Secrets are dangerous, but he wanted to tell her - everything.
Dark Moon
Gemini League Book 1
A Realms Book #13
by J. Risk
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy Suspense
Ava had no last name that she knew of. She didn’t know who her father was. Her mother died when she was born—she knew nothing about her history. All she had were questions that no one could answer. Her memories were like clipped versions of videos that showed her a few parts but never told her enough. She didn’t age like others. In fact, she wasn’t sure how old she really was.
Thirty years ago, she’d done something so horrific that she’d never told anyone. She’d killed the only person that had answers. Every moment since then had been spent trying not to do whatever it was she did again. She was some abomination with wings. Useless appendages that she couldn’t use and couldn’t fly with. She’d tried.
The group of women she lived with were like her and born in the time of the Gemini. She didn’t even know what that meant. They were her family, and each day, she spent watching over them and doing whatever was needed to ensure they were safe. Except for the one week of the year, she was compelled to go back to that place that caused her more misery with each passing year.
He had secrets. The kind that would get his powers blocked so he’d end up a decrepit old man with no purpose in any realm. He’d once sworn to protect a princess and had failed. When given a second chance, he swore to protect another princess. She was more than his charge. She was his friend. The secrets he kept from her would destroy her—and create a rift so wide in their realm that there would be no recovering from it.
Years before, he had made a promise, and now he wasn’t sure he could keep it. The one that could complete him was unaware that he existed and had the answers she sought. His people would never accept her, so he was stuck between his heart and his loyalty. If he confessed to her, he would have to explain to his queen and her daughter that he had failed them and there was no coming back from it once he did.
All he wanted, more than his next breath, was to tell her—everything.
6 worlds work together to save each other. J. Risk’s Realms Books span 6 different series with common characters and an ongoing, suspense-filled plot. Dark Moon is the 13th in the Realms Books
I wanted to write a story that would fit into new adult levels as well as adult. Something that was serious with fun elements--paranormal / fantasy that everyone could read and enjoy.
I've decided to use J. Risk as the pen name for this to separate this series from my other writing which is definitely adult reading material.
Jacqueline Paige lives in Ontario in a small town that's part of the popular Georgian Triangle area.
She began her writing career in 2006 and since her first published works in 2009 she hasn't stopped. Jacqueline describes her writing as all things paranormal, which she has proven is her niche with stories of witches, ghosts, physics and shifters now on the shelves.
When Jacqueline isn't lost in her writing, she spends time with her five children, most of whom are finally able to look after her instead of the other way around. Together they do random road trips, that usually end up with them lost, shopping trips where they push every button in the toy aisle, hiking when there's enough time to escape and bizarre things like creating new daring recipes in the kitchen. She's a grandmother to six (so far) and looks forward to corrupting many more in the years to come.
Jacqueline loves to hear from her readers, you can find her at
He's got a decent job, a long-term relationship and a flat in Canary Wharf.
It's all under control. It's just becoming a little problematic trying to hold everything together. Keeping the bruises on his skin hidden away. A smile plastered on his face. Controlling the calories he allows his body to consume. And now his boss is on his back with too many questions, and the grumpy French head chef keeps staring at him like he's a freak or something.
Everything is under control. It has to be.
Ben Desjardins may be the Head Chef at the Clouds Hotel but he definitely hasn't got anything under control. His relationship with his best friend is crumbling and simply turning up for work seems to automatically cause never ending chaotic disasters. Yet there is something about the new concierge that has crawled straight under his prickly skin.
Ben doesn't need more complications in his life. The last thing he needs is to inconveniently, and reluctantly... fall in love.
SKIN AND BONES is best enjoyed if read after TASTE.
Reader Advisory. This book contains the following topics: Eating disorders, OCD, domestic violence and sexual assault. Please look after yourself and take care if these topics could upset you.
Excerpt
Dropping my cigarette on the ground, I squashed out the embers with my shoe. So sue me. I was French. Had grown up there, then moved to England with my mum in my teens and had to adapt to being Ben instead of Benjamin after my arsehole dad kicked us out. I didn’t take shit from anyone.
It hadn’t been bad. Just…my life hadn’t become quite what I’d expected.
I strode back through the lobby with confidence, smiling politely at our maître d’hôtel, who pursed their lips at me. Yeah, I was a dick. I had tomato juice down my front, and my apron was covered in cooking fat. I looked a state and shouldn’t be anywhere near paying guests. I knew it. Mabel knew it. I actually liked them. A lot. Today, our super-efficient restaurant leader rocked a shocking-pink dress and sky-high heels with a face full of make-up. Some days, they presented as a stunning bloke, other days, like today, they wouldn’t look out of place on the cover of a women’s fashion magazine, and they knew it too.
“Looking good, Mabs.”
