known how it will end. Lyra Vaelion has spent her life in brutal training beneath the harsh suns of Solvandyr. As the hidden youngest daughter of the militant Lightbringer commander, she has always known what her future would be – to infiltrate the Darkwielder territory, Umbraxis, and kill their beloved heir. She will not fail her people. Darkwielder prince Kaelen Duskbane is fighting a war on endless fronts, and he’s tired. His fearless healer partner, Eres, insists on risking his safety at every turn while his silver-tongued rival, Darian, sows discord within the Royal Council and questions every decision he makes. When an injured Lyra is discovered and saved by Eres, she finds herself face-to-face with the male she’s destined to destroy. But the Darkwielders are not what she expected. As time passes and hatred turns to heat, Lyra learns that light can blind as easily as it guides, and that the darkness she’s been raised to hate might be a shelter instead of the storm. But one way or another, the war between the Lightbringers and the Darkwielders must end. And Lyra stands in the middle.      AmazonKU

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TWO OF A KIND (TALES FROM THE WINDSWEPT CITY BOOK ONE) by R Cooper

VS Note: MM Fantasy.

Apprentice chemist Dorrimin likes math, formulas, and helping run his family’s household apothecary business in Eladia, the Windswept City. A mountain city of trains, turbines, and Guild politicking, Eladia can be loud and chaotic, which is why Dorrimin prefers his quiet laboratory. But his family think he needs to talk to people more, so he is working at the counter of their shop when Tommick Fortune walks in. Charming Tommick is a regular visitor and Dorrimin can’t help but wish that some of his charm was about courtship. But though Dorrimin’s family are respected members of a Guild, Tommick’s wealthy, powerful family will have more planned for him than a sweetheart from a middle-class level of the city. In addition, Dorrimin is… awkward. But when the wind blows in a snowstorm, even a rich boy from the mountaintop needs safety and comfort, and perhaps, the sort of care his upper-class family can’t provide. Fortunately, Dorrimin is there with his family, and his home, and his heart, if Tommick wants it.     Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

INVICTUS (ESPERANCE TRILOGY BOOK TWO) by Heather Frost

She chose to trust him. He swore to protect her. But surviving Esperance was only the beginning . . .Amryn never intended to betray the rebels she swore to help—or fall for the husband she was forced to marry. But when everything at Esperance fell apart, Carver became the one person she could trust. Now, she must rely on him more than ever—especially since the knights who hunt empaths know one was at Esperance. If they find her, they will kill her. Yet the threat Amryn doesn’t see coming may prove deadlier, because even though she turned her back on the rebels, the Rising isn’t done with her. Carver has already lost too much at Esperance. He won’t lose anyone else—especially Amryn. He’ll fight to protect his wife from every threat, including the mysterious bloodstone that nearly killed her. He knows the dangerous relic must be destroyed, but first he has to get the surviving Chosen to the capital—a mission that soon turns deadly, making it clear there is still someone out there who never planned for the Chosen to leave Esperance alive. But safety isn’t guaranteed in the emperor’s palace. Here, every action is scrutinized and politics twist every word. Surrounded by hidden enemies, ruthless assassins, and deadly conspiracies, Amryn and Carver must navigate a web of danger that could cost them everything—including their lives.      AmazonKU

TYRANT ALPHA’S FATED CHASE by Jennifer Eve

I spent one forbidden night with my fiancé’s brother—my fated mate. Five years later, I walked into his wedding. Worse? He’s my new boss, and my secret baby daddy. I was the cursed Omega no one wanted, bullied by my sisters, shamed by my father, treated like a stain on the pack. Becoming the Regent’s wife was supposed to be my only way out—until my wolf chose his brother instead. Hayden Drake. Cold. Dangerous. Feared. My fated mate. He carried me through my first shift, kissed me like fate had claimed us, then threw me away by morning. So I ran—pregnant. I rebuilt my life in a new pack, built a career I loved—Until I walk into a wedding…and the groom is my son’s father. And Hayden? He cancels the marriage. then buys my entire company just to corner me in his office. The bond still burns between us, but I’m hiding one truth about our baby. And my real identity? It might ignite a war that could cost us everything.      AmazonKU

AURORA by Erin R Flynn

Aurora Reed has endured horrors that no person should ever have had to, and while she’s the villain of other people’s stories, that doesn’t undo all that she has suffered. Hundreds of years ago, she was sold as a child bride to a horrible abuser. She made many mistakes trying to do the best she could in a world too harsh. But what is the punishment for crimes committed when you were trying your best and had no ill intent? Creed Maddox is an ex-convict trying to start a new life after being betrayed by the only “family” he’s ever known. So the last thing he needs is any sort of trouble, and gorgeous women are always trouble. Always. And Aurora is no different but also the only person who seems to truly see him and care about the person he is, not just what he’s done. It seems like he’s known her for years instead of just weeks when everything gets turned on its head and they find out they are probably the worst match for each other. However, Creed is the only peace Aurora has ever known. Aurora is the only one who heals what he’s been through. So do the piles of reasons to stay apart really matter?     AmazonKU

ALPHA MATES (MATED SERIES BOOK ONE) by T P Wright

VS Note: MM PNR.

Julian Heil is known for his sharp intellect and icy composure. As the future alpha of the Black Moon Pack, his only concerns lie with the strength of his pack and the safety of his wolves. Under his calculated leadership, the Black Moon Pack will soon be one of the most dangerous in the world— echoing their future alpha’s reputation of being cold, ruthless and entirely emotionless. That is, of course, with the exception of one werewolf. Aiden Calderon, the rebellious and unpredictable heir to the Dark Woods Pack, has built his legacy through blood and brute force. With unmatched strength and zero tolerance for threats, he is destined to turn his pack into an unchallengable force. His charms and carefree nature have earned him countless allies—except for one: Julian Heil. Two future alphas. One never-ending pool of hatred. What happens when they discover they’re fated to be mates?   Amazon

MYSTERIOUS SKIES ABOVE (VOWS OF VENGEANCE BOOK TWO) by J A Good

The sea made her a pirate. Vengeance will make her dangerous. When her brother and Captain Flynn are captured, Rose must embrace the life she chose: becoming a pirate in her own right, with the crew of the Sea Wraith at her side. From glittering ballrooms to shadowed coastlines, she sails into a deadly web of politics, betrayal, and forbidden love. But the price of freedom may be higher than she imagined. To save those she loves, Rose must strike a bargain with her enemy and voyage into the mysterious deep—where myths breathe, legends stir, and monsters do not always look like beasts.   AmazonKU

BLACKHEART (THE BLACKHEART SAGA BOOK ONE) by Pixie Rella

The walls were built to keep the monsters in.But some monsters are made, not born. Within the Waywards, the condemned live beneath the watch of the seven Witchlords—keepers of order and jailers of the Dark Natured. Elora has endured three long winters behind those obsidian walls, bound to servitude for a crime she did not commit. To survive, Elora minds her own, follows the rules, and never speaks to any of the Witchlords. Until him.     AmazonKU

UNMARKED AND UNBONDED (BPONDS OF SILENCE BOOK ONE) by Lolu Sinclair

In Velantra, the gods decide who you love. Every person receives a sacred mark that assigns their soulmate and their place in society. But when Rienna Vale steps forward for her ceremony, nothing happens. No mark. No bond. No place in the world. Until three soulmate bonds ignite beneath Rienna’s skin at once. Tamarath, Mirón, and Kyartan were never meant to cross paths, let alone be tied to the same woman. Their forbidden connection breaks every law their world is built upon, and something far more dangerous than fate is pulling them together.
As the bond deepens, so does the question no one in Velantra has ever dared to ask: what happens when the gods get it wrong?      AmazonKU      AB

TAUREN: THE WILDS OMEGAVERSE by Callie Rhodes

Every night, he appears in my dreams—the feral alpha who is my destiny. And my death. I’ve spent years haunted by a nightmare of running through the woods, hunted by a dark beast who uses fangs and claws to drag me down. And every night ends the same—using my dying breath to cry out his name. Tauren. It was only a matter of time before he claimed me, dragging me deep into the Wilds beyond the Wall—a savage, dystopian wilderness where women like me are strictly forbidden. Now, the monster holds me captive, convinced I am fated to be his mate. And he won’t let me go. At least knot until I submit to the truth. That I am his forever.       AmazonKU

BECOMING NEW (ISLE OF DOUGHNUT BOOK TWO) by Annie Bennett

VS Note: MM PNR.

One werewolf. One human. A remote Scottish island. An evil cat. Lucas arrives on the Isle of Doughnut with a plan – he’s lived in the shadow of his confident best friend for far too long. It’s time to shrug off his social awkwardness. He can’t do anything about his secret inability to feel attraction, but he can do his best to make one friend. Kit loves running the island’s bookshop, but is desperate for companionship. Someone to do puzzles and eat cheesy pasta with. All the other werewolves in his pack have paired up. They still love him, but he’s left alone a lot. He isn’t sure he’s ready for a partner – he just longs for a friend. When Lucas rents the spare room above Kit’s bookshop, everything should fall into place. But Lucas’s social awkwardness doesn’t magically disappear and Kit can’t help wanting more than friendship. Lucas likes Kit better than anyone else in the world, but he doesn’t know if he can love him. If sparks don’t fly, will they both be lonelier than they ever were before?   AmazonKU

THE BURNING CROWN (THE UNFORGIVEN BOOK TWO) by Jayne Castel

A year ago, Lara’s husband double-crossed her and stole half her kingdom. Now her former overkings circle like hungry wolves at her borders. But a far greater threat has awakened. The Shattered Crown—a broken stone circle in the north—has become a conduit for chaos. The veil between worlds is tearing apart, unleashing vengeful spirits upon the mortal realm. The Slew and other nightmares bent on destruction now hunt her people. Only an impossible alliance between three sworn enemies can seal the breach and stop the rising tide of evil. But can a betrayed queen, a treacherous half-blood, and the enigmatic Raven Queen set aside their hatred to save both human and fae … or will Albia burn?       AmazonKU

BONDED (CHRONICLES OF CILICIA BOOK ) byAlara Thorn

Neirin has spent his life in the shadows of the throne, a castle guard bound by duty and the secret of his bloodline. A bastard son of the King, he has long since given up on freedom, tethered to the capital by a promise to protect the brother who stands to inherit everything. But within these walls, where ghosts whisper through stone and the weight of his past threatens to consume him, the monster beneath his skin stirs. During the festival of Ayrenven, Neirin finds himself drawn from his post by a woman whose beauty and defiance unravel him. A healer branded a witch, Evera is shackled by the demands of a life she does not want and faced with a choice that could cost her everything.Their collision is a spark against tinder, igniting desires and possibilities neither can afford. With their fates tangled in secrets and blood, Neirin must decide to embrace the darkness within, find freedom outside of the kingdom that has forsaken him, or risk losing the woman who sees past his scars. When the truth is revealed – can they defy fate or will they be torn apart by the monsters they’ve tried so hard to bury?       Amazon

CLAWS OF CRIMSON AND IVORY (DRAGON TOUCHED BOOK TWO) by Robyn Wolfe

Scarred by war. Bound to dragons. Tested by love. Cara has won her freedom, but King Voss’s vengeance threatens to tear the realm apart. With the Obsidian Order hunting her and dragons stirring in the skies, she must master new magic, forge dangerous alliances, and face impossible choices between love and loyalty. Will she rise as the warrior fate demands—or burn in the fires of her own heart?      AmazonKU

REFLECTIONS UPON THE ANNIVERSARY OF MY DESCENT  (THE CAMBION CHRONICLES BOOK ONE) by Kell Shaw

Her name is Vex, and she has it all: the greatest boyfriend in the world, and a golden future as an athlete and top university student. Then it’s all ripped away from her in a brutal, senseless attack. As she’s dying, a demon makes her an offer: vengeance in exchange for service. Vex doesn’t think twice. Newly alive and filled to the brim with demonic power, Vex is ready to kill the men who murdered the boy she loved. Pity finding them will mean descending into a world of supernatural cults, predatory monster hunters, dark magic, and fell secrets. Even worse, the boy she sold her soul to avenge might not be the man she thought she knew.     Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo

MERMAN’S BATH: GAY MM PNR SPICY SHIFTER ROMANCE (BATHHOUSE BEASTS BOOK SIX) by Blake R Wolfe

A man running from his truth. A mysterious song that haunts him. And a bathhouse that will change his life forever…Being a wealth manager isn’t a calling, it’s how I pay for the car, the condo, and the boyfriend who just dumped me after seven years. My life is all stress and no play until I snap and drive straight back to the one place I swore I’d left behind. The bathhouse. The place claws, fangs, and fur at the norm. One filthy show with an orc should’ve scratched the itch. Instead, a song rises from the deepest pool—sweet, hungry, and aimed right at me. A hand drags me under, into a hidden grotto… and into the arms of Cyrus. He’s a merman. All shimmering scales, sharp teeth, and a voice that makes my body beg. To Cyrus, I’m not a burned-out human. I’m the only man who can hear his call, who can be his fated mate. I’m the treasure he’s been waiting for. He’s ready to worship me. Ruin me. I came here to forget my old life. Now all I want is to drown in his.      AmazonKU      AB

BINDING THE BARON (ALCHMY OF DESIRE BOOK ONE) by Charlie Lane

An heiress on the run. Diana Chester was never supposed to have magic. No women are. So when she inherits it instead of her cousin, she runs, seeking refuge above a potion shop. Until an infamous and irresistible alchemist proposes a marriage of convenience. Accepting him may be the only way she can live her life in the light once more. A notorious alchemist searching for a wife. Royal Alchemist Temple Grant is a metal magician who can bend iron with his hands. But after the king gives him a title, he needs a lady to help him navigate the icy social circles of the city’s elite. Diana Chester, the mouse of a marquess’s cousin will do perfectly. She needs someone to keep her safe, and while Temple can’t cast glamours like the rest of the ton, he can do that. A convenient binding, complicated by passion, made almost impossible by a city divided. Temple never expects Diana’s kiss to call to the life-giving heat in his core. And Diana never hoped to find love in the shadows. Love can bind them, but it might not be enough to bridge their dueling worlds.     AmazonKU

LOVE IN THE LESSON PLAN by Roxie Ray

VS Note: Shifter romance.

She’s a first-grade teacher with a chronic illness and a heart too big for her own good. He’s a widowed Alpha trying to keep his small family safe. Neither planned on falling in love—but sometimes fate turns a parent–teacher meeting into a second chance.      AmazonKU

VALIDUS VALE ACADEMY BOOK TWO (ESSENCE BOUND SERIES BOOK TWO) by Nicky Shivers

I thought the Academy was a prison. I didn’t realize it was the only thing keeping the monsters out. I threw myself through a vortex to save my guys, but now we’re trapped in a place that shouldn’t exist—a realm of raw, intoxicating magic that is as beautiful as it is lethal. This dimension doesn’t just hold us captive; it’s getting under our skin, changing my companions in ways I can’t control. I see the primal hunger in Ludo’s eyes, a frantic desperation in Alexis, and a growing darkness taking root in Cosmo that scares me more than the monsters in the mist. But the biggest threat isn’t the realm. It’s the power waking up inside me. The “dud” of Validus Vale is gone. In her place is a source of magic so rare that the power-hungry will stop at nothing to possess it. I’ve become the ultimate prize in a game I don’t know how to play. Back at the Academy, the Conclave is no longer hiding in the shadows. Their corruption has turned the school into a gilded cage where status is a weapon and trust is a death sentence. While the Elite families play their twisted games of bloodlines and betrayal, I’m learning the true cost of my inheritance. And still, somewhere in the silence between worlds, a piece of my soul is still missing. I have to find him—before the darkness swallows us all.      AmazonKU

A UNICORN FOAL FOR CHRISTMAS (ANIMAL RESCUE SHIFTERS) by Zoe Chant

He’s got a pregnant unicorn on his hands. It’s Christmas Eve, and Turner Cole, wolf shifter and conservationist, is stuck on the farm with a pregnant unicorn as his only companion. He’s ready for every emergency that might come his way, but nothing prepares him for said pregnant unicorn’s attack on the woman who’s shown up on his porch He’s just about got the unicorn situation under control when he turns around and realizes—that’s his fated mate! She’s got cookies to bake. Ilona Matthews is nursing a broken heart by baking hundreds of cookies for her great-aunt’s Christmas party and delivering groceries to a friend of a friend who can’t get off the farm. When a unicorn out of legend attacks her, she thinks that’s the most incredible thing that’s going to happen that day. Then she locks eyes with the incredibly sexy Turner and her heart tells her that he’s who she wants—forever! Ilona says she wants time, Turner’s willing to give her whatever she needs, but Maisey the pregnant unicorn has ideas of her own. Hopefully, by Christmas Day, all three of them will get not just what they want, but what they have always needed.       AmazonKU

SAVING GODS (SINS OF DIVINITY BOOK ONE) by Blake Quinn

Monsters are my job. Rules are my religion. As a Slayer, I’m trained to hunt what slips through the dark. I was taught to never, ever trust a god. But when an ancient power wakes and brings a wave of destruction with it, the only allies I have left are the three beings I was raised to destroy. Dreven: the god of shadows, keeps secrets like weapons. Voren: the wraith god, sees every death before it happens—including mine. Dastian: the chaos god, smiles like sin and makes breaking rules feel easy. They say the divine are gone. They’re wrong. If I can’t figure out why they’ve returned, both our worlds will burn. I should kill them. Instead, I’m bound to them—by magic, by danger, by a pull I don’t understand. Saving humanity was simple. Surviving the gods who want me for their own? That’s the hard part.     AmazonKU

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LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica

December 17

December 10

December 3

November 26

November 19

“New” is generally plus or minus a week or two. I try to catch up on ones I missed in recent months.  And I may mention ‘special items’.

NOTE: I’m doing my best to avoid listing anything generated from use of AI but it’s sometimes tricky to detect from the resources I have available. As far as covers go, I list the Amazon cover whether it’s AI or not. 

I do NOT cover every single new release in SFR/FantasyR/PNR. I never have. That would be an impossible task for any human! I assemble my list by hand every week based on various informal inputs, and I do curate the list to some extent…

Some authors aren’t in KU but still don’t list books with Apple or other platforms. This report is very time consuming to prepare so I’ve always had to limit myself and cannot go and look up every book on all the platforms. If an author gives me their other buy links, I include them here but generally I develop the post on my own, not from author-supplied information. I curate and prepare this post individually every week to help connect readers/books/authors and I have to be very careful not to give it so much time as an activity that I don’t write my own novels! Thanks for the feedback and happy reading!

 

10 Holiday SciFi Romances

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

An increasing trend in recent years has been for scifi romance authors to write holiday-themed stories to release at this time of the year. I’ve gathered a few new ones for you to consider!

A Klaus Encounter: A SciFi Alien Warrior Holiday Romance (Horned Holidays) by Honey Phillips asks if an alien and a human woman can give a bereaved child a family. This author frequently writes heartwarming family-themed SFR stories and readers rate them highly. The Female Main Character here is trying to take care of her orphaned nephew when she finds the alien crashed and injured in the snow. As for the Main Male Character,  “…his only goal is survival. But when he wakes up in a primitive cellar, tended to by a fierce, captivating female, his priorities begin to shift. Her compassion is irrational, her living situation is unacceptable, and the unexpected attraction between them is completely outside his experience. Logic dictates he should escape, but a new, protective instinct demands he stay.” Of course there are complications and dangers to be faced but the Happy Ever After holiday ending is assured.       AmazonKU

In Holly and the Hunter: A Post-Apocalyptic Alien Romance (Xarc’n Warriors) by Lynnea Lee, the FMC was busy getting ready for the holidays when raiders came to attack the village and stole everything connected to the holiday. The rest of the villagers are occupied cleaning up after the raid and she’s left to recreate her holiday preparations with only one grumpy alien warrior to help. She’s determined to make him understand the holiday spirit and of course love blossoms while they work together. Readers like the spice and the grumpy/sunshine trope.     AmazonKU

Speaking of tropes, the ‘fake date’ is  front and center in Merry and Bright: A Callisto Christmas: A Christmas Alien Fake-dating Rom Com by J J Hynd  . The FMC is going home to Earth for the holidays and her family expects to meet the man she’s been dating. Only of course there isn’t one so she persuades an alien to come along as her fake date. Readers loved the cozy vibes of the story and the humor as the alien attempts to understand the Earth holiday customs.   And of course there’s an HEA for the couple, when the romance stops being fake and becomes real.   AmazonKU

Author Julie K. Cohen can be counted on to deliver a sparkling holiday SFR every year and the 2025 entry is Unwrapped by the Alien: Sci Fi Alien Christmas Romance (Holiday Heartmates Book 1).  I loved the premise that the FMC had all the toys and gifts for the annual charity drive wrapped and ready, only to walk in on an alien   undoing all her hard work. He’s searching for a load of stolen blasters and thinks the weapons are hidden in her stash of gifts. She puts him to work as Santa Claus and as the two make the holiday bright for those in need, of course their attraction to each other blossoms into romance. Readers like the holiday vibe and the spice between the two main characters.    AmazonKU

The Tinsel and Tentacle series, with multiple authors spinning LGBTQ holiday tales in various genres, has had several scifi romances, including Tied in Tentacles (Tinsel and Tentacles 3.0) by Megs Pritchard where an alien who has been marooned on Earth for a long time meets a human man  who just wanted to get away from it all and spend the holidays in a quiet cabin. Sparks and romance ensue. There was also It Came Upon a Midnight Tentacle by Kelex, where an alien prince who fell upon hard times after his family was deposed from their throne meets a human during the holidays and is instantly attracted. The couple comes together for an HEA despite the fact the alien is a tentacled alien shifter.     Series Page

Adeline’s Abrauxian Santa Claws: Book Seven of the Abrauxian Brides Series by Lisa Clute gives us another FMC determined to create Christmas on her remote planet but then events overtake all her plans. The all important shipment of Christmas toys and items from Earth is delayed.  In this story the FMC and MMC are already married and her husband is called upon to deal with 300 gremlins and their giant ‘bone stags’ who crash land on the planet, all of whom he relocates to a safer spot. Turns out the gremlins can make toys…I think readers can see where the plot is going from here and may rest assured the Christmas holiday will be merry and bright.       AmazonKU      AB

Jorek’s Christmas: A Cyborg for Christmas Book 4 by Christine Myers and Clarissa Lake takes place in a post apocalyptic time frame. The cyborg in question believes he’s too damaged by his experiences in the war to be a suitable mate for anyone. Then a desperate call comes from a single mother with a sick child and the MMC can’t resist going to help. They become snowed in and discover they were meant for each other, ensuring a happy holiday for all, including the now recovered child.      AmazonKU

Not a romance but fun science fiction holiday tales come in Now I Have a Raygun, Ho-Ho-Ho!: Sci-Fi Holiday Stories with Recipes! (CROOKED Book 4 ) by ten authors. As the blurb states: “From toy thieves to red-nosed drones in the air ducts to winter carnival heists, this book will stuff your stocking with mischief and misadventure. Best of all, every story comes with a recipe so you can eat like the holiday hero you are.” Readers enjoyed the light hearted approach to holidays with a scifi spin.       Amazon

Naughty List Delivery: A Steamy Scifi Romance (You’ve Got Alien Mail Book 4) by Lara Roth takes an FMC who formerly led a life of interstellar  crime but who now is reformed and delivers Christmas packages. She’d faked her own death a few years earlier but now her alien ex finds her and wants his pirate queen of the stars back. At first he refuses to believe she isn’t smuggling weapons but eventually the holiday spirit helps them resolve their considerable issues and achieve the HEA.     AmazonKU

Happy Holidays full of time to read!

VS Note: These two came along too late to make my RDR column:

ALIENS IN MY STOCKINGS by A A Fairview

VS Note: Lesbian SFR.

Home for the holidays, Temperance would rather be anywhere else in the world– or off it. Alien abduction is a dream come true. Her alien captors, Chyme and Ivx, should follow protocol and release the Earthling – Except Chyme is absolutely sure this woman needs their help. Why else would she be so calm about her abduction? Ivx prefers to follow the rules that Chyme loves to break, but as they travel the stars it’s clear the duo is better as a trio. There’s one big problem: Temperance travel onboard the ship breaks intergalactic law. Once they reach their destination, it’ll take a Christmas Miracle to keep them all together.      Amazon

HUNTING FOR THE HOLIDAYS (HUMAN PETS OF TALIN – ORIGINS BOOK FIVE) by RK Munin

No one should have to pick between money and love. Han has worked as a bounty hunter for years. Her small stature is actually a benefit because her targets always underestimate her. Clever, fast, and skilled, she’s never failed to collect a bounty yet. When she accepts a bounty for a Talin, all she sees is enough credits to pay for her community for an entire year! If she’s fast she might even make it back to celebrate the holidays with her family. What she doesn’t expect is for her target to be kind and concerned. Her normal tactics don’t work because all he wants to do is to keep her safe instead of take advantage of her “vulnerability.” Now she’s faced with a tough choice: handing this Talin over to his government or bringing him home to meet her family.      AmazonKU

New Releases in SciFi/Romantasy/Paranormal Romance for DEC 17

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

‘AB’ denotes audiobook and the Amazon buy link.

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TITANOBOA: NAGA BRIDES BOOK SEVEN by Naomi Lucas

She is not supposed to be here, so how is she? This human woman, found outside my nest. Is she from the sky like the metal crafts now flying around? Is she from the forest where my enemies are? Until she wakes, I do not know. And deciding what to do with her if she does…That is going to be a problem. Because if she is my enemy, I cannot let her leave, and if she is not…The secrets I keep close can’t come to light. But I will not kill her. I will not let a female—any female—come to harm. So, I believe I only have one option…I will need to convince her to trust me… to not fear me. I will need to convince her to be MINE.     AmazonKU

FATED TO THE ALIEN DAD (WARRIORS OF TAVIKH BOOK NINE) by Erin Hale

Zalik – I have watched as each of my tribe brothers found their human keeshlas, leaving me as one of the last still unmated. Until everything changes. Not only do I stumble across a human kit, but a single touch reveals my fated mate. In that moment, I know my path has been chosen. I will be the one to protect and care for them both. No one will take my mate or kit from me, not even a powerful male who arrives from Earth. Riley – The past always has a way of catching up with us. When mine does, I seek out the protection of the Tavikhi people. It comes in the form of a warrior who claims I’m his mate. The same one who found my adopted daughter after I’d hidden her deep in the forest when I discovered her life is in danger. In order to have a future with them, I’ll need to place all my trust in Zalik. But trust is hard when nearly everyone in my life has either left or disappointed me.   AmazonKU

WRAPPED IN THEIR ARMS (KINDRED TIMES TWO (TWIN KINDRED) sERIES BOOK FOUR) by Evangeline Anderson

Two warriors are desperate to mend their souls–they just need the perfect woman to help them heal. Twin Kindred Burns Hot and Shines Bright are inseparable—not only are they best friends, but each has lost the sibling half of their natural pair-bond. Haunted by grief, they are determined to forge the rare, coveted Twin-Bond together even though they aren’t brothers, and finally call a shared bride to complete their fractured existence. They find her on the Mother Ship: Noelle. A captivating, curvy, mature woman running from a desperate past, she’s there to lecture on various Earth holidays. But when she agrees to accompany them to Therim Five to fulfill a prophecy—one that promises to fuse their bond and bring her into their lives forever—the stakes become lethally high. Noelle is over 40 and running from a cruel ex. She expected holiday cheer when she planned to spend Christmas on the Kindred Mother Ship. Instead, she got two fiercely possessive alien warriors who long to form a bond with each other…and with her. But as their journey ignites a desire she never imagined, their path is violently derailed. Captured by galactic pirates, all bets are off. Now, trapped in the darkest corners of the galaxy, the three of them must fight as one. Burns Hot and Shines Bright will have to prove they are worth risking everything for—or lose their chance at the Twin-Bond, their destiny, and the woman who belongs to both of them. **Author’s Note—since Burn and Bright are NOT related, there is a bit of sword crossing in this plus-length novel. (In other words, there is a tiny bit of MM action in this mostly MFM book.) If that’s not for you, please don’t buy.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

ALIEN HOME (MOTHERSHIP BOOK ONE) by Eden Ember

When survival means surrendering to the unknown, love becomes the greatest discovery of all. Dana never imagined her journey through the stars would end with her ship torn apart by a cosmic anomaly, stranding her and three other women on a planet where the ground burns by day and safety only comes with the cooling rains of night. Hiding in caves and scavenging for survival, Dana’s engineering background never prepared her for this nightmare, until massive alien warriors arrive in a ship that defies imagination. Er’dox is a Zandovian warrior sworn to rescue the stranded across the Shorstar Galaxy. When his team discovers the human survivors, he expects a routine rescue mission. What he doesn’t expect is Dana, a fierce, resourceful human woman whose green eyes hold secrets and whose quick mind adapts to alien technology with unsettling ease. She challenges everything he knows about duty, honor, and the careful distance he maintains from those he saves. Aboard the colossal Mothership, Dana and her fellow survivors become indentured servants, working to pay for their rescue while learning to navigate a flying city populated by giant blue-skinned aliens.   AmazonKU

RECLAMATION (DARK HORSE SERIES BOOK ONE) by Kristen Zimmer

VS Note: FF SF with Romantic elements. Cliffhanger.

This is your future. The United States of America has been gone for over a century. In its place, The Unified American Territories—a nation divided, the impoverished and the wealthy are separated by a looming steel wall. In the Northern Territories—The Vault, as it is known by its inhabitants—the government rules with an iron fist: All citizens are tested for intelligence and aptitude, thrust into compulsory higher education and saddled with insurmountable debt. All student loans are granted and controlled by a branch of the regime called The Federal Bureau of Education. Failure to repay their debt consigns borrowers to the Knowledge Reclamation Process, a mysterious government-sanctioned brainwashing program that strips them of their education with dire mental and physical side effects. Fletcher Daniels is a recent college graduate struggling to stay ahead of her arrears. After a visit from Reclamation Agents, she knows her life is about to change for the worse. Enter Youth Opposed to Reclamation, a scrappy band of rebels who try in their own small way to bring some relief to the people of The Vault by smuggling as many potential Reclaimees to safety as possible. When Fletcher meets and falls for fellow female YOR member, Sparrow, her world is twisted away from the one she once knew even more radically. The group offers Fletcher a chance to escape her fate, but through them, she sees the promise of bringing real change to The Vault. History has taught her that even the smallest rebellions can trigger revolutions. It’s time for history to repeat itself.

Amazon     AB    Apple Books     Kobo

HUNTED BY DRAV (ALIEN MATE HUNT BOOK FIVE) by Zara Crowe

Run. Climb. Fall — because on Varyn, the hunter always gets his mate. I signed the contract to escape the domes and the debt my mother left behind. Thirty days. One winged predator. Freedom. The cliffs of Varyn rise forever into stormlight, riddled with caverns and alive with wind. The gear they gave me burns out by the first night, and every climb leaves my hands raw, my body colder — and hungrier. Drav hunts these heights like a god. Bronze wings. Talons that cut stone. Eyes that find me no matter how high I climb. He doesn’t chase to kill — he drives me upward, tests me, waits until I’m too exhausted to resist. When he catches me, it won’t be mercy. It’ll be the end of the Hunt. And as the storms rage below, I can’t tell whether I’m falling into the sky — or into him.      AmazonKU

THE HOLLOWED: PROJECT VIRION BOOK ONE by Amilea Perez

The infected aren’t the only ones who should be feared. Dr. Lucilla Castillo was never supposed to leave Sanctum Medical. Not after the outbreak turned her research lab into the last line of defense against the virus that hollowed out humanity, but when a vaccine of her creation proves to work, she is thrusted into a world far more dangerous than the flesh eating monsters outside. Accompanied by Alejandro Ramirez, a soldier with too many scars and Luna, the dog who’s followed him through hell, Luci must journey west to the only facility left that might help mass-produce the cure. But freedom has a price, and trust is a currency no one parts with easily. Prometheus, the institution that raised and educated her, claims to serve the greater good, but as Luci digs deeper, she begins to realize that not everything is as it seems and sometimes the greatest threats come from the very people who swore to protect you.      AmazonKU

HEARTS OF OBSIDIAN: RESONANCE BOOK ONE by Lyra Starling

She was just trying to survive. He’d been surviving for a century. Neither expected the glow. Dr. Ava Chen didn’t sign up to be anyone’s fated mate. She signed up to be a colony ship’s doctor—to heal people, not crash-land on an uncharted ice planet with thirty survivors depending on her.She definitely didn’t sign up for *him*. Raeth has led his people through eighty years of slow extinction. No females. No children. No hope. The Vothren are dying, and he’s made peace with that. Until strange creatures fall from the sky—and one small, fierce human woman makes his skin glow with a light he cannot control. The resonance. The fated mate bond his people believed was only legend. He can’t hide what she makes him feel. His own body won’t let him. Ava doesn’t believe in destiny. She believes in science, in logic, in keeping everyone alive through sheer stubborn will. But the seven-foot alien warrior who watches her with silver eyes and glows like a supernova whenever she’s near? He’s making it very hard to stay rational. Especially when his touch is the only warmth on this frozen world. Especially when his people might be the only thing standing between the survivors and extinction. Especially when she starts to wonder if fighting the bond is the real mistake. On a world of ice, the fire between them might be the only thing that saves them both.     AmazonKU

GUIDE ME HARDER (REJECT SQUAD BOOK ONE) by Jayce Carter

She isn’t the guide they wanted, but she’s the disaster they deserve. Yun is a Guide with a bad past, a volatile temper, and a lot of scars. She’s spent ten years getting tossed out of squad after squad until she’s thrown into the bottom tier of the Esper program, where failed squads go to die—or worse, embarrass themselves. Her new team and last chance? Nicknamed Reject Squad, these four Espers are shining failures who don’t bother to even try anymore. A combat specialist with a fake smile and more than a few secrets, a healer who seems too stupid to survive, a mentalist with zero morals or understanding of privacy, and a tattoo-covered stealth specialist who sleeps with anything that moves. They don’t want her, she doesn’t want them, but neither can afford to back down. When their powers start syncing in all the worst ways—emotionally, magically and physically—things get a lot more complicated than just staying sane. They might not do things right, but they sure have fun screwing it up.      AmazonKU

FATED TO MATE (SMUTT BOOKS SHORT ALIEN ROMANCE BOOK THREE) by Deiri Di

Porcha wants an alien baby. Tired of failed relationships, uneven relationships, and officially in the age range for a geriatric pregnancy, Porcha isn’t interested in waiting around to be matched with a mate. She already knows what she wants, and it is her best friend’s alien mate’s brother. The only thing is, he is the kind of alien that requires a mating contract. She knows exactly what she is getting into. His species has courtship standards involve stalking, home invasion, and all sorts of behavior that is frowned upon in polite society. The problem is, that he isn’t here to court; he is here to visit family, and he knows better than to break the societal rules of Earth. But Porcha knows exactly how to entice him in time for Xmas. Voknar can’t touch human women. He can’t think about them. Can’t imagine what it would be like to chase his mate through her house, to take fate into his own hands and claim her as his own. When his mate chooses him by carving her invitation into his flesh, he is primed and ready to give her the courtship she deserves, whether she changes her mind or not.   AmazonKU

STAR FIRE ASCENDING: BOOK 0 OF THE GRIWALDY  CHRONICLES by Lynn Nodima

Princess by birth. Leader by choice. When the empire needs her most, Regina Griwaldy steps out of the shadows—and into a role no one believes she’s ready to claim. Hidden behind the title of “imperial daughter” is a woman trained for command, hardened by loss, and determined to serve rather than inherit. But when a deadly threat exposes cracks in the Empire’s defenses, Regina must prove she belongs in the stars…not on a ceremonial pedestal. Her greatest ally is the one man sworn to protect her—Dresnick, a battle-worn officer with secrets of his own and a loyalty that runs deeper than command. As danger closes in, trust becomes more than strategy. It becomes everything. Because in space, power is inherited. But leadership is earned. And love may be the most dangerous risk of all.   AmazonKU

VS: Just a reminder of my new release last week!

TAMSYN: A PLANET OF LAST RESORT NOVELLA by Veronica Scott

The story of one small town on a remote colony planet and the rising zombie apocalypse…Busy running her ranch outside Rosewater, Tamsyn Wendover doesn’t pay much attention to the goings-on in town. But when one of her ranch hands is bitten while trying to help a child, she’s drawn into the mysterious flu outbreak spreading over the planet. As the deadly flu worsens, striking the town and the ranch, the chaos intensifies and Tamsyn is drawn into the desperate fight for survival. Author’s Note: This 20K novella is a prequel to the events in book one, mostly occurring prior to the arrival of the main characters on the planet in ARRIVAL. There’s no romance in this novella although Tamsyn does meet the man she’ll fall in love with later as the story goes on in upcoming books. Tamsyn will be a continuing character in the adventures on the Planet of Last Resort.      Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo     NOOK      GooglePlay

ABOMINABLE (POSSESSIVE MONSTERS) by Maggie Mayhem

My holiday plans are simple: drive home, spend time with the family, and avoid conversation about my recent divorce. But fate has other plans. My car breaks down right as a snowstorm blows in, leaving me freezing and stranded in the middle of nowhere. Enter a huge mountain of a man named Axel (totally not an axe murderer), who whisks me away to his giant-sized, yet cozy cabin. My rugged rescuer is sweet and charming, but something is off. Because he’s bigger than any human could ever be, and I swear he just turned furry for a second. And I’m strangely intrigued…But Axel’s not the only beast prowling these woods, and when my past comes back to haunt me—your girl just can’t catch a break—having my very own possessive monster is the best gift I never expected.     AmazonKU

CRYSTAL CLEAR REFLECTIONS: A FORTUNA DELPHI MIDLIFE TALE BEYOND MYSTIC’S END (THE MYSTWICH MINDSLIDER SERIES BOOK THREE) by Leanne Leeds

Fortuna’s to-do list as a new coven leader was already long: manage magical disputes, walk her ghost dog, and keep her vampire husband’s existence a secret. But after her best friend Pepper Stanford’s TV show plasters Chris’s face on screen for his twin sister to see, her agenda gets a chaotic update: prevent a murder-by-magic family reunion. Pepper arrives in town convinced the photo leak was no accident, turning Fortuna’s personal crisis into a full-blown investigation with her best friend at her side. While they hunt for a saboteur, Fortuna has to handle the fallout—Chris’s sister, Christina, who is getting dangerously close to discovering a truth that could literally stop her heart. A magical deal that once saved her life now threatens to end it if she reunites with the brother she thinks is dead. Fortuna must protect the man she loves by keeping him from the sister he adores. She has to navigate a suspicious coven, unravel a media conspiracy with her best friend, and stop a heartfelt reunion from becoming a fatal one. It’s a magical balancing act where one wrong move could shatter hearts—literally.      AmazonKU

DANCING WITH FIRE (DRAGON TRIBUTES BOOK 10) by Charlene Hartnady

The dragons on Draig Island are not your run-of-the-mill kind. They’re something else entirely…It’s Grim’s turn to find his mate. To avoid spoilers, there will not be a blurb for this book. This story contains mature themes/language. Also, be prepared for a ton of growls, dirty talk, and a hard-won HEA. Hulking, skulking, foul-mouthed, brooding dragons ahead. You were warned!     AmazonKU

VERSES AND CURSES (ELLA BLOOM MYSTERIES BOOK FOUR) by Sarah Noffke

They say music soothes the savage beast, but in Gloamington, it’s more likely to summon one. When Gloamington hosts its first talent show, the stage is set for more than just performances. It becomes the perfect venue for murder when a famous pop star dies. Malcolm Fawkes and Ella Bloom must navigate a maze of suspects thick with jealousy and ambition. From bitter contestants to obsessed admirers, everyone wanted something from the manipulative diva. The pop star climbed to fame over the bodies of her competition and the broken hearts of her obsessed fans. But this time, she became the casualty. As they search for the killer, Ella also tries to hone her mysterious powers and Malcolm desperately seeks the one memory that could restore everything. But as magical talents spiral out of control and old grudges take the spotlight, solving this case might cost them everything. Can they unmask a murderer before someone else hits their final note? Or will the killer’s encore claim another victim?     AmazonKU

HER SOLSTICE BEAR MATE (CRESCENT LAKE SHIFTERS BOOK EIGHT) by Arizona Tape

VS Note: FF PNR.

Tess always dreads when the holiday season rolls around, especially because she has nobody to celebrate it with. A promise to her late mother brings her to the lake of fate where she runs into some familiar faces, including her childhood friend who seems eager to reconnect. Bear shifter Amanda has been looking for her fated mate but nothing has ever felt right. That’s until she meets Tess again and feels instant butterflies. She’s eager to see if their connection is as strong as ever but it seems that time has changed some things between them. Can she help Tess find that holiday cheer that she’s missing or will they grow apart again?      Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo

KARMA’S SAVE THE DATE (MAGICAL MIDLIFE IN MYSTIC HOLLOW BOOK NINE) by Lacey Carter and L A Boruff

Karma might be needed for it’s biggest feat yet… saving a wedding. Henry and Alice’s wedding was supposed to be small, simple, and soon. Unfortunately, Alice has disappeared, leaving behind nothing but a cryptic note. The only way to save my brother’s wedding is to get to the bottom of what happened to Alice. The thing is, Alice has secrets. Secrets none of us could’ve ever imagined. Trouble has come to Mystic Hollow, and Karma might be needed if Henry has any hope of getting his bride down the aisle in time.        AmazonKU

A CURSE OF ASHES (EYE OF THE GODDESS BOOK THREE) by Sariah Wilson

Princess Lia of Locris is the unlikeliest person to be Ilion’s defender. Once, she’d have gladly seen the entire adversarial nation burn. But much has changed. Ilion is home to too many innocents, including her sister. Besides, there is no escaping the goddess’s command. Lia is Ilion’s prophesied savior. With that mortal obligation come rules: She must never consummate her marriage to Xander, prince of Ilion, lest she lose her powers of divine magic when she needs them most. Physically bonded to share each other’s pain, these former enemies have grown from merely attracted to something more profound. But what future can they have when Lia’s destiny requires sacrificing her life? As enemies close in and war threatens everything they love, Lia and Xander must find a way to follow the goddess’s laws while also accepting the truth in their hearts—before the prophecy demands its final, fatal price.     AmazonKU       AB

A LITTLE BITE (ETERNITY COLLEGE CHRONICLES BOOK ONE) by Lauretta Hignett

Okay, look, being a seventeen-year-old child genius working my way through Harvard was supposed to be the hardest part of my life. I’m Marie—smart mouth, zero impulse control, laser-focused on one goal: getting custody of my baby brother to keep him out of foster care. Oh, and building an Iron Man suit and eventually taking over the world. One thing at a time, though. But when a gorgeous older man at a museum tempts me with a combination of mansplaining and faulty math, I find myself tied up in the basement of an abandoned dentist school. Standard serial killer, right? Not quite. Turns out, he was a vampire. And he’s turned me into a bloodsucker on the way out. Bye-bye, Harvard. Hello, tiny, creepy night college in Eternity, Louisiana. I’ve got a place in a dorm room at Noctiluna House because, get this, the previous occupant was brutally murdered in what is now my room. Common sense would dictate I should try and find her killer, just in case they come for me and try to carve my heart out like they did to her. So, I’m on the case, and it should be easy. After all, I’m something of an expert on serial killers. But I’m about to discover that interviewing suspects can be tricky when all you can think about is chewing on their neck.       AmazonKU

EVER DARK ACADEMY (VOLUME FOUR): M/M VAMPIRE ROMANCE by X Aratare

None of the Immortals can escape their pasts. While Grayson eagerly embraces being the Immortal Ashyr, others like his former best friend reporter Rachel Willis and his mother desperately want him to be the young man they once knew. Caemorn’s many slices continue to haunt him… and everyone else as they strive to survive now that the Vampire King has returned. While Balthazar likes being thought clever with use of his Eyros gift, he shies away from fully embracing it. And his Kaly one? He doesn’t even realize when he’s using it. And Ryder remembers one very special–and dangerous–Childe: Legion. The Childe of his Heart and his Nightmares.       Amazon

CHRISTMAS JONES by Linda Mooney

Jones is hard at work at the factory when she gets the call every worker wishes for this time of year from The Boss. She’s chosen as one of the lucky twelve, bestowed with the honor of being a Bearer of Christmas Wishes. There are rules, of course, but it’s fairly simple. Pass out candy canes to people in your assigned area to spread some Christmas magic, then you can go back home. If only it were that simple. Jones lands in a big city in freezing weather, and a snowstorm is blowing in. She’s alone in a new world, but thanks to the kindness of a stranger, she’s able to find food and shelter. Barrett doesn’t have much himself, being a homeless vet who’s fallen on hard times, but he’s willing to help however he can. Jones seems to be lost, more than a little naïve, and maybe a bit crazy, but he’s the last one to judge. He feels protective of her, and he could use some of that Christmas magic himself. Feelings are new to Jones, especially one in particular. And when she thinks she may lose Barrett for good, she must do what it takes to save him as he saved her. Turns out, love may be the greatest magic of all.       AmazonKU

SPELL-LESS IN SEATTLE (SISTERHOOD OF MIDLIFE MAGIC BOOK TWO) by Stacy Claflin

They say you can’t change the past. Apparently, they also forgot to mention how easy it is to accidentally get stuck there. I was using my magic to track down my missing son, Tristan, when one wrong teleport sent my sisters and me careening into 1996 Seattle. Think grunge, frosted lip gloss, and dial-up internet slower than my mother’s telekinesis. Oh, and our magic? Bound tighter than a scrunchie on prom night. But now that I’m here, maybe I can stop Tristan’s disappearance before it ever happens. Sure, one wrong move could unravel everything I know, but what kind of mother would I be if I didn’t try? Then a CB radio (yes, like truckers use) connects us to other misplaced witches. Including Jesse, who has no business looking that good in flannel or making me forget I can’t stay in this decade. Turns out someone chose 1996 as ground zero to destroy magic forever. And apparently, we’re the only ones who can stop it. Now I’m juggling a powerless coven, an inconvenient attraction to a man from the wrong era, and two impossible missions: save my boy from a future that hasn’t happened yet, and save magic itself… all without Google, a cell phone, or a clue.     AmazonKU

THE MISTLETOE MISTAKE (HOLIDAY VILLAGE ROMANCES BOOK FIVE) by Jordyn Alexander 

Merry Kringle’s magic is on the fritz—and so is her love life. Ever since that kiss with Frostbeard the Yeti at the Halloween Welcoming Ball, her powers have gone haywire. Her spells sputter, flurries follow her across campus, and enchanted mistletoe seems determined to drop into every doorway she passes. With finals looming, Merry’s one magical meltdown away from disaster—and the worst part? Her unruly powers seem tied to her emotions… which all lead straight back to himFrostbeard knows kissing Merry was a mistake—a dangerous, intoxicating, absolutely unforgettable mistakePushing her away afterward was supposed to protect them both. But ever since, he’s been starving for another taste. Now she’s back, demanding his help, with desperation in her eyes. He should say no. Helping her get her magic under control is risky. For his heart. For his sanity. For his ability to keep his hands to himself. But the truth? He’s never wanted anyone the way he wants her—and resisting might just be impossible. As Christmas nears, the tension between them heats to a breaking point. If they can’t untangle her powers—and their feelings—they’ll risk more than failed exams. Because this isn’t just magic gone wild. This is a holiday romance with heat—and it might just burn them both.   AmazonKU

TRADER ARGYLE (DEFINITELY HUMAN) (MERSETON TALES BOOK THREE) by Angel Martinez

VS Note: LGBTQ Fantasy

Of all the towns on Argyle Mim’s trading routes, he’s always enjoyed visiting Merseton best. The residents understand the unusual, and he can’t deny he’s far from usual. So when he learns of a cavalry troop bent on destroying his favorite town, Argyle races to warn them and becomes more involved in the town’s defense than he’d anticipated. Fen Pepper never wanted to be a cavalry soldier, but when his brother is forcibly conscripted, he volunteers. He’s always protected Cor from people who don’t understand him, and he’s not about to stop now. A monster-killing obsessed captain leads the cavalry troop, and their target is the little town of Merseton, which might or might not exist. When Cor is injured during a skirmish, Fen stays with him while the rest of the troop flees—abandoning them to a town of monsters. But all is not what it seems, and Fen finds his prejudices and fears challenged at every turn. Trader Argyle takes Fen under his wing and helps him navigate this odd new world. The cavalry will return—Fen knows their captain well enough for that—endangering the people who rescued him and his brother. While Fen reconsiders the bad information he’s been fed all his life and tries not to consider his growing feelings for Argyle, he knows he’ll have to choose between questionable loyalty and the truth right in front of him.       Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

THE KRAMPUS EFFECT by Lexi Ostrow

With the world losing its joy and the very magic of Christmas in jeopardy, one demi goddess’s belief is all that stands between salvation and ruin, between Santa and Krampus. Carolyn O’Connor has always had a gift, whether she wanted to embrace it or not. Thanks to being the child of a Hermes, she has the ability to locate the missing, including creatures of myth and legend. Tasked with tracking dow na missing being, she had no idea it was none other than her ex lover— Nicholas Kramp, AKA Santa Claus and her ex. The holiday spirit that once bound them together has long since faded in light of the evil in the world, and now Carolyn must confront the darkness that has consumed the man she loved, and not just for a paycheck. Once known as Santa Claus, Nicholas Kramp has become the darkness in his heart. Krampus—a vengeful demon bent on punishing the wicked. His transformation was gradual, driven by the decay of humanity’s kindness and the betrayal of the joy he once brought, replacing Santa with Krampus as there was no one there to pull him back from the brink of darkness that swallowed him whole. In a desperate race against time, Carolyn must navigate Krampus’s twisted world, where her love and belief are the only weapons that might pull him from the brink of total destruction and revive Santa Claus. Krampus tests her resolve with every step, reminding her of the passion they shared before he gave into the darkness. All that stands between never-ending judgment and the magic of Christmas is Carolyn’s love for a man who’d left her centuries ago. She will have to choose between punishing him and loving him to revive the man within or lose Christmas—and him— forever to his darkest incarnation.      AmazonKU

CONCLUDE (NEW BEGINNINGS SERIES BOOK SIX) by W J May

A single choice…and the world hangs in the balance. When Kiera and her friends reach the western shore, they expect to see a realm united. But there are battle lines within their own army, and danger lurks at every turn. Old grudges run deep and alliances aren’t quick to kindle. The enemy approaches, but the greatest threat might be from within. A late-night vision brings about an unexpected offer. The fellowship is tested, but the fates are drawing them to different sides. At the moment of reckoning, what will be revealed inside them? The mind of a general. The spirit of a warrior. The heart of a dragon. Be careful who you trust. Even the devil was once an angel.

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FALCON OF THE FAROE ISLANDS (VALIANT VIKINGS BOOK THREE) by Jenier Ivy Walker

Haldor Falk, fierce warrior and powerful vitki blessed by the Goddess Freyja with the extraordinary ability to transform into a falcon, has been charged with forging Skjöld, grandson of King Harald Bluetooth, into a rugged warlord in the wild north of Norway. With his acolyte’s training now complete, Haldor intends to return to the Viking stronghold of Normandy. But when a vision reveals an imminent attack on a dwarf guarding a hidden treasure trove in a secret cave, Haldor and Skjöld gain Dwarven-forged weapons and an unexpected, invaluable ally. Úlvhild, a völva of formidable seiðr magic and Haldor’s lover of nearly twenty winters, foresees that the Dökkálfar Dark Elves will strike to prevent the fulfillment of a prophecy. When the Norns unveil the terrible price of her fate, Úlvhild must confront a crimson-eyed witch to save her beloved Falcon and ensure that the prophesied Son of the Dragon fulfills his destined path.      AmazonKU

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SEA MONSTER SINGLE DAD (TINSEL AND TENTACLES 3.0) by CD Rachels

VS note: MM PNR.

I didn’t think a workaholic monster like me had any time for relationships. The handsome marine biologist has me wanting to put my heart on the line. I only care about two things: my job and raising my nephew. That last one is no easy feat; just because we’re both kraken shifters doesn’t mean I can always connect to him. Sure, the kid looks like me; our population became monsters decades ago, but I don’t exactly wear that part of my life on my tentacle. Taking him to the Maritime Monsters Institute is my best option. And it certainly has nothing to do with the handsome researcher I meet there. There’s no way an openly gay, smart, hardworking, sexy fellow like Skyler has my pulse racing. I was never a good liar. Between my job and raising a teenager, I couldn’t be a proper boyfriend. I’m no one’s mate. Still, Skyler fits into my life so well. The way he looks at me makes me think he could be interested in a sea monster like me. I was never prepared to be a dad. But dating this gorgeous human could be the biggest change in my monstrous life. Are my tentacles ready for fall for Skyler?   AmazonKU

HOLIDAY WISHES AND TENTACLE DREAMS (TINSEL AND TENTACLES 3.0) by J B Warrick

VS Note: MM PNR.

A summer tourist town in December might be the worst place in the world for Jake to end up after a breakup. Can one tentacled sea monster fulfill his lonely Christmas wish? This is shaping up to be the worst Christmas of Jake’s life. After losing his job and his boyfriend, all he’s got left is a lease he can’t afford and a needy kitten. In a fit of desperation, he sends a letter to Santa. He’s only got two things on his list: a new place to live, and someone who’ll love and support him no matter what. Jake’s luck seems like it’s changing for the better when his grandma offers up her beach house, but he didn’t consider how lonely the empty tourist town would be during the holiday. Except for that one handsome surfer who keeps turning up outside his window…Who would be crazy enough to surf in the frigid Maine waters? Doren hasn’t spoken to a human in hundreds of years, and likes it that way. It’s the safest thing for Doren’s family — after all, giant alien sea creatures aren’t meant to exist. After accidentally being seen by an adorable human in a red plaid sweater, the smart thing would be to stay far away. So why does Doren keep taking human form and frolicking in the waves outside said human’s beach house? And why is Doren so certain that a certain set of strong tentacles could hug Jake’s sadness away?       AmazonKU

TENTACLES FOR CHRISTMAS (TINSEL AND TENTACLES 3.0) by R A Frick

VS Note: MM PNR

– Cameron Bass -When I left the San Francisco tech world for a simpler life in the small town of Blue Lake, California, I wasn’t sure it would be long term. Until a certain brooding local helped me feel welcome… Along with learning about the secrets he kept. – Rowen Finley – As a boat mechanic in the small town where I was raised by my adoptive father, I’d never been into dating, so I didn’t know what to make of my attraction to the new barista in town. He didn’t even know shifters existed…And eight tentacles was more than anyone could handle. Can Rowen take a chance on Cam this Christmas?      AmazonKU

TENTACLES ARE COMING TO TOWN (TINSEL AND TENTACLES 3.0) by  K C Carmine

VS Note: MM PNR.

A tentacled cook. A cat-shifter influencer. A snowstorm that brings them together. Spiro – Spending Christmas away from my responsibilities as a chef at my family’s restaurant will give me the break from my busy life in Greece to recharge and plan the perfect new menu. Once I’m in snowy Chicago, I end up sharing a house with a cute twink with big cat ears and rainbow socks. True to his name, Kaos bursts into my life like a tornado, luring me in with his carefree outlook, hopelessly romantic heart, and insatiable love for my talented tentacles. I want to bring him so much pleasure he’ll remember our time for the rest of his life. I need to hurry. After all, we only have a month before I go back to the life I carved for myself and we never see each other again. Kaos – What’s a better cure for a breakup than a trip to a city I always wanted to visit? If I can enjoy the holidays far from home, nothing will stand in the way of my future success as a culinary influencer, and finding someone who’ll love me back. But when my plan goes sideways, a tentacled Greek god invites me to spend the month with him while he cooks dishes that match my needs. He treats me like I’m the most important person in his life while taking charge in bed. Does he truly like me, or is the wild attraction between us purely physical? If I have my way, our holiday fling will turn into so much more than he bargained for.   AmazonKU

TURNING THE WRIGHT WAY: VICTORIAN ELEMENTAL FANTASY (WORLD WRIGHTS BOOK THREE) by Maria Grace

Though Rebecca’s a Master of Fire, Water, Earth, and Air, that isn’t much help when it comes to managing her own life. The Wright Guild’s recent decision to admit women was exactly what Master Full Wright Rebecca Fuller had hoped for. Perhaps now she could get back to teaching her students, running her shop, avoiding the Guild’s interference in her life, and planning her wedding to David.
But the Queen steps in and everything falls apart. Faced with impossible demands, the Guild must do what it hates most—cooperate and change—and everyone must play their part. Tucked away with her students and an unexpected mentor, will her unconventional skills be enough to craft what the Queen requires? Guild Secretary, Master Full Wright David Enright would much rather be helping Rebecca than navigating the procedural and legal morass surrounding the Guild. But that seems the only way to put an end to the bickering and satisfy the Queen’s orders. Once again, it’s not his skill as a Wright, but his unique expertise as a barrister, that the Guild requires—good for the Guild, difficult on one’s ego. But when the Guild Conclave doesn’t like what he has to say, disgruntled Wrights turn desperate, willing to do the unthinkable to maintain their centuries-old ways of life. With everything and everyone he holds dear endangered, will he be enough to turn the Wrights a new way?   AmazonKU

RITE OF THREATS AND REVENGE (HOUSE OF ROSES BOOK SEVEN) by Laura Greenwood

When everyone wants something different, it’s difficult to know who to trust. Torn between loyalty to her brother and to her new life, Beatrice must decide which side she stands on, and who she can trust. Preferably without losing any more of her family. As Beatrice and Linc become more important at court, they face challenges that neither of them expected, and they’re not entirely sure who has their best interests at heart. Rite of Threats and Revenge is book seven of House of Blood and Roses. It is a fantasy romance series full of vampires, court intrigue, and an established m/f romance.

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KRAMPUS BABY: A MONSTERS BRIDE ROMANCE by S C Principale

Imogene – Growing up in a sheltered cabin in rural Alaska shielded me from the fact that there was something off about the way my parents raised me. “Imprisoned me because of my freakish looks” might be a better description.. After years of begging and restlessness, they finally let me take some online college courses and I began to see that I needed to escape, even if I had no money, no skills, no friends, and nowhere to go. I’ll do whatever it takes. Even take my chances at a job as a stranger’s “wife” thousands of miles away so my parents can’t find me…I never expected to fall in love with my boss and his baby. Artie – I never intended to be a father at twenty-four, but there you have it. When I found a tiny baby with horn-like growths on her head and little hooves where her feet should be, I freaked out! I knew I was too young and inexperienced to be a parent, but all I could picture was her ending up with people who experimented on her or put her in some kind of creepy freak show. But good intentions and a boatful of love for my miracle girl are not enough. I can’t work from home full-time and be a full-time parent. With little money and less family, I don’t know where I can get help without risking Laurel’s life. After two days without sleep and almost losing my job after a major mistake, I cracked. I put up a “Wife Wanted” ad on a sketchy job-seeking site. I can offer room, board, respect, kindness, her own room, and good health insurance—all she has to do is let me work and promise to help me protect Laurel. In a year or two, when things are better, we can split up in a nice, friendly way, no harm done. Except that Imogene is perfect for Laurel and me. When I discover the truth about her odd appearance and the bond she and Laurel share, it makes me want her even more. Can I convince her that our sham marriage has turned to true love?      AmazonKU

MY CHRISTMAS REINDEER: MM MPREG HOLIDAY SHIFTER ROMANCE by Wendy Rathbone

Can a young omega reindeer shifter and Santa’s number one elf find love amid the chaotic demands of the North Pole Christmas season? Alpha Keir is a serious elf in charge of Santa’s team of flying reindeer. Navigating the spacetime continuum is no small feat, and he must see to it that everything is in order to conduct a single night of massive gift delivery. There can be no mistakes. Fallon was born on a snowy night in December and left in an ice drift to die. He is rescued and raised by elves. Because of his difficult beginning, he can’t fly. He’s worked hard with the elves who serve Santa, making toys, but his first love is math and science and he studies hard in his off hours. He hopes to join Santa’s team at ground control. It would be the perfect job. Keir is the big boss Fallon must try to impress to get the job he wants. But everything goes wrong when Fallon finds his attraction to Keir fogging his mind and sending him into the throes of heat. Worse, a big storm is brewing and it’s affecting the continuum. Can two very different men save Christmas and find love all at the same time?
AmazonKU

THE BEAR AND THE STORK (FUC ACADEMY BOOK 48) by Amanda Kimberley 

A wounded bear, a weary stork, and the Christmas fate refuses to let them miss. Agent Stan Dutetre has spent years accidentally pairing off everyone in his unit, earning him the teasing nickname TLC, much to his chagrin. But behind it all is a man who quietly rebuilt his life after tragedy. Losing his wife and raising his daughter alone taught him that fate doesn’t give second chances… at least, not to him. Then he meets Command Sergeant Major Kalliopi Kouris, a MILF—Milos Infantry Liaison to Furry United Coalition—he wasn’t prepared for, and can’t resist. Kallie is brilliant, disciplined, and maddeningly fearless, traits that make her outstanding at covert operations and absolutely terrible for Stan’s peace of mind. She’s a colleague. A fellow agent. A woman who runs straight toward danger. And she’s his mate.  But the holidays hit Kallie harder than any mission. She’s lost too much to celebrate, and Christmas only reminds her of everything she no longer has. Stan never expected to get another shot at love—and he certainly never expected to be the one teaching someone else how to embrace the season again.  As threats close in, snow begins to fall, and the people he once matched start meddling in his love life, Stan must choose whether to protect his heart… or finally claim the future—and the Christmas—fate is offering him.

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STAKE IT OR LEAVE IT (BUDAPEST BITES BOOK TWO) by Hattie Jacks

I’m in Budapest to do one thing…kill the mafia vampire king…not fall for his charms. Yeah, basically I’m Buffy if she was a boring mousy London lawyer. I had one job, stake Dominik Király, the vampire king, and get out of town. I was not supposed to hesitate at the last minute when he called out my name. Sure, he’s six foot plus of eye candy-in-a bespoke-suit, but he’s still a bloodsucker and my family’s mortal enemy. I should have done what I came here to do the minute I set eyes on him…drive a stake through his heart and cut off his head. But instead, I find myself unable to do the deed. I thought I knew all the vampire tricks, but Dominik has an extra one up his sleeve. He might be brooding, dark and dangerous, but he has a laugh which could melt hearts and a way of looking at the world I can only dream about. Bit by bit he breaks down my defenses until there is nothing left. And he makes me an offer. Be his mate and he will protect me from everything, including my own family. Given I failed to kill him when I had the chance and now I’m being stalked by vampires on all sides as well as facing the wrath of my family, I’m rapidly running out of options. But can I trust Dominik to be what he says he will be? And what will he do when he finds out the biggest secret of all? That I’m pregnant by an instantly forgettable one night stand and I’m keeping the baby, no matter what. Turns out all he has to do is growl: “You’re mine. Both of you.”      AmazonKU

THE BEAR’S CHRISTMAS BRIDE by Harmony Raines

When she ran from her wedding, she never expected to crash into her happily ever after. When Holly ends up stranded in a snowstorm, still wearing her wedding dress, the last thing she expects is to find shelter in Bear Creek… or in the home of a warm-hearted baker and two children who steal her heart. Daniel has spent years building a life around his bakery, his town, and his kids. What he longs for most is not complicated – just a mate to love, a partner to share the load, and a mother for Teddy and Maisie. But when Holly crashes into his world, he cannot shake the fear that what he wants most might be too much to ask. Because Holly is running. And runners do not stay. As Christmas draws closer, Holly slips naturally into Daniel’s life – school mornings, cozy evenings, flour-dusted kitchens, and children who look at her like she already belongs. Daniel dares to hope she might be his forever… even as he fears it is all temporary, that she will choose the safe life she left behind. But some connections are impossible to deny. With a past waiting at the door, a truth Daniel has yet to reveal, and the magic of Christmas hanging in the air, both must decide if they are brave enough to stop wishing – and start choosing. Because sometimes, the family you dream of…is the one that finds you.   AmazonKU

FEY DIVINITY: GAY DARK ROMANTASY (FEY LORDS BOOK SIX) by S Rodman

I’m the son of the prime minister and now I have to marry a fey prince? This can’t be my life. First the fey conquer Earth, and now this? Prince Dyfri y Mhorriganogi is beautiful. The kind of stunning that steals your breath and leaves you speechless. He’s so far out of my league it’s not even funny. But I don’t want to marry him. He’s a spy. An infiltrator. The enemy. But as with all things since the fey arrived, there is no choice. Cunning, sultry, dark-haired Dyfri will be my husband. He will come live with me in Downing Street. I am resigned to my fate. Then we meet for the first time, and something in his dark eyes gives me pause and changes everything. This marriage might not be a disaster. I don’t think he is loyal to his people. I think he just might be on our side. Or am I just a fool, seeing only what I want to believe?     AmazonKU

SAVING SAMIEL (BINGO BRIDES BOOK ONE) by Jenifer Wood

Tired of being entangled in relationships where she felt more like a caretaker than a partner, Annie has sworn off mortal men. Searching for her perfect fit, the quirky, goth nutritionist ventures to the mysterious Valley of the Damned in search of a better match. Samiel has been biding his time for four long decades, forbidden from seeking a mate after an incident involving the mayor’s prized chickens becoming possessed goats. The mischievous, dominating demon harbors dreams of finding true connection. When Annie and Samiel’s paths converge, sparks ignite in ways neither could have predicted. Can a rebellious demon with decades of bad habits and a woman weary of human men discover the partnership they both desire?      AmazonKU

UNDER THE FAIRY MOUND by Sam Cheever

You think your life is complex? Rosy Tatiana just wanted to tackle community litter. Now she’s being chased by dark fairies and dragons. And there’s a throne with her name on it in the fairy mound under the local park. Despite the truly hot fairy they sent to protect her…she’s starting to wish life could be boring again!      AmazonKU

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR ORC ROOMMATE by Zora Black

I thought the weirdest thing about working late at the library would be teenagers giggling over grown up magazines. Then a tusked, green-skinned orc warrior burst out of the men’s room portal and kissed me so hard I forgot how verbs work. Now he’s sleeping on my couch. Eating my cheese. Calling me “Olivia of House Wilkins” like I’m some kind of ancient queen and not a librarian with anxiety and a caffeine habit. And the worst part? He’s hot. Like, “wields a magical spear and apologizes with his shirt off” hot. And did I mention there’s a two-faced soul-eating cryptid loose in my small town? Because yeah. That’s happening. Apparently I’m part of some ancient prophecy. Or a magical accident. Or just really, really bad at boundaries. But if this terrifying, infuriating, oddly respectful orc thinks he can stomp into my life and make me feel safe and seen and wanted? I might let him stay. Just as long as he stops stealing my bookmarks.   AmazonKU

ALPHA DRAGON’S WOLF (DRAGONFATE GAMES BOOK SEVEN) by Hawle Oakley

VS Note: MM PNR.

Can a white wolf heal the darkness of a dragon’s heart? Viol is his own worst enemy. Years after a tragic incident of his own creation, he hides behind intimidating black leather and a spiky attitude. Love only causes him pain, and shoving people away is easier than letting them in—even the one soul he adores more than anything. Poppy is as loyal as he is patient. He’s waited six seasons for his fated mate to acknowledge him only to go home empty-pawed each time. But the omega wolf refuses to give up on his hurting dragon, and when he’s offered a private invitation to the island, he seizes his chance. Because Poppy is determined to save Viol—just like Viol saved him all those years ago.    AmazonKU

EVERY OTHER NEW YEAR’S EVE (ANY TIME NOW BOOK ONE)  by Michelle Dayton

VS Note: Sounds good. Put it on my TBR list.

The point of magic is not to understand it. The point is not to waste it…Paige Larsen is riding high on her future when she drops into a bar on New Year’s Eve 2019 for a celebratory drink. Will Weber, too, is excited about his life’s direction. Despite clashing personalities—and unexpected physical attraction—they quickly become friends while grooving to 1970s music in this unique joint. But when Paige and Will each try to find the bar the following day, they realize the night was even more magical than they believed. It seems this bar appears for only a handful of hours every two years in an abandoned city lot on December 31. What’s more, Paige and Will are living in different timelines two years apart. Over a span of eight years and a multitude of life changes, Paige and Will connect deeply in a fantasy situation that allows them to be their messy, imperfect, vulnerable selves. Then suddenly, the enchantment—and the bar—disappear for good. Can love offer the magic they need to create a real-life happy ever after?      Amazon      Apple Books      Kobo

FIELD WORK: A MONSTER ROMANCE SHORT READ (HARVEST MOON) by Adrian Blue

Podcaster Emma Thorne will do anything for the truth about New Eden Collective, the cult where twenty-three people died in a night of unspeakable violence. When she discovers an otherworldly creature who witnessed it all, she strikes a dangerous bargain: pieces of the horrifying story in exchange for increasingly intimate contact. With each revelation, the price grows steeper, and Emma finds herself craving not just the truth but the demon’s cold touch, his inhuman body, and the dark pleasure he offers. But when the last piece of the puzzle demands total surrender, Emma must decide how much she’s willing to give and whether she can walk away from the one being who truly sees her.   AmazonKU

A WAR OF GEARS AND BEAUTIES: A STEAMPUNK FAIRY TALE by Katherine MacDonald

Her princess is in a coma. Her friend is captured. And the man she loves is dying. Reeling from Queen Mira’s latest attack and the revelation about the origins of the rebellion, Dr Asami Thorne is left in the outlands with only the fractured remains of Ivory’s forces. If she cannot find a way to wake the princess and challenge Mira’s rule, there will not be a world worth saving. Meanwhile, Elena struggles to escape from the palace and finds help from an unlikely ally… but her true love Pip remains in Toulouse, oblivious to the goings on in the palace of Petragrad and fighting his own battles. There only hope lies in Prince Nero, former paramour of Mira and Ivory’s beloved. In the lair of the viper, he struggles to find allies and keep his own head, but when things take a turn for the worst, he’s forced to make a desperate bargain. With so much to lose and the whole world against them, is it even possible that any of them will live to experience a happy-ever-after?       AmazonKU

BLUE BALLING THE DEMON: MM FANTASY ROMANCE (HOTTER THAN HELL) by Callie Colby

Valerius is the Underworld’s greatest disappointment: an incubus bored to death by pleasure. For Valerius, the act of seduction is tedious, the mechanics are messy, and the payoff is never worth the effort. He’s starving, wasting away in the mortal realm because he’d rather wither than endure another night of meaningless friction. He needs sustenance, but he needs it refined. He needs pure energy. Then he meets Sir Kaelen of the Silver Order. Kaelen is six-foot-four of holy muscle, righteous fury, and a vow of celibacy so strictly enforced it has turned him into a walking nuclear reactor of repressed lust. To Valerius, the Paladin doesn’t smell like a man; he smells like an all-you-can-eat buffet of white-knuckled restraint. The arrangement is simple. Valerius uses his demonic senses to help Kaelen hunt the monsters plaguing the countryside. In exchange, Valerius gets to hover in Kaelen’s shadow, feeding off the delicious, intoxicating heat radiating from the knight’s pent-up frustration. No touching. No seduction. Just pure, agonizing proximity. It’s the perfect diet—until the nights get colder, the bedrolls get closer, and Valerius realizes that Kaelen’s resolve is starting to crack. The Paladin is looking at him not like a monster to be tolerated, but a sin to be committed. And for the first time in centuries, Valerius isn’t bored. He’s ravenous. When the holiest man alive finally decides to break his vows, Valerius learns that the only thing more dangerous than a demon’s hunger… is a saint’s loss of control.      AmazonKU

GHOST OVERBOARD  (SALEM SPIRITS COZY MYSTERIES BOOK SIX) by Dina Marie

With her Salem bed-and-breakfast open for the Halloween season, Clara Kelly is finally embarking on her new life as an entrepreneur—while also trying to clear the sullied name of her ghostly roommate, a kind and handsome Union soldier named William Kensington. But when Clara takes a boat tour to scope out local attractions, she gets more than sea breezes and sightseeing. A prominent member of the Salem Historical Society falls overboard, and minutes later, her spirit appears, claiming she was pushed. Though Clara’s no stranger to ghostly drama, she didn’t expect to be shipwrecked in a murder investigation. With William’s phantom presence by her side and the dearly departed making demands from beyond, Clara must wade through a sea of suspects, hidden grudges, and long-buried secrets—and still get back in time to greet her B&B’s first guests. Can she reel in the killer and keep her haunted haven from going under? Or will this mystery drag her—and her entrepreneurial dreams—straight to Davy Jones’s locker?       AmazonKU

BABIES OF THE WOLF (FORBIDDEN MATES BOOK FOUR) by Amelia Shaw

Heavily pregnant and without my magic? Yeah, not my idea of a good time! But the world’s not going to save itself…Unable to use my powers, I set out on a mission to reclaim what is mine—but that causes friction between my men, and I find myself on the receiving end of some rough punishment. Pleasure or pain, it doesn’t matter now; not when I have my magic back! Just as I’m conjuring the wards to protect the kingdom… I go into labor. With tiny souls of my own to care for, I dig for old knowledge about the origins of the cusith. If I can discover the truth, I may be able to destroy them and save those I hold most dear.     Amazon

CURSES, CHAOS AND COURTROOMS (FORRESTBRIAR ACADEMY BOOK TWO) by Courtney Thorne

When the investigation into the campus love potion begins, Lukas Bristol is determined to see justice served. As an intern to the lead potions master on the case, he’s focused on one goal—seeing the person who ruined his life imprisoned. After the potion destroyed his last relationship, he’s sworn off romance for good. But staying detached isn’t easy when his path keeps crossing with Elsie Clarke. Still reeling from the love potion attacks, Elsie is desperate to find her footing again. She isn’t looking for love, yet her pull toward Lukas is impossible to ignore. And while she works to hide the secret that could ruin their growing connection, she finds herself caught between fear and something dangerously close to hope. As the case unfolds, Lukas and Elsie discover it runs far deeper than either of them imagined, full of twists that threaten their safety at Forrestbriar Academy. In a world where love and magic intertwine, even the strongest hearts can’t escape the pull of what’s meant to be.   AmazonKU

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS: A CHANGELING LGBTQ+ CHRISTMAS NOVELLA by Will Okati

Who doesn’t love the holidays? Sleigh bells racing down winding country roads. Chestnuts, open fires, Yule logs. Homemade fruitcake that’s soaked up a full bottle of brandy. James adores it all, but his long-concealed desire for his roommate Cillian runs deeper than a river of holiday booze and burns hotter than any crackling Christmas hearth. But since he’d rather not risk losing a dear friend by making any unwanted moves, he’s kept that to himself for years. Until now. When a flight plan goes FUBAR and James doesn’t have a way home for the holidays, Cillian suggests they keep Christmas in their own way. Tree, lights, feasting, the works. It’s tempting. Almost as tempting as Cillian himself. And when James starts to get a clue that his interest might just be reciprocated… well. That changes the entire game. Time to bring out the holly and the jolly and maybe he’ll get his man under the tree this year.      Amazon     Apple Books       Kobo

FOXED BY THE ALPHA (ALPHA KING’S BREEDER BOOK 17) by Bella Moondragon

Aris – I was raised knowing exactly who I’m supposed to be. Heir to the Shadowsynger line. Future Alpha King. A life built on duty, legacy, and every expectation that comes with the crown. I’ve accepted all of it. I’ve trained for all of it. I’ve never questioned my path. And then there’s Posey. My best friend’s little sister—grown now, and no longer someone I can ignore. Soft where my world is sharp. Steady in the places where I break. The one person I cannot want…and can’t seem to stay away from. She keeps her distance. She looks at me like she’s already bracing for the ending. Like she’s holding something I’m not supposed to see. I don’t know what it is. But I can feel it. A truth that sits between us like a blade. I should let her go. I should choose duty. I should protect the future I’ve been shaped to inherit. But the bond doesn’t care about should. And I’ve never been the type to surrender what’s mine—even if I don’t fully understand why it’s her. Desire. Loyalty. Secrets sharp enough to cut.        Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo

KISS OF ASHES by M K Dawson

Fae rule. Mortals serve. Dragon shifters fascinate us all. I’ve always known my place…until the dragon shifter claims me. Like all mortals, my magic was carved out of me when I was a little girl, then sold for Fae favors. I’ve sacrificed to protect my little sister from that same fate, but a Fae cure is the only thing that can save my dying brother. Then the gorgeous, lethal dragon shifter arrives in our village. When his own magic is lost, he steals my sister’s magic. He steals my brother’s chance. And then he steals me. He claims I’m dragon-marked. He forces me to come with him to the dragon trials to fight for my right to shift—and my right to survive. He’s both my worst enemy and my best chance of survival in the beautiful, deadly world of the Fae. Now half the kingdom thinks the dragon prince and I are fated mates. We trade barbed comments and kisses as I contemplate stabbing him in the back. His enemies claim that if I kill him, I can reverse what he did. I can give my sister back her magic and save my brother’s life. Now I’ll fight in the Dragon Trials, at his side, in his elite, powerful clan of dragon shifters. I have to decide to throw my lot in with this lying, heroic, possessive, alluring shifter—or destroy him for the sake of my siblings.      AmazonKU

TIGER’S AGE GAP INFERNO (COMPANY 417 SHIFTERS SERIES BOOK 71) by Amelia Wilson

SAMMI – I came to the city for one reason: to expose corruption in the first responder pension fund. I didn’t expect Caden, the gorgeous firefighter who looks at me like I’m the only woman in the world.
He’s protective. He’s intense. He’s hiding something massive. And I think I’m falling for him even though I know better. But when my investigation puts me in danger, Caden reveals his secret in the most terrifying way possible. He’s not just a firefighter. He’s a tiger shifter, and if men have to die for me to stay alive, he won’t hesitate! Now the man I love looks at me like he’s afraid I’ll run. Maybe I should. Caden Monroe has lived two centuries keeping his true nature hidden. He’s immortal, powerful, and completely wrong for the young reporter asking questions of the wrong people. She’s too human, too fragile, and far too tempting. But when Sammi stumbles onto a conspiracy that reaches into the highest levels of city government, staying away from her becomes impossible. Someone wants her dead, and Caden will burn the world down to keep her safe even if it means revealing the truth he’s kept hidden for two hundred years.       AmazonKU

FALLING FOR THE MASKED OMEGA by Jena Wade

VS Note: MM PNR.