“Oh shut it, Ben.” They grinned and blushed while giving me a full head-to-toe inspection. “You really need to go change, babes. Honestly, you’ll give Mark a heart attack.”
“You mean I look that good?” I laughed, enjoying another of Mabel’s many smirks.
“You look like shit, babes. How are you ever going to get laid when you walk around looking like someone has dragged you face down through the walk-in fridge?”
“Bah,” I huffed and left them to it. I washed my hands and ripped off my apron, dropping it in the laundry chute and grabbing a fresh one from the shelf before glancing over the line. All under control. Nobody panicking.
“Watch the liquid,” I commented to one of the trainees as they flipped a tray of mushrooms into a serving dish and splattered juice all over the hot plate. Yeah. Newbies. They had to learn, usually the hard way, and there wasn’t much I could do other than show them how to do it the right way, remind them to watch the bloody timings, let them make mistakes and hope they didn’t kill themselves in the process.
I looked down at my own battered hands. I had too many scars to count. Cuts, burns. My hands had survived years of being battered on the rugby pitch, which was nothing compared to getting fingers stuck in blenders and close encounters with sharp knives.
I blamed my mum, getting me into cooking when my hand-eye coordination had been blasted to hell. I had to concentrate, not be stressed, keep focused for my mind to function the way it was supposed to, not that it ever did, and this was a working kitchen. My entire shift was always one huge, stress-induced, disaster-prone trial.
“You all right?” Mark appeared next to me in his immaculate suit, his hair up in a tidy man-bun and eyebrows tightly knitted. Arms crossed, he surveyed our little world. Him and me, we were brothers, partners in crime, a duo of idiots who should have known better, but we worked well together, and there was nowhere else I would rather work than here with him by my side.
“All good,” I said, mirroring his pose.
“The boys out there,” he said conspiratorially. “They’re placing bets on who can get a hook-up with Hugo. There’s good money involved.”
“Hell.” I sighed, rolled my eyes harder than Mabel. “He gay then?”
“I went over and asked him. He just laughed, so yeah. Between you and me, he lives with his long-term boyfriend down in Canary Wharf, so I think all the boys are barking up a dead tree, but I’m not going to tell them. Are you?”
“Nah.” I laughed. I wasn’t. As long as they did their job and made my food look good, I wasn’t getting involved with anything. And anyway, this Hugo? None of my business.
Rolling up my sleeves, I plonked my arse down by my little office set-up and logged into the laptop. I had orders to sign off, menus to plan, things to do. A life to live. Mark shook his head and disappeared back out to the restaurant.
This Hugo? God help him.
About the Author. . .
Sophia Soames should be old enough to know better but has barely grown up. She has been known to fangirl over TV shows, has fallen in and out of love with more popstars than she dares to remember, and has a ridiculously high-flying (un-)glamourous real-life job.
Her long-suffering husband just laughs at her antics. Their children are feral. The dogs are too.
She lives in a creaky old house in rural London, although her heart is still in her native Scandinavia.
Discovering that the stories in her head make sense when written down has been part of the most hilarious midlife crisis ever, and she hopes it may long continue.
One summer. Three separate love stories. And summer doesn't last forever.
Summer Stay
Montana Beach Book 1
by D. Allen
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance
Jessie moved back to picturesque Montana Beach after a heartbreaking split with her ex. She's since thrown herself into her grandparent's inn, which has been struggling financially thanks to the town having seen better days. With few options available, Jessie considers accepting a developer's offer to buy Montana Manor, seeing it as a way to save her family's legacy, until she learns that he wants to tear it down.
Meanwhile, Mason's tired of working at his father's advertising firm in New York City, although his father wants him to become his replacement. Unsure if that's the course he wants his life to take, Mason escapes to Montana Beach and the only inn in town to consider the proposal. But after he meets Jessie, he seems to gain only another reason not to take up his father's offer.
When Mason offers to help Jessie launch a campaign to save Montana Manor, the two quickly find themselves relying more and more on each other. But summer doesn't last forever, and Mason's stay is coming to an end.
Summer Job
Montana Beach Book 2
When Robyn was promoted to manager of the Montana Beach Pier amusement park, she helped save it from near extinction. But her employees are still having a hard time adjusting to her new leadership role. With her father gone and only a few friends in Montana Beach, the stress at work carries over to the rest of her life. That is, until her newest employee steps through the door.
Jaden’s just looking for a summer job until he can find something more stable in the fall. Montana Beach might be a slower pace than his hometown, but his new boss and the romance that sparks between them makes the sleepy little town exciting.
When a coworker discovers their relationship, he threatens to reveal their secret, which could put their jobs and the future of the Pier at risk.
Summer Nights
Montana Beach Book 3
On the surface Adrian has it all: he’s the owner of the Nine—the only source of nightlife in Montana Beach—and he has his boyfriend Malcolm. The only problem is: Malcolm’s married. Although he promises to leave his wife, Adrian still wonders if he’ll always be “the other lover,” and whether that’s enough for him.