When a shy omega dragon gets invited to a masked ball, Nym tells himself he’s just going for the experience. One night of magic. One night to forget how lonely he’s been. But then he meets him—the wolf who smells like safety and sin all at once. Their connection is instant. Intense. It’s fate. They promise nothing but the night… and yet, somehow, it feels like forever. Until morning comes and Dain is gone. Nym convinces himself it was just a fantasy and disappears before his heart can break any further. But months later, fantasy becomes reality when two pink lines change everything. Pregnant and desperate for stability, Nym seeks out the father he’s never known—a powerful dragon with a mansion full of secrets and staff. Including one very familiar wolf. Now Dain is standing in front of him again, claiming that they were fated all along.But Nym’s keeping more than just his identity hidden… and Dain’s not the kind of alpha to walk away a second time.   AmazonKU

CHASING MONTANA MOONLIGHT by T Haldeman

I thought I could keep my heart locked away like the secrets of my past, but then she walked into my life. Sutton McKinney, with her luscious lips and gold curls, and a determined spirit, showed up in Whitefish seeking peace during the holidays, but instead, she stumbled into a world of danger and desire. When she discovers a body in Glacier National Park, her fierce spirit calls to my protective wolf -shifter instincts, and suddenly, I’m drawn into her mesmerizing chaos. As we uncover dark truths together, the chemistry between us ignites like a wildfire, threatening to break down my carefully built walls. But danger lurks in the shadows, and my wolf instincts scream to keep her at a distance.       AmazonKU

MOBY: A WHALE SHIFTER ROMANCE by Jessa Kane

Darla is desperate to escape her overbearing parents on their Hawaiian vacation. Who could have expected a whale to swim up beside her on a boating excursion and become her closest confidant? There is something about the whale’s soulful gray eyes and powerful demeanor that she finds intriguing, but alas, she must return to shore with the rest of the humans. Later that evening, however, when a seven-foot-tall man with an odd dialect approaches Darla on the beach, there is something strangely familiar about him…Moby never intended to utilize his power to shift from a whale to a human. Until he met Darla, that is. The little human with the melodic voice and a body that grips him with sensual urges. Urges he has now come to land to fulfill—and fulfill them he will. But when Moby is harpooned by love, he must confess his true identity to Darla…and even worse, that his time on land is limited. Unless Moby and Darla can together break a decade-old curse…and keep him human forever.       AmazonKU

THE GRIZZLY WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS by Olivia T Turner

I hate Christmas. I hate the crowds. I hate the traffic. And I hate the annoying tourists that descend on my mountain town every December. They’ve turned my peaceful mountain oasis into a loud festive hell. So, when the town hosts a Christmas tree lighting festival, I know it’s time for my revenge. Christmas is about to be canceled. By me. And my vicious roaring grizzly bear. But when we spot our Christmas-loving mate in the crowd, everything changes. I thought Christmas was my enemy. Turns out it delivered the one gift I never knew I needed. My mate. And that’s one gift, I’ll never give back.   AmazonKU

HAUNTED BOND (CURSED LEGACIES) by Morgan B Lee

It’s been eight months since I was rescued from the Nether. Eight long months since the Legacy Curse was lifted, and the world changed permanently for the better. The Upheaval is over, and most people have started to move on with their lives. I love that for them. Honestly? I’d love to join them. Move on with my own life, forget everything that happened, get a decent boyfriend, go back to my cozy job at the local bakery of my beloved small town, and live a very human happily ever after. But that all feels pretty impossible when I haven’t figured out how to fix what the liches did to me in the Nether. There’s also the fun little fact that I spend most of my time hanging out with my best friend, never mind that she’s a ghost now. Literally and metaphorically, I’m haunted. When I finally help uncover the mysteries slumbering far below the citadel, my world is turned upside down. Now, volatile ancient experiments have their eye on me. It’s a lot to handle…but at least I have them. The noble ancient warrior who calls me his mate. The chaotic half-demon gladiator who craves another taste. The grouchy, unreadable mercenary hired to protect me with his life. And the tormented soul I’ve known forever, back from the dead with a new purpose. Between my life story making the front page, the upcoming Seeking, political unrest, and these irresistible legacies trying to convince me I deserve more than just one boyfriend…I’m not sure what the gods have in store for me, but I have a good feeling about it.      AmazonKU

GUNNER: WOLVES OF IRON VALOR MC BOOK SIX by Dex Haven

Brie Lawson paints the world the way she wants it to be—bold, messy, and unapologetically alive. She lives without boundaries, convinced that freedom means never letting anyone hold the reins. Finn “Gunner” Walsh has built his life on discipline. A wolf. A cowboy. A Dom. Order, restraint, and control are the only things standing between chaos and destruction—and he refuses to let any woman threaten the balance he’s fought to maintain. Then Brie crashes into his world. She challenges him. Provokes him. Pushes every carefully guarded boundary. Gunner calls her Maverick for a reason—because she refuses to be controlled, and because she makes him want what he knows he shouldn’t touch. The pull between them is immediate. Volatile. Impossible to ignore. Gunner fights the bond tightening between them, convinced Brie is too reckless, too wild, too dangerous to claim. Brie sees straight through his defenses, drawn to the man beneath the rules and restraint—the wolf barely holding the line. When Gunner finally gives in, the truth becomes impossible to deny: Sometimes opposites attract. Sometimes they collide. Sometimes they combust. And when trouble comes for what Gunner has only just claimed, restraint is no longer an option. Because a wolf who has found his mate doesn’t hesitate. He protects. He hunts. He destroys anything that stands in his way.   AmazonKU

GIFT OF THE MAGPIE (FATED MOPUNTAIN LODGE) by Lauren Esker

Maggie is a thief, a victim of her kleptomaniac magpie. But now she wants to prove that she can go straight, control her magpie, and do better. So she’s at Fated Mountain Lodge for the holidays, working to repay the lodge for the cost of her crimes. But when things start going missing from the lodge again, can Maggie get anyone to believe she’s not to blame? Especially the silver fox PI who just got locked in the sauna with her …Private detective and single dad Sam is at the lodge for a peaceful weekend with his teenage daughter … and to keep an eye on the lovely thief his partner caught in the act. Sam would like to believe she’s truly reformed. But how much of that is true conviction—and how much is his shift animal’s profound interest in the beautiful magpie shifter? And fate itself seems determined to shove them together, from an accidental room mix-up to a sauna snafu and an unexpected snowstorm that’s threatening to make this white Christmas a dangerous one. Is there really another thief at Fated Mountain Lodge … or is Maggie up to her old ways, about to bring their newfound romance crashing down like an avalanche?      AmazonKU

THE ACCIDENTAL VIKING (THE ACCIDENTALS BOOK 17) by Dakota Cassidy

Who doesn’t love a good swap meet? You find tons of great stuff you don’t need, but hey, sometimes someone else’s trash just speaks to you, amiright? Some things a little louder than others…As in, some things actually “speak.” Dominique Acosta should know. One minute she’s just living her life, spending time with her grandpa in his memory care facility, and the next thing, everyone’s questioning her mental health after she starts shouting “THOR!” uncontrollably, without warning—in a drugstore. All thanks to a talking hammer she spotted at a swap meet. Which then showed up in her kitchen…So who do you turn to when you now own a talking hammer and you can’t stop randomly screaming the name of a Norse God everywhere you go? OOPS, of course! And Nina, Wanda and Marty come running. And hot on their heels? Harvey Larsen—huge, handsome, and apparently, the hammer’s babysitter. Oh, and he’s also Thor’s son? Yes. That Thor. (More on that particular god’s prolific baby-making abilities later.) Apparently, Dom’s been chosen to protect Midgard (Earth to mere mortals) and rule Asgard. As it happens, she’s the only person on the planet who can pick the hammer up. Lucky her…But the hammer’s hot property, and everyone wants to get their paws on it. So Harvey and the girls from OOPS will have to train this reluctant warrior how to wield such a powerful weapon quickly, if she stands any chance of getting out of this alive…And saving the entire world.     Amazon      Apple Books      Kobo

SYNDICATE FLOWER (SYNDICATE NEXT GEN BOOK ONE) (SYNDICATE MAFIA FOUR) by Kira Stanley

Everyone thought I was nothing more than a flower. Beautiful, alluring, and meant to be kept. Being the youngest daughter of the Syndicate had its perks. I could do whatever I wanted, always having my older siblings covering my back. It also helped that I had fairy powers designed to draw one’s deepest desires with nothing more than a flick of my finger. I didn’t even have to try! Life was glittery and gorgeous until one brutal night showed me the dark side of my gift. After that, I stopped playing nice. Determined to prove myself as the new Glovefox boss and be an equal to my older siblings, I left the past behind and built my own legacy—the Winged Palace. My members-only playground designed for anyone with enough money to come and indulge themselves in every dark, depraved, sinful craving they had. All the boxes of my life were being checked. Business was thriving. Got myself a cute little stalker fan, and I was proving to everyone that I had what it took to stand beside my siblings. Everything was going great. Then someone tried to blow it all up. Literally. A bomb. An ambush. An act of war. Suddenly, I found myself surrounded by hidden enemies and—even more horrifying—men who claimed I was their mate. Navigating the minefield of mates and murderers, one thing was for sure—this Syndicate Flower was glittered with thorns, and no matter which side of the line you were on, I was about to make them bleed.      AmazonKU

AIN’T LION, I LOVE YOU (SHIFTER MATES OF HOLLOW OAK BOOK FOUR) by Kala Aster and Milly Taiden

He broke my heart a decade ago. Now he’s back, growling something about sabotage, council politics, and mate bonds I didn’t ask for. I run Hollow Oak’s only shifter tavern. Built it with my claws, my blood, and enough sass to keep rogue lions and nosy fae out of my business. But apparently, my business is suddenly his. Dante Deleuve is bigger now. Meaner. More golden than I remember, and twice as good at making my knees forget why I hate him. He says I’m his. I say he’s late. Because this time, I’m not the scared lioness he walked away from. This time, I’ll defend my town, burn my uncle’s pride to the ground, and maybe—maybe—let the one male I swore off prove he’s worth kneeling for.
If he survives me.      AmazonKU

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LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica

December 10

December 3

November 26

November 19

November 12

“New” is generally plus or minus a week or two. I try to catch up on ones I missed in recent months.  And I may mention ‘special items’.

NOTE: I’m doing my best to avoid listing anything generated from use of AI but it’s sometimes tricky to detect from the resources I have available. As far as covers go, I list the Amazon cover whether it’s AI or not. 

I do NOT cover every single new release in SFR/FantasyR/PNR. I never have. That would be an impossible task for any human! I assemble my list by hand every week based on various informal inputs, and I do curate the list to some extent…

Some authors aren’t in KU but still don’t list books with Apple or other platforms. This report is very time consuming to prepare so I’ve always had to limit myself and cannot go and look up every book on all the platforms. If an author gives me their other buy links, I include them here but generally I develop the post on my own, not from author-supplied information. I curate and prepare this post individually every week to help connect readers/books/authors and I have to be very careful not to give it so much time as an activity that I don’t write my own novels! Thanks for the feedback and happy reading!

 

Why I Wrote TAMSYN (A Planet of Last Resort Novella)

I’ve always enjoyed zombie apocalypse stories, especially with romance, and wanted to write my own, which I did earlier this year with ARRIVAL, book one in the series. Part of what fascinates me about any apocalypse or disaster is the time frame leading up to it. What early signs were there, how did people react, how would I have reacted and what happens when the crisis becomes full blown and civilization crumbles?

I kept thinking about what took place on this remote colony planet before my main characters arrived and decided to tell the story from the POV of a woman living in a small town in the northern area. I could also see how she would eventually fit in with my main characters as they made their way across the continent, heading for their own sanctuary. Her story opens up the world of Randal Four a bit more for readers.

It was fun to write. Of course then I got the impulse to write another novella about two characters we meet in TAMSYN (that book comes out JAN 5th). I have a feeling I could spin numerous tales taking place on this planet but for now I’ve told my Muse firmly we’re going to write the next two main books, JOURNEY and RESOLUTION and get those out in Spring 2026. Tamsyn will be part of the action in those books and we’ll also see the two characters from the forthcoming novella as well.

But for now, I hope you’ll enjoy TAMSYN. Here’s an excerpt from early in the story, when the first event occurs, although at the time no one is aware of the ramifications. The town of Rosewater is having an annual festival and Tamsyn and her ranch hands have come to take part.

The excerpt:

The day passed as usual at these events except for an incident in the middle of the afternoon when screams and shouts arose from the play area where the younger children were riding kiddie rides, having their faces painted and bouncing in a portable antigrav house designed to look like a fort on one side and a princess castle on the other. Many parents had taken holos of their offspring in front of one mural or the other. Tamsyn rushed to the spot along with everyone else, to find a weeping child being comforted by her mother, other children crying and wide eyed and several men cursing, including Drake, her senior ranch hand. He was holding his arm awkwardly.

“What the seven hells happened?” she demanded, trying to get a better look at his arm, which was bleeding.

“Kids were playing with a litter of feral kittens they found in the bushes,” Drake said. “Momma cat came home and went nuts protecting her babies. Little Maira got bit pretty bad, couple of the others are scratched. I got bit when I pulled the damn cat off Maira and threw it in the brush. Fucking thing came right back after me, tried to use my leg as a scratching post. Lucky my boots protected me. The kittens ran away and the mother followed. Coupla the boys are searching for them now.”

“Do you think the cat is rabid?” she asked.

“Wasn’t foaming at the mouth or anything. I been bit before,” he reminded her. “By bigger things than a cat.”

Tamsyn saw Doc Ortenbe kneeling beside the little girl who’d been attacked and she towed a protesting Drake over to him in time to hear the elderly physician say with great relief, as he checked his med sensor, “No sign of rabies in the bite. But it’ll need a couple of stitches and a good dose of antibiotic.”

“She loves cats,” the distraught mother said through tears.

“Not now I don’t,” Maira piped up.

“Doc, Drake here got bitten pretty badly too,” Tamsyn said. “Can you take a look?”

“We need to go over to the clinic,” he said. “I want to run the full decontam ray over these bites and scratches. Come on along, Drake.”

“Charge the bill for him on the ranch account,” Tamsyn said as the whole group prepared to move.

The doctor acknowledged her request with a wave and Tamsyn watched him lead his patients and their families and friends away, Drake trailing behind reluctantly.

The incident put a damper on the festivities, at least as far as the families with children were concerned and the park emptied out a bit.

At sunset things picked up as the band, hired by the Fafields from the city, arrived and set up their equipment on the bandstand, while a crowd gathered. Soon the group launched into their repertoire of songs, covering a range of genres. Dancing began as night fell. Sparkling lights had been strung all around the center portion of the park and things grew lively again.

Tamsyn was a good dancer and had no lack of partners, including one slow dance with Jonny Fafield, which she didn’t move fast enough to avoid. The two of them had been an item in high school, pretty serious, but then he’d gone away to the capital city for college and she’d stayed on the ranch and inevitably they drifted apart. Jonny had indicated any number of times he’d like to hook up on a casual basis but Tamsyn wasn’t interested. Casual wasn’t her. She’d also finally seen through his façade of being a rich, handsome nice guy to understand the dark bully who’d use his family’s power and position to get anything he wanted was the true Jonny. She’d rather stay single forever than be in a relationship with a man of such caliber.

The festival ended promptly at midnight, the band playing one last song, and then everyone left the park.

Tamsyn waited by her groundtruck until her three wayward ranch hands showed up, worse for the wear. Drake’s arm was heavily bandaged, Piers had been in a fight and was sporting a black eye and Clemt was drunk. She plucked a bottle of feelgood from his hand and threw it in the nearest recycling container. “By the looks of you you’ve had enough rotgut tonight.”

The three men loaded themselves into the truck and she got behind the controls, shaking her head. Pretty much the usual for these affairs. The ranch hands are  going to have a hard time rolling out of their bunks to work tomorrow.

Briefly she considered giving them the day off but the ranch work was waiting and there was fence to be mended, a stock pond to be dredged and refilled, a barn roof to repair before the next windstorm…the list was endless. She compromised.

“You can have the morning to sleep this off,” she said loud enough to penetrate their stupor. “Report for work at one o’clock or get docked for the day’s pay.”

Drake patted her shoulder awkwardly. “Aww, you’re a good boss.”

“Yeah? Don’t forget it when we’re on the big cattle drive next week. Less complaining would be a sweet relief.”

She let the truck’s AI take control as she passed through the neat little suburb outside the town proper, nothing special, simple colony housing, but kept with pride, landscaped as much as anything could be in this environment, and then she hit the open road which would take them to the ranch’s turnoff eventually and the truck accelerated to top speed.

Thank goodness it’s four months till the next damn festival Mrs. Fafield intends us all to celebrate. Tamsyn leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. She trusted the AI to get them home safely as it had done many times before. She hadn’t overindulged in feelgoods like her men had but she was tired after a long day of socializing and the dancing had been vigorous. She couldn’t seem to nap though as she kept having dreams which were dark and full of ominous shadows, with giant feral cats surrounding her, their eyes glowing and their teeth dripping blood. 

VS: Now let me state I love cats and have always had them as pets so it was a little hard for me to make them the vector for the virus which turns people into zombies. But no cats are harmed in the book or later books! The cats are carriers, not victims. There’s a mystery about this aspect of the outbreak which will get resolved in a later book.

TAMSYN: A PLANET OF LAST RESORT NOVELLA by Veronica Scott

The story of one small town on a remote colony planet and the rising zombie apocalypse…Busy running her ranch outside Rosewater, Tamsyn Wendover doesn’t pay much attention to the goings-on in town. But when one of her ranch hands is bitten while trying to help a child, she’s drawn into the mysterious flu outbreak spreading over the planet. As the deadly flu worsens, striking the town and the ranch, the chaos intensifies and Tamsyn is drawn into the desperate fight for survival. Author’s Note: This 20K novella is a prequel to the events in book one, mostly occurring prior to the arrival of the main characters on the planet in ARRIVAL. There’s no romance in this novella although Tamsyn does meet the man she’ll fall in love with later as the story goes on in upcoming books. Tamsyn will be a continuing character in the adventures on the Planet of Last Resort.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo     NOOK      GooglePlay

Pre order links for ESCAPE TO NOWHERE – it will be available wide and on KOBO Plus

Amazon      Apple Books

New Releases in SciFi/Romantasy/Paranormal Romance for DEC 10

VS: I have a New Release myself  this week as well!

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

‘AB’ denotes audiobook and the Amazon buy link.

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TAMSYN: A PLANET OF LAST RESORT NOVELLA by Veronica Scott

The story of one small town on a remote colony planet and the rising zombie apocalypse…Busy running her ranch outside Rosewater, Tamsyn Wendover doesn’t pay much attention to the goings-on in town. But when one of her ranch hands is bitten while trying to help a child, she’s drawn into the mysterious flu outbreak spreading over the planet. As the deadly flu worsens, striking the town and the ranch, the chaos intensifies and Tamsyn is drawn into the desperate fight for survival. Author’s Note: This 20K novella is a prequel to the events in book one, mostly occurring prior to the arrival of the main characters on the planet in ARRIVAL. There’s no romance in this novella although Tamsyn does meet the man she’ll fall in love with later as the story goes on in upcoming books. Tamsyn will be a continuing character in the adventures on the Planet of Last Resort.

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo     NOOK      GooglePlay

TEMPTED BY THE ALIEN MERCENARY (MONSTER MERCENARY MATES BOOK SEVEN) by Robin O’Connor

He was built to feed on fear, but I’m the only one who ever tempted him to feel. Frederique – I woke in a shattered stasis pod, centuries too late, on a world drowning in water and secrets. My mission? Gone. My crew? Dust. And the only being who’s kept me alive since then is an alien mercenary wrapped in living silver and danger. He’s not just terrifying, he’s mesmerizing.I should keep my distance. I know better. But every time his dark gaze settles on me, every time that shifting symbiont flows over his skin like armor and art, I forget who I was supposed to be. His power should terrify me, but it tempts me. He tempts me. Even when I discover the truth about my mission. Even when enemies rise and survival hangs by a thread… I still look at him and wonder what would happen if I let myself fall. The Sineater – She calls me mercenary. Monster. But she doesn’t run. I was sent to kill, not to feel. My symbiont craves agony like air, but her emotions, bright and tangled, taste like hope. I want her. Not just her body, but the calm in her thoughts, the fire in her fight. I want to protect that light, even as I know I’ll destroy it. But I am always hungry. Always feared. And if I take what I want, I may never let her go…Even if loving her is the one thing that could break me.   AmazonKU

THE CURSED HORDE KING (HORDES OF THE ELTHIKA BOOK TWO) by Zoey Draven

A bewitching spy. A ruthless king. A love that could ignite a war. Amaia has worked hard to make her family proud. As the star apprentice to the pyroki master in Dothik, she’s weeks away from inheriting her mentor’s coveted post. But when her desperate brother begs her to take his place in the Heartstone Accords, a diplomatic exchange with their rival nation, she agrees to the unthinkable. Her mission? Cross the sea to Grym, secure work at the dragon hatchery, and spy for the throne. But Grym is nothing like she imagined—and neither is its formidable king. Merciless and calculated, Alaryk Arn’dyne is as feared as the ancient dragon he commands. Gifted with powerful heartstone magic that can twist minds, he’s impossible to deceive…and a dark temptation Amaia needs to avoid at all costs. After a deadly curse strikes Alaryk’s dragon, Amaia knows she can save him, forcing a reluctant alliance with the very person she’s sworn to betray. As their forbidden attraction grows, however, she discovers a male scarred by a painful past, whose wicked needs make her burn. But when an unexpected crime threatens to ignite a war, Amaia must choose: her home, her heart…or the ruthless king who could destroy both.      AmazonKU

ALIENS IN MY STOCKINGS by A A Fairview

VS Note: Lesbian SFR.

Home for the holidays, Temperance would rather be anywhere else in the world– or off it. Alien abduction is a dream come true. Her alien captors, Chyme and Ivx, should follow protocol and release the Earthling – Except Chyme is absolutely sure this woman needs their help. Why else would she be so calm about her abduction? Ivx prefers to follow the rules that Chyme loves to break, but as they travel the stars it’s clear the duo is better as a trio. There’s one big problem: Temperance travel onboard the ship breaks intergalactic law. Once they reach their destination, it’ll take a Christmas Miracle to keep them all together.      Amazon

GALACTIC SENTINELS VOLUME 3 MARTIAN ADVENTURES by C L Pride

He came to track a criminal. She wants to save lives. Together, they’ll uncover a truth that could set Mars ablaze. When Prax, an alien agent on a mission, crash-lands on a frozen, terraformed Mars, he doesn’t expect to be rescued by Neela — a fiery human doctor from a colony ruled by the strict laws of the Pact, a legacy from Earth’s final days. As mysterious deaths shake the settlement, Prax and Neela join forces to investigate. What they uncover about the Regent’s hidden corruption threatens the future of Mars.  Between betrayals, battles, and revelations, their alliance becomes more than just a mission.  Their love is improbable.  Their destiny, unstoppable.  Together, they might spark a revolution — and change the fate of Mars forever.      AmazonKU

STORMS OF DESTINY (RETURN TO DESTRA BOOK TWO) by Ella Blake

TORVEN – The expedition was supposed to be easy—transport a research team, keep them safe, go home. But I didn’t count on the challenge that is Dr. Zara Rivers. The beautiful human female overpacks, talks too fast, and forgets safety protocols when she gets excited about data. When we crash-land and have to take shelter together, I tell myself my protective instincts are professional concern, until mating marks appear on my neck, marking us bonded for life. Now we’re stranded on a storm-churned world where ancient enemies must cooperate or face extinction, and the real danger isn’t the hostile planet hunting us—it’s how much I need her. ZARA – When my research ship crashes on a storm-ravaged planet, I’m trapped in an abandoned weather tower with Captain Torven Korvath, who alternates between criticizing my equipment choices and throwing himself between me and danger. My gruff Destran companion is more attractive than any dataset I’ve ever laid eyes on, but somewhere out there, my best friend and scattered crew are fighting to survive. When we discover the storms aren’t natural, it’s a race against time to shut down the secret ancient tech powering them. And he thinks I’m a challenge.      AmazonKU

THIRST (SILENT DEATH BOOK TWO) by Eileen Troemel

VS Note: Not a romance but a release of note.

Delilah poisoned her co-workers and tried to blow up a space station all to make a point. Now she’s on earth and taking on a new environmental issue with a biological weapon. She’s determined to up her body count in order to draw attention to her new cause all while still trying to kill her former co-workers. Colin, Betsy, Frank, and Stephanie are back to battle against the havoc and chaos Delilah causes. She’s taking on the drinking water systems. Her first attack goes unnoticed until Betsy sees a media article of a biological poisoning of the bottle filling stations common in every community. This water is supposed to be guaranteed to be clean and safe to drink. While Delilah attacks a water target, the team struggles to keep up with her attacks. They chase her while she stalks them. No one is safe from her destruction. With near misses and injuries, will the team be able to stop this determined genius ecoterrorist from killing more innocents? Will they capture her and put a stop to her reign of terror or will she escape capture yet again?      AmazonKU

SPACEMAN’S SURFER: MM MPREG SFR (VOLARDI ARRIVAL BOOK TWO) by Tabitha Austin

“The bond was supposed to be political. Clean. Distant. But feelings don’t follow treaties.” You’d think surfing waves with alien nanotech would be the wildest part of my story. Turns out, that was just the warm-up. I’m Thomas, aspiring musician, Pacific Ocean water rat, and the guy who got roped into a mating bond to stop a war between Earth and the Volardi Empire. Zephyron, my alien partner, is massive, scarred, and still grieving the two mates he lost. To him, I’m a reminder of something he thought he’d never have again: hope. Now I’m starting to fall for him, and my body’s changing. So is everything else. I’m caught between two planets, shadowed by Parker, a nosy documentarian with too many questions, and followed by two reprogrammed alien simulacrums who might be the only ones I can trust when things go wrong. And they will. Especially when creatures like the Zerlites, sharp-toothed and hive-minded, start crawling out of the sand. I never asked to be anyone’s symbol or savior. I just wanted music and waves. But if I’m going to survive this, if there’s any chance to build something real with Zephyron, I’ll have to fight for it before the desert takes us all.    AmazonKU

UNDER A SOLSTICE SEA: TINSEL AND TENTACLES by Ari McKay

VS Note: LGBTQ SFR.

Mankind has gone to the stars, but there are still many secrets lurking in the depths much closer to home. CORBIn (Construct, Oceanic Research, Biologically INtegrated) is one of a kind, a fusion of human, animal, and machine designed to explore the still hidden parts of our world. It is programmed with a purpose, to discover and reveal the last mysteries of Earth. It isn’t supposed to be able to lie or conceal anything from its creators – but, then again, it was also never meant to fall in love.      AmazonKU

GOOD TIME VAMPIRE ESCORT SERVICE by Jody Wallce

VS Note: Not a romance but a release of note. Post apocalyptic.

Dwayne Stacey isn’t your ordinary former Super Bowl MVP-turned-suave-handsome-vampire fifty years after Flu-V nearly decimated the population of Earth. No, Dwayne is a man on a mission, and that mission is to convince the football bigwigs at the Vince Lombardi Gala and Silent Auction that a Vampire Football League is where it’s at. His agent at the Good Time Vampire Escort Service has gotten him a ticket to the event, and he suspects this may be his last shot at the goal. Because if he doesn’t increase his income soon, he and his super intelligent cat are going to lose their preferred standard of living, or unliving, as it were. Not only that, but since his preferred standard of living includes a pitchfork-wielding-mob proof security system, he might lose a lot more than his fine digs. Vampires can’t be too careful in a world of humans who are struggling to accept them, but what would make a guy more acceptable than being a football superstar once again? Notes: Book contains a lot of cussing.      Amazon    Kobo

DAGGERMOUTH by H M Wolfe

The first thing you’ll learn in New Found Haven is mercy no longer exists. Showing mercy is a weakness, and weakness will get you killed. The second thing is this—the Veyra are always watching. From the highest glass atrium in the Heart to the windowless slum dens of the Boundary, no movement goes unseen. The last lesson is the hardest, but you must remember it. Love outside of your ring is a death sentence. The city is carved into rings of privilege and poverty, ruled by the masked elite who will do whatever it takes to hold onto power. Obedience is demanded. Rebellion is crushed. Greyson Serel has spent his life caught between two worlds. Publicly, he’s the flawless heir to the presidency. Privately, he’s entangled in secrets that could topple the regime. But when he’s forced into a political marriage meant to bind him tighter to the governments brutal laws, he finds himself shackled to a bride who is as lethal as she is unwilling. Shadera is a mercenary raised to kill, not to wed. Yet when her bullet misses its mark, survival leaves her bound to the very man she was sent to eliminate. Trapped inside the corrupt heart of the city, she becomes both prisoner and wife, her every step watched, her every move tested. Their union is no love story—It’s a battlefield. As secrets come to light and betrayals fester within the walls of power, Greyson and Shadera must decide between annihilating one another or burning the city to the ground together. In a world where passion sparks rebellion and loyalty is paid for in blood, their forced bond may be the spark that ignites a revolution. Or the fire that consumes them both.     AmazonKU

CAPTAIN COMMANDER (THE BLACK HOLE BOOK THREE) by

VS Note: LGBTQ SFR. From NOV 18.

They’ve crossed black holes, defied tyrants, and clawed their way back from the edge of death. But for Captain Sarah Miller and those she loves, one question remains: can they ever truly find home? The Crown offers sanctuary, but Sarah, scarred by battle and haunted by her past, struggles to believe she deserves peace. Annie refuses to let her face the fight alone, even when the cost of standing beside Sarah grows higher than either imagined. Sofie, torn between bloodline and belonging, searches for the family she’s always wanted. And Max, restless and uncertain, wonders if there is still a place for him in the world they’re fighting for. Shadows linger, and old enemies are never as far away as they seem. To make it home, they must confront not only the dangers closing in around them—but the legacies that have threatened to break them from the very beginning. Captain Commander is the breathtaking conclusion to The Black Hole Saga: a story of love and loyalty, trauma and healing, and the unshakable hope that even in the darkest places, home can still be found.       Amazon

RECKLESS (INTERSTELLAR BRIDES® PROGRAM: PRIMAL MATES BOOK THREE) by Grace Goodwin

Homicide detective Ethan Blake has been around long enough to know better; better than to believe a word out of the lying Feds’ mouths when they show up to take over his case. Better than to believe the victim’s corpse, covered in Hive cyborg tech, was ever human. Better than to look into the seductive eyes of the mysterious woman asking for his help. A woman who knows far more than she should about… everything. A woman whose kiss makes him lose control. A woman with secrets. A woman whose whispers make him see incredible things in the dark. Lady Lyra of Atlan is on a secret mission for the Coalition Fleet’s covert Intelligence Core. She lost everything long before she volunteered to be a spy. And now, through a wicked twist of fate, she’s even lost control of herself. The DNA augmentation, meant to make her Atlan body stronger and faster than it should be, has done something else… created a monster. It’s inconceivable for a female Atlan to have a beast, to suffer from mating fever. But one look at the human detective and the unthinkable becomes reality as something primitive awakens within her. She has a mystery to solve, evil smugglers to eliminate, and brothers to avenge, but destiny has other plans. Because the beast that’s not supposed to exist? She wants. She needs. She makes one relentless, uncompromising demand of the unsuspecting human male… mine.

Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo

DEFENDER (VERDANT STRING BOOK EIGHT) by Michelle Diener

Hunted, captured, taken off-planet . . .As a Special Forces Commander, Ethan Hyt is well aware his duty is to protect the Planetary Head of Defense, Velda Shanïha, but when their ship is shot down and they are taken prisoner, he finds it harder and harder to pretend he’s protecting Velda out of duty. Velda knows that as Aponi’s Head of Defense, she’s a good bargaining chip for her enemies, and she’s hoping that fact will keep her and Ethan alive. She and Ethan made a good team before, but their forced proximity has made their connection even stronger, and they’ll need each other to take every opportunity to get free. Because if they don’t, Velda’s afraid they’re going to disappear forever.   AmazonKU

PROTECTOR: A SPACE PEARL TREAT by Annie Lucas

Haunted by PTSD after enduring torture at the hands of the Zarpazian Queen, Diarvet is a shattered wreck of the warrior he once was. He’s devoted himself to rescuing abducted humans, hoping it will give his broken soul some purpose. While visiting the flagship Space Pearl’s restaurant on the Ardeese Valout, he stumbles upon a desperate escaped human slave and the youngling she’s sworn to protect—and suddenly finds that purpose staring back at him. Jolie has spent years imprisoned in Prince Qurbaga’s harem. Not the best fate for an abducted human, but her love for Lilibet has kept her going. The tiny youngling may be another species, but Jolie considers her a daughter. When Jolie discovers that Qurbaga plans to give Lilibet away as a gift to a visiting dignitary, she’s left with no other choice. She must risk everything to escape and save the child she loves more than anything in the universe from a fate worse than death. Trusting Diarvet—trusting anyone—doesn’t come easy, but he quickly proves to be a fierce protector. Being with him makes Jolie feel safe and spurs dreams of something she thought out of reach after her abduction. The hope of freedom and a chance to open her heart to the possibility of love… and a family.      AmazonKU

TETHERED by TJ Williams

VS Note: Sapphic SFR.

One boy, his mother, and a captain with secrets from her crew. Amongst the stars, all things lost are found. Marlowe Rose has been fighting her ex, Dominik, for a decade. When he kidnaps their son, she sneaks onto his starship, planning to give him hell. Instead, she ends up caught, sequestered and questioned by the captain. But Tanisira Sekmith isn’t what Marlowe thought she was, and when it becomes clear that they’re all just puppets in Dominik’s eyes, Marlowe convinces the stoic captain to help rescue her son. Tanisira promised herself she’d make no waves, catch no one’s attention, and cruise under the radar. Misplacing her trust once changed the trajectory of her whole life. After the fallout from her last job, flying a pleasure yacht is supposed to be boring and easy—exactly what she wants. But finding Marlowe on the ship changes everything. Marlowe sees her, shadows and all, and it forces Tanisira to face things she tried to leave behind. Marlowe doesn’t expect to find, on this journey that she dreaded, something she’d given up. And Tanisira doesn’t know if she deserves happiness, but she doesn’t want to lose this: a kid with big, green eyes and his fierce, captivating mother.

AmazonKU      AB

AN ALIEN AMBASSADOR FOR AUGUST (ALIEN ABDUCTION OF THE MONTH) by Lindy Moonhill

He was sent to negotiate peace. She just declared war on his heart. AUGUSTA – I came to the floating city of Nyssari to protect my pop star client—not to lose my heart to a deadly alien diplomat in one explosive night. Berrak is seven feet of muscle—massive, dangerous, his scales gleaming like living armor. A former soldier turned ambassador with ocean-deep secrets and hands that could crush me… or worship me. I told myself it was just one night. A moment of madness. But when assassins destroy the city and I’m running for my life in his arms, I realize one night will never be enough. He makes me feel protected, desired, claimed—everything I swore I didn’t need. I don’t trust him. I definitely shouldn’t want him. Yet every time he looks at me like I’m his, I fall a little further. BERRAK – I was sent to fight with words instead of weapons. To secure treaties that could save my people. Augusta is everything I swore to avoid: distracting, reckless, impossible to control. She makes me want things I cannot afford—her touch, her trust, her future tied to mine. Now the city is falling, enemies hunt us through alien jungles, and she won’t leave without finding her missing people. Protecting her could cost me everything. But letting her go? That would destroy me.      AmazonKU

BONDED TO THE NANO HEALER (CLAIMED BY THE KYRATHI BOOK FOUR) by Nova Sloane

VS Note: From NOV 19.

Dr. Luna Reyes is dying. The alien virus in her blood is spreading fast, and human medicine has no answers. Her only hope is Vex—a Kyrathi Nano Healer whose treatment requires surrendering her body completely to his care. His touch heals. His nanites rebuild. And his method of delivery? Devastatingly intimate. Now her cells are rewriting. Her needs are changing. And her cure comes with a price: belonging to the healer who remade her from the inside out. Fated mates. Medical seduction. One treatment that transforms everything.      AmazonKU       AB

IRON AND DUST: A DYSTOPIAN CYBORG ROMANCE by Sal Riff

Kaelia Rane is a Sump rat, a scavenger, and a pilot flying a ship held together by duct tape and prayer. Her home moon of Veridia is dying, choked by toxic red iron-oxide dust that turns lungs to stone. Desperate for a cure, she breaks into the Obsidian Spire—a derelict luxury station from the fallen d’Evremonde regime. She expects to find ancient tech. Instead, she finds a nightmare. Unit 736 is a Siege-Breaker: a towering, bio-engineered super-soldier designed to crush rebellions with his bare hands. Abandoned in the dark for ten years, he has become a ghost in the machine, terrifying and lethal. But beneath the black armor and the command codes, something else has taken root. In the silence of his prison, the monster has become a gardener. When Kaelia invades his sanctuary, he doesn’t kill her. He feeds her. Now, Kaelia must drag the reluctant giant out of the dark and back to a world that fears him. But they are not alone. Director Neturius of Helios Intelligence is hunting them, determined to erase the last evidence of the old world’s atrocities. With a kill-squad on their tail and a planet on the brink of collapse, Kaelia and Camdon must forge an impossible alliance. To save Veridia, the scavenger must teach the weapon how to live—and the monster must remember how to be a man.      AmazonKU

***********************BRIEF BREAK BEFORE THE FANTASY/PNR BOOKS!**************************************

VS Note: Here’s book one in the series (and there’s a fullblown romance in it, but also as a supporting character the man TAMSYN will be falling in love with later in the series (although there’s no hint of that in book one):

ARRIVAL (PLANET OF LAST RESORT BOOK ONE) by Veronica Scott

Melisande “Melly” Jericho is a newly licensed medical doctor, returning to her home planet to practice family medicine. She hasn’t been home in years and is excited to see her friends and family again. But when her shuttle lands, the spaceport seems deserted and she can’t get her handheld to connect to the network to call for help. Stranded on the landing pad far from the terminal, she joins forces with the only other passengers to arrive, never dreaming they’ll all soon be plunged into a life-or-death situation.

Jeff Pearson, retired Sectors Special Forces captain and his friends have come to colony planet Randal Four to take up ranching. He’s attracted to the curvy doctor as soon as he sees her on board the shuttle to the planet and hopes he can at least get her com details and maybe set up a dinner date before he and his team leave the city to reach their waiting ranchland. His tentative plans come to a crashing halt as a strange horde of moaning, growling people emerges from the terminal, headed in their direction with clearly murderous intent.

Jeff, Melly and the others make a desperate run to escape from the mob and begin an adventure the likes of which none of them could ever have predicted. As they struggle against overwhelming odds to survive, evade the infected, escape the city and reach her family home, the attraction and trust between the two grows ever hotter. But so does the danger and the mystery of what happened to the people of Randal Four.

Planet of Last Resort is book one in a new scifi romance series set in the Sectors. This book will end in a Happy For Now situation for the two main characters; however the series arc will continue and the challenges and dangers will not be resolved in this book. Melly and Jeff will find some of the answers they’re seeking with more mysteries to solve. NOTE: JOURNEY and RESOLUTION  will be released in 2026. Still writing them!

Amazon     Kobo      Apple Books   NOOK      GooglePlay

(You can preorder ESCAPE TO NOWHERE: A PLANET OF LAST RESORT NOVELLA, out JAN 5)        Amazon      Apple Books

************************** THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT IF YOU DECIDE TO CHECK OUT THE BOOKS (because my own books pay my bills) AND A BIG THANK YOU IF YOU ALREADY HAVE! AND ONWARD WE GO!*********************

GUARDIAN LOVERS: A GUARDIAN ROMANTIC FANTASY COLLECTION by Mary Jo Putney

Guardian Lovers is a delightful collection of author Mary Jo (M.J.) Putney’s shorter stories set in the world of her acclaimed Guardian Trilogy. Characters may have unusual magical gifts, but they also have the normal human desire for love. A stubborn Scottish weather mage and a rare wild talent woman descended from Spanish Marranos unite to save Britain from the Spanish Armada. An exhausted medical student finds unexpected danger and an even more unexpected enchantress when he makes a late night visit to his local New York deli. A gifted police officer joins with a female Guardian to stop a murderous succubus. A Guardian neurologist on a Christmas holiday is enlisted to help rescue imperiled children. In all four stories in this collection (The Alchemical Marriage, Tuesday At the Night DeliThe Demon Dancer, and Toasted: A Christmas Story) magically gifted men and women risk their lives to do the right thing, and in the process find a love for all ages.       Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

THE BIG BOOK OF ROMANCE by Various

Love across genres: A Romance Anthology – Thirteen established romance authors give us a tantalising glimpse into their book worlds with these compelling and enchanting short stories. A teaser – a quickie if you will – that will whet your appetite for more! Contemporary Romance: explore the challenges of modern-day love with Kate Flora, Viola Russell, Meredith Kazer, and Joanne Guidoccio. Small Town Romance: cosy up with cherished friends with Maggie Rose.Suspense Romance: Thrills and love are a perilous combination, as told by J.E.Prim. Paranormal Romance: delight to tales of love amidst things that go bump in the night with Raven Hudgins, Carole Ann Moleti, and Janina Grey. Fantasy Romance: take a wild trip into the imagination of Claire Davon. Time Travel Romance: travel back in time for some olde worlde action and adventure with Cindy Tomamichel. Science Fiction Romance: leave today behind and explore what love looks like in the future with S.C. Mitchell and G.S. Kenney.      Amazon

SNOWED IN WITH THE YETI by Lara Reagan

What happens when your online gaming buddy turns out to be eight feet tall, covered in fur, and absolutely irresistible? Maya thought the hardest part about moving to Calamity Creek would be adjusting to her new monster and human neighbors. She never expected a blizzard, a car wreck, and a rescue by a mysterious Yeti to completely derail her plans to finally meet her online gaming partner of three years at the local convention. But when a towering, gentle rescuer introduces himself with a familiar voice and an embarrassed grin, Maya realizes her knight in shining armor is none other than YetiBeGood – the teammate who’s had her back through countless virtual battles and late-night conversations. Trapped together in his cozy mountain cabin while the storm rages outside, the chemistry that sizzled through their headsets is nothing compared to the heat building between them in person. As walls come down and hearts open up, Maya discovers that some connections transcend species, screen names, and even her wildest fantasies. But when the snow melts and the real world comes calling, will their love survive outside the safety of his arms and her new supernatural community?     AmazonKU

SNOWED IN WITH THE TROLL by Sabrina Silvers

A storm, a troll, and one very nosy mother… what could go wrong? I came to Iceland to find peace, inspiration, and maybe a little adventure. I didn’t expect a blizzard. Or to be rescued by seven feet of muscle, horns, and socially awkward grumpiness who insists he’s fine—just cursed, glowing, and possibly my fated mate. Gunnar isn’t exactly human. He’s a retired troll enforcer who carves furniture, avoids people, and has a mom who meddles in his love life using enchanted cocoa and mistletoe. When a magical storm traps us together in his cave, sparks fly—literally. His runes light up whenever I laugh, his dry humor makes my heart melt, and his kisses could set the snow on fire. Now we’re snowed in with only one bed, one troll, and one very determined matchmaking queen watching from afar. Good thing I’ve always worked well under pressure… especially when the pressure comes with horns.      AmazonKU

MASKED OMEGA FOR CHRISTMAS: MM CHRISTMAS ROMANCE by Lorelai M Hart and Colbie Dunbar

VS Note: Alpha bear shifter.

All I want for Christmas is a day off. After winning an all expense paid week in the mountains, the first thing I do is submit my leave request. I’ve been working in food service long enough to know that days off this time of year are nearly impossible to get. The week finally arrives, my bags are packed, my itinerary set, and I’m about to have the merriest Christmas ever. That is until my boss calls and asks me why I’m late for my shift and that they never got my request. I have a half hour to get there, dressed and ready to serve or lose my position. As much as I want to tell them to take their job and shove it, I can’t. I need the job. It’s not ideal, but I’ll make it work. My plan is to pass hors d’oeuvres and flutes of champaign until the party dies down, then race to the mountains. It’s a great plan until I get locked in the wine cellar with my college crush who keeps calling me mate.    AmazonKU

RAIN’S FOX MATE: MM SHIFTER MPREG ROMANCE (THE MATES MOTEL BOOK ONE) by Lorelai M Hart

I checked in with nothing but the clothes on my back. I checked out with the greatest treasure of all. I have a tendency to get a notion and go for it. That’s how I end up in a small town, buying a house before setting foot in it, and giving up my six-figure job to start a consulting business. Everything is going great, until lightning decides my house is the perfect place to strike, ultimately burning it to ash. rance will cover the costs of replacement. That’s not the issue. Having someplace to stay until it’s done is. Within an hour’s radius, there are one chain hotel, four inns, and the Mates Motel. The inns are all booked, and the chain hotel isn’t available the next three weekends. The Mates Motel it is. It may look sketchy, but the old man at the front desk seems nice and the rooms are clean. It could be worse. So much worse.      AmazonKU

WYLD WITCH WEATHER by Janna Ruth

I’m a wild child. Wilful, moody, destructive. You could say my reputation blows—literally. Other teens skip class or experiment with drugs. I wreck classrooms. Not on purpose. But when I cry, the wind answers. Loudly. Violently. Now I’m down to my last chance: the Wyld Lands Academy. It looks like some posh boarding school I’ve got no business setting foot in. But inside those ancient stone walls? There’s magic. Fire, water, earth, air—the students here are attuned to their element. Like me. For once, I’m not the only freak in the room. I can deal with bitchy roommates, demanding teachers, and the occasional elemental breakout. Especially with the handsome, talented, and impossibly kind headboy looking out for me. One thing’s for sure: I won’t let anything—not even terrorist witches—take this from me. But there’s a storm inside me. And if I can’t learn to tame it soon, it won’t just get me expelled. It’ll get me killed. Or worse.      Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo

THE BEAR’S CHRISTMAS MATE (A BEAR CREEK CHRISTMAS BOOK THREE) by Harmony Raines

When Doreen arranges a trip to Bear Creek to visit her friend Sorcha, all she wants is peace and quiet, a chance to recharge her batteries, and enjoy a cozy retreat. Then life drops two surprises on her doorstep: her nephew Jake and his golden retriever Bash, who turn her relaxing getaway into a whirlwind of dog training, non-stop talking (and tail wagging), and snowy chaos. Enter Deputy James Pike—handsome, warm, protective… and completely not what Doreen came here for. So why does her heart feel like it’s waking up for the first time in years? James can’t believe it when a runaway golden retriever leads him to his mate. She is everything he wished for and more. But Doreen is only here on vacation. Somehow, he has to persuade her to stay. Forever. Oh, and he also has to tell her he’s a bear shifter. And they are mates… How hard can it be?      AmazonKU

SECRETS OF THE VOID (DEEP WATERS BOOK FIVE) by Emma Hamm

She was never meant to wake up. Ellie was created in secret. A perfect clone of a powerful woman long dead. For years, she knew only sterile walls, the touch of cold instruments, and the voice of the scientist who molded her into something useful. Something obedient. Until the day she opened her eyes and met a god. Proteus. The sea’s first son. The god who once ruled the depths, and who has spent centuries imprisoned by those who feared him. Now freed, his vengeance is as vast as the ocean itself. He will reclaim his dominion. Drown the world that betrayed him. And he will use Ellie, the clone who carries the face of his enemy, to do it. But the more time he spends with her, the more his carefully built hatred begins to unravel. Because Ellie isn’t just a tool. She’s clever, defiant, heartbreakingly alive. And Proteus—ancient, merciless Proteus—finds himself wanting her more than he wants his revenge. She was made to serve. He was born to destroy. Together, they could end humanity. Or save it.      AmazonKU

LEO IN LACE: DOUBLE BOOKED FOR THE HOLIDAYS by Layla Dorine

VS Note: MMM PNR. The MMC is too ‘without apparel’ for my PG-13+ blog.

Leo – I love my friend group to pieces, even if there are a few drama-llamas in the bunch. This year has been a bit much though, between hearing about their constant relationship woes and party planning calamities and dealing with my own workplace catastrophies. Taking a break to refresh and recharge seemed like the perfect plan, until I arrived at the cabin I’d booked for one to find two snow leopards cuddling on the bed. Maverick – Another year and no mate in sight. It’s not that I haven’t looked, I’ve tried matchmakers and even a few online dating sites that resulted in some frustrating and occasionally embarrassing hookups that left me smarting after they ghosted me. All my efforts have landed me was more chastisment from my folks who can’t stop wishing I’d be more like my older siblings. If it wasn’t for Briar’s brilliant idea for a little getaway, my outlook for this holiday season would have been worse than last years. Briar – Booking a holiday retreat for me and my best friend has plenty of benefits, including the obvious ones. While we’ve never had mating marks appear on our skin, neither of us can picture ourselves with anyone else, no matter how much our families protest the break from tradition. Booking it in a snowy paradise, well that’s just a bonus when you’re both snow leopards. At least until our cabin for two turns out to be a cabin for three.    AmazonKU

JIM HENSON’S COMPLETE LABYRINTH by Various

VS Note: Hardcover only. Re-releases.

Celebrate the beloved Jim Henson fantasy film with this complete hardcover collection of stories from inside the magical walls of the labyrinth! Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: Beyond the Goblin City spotlights the secret history of Sir Didymus and the untold story of one of Jareth’s Masquerade guests, in addition to tales featuring fan-favorite characters like Ludo, Hoggle, Ambrosius, and the Goblin King himself. This epic collection showcases imaginative tales from critically acclaimed writers and artists including Jonathan Case (The New Deal), Delilah S. Dawson (Star Wars: Phasma), Gustavo Duarte (Bizarro), Roger Langridge (Snarked), Katie Cook (Star Wars: ABC-3PO), Jeff Stokely (The Ludocrats), S.M. Vidaurri (Labyrinth: Under the Spell), Sina Grace (Superman: Kal-El Returns), Michael Dialynas (Wynd), Sarah Webb (The Storyteller: Sirens), Boya Sun (5 Worlds), Lara Elena Donnelly (The Amberlough Dossier), French Carlomagno (The Dead Lucky), Pius Bak (Eat The Rich), Samantha Dodge (Catwoman: Soulstealer), and many more! Collects Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: Shortcuts and Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: Under the Spell.      Amazon

ECHOES OF SILVER (LEGENDS OF GOLD AND SILVER BOOK TWO) by  Liz Delton

A silversword cannot live without his weapon. And a king cannot rule without a throne. After their disastrous trip to the Hollow Isles, Fig and Vaelor seek answers about fixing his broken sword that could get both of them killed. A powerful dwarven relic has resurfaced, and the usurper king Rhivven has offered it as a prize in a tournament—drawing ire from the dwarves and interest from Dev, who thinks it might help him take back his throne. Mairead vows to return home, but dark forces are in motion in Tytan, and the sisterhood that shunned her hasn’t forgotten about her. An ancient cavern may hold all the answers… But if the truth gets out, it could threaten the very foundation of the continent.      AmazonKU

ALPHA WOLF’S SOLD BRIDE  (ROSE HOLLOW WOLVES BOOK THREE) by Lyra Atlas

I’m sold to the Alpha as his new mate and baby-carrier. I’m despised for being curvy and a human. I don’t know yet that I’m psychic. He’s a blacks ops wolf and the new Alpha, who needs a mate to ally with our pack. He buys me, then gets protective of me and wants to own me…I’ve always dreamed of escaping my miserable life with the daily bullying and torments. Now I have to pretend that I love the Alpha I’m sold to. I want to escape this marriage, but he says I’m his. I want to leave our small town, but he says he’ll protect me. No man has ever touched my thick hips or massive thighs. But his hands roam my body, making me desperate with want. He teaches me what it’s like to let out the psychic in me. He shows me what it’s like to be owned, claimed, and desperate with need. Will the Alpha claim me as his fated mate?      AmazonKU

SOLAR SHADOWS (CELESTIAL MAGIC BOOK THREE) by Ruchard Amos

VS Note: MM PNR. The series follows three witch brothers.

When your past bites you in the backside. Literally! I’m doing my best to cope with my new life as The Sun of House Aurora. Navigating relentless twists and turns while also dealing with my career as a supermodel. Or lack of one. Talk about messy! My existence is cloaked in shadows, the public not ready for the return of sacred witches into their lives right now. But it’s only a matter of time before this takes a turn. I can feel it in my bones. If that wasn’t complicated enough, I’m falling for a guy who doesn’t want me. Ollie occupies my mind morning, noon, and night. I can’t stop drooling over his muscles, longing to know more about him. He’s a mystery wrapped in epic deliciousness. Yet all I seem to get is a searing glare or icy indifference. Sigh. Isn’t that always the way? But why do I get a vibe that there might be more there beneath the chilliness? Is it just wishful thinking or is there a hidden something there? To muddy the waters, along comes my ex-boyfriend to fuzzy my brain when he suggests we could start up again. But he only confuses for like five minutes, because we didn’t end well the first time, and he isn’t the man I remember. Not by a long shot. He’s got some seriously sinister motives, posing a threat not only to the city, but the entire world. Darn it! Things are about to get wild!      AmazonKU

SNOWED IN WITH TH GROUCHY BEAR: AFRICAN AMERICAN PNR by Melody Lynch

One cabin. One bed. One storm they’ll never forget – Diana has spent her life proving people wrong. They say fifty is old she’s proof it’s not. Thriving as a solo travel blogger and living life on her own terms, she’s not looking for love. In fact, she swears she doesn’t want it. Then, during a live interview, a smug reporter claims she’s “too old” to climb the mountains around Shadow Wolf Creek. She grabs her bag and hits the trail. But before she reaches the summit, the blizzard hits. Nathaniel has zero interest in rescuing anyone. Betrayed by his sleuth and done with shifter politics, he’s perfectly content in his remote mountain cabin—until he finds her. Hurt. Beautiful. Nearly buried in the snow. She’s not just any woman. She’s his mate. But Nathaniel swore off love long ago, after a betrayal that left scars deeper than any wound. Now, the most dangerous thing on this mountain isn’t the storm outside it’s what’s happening in their hearts. Because fifty’s already climbed mountains… and he’s next.     AmazonKU

BAD BLOOD (HELLHOUND HEAT BOOK THREE) by Sherilee Grau

She was created to serve Hell. He was the one sin she could never resist. Roxana has spent her whole life as one of Lucifer’s lethal handmaids—trained to obey, to sacrifice, and to bury every desire she wasn’t built to feel. Including the one that’s always burned for Lothar. Fate never forgets though. When Roxy and Lothar, the hellhound pack’s best tracker, are forced together to hunt an escapee from Hell, she finds herself struggling to deny the desire she’s fought for centuries to suppress. To make matters worse, Lothar’s inner beast is fighting him for control. His instincts snarl for her. Mine. Claim. Protect. He’s determined to make her his. But little does he know, giving in to their desire could destroy them both. And when an enemy from the past makes their move, turning the hunters into the hunted, Roxy and Lothar must fight side by side not only to survive a monster… but a history, a hunger, and a truth powerful enough to tear them apart. Because some bonds aren’t meant to be denied, and resisting each other may be the one battle they’re destined to lose.       Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo

MIDLIFE CHRISTMAS VIGILANTE by Eve Langlais

You can call me the spirit of hot flashes, fangs, and vengeance. Just before Christmas my life underwent a major change. And I’m not talking about the fact I hit menopause hard—I mean, we’re talking night sweats and hormones gone wild. Nope, it was worse than that. I almost died, and would have actually been six feet under if I’d not been transformed into a vampire. You heard me right. At the ripe age of forty-seven, I became a blood-guzzling, sunlight-hating, fanged menace with an insatiable appetite. Thankfully, criminals taste delicious. But the wicked aren’t the only people I’m nibbling on this holiday season. When I’m not taking a literal bite out of crime, you will find me unwrapping the handsome vampire who gave me the best present of all. Love.        Amazon     AB      Apple Books      Kobo

THE ALPHA BEHIND THE MASK: NESTING EVER AFTER: CHRISTMAS by Toby Wise

VS Note: MM PNR.

When Viktor’s magic manifested, his entire world was turned upside down. He packed up his life, found a pack to take him in, and started fresh. Despite finding his place in this new paranormal world, Viktor always worried his dating life had come to a permanent standstill. A magical invitation changes everything once again. Duncan isn’t good with people. He’d much prefer to stay inside with his paints but when he’s invited to a mysterious masked ball, he can’t say no. Meeting Viktor, who’s happy to take the lead, makes everything feel easier. The two feel something special right from the start and push past awkward first meetings, family emergencies, and unexpected heats to forge a bond worth keeping.      AmazonKU

AN ALL AMERICAN WITCH FOR T DAY by Heather Graham

Julia and Corey Chambers are delighted with their new home, actually an old house, not as old as some in St. Augustine—the oldest European settlement in the New World—but an 1800s home filled with character. And, as they are to discover, bodies! But there’s something far worse. Julia has called Adam Harrison, the Krewe founder, who happened to be an old friend of her father’s. She’s been getting threats. She’s playing a witch in a local theater production and, apparently, someone seems to think she’s a real witch! In a city renowned for its history and ghosts, someone is threatening a witch! When Angela and Jackson arrive, they discover that Julia had stepped out of the house—and disappeared! And while it hasn’t been more than a few hours since her disappearance, Corey is frantic and devastated. Because he knows . . .There are just hours ahead for them to find her before an All-American Witch might meet with a deadly and horrible fate. And it might just take a wee bit of help from one of the city’s fabled ghosts to help them on their mission.      AmazonKU

ENCHANTED RINGS AND FAE (OAKVALE EVER AFTER BOOK TWO) by Jessica Grayson

came to Oakvale to escape the scandal of a broken engagement—not to fall for a winged Fae jeweler named Cyran, whose smile is as dangerous as his magic. But when Cyran and I accidentally touch two enchanted rings, we’re magically bound together. Now I’m stuck with the infuriatingly charming Fae until we break the spell. And I absolutely refuse to fall for his handsome grin, tender heart, or the way he brings me chocolate croissants every morning because he knows they’re my favorites. Yet the longer we’re bound, the harder it is to deny the pull between us. Once the magic fades, I’ll have to decide: trust my heart to a Fae who might already have claimed it, or lose him forever.   AmazonKU

UNWRAPPING HIS MUMMIFIED HEART: A TIME FOR MONSTERS ROMANCE by Roslyn St Clair

Lady Catherine isn’t interested in marriage, and she’s particularly uninterested in marriage to the slope-shouldered, slack-jawed, ancient dandy whom she’s expected to marry. Too bad for her. Duty is duty, and she can’t sacrifice her sister’s happiness. Good for her, however, is when she falls into an open sarcophagus in the museum’s backroom… lips first. But what she awakens is more than just a passing nightmare. The mummy might even be her dream.Ramu’s been waiting to be roused from his eternal sleep for millennia. He has one purpose: find the ancient amulet that Set stole and return it to Anubis. Doing so will hopefully balance the misdeeds of his life, and with his eternity at stake, he really needs all the help he can get to make it to paradise rather than the alternative. But bravery in adventure isn’t the hard part of being alive again. Much harder still is knowing he’s destined to leave Cat. She’s stolen his heart… and just when he finally realizes he has one.

CHRISTMAS KANE (REINDEER MATE FOR CHRISTMAS) by Jessica E Subject

VS Note: MM PNR.

The first time I meet Desmond, he pets me—while I’m in my reindeer shifter form. Everyone knows you don’t touch a shifter without permission, but I bite my tongue. After all, he’d just delivered a huge donation to the Christmas Food and Toy Drive at the nonprofit where I work. I figure I’ll never see him again anyway. When Desmond shows up to volunteer at our community dinner, all charming and annoyingly handsome, he flirts…with me. I try to resist, but my reindeer won’t stop prancing. He likes this smexy wolf more than his favorite Christmas treats. I’ve been warned about getting involved with him, especially since the whole city knows someone affected by his father’s crimes. But my instincts tell me there is more to Desmond than his family name. And no one deserves to be alone during the holidays.       AmazonKU       Author’s Universal Link

ORCS DO IT HARDER (ORCS LOVE CURVY GIRLS BOOK TWO) by Michele Mills

For three years now, I’ve been hiding and working under an assumed name, leading a quiet life, my closet filled with a very beige wardrobe. One day a package arrives on my doorstep, stuffed with surveillance photos…and a threat. I have to give “them” the evidence they want or in twenty-four hours everyone I care about dies. Oh hell. I’ve got to get outta here or my best friend and her daughter will be hurt. I make it to the bus station, three steps away from disappearing forever, when a massive orc roars out my name from across the terminal. “Anna.” My mouth drops open at the sight of this sexy male. Keric Irontree, the “scary” orc everyone avoids, looms behind me, his bare chest heaving and wet from the rain. “You’re not getting on that bus,” he growls. “I’m not?” Keric takes my hand and offers me sanctuary at a remote orc commune in Maine. There’s just one catch. I’ll need to live with him in his one-bedroom cabin. As his mate.       AmazonKU

SOLSTICE: DRAGONIS ACADEMY HOLIDAY NOVELLA by Serenity Rayne

Ziggy’s got a secret…He’s on a mission of extreme importance. Failure is not an option. The future of the family depends on it. Five years after claiming her throne, Mina has a secret that will change everything—and she’s entrusting one of her own mates with the mission of a lifetime. Armed with determination and his signature wit, Ziggy embarks on the ultimate stealth mission across Shadowcarve’s sprawling campus. From shadowing the intimidating Vaughn through his warfare instruction sessions to tracking Leander as he strategizes war tactics with eager students, and keeping tabs on Callan while he teaches the ancient Art of War, Ziggy plots the perfect strategy for what comes next. One by one, he springs into action—abducting each unsuspecting mate and delivering them to Mina for the surprise of their lives. But wrangling three powerful shifter instructors proves trickier than anticipated, especially when they start catching on to their bond brother’s increasingly suspicious behavior. When the perfect holiday moment finally arrives, Mina’s gift will bring tears, laughter, and a joy so pure it lights up the winter sky. For three formidable warriors who’ve dedicated their lives to battle and teaching, nothing could prepare them for the overwhelming emotion of learning they’ll soon hold their own firstborns.      AmazonKU

BLACK WILLOW WITCH by Suzanne Wright

“Be the biggest, baddest witch in town so no one ever dares bully you again.” That was her grandmother’s advice and it’s been Emberlyn’s law since she was a child. It’s kept the local coven at bay – until now…They’re furious she won’t give up Black Willow Manor, her grandmother’s prized home and worse – that the land beside it and Emberlyn herself has been left to Jax ‘Ripper’ Stone, a rugged, brooding Alpha werewolf. The chemistry between them has always been white hot but Ripper knows to be careful with witches- especially one with her reputation. Now they are allies it becomes harder to ignore – Emberlyn calls to him. Drives him to claim her. But danger’s closing in, threatening to take her from him. Not that Emberlyn can’t handle it. She’s no damsel. Doesn’t need a hero. Sometimes, it takes a wicked witch to get things done. And Emberlyn has ever excelled at being wicked.     Amazon     AB       Apple Books      Kobo

COMPANY INK (TINSEL AND TENTACLES 3.0 by TA Moore

VS Note: MM PNR.

Don’t get him wrong, Davy hadn’t been thrilled to end up face-down in a shallow grave…but he’d not been surprised either. With the life he’d lived, and the work he did, it had always been a possibility. So he’d not been bothering to hold his breath–metaphorically speaking, being dead–for a chance to get his own back on his killer. On the other hand, death was kind of boring…even for a mercenary who wore the stigmata of his sins as occasionally too-independent tentacles. So when someone opened a door to the living world for him he wasn’t going to say no. He figured he could knock out the revenge in a couple of hours and then spend the rest of his time on this side of the Veil getting take-out, getting laid, and getting into fights. …the order didn’t matter. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a bit more complicated than that. If Davy didn’t know better, he’d have thought this whole set–up was the universe trying to get him to learn something. All Hill had learned was that death wasn’t what he’d expected. When he had opened the door to the afterlife he’d been prepared for winding sheets and bones, maybe a few chains. Not for the vengeful ghost to be a hot, dead man who’d mug him for his skin and bones. The tentacles had been a surprise too. But then necromancy didn’t come with an instruction booklet, or a restart button. The deal had been struck, and the two of them would just have to make it work.       Amazon

MIDNIGHT OBSSESSION (SOULMATED BOOK FIVE) by Rebecca York

Olivia Langdon never believed in ghosts—until one slipped into her dreams. At night, she sees him drowning in black water. When he comes to her, his touch is fire, his kiss is haunting, and his presence is as forbidden as it is irresistible. His name is Travis Carson. He should be gone, yet he lingers—bound to her by a connection neither of them understands. Their spectral encounters ignite psychic abilities Olivia never knew she had…and a desperate need to uncover the truth behind Travis’s murder. Because someone killed him—and that someone isn’t finished. Detective Gabe Bowman is determined to keep Olivia safe, even as her visions place her in the sights of a predator who calls himself Mr. Smith. But the deeper Gabe digs into the case, the more dangerous it becomes—for Olivia, for Travis’s restless spirit, and for the fragile man who’s falling for her in the waking world. Now Olivia must choose where her heart—and her life—truly belong: with the living man sworn to protect her…or the ghost who has already claimed her soul.      AmazonKU

OWL BY HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (VIRTUE SHIFTERS) by Zoe Chant

Whoo-ooo says you can’t go home? Owl shifter and romcom-film-star Kayla Walsh never intended to come home to Virtue, but it’s the perfect small town for a romantic comedy film setting—and the moment she arrives, a full-on ‘meet cute’ crashes into her! Former ball player Jordan Rhodes is back in Virtue trying to find his feet again—but the last thing he expects to do is knock Kayla off hers. Once high school acquaintances, Jordan and Kayla now find that sparks fly…but Jordan knows there’s no way that a woman like Kayla could ever be really interested in a washed-up athlete. And Kayla has always assumed everybody who grew up in Virtue knows it’s a haven for shifters. Except, as fate would have it, Jordan doesn’t know, and Kayla isn’t sure she should burden him with her secrets when she’s leaving town again so soon. But when things on set go sour, Kayla has to rely on Jordan—and on Virtue’s secret weapon, nine year old Noah Brannigan, who is always there for the town when it needs him.       AmazonKU

DRAGON’S FORBIDDEN BOSS (DRAGON SECRETS OF PARKHURST COLLEGE) by Serena Meadows

Dorm nights. Buried legends. A dragon who can’t keep his fire—or his hands—off the wrong woman. When a ruin is found beneath Parkhurst’s stadium, Cooper McFarland’s dream design gets demolished. The new boss of the dig? Dr. Stephanie Warner—young, brilliant, and off-limits. She needs his campus connections; he needs her secrets. What they uncover are ancient shifter symbols, wrapped dead, and a mural that answers questions that Cooper can no longer hide the answers to. This puts a target on the entire university. Rules say no romance on the team. Reality says one look, one kiss, one life-or-death shift. As a rival clan closes in, Cooper must expose what he is to save the site—and the woman he won’t give up. Some ruins hold history. This one holds a war. One truth, one mate, and a dragon ready to burn the night to keep her.      AmazonKU

THE TALKING CURE: A SEAN jOYE INVESTIGATION by Kathy L Brown

VS Note: LGBTQ Paranormal mystery.

Haunted woman claws her way back to reality by reconnecting with her magical powers in The Talking Cure, a supernatural Yuletide follow-up to The Big Cinch. Committed to an insane asylum, Violet Humphrey is isolated on the Illinois prairie with only her own thoughts and a persistent new voice in her head for company. When she is accused of murder, Violet suspects her road to both freedom and recovery lies through confronting her painful past and solving the crime. Magically summoned, Sean Joye skids through an ice storm to help Violet, but can they catch the killer and defy an eldritch horror before Violet loses her tenuous grasp on reality?     AmazonKU

DOLLS GONE WILD (GHOST CUPID BOOK THREE) by Allie Brahms

So far my job month, which should’ve been lowkey and easy, has gone thusly: 1. A bride wants to divorce her dead husband. (You unfortunately read that right.) 2. Zhen gets called into work anyway because they lost Annabelle at the airport. Yes. That Annabelle. (#nothankyou) 3. Jasha is magical. With a familiar. (Anyone have this on their bingo card? I didn’t.) 4. A ghost groom abduction. (I don’t get paid enough for this.) Is it too late to revoke my supernatural club membership? Tags: Magical realism, ghost to ghost networking, we get to meet some of Zhen’s friends, power couple, Chinese mythology, multicultural romance, part time soulmates, full time problem, relationship negotiations, haunted walmart is no longer haunted, things happened okay, Annabelle is Zhen’s worst nightmare come to life, he HATES dolls, on the plus side Kris has more content to post, Houdou continue to be awesome, yay power development, cursed sword is still cursed, but not for long!     AmazonKU

MECH AND MAGIC ( THE KNACK BOOK TWO) by Kim McDougall

Magic runs the machines. Secrets run the city. And Squad 54 stands between order and chaos. Conall thought he’d buried the past with his brother. But when a cryptic summons surfaces—tied to a long-vanished village and a wolf who should be dead—he’s forced to retrace the path of the disbanded Squad 54. What he finds in the shadows could unravel not only their fate, but the fragile balance between elf and human kind. Back in New Torwood City, Princess Rowan Andula is done playing the figurehead. With a seat on the ruling council, she’s ready to fight for her family’s legacy—until the city’s giant mech guardian begins to fail. Talos isn’t just a machine. He’s the heart of the city. His collapse could bring down everything her ancestors fought to preserve. As enemies close in and new treacheries are revealed, Conall and Rowan must face the same question: How far will you go to protect what you love?     AmazonKU

WOLFISH by Terry Spear

As a wolf opening a gift shop with Halloween décor, a forensic anthropologist, and an author who writes books on old cemeteries, she discovers a skeleton, a month old, in an 18th-century cemetery, and the trouble begins. Selena Rivers loves working in a wolf-run town and meeting Deputy Sheriff Daniel Hoffman, who assists her at every turn. But when she has to identify skeletons of recently murdered women, he must protect her from those who would harm her and himself. They must learn who the women are and who is responsible for their deaths. Daniel is all for romancing the wolf, which comes with the added commitment to keep them both safe in this dangerous, mystery adventure. She has never met a wolf like him, and she has every intention of protecting him from the threat, too, and more.

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SOWING SPELLS: A FIELD GUIDE TO BECOMING A WIZARD’S APPRENTICE (THE WIZARD’S GARDEN BOOK ONE) by Cay Fletcher

VS Note: MM Fantasy.

Sil was perfectly content as the manager of the village plant shop. That is, until a certain wizard, Wixen Anders Kessel, requested a fire curry plant to add to what Sil assumed was his growing graveyard of helpless greenery. Thoroughly convinced of Anders’ proclivity to kill every plant he purchases, Sil is determined to thwart the disastrous wixen’s intentions, both for his garden and recruiting a magically disinclined apprentice. Sil and Anders return from the beloved short story, “The Wizard’s Garden”, to grow in friendship, companionship, and perhaps even more. Together, they encounter a variety of local magical creatures, spells, and obstacles as Sil resists the idea that he might actually have a talent for magic and that he might want something more from the hopeless wizard after all.     Amazon       Apple Books      Kobo

VEILED POWERS: DESTINY OF DRAGONS BOOK TWO by Mara Leigh

Zogar sweeps me through the veil and into the dreaded Darkness. There, I discover he’s not just the King of the Dragons—he’s a massive man who’s been trapped in dragon form for four hundred years.
Now I’ve freed him, he seeks vengeance against the descendants of the royals who captured and enslaved his people, including me. Worse, Zogar intends to hold me to my promise of marriage—a vow I made only to save the two men I’m falling for. Prince Tynan and I only just discovered we don’t hate each other, and I’m not ready to give up our fiery passion so soon. And while I won’t forgive Dragon Master Saxon for what he did, I can’t stop thinking about the mysterious older man who awakened desires and pleasures I’d never imagined. While Tynan and Saxon desperately search for me, time moves differently in the Darkness, and when we’re finally reunited, more secrets are revealed and passions explode. But with conflicts brewing in the Light, and betrayals threatening to tear my men apart, I may be forced to choose between my heart’s desires and the fate of the Seven Kingdoms.       AmazonKU

DARK ISLAND REVOLT (CHILDREN OF THE GODS PARANORMAL ROMANCE BOOK 102) by I T Lucas

Sometimes, when the best-laid plans shatter like glass on rocks, the Fates reveal their true design. Sometimes, when prisoner becomes protector and saved becomes savior, love blooms even in darkness. And sometimes, the most dangerous enemy is the one that speaks with eight voices but shares a single, terrible mind.       AmazonKU

THE ALPHA OF GRAVE HILLS (DRAGONKIN BOOK TWO) by Kathryn Moon

She’s an omega in hiding. Broken hearted and rejected by her beta, Brigid Grant has spent the last five years in self-imposed exile. When her former lover comes sniffing at her door, demanding she take her place back in his bed or lose her sanctuary, Brigid knows it would break more than her heart to agree. There’s only one person powerful enough to keep her out of another man’s reach. A new alpha has risen. With the death of his father, it’s time for Torion to step into his rightful place, as Alpha of Grave Hills. Young, determined to do better for his home and his people, Torion needs to focus on the work ahead of him. What he should not do, is anger a respected beta by stealing away his omega. It would be an even bigger mistake to fall in love with her, when his heart is the last thing she wants.     AmazonKU

PRINCE OF THE BARBARIANS (NOT SO SAVAGE BARBARIANS BOOK SIX) by Amy Padilla

VS Note: MM Fantasy.

There’s always a point in someone’s life where they regret the decisions of their past. Take me for instance. I skipped my lessons as often as I could get away with, figuring I’d always have someone with me to translate or watch my back. As a prince of Al Nuzem, I was very rarely alone. But when one of my own guards stabbed me in the back and had me handed off to the barbarians, my inability to speak even the common tongue meant I couldn’t tell them I wasn’t what they thought. And no amount of fighting was going to get them to bring me home. Not until they learned to communicate with me. It wasn’t going to be the other way around. They’d learn eventually.     AmazonKU

CENTAUR’S LITTLE HELPER (PINE RIDGE UNIVERSE) by S C Principale

Nigel isn’t a big fan of the holidays, especially since the last time he went home for Christmas, he got the gift of dashed hopes and a broken heart. So, while other handymen might reject the idea of tackling a new project when they could be relaxing with eggnog in front of the fire, Nigel gladly accepts a job that’ll distract him from all the festivities he’d like to ignore. A centaur finishing a nursery for a demi-mortal named Klaus and his little elf missus while they head home to help with the “family business”? It’s just another day in Pine Ridge, and that’s all Christmas is to Nigel. Just another day. Briana thought booking a secluded cabin in the snowy foothills would make for a picture-perfect Christmas—and pave the way for the proposal her boyfriend had been hinting at. But when her boyfriend dumps her at the last exit before Pine Ridge, she loses her way in the dark, and then her cell phone dies, Briana only has one thing to say about the holidays. Bah-frigging-humbug. Can the wrong cabin, a lot of brandy, and a little shared heartbreak somehow put some super spicy happy back into Nigel and Briana’s holidays?      AmazonKU

HER TIME TRAVELING DUKE by Bryn Donovan

Magic meets science and sunshine meets grumpy when a love spell whisks a Regency-era duke to modern times. Rose Novak, a free-spirited museum employee who dabbles in magic, has had her share of disappointments. So when she tries a little spell for a romance with an “old-fashioned gentleman,” she doesn’t really expect it to work…especially literally. And yet, the duke from a painting she admired at the museum is now standing in her apartment, demanding to know who abducted him. A man of science and truth, Henry Leighton-Lyons, the Duke of Beresford, has searched tirelessly for a way to turn back time and be with his late wife again. Instead, just as he’s about to pose for his portrait, he’s ripped centuries forward by a feckless, scantily dressed—and utterly bewitching—woman who believes in nonsense like magical crystals and astrology. Unable to immediately reverse her spell, Rose vows to help Henry return to his own century, even though disguises and high jinks are required to get their hands on an enchanted astrolabe and master the art of time travel. But it’s hard not to fall for the irritable yet honorable duke. Little does she know that he’s starting to wonder: did a reckless love spell get it right, after all?

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SEEING OTHER PEOPLE by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemond-Broka

Morgan is being ghosted by her ex. No, really. It’s sad Zach died and became a ghost. But Morgan and Zach only ever went on the one date, and now she’s being haunted by him. Zach has no desire to spend eternity with Morgan, but he can’t recall his past and doesn’t know how to move on. At a support group for humans and their haunters, Morgan and Zach run into Sawyer, whose fiancée-turned-ghost has started to fade. Unlike Morgan, Sawyer isn’t ready to part ways with his ghost. Although they face opposite issues, Morgan and Sawyer decide to work together to solve their problems. As Morgan and Sawyer try to solve their paranormal conundrums together, they find something even more surprising—a tender, growing affection between them that threatens any unfinished business they’re seeking to close. The ghosts of their past might be there in spirit, but the connection between Morgan and Sawyer is as alive as anything they’ve ever felt.

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THE NECROMANCER’S CHRISTMAS TREE OF TERROR (PRINCES OF MAYHEM) by Jocelynn Drake

VS Note: MM PNR.

The tree knocked on the front door, begging to be let in…It was Sky and Nolan’s first Christmas together. Nolan was hoping to make lots of cozy memories with his new family. But nothing goes quite how you might expect when you date a necromancer. A “Christmas” tree shows up on their doorstep—a gift from the king of the underworld—and it turns their holidays upside down. Can Nolan and Sky make it through the holiday season with their unexpected guest? Fall in love with sunshine-y necromancer Sky and his grumpy boyfriend Nolan as they tackle the holidays with a sprinkle of magic and lots of chaos.

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DEAD SET ON YOU: A NOVEL by Lexi Alexander

As workaholic Evie Pope nears thirty, she’s determined to slow down and start enjoying the “life” part of work-life balance. With a major promotion—and the financial security that comes with it—on the horizon, she might finally have her chance. But when she wakes up as a spirit in her work rival’s apartment and learns her body is stuck in a coma, her plans are officially DOA. Being a spirit is bad enough. Discovering that Rafael Vela—the man who used to be her friend and is now her biggest rival—is the only person who can help her? It’s a special kind of purgatory. In no position to negotiate, she strikes a desperate deal: He gets the promotion if he helps reunite Evie’s spirit with her body. As they begin to spend more time together, Evie discovers there’s more to Rafael than his bedroom eyes and his hey-there dimpled smile. With only a week until Evie’s body is transferred to long-term care and out of Rafael’s reach, Evie must choose between trusting the man who betrayed her years ago and figuring things out the way she’s always done it: alone. NOTE: THere is an audiobook but it wasn’t available as yet on Amazon the day I checked.       Amazon      Apple Books     Kobo

HOW NOT TO TAME YOUR HUMAN TEASE by A K Caggiano

A sunless city, a magical boundary, a demon around every corner—what could be better? Nothing, if you ask bright, bubbly Brioni. In fact, being trapped in the demon realm and assigned a letter carrier position might be the best thing that’s ever happened to her, even if she is one of only six humans in the entire town. Except there’s still something missing. Something that makes her feel truly wanted. Something that’s all hers and is maybe a little…deviant. The guilt of her past life and the strain of her new one have her seeking relief that she’s sure only the gruffest, grumpiest, growliest demon can give her. Meet Ragnar—gruff, grumpy, growly, and gray. His magic and color were lost long ago, and with them went his civility. Self-sequestered to the outskirts of his homeland, the city’s resident beastkeeper would much rather spend his time taming ferocious animals than dealing with his fellow demons. Good thing Brioni isn’t a demon because she wants to be dealt with… (more blurb on ebook seller’s page)      AmazonKU

MOIST FOR HER MINOTAUR (MONSTERS OF NEW VEGAS BOOK ONE) by Evangeline Priest

When pastry chef Magdalena “Lena” Reyes opens her dream bakery, Moist, in the bustling monster-friendly city of New Vegas, she expects long hours, too much caffeine, and occasional existential dread about her choice of bakery name. What she doesn’t expect is Thorne, her grumpy, ridiculously large Minotaur landlord, who treats his building rules like sacred law and looks personally offended every time she accidentally sets off the fire alarm. Moist for Her Minotaur is the first story in the Monsters of New Vegas series, and set in the Obsidian Rift Universe. This warm, funny, sugar-sweet romcom is filled with delicious Filipino pastries, delightful bickering, and a grumpy Minotaur who just wants to keep his little baker safe.      AmazonKU

A VOW COLD AND KINDLED by Moira Darling 

VS Note: FF Fantasy.

A vampire knight. A fated princess. Twelve Nights of Yule to fall in love. Princess Ilyra was never meant to rule, let alone become the heart of a sacred pact older than her crown. As the youngest daughter, she expected to spend Yule tucked into castle corners, left to her quiet studies—and to humor Lord Myrren, her father’s favored suitor. But when the vampire envoy arrives cloaked in crimson and kneels before her alone, Ilyra is thrust into a ritual bond that demands courtship, protection… and something dangerously close to devotion. Ser Virelle, an ancient vampire knight bound by oath and centuries of service, came to Halden Court as part of an age-old truce. She expected duty, not desire—but the moment she meets Ilyra, something stirs. The princess bears the scent of the covenant, marking her as Virelle’s fated mate. And Virelle? She is bound to her now, by blood and vow, until the final Yule fire burns to ash. Together, they must navigate a court glittering with candlelight and deception, where the Twelve Nights of Yule are as perilous as they are enchanting. As desire builds beneath snow and silk, one question remains: Can love survive the fire lit by fate, or will it consume them both?        AmazonKU

FUR, FANGS AND MISTLETOE (CHRISTMAS COVE 1) by Jessica Coulter Smith and Harley Wylde

Escape to Christmas Cove, a cozy small town where magic, shifters, and holiday romance collide. After a painful breakup, Riley is ready for a fresh start in Christmas Cove. All she wants is a peaceful life for herself and her two-year-old daughter, Sabrina. Love isn’t on her holiday wish list. When she’s stuck in a blizzard, help arrives in the form of Alex Conors — a protective, brooding werewolf. Snowed in with a grumpy shifter and a crackling fire, Riley begins to see the gentle heart behind Alex’s fierce exterior… and Alex finds himself falling for the brave single mom who awakens something he thought he lost long ago. Hot cocoa and toddler giggles turn strangers into something more. But when Riley’s past resurfaces and threatens the safety she’s found, Alex will have to prove that loyalty, love — and pack — are forever.       Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo

THE SYMMETRY OF TIME: SKYLA X LOGAN (CELESTRA FOREVER AFTER BOOK EIGHT) by Addision Moore

My name is Skyla Oliver, nee Messenger, and my mother has never met a situation she couldn’t make worse. So I thought my life was finally settling down. You know, just the usual—two husbands—okay, so one is an ex—a small brood of quasi-angelic kids, and living on an island where the recently deceased sometimes drop by for coffee. Just your normal stuff. Then my celestial mother shows up.
Apparently, there’s some big cosmic threat that requires her immediate meddling—I mean, intervention. Something about anchors and time travel and protecting the family. Which sounds reasonable until you remember this is the same woman who once started a faction war because of a dispute with her ex. Now I’m stuck dragging Logan through our past while Gage thinks I’ve completely lost it, Marshall keeps popping up with that vexing grin of his, and somewhere in the future, my kids are hopefully still existing and not accidentally burning down the house. Here’s the thing about being the leader of the angelic factions—saving the world comes with the territory. But surviving your own mother while you do it? That’s the real challenge. The Symmetry of Time takes you back to Paragon Island, where love is complicated, time travel (AKA light driving) gives you the worst headaches, and sometimes your biggest enemy is the person who’s supposed to have your back. Fair warning: there may be federal crimes involved. But hey, it’s all for a very good cause.            Amazon     Kobo

THE GODS BINDING: VALORIAN VEIL BOOK TWO by Willa Rae

VS note: Cliffhanger.

I’ve been betrayed, soul-bonded, blessed with unruly, confusing, chaotic powers, and I may have multiple boyfriends—that about sums up my life. Speaking of my Valtrue, they’re ready to lose their minds over the fact that the Beginning God, who wants to rule the realm on his own, has summoned us.  I can’t lie…I’m not faring any better. The God of Obliteration has a task for us—something that reeks of danger and secrets—and refusing him isn’t an option. The consequence of walking away or even failing is far too high. I don’t know what truths we’ll uncover throughout this journey or where it’s going to lead us. But what I do know is, a short time ago, I would’ve sworn to you I hated the gods. All of them. Now, surrounded by my Valtrue and my small circle of godly friends that I trust, one thing is clear…I need this life we’ve started to build together. I don’t want to face my struggles alone anymore. Whatever comes next, I’m facing it with them at my side. Together, we can figure this out. What could possibly go wrong?      AmazonKU

THE BEAR’S BROKEN OMEGA:  MM SHIFTER MPREG ROMANCE (GRIZZLY RIDGE BOOK THREE) by A J Cane

Zander never expected to find his fated mate, let alone be rejected by the broken omega. Reid has been kidnapped, mated against his will, and forced to use his magic to help capture and imprison other omegas. Then, when his captor is killed, he’s stuck grieving for a mate he hated with every part of his soul… and pregnant with his baby. Bear shifter Zander has his hands full as town sheriff, but his world realigns when he scents his fated mate during a battle with their clan’s enemies. Suddenly, all that matters is convincing one skittish warlock to trust him—something that seems impossible. When demons from Reid’s past come calling, Zander will do whatever it takes to protect his mate, even if the little warlock will never accept him as his alpha.       AmazonKU

SUGAR AND STONE: SOUTHERN TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE NOVELLA by C Michelle Mayson

Remy LeBlanc lived the quiet life of an archivist—until a storm tears him from the present and drops him into 1870s Louisiana in the middle of a working sugar mill. There he meets Amélie Desmarais, a woman whose strength runs as deep as the bayou roots beneath her home. Their connection is instant. Her world is anything but simple. With the past shifting around him, Remy must figure out why he is there and what it means for their futures. An atmospheric time-travel romance set against the sugarcane fields of old Louisiana.       AmazonKU

CROWNS OF FATE (THE BROKEN PROPHECY BOOK THREE) by Anna Applegate

My mate is captured. My kingdom has fallen. And my enemies? They have no idea I’m coming to destroy them all. My entire life, I believed I had no magic. But during our battle with King Dargan, my power erupted, showing the world the magic inside of me. Light magic sparked by my acceptance of myself and my mate. Leaving Kade behind was a nightmarish kind of torture, but as the darkness overtook him, he begged me to run, so I did. Now, with Kade’s life in Thames’s hands, I must return home to win back my kingdom, gather an army, and find a way to save the only family I have left. Trapped for a thousand years, Thames is prepared to rule us all. His darkness is spreading, creating more dark ones by the minute, and a secret weapon threatens to give him the victory he so desperately desires. It’s not just my kingdom at stake, but all of Atheria. Every last one of those responsible for the deaths of my loved ones is about to pay in blood. This battle will decide our fate. Will we survive and live in the light, or will the darkness destroy us for good? It all comes down to this. For Atheria, we fight.      AmazonKU

POISONED TRUTH: PARANORMAL PSYCHIC SUSPENSE MYSTERY (SHELBY NICHOLS ADVENTURE BOOK 19) by Colleen Helme

Reading minds should make life easier, but Shelby Nichols knows better. Between poisoned pastries, cyber-attacks, and killers on the loose, her so-called “psychic” gig is turning deadly. Everyone’s lying and the truth is more dangerous than she ever imagined. Good thing Shelby’s got sass, smarts, and zero plans to die anytime soon. Psychic consultant. Mob asset. Mom. Multitasking has never been this deadly.     

AmazonKU       AB

SINGLE DAD’S FAKE MATE: MM SHIFTER  MPREG ROMANCE (KNOTTY ALPHA GUARDS BOOK ONE) by Morrigan Black

VS Note: From NOV 14.

I never thought I’d be pregnant and on the run, or that my salvation would come in the form of an Alpha lion shifter. The night I fled my abusive alpha mate, I had nothing but my loyal pug Sam, a backpack of belongings, and the desperate hope my parents weren’t wrong about Miami. When my ex tracked me down anyway, I had no choice but to contact the Alpha Guardians for protection. I didn’t expect my protector to be Varian, my gorgeous next-door neighbor with those soulful brown eyes and a son who’s already stolen my heart. His solution to my problem? A temporary mating mark to break my old bond. It’s supposed to be just business, a fake mate arrangement until my ex gives up. So why does every touch feel so real? Why does my heart race when he walks into the room? And why am I starting to wish this temporary mark would become permanent? What began as protection might be my second chance at happiness… if I’m brave enough to take it.      AmazonKU

JINGLE SPELL ROCK: A CHRISTMAS DRAGON SHIFTER BILLIONAIRE CHRISTMAS ROMANCE (MOONLIGHT SIREN BOOK SIX) by Lisa Carlisle

I’m ready to sing through a glittery Christmas at sea, not play make-believe with a dragon billionaire. But Darius needs a fake girlfriend to close a business deal, and I can handle a little acting for a good cause. I don’t believe in fated mates – even if my panther purrs the moment he walks in. It’s a simple transaction. Just seven days. No feelings attached. Darius: Control is my business, but Bria shatters it with a single song. Making the sassy panther shifter play my girlfriend was supposed to be a strategic move to impress a client. It shouldn’t be personal. But when I touch her, the hunger inside me isn’t business. It’s primal. She thinks this is a temporary arrangement, but my dragon knows the truth. She’s mine. Now I have one week to convince her that the only thing fake about us is the timeline.

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SEDUCED BY SASQUATCH by C A Varian

Olivia Jo Green wanted nothing more than peace and quiet in the Tennessee mountains.
Instead, she’s dealing with a meddling brother, a redneck Casanova who won’t take no for an answer, and one very large problem with golden eyes and a whole lot of fur. A simple overnight “Sasquatch research expedition” was supposed to be a joke. Mosquitoes. Bad coffee. Gunner’s friends making fools of themselves in the woods. Liv expected all that.What she didn’t expect was the impossible. Something is out there on her ridge—watching, waiting, far too intelligent to dismiss as a rumor. And once Liv crosses its path, her quiet mountain life turns into the kind of trouble folks write country songs about. Now the county’s buzzing with sightings, a local loudmouth is stirring up trouble, and Liv finds herself caught between the world she knows and the one she never believed in. Because the monster on her ridge? He might not be a monster at all. And that might be the most dangerous truth of all.      AmazonKU

HOWLING (A KISMETBORN NOVEL BOOK ONE) by Stacey Brutger

No good deed goes unpunished. As a kismet, I was born with the power to tip the balance between good and evil…if I survive long enough to fulfill my destiny. Every second of my life has been dominated by rules and structure meant to keep me safe. But in one act of defiance, I lose my home, my family, and my future. Now I’m on the run with trained killers stalking my every move. Yeah, it’s about as fun as it sounds. Embracing my fate, I work as a rewardist, using my shifter abilities to rescue people in precarious situations. That’s how I stumble across a sneaky fox who charms me with a smile, a feral wolf who watches me like he wants to gobble me up, and a dangerous rogue who wants to kiss me and strangle me in equal measure. I should run…but there is just something about them that’s irresistible. Don’t give me that look. Dating is hard when you’re on the run! Unfortunately, trouble has a way of finding me. We barely escape an attack with our lives…and end up dragging along an infuriating prisoner—a snarly dragon who looks at me like I’m his salvation and ruin. Trust isn’t something that I give easily, but as danger closes in around us, I’ll need to rely on the men for survival. If I’m not careful, I might end up losing my heart…and my life. Meet the pack: Frankie, Tyler, Garth, Dante, and Bellamy.       AmazonKU

A GAME OF VOWS AND VENDETTAS (GIRL GAMES BOOK FOUR) by Ruby Roe

VS Note: Lesbian Fantasy.

One wedding. One reluctant bodyguard. One dangerously inconvenient attraction…Penelope Lee didn’t want a new bodyguard, especially not a brooding, battle-hardened vampire who would rather be anywhere else. But when her assigned protector is murdered just before her sister’s wedding, she’s left with no choice. Enter Dahlia St Clair, commander of the vampire-hunter army and the last person who should be stuck on glorified babysitting duty. She’s there to drink, dance, and maybe cause a little trouble—not to shadow a bratty princess through a wedding filled with secrets and unseen threats. But when danger strikes, and Penelope becomes a target, Dahlia is the only one standing between her and death. One stolen moment turns into another. One brush of hands, one heated glance, and suddenly, duty feels a lot more like desire. They both know the deal: once the wedding is over, so is this. But when the final toast is made and the vows are spoken, they’ll have to decide—was it just a moment in time, or the start of something worth fighting for? A Game of Vows and Vendettas is a short crossover novel for the Girl Games and Kingdom of Immortal Lovers series, set at Morrigan and Stirling’s wedding. It is a vampire bodyguard x bratty princess romance with chaos, spice, and features the faces of all your favourites from across both Ruby’s main series.

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THE DRAGONMATER’S MATE (FIRE AND DESIRE BOOK FOUR) by Chloe Chastaine

As her father lay dying, I swore always to protect fifteen-year-old Zenevieve. I took the grieving girl in, and she filled my life with sunshine. Now she’s grown, she’s looking for a mate, and her eyes have turned to me. Zenevieve has always been my weakness, but she’s not the woman who has been promised to me. I’m waiting for the Omega I’ve never met, who may have died, who could be lost to me forever. I will wait for her, because I would rather perish in dragonfire than touch a woman who isn’t mine. But starving for my mate burns my soul. I can resist all temptation, until one day I slip, and I catch the wrong woman in my arms. Sweet, adoring Zenevieve will never forgive me for rejecting her, and I’ll never forgive myself for causing her pain. The world ends, and then it begins again. Five hundred years later, I’ve got a second chance to make things right. This time around, I’m doing everything differently. The woman I shouldn’t want is going to be mine. Author’s Note: The Dragonmaster’s Mate is a rejected mates, second chance, guardian/ward romance between Stesha and Zenevieve. There’s a ten-year age gap and a lot of crushing on a forbidden older man. This book is a standalone, but it’s recommend that you read the earlier books in the series first.     AmazonKU

SIROUS (OHIO VAMPIRES BOOK TWO) by Kathi S Barton

Sirous Smith has lived for centuries, long enough to grow tired of immortality itself. With no mate in sight and nothing left to keep him tethered to the world, he returns to Brew’s home for one final reunion—and a promised end at the hands of his friend Yosef. But Sirous never planned on Tabby.
Tabitha “Tabby” Williams is hiding from a ruthless mother who wants to exploit her powerful gift of sight. Taking shelter in the woods near Brew’s estate, she expects danger from her past…not from a brooding, stubborn vampire determined to die. When Tabby bursts into the clearing moments before Sirous’s execution, everything changes. One scent—one electric spark—and fate binds them as true mates. Sirous wants none of it. Tabby wants even less. But destiny has other plans. Between vengeful family, ancient vampire politics, and a stubborn male who would rather argue than admit he cares, Sirous and Tabby will have to decide if they’ll keep running from fate…or run toward each other. A reluctant bond. A powerful magic. And a love that arrives at the worst—and best—possible moment.       Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo

FROST BITE by M Violet

You can run but you can’t hide. Every Christmas Eve, a virgin is given up as a sacrifice to Saint Nick. She’s left in the woods with nothing but the clothes on her back. If she dies, the town will feast. But if she survives the night, another will be sent in her place. For Imogen, that means her little sister could be next. The Four Horsemen live for the hunt. But they have no intention of killing their prey this year. After centuries of blood and servitude, Conquest, War, Famine, and Death plan on keeping the sacrifice for themselves. And if they get what they want, Imogen won’t be a virgin for long. This Christmas, it doesn’t matter if you’ve been naughty or nice… only that you survive. Frost Bite is a dark holiday romance, a stand-alone novella where the FMC ends up with multiple MMCs.    AmazonKU

MAGICA RIOT FULL BLOOM by Cara Buchanan

VS Note: LGBTQ Fantasy. From NOV 15.

Claire Ryland has just about figured this whole magical girl band thing out. The people of Portland really love Magica Riot, so much that they’ve been asked to play a concert at the biggest venue in town! But when not one but two villains decide to make their presence known, Claire, Sara, Cass, Hana, and Nova have to figure out a new approach to their magic and their music…with some help from unexpected friends! Magica Riot Full Bloom is the sequel to 2024’s queer magical girl novel Magica Riot, and the next installment of the Maidensong Magica series. An action-filled musical adventure inspired by classic magical girl anime, tokusatsu shows, and the vibe of the American Pacific Northwest, Magica Riot Full Bloom expands on Claire’s story of trans self-discovery and her LGBTQ+ found family while introducing new threats and challenges for the magical girls of Portland to deal with! A story of colorful adventure, eye-popping magic, and queer love, Magica Riot Full Bloom shows that being yourself gives you the power to help people and change the world.

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THE ALPHA’S HOLIDAY HEX by Sabrina Crest

It was supposed to be damage control. A fake engagement between the witch and the wolf to calm the pack, charm the press, and silence the rumors about the Adler family’s deadly “Holiday Hex”. And the only chance for me to clear my grandmother’s name. But the heirloom wreath wasn’t supposed to hum or glow or throw tantrums. And it wasn’t supposed to announce a curse in the middle of Chase Adler’s perfectly controlled holiday gala. But it does and when the sentient wreath comes alive, the lights explode, and Chase finds himself holding hands with me, the fiery witch who smells like danger, laughs like sin and is falling for him fast. Now the Alpha who never loses control is tangled in a scandal of his own making with me driving his wolf mad, turning magic into chaos, and tempting him to break every rule he’s ever made. The curse has been awakened. The witch is wild. And the holidays just got a whole lot hotter.      AmazonKU

VENGEANCE OF THE GODS (CURSED GODS BOOK TWO) by Dany Crooks

She’ll sacrifice herself for love. There’s nowhere he won’t go to save her. Cursed to forget and destined to die, Vega Caelum wakes on Earth with memories of a life she shouldn’t remember. The lines between reality and fantasy blur, making Vega question everything, including her sanity. Trapped in a world she doesn’t feel she belongs in, Vega searches for an end to a curse that might not even be real… until the man she used to love shows up, reminding Vega exactly who she is and what she came back to do. Commander Bridger Dimico can no longer hide behind his shields, forced to face his betrayals when he sleeps. Willing to do anything to rid himself of the dreams, Bridger chases after his past to prove there’s still a piece of the man he used to be buried deep down. With a war of hearts at play, Bridger risks everything he’s worked for to save Vega from a deadly fate. In the midst of a growing rebellion, Marlena Caelum has no other choice but to remind the people of Tolevarre who holds all the power. Lives are lost and deals are made, bridging the gap between life and death. Vega may finally be one step ahead, but it has Marlena wondering what her sister may have traded to get her vengeance.      AmazonKU

HOWL IF YOU’RE GUILTY by Lindsey Devin

Michelle came to her estranged grandfather’s wake prepared for weird family vibes. She did not plan for: – the ballroom blackout – the scream – and the Alpha face-down on the stairs Now the mansion’s locked, the Inner Circle is panicking politely, and the Guardian wolves are on their way. Which would be fine…except Michelle’s the half-human outsider who can’t shift, can’t see in the dark, and apparently has no sense of self-preservation. But she noticed something the full-bloods missed — and the estate’s grumpy grounds manager seems determined not to let her face this circus alone. There’s a killer in the house. There’s a clue in the dark. And Michelle refuses to be the easy suspect.    AmazonKU

ICE WOLF: AN ALPHA SHIFTER HOCKEY ROMANCE by Piper Stone

On the ice he’s a savage. With me he’s a beast. When suspicion arose that bad boy hockey star Saint Masters may be a wolf shifter and I was called in to help with his PR problem, I didn’t expect him to kiss me like I belong to him… or to…(more blurb on ebook seller’s page)       AmazonKU

RULED BY FIRE (DRAGONBLOOD DYNASTY BOOK SEVEN) by BE Brouillard

I died in the mountains. At least, that’s what everyone thinks. The helicopter crash? Survived it—barely. The fall into the chasm? Lived through that too, though I’m still not sure how. The gorgeous, confusing man with zero memory who dragged me from the wreckage and patched me up in a cave like we’re living in the Dark Ages? Yeah. That’s where things get complicated. No ID. No clue who he is. Talks like he’s never seen a city and learned English from Duolingo. Thinks my iPhone is witchcraft—which, honestly, Apple’s marketing team would love—and stares at my TikToks like I’m summoning demons. I’ve figured he’s wandered off from some isolated mountain village. Maybe a cult. Possibly a head injury. And yet he’s calm. Controlled. Way too capable for someone who doesn’t remember his own name. And every time his gaze locks on me, I feel that hum in the air—the kind that murmurs danger and destiny in the same breath. I must be nuts. But the way my body responds to him? That’s not a delusion. That’s real. So I’m helping him find his way home. It’s the least I can do for the man who saved my life. Especially since the Syndicate’s still out there, searching these mountains for something powerful enough to control every dragon on earth. I should get him out before I drag him into my mess. I tell myself I’m keeping him safe by walking away. Right. Because walking away always works out great. Turns out surviving the crash was the easy part. Surviving him—that’s going to take more than sarcasm, caffeine, and Wi-Fi.        AmazonKU

HEXES AND HONEYSUCKLE (WISTERIA COVE BOOK THREE) by Erin Branscom

Rowan Maren is small-town Wisteria Cove’s wild sister, the black cat in a family of witches who refuses to be tamed. Untamed in ripped jeans with a streak of trouble and tattoos to prove it, she’s perfectly content running her apothecary, stirring up a little magic, and avoiding anything that looks remotely like forever. The one thing she doesn’t see coming? Her best friend looking at her like she hung the moon. Finn Bennett has been hopelessly in love with Rowan for years. Steady and loyal, he’s the golden retriever to her black cat chaos. For years, he’s been the safe place she runs to, the shoulder she leans on… and the man she doesn’t realize is already hers. But after one reckless night, Finn is done waiting. He’s ready to lay his heart bare with a confession that could change everything. Rowan may be juggling late-night spellwork, her brand-new apothecary, and a town full of meddling neighbors, but Finn isn’t afraid of her chaos, he thrives in it. He’s her biggest cheerleader, the one building a future sturdy enough for the both of them, even if she hasn’t realized yet that it’s all for her.       AmazonKU

SPIRIT FIRE (EMBERWOOD WITCHES BOOK ONE) by Auburn Tempest

I’m not just chasing ghosts—I’m hunting the truth that haunts me. My earliest memory? Being picked up off a sidewalk at sixteen with no clue of who I was, where I came from, or why no one reported me missing. Then, five years later, a dark-haired stranger shows up at a Halloween party, says my name like he knows me, and poof—I’m yanked through a portal and dropped into a life I never imagined.
Apparently, I’m not just some random lost girl—I’m a witch. In a small town full of secrets, snarky familiars, and power-hungry covens, my magic is waking. The witches of the Emberwood coven want me gone, but carrying the bloodline of one of the founding families makes me an Emberwood Elite. I won’t be cast out of my life a second time, and goddess help anyone who tries. They think not having control of my powers makes me an easy mark. I’m going to find out what happened to my family and show them how wrong they are.       AmazonKU

LICENSE TO HOWL (SHIFTER MATES OF HOLLOW OAK BOOK THREE) by Kala Aster and Milly Taiden

I’m not supposed to be here. Hollow Oak isn’t on any map. GPS dies at the gate. And the locals? Yeah. They stare like I’ve walked into a secret society wearing a press badge and a neon “snitch” sign. But I’m not leaving. Not until I get the story. It starts with whispers: of disappearing hikers, a town frozen in time, and something that howls when the snow falls hardest. Then I meet him. Alaric Thistlebrush — yes, that’s really his name — is the town’s resident enforcer, built like a war crime and staring at me like I’m his next assignment or his next meal. Spoiler: it’s both. I should run. Instead, I move in. And the deeper I dig, the more the town closes ranks… and the more Alaric closes in. Apparently, I’m not just a threat. I’m his fated mate. Turns out, when you chase monsters into the woods… one of them might chase you back, propose, and demand a human wedding.      AmazonKU

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LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica

December 3

November 26

November 19

November 12

November  5

“New” is generally plus or minus a week or two. I try to catch up on ones I missed in recent months.  And I may mention ‘special items’.

NOTE: I’m doing my best to avoid listing anything generated from use of AI but it’s sometimes tricky to detect from the resources I have available. As far as covers go, I list the Amazon cover whether it’s AI or not. 

I do NOT cover every single new release in SFR/FantasyR/PNR. I never have. That would be an impossible task for any human! I assemble my list by hand every week based on various informal inputs, and I do curate the list to some extent…

Some authors aren’t in KU but still don’t list books with Apple or other platforms. This report is very time consuming to prepare so I’ve always had to limit myself and cannot go and look up every book on all the platforms. If an author gives me their other buy links, I include them here but generally I develop the post on my own, not from author-supplied information. I curate and prepare this post individually every week to help connect readers/books/authors and I have to be very careful not to give it so much time as an activity that I don’t write my own novels! Thanks for the feedback and happy reading!

 

 

Will You Be My Champion? LADY OF THE NILE Snippet Romantasy in Ancient Egypt

Cover by Fiona Jayde

Taking today’s snippet from LADY OF THE NILE. A hgigh ranking lady in waiting to the quwen has been kidnapped and Pharaoh charged a warrior and a Medjai to find her.

Khian was bone tired, not so much from physical exertions, but the tension of the entire day, including personal conversation with Pharaoh and the Royal Wife. He wondered idly how the banquet had gone and if Horus had been pleased by the event in his honor. He wished he and Tuya had been there. Suddenly an official, formal boring banquet seemed like the most alluring event in all of Egypt, if only she were safely there at this hour.

As he took the chariot to the stables and supervised the servants unhitching the horses, grooming and feeding them, he wanted to pray, but to which of the Great Ones? Tuya was a priestess of Mut, but a warrior such as himself didn’t normally pray to the goddess.

But would his own Jackal God take any interest in a lost noblewoman, who had no connection to him? Unlikely. Anubis had loftier concerns.

Restless, he paced through the stables as he pondered recent events in his mind. Khian had wanted to know so much more about Tuya, to spend delicious hours talking about everything and nothing, to hold her, touch her—all things that might never happen. He realized he’d been well on his way to falling in love with her, given any encouragement at all. A dangerous prospect when he needed a clear head to decide how best to find her. If she’s even alive…Determinedly, he thrust away the bleak thought. He paused and found himself in an unfamiliar corner of the stables. Frustrated, he had to take a moment to orient himself in the unfamiliar passages of the place before he found his way again.

Khian took himself to the commissary for a belated dinner. His second-in-command arrived shortly, and he briefed the man on his special assignment, leaving out most of the details. His loyal lieutenant was happy for him to have this chance to shine in Pharaoh’s eyes if the assignment went well. They discussed the plans for his own company to carry out its assigned duties in Thebes in Khian’s absence.

“The company is yours now,” Khian said, clapping his friend on the shoulder. “The men respect you and will take your orders. Don’t let these local Theban officers bully you or them. Stand up for yourself and the Jackal Nome. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“And we’ll sail home to our sweethearts and the planting,” his friend said with a contented smile. “Done with war and adventuring.”

Khian reckoned his days of adventure were just beginning.

Alone in his own room at last, Khian undressed and went straight to sleep. He’d disciplined himself to fall asleep rapidly each night, as a tired soldier couldn’t fight at his peak.

In his dreams he found himself standing in the desert at night, staring off to the west, feeling a pull and a yearning in his heart that he didn’t understand. Something made a slight sound to his right, and he pivoted to see what at first he thought was a large white bird, its feathers glowing. Even as he stood there staring the creature morphed into a beautiful woman between one moment and the next.

Depositphotos

She was taller than he, with a serene, heart-shaped face of utmost beauty. Her dress, which had been a glowing white linen shift, elegantly pleated, became bright red, with blue stripes at the hem. Faintly, the scent of the blue lotus came to his nostrils as she stepped to his side, also facing the desert. She glanced at him. “I meant you to be her chance for change or hoped so at any rate. But one must be careful what one asks for, even a Great One such as me. Once events were set in motion, other players stepped in to reach for my game piece, and now my poor Tuya is in grave danger. I fear I was quite rude to Shai and demanded he readjust her fortune to what I’d originally meant it to be, but he laughed and said I must yield to the whims of Fate.”

“I’ll find her, Great One,” he said, greatly daring in addressing a goddess, but speaking from the heart.

She shook her head, which set the golden beads in her lustrous wig to chiming. “The desert is vast and trackless. I’ll order my children to help as much as they can, for they see much from the sky. Watch for them.”

She set her fingers on his arm, and his entire body tingled with her power. “I’m not a goddess of war and soldiers, yet if I’m to help my priestess, I must step into an unaccustomed role. Will you be my champion in this, Khian of the Jackal Nome? Tuya’s champion?”

“You ask of me what I’ve already pledged Pharaoh to accomplish, my lady.” But he nodded solemnly. “I’m honored to assist you.”

“Good. Pharaoh sees much merit in you, which gives me hope.”

A flight of golden flies, shaped like the gold of valor he’d received only a few short weeks ago from Pharaoh’s hand, buzzed and flew a circular pattern around him before arrowing across the desert and disappearing from view. Khian felt dizzy, from the intense perfume and the awe of being in the presence of a goddess. He clenched his fists and stood straighter, trying to concentrate.

“Yet you are but human,” she said in a sad voice, “and as such cannot prevail against some foes. I’ve pleaded for help from one who fights such battles, and he has said he’ll send a warrior to your side. Only one – this matter of my priestess isn’t of pressing import to Egypt’s fate – but I see the potential for future problems and the Lord of the Sacred Land agrees.”

Anubis, she speaks of Anubis. Despite his family’s ties to the jackal god, Khian suffered the sting of momentary terror. Hard enough to have a goddess sharing her concerns with him, but the idea of having Anubis pay direct attention to him was so outside his wildest imagining Khian could barely hold the idea.

“Go with my blessing, and bring her home. This is my command.” The goddess faded, as if she’d been no more than a mirage in the desert.

Khian sat up straight in his bed with a gasp, hand to his heart as if saluting a superior officer.  Throat parched, he reached for his waterskin on the table, and his hand brushed something soft. With a pounding heart, he picked up the white feather, which glowed in the moonlight, its quill gleaming gold. As he watched, the feather shrank and changed until it was a tiny amulet bead, strung on a fine black leather cord. Hastily, he fastened the thong on his left wrist, where the feather lay against his skin. Pride at wearing a symbol of Mut, the World-Mother, suffused his mind and heart, since she’d named him her champion. As the goddess had said, she was no patron of war or soldiers but nonetheless it seemed there was a battle of unusual nature in the offing. Since the prize at the center of the conflict was Tuya he wouldn’t shirk the challenge.

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LADY OF THE NILE

Tuya, a high ranking lady-in-waiting at Pharaoh’s court, lives a life of luxury, pageantry and boredom. Khian, a brave and honorable officer from the provinces temporarily re-assigned to Thebes, catches her eye at a gold of valor ceremony. As the pair are thrown together by circumstances, she finds herself unaccountably attracted to this man so unlike the haughty nobles she’s used to. But a life with Khian would mean leaving the court and giving up all that she’s worked so hard to attain. As she goes about her duties, Tuya struggles with her heart’s desires. 

When Tuya is lured into a dangerous part of Thebes by her disgraced half-brother and kidnapped by unknown enemies of Egypt, Khian becomes her only hope. Pharaoh assigns him to bring the lady home. 

Aided by the gods, Khian races into the desert on the trail of the elusive kidnappers, hoping to find Tuya before it’s too late. Neither of them has any idea of the dark forces arrayed against them, nor the obstacles to be faced. An ancient evil from the long gone past wants to claim Tuya for its own purposes and won’t relinquish her easily. 

Can Khian find her in time? Will he and his uncanny allies be able to prevent her death? And if the couple escapes and reaches safety, what of their fledgling romance?

Amazon     iBooks     Kobo     B&N     Google Play

By veronicascott Posted in Snippet

New Releases in SciFi/Romantasy/Paranormal Romance for DEC 3

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

‘AB’ denotes audiobook and the Amazon buy link.

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KLAUS ENCOUNTER (HORNED HOLIDAYS) by Honey Phillips

Can a cold alien warrior and a struggling woman give a grieving boy the one gift he needs most—a family? When Talia moves to an isolated village to care for her angry, grieving nephew Theo, she quickly discovers that her city-based skills are useless. Her efforts to reach her nephew and save his home are failing. The last thing she needs is another problem, but when she finds a huge, horned alien unconscious in the snow, she’s determined to save him. Commander Klausan D’Kringar’s mission has come to an ignominious end. Crashed, injured, and alone, his only goal is survival. But when he wakes up in a primitive cellar, tended to by a fierce, captivating female, his priorities begin to shift. Her compassion is irrational, her living situation is unacceptable, and the unexpected attraction between them is completely outside his experience. Logic dictates he should escape, but a new, protective instinct demands he stay. As they work together to ease Theo’s sorrow, an unforeseen bond begins to grow between the three of them. And when they attract the wrong kind of attention, Klausan will do whatever it takes to protect his new family.      AmazonKU

VANQUISHED (WAR BRIDES OF THE VANDAR BOOK ONE) by Tana Stone

My planet made a deal with the ruthless Vandar. Now I belong to the most feared warlord in the galaxy. It was supposed to be a random lottery with just one unlucky woman chosen to seal the alliance between my frozen outpost and the Vandar warriors. One bride to guarantee we wouldn’t betray them to the Zagrath Empire. But the moment the massive alien walked into my bakery that morning, his golden eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that stole my breath, I knew. Somehow, I knew my life would never be the same. And I was right. When my name was called, I was torn from my sisters, my home, and the underground rebellion I’d built in the shadows. Dragged onto a vast warbird, claimed by Raas Wrexonn, the Keth’rax himself. The Scourge. He told me he saved me. That the Empire had marked me for execution, that taking me was the only way to keep me alive. I told him I’d never forgive him for it. But as we’re hunted across the galaxy by Imperial forces, as I discover the truth about the war he’s fighting and the pain he’s buried beneath his ruthless exterior, I’m forced to confront an impossible reality: the alien warlord I’ve vowed to hate might be the only one who truly sees me. But the Raas wants more than compliance. More than tolerance. He wants me to choose him freely, even though he stole that choice from me. And the most terrifying part? I’m starting to want that too.     AmazonKU

IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT TENTACLE (TINSEL AND TENTCLES 3.0) by Kelex

VS Note: MM SFR.

Qylar, from disgraced House Zyven, became untouchable the second his family rightfully landed in the prison mines. While he was innocent of their crimes—and only a boy of ten—he nearly ended up suffering their fate, as well. The only thing that saved him was his best friend’s intervention. He’s lived his life in House Kreegl’s debt ever since. Not that Cryss has ever asked for anything in return except brotherhood. For that reason, he’s loyally stood at his friend’s side for three decades. When Cryss met Alex and started a family on Earth, he became their fiercest protector. But standing on the sidelines and watching the love the growing family shared became an unexpected torment. No Nefyrian would ever take a fallen prince to mate, considering his family’s sordid reputationAfter he meets Kenji in San Francisco’s iconic Eagle Bar, the little bundle of nerves in black leather calls to him like no other has before. After a lifetime of one-night stands, Qylar has finally met a man who makes him envision a tomorrow. A human might not be able to give him children, but a lifetime of love is more than enough. If the human can accept that he’s secretly a tentacled, alien shifter, of course. Will a December alone with Kenji along with a little added holiday magic create a chance for Qylar to have the family he never thought possible?      AmazonKU

HUNTING FOR THE HOLIDAYS (HUMAN PETS OF TALIN – ORIGINS BOOK FIVE) by RK Munin

No one should have to pick between money and love. Han has worked as a bounty hunter for years. Her small stature is actually a benefit because her targets always underestimate her. Clever, fast, and skilled, she’s never failed to collect a bounty yet. When she accepts a bounty for a Talin, all she sees is enough credits to pay for her community for an entire year! If she’s fast she might even make it back to celebrate the holidays with her family. What she doesn’t expect is for her target to be kind and concerned. Her normal tactics don’t work because all he wants to do is to keep her safe instead of take advantage of her “vulnerability.” Now she’s faced with a tough choice: handing this Talin over to his government or bringing him home to meet her family.      AmazonKU

ROGUES LIE (CALDRYN PARLIAMENT BOOK THREE) by Jenny Schwartz

VS Note: Not a romance but a scifi release of note. Here’s what the author said about book one: “Stars Die is a magic parliament mystery. If you’ve ever wished that Agatha Christie included magic or that Sherlock Holmes fought space pirates, this is the series for you!”

A whisper campaign threatens Vanda Kavanagh’s hard-won position as Warden of Caldryn Parliament, but are the malicious rumors a personal attack or do they mask an uglier plot? As Vanda investigates, long-hidden truths are revealed leading her to question everything she believed about herself. In a city steeped in magic and political intrigue who can Vanda trust?     AmazonKU

BORDER CONTROL (OUTCASTS OF OLORIA BOOK THREE) by Bea Tama

She’s used to being in control. He was created to obey. But on Earth, nothing goes according to plan. Laura keeps her worlds separate: career, friends, and family all neat and organized like a courtroom argument. As a rising-star lawyer, she doesn’t have time for complications, especially not sexy, submissive aliens crash-landing on her best friend’s property. But when she witnesses one of them—tall, muscled, and clearly struggling—spiral into violence, Laura does what she always does: takes control. Dom responds like no man ever has. He wants to obey her. Needs it. Craves it. And she discovers a side of herself she’s never dared explore. Dom was created to serve, but in exile on Earth he’s barely holding it together. His role as a psychic stabilizer for his wave brothers demands total strength and zero selfishness. Then comes Laura: confident, commanding, and achingly human. One night in her arms threatens everything. Because now he wants something just for himself. For the first time, Laura’s orderly world is unraveling. They return to Oloria to fix it, and instead land Dom in trouble. And to save him, she’ll have to destroy every line she ever drew.     AmazonKU

ABDUCTED BY MOONLIGHT (PETRA PALERNO’S FILTHY SHORTS) by Petra Palerno

A werewolf stalks his newly found human mate in the forest when a UFO abducts them both. What happens when the alien tries to stake a claim on her as well? Abducted by Moonlight is part of the smutty novella collection, Petra Palerno’s Filthy Shorts, that feature otherworldly love interests. In this edition you’ll find alien & monster romance, size difference, why choose, group scenes, abduction, FMM, sword crossing, and a plus-sized FMC.       Amazon

REDSTONE: LIMINAL SPACE: BOK FOUR by Cari Z

M/M Space Opera Romance! Kyle Foster thought he was doing the right thing when he saved Cody Helms’ life at the Academy, but now he’s paying the price. Shunted to the worst prison in the Alliance, Kyle’s chances of survival are slim. That is, until Isidore Cain steps in. Isidore is a survivor, but he’d never have made it this far without friends. To repay his debt, Isidore must infiltrate the notorious Redstone prison and save Kyle’s life. But it won’t be easy. As Isidore navigates the treacherous prison and faces unimaginable challenges, he begins to question if he can really pull off this dangerous mission. With the odds stacked against them and everything on the line, will Isidore and Kyle make it out alive?     AmazonKU

HOLLY AND THE HUNTER (XARC’N WARRIORS) by Lynnea Lee

Deck the halls… or die trying. I’ve spent months preparing for the holidays. Gifts for the children, hand-knit stockings, and enough decorations to cover New Franklin in Christmas cheer. It was going to be perfect. Then the raiders came. They didn’t take food. Or medicine. Or anything remotely useful for surviving winter. No, they stole the crate full of holiday magic. Everything is gone. Even the star for the tree. Now the settlement’s focused on repairs and defense, and no one has time to recover what was lost. Except me. And the only person available to help? A grumpy, battle-hardened Xarc’n warrior who thinks tinsel is a tactical hazard. But grumpy protector or not, we’re going to make this work. He’s got the blade, I’ve got the sparkle, and together, we are going to save Christmas.      AmazonKU

CLAIMED BY THE VYKAN (STOLEN FROM EARTH BOOK FOUR) by Callia Silver

Morgan Halden has every advantage money can buy—but none of the freedom she wants. As the heiress to a global data-security empire, her life has been arranged for her down to the finest detail: the career, the marriage, the future she is expected to step into without protest. During a suffocating dinner meant to push her toward an engagement she never agreed to, she mutters something reckless under her breath: “I’d rather be abducted by aliens.” She never imagined anyone—or anything—would take her seriously. But after the Luxar incident, Earth was seeded with silent monitors designed to detect the rarest signal of all: a human expressing willingness to leave. Morgan’s impatient remark is flagged as consent, and before she can retract it, she is gone. She wakes on Vyranth, a world of drifting mist and uncanny stillness, surrounded by the Saelori—a persecuted, guarded people who treat her with a strange mix of courtesy and distance. They follow one command above all: prepare her and deliver her to the one who summoned her. They call him the Vykan—one of the Seven protectors of their world, a masked figure spoken of only in formal titles and carefully controlled tones. No one will tell her what he is. No one will tell her why he asked for her. Only that she is expected. Morgan never meant to volunteer. Now she must face the being who summoned her—and understand why he chose her, before his venom decides the rest for her.     AmazonKU

COSMIC CUPIDS (FELIX ORBUS GALAXY BOOK SEVEN) by S C Principale

On the Comet Stalker, a diverse crew of Felids, Canids, and humans has created a harmonious found family. Some have even found love. But when the humans on board the ship decide to celebrate the old Sapien-Three holiday of Valentine’s Day, things really start to heat up. Can they summon Cupid into the cosmos to make three matches in one night? Find out in three short, steamy stories! Paging Doctor Cupid – Skyla and Dax are in charge of the med bay during the holiday, when Skyla suddenly becomes ill. Will this be the push these friends need to finally confess their mutual admiration and take the leap to lovers? As luck would have it, Dax might have the cure to her particular kind of fever…One More Arrow – Rugged and handsome widower Jaxson never celebrated Valentine’s Day, since it’s not a Felid or Canid custom. His friend, the rescued human Kaylie, has no use for a holiday that only seems to magnify loneliness. To while away the hours when everyone else seems to be indulging in romance, they end up researching some old holiday customs. When they start to play a Valentine’s Day game, things soon turn hot and heavy. Maybe Cupid has one more arrow left for two lonely hearts after all? Breaking All The Rules – Elio and Lycen volunteer to babysit the cubs in the nursery on this special night. But once the cubs are asleep, these two unlikely allies finally have a chance to talk about what the future holds for them, and whether they will do what’s expected—or what’s forbidden. Breaking all the rules seems wrong, especially for straight-laced Lycen and determined Elio, but what if being wrong is the right choice?       AmazonKU

MERRY AND BRIGHT: A CALLISTO CHRISTMAS by JJ Hynd

Ali won’t make it home for Christmas. She can’t get the time off work to travel back to Earth. The forensic lab already has a backlog, and with only two weeks til the big day it’s not happening. Her parents decide to surprise her with a festive family visit instead. They want to see Callisto at Christmas, and meet her mystery man she’s told them about. Only problem is Ali’s man is fictional. Fabricated to appease her parents and stop them worrying. What Ali needs is a boyfriend for Christmas. This is a standalone Christmas Romance with fake dating, nerdy date nights, and some alien anatomy.      AmazonKU

ALIEN DEVIL’S TEMPATION (VINDUTHI STOLEN BRIDES BOOK FOUR) by Ava York

He’s the thief who could save her. She’s the captive who could ruin him. Together, they’re a firestorm waiting to ignite. BREVAN – I came to Valyria to steal the fourth Regalia and burn a corrupt senator’s empire to the ground. I didn’t expect his curator. Carys is everything I’m not supposed to want: brilliant, controlled, and far too aware of the danger I carry. She has her own escape in motion—and I’m the reckless force that could shatter it. CARYS – Six years trapped under a powerful man’s control. Six years planning the one chance that could set me free. I’m close. So close. Then Brevan walks in with red eyes, velvet lies, and a heist that threatens all of it. I should fear him. But in the dark—and in the too-small spaces we hide in—fear becomes something hotter. Sharper. Impossible to resist. When the gala turns deadly, our only hope is each other. One Regalia. One escape. One impossible desire neither of us can afford. Because once he claims me, I won’t just escape. I’ll be untouchable—and I’ll never want to walk away.     AmazonKU

HITCHED TO THE MAPINGUARI (MONSTER MATCHMAKING SERIES BOOK FOUR) by Eden Ember

When genetic compatibility becomes a death sentence, love becomes an act of rebellion. Healer Kalyndi never wanted to be matched with a monster, especially not the towering, terrifying mapinguari warrior who could crush her with one massive hand. But Magnus Terra’s “peace” program doesn’t care about consent, only about creating the perfect hybrid offspring for their secret agenda. War Chief Redmon has spent years advocating for human-monster cooperation, but being forcibly mated to a defiant human woman who despises everything he represents wasn’t part of his plan. When Kalyndi’s sister is matched to a brutal Fanghorn warrior, their reluctant alliance becomes something deeper and far more dangerous. As they uncover the horrifying truth behind the matching program, children stolen from parents, genetic experiments, and a breeding scheme designed to create superhuman soldiers. Kalyndi and Redmon must choose between the safety of compliance and the perilous path of resistance. Their fake marriage becomes real love. Their obedience becomes rebellion. And their fight for freedom will reshape the future of two worlds.     AmazonKU

TAKE ME AWAY ALIEN MERCENARY (ANYWHERE BUT HERE BOOK TWO) by Sybur Phyre

Kylara – There’s nothing like working a thankless job for scraps while my boss basks in the lush limelight of being one of Earth’s representatives at SABUR’s base on the moon. The Stellar Allies Brigade of Rangers is a powerful intergalactic organization, but its PR cover, Cosmic Guardians, is full of overindulgent politicians. And when someone else threatens the Planetary Alliance Dinner, turning the spaceport into chaos, I’m left behind to fend for myself as my boss escapes on his private starship. I’m eager for a way off the base when someone extends a hand. He’s huge, green, shredded, and shimmers with a fading ghostcloak. He has a high-tech starship, an idea of what’s going on, and a princess to get home in one piece before he can take me anywhere. I agree without a second’s thought. He wears the marking of a Mercenary on the back of his neck as well as the crest of SABUR on his chest. I’m unsure what to make of his conflicting tattoos. I just know if I stay, I die. But the protective, almost possessive, way he guards me says the most. He wants me. He can’t seem to keep his hands off of me.I want a new life. I’ll take whatever I can get. And a hot alien who wants to claim me for himself sounds like a pretty good trade. I’m just not prepared to run from the secret bounty on my head. Jaxzor – I owed a friend a favor, now I’m stuck guarding a princess…(more blurb on ebook seller’s page)        AmazonKU

SERVE IN THE WASTELANDS (MEYER COMPOUND BOOK THREE) by Krista Drake

VS Note: I enjoyed books one and two, very intense. This one is on my kindle.

Being chosen as caretaker for a massive pit fighter was my chance to prove myself. Craving his brutal touch might be my downfall. Since arriving at the Meyer Compound, I’ve been trying to prove my worth. I have medical training from my previous community, steady hands under pressure, and the kind of desperation to belong that makes risky choices seem reasonable. That is, until a territorial war erupts and survival comes down to death matches—winner claims all losing territories, losers become slaves. Our leader assigns me as attendant to our most dangerous pit fighter: Ryland Charron. My job is keeping him fed, rested, and battle-ready. He has other ideas about what I’m for. But every time I work on his massive frame, massaging muscles that could crush me, cleaning wounds across shoulders twice the width of mine, he looks at me like I’m prey he’s planning to devour. The professional distance I’m supposed to maintain crumbles when he grabs my wrist and shows me exactly where he wants my touch. What starts as basic care becomes something darker. More intimate. When he commands me to serve him, to submit to desires I never knew I had, I discover I’ll do anything to please him. Even if it means crossing lines that could get us both killed. But in a game where only one combatant survives, wanting him means gambling with everyone’s lives.   Amazon

BONE SPUR BABY DADDY by Tara Starr and Athna Storm

She thought I was dead. Now I’m standing in her kitchen, bleeding on her marble floors……And our daughter just called me Daddy. I spent years killing men who deserved it. Now I read bedtime stories to a girl with my eyes and try not to scare her mother every time I breathe. Soren built her empire on control. Steel spine. Cold smile. But I know what’s under it — heat and heartbreak and a secret she never meant to share. She says I don’t belong in her world. She’s right. Because I was born to protect what’s mine. Even if it means tearing down her perfect city, bone by bone. She gave me a reason to live. Now she’s the reason no one else will.      AmazonKU

ALIENS ARE OUT THERE AND SO IS SHE by Indigo Queen

VS Note: SFR? SFR-adjacent? I have no idea but people seem to be njoying it!

She ain’t from Wilflower. He ain’t convinced she’s even from Earth. When Georgia Culver’s life implodes, she packs up her bags and flees to the small town of Wilflower, Texas. She’s not sure what she’s looking for, but it definitely isn’t the camouflage-wearing conspiracy theorist next door. Enter Jesse Pickens. Local handyman. Hardcore conspiracy theorist. Likely feral. He’s been tracking UFOs and deep state surveillance vans for decades, and he knows, for certain, that beautiful women don’t just move to Wilflower. Georgia sets off every alarm bell in his head. Government plant? Alien? Either way, he’s watching her. But when strange occurrences start piling up, starting with another new neighbor who works for a government agency that doesn’t exist, Jesse drags Georgia into his investigation. Between stake-outs, growing feelings, and raccoons with a taste for PB&Js, Wilflower’s about to get a lot weirder. Aliens Are Out There…And So Is She is a cozy, sci-fi small town romcom.   AmazonKU

BA’IR (LYQA PLANET LOVERS BOOK SIX) by Nikki Clarke

The horrified whisper of the woman, Karen, who is gathering the uniform I am meant to wear while employed at this large shopping center, doesn’t faze me. At one point, many years ago, when I was still a youngling, having someone look at me and feel compelled to call upon their personal deity may have bothered me, but I long lost any sense of caring. At least when it comes to how I look. And I know what I look like. Not only am I keenly aware of every jagged etch and groove in my skin. I can remember, like it was only a turn ago, how they were made with claws and teeth, sometimes broken metal and stone. The blunt points were the worst, poking and prodding until they finally breached the flesh. But the memory of that pain is nothing compared to the rage I feel at my lehti, Ivy, the one responsible for my suffering. It’s a rage I doubt she knows exists. But she will soon.    AmazonKU

***********************BRIEF BREAK BEFORE THE FANTASY/PNR BOOKS!**************************************

VS: Kyden is the first book in my scifi romance Badari Gladiators series. I always loved the sword and sandals movies when I was a kid and swooned over the gladiator heroes so I was excited to write my own “handsome not human” SFR gladiator series! Complete with those swirling red capes!

KYDEN: BADARI GLADIATORS SERIES BOOK ONE by Veronica Scott

Kyden is the top ranked gladiator in the Five Systems but he’s hardly there by choice. Unscrupulous guards faked his death in the lab where he was created and sold him into slavery in the galaxy’s hinterlands. He has no idea where his home is or how many years have passed since he was condemned to a life of endless combat. Kill or be killed is the rule and a Badari never gives up. He’ll fight to stay alive until the Badari goddess sees fit to decree his death.

Elara Vasclavian is the daughter of a senator, as far removed from the life of a gladiator as a noblewoman can be until through the machinations of a political enemy, she ends up in terrible jeopardy. Abducted and given to a group of drunken gladiators for their amusement the night before the games, Elara vows to put up a fight but there’s no real hope of saving herself. Until Kyden steps in, responding to the goddess’s commandment to protect those who are smaller and weaker. And discovers she’s his fated mate.

Rescued, Elara returns to her life of privilege but she can’t forget the man who saved her life. The gulf between their places in the Five Systems is unbridgeable, no matter how much Kyden longs for even a glimpse of her in the arena audience. No matter how much she feels the pull to be by his side. As matters stand, they cannot be together…Or can they?

KYDEN is the first book in a new series, spun off from my ongoing Badari Warriors series. Kyden is a Generation Five Badari whereas the main characters in the long running series are from a later time and are Generation Eight. This new series stands alone and you don’t have to have read any of the other books to enjoy this one. I couldn’t resist the temptation to tell a few other Badari stories, set in the galaxy’s Hinterlands, and who can resist gladiators?

Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo      Nook      GooglePlay

************************** THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT IF YOU DECIDE TO CHECK OUT THE BOOKS (because my own books pay my bills) AND A BIG THANK YOU IF YOU ALREADY HAVE! AND ONWARD WE GO!*********************

DRAGON, ACTUALLY: A SHORT COZY HOLIDAY MONSTER ROM COM by Sara Ivy Hill

I’m just a small-town girl doing my best to make it in the big city. Between double shifts at the giftwrap counter and pet-sitting my roommate’s moody cat, this holiday season isn’t exactly shaping up to be merry and bright. But then a gorgeous green dragon walks into my life—or, more accurately, buys every gift in the shop just to talk to me! Myrran is sweet, awkward, and way too charming for his own good (or mine). He says I’m his greatest treasure, and the way he looks at me could melt even the iciest December day. But being a dragon’s holi-date comes with its own complications, like teaching him how to kiss, managing his overly enthusiastic dragon family, and learning secrets I’m not sure I’m ready to handle. Is this whirlwind romance my happily-ever-after, or will Myrran’s flames burn too hot for a girl like me? This Christmas, love is in the air…and my new boyfriend is a dragon, actually.       AmazonKU

THE DARK IS DESCENDING: A NYTEFALL NOVEL (NYTEFALL TRILOGY BOOK THREE) by Chloe C Penaranda

The strongest light needs the deepest shadows. Reeling from shocking betrayal, the Star Maiden Astraea must now race against time to break the curse imprisoning her lover, Nyte. She will have to decide if the hand of darkness, or that of her enemy, is an alliance that could bring him back. But with the loss of daylight and the realm on the brink of ruin, Astraea and her companions must set off on their quests to retrieve the Maiden’s broken key, the only weapon that can kill the wrathful gods determined to rule the mortal world. Dragons will fly and their bonds may choose friend or foe. Gods will face gods, fathers will face sons, and all will face the end of the world. Because when the blood that binds them becomes a weapon to end them, two star-crossed lovers must yield to fate or pay their greatest sacrifice yet.

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PHOENIX RISING (FIRE AND CLAWS BOOK ONE) by Jennifer Allis Provost

She’s a quiet bookworm. He’s the last dragon shifter. Together, they will bring a kingdom to its knees. Rosalie Greenwood’s been called worthless since the day she was born. The neglected second daughter of a pirate turned landowner, she spent her days hiding in her room and begging her father to send her to a convent. Her only real ally was her older sister, Caterina, but she was contracted to marry the infamous Black Duke of Dragon Ridge. Then Caterina ran away with her lover, and Rosalie was forced to marry the duke instead. Lochlyn Blackmoor was resigned to his fate. Thanks to a war he wasn’t allowed to fight in, he became the duke at fourteen, and the only dragon shifter left in Alessia. Lochlyn spent the next ten years reclaiming his family’s honor, but what he really needed was an heir. He agreed to marry out of duty, but he never expected to be swept away by Rosalie, a beauty with fire in her heart that matched his own. Once they’re home at Dragon Ridge, their marriage doesn’t go smoothly. Rosalie and Lochlyn stay on opposite sides of the castle, until the last person they expected arrived on their doorstep. Thrown together by a situation out of their control they find solace in each other, but harmony doesn’t last. After being abruptly summoned to the capital, they uncover a conspiracy linked to the legendary phoenix knights, the Order of the Sun, and learn how far the king—a weak shifter trapped in a half form for the last twenty years—is willing to go in order to keep his tenuous hold on the throne. What none of their enemies realize is that Rosalie is hiding the biggest secret of all.      Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

A BEGINNER’S’ GUIDE TO SEA MONSTERS, MESSENGER ANGELS AND OTHER MANAGEMENT MISHAPS (DEMONIC DISASTERS AND AFTERLIFE ADVENTURES BOOK EIGHT) by Shannon Mae

VS Note: MM PNR.

Gabriel: Gabriel is the Divine Herald, the messenger of the Lord, the Angel of Revelation… and he’s currently losing ground to social media. (Really, how is he supposed to compete with that ticking app?) When the afterlife’s management team forces him into a “professional development partnership” with a demon, Gabriel is horrified—until he meets Leviathan, a sea monster with tattoos, tentacles, and a knack for helping him connect with mortals. Levi: Leviathan has no interest in going back to the underworld. He’d much rather spend his time topside with his octopus sidekick and now, apparently, one very uptight angel. Teaching Gabriel about mortal pleasures—food, coffee, books, and other things (that require less clothes)—is the best adventure Levi’s had in centuries. But as they both start to enjoy their unexpected partnership, one problem remains: what happens when the leadership team decides the partnership is over? Levi isn’t about to give up his angel, and Gabriel isn’t sure he wants to return to Heaven without his demon.     AmazonKU

THE GODDESS’S SPY (THE LOST LINES BOOK NINE) by Merri Bright

She’s a spy. She’s an Omega. And she might just be a goddess. As a child, Ratter led a group of thieving street rats who did odd poisoning jobs for the king and secretly protected the innocent and vulnerable. Now known as Rada, she’s on the run from Alphas intent on claiming her, and a goddess who seems to want her to stop spying and start popping out street rats of her own. Dead set on completing her own mission, she runs straight into trouble and ends up burned at the stake. Well, toasted, anyway. When Rada breaks down and prays for help, though, the wrong deity answers. Even the men who are obsessed with her––her valet, her ex-husband, two smoking hot selkie princes, and a couple of monsters––may not be enough to keep her from becoming the sacrifice she was created to be. But this Omega isn’t about to lay down for any man… or any god.      AmazonKU

HEIRS OF THE WOLF (FORBIDDEN MATES BOOK FIVE) by Amelia Shaw

Everything is going to be all right… I hope! Together, we’ve overcome every obstacle thrown our way—but they say everything, including danger comes in threes…For now, my bond with my mates has been accepted by the black wolf pack, and mercifully our twins are growing safe and well within my belly. I won’t lie, pregnancy is tougher than I imagined, and morning sickness is kicking my ass; but for the first time in a long time, I have hope for the future. But thoughts and prayers aren’t enough to secure a solid alliance. When I become aware that some of the pack are sick, I make healing potions for them, because actions speak louder than words. Hoping to prove my loyalty further, I invite the pack to a ball at my castle. But nothing is ever smooth sailing! Without warning the cusiths strike, lashing out, and it seems death may be coming for us all.     AmazonKU

TENDER CRUELTY (DARK OLYMPUS BOOK NINE) by Katee Robert

The barrier that’s protected Olympus for generations has fallen. The enemy’s breached the gates and the Thirteen are scrambling to protect themselves, their loved ones, and the city they’ve sworn to protect. At least they would be if they weren’t at each others’ throats instead. Hera has no intention of letting her husband, Zeus, survive the oncoming storm. But despite the white-hot hatred burning between them, when Hera and Zeus are forced to work together, enmity crystalizes into something brighter. Hotter. Too powerful to deny or destroy. Hera never bartered on falling in love with the man she married—the man she once swore to kill. But now, standing back-to-back in the ruins of Olympus, she may be forced to admit that she’s been wrong about Zeus all these years…and there may be something about their marriage worth saving if they can survive long enough to turn sworn enemies into something more.

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HELL FOR CHRISTMAS byCathrine Lievens

VS Note: MM PNR.

When Justin decides to visit the underworld, he’s looking for his birth mother—not a cellmate who’ll steal his heart. Half-demon Justin has always been loved and accepted by his adoptive family, but when their mother’s death tears the family apart over an inheritance question right during the holidays, Justin needs a distraction from his grief. Curious about his birth mother, he decides to find her, hoping to get answers to the many questions he has. But Hell isn’t what he expected. His mother rules her territory with brutal efficiency, and her warm welcome turns into a nightmare when she demands Justin become her heir. When he refuses, she throws him into the dungeons—right into the cell of Mynor, a demon who’s been standing up to her by freeing her prisoners and stealing from her supporters. Mynor is wary of Justin—can he not be when Justin is Anya’s son? But as days turn to weeks, he discovers that Justin is nothing like his mother. Being stuck together in a small cell brings them closer, both physically and emotionally, which isn’t something either of them expected.
Anya is prepared to keep Justin locked away forever if that’s what it takes to break him, but Justin knows that eventually, his brothers will come looking for him. He just hopes it won’t take them too long.       AmazonKU

TROLL THE YULETIDE CAROL (BIRCH HEARTS) by Elva Birch

VS Note: A re-release.

It’s the most magical time of year…but Carol isn’t magical at all. Carol is feeling anything but holiday cheer. Dangerously low of blood sugar and high on frustration, the final straw at Carol’s office party comes when she realizes that someone has stolen her custom chair…and he’s still in it. Unexpectedly becoming a troll comes with a lot of downsides, and Keenan’s teeth aren’t the only thing that get supersized. When the woman he borrowed a chair from to fit him comes looking for it, sparks fly!   AmazonKU

TALES OF WINTER AND WHIMSY: A COZY FANTASY ANTHOLOGY by Various

Nine fantasy and romantasy authors. Nine delightfully cozy tales. This enchanting collection of short stories will have you traveling through snow-covered landscapes, winter solstice balls, small town universities, seaside cottages, and time itself. From a grumpy blacksmith and a chicken cult to a budding romance in the most unlikely of places and everything in between. Each tale offers low stakes, varying spice levels, and whimsical winter worlds that are sure to fill your soul with joy. So pour yourself a warm brew, wrap up in a cozy blanket, and step into these ten wintery, whimsical tales.       Amazon

KIRKYARDS AND KINDNESS: A RIP THROUGH TIME NOVELLA by Kelley Armstrong

A year ago, twenty-first-century detective Mallory found herself in 1869 Edinburgh, in the body of Catriona Mitchell, a housemaid working for Dr. Duncan Gray, pioneer in forensic science. Shortly after she arrived, she made the unfortunate acquaintence of Catriona’s former criminal mentor, Davina, an entanglement that nearly got Mallory killed. Now she’s about to meet Davina again. Greyfriars Bobby has disappeared. The little terrier is already a legend, and Davina has made a tidy living showing him off on graveyard tours…while picking the pockets of her guests. When the elderly dog vanishes, Davina calls in a favor from her old student. Mallory agrees to help find Bobby in return for the one thing she’s been unable to get from Davina—the mysterious Catriona’s life story.       Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

PEARLS BENEATH THE SEA by Sofia Rose

VS Note: Sapphic PNR.

Some hearts need winter to learn how to melt. Former Olympic skater Ruby Callahan retreats to a lakeside cabin to escape the spotlight and the noise in her own head. All she wants is silence, solitude, and the cold comfort of a frozen lake. But the ice isn’t empty. Beneath it waits Eira, a siren bound to the water she guards, her song full of longing and light. When she saves Ruby from drowning, curiosity turns to connection, and then to something far deeper. As the snow falls and the ice begins to thaw, Ruby and Eira find warmth in shared stillness, in touch, in breath, in trust. Their love hums like a heartbeat under water—a song of surrender, rebirth, and choosing feeling over fear.   AmazonKU

CAUGHT BY HER GUARDIAN (YULETIDE SHIFTERS BOOK SIX) by R E Butler

Tooth Fairy Pixie is sent to a new territory in Pennsylvania when her boss calls in a favor. On her nightly rounds of collecting teeth from little sleepers, Pixie’s quiet mission goes awry when she accidentally falls out of a window, only to land in the strong arms of a polar bear named Hunter. Hunter was with his clan for a celebration and thought someone was breaking into one of the homes. He quickly discovers the would-be thief is a tooth fairy—and also his truemate. While Hunter and Pixie explore their newfound bond, trouble brews in Northernmost. Santa has enlisted a secret ally to prepare for a confrontation with his brother, Jack Frost. When Frost’s second-in-command strikes at the heart of Santa’s operation, it’s up to Hunter and the Yuletide Guardians to step in and save the day. As magic and romance collide, can Hunter and Pixie stop Frost’s plans and protect the world’s magic, or will all be lost on Christmas Day?

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UNRAVELING MAGICAL MYSTERIES (MIDLIFE WITCHERY BOOK 22) by Brenda Trim

Just when Fiona, Violet, and Aislinn thought they’d earned a damn break, Artemis crashes their victory dinner with catastrophic news: Olympus is under attack, gods are dropping like flies, and—surprise!—only they can save divine butts from extinction. Goodbye, overdue peaceful evening. Hello, next world-ending crisis. Whisked away to Mount Olympus without so much as a toothbrush, the three magical misfits discover someone’s treating gods like magical juice boxes—draining their divine essence and leaving them to fade into oblivion. And the culprit has been using Artemis’s own lodge as their villain headquarters. Talk about a hostile takeover. With their complementary abilities working overtime, the witchy wonder triplets will navigate godly politics (think high school drama but with lightning bolts), infiltrate secret training facilities for god-impersonators, and uncover a conspiracy led by Callisto—Artemis’s scorned ex-companion with serious boundary issues and a flair for divine theft. Their investigation takes them from Olympic chambers to sketchy Athens clubs offering “godly experiences” to mortals with more money than sense, and finally back to Cottlehill Wilds, where the Hellmouth is once again center stage for magical mayhem. Between saving weakened deities, protecting their families, and figuring out what the hell a “divine ascension ritual” actually entails (spoiler alert: it’s not a relaxing spa day), the Backside of Forty faces their most ridiculous challenge yet. Because nothing says “thanks for saving reality last week” like being drafted into a divine civil war. At least no one’s trying to steal their brains this time. Progress!      AmazonKU

HOW THE DEMON STOLE CHRISTMAS (SHROUDED NATION BOOK 33) by Brenda Trim and Tia Didmon

When a demon with an unnatural hatred for tinsel and an insatiable thirst for revenge escapes the underworld, my friends and I are called in to hunt him down before he can wreak havoc. But as the bodies keep dropping in gruesome and ritualistic ways, it becomes clear that his arrival isn’t just a random jailbreak. Something or someone helped him cross into our world, and the deeper we dig, the more it feels like we’re being played. When I think I can juggle the hunt and the chaos that comes with it, my son shows up for a visit. It’s supposed to be a chance to pretend, just for a little while, that I have a normal life. But the demon strikes too close to home, and in the aftermath, I am forced to confront not only the trauma of my past but the gaping wound left by the husband I lost. Dark forces are at play, ones that don’t just want chaos but need it. And if we don’t figure out their true motives, the Christmas Village will become a massacre site. Can we uncover our enemies’ true agenda before the streets run red with holiday cheer, or are we one holiday away from annihilation?   AmazonKU

MY ORC MISTLETOE MISTAKE (EASTSHORE ISLE BOOK 13) by Veronika Kane

A New Year’s Eve wedding! How romantic! Now I just need to make it to the 31st…After losing both my boyfriend and the company we co-owned on the west coast, I figure a little escape to Eastshore Isle–and planning my little sister’s wedding to a freaking billionaire–will be just the distraction I need. Of course, my little chaos demon self doesn’t need any help in the distraction departm–oh look! A squirrel! But it turns out I’m not the only one planning this wedding…the groom’s incredibly competent, unbelievable schmexy assistant has been tasked with making sure the ceremony reflects orcish customs as well. And I find myself partnered up with a guy I need to treat professionally, instead of jumping his bones. It’s hard, okay? (Imagine me winking.) And then, in the name of advancing human-orc relations, I take part in an adorable holiday tradition where I accidentally make out with Sylvik beneath the mistletoe…and everything changes. I just don’t know if it’s for better or worse.     AmazonKU

CHOKE ON MY NAME by Lily X

VS Note: Sapphic PNR.

A vampyre with a vendetta. A wytch with everything to lose. Teaming up was never the goal, but falling in love? Even less so. Maia Rani Darsha has always known that Coven Layng would be hers to lead one day. Is she the best person for the job? No, but she’s the only one left. She thinks her position is secure until the High Coven intervenes with a new plan and a new leader for her ancestral coven. Their decree is simple: leave or engage in a Trial of Ascension for the right to lead. Enter Raven—a vengeful vampyre who doesn’t think twice about staking her own mother through the heart. She’s unhinged, unpredictable, and a walking red flag. The dark shadow vamp has something Maia needs—a powerful wytch contact who can help her train for the Trial. Their deal is simple: Raven’s contact for Maia’s blood. No strings, and definitely no emotions. But Maia soon discovers that some deals are inked in more than blood… Some are tattooed straight onto the heart.     AmazonKU

A GHOST OF A CHANCE by Linda Mooney

Sometimes you need a little help…from the other side. After being permanently injured on the job, Crime Scene Investigator Victoria Fanning was forced into an early retirement. When her twin brother is promoted to chief of police back in their hometown, he wants her on his team, regardless of her handicap. She agrees to go on retainer for two weeks, but she doesn’t realize how much she missed the job, and her brother, until she gets there. The previous investigator, Jackson Mullen, was killed on the job, but Vic is impressed by the lab he set up and his reputation. Imagine her surprise when Jackson appears to her and offers his two cents on her thoughts. Despite the fact that he’s a ghost, she’s not afraid. Quite the opposite, actually. They realize they have a lot in common, similar ideals and purpose, and Vic enjoys having Jack’s help on her first case, an elderly woman shot with a Revolutionary era weapon. But is she getting too close to Jack? Too reliant? She realizes that she has a tough decision to make. If she’s to have any kind of personal life, any type of future, Jack can’t be a part of it. That decision is soon taken out of her hands.      Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo

SNAKE-EATER by T Kingfisher

VS Note: Described as “contemporary fantasy steeped in horror” by one reviewer.

With only a few dollars to her name and her beloved dog Copper by her side, Selena flees her past in the city to claim her late aunt’s house in the desert town of Quartz Creek. The scorpions and spiders are better than what she left behind. Because in Quartz Creek, there’s a strange beauty to everything, from the landscape to new friends, and more blue sky than Selena’s ever seen. But something lurks beneath the surface. Like the desert gods and spirits lingering outside Selena’s house at night, keeping watch. Mostly benevolent, says her neighbor Grandma Billy. That doesn’t ease the prickly sense that one of them watches too closely and wants something from Selena she can’t begin to imagine. And when Selena’s search for answers leads her to journal entries that her aunt left behind, she discovers a sinister truth about her new home: It’s the haunting grounds of an ancient god known simply as “Snake-Eater,” who her late aunt made a promise to that remains unfulfilled. Snake-Eater has taken a liking to Selena, an obsession of sorts that turns sinister. And now that Selena is the new owner of his home, he’s hell-bent on collecting everything he’s owed.         Amazon     AB 

BLUE BEARD, RED HOOD (BELOVED VILLAINS BOOK SIX) by Rebecca F Kenney

Sybil Fallon has a habit of summoning demons unintentionally and at the most inconvenient times. When she, her mother, and her sister are invited to an upcoming dinner at the estate of the mysterious Theron Beresford, Sybil is desperate to ensure that her ability won’t manifest and ruin the evening. But when she seeks help from her reclusive former mentor, Grandmother Riquet, she discovers that the old woman has changed in dangerous and disturbing ways… and so has the forest in which she lives. As Sybil struggles to control an ability she doesn’t understand, she becomes strongly attracted to Beresford, the brawny, handsome estate owner. His distinctive blue beard isn’t his only unusual trait. In addition to socially acceptable dinner parties, he also likes to host secret gatherings in the refurbished barn on his property. Sybil’s first invitation to one of his naughty midnight parties opens her mind to a world of new pleasures. But with local disappearances inciting the suspicion of the neighbors, and Beresford’s secretive nature raising questions in her own mind, Sybil must navigate an increasingly treacherous path through the forest of her circumstances in pursuit of the future she wants.      AmazonKU

TASTY TENTACLES (TINSEL AND TENTACLES 3.0) by David Gray

VS note: MM PNR.

For all his life, Orion has kept his furry tentacles hidden, even though they’re hanging there, right on his chin, masquerading as a beard. This year, he’s had enough of being a fuzzy Cthulhu freak, and as a gift to himself, he’s made a resolution to do something about them. Now, his plastic surgeon and the flirty owner of his favorite bakery have the holiday season to talk him out of it and together explore the tasty enticements those tentacles have to offer. Tasty Tentacles is a rather spicy gay romance with polyamory, a happy ending, and lots of holiday cheer.     AmazonKU

THANE’S DEMON: PRINCES OF AFTERLIFE by Stephanie Hudson

I didn’t want this. I didn’t ask for this life. But more than anything, I didn’t ask for this…Demon. The bane of my existence. Of course, I had tried to beat him into submission. To calm the raging need to constantly control me. I had tried it all. The only thing to work…to consume the essence of misery. To feed from the degenerate souls this city had to offer. So, I lived amongst the worst of the worst. A buffet of sinful mortals to appease the darkness inside me. That was…until there was light. A mortal so pure that her soul blinded me. I wanted to hate her. I wanted to break her. I wanted to consume her. But most of all…My demon wanted to claim her.      AmazonKU

QUEEN OF FLAMES (KINGDOM OF SHADOW AND RUIN BOOK FOUR) by Alaya Wells

In a kingdom of shadows and ruin, I dared to love a cursed king. We’ve come to Irridain Court in disguise, clinging to a final thread of hope: a talisman that can break the curse before it kills Lore. Without it, he dies. No more stolen nights. No more whispered vows. No more us. The talisman dangles from the princess’s throat like a challenge. To claim it, we must outwit ruthless fae in games where beauty is a blade, truth is twisted, and losing means more than defeat. It means death. As rivals circle and secrets unravel, Lore burns brighter and darker by the hour. I see it in his eyes. The fear he won’t speak of. The hunger he barely hides. The curse is tightening, and we have only five days left before it kills him. I didn’t defy the fates, survive a labyrinth, plus battle a mad wizard to lose him now. He’s my only ever after. I’ll burn the world to ashes to save him.      AmazonKU

WARPED WORLD (PACK OF OUTCASTS BOOK THREE) by Eva Chase

One city drenched in shadow. Too many enemies to count. Can sunshine and sweetness win the day for good? I’ve faced a lot of challenges with my new mates, but nothing on the scale of a massive rift belching toxic shadows all over a city. It seems the monstrous realm we came from is feeling left out—and it’s determined to take a piece of the mortal world for itself. My power may be the only thing that can put a dent in the darkness, but it’s a very small dent. And it’s awfully hard to get even that much done when we’ve got refugee humans to wrangle, trigger-happy soldiers to dodge, and a whole horde of hunters eager to show off their shadow-slaughtering skills. With the catastrophe stirring up the worst of my men’s past traumas, can we find our way through the dark together? Or is this one mess too big for even the shiniest of monsters?       AmazonKU

MOONBEAMS AND MISTLETOE: MM MPREG SHIFTER ROMANCE (DOUBLE BOOKED FOR THE HOLIDAYS) by Colbie Dunbar

Witness protection was supposed to keep him safe, not steal his heart. Human omega Indigo expects a safe house while waiting to testify against his boss, not a luxury mountain lodge, or Riven, an attractive security liaison who makes his pulse race. Indigo is unaware the lodge is home to a wolf shifter pack, that Riven is the future Alpha, or the moment they met, Riven recognizes him as his fated mate. As Christmas approaches, Riven struggles to reveal the truth. But when Indigo accidentally witnesses a full moon run on Christmas Eve, he’s confused and he flees. Now Riven has to show his mate that their bond is unbreakable and Indigo must choose whether to trust his heart or his fear.      AmazonKU

KINGDOM OF TODAY (BOOK OF ARDEN 2) by Gena Showalter

When Arden Roosa returns to Fort Bala Royal Academy, nothing is as it was. No longer just a lady-in-training, she’s now the infamous girlfriend of High Prince Cyrus Dolion—and the woman who brought down a king. Her reward? Round-the-clock guards and the attention of a royal executioner with secrets. But Arden has secrets too. As a double agent slipping between worlds to decode forbidden prophecy, she knows what’s coming. Sleeping gods are stirring, and a war igniting. With only a spark, everyone will burn. But nothing goes according to plan. Grueling trials consume her days, and dangerous questions stalk her nights. Worse, Cyrus—the fierce, unshakable warrior she might love—is unraveling, losing pieces of himself, becoming a stranger right before her eyes. Desperate to save him, Arden strikes a life-altering alliance…and everything spirals. Now the gods are no longer dreaming. They’re hunting. Time is running out, the end closer than anyone dares to admit. Unless Arden can stop what’s coming, Cyrus will open the door to true evil—and she’ll lose him forever.       AmazonKU       AB

A WITCH FOR MR BELL (WITCHES OF CHRISTMAS GOVE BOOK SEVEN) by Deanna Chase

Earth witch Felicity Hill is fiercely independent and isn’t interested in romance. She likes a fun date, but when it comes to commitment, forget it. Her parents’ broken marriage ruined that for her when she was just a kid. But what she is interested in, is saving her family land from being sold to the highest bidder. And this Christmas she’ll so whatever it takes to make sure that no part of the original Hill family property is turned into high density condos… even if it means working with the one man who makes her want things she shouldn’t. Jackson Bell used to be a high-powered businessman. But these days, he’s only interested in the slower paced lifestyle he’s found in the enchanted small town of Christmas Grove… and the feisty woman, Felicity Hill, who owns the Apples and Spice and Everything Nice farm. If he had his way, he’d have already put a ring on it. Unfortunately, she’s not interested in forever. But when Jackson’s visited by Felicity’s grandmother with a message to help her save the family land, she also gives him an idea of how to win Felicity’s heart. This Christmas, Jackson is pulling out all the stops to help the woman he loves and maybe, just maybe, get the happily-ever-after they both deserve.      AmazonKU

THE GHOST AND CHRISTMAS MAGIC (HAUNTING DANIELLE BOOK 37) by Bobbi Holmes

It’s Christmastime in Frederickport, and the twins and Emily Ann’s first Christmas. What magic is in store for the mediums of Beach Drive? It will be a Christmas they won’t forget. And neither will the rest of Frederickport.    Amazon     AB       Apple Books      Kobo

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REINDEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS: MM MPREG SHIFTER ROMANCE by Lorllae M Hart and Colbie Dunbar

Sometimes you ask Santa for one thing and get so much more…I’d rather go to the dentist than to my work Christmas party. I’m not a Scrooge who hates the holidays or anything like that. But I’ve been to everyone in my ten years with my company and they all end up the same way. Someone drinks too much, and I, as HR, get stuck dealing with it. There’s zero fun in that. As messed up as it is, when I hit a patch of ice to avoid hitting a kitten and end up in a ditch, my first thought is: Good. Now I can skip the festivities. Best Christmas present ever. Only my joy fades away when my phone shows no reception, my leg feels like it’s on fire, and the little kitten is trembling in my arms. I have two choices: Stay on the side of the road and hope someone passes by and is willing to help or walk through the woods toward what appears to be Christmas lights in the distance. When a reindeer walks in front of me and toward the lights, I take that as a sign I should do the same.       AmazonKU

APOCALYPSE WITCH (DEMON WITCH BOOK FIVE) by Kat Simons
The Apocalypse Witch… A disaster? A warning? Or a destiny…With this new cursed power dangling a knife over her head and pinning a target to her back, witch Angie Jordan faces one last trial to find answers. Before the dark magic kills her. A journey that tests her control. Strains her bond with Sebastian. And reveals secrets that could devastate her realm. A quest that pits her and Sebastian against an enemy unlike anything they’ve encountered before. As demons hunt them, and the dangers expand with every step, Angie’s powers grow more erratic. Uncertain who to trust, time becomes their enemy. Because if they fail, no one will be safe. From the demons. Or from Angie.
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THE OMEGA: MATING SEASON: SEASON EIGHT by Heather K Carson
Returning to Mating Season was supposed to be a blessing, especially for an Omega in my position. I’ve always been drawn to powerful Alphas and the show has plenty to offer. Last season, the pickings were slim. I should be overjoyed to be here again. But that was before I ran into them. Sinfully handsome. Sworn enemies. Territorial leaders who’d rather kill each other than find a Luna. And according to my wolf: Both are my fated mates.      AmazonKU
CHRISTMAS HART (VAKTARE F ALL REALMS BOOK FOUR) by Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel
Shira Hart’s first Christmas with her newfound family was supposed to be all gingerbread houses and carolers who could actually carry a tune. Instead, Shira Hart finds the Tro Fidem’s holiday traditions spiraling into chaos: the Guardian lion humping the Christmas tree, her cat divorcing her, Skids being forced into playing a tipsy St. Nicholas, and the church’s annual Christmas Eve nativity pageant running amok thanks to her fiancé’s ex-girlfriend’s portrayal of the Virgin Mary. When Rex reveals that he’s never experienced a true Christmas before, Shira is dragged into a holiday adventure involving questionable fruitcake, a wedding dress that no one wants to wear, and more awkward ex-girlfriend turned pregnant armadillo encounters than should be legally allowed.     Amazon
A VERY DENARIUS CHRISTMAS (PRIMORDIAL PROTECTORS) by TL Travis and Layla Dorine
VS Note: LGBTQ Fantasy.
t’s time for A Very Denarius Holiday! The brothers haven’t celebrated in centuries but this year they have four reasons to – Griffin, Luna, and twins Kane & Hunter. Ionus and Alex’s home is full of mischief and love. Four wild dragonettes, add in a silly Uncle Odem and it’s anyone’s guess what’ll happen next. Join us for their first Christmas and celebrate the new lives and mates that have brought so much joy to the Denarius brothers’ lives.      AmazonKU
UNACCOMMODATING LOVE  (MAGIC AND HEARTACHE BOOK THREE) by E L Roux
Yin has always lived by her heart — literally. As an empath, she feels the world too deeply, channeling emotion into every dish she serves at Internal Flame, her restaurant built on hope, spice, and a touch of her soul. But when her gift begins to unravel, so does the balance she’s fought to maintain. Her first pillar, Stephan — a charming tailor with a guarded heart and a voice like honey — once promised forever. Now his fear of sharing that love threatens to break them apart. Enter Quinn, her second pillar: a grounded, enigmatic Troll whose quiet strength and wry smile spark a connection Yin never expected, and can’t ignore. Bound by magic, drawn by desire, the three must learn to trust not just their hearts but each other — before the empathic energy that connects them all dissolves. Torn between passion and purpose, Unaccommodating Love is a lush contemporary fantasy romance about the risk of loving deeply, the beauty of chosen family, and the courage it takes to make room for every part of your heart.
LONGING FOR THE MINOTAUR (INDECENT MONSTERS) by Lyonne Riley

Valentina has always had a complicated relationship with Banon, the son of the minotaur woman her father married. He’s drop dead gorgeous, full of himself, and football runs in his blood. Even though he was instrumental in the misery and bullying that were her high school years, Val has always held a torch for him. Now in college, she thinks she’s finally moved on from her childhood crush. Though he tries to hide it, Banon has hungered after Valentina for too long. She’s consumed his every thought for years, even as he put distance between them. When the dam breaks over the holidays and the truth emerges, will Banon and Valentina’s burning cravings finally erupt into a fire? This is a short, steamy holiday-themed monster romance novella about one nerdy goth girl and a football-playing minotaur. Secrets will be spilled and even more secrets kept, leading to an adorable HEA.     AmazonKU

HOLIDAY HONEY FOR THE BADGER: UNCLE UZZI’S DATE TO MATE by C D Gorri

This holiday season, even the grouchiest Badger deserves a mate…Ebenezer Rogers is a Badger with a plan—work, work, and more work. As the prickly CEO of Rogers & Reed, he’s brilliant in business but hopeless when it comes to people. Parties? He avoids them. Dating? Not a chance. If it weren’t for his younger brother and business partner, he’d be holed up in his office forever. But when that same meddling brother signs him up for Uncle Uzzi’s infamous Date to Mate app—and a mandatory holiday gala—Eb finds himself in over his furry head. Enter his holiday honey. Marigold Santos is curvy, sparkling-eyed, full of wit, and absolutely not what Eb expected. Irresistible? Definitely. Trouble for a grumpy, solitary Badger who swore off romance? Without question. Now Eb has to decide if one unexpected date is enough to melt his icy heart. But will his holiday match say yes when this bothersome Badger finally asks her to be his—for keeps?

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LOVE IS MAGIC: MM HOLIDAY GIFT ANTHOLOGY by Various

Fifteen authors, fifteen chances to fall in love this holiday season…In this enchanting, out-of-this-world MM paranormal and urban fantasy collection, you’ll find unexpected demons, gallant vampires, pining alphas, shifty ravens, magic galore, and so much more, with a satisfying happy ending to every love story.      AmazonKU

DIVINATION AND DECEIT (A CRONES OF A FEATHER PARANORMAL COZY MYSTERY BOOK TWO) by Beth Dolgner

There’s a sudden vacancy on the Foxfire Haven City Council when Fortie Fortenbacher is found dead in the park. Euphoria Lachlan, the mayor of Foxfire Haven and Hazel Underwood’s high-school bully, is wasting no time finding a replacement. Did Euphoria permanently remove Fortie from the council? Hazel claims she’s not trying to solve the murder, but she keeps stumbling onto clues as she drives her vintage hearse from one delivery job to the next. A Bigfoot with surprising insight, a witch who sees the future in frozen peas, and a shifter eager to pick up where Fortie left off will all help point Hazel toward the killer. While Hazel tries to navigate the political infighting in a magical small town, she and her coven are also eager to find out if the fates foreseen for them will come true. And will Hazel and Chief Constable Hightower ever learn to get along?       AmazonKU

THE GRAIL AND GLORY (ONCE AND FUTURE HEARTS BOOK 11) by Tracey Cooper-Posey

Deryn of Calleva flees her ruined home, betrayed by her own kin and pursued by Saxons. With nothing left but her wits and her will to survive, she seeks shelter in Arthur’s court—a place where loyalties shift like the wind and every ally may yet prove false. Cadfael of Dunoding, eldest son of his house and sworn to Arthur’s service, is being shaped into the next war duke. Fiercely loyal to his king, he struggles to hold fast to honor while Britain fractures around him. Yet the wary, sharp-eyed woman from his past awakens a bond he cannot deny. Together, Deryn and Cadfael must navigate treachery within Camelot and the relentless threat beyond its walls. When Arthur’s fighting men are called to their greatest trial, their choices will decide not only their hearts, but the fate of a kingdom.    Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo 

CHRISTMAS PAST (THE WITCHES OF MINGUS MOUNTAIN BOOK SIX) by Christine Pope

Time travel is tricky…especially when there’s a wedding in your future. Devynn Rowe and Seth McAllister have found their happily ever after in the 21st century, but as their Christmas wedding approaches, Seth can’t shake his melancholy. When he vanished from 1926, his parents were left believing their son had died in a mining accident. The guilt is eating him alive. Devynn has a crazy idea: what if they could go back to 1926 and give Seth’s family the Christmas gift of knowing he’s alive and well? Her time-traveling magic has been unpredictable at best, but she’s been secretly practicing. How hard could one little trip to the past be? Famous last words. When Devynn’s magic goes haywire, they find themselves ping-ponging through the decades, landing everywhere except where — and when — they’re supposed to be. Stranded in the wrong timeline with a wedding to get back to, they’ll need help from an old friend and a new understanding of what “home” really means. After all, the greatest magic isn’t about controlling time — it’s about choosing who you want to spend it with.       Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE (HAUNTED SOULS BOOK 26) by Pandora Pine

Do you believe in Christmas miracles? With only days to go until Jolly Old St. Nick’s arrival, Detective Jude Byrne trips over his Christmas spirit and takes a bad tumble down the stairs. After being rushed to the hospital, he’s admitted into the intensive care unit and put into a medically induced coma to give his injured body time to heal. Psychic Copeland Forbes is beside himself. Not only hadn’t he seen Jude’s accident coming, but he froze when his husband needed him most. Before Jude is taken out of their home on a stretcher, Cope begs his badly injured husband to get well, musing aloud that he wouldn’t know how to carry on without Jude by his side. Ten, Ronan, and the rest of their friends rally around Jude and Cope, all the while hoping for a Christmas miracle. Meanwhile, Jude is experiencing a fever dream, giving him an up close and personal look at his life and the difference he’s made to those who love him most. Will Cope get his Christmas wish and have his husband returned to his side, or will Jude be lost forever as a ghost of Christmas past?       AmazonKU

RUINS OF KNOWLEDGE (THE EGYPTIAN EMPIRE) by Laura Greenwood

Tali is determined to gain the attention of the gods. As a Priestess of Thoth, Tali is determined to prove her worth and gain the highest honour she can get from the temple as a result, but that involves working harder than she ever has before. When an opportunity arises for her to head to some ancient ruins, she seizes her chance of making a difference and gaining the approval of the god of wisdom. Little does she know that history isn’t going to be the only thing she finds there, and she soon finds herself drawn to a handsome builder priest with an appreciation for the history she’s teaching him. Does Tali have what it takes to unravel the secrets of the ruins around her? Ruins of Knowledge is a standalone set in the Egyptian Empire series. It is an urban fantasy set in an alternative world where the Egyptian Empire never fell. It includes an archaeological dig, a history nerd, and a m/f romance.      Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo

HEX EDUCATION (SUPERNATURAL SPEAKEASY COZY MYSTERY BOOK 19) by Lily Harper Hart

Mardi Gras is in full swing, which means the French Quarter is bustling with activity and overflowing with people. Ofelia Archer has her hands full and doesn’t need anything extra on her plate. Then the unthinkable happens. When two people seek her out, tell her trouble is coming for her, and then kill themselves, she’s thrown. What could have caused this? Magic is obviously involved, but who is wielding it? More importantly, why are they attacking now? All clues lead to an effervescent preacher in Jackson Square. She has people following her every word … and she seems to have an agenda. She also has a past in the city that goes back hundreds of years. Who is she? What does she want? And why is Pascal, Ofelia’s favorite vampire, on top of the woman’s hit list? Pascal has information, but he wants to handle the problem on his own. Ofelia isn’t keen to let that happen. He might be strong but this is the sort of magic that can destroy anyting and everyone. The clock is ticking. People are dying. Can Ofelia save Mardi Gras, or will the city fall into the sort of darkness that it can never emerge from? Strap in, because this ride is about to get deadly.      AmazonKU

KISSING MY GRUMPY TROLL BOSS (GRUMPY MONSTER BOSSES) by Ami Wright

All I want for Christmas is a kiss with my grumpy troll boss! I’ve been daydreaming about Mr. Kvalt ever since I started working for him. But as a gorgon, with badly-behaved snakes for hair and a gaze that can turn anyone to stone, romance isn’t on the cards for me. Until we step under the mistletoe at a work party and it feels like all my Christmases have come at once! I wish I’d let my hair down sooner, because my grumpy troll boss turns out to be a huge teddy bear beneath his stoney skin. And the best part is he’s immune to my curse. Now we just have to find a way to overcome his.   AmazonKU

BREAKNECK (DRAGONS OF ARDAINE BOOK FOUR) by Roe Horvat

When two alpha dragons fall, everything burns—especially the rules keeping them apart. Terrance – I have a spotless record—years in private security and zero screwups—until I’m hired to protect
As a wildly popular actor and stuntman, Lothair is used to hiding his dragon-shifter skills in plain sight. But he’s also arrogant, treats danger as foreplay, and can’t keep it in his pants for more than five minutes. To him, I’m just a shiny new toy. And no, I’m not attracted to my obnoxious client from hell. That would be inappropriate and unprofessional. Besides, we’re both alphas, so… no. Absolutely not. Except Lothair has decided to test my limits in every possible way. Lothair – I don’t want a babysitter. Wherever I go, am the most dangerous thing in the room. But as my career takes off, my unsuspecting human manager hires a bodyguard to shield me from random weirdos and overeager fans. Lucky for me, Terry is another dragon, adorably straitlaced and just stuck-up enough for me to push his buttons. Turns out, making him unravel might be the best stunt I’ve ever pulled.   AmazonKU

THE WIDOW KISS (CURSE BREAKER WITCHES BOOK THREE) by Claire Robyns

Three dead husbands. Three mysterious deaths. One very wealthy widow. Beatrice Finch has terrible luck with husbands: they keep ending up dead. The latest is Alistair Finch, found dead in his study. No struggle, no poison, just instant rigor mortis and a face frozen in shock. Beatrice has now buried three husbands, inheriting fortunes each time. With Maddie Crow on the case and botanical witch Lily Teake uncovering magical twists at every turn, they must determine whether it’s atrociously bad karma or good planning. But the deeper they dig, the more complicated the family dynamics become. There’s the resentful stepchild, the desperate nephew, and enough old grudges to fuel a dozen revenge plots. The investigation leads through elegant estates, family secrets, and a glittering masquerade ball where everyone wears masks—literally and figuratively. As the magical evidence mounts even higher than Detective Ross Hamilton’s scepticism, Maddie must untangle the threads of what might be the deadliest curse and the perfect crime. Because when “till death do us part” happens suspiciously often, it’s time to call a curse breaker. Welcome back to Stratford-upon-Avon, where marriage can be murder and nothing is quite what it seems.     AmazonKU

DECKED BY THE GRUMPY GOLEM (MONSTERS OF SALTFORM BAY) by Mary Auclair

Deck the halls? More like decked by my grumpy golem ex! I’m snowed in for Christmas with the man who broke my heart years ago. What could possibly go right? I’m a bestselling author dealing with a terminal case of writer’s block. With my editor threatening to drop me and my deadline blown to smithereens, I’m hiding out in Saltford Bay for the holidays, pretending my life isn’t falling apart. The last thing I need is to fall for Gideon Flintman and his six-foot-eight frame of carved granite and brooding silence all over again. You’d think I’d learned my lesson when he disappeared from my life without explanation the morning after prom. You’d be wrong. When a blizzard traps us together, the heat between us burns hotter than his golem fire. Every kiss threatens to melt my resolve, and every touch reminds me why I fell so hard the first time. Now I have to choose: return to my safe, lonely life, or risk everything on the man who taught me that some heartbreaks never heal. This Christmas, can a grumpy golem and a sunshine mess rewrite the ending?      AmazonKU

MECH AND MAGIC (THE KNACK BOOK TWO) by KimMcDougall

Magic runs the machines. Secrets run the city. And Squad 54 stands between order and chaos. Conall thought he’d buried the past with his brother. But when a cryptic summons surfaces—tied to a long-vanished village and a wolf who should be dead—he’s forced to retrace the path of the disbanded Squad 54. What he finds in the shadows could unravel not only their fate, but the fragile balance between elf and human kind. Back in New Torwood City, Princess Rowan Andula is done playing the figurehead. With a seat on the ruling council, she’s ready to fight for her family’s legacy—until the city’s giant mech guardian begins to fail. Talos isn’t just a machine. He’s the heart of the city. His collapse could bring down everything her ancestors fought to preserve. As enemies close in and new treacheries are revealed, Conall and Rowan must face the same question: How far will you go to protect what you love?       AmazonKU

THE WILDS AND THE WEEDS by Ally North

VS note: Lesbian Gothic.

On a hot summer’s day in 1975, young heiresses Willow and Ivy Wilde vanish while playing by a pond on the Stonehold estate, never to be seen again. Now, fifty years later, Stonehold is again abuzz, this time in preparation for the homecoming of Summer Wilde and Brody Weston, whose upcoming wedding is all anyone in Echo, Washington can talk about. Nobody knows that Summer doesn’t want to marry Brody. That she doesn’t want to inherit Stonehold and be tethered to the unshakable darkness that clings to the halls and grounds like cobwebs. Nobody knows because Summer doesn’t have a choice—she has to marry Brody, and she’s long made peace with her fate. That is, until she sees Ford Flores—third-generation groundskeeper at Stonehold—for the first time in fifteen years. Ford is everything Brody isn’t; she’s self-sufficient, quick-witted, effortlessly kind, covered in tattoos, and a woman. And the last time Summer saw her, she’d kissed her—impulsive and electrifying—then she’d ran away like a coward. Summer Wilde is done being a coward. But it’s hard to take charge of your future in a place like Echo, where the past looms thick as the mountain mist tumbling down the white-tipped Cascades. From ghostly apparitions to secret rooms with mysterious paintings and an old sketchbook with a mind-blowing revelation scribbled inside, Summer begins to realize that if she wants to move forward, she’ll have to put Stonehold’s past to rest—starting with the unsolved disappearance of Willow and Ivy.      AmazonKU

CHANGE THE PLAN: A VAN AND ELLIE STORY (LOST MOON UNRAVELLING MONSTERS UNIVERSE) by Allegra Hall

Celebrating their second wedding anniversary with a night out under the full moon sounds like a perfect plan for fae witch Ellie and Van, her hybrid werewolf/wolf shifter husband. They already do something similar every month… a little running here, a little outdoor fun there… so what could possibly go wrong? But fae magic is unpredictable, particularly for someone still learning how to use her powers. When the night doesn’t go according to plan, Van and Ellie are confronted with the reality that they need to have some serious conversations about the future. For alpha Van, with the needs of his pack to balance and an intergenerational curse hanging over his head, making these decisions isn’t easy. After all, is there ever a right time to have a baby?      AmazonKU

CHANGELINGS (MONSTROUS WORLD) by S E Wendel

Nothing has gone as it should…Balar led his band of five brothers from the warring savannahs in the south to the human land of Eirea on the promise of two things: safety and mates. In the growing village outside the human city of Dundúran, they’ve found the first. Yet, year after year, Balar watches as others find their destined mate, but never he nor any of his brothers. What could an orc or fae have that he, Balar, a manticore in his prime, does not? Everything is starting to go wrong…Imogen is a woman alone, and she likes it that way. Burdened with a large red birthmark upon her face, she’s kept herself apart from others. With just her dog, donkey, and goats, she’s built a good life for herself out in the wilds beyond the village. Everything is just as it should be—until one morning, she finds a big manticore sleeping on her land. Life can change on a whim of fate…Imogen doesn’t like people. Or visitors. And especially not suitors. Too bad for her, this overgrown housecat has decided she’s his mate, no matter what she says. Balar hasn’t come this far, talked to this many women, and waited this long to be denied. He’ll have his mate, prickles and all. Now, just to convince her. And keep his nosy brothers in line long enough to woo her.      Amazon

HOW NOT TO WOO YOUR HUMAN WARRIOR by Laura Winter

Kalypso has a long list of things to be angry about, starting and ending with a spiky purple demon who reluctantly rescued her and five other women from the Dreadmoor. Trapped in the demon realm, Ozirax is the final barrier standing between her and her sister, so she’ll play nice for now. The only issue is… she’s never been nice, and when she drives away the one person she’s dedicated her life to, Kalypso is left without a purpose. Until she finds a demon warrior whose simmering anger calls to her own. On the cusp of promotion in the demon guard, it must be a cruel joke from the gods that Ozirax ends up saddled with the rage-filled human woman. Kalypso is stubborn, vicious, and unafraid—the kind of distraction he doesn’t need—but she holds the key to his rise in rank. Work together, keep her in line, and the captain’s position is his. But there’s a cunning mind behind the spicy human fighting him at every turn with fists and blunt teeth, and with danger lurking in the Dreadmoor, she might be the very warrior their realm needs. They’ve found their match, a mirror to the anger burning within. Kalypso has shown her colors, sharpened her defenses, but Ozirax is filling in the cracks of her broken pieces, and she’s not sure how to separate them again. Love has always been her weakness, but loving a demon? It might very well be her downfall. The world has taught them to flare their spikes, but when passion blurs the lines of fury, can they walk away with their hearts intact?     AmazonKU

TWO FOR THE GUARD: OLD MISSION COVEN VOL FOUR by B A Stretke

VS note: MM PNR. Mixed reviews.

Casey and Kyle Cork knew their stepfather, Brad, didn’t care about them, but they never imagined he—or their own mother—wanted them dead. Coerced into a “bonding” hunting trip in northern Michigan, the twins expect nothing more than boredom and bugs. But the trip is a cold-blooded setup. Drugged and abandoned in the freezing wilderness, the twins are left to succumb to the elements so their family can claim a hidden fortune. Bram Ferdinand, a two-hundred-year-old guard for the Old Mission Coven, expected a routine weekend patrol along the winery’s edge. Instead, Fate intervenes. Drawn by the irresistible scent of sweetgrass, pine, and honey, Bram discovers the twins on the verge of death. Shock turns to possessive fury when he realizes the two unconscious men are not just trespassers—they are his beloveds, his fated mates. Now, under the protection of the Coven, Casey and Kyle are recovering in the arms of a man who treats them like treasure. The connection is instant, electric, and undeniable. But their attackers are still out there, waiting for them to die. They made one fatal mistake: they crossed a vampire guard and Bram Ferdinand doesn’t leave loose ends.   Amazon

MONSTROUS HOLIDAYS: AN ORC FATED MATES ROMANCE (FATED HOLIDAYS BOOK FOUR) by Rianne Burnett

How could shopping for a vintage dress lead to finding love with a monster? Only two weeks away from Christmas, Fenix is enjoying one of her favourite things: shopping. At least, this time she’s shopping for herself instead of one of her clients. Walking through the vintage store, she finds the perfect dress. It’s like the delicate emerald ensemble was made just for her. But when she tries it on and steps out of the changing room, she steps right into a battlefield teeming with dark green monsters who tower over her. Immediately, the orcs think she’s a spy from the enemy. After all, they’ve been fighting the humans in their realm for generations. Although meeting their captain is supposed to be terrifying, fear is the last thing Fenix feels when she lays eyes on Miannas. His darkened gaze tells her that he feels the same. But rationality says they must unravel the mystery of her arrival and their attraction before exploring anything. If only fate made things so simple.   AmazonKU

HOW TO TAKE DOWN A CULT AT THE END OF THE WORLD (COZY CULT CUTIES BOOK TWO) by Rebel Carter

My name is Meadow Atlier and I was never meant to be the hero. I’m the girl that grew up brainwashed by a cult to be nothing more than a sacrifice. The girl that always tried to be perfect and was scared to step out of line for fear of being seen as different, but now? Now I’m the girl that has to save the world. Yes, bestie, the world. No one is more surprised than me by this turn of events, but here we are. I’m the world’s last hope. Well, me and the battle demon I accidentally let out of hell and married on my very first solo mission to do heroic things. Jaak is terrifying and brutal to the world—but to me he’s patient and kind. Gentle. Just the kind of husband I always wished for. Jaak is eager to prove his devotion in the form of smiting my enemies, but still trusting the battle demon proves terrifying after a life of being lied to. When all secrets are discovered, will saving the world cost me my heart?      AmazonKU

WHAM, BAM, IN A JAM (A TWO BROOMSTICKS GAS AND GRILL WITCH COZY MYSTERY BOOK 12) by Amanda M Lee

What was supposed to be a day of morel hunting turns into work for Stormy Morgan and her fiancé, Hunter Ryan, when they accidentally stumble across a body. The victim was a few years behind them in school and almost never left her home. A severe case of anxiety locked Kayley Shelton away for years, forcing her to give up her dream and leave college before graduation. She locked herself away in an isolated cabin and had almost no outside contact. Yet somebody hunted her in the woods and killed her. Who, though? Stormy and Hunter are on the case. The more they dig, the weirder the story gets. Kayley had recently joined the local wine drinking group in an effort to chase away her demons, but they don’t feel like suspects. The town loner lived not too far away but he’s hardly the friendly sort so how did they even meet? Even the old couple in those parts barely knew her. Just who was Kayley Shelton? Stormy is determined to find answers, but nothing is as it seems. The deeper she digs, the darker the story. It seems Kayley was more than she seemed. Who would want to kill her, though? More importantly, why? There’s a predator on the loose in Shadow Hills, and Kayley might not be the only victim on the menu. It’s up to Stormy to find answers … if she survives long enough to do it.    AmazonKU

MARCELLO: VITTONE’S VAMPIRES BOOK ONE by Taylor Rylan

VS Note: MM PNR.

Marcello Grassi knew he wasn’t welcome in Treasure Ridge when he was helping the council with a certain assignment, so when he scented his beloved there, he knew not to get excited about what that meant. When he discovered it was the beautiful angel who worked in the council store, he realized he would forever be without his fated beloved when he left the mountain. Abel Barnes had never known happiness until he was rescued by the paranormal council. Forever grateful for all they’ve done for him, he’s happy working at the council store, waiting until his day comes when his own protective alpha shows up to claim him. What he never expected was to be kidnapped from Timber Valley by a mysterious warlock. Marcello’s coven master meant well, but kidnapping someone from right under the council’s nose might not have been the smartest move. Abel has no issues with his mate being a vampire, but can he ever accept what it is that his new “family” represents?     AmazonKU

FROST: A MONSTROUS CHRISTMAS NOVELLA by LO Gold

Jack – I’m a monster, a beast, a creature of shadow and legend, something children are warned about while they snuggle up by the cozy fire. I am cold, frigid, lifeless death. I’m Jack Frost. Cursed to an eternity of wandering the woods, reaping the souls of worthless humans once every year, my existence is bathed in blood and isolation. Until her — my litill snær. Her presence in my woods brings light to the dead of Winter for the first time in a long time. But could she truly learn to love a beast? Elisa – I hate Christmas. All these cheery, happy, nuclear families huddled around the fire make me nauseous. It’s a time to celebrate with the ones you love. But everyone I loved died, leaving me alone. Which is why I decided to travel this year for the holidays. I thought that getting away for a while might help bring some holiday cheer back into my life. I’ve never been more wrong. Now I’m stranded half way around the world with a man I’ve never met, isolated in a snowed-in cabin. And there’s something out there, something lurking in the shadows of the woods, something watching me. Frost is a dark Christmas story featuring a monster that falls for a mortal. While the story does end with a sweet HEA, the path there is bathed in blood. Proceed with caution.      AmazonKU

THIS HOUR, OUR VIGIL (DEATH’S LADY BOOK FIVE) by Rachel Neumeier

The veil between the worlds is growing thin. At midwinter, as the old year dies and before the new year dawns, Nolas-Kuomon, Lord Death’s lady, may open that veil for anyone who asks to step from one world to the other. After all the dire peril of the past summer, no one could be surprised if Danyel or his daughter Jenna preferred to return to their own world. Taranah Berangilan-sa, the king’s aunt, would strongly prefer that both Danyel and his daughter remain in Talasayan. Indeed, everyone sensible will surely set that prayer before God as midwinter approaches. Taranah has more reason than most to hold that hope, but nor does she wish to persuade Danyel to a choice he may regret. As the long nights stretch out, everyone must face the decisions and risks midwinter brings …   AmazonKU     AB

AN EMBER IN THE DARK (ECHOES OF EMBER BOOK ONE) by Kayla Maya

In a world where gods walk among mortals and shadows whisper of forgotten truths, Crescent never wanted to be anyone’s chosen. But when she makes a desperate attempt to save her sisters life, her fate is no longer her own. When she’s forced to work with Roark, the brooding warrior with shadows stitched into his past, ancient forces begin to stir, making Crescent discover her connection to the divine isn’t just a curse-it might be the key to unmaking everything the gods have built. Crescent’s blood hums with the kind of power that gods would kill for-or kill her to keep from discovering. But gods are dying. The old ones want vengeance, and the new ones need Vessels to survive. When an ancient war reignites, she and Roark must unravel the truth behind the necklace, outwit creatures that shouldn’t exist, and face the gods who never forgot her name. Even if Crescent doesn’t remember it herself. As Crescent grapples with the growing power inside her-and the feelings she can’t name for Roark-she must choose: surrender to the darkness rising within or become the spark that defies it.  Because in the end, even embers can burn down empires.      AmazonKU

DONOVAN (VAMPIRE VOWS BOOK THREE) by Fel Fern

VS Notes: MM PNR.

Donovan was supposed to end him. Instead, he saved him. But at what cost? Donovan has loved Declan since they were kids, but Declan was always just out of reach, too fearless and too untouchable. Then Declan became something else entirely. Turned into a vampire against his will, he’s on the verge of losing himself to the hunger, and there’s only one person he trusts to stop him before it’s too late. Donovan.But when the moment comes, Donovan can’t pull the trigger. Instead, he does the one thing he swore he’d never do. He saves Declan. Now, with the Guild that trained them to be hunters on their trail and a pack of rabid vampires closing in, they’re backed into a corner with nowhere left to run. Declan isn’t the same man he was before, and neither is Donovan. The bond between them is stronger than ever, but so is the darkness clawing at Declan’s soul. Donovan refuses to let him slip away, but loving a man who was never meant to survive comes at a price. Is Declan truly saved, or has Donovan just doomed them both?     AmazonKU

HEART OF MIRROR AND ICE: WICKEDLY DANGEROUS FAIRY TALES by Carrie Weston

Trigger warnings – blood/ guts/ torture/ controlling love/ dark concept – What would have happened if the Snow Queen had never been defeated? Find out in this Wicked fairy tale re-telling – Love is power. Love is devotion. Love is obedience. Innocents destroyed in the blink of an eye a snowflake falls only this snowflake is not pure at all, it is a tiny grain of the Devils hateful mirror cast down by the bloody battle between two thieving brother imps. Cursed by the mirrors spell Miles once calm and kind is now nothing but a bitter shadow of himself whose swept away by the snow queen who anchors after the mirrors power for herself. Minions far and wide Hear my tale and hear it well For if you dare to enter my season this year You could be the next soul I take to hell Open the pages if you dare And I’ll tell you the tale Of how two star-crossed lovers made their way through my palace and straight to hell As a Queen I deserve to be worshiped If not, feared      AmazonKU

CRUEL DECEIT AND PAYBACK TREAT (OTHERWORLDLY MAGIC BOOK THREE) by Antara Mann

It’s the final battle: us versus the sorcerer. Good versus evil. And there can be only one winner. We have escaped the sorcerer’s traps and attempts to kill us, me in particular. But I have had enough. I’d rather go on that long-overdue date with Sebastian than fight that lunatic. When Lorrie has a vision that a famous local magician is tied to the sorcerer, Elaine and I must visit his show. Turns out, that magician once served as a mentor to the sorcerer. He knows his secrets and his weakness. Unfortunately, the sorcerer steps in against us again, leaving behind only the magician’s magical heart. The problem is, we don’t know how to activate it. As we begin our final race against the sorcerer, a dark secret emerges and threatens to split our team of protectors. Someone is playing a double game and actively trying to sabotage us. And we don’t take kindly to traitors.   AmazonKU

MY HIGHLAND ABDUCTION (MIDDLEMARCH GATHERING BOOK SEVEN) by Shelly Munro

She stole a mate. Now she’ll fight for him. Desperate and humiliated after a disastrous gathering leaves her unmated, Sienna Teague makes the worst decision of her life. She abducts a man. Liam Brown wakes up in Cornwall with fragmented memories and a beautiful woman claiming to be his mate. Despite his confusion, he’s drawn to this new life and the undeniable attraction between him and Sienna. But before he can untangle the truth behind his head injury, Bodmin Beast hunters threaten their shifter community. When danger stalks their town, Sienna and Liam must fight as one. But the lie at the heart of their bond is a bigger threat than any beast, and when the truth comes out, it could tear them apart.     Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo

PERFECTLY ORGANIZED CHAOS: MM FANTASY ROMANCE (WINGS AND WHISPERS) by Callie Colby

I have a label maker, a color-coded system, and a zero-tolerance policy for clutter. Lord Vane has a zero-tolerance policy for letting go. I was hired to declutter his gothic estate, not manage a six-foot-five High Fae with massive, iridescent wings and a magpie complex. Vane collects everything: cursed mirrors, shiny candy wrappers, ancient gold, and buttons. When I hold up a rusted, possibly haunted birdcage and ask, “Does this spark joy?” Vane doesn’t just say yes—he hisses, flares those dazzling feathers to block the door, and dares me to touch his treasures again. But somewhere between the “Keep” and “Trash” piles, the dynamic shifts. Vane stops guarding the junk and starts stalking me. The air in the room gets heavy. He stops looking at the shiny trinkets and starts staring at my mouth. His nesting instincts have woken up, and he’s decided that the most valuable thing in the room isn’t the gold—it’s the exasperated guy in the sweater vest. Now, he’s done hoarding objects. He wants to hoard me. Specifically, wrapped tight inside his wings and pinned to his mattress. Cleaning up has never been this dirty.      AmazonKU      AB

SNOWED IN WITH THE WINTER GUARDIAN by  Luna Wren

She can’t survive without his shelter. He can’t survive without her warmth. FREYA – I’m a wildlife photographer who got caught in the wrong storm at the wrong time. Now I’m trapped in a cabin with Vidar—seven feet of otherworldly winter deity with antlers made of ice and a skull mask he thinks hides his true face. He saved my life, but the storm won’t let me leave. And the longer I stay, the less I want to go. Especially when I discover I’m the only human in five hundred years who can touch him without freezing to death. VIDAR – She was supposed to die in my storm like all the others. Instead, I saved her. Fed her. Warmed her. Watched her look at my monstrous form without fear. Now Freya’s humanity is thawing something in me I thought forever frozen, but our connection comes with a price. The more time she spends in my arms, the more winter claims her for its own. She sees only the man beneath the monster. She doesn’t realize that with every touch, winter is claiming her as much as I am.      AmazonKU

SNOWED IN WITH THE SNOW CAT by May Furhst

VS Note: MM PNR.

While ‘ghosts’ might be in the Christmas spirit, ‘getting ghosted’ wasn’t on Felix’s ‘winter wonderland’ checklist…Broken up with mere moments after checking in for his romantic holiday weekend, Felix is one unhappy tuxedo. Left alone and stuck with the bill, the sad shifter is ready to curl up under the covers and yowl his sorrows into some very expensive room service. But the bed & breakfast’s handsome, plaid-wearing, long-tailed owner has other ideas, and isn’t content to just let the heartbroken were-cat lay by his lonesome. One glance at Felix’s tear-stained cheeks, and Aspen is a goner. Feeling warmer and fuzzier than ever, the snow leopard finds himself wondering if he might be the one to put the purr back in the other man’s purrrride. When a raging winter storm knocks out the power on their cozy meet-cute, the lights may be off, but the heat begins rising as the two flirtatious felines find themselves sharing a mattress in front of the only working fireplace……Purely for warmth, of course.      AmazonKU

ECHOES OF TOMORROW by J A Burton

In the small Colorado mountain town of Pine Ridge, Julia Brooks is in Stella’s Diner when two men walk inside and stop time. Julia is the only person that notices the time glitch, and seconds later, life reanimates. Everyone goes about their business as usual, but not Julia. She soon learns an awful truth: Evan Mitchell will die before day’s end. His last breath will tear them apart and reset time. When Evan wakes, it’s as if nothing happened. He doesn’t remember that he died or that he’s doomed to repeat the same year again and again. Evan feels like he’s missed something and is overcome by headaches and bursts of blinding light. Flashes of a realistic death experience and audible voices only he can hear lead to a mysterious woman that keeps surfacing in his dreams. Meanwhile, the time reset skips Julia a year into the future, where for her, time passes backwards leading her right back to Evan. Unlucky in all matters of the heart, Julia is certain she’s cursed to love Evan as payment for the sins of her past. But Julia wants a future, one with Evan beside her, his memories of her intact. She woos him again and again hoping for a spark of recognition. The reset is not the second chance Julia once begged for, but it’s the only chance she’s got to break through time and twist the hand of fate.      Amazon     Apple Books

THE DRAGON’S BARISTA BABY (FIRE RIDGE DRAGONS MPREG ROMANCE BOOK THREE) by Ashlyn Dupree

I  wasn’t supposed to stay in Fire Ridge. A few shifts at the café. A quiet place to catch my breath. No mates. No promises. No one owning me again. Then Kieran walked in. Tall, polished, dangerous in the softest way—the eldest Blackscale brother with a warm voice and eyes that make my fox go still. He watches me like I already belong to him. Like he’s waiting for something. Like he knows I’m his. But I’ve been owned before. Sold to cover someone else’s debt. I won’t let anyone cage me ever again. Except now my past is here—the alpha who once controlled my life wants me back, and the man sent to collect me says I have seventy-two hours to comply. They don’t care that Fire Ridge is the first place that feels like home. They don’t care that Kieran’s steady patience is the only thing that makes me feel safe. But Kieran? He’s a dragon. And dragons don’t let anyone take their mate. Especially not when their omega carries a dragon’s baby.       AmazonKU

TIGER SUMMER (SHIFTER CUB CAMP BOOK THREE) by Zoe Chant

She doesn’t know they’re mates. He’s desperate to keep it that way. Laughter, s’mores, and the occasional surprise weasel (don’t ask) – that’s summer at shifter cub camp, and head counselor Leonie MacCormick wouldn’t have it any other way. She loves her job. She loves her campers. She even loves the pranks and mayhem. She does not love the sudden arrival of a hulking secret agent who looks like he’s never smiled in his life. But the quiet, serious, and (okay, she’ll admit it, but only to herself) ridiculously attractive man in gloves and sunglasses won’t be here long. A few quick questions, and everything can get back to normal. After all, the camp can’t really be haunted… right? Shifter Agent Shan Zhao thought this would be a quick, simple mission. He did not expect to find a real threat to the camp… or a lioness-hearted woman whose very presence soothes the monster inside him. Kind, sunny Leonie is everything he doesn’t deserve—and that’s exactly why he can’t let her discover they’re fated mates. Too bad the campers already know. And they’re determined to help. Because at Camp Thunderbird, secrets don’t stay hidden.      AmazonKU

MAGIC IN HIS ARMS (OBSCURE MAGIC BOOK 17) by Viola Grace

Two sisters from different misters grew up in Redbird City, and now they have returned home to settle down and start over. Let’s hope things go smoothly. Iscorabella was part of the entertainment at a wedding, and she found herself in the arms of an orc by the end of the night. Their encounter went well, and she left him in the early morning to go and get some breakfast. She didn’t know he had a stalker. She didn’t know she was armed, and she found out her car wasn’t bulletproof. She called for help and waited for the help that was going to arrive from different directions. Never felt her sister’s injuries and got on her motorcycle to get to her family as fast as possible. She got the information she needed and went on the hunt. That was what she did, and she was good at it. She found the woman’s father, made sure he knew she was serious, and then used the local laws to work out some of her family vengeance rage. After that, she met the speaker, and he looked at her like her leather was the only thing stopping him from fascinating things. Time would tell.       Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo

THE WOLFING HOUR: THE SMOKETHORN PARANORMALS SERIES BOOK FOUR by C P Rider

Just when Betty Lennox thought she had a handle on her life—reconnected with her earth magic, brought the saguaros back from the dead, sexy alpha wolf sharing her bed—everything goes sideways.
Turns out she’s not just an earth witch. Thanks to dear old Grandpa Sexton, she’s got a demon side that’s tired of being locked away. A powerful and ruthless demon side with zero qualms about damage control when someone threatens her people. When Demon Betty takes the wheel, Witch Betty ends up doing morally questionable things like killing people who really, really need to die. Meanwhile, Ronan’s birth father—Alpha Floyd Pallás, certified creep and all-around evil person—has kidnapped his sister to force him into submission. The pack is in chaos, shifters across the county are dying, and Betty’s running out of time to find her before the convocation where Ronan must challenge Floyd for the pack. But here’s the thing about power-hungry wolves: they cheat. And here’s the thing about Betty: She won’t let the people she loves get hurt—even if it means embracing the monster within.   AmazonKU

WHERE STORM MEETS FROST (FATED MATES STUBBORN HEARTS: A WILD TERRITORIES SHIFTER ROMANCE SERIES BOOK THREE) by Sunny Briar

The last vision I had of my fated mate was him dying in my arms. Now the brooding Mountain Cat tracker is at my door, demanding I join his mission to find missing shifters. Magnus Ironwood is six feet four inches of ice-magic and lethal grace, with amber eyes that see right through my healer’s facade. He thinks I’m just a fragile Storm Eagle medic. He has no idea I can see death before it strikes. Every time he steps between me and danger, my visions intensify. His massive snow leopard form taking a killing blow meant for me. His heart stopping as I pour every ounce of healing magic into his failing body. The same ending, over and over with him choosing my life over his. The worst part? My traitorous body burns every time he touches me. When our magic accidentally connects during a healing, the mate bond practically screams between us. He looks at me like I’m already his, speaks about “when” we complete the bond, not “if.” His clan even makes me prove I’m worthy of him through trials that nearly kill me. But I passed, because despite the death sentence hanging over us, I want him with a desperation that terrifies me. Now we’re tracking a mad scientist turning shifters into monsters, and my visions are getting worse. Magnus swears he’ll claim me properly as his mate once this is over, promises we’ll have forever. If only I could stop seeing him die first.     AmazonKU

BETTER IN BLACK: TEN STORIES OF SHADOWHUNTER ROMANCE by Cassandra Clare

Ten couples. United by love. Divided by danger. Jace and Clary, seeking out an exiled Shadowhunter and learning that love can save the world—or destroy it. Will and Tessa, honeymooning in Paris when a séance sends them down an unexpected path. Simon and Izzy, observing increased demonic activity around New York, on a hilarious urban romp. These are just a few of the beloved couples whose romantic escapades will have you on the edge of your seat across time and storylines from Cassandra Clare’s expansive Shadowhunters series. Don’t miss a chance to reunite with: • Anna and Ari • Emma and Julian • Kieran, Mark, and Cristina • James and Cordelia • Thomas and Alastair • Sebastian and the Seelie Queen • Jocelyn and Luke A love letter to every fan of the Shadowhunter Chronicles, this riveting story collection also includes a sneak peek at The Wicked Powers, the majestic trilogy that will be the grand finale of the entire series!

Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

DAWN OF THE FIREBIRD: A NOVEL by Sarah Mughal Rana

Khamilla Zahr-zad’s life has been built on a foundation of violence and vengeance. Every home she’s known has been destroyed by war. As the daughter of an emperor’s clan, she spent her childhood training to maintain his throne. But when her clansmen are assassinated by another rival empire, plans change. With her heavenly magic of nur, Khamilla is a weapon even enemies would wield—especially those in the magical, scholarly city of Za’skar. Hiding her identity, Khamilla joins the enemy’s army school full of jinn, magic and martial arts, risking it all to topple her adversaries, avenge her clan and reclaim their throne. To survive, she studies under cutthroat mystic monks and battles in a series of contests to outmaneuver her fellow soldiers. She must win at all costs, even if it means embracing the darkness lurking inside her. But the more she excels, the more she is faced with history that contradicts her father’s teachings. With a war brewing among the kingdoms and a new twisted magic overtaking the land, Khamilla is torn between two impossible choices: vengeance or salvation.

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FALLEN GODS by Rachel Van Dyken

They said the Gods were myth. That the Giants were only stories told around dying fires. They lied. 
The Gods aren’t dead—they’re only sleeping, locked in mortal bodies, scattered across the world, waiting for the right spark to wake them. And my father is the most ruthless of them all. He raised me to obey. To bleed. To be his blade when the time came. Now he’s sending me to Endir University, a place filled with ancient bloodlines and deadly secrets, to steal back Mjolnir, the hammer of legend. If I fail, everyone I love dies. But Aric Erikson wasn’t part of the plan. He’s the enemy’s heir. Distant. Dangerous. And…the one person I can’t afford to fall for. He’s closed himself off completely behind a wall of ice, but the more I’m ordered to unravel him, the harder it becomes to remember where the lies end and I begin. There’s only a mission I never chose—and a man I was never meant to love—standing between me and a war that will decide the fate of the world. But if I’m the spark, maybe he’s the fuse. And the Gods? They’re about to wake up angry.   Amazon     AB     Apple Books     Kobo

A GRIM REAPER’S GUIDE TO CHEATING DEATH (A SCYTHE MYSTERY BOOK TWO) by Maxie Dara

Nora Bird works for S.C.Y.T.H.E., which might seem odd for someone as terrified of death as she is. But ever since her parents died in an accident when she was six, she’s been obsessed with avoiding risk, and what better place to learn how to cheat death than the company that employs the nation’s grim reapers? The work enables Nora to learn all about the myriad ways you can kick the bucket, which is comforting…until one day, a file crosses her desk with a name she recognizes. Her twin brother’s. The twins haven’t spoken in six months, but Charlie is all Nora has left. Completely against her cautious nature, Nora steals the file and flees, racing to her brother’s house. She begs him to trust her that his death is imminent, and they hit the road (with his parrot, Jessica, who has plenty to say) in an attempt to evade both death and S.C.Y.T.H.E., whose sole mission of collecting souls has been disrupted by Charlie’s continued existence. Alas, every time Nora saves him, a new cause of death appears in his file. Someone is determined to take Charlie out, and Nora will have to use everything she’s ever learned about death to discover the culprit.

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THE LIBRARY OF FATES by Margot Harrison

When its librarian keeper mysteriously dies, two former classmates must race to locate a rare book from their college years that can foretell your future if you confess a secret from your past—but someone is intent on protecting what’s hidden inside. It can write the story of your future… and hide the secrets of your past The Library of Fates was designed to show you who you are—and who you could become. Its rarest book, The Book of Dark Nights, holds a secret: when you write an intimate confession on its pages, you’ll receive a prediction for your future, penned in your own handwriting. For Eleanor, whose childhood was defined by a senseless tragedy, the library offers a world where everything makes sense. She’s spent most of her life there as an apprentice to the brilliant librarian, showing other people how to find the meaning of their lives in stories. But when her mentor dies in a freak accident and The Book of Dark Nights goes missing—along with the secrets written inside—Eleanor is pulled out of the library and into a quest to locate it with the last person she expects: the librarian’s estranged son, Daniel, who Eleanor once loved. Together, as they hunt down clues from Harvard to Paris, Eleanor and Daniel grow closer again, regaining each other’s trust. But little do they know that they’re entangled in a much larger web. Someone else wants the book, and they’ll go to dark lengths to get it.

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THE MATING GAME by Lana Ferguson

Contractor Tess Covington has spent her entire life as a regular non-shifter human, so after she lands in the Denver ER with flu-like symptoms, it comes as a complete shock to be told that, no, she’s not sick—she’s actually a late-presenting omega wolf shifter. With her family in dire financial straits and a contract for her own television show on the line, she can’t afford not to complete the renovation job she came for. And given that her newly emerged wolf is in danger of going into heat, she’ll just have to do her best to follow the doctor’s advice to keep away from alpha shifters. Alpha wolf Hunter Barrett has spent most of his adult life living by a routine, and a big part of that involves staying clear of omegas after having one stomp on his heart. So when the tiny contractor shows up at his place smelling like the one thing he’s determined to avoid, he thinks it must be some sort of cosmic joke. But with his lodge on the verge of failing and this sweet-smelling omega his only hope to turn things around . . . he’s left with few other options than to grin and bear it. Set on avoiding each other as much as possible, they find things unexpectedly starting to heat up between them enough to thaw even the frostiest of hearts. Though even with the pair going head over paws for each other, there’s no changing that their fling has an expiration date. The more time they spend together, the more they realize they’re playing a dangerous game—one where the only thing on the line is their hearts. VS NOTE: There is an audiobook but it isn’t showing up on Amazon yet.       Amazon      Apple Books      Kobo

GRIM: THE MATE GAMES (APOCALYPSE BOOK FOUR) by Meg Anne and K Loraine

I did the unthinkable and rejected the only woman who ever really wanted me. What else was I supposed to do when she was asking for a future that could never exist? Horsemen didn’t have souls. And if a future did exist for our kind, it was bathed in blood and unholy fire. Hardly the stuff dreams were made of. Merri deserved more than nightmares. I thought I was saving her from such a fate, instead I’d unwittingly sent her flying into the arms of the one being I was supposed to protect her from. My wildflower was in Lucifer’s clutches, and we had no idea how to get her back. My brothers blamed me for her absence, and rightfully so. I’d broken her heart as well as theirs in the process. The only way we’d stand a chance at bringing her home where she belonged was for the four of us to stand together and ride to her rescue. Lilith chose us to be her protectors. Chaos protected her body. Sin protected her heart. Malice protected her mind. And I did all I could to protect her soul from anything that might harm it, including myself. But we couldn’t carry out our mission without her. With the apocalypse looming ever closer, it was time for the four horsemen to do the impossible and use our considerable power for good. Otherwise all of this pain and heartbreak was for nothing and no one would ever get a chance at a happily ever after again.      AmazonKU      AB

BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD: 20TH ANNIVERSARY INSIDER’S GUIDE by J R Ward

Welcome back to the world of the iconic, #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series. With millions of devoted readers across the globe, these unforgettable books have redefined paranormal romance. Now, to celebrate two decades of the Brothers, author J.R. Ward opens the door to their world once more. Inside this all-new 20th Anniversary Insider’s Guide, Ward reflects on the journey—sharing behind-the-scenes moments, heartfelt memories, candid writing advice, and insight into the challenges and triumphs of her long and legendary career. She also brings back the original Brothers in a mix of classic content and never-before-seen material, including: • A brand-new novella, Happy Anniversary– Revisit Wrath and Beth as they reclaim the time lost between them. Tender, erotic, and emotional, this story returns to the couple who started it all—and proves that happily ever after doesn’t always come easy. • Brotherhood updates, as J.R. interviews the Brothers to reveal where they are now. • Fan-favorite features like Ask a BrotherVishous’s Agony Aunt ColumnKitchen Corner with Fritz, and Bella’s Books. • Playlistsmonthly horoscopes, and more.    Amazon     AB      Apple Books     Kobo

SAME DIFFERENCE by T S Joyce

Nathan Donn is exactly where he should not be. He’s two months into an Arranged pairing that isn’t going to plan. His Pack has been dissolved by the Elders, he’s lost his rank as Second, and he’s failed to form an attachment to his mate, Delta. They can get out of this on a technicality and go their separate ways, and it’s the best thing for the submissive beauty. Pairing up was not what he had expected, so he’s taking her to drop her back into her old life, only when she finds out, he has hell to pay. Delta isn’t the female werewolf he’d thought she was, and now she’s showing him just how badly he’s messing up. The only sanctuary for them is in a Rogue Pack, but war is headed for them, and their bond is dead. He has to prepare his Pack for what is to come, but Delta is consuming him like a fire. His mistake will change…(more blurb on ebook seller’s page)        AmazonKU     AB

ARCANIST (THE ARCANEUM BOOK TWO) by Marie Mistry

Death. Undeath. Life. The boundaries are beginning to blur. For five hundred years I believed everyone involved in my murder, was dead. I was wrong. As the Librarian, I prided myself on remaining impartial in a world of quibbling arcanists, and watched wistfully as everyone around me got on with the business of living. I contented myself with living through my books, wishing I could remember what it felt like to be touched. To feel. Then they came. Six heirs who wouldn’t stay away. They dragged me from my solitude and brought joy back to the Arcanaeum. I should’ve known that would come at a cost.      AmazonKU

THE CROWNED MYSTIC (THE ROYAL INSIGHTS BOOK ONE) by Lauren Kutney

A forgotten queen. A failing kingdom. A reckoning no one saw coming. 
Elena believed herself to be just another unwanted orphan. After a night out with her best friend Hannah almost costs the girls their lives, Elena’s true identity is revealed. She is the heir to a kingdom that teeters on the edge of ruin. As Elena fights to uncover who wants her dead, she must also battle her unexpected and forbidden attraction with Alexei Novak, her Head of Security. When she discovers she possesses a rare ability to see vivid dreams—visions of future events that she cannot control, she can no longer refuse the calling that she may be the key to saving her kingdom. As assassins move in, not even her visions can stop her from accomplishing her true destiny. Elena must decide what matters most: the duty she was born into—or the love she never saw coming.

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AETHER’S EMBRACE (HER ELEMENTALS BOOK FIVE) by Raven Steele

She was light. I was shadow. We were never meant to be enemies. I am Sodon, the darkness half of Aether, and for thousands of years, I have been painted as the villain in everyone else’s story. They call me evil. They say I corrupt everything I touch. They whisper that I am the monster lurking in their nightmares, waiting to steal their precious princess and drag her into eternal darkness. They’re wrong about everything. The gods believe they can force Aether to reunite under their terms, with me destroyed and Avani bent to their will. They’re about to learn what happens when you corner a creature of shadow who has nothing left to lose. Avani awakened the darkness in me. Now I’ll embrace it to save us both.     AmazonKU

CHRISTMAS ON THE GOBLIN EXPRESS by J J Fischer

High-achieving Australian medical student Claire Samson has struggled to enjoy Christmas in recent years, but this is the first Christmas she will be all alone, with her parents overseas and her grandfather in a coma. Claire is desperate to quit med school, but medicine was Grandpa’s dream for her, and her rural hometown desperately needs more doctors—doctors which could have changed her grandfather’s prognosis. Just when Claire thinks Christmas will be unbearable, a steam train straight out of Platform 9 ¾ appears . . . a train invisible to all but Claire. It’s the Goblin Express, run by Christmas-hating elves and full of washed-up souls from hundreds of worlds who come aboard to escape the holidays. As it turns out, humans aren’t the only species who can loathe their festive seasons. Upon boarding, Claire befriends several of her fellow travelers, including a mysterious hooded figure who totally gives her Strider vibes and may or may not actually be a night elf. But when the Goblin Express comes under attack, Claire and her new group of mismatched friends must band together to save the train . . . and maybe even find a little bit of Christmas spirit in the process.      Amazon     Apple Books      Kobo

KISS OF DEATH (DEATH SERIES BOOK SEVEN) by Penelope Barsetti

From the moment our paths crossed, Wrath has always been with me. Until he’s not. The Barbarians come for the Southern Isles by land and sea, and once the battle commences, I quickly learn that the command of the dead has been stripped from me. All I have left is the strength of a god, but that’s more powerful than armor made of dragon scales. I know that Wrath still lives if I have this ability, and it feels like a message beyond the Underworld. That he hasn’t left me. At least by choice. I have to survive this war and save my father. And then I’ll find the man I love.     AmazonKU

NEVER KISS A KRAMPUS (WRONG MOVE, RIGHT MONSTER) by Honey Phillips

A desperate shop keeper. A very grumpy Krampus. A Christmas miracle? Noelle Green needs a miracle. The town of Mistletoe Hollow is being devoured by a Grinch-like developer, and her beloved Christmas shop is next to the list. Fueled by peppermint schnapps and desperation, she performs a ritual for Yuletide aid. She gets a miracle, all right—just not the kind she expected. She accidentally summons a Krampus, all towering muscle, wicked horns, and glowing eyes. Bound to her until Christmas, Bastian is ancient, annoyed, and very sure she owes him for dragging him across realms. Noelle’s attraction to her grumpy, imposing house guest is as undeniable as it is terrifying. But between magical punishments, enchanted tinsel, and kisses that melt snowflakes, this holiday season is about to get very, very naughty.      AmazonKU

A FINE SCOTTISH DREAM (MAGICAL MATCHMAKERS OF SEVEN CAIRNS BOOK THREE) by Maeve Greyson

VS Note: Sounded good. Put it on my TBR List.

He dreamed of a flawless queen. What he gets is a woman who is fierce, flawed… and unforgettable. Lexi Vine has built a life of strength and success despite the scars she bears—both on her face and in her heart. A brilliant equine vet and the proud owner of Vinemagic Horse Farms, she knows exactly who she is. But the loneliness lingers… along with the haunting dreams of a deep-voiced Scottish stranger who feels more real than fantasy. When her grandmother’s tarot cards nudge her toward destiny, Lexi finds herself thrust into 18th-century Scotland’s land of the Fae—and straight into the arms of Prince Jeros of the Seventh Realm, the so-called “Prince of Perfection.” He’s charming, powerful, and expecting a flawless fated mate promised by prophecy. Lexi is not what he imagined. Though magic binds them, Lexi refuses to give her heart to a man who recoils at her scars. But Jeros soon discovers the true depth of her power and spirit. As war brews and ancient creatures rise—unicorns, dragons, and fiercely loyal Fae tigers that adore Lexi and pledge to do her bidding—Jeros must prove that he’s learned that love sees far deeper than appearances. Can the Prince of Perfection earn the heart of the woman destiny chose for him? Or will Lexi walk away from the dream she never dared to believe could be hers?      Amazon     Apple Books     Kobo

SNOWED IN WITH THE GENTLE BEAR by Elle Madearis

She stole his tree. He stole her heart. Merit needed one evergreen tree for her Winter Solstice school program at Shadow Wolf Creek Elementary. She didn’t expect to wake up the town’s most lovable bear shifter or to feel an instant spark with the gentle giant. Dr. Wesley has spent years taking care of the conservation and his patients at the Sleep Apnea Center. Now this spirited beauty has turned his peaceful world upside down, and he’s not letting her go. Between cookie decorating, winter solstice festivities, delivering the town tree and taking care of patients they’re falling in love. But Merit has a secret that could change the mating process.      AmazonKU

LYCAN KING’S REJECTED BOOKISH MATE (POSSESSIVE SMALL TOWN ALPHA KINGS BOOK SIX) by  Elara Haze and K A Iris

I accidentally summoned a naked 6 foot 7 werewolf king into my bookstore. Now he’s saying I’m his fated mate. I’m just a romance-obsessed bookworm trying to keep my grandparents’ shop alive. I did not sign up for a growly, possessive Lycan King who refuses to leave my side because some magical bond says I belong to him. Malachar Ashborne is dangerous. Dominant. And completely unhinged about me. He stalks around my store like he owns it. Snarls at any man who breathes in my direction. And when he finds my spicy book collection? He reads every single one- taking detailed notes on how to make me fall apart. “I think of you constantly. How you would taste. How you would sound when I make you mine.” Then he stops taking notes and starts demonstrating. He marks my neck so everyone knows I’m claimed. Wrecks me against the bookstore shelves until I’m begging for more. Makes me believe I’m his forever. Until his kingdom drags him back – and he rejects me in front of his entire court. But there’s something growing inside me that changes everything. And when the Lycan King finds out? He’ll be crawling back on his knees. Too bad I haven’t decided if I’ll let him grovel… or watch him burn.      AmazonKU

AWAKENED WHITE WOLF AND MATE  (FORBIDDEN CROWNS SERIES BOOK ONE) by Gertty Rudraw

Clara should have been free the night her bond was broken. Instead, she is trapped between two Alphas—one who betrayed her, and one who will never let her go. One is her mate by law and politics, the man who shattered every vow yet clings to her with a madness that calls itself love. To him, Clara is still Luna. Still his. Maybe even more than before. The other Alpha disagrees. He let her go once, but never again. If it costs him blood, if it costs him war, so be it. He doesn’t care what her husband claims. He doesn’t even care what Clara says. He wants her. And he will take her. Between betrayal and obsession, between lies and fate, Clara faces the cruelest twist of all: pregnancy.    AmazonKU

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LINKS TO RECENT NEW RELEASES POSTS from Veronica

November 26

November 19

November 12

November  5

October 29

“New” is generally plus or minus a week or two. I try to catch up on ones I missed in recent months.  And I may mention ‘special items’.

NOTE: I’m doing my best to avoid listing anything generated from use of AI but it’s sometimes tricky to detect from the resources I have available. As far as covers go, I list the Amazon cover whether it’s AI or not. 

I do NOT cover every single new release in SFR/FantasyR/PNR. I never have. That would be an impossible task for any human! I assemble my list by hand every week based on various informal inputs, and I do curate the list to some extent…

Some authors aren’t in KU but still don’t list books with Apple or other platforms. This report is very time consuming to prepare so I’ve always had to limit myself and cannot go and look up every book on all the platforms. If an author gives me their other buy links, I include them here but generally I develop the post on my own, not from author-supplied information. I curate and prepare this post individually every week to help connect readers/books/authors and I have to be very careful not to give it so much time as an activity that I don’t write my own novels! Thanks for the feedback and happy reading!

 

Memorable Moment Snippet Terrifying Vision from the Goddess LADY OF THE NILE

Cover by Fiona Jayde

Taken from LADY OF THE NILE, as Tuya falls asleep next to the goddess Mut’s reflecting pool and dreams…

She stood on a hill, in the shade of a beautiful palm tree, watching groups of people walk along a path across the river from her. They danced and laughed and kissed and talked amongst themselves, as if going to a wonderful festival or special event. Men and women strolled hand in hand, oblivious to anything but each other. Families traveled in little groups, the babies in adult arms, toddlers and young children skipping and running ahead, only to rejoin their parents.

“How do I get over there?” Shielding her eyes with her hand, she searched for a path leading away from where she stood, or a bridge to cross the river.

“But you positioned yourself here, why do you now want to leave?”

Surprised, Tuya turned to the woman standing beside her whose presence she hadn’t noticed before, being so intent on the parade across the way. She seemed familiar, but no name came to Tuya’s tongue. “I didn’t choose to stand here.”

“Indeed you did. You worked hard and cleverly to achieve this elevated role. Don’t you remember all the times you chose the path of service over more demanding—and perhaps frightening—opportunities? Opted for the safety of the familiar?”

“I never—”

“You refused numerous offers for your hand, stating you couldn’t leave Ashayet early in her term as Royal Wife, or when she was pregnant or nursing or later as a young mother.”

“I was needed!”

“The Royal Wife has fifty ladies-in-waiting, with dozens more who’d relish the chance for the appointment for a year or two.”

“I also serve the goddess at the temple.”

The woman laughed. “As one of a hundred. Did anyone other than the goddess notice when you stopped singing today? Or started again?”

Feeling a chill, and a bit frightened at her unknown companion’s knowledge, Tuya searched again for a path to the river. A low wall surrounded the spot where she stood, and she got goosebumps when she realized there was no break, no exit. She could step over the rows of nearly laid bricks but fear made her pause.

“Where are they all going?” she asked.

“They travel the road of life,” the woman said. “With all the experiences, good and bad, you’ve chosen to shield yourself from. The highs and the lows of a life lived. Not merely observed, not simply drifted through, like a ship caught in the backwaters of the Nile. You chart a safe course going nowhere except the tomb.”

A sudden fear entered Tuya’s mind like a slithering cobra. “Am I going to be in trouble when my heart is judged?”

“No, for you’ve committed no crimes against the gods or Egypt, told no lies.” The woman tapped her on the chest. “Your heart is true but untried, untouched. Indeed, many envy you for your closeness to Pharaoh and his Royal Wife, for your comfortable, easy life in the palace.” The other shook her head, causing the gold and turquoise beads in her hair to chime. “You represent potential untapped. A waste, but nothing to punish.” She gathered her fine linen skirts in one hand, preparing to leave the enclosure.

Greatly daring, for Tuya now realized she was in a vision and the person with her was either a goddess or a servant of the Great Ones, she put her hand on the lady’s arm to detain her. “Is there time to change?”

Laughing, the woman shifted away from her. “You? Change your path now?” She gestured at the wall surrounding them. “You’re close to the point where destiny is completely set. Shai the god of Fate only has so much patience, waiting to see what a human will do with their choices, and you’ve exhausted his. He’s moved on to others.”

Terrified, Tuya realized while they’d been chatting, more rows of bricks had been laid by invisible hands and the barrier was higher. “I don’t serve Fate, I serve Mut.”

Shaking a beringed finger at her, the other said, “All but the Great Ones are subject to Fate. Rare indeed is the intervention by a god or goddess on a human’s behalf.”

“Why show me all this then?” Tuya stared at the procession of people across the river, still happily moving through what she now understood were their lives. As she watched, several solitary men and women greeted each other and continued their walk hand in hand. Her heart ached as she recalled several good, worthy men she’d had as lovers but who drifted away when she refused to commit to marriage. It’d been a long time since she’d even exerted herself to flirt and seek a new lover. She couldn’t remember the last time a nobleman or high ranking officer had sought her out.

“Perhaps the goddess has a soft spot for you. Perhaps she had hopes for one who was a favorite.”

VS: Poor Tuya has no idea of the peril and adventures awaiting her…

Depositphotos

LADY OF THE NILE

Tuya, a high ranking lady-in-waiting at Pharaoh’s court, lives a life of luxury, pageantry and boredom. Khian, a brave and honorable officer from the provinces temporarily re-assigned to Thebes, catches her eye at a gold of valor ceremony. As the pair are thrown together by circumstances, she finds herself unaccountably attracted to this man so unlike the haughty nobles she’s used to. But a life with Khian would mean leaving the court and giving up all that she’s worked so hard to attain. As she goes about her duties, Tuya struggles with her heart’s desires. 

When Tuya is lured into a dangerous part of Thebes by her disgraced half-brother and kidnapped by unknown enemies of Egypt, Khian becomes her only hope. Pharaoh assigns him to bring the lady home. 

Aided by the gods, Khian races into the desert on the trail of the elusive kidnappers, hoping to find Tuya before it’s too late. Neither of them has any idea of the dark forces arrayed against them, nor the obstacles to be faced. An ancient evil from the long gone past wants to claim Tuya for its own purposes and won’t relinquish her easily. 

Can Khian find her in time? Will he and his uncanny allies be able to prevent her death? And if the couple escapes and reaches safety, what of their fledgling romance?

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Romantasy in Ancient Egypt at Pharaoh’s Court, in a time where the gods walked the land beside the Nile…