Tyler has watched his best friend pursue his relationship with a married man knowing that it won’t end well. He knows that he could treat Adrian better, but he’s never expressed his feelings to anyone, let alone Adrian.
After Adrian and Tyler share a special evening together, Tyler sees a future for them, but Adrian is still loyal to Malcolm.
"We're definitely not good, but we ain't all bad, either"
The Murder of Crows
Crooked Halos Book 3
by KC Bear
Genre: Erotic Romance
Mercy
Eight years ago, he promised he'd be back for me. He promised he'd take care of me. But he lied. And I was left to pick up my own shattered pieces.
Then, all of a sudden, he was back. I hated that he looked so good, that his endless and insistent need to fix me made it harder to hate him. No, somewhere in there, while we made a family all our own and he showed off his Daddy colors, my innocent childhood crush on him turned into love.
Jensen
I told her I'd be back for her. It took me eight years, and when I did find her again, she was pissed at me. She had every right to be, sure, but nothing she said or did would keep me away or run me off again. I had lots of hurts to apologize for and issues to help heal.
So, I vowed to heal her. With laughter, forgiveness, trust, a new family --- and orgasms. What I hadn't planned on doing was falling in love with her.
The Murder of Crows is a novel of about 70K words. It is the continuation, and conclusion, of Mercy and Jensen's story from Merry Christmas, Soldier (but can be read as a standalone). There are triggers, listed in the front of the book, or you may contact the author. It's not intended for anyone younger than 18 years of age. It ends with a Happily Ever After.
She's sweet, scared and desperate with an underlying fire.
When they meet, is it one night?
Or is she his light?
Psycho
I had one job, and I did it. Kick ass and take names, just like always. I was beyond exhausted, ready to fall into bed and call it a night. Then, I saw her.
Every bit of darkness within me wanted her, and not even the abuse she'd been through that night with her scumbag boyfriend would stop me from getting her.
I'd found my prey, my Sunshine, and nothing would stop me from claiming what was mine.
Not even her.
Happy Valentine's, Biker is a prequel novella under 15K words and is book 1.5 in the Crooked Halos series. It's not intended for readers under 18 years of age or with certain triggers (see author for details).
Merry Christmas, Soldier is an 11K novella written in first person past tense. It is a taboo romance with an 18 year age gap between them; all characters are of legal, consenting age.
Jensen is in the military, and Mercy was born premature; if any of that might possibly be a trigger, proceed with caution.
It is a prequel, which means there's more to the story --- and yes, it ends on a cliffhanger...
There is cussing, slight kink, and sexual situations. Again, proceed with caution.
This is not intended for anyone under the age of 18.
KC Bear has been writing as a hobby her entire life and one day decided to give the voices in her head life of their own.
While she does only have a few little book babies out, she's got more ideas than she can count! With ideas for stories ranging from romance that blurs the line into erotica, women who love other women, supernatural romance, and everything in between, she's sure you'll find something to enjoy as soon as she gets it put out into the world!
As a proud submissive, BDSM plays heavily into her novels with darker themes of sadomasochism, unconventional relationships with menages, and cursing that could make a sailor blush; but you can be sure they're all a little bit sweet, whole lotta naughty, and always have a HEA.
When she isn't writing or creating entire worlds in her head, she spends her days in Kentucky on their 10 acres with her very own Dominant and Pandora, the spoiled cat.
When he broke off his engagement to his team captain's brother the day before their wedding, Jamie Jamieson swore he'd never get involved with anyone associated with a teammate again. Getting traded to the Orcas is a chance at a fresh start, but one glance at his new housemate, and Jamie knows he's in way over his head.
Dorian is his new coach's cousin. And his team's social media coordinator. And his housemate.
It's the trifecta of bad ideas.
Dorian Shore doesn't do hockey. He's lived by that rule for years, ever since a season playing as a kid left him with emotional scars. But his new housemate—a big, buff, beautiful athlete who gets under his skin—makes him seriously consider doing a hockey player.
It’s not a good idea.
They live together.
They work together.
When the sparks between them ignite, will it be game on or game over?
Start the trilogy with Game Plan (Vancouver Orcas 1)
“Where’s the rest of your stuff?” Dorian peered around him. “Still in the car?”
“Nah, this is it,” Jamie said, forcing his mind back on track. “I’ll head back to Charlotte at the end of the season for the rest of it and have it shipped to a storage unit so I don’t clutter up your home.” Assuming Jamie hadn’t found a place to live by then.
“You don’t have to do that. I’ve got the space. We can store your stuff in the basement.”
“I thought you were putting Jamieson in the basement,” Coach piped in, arms crossed over his chest. With his height, thick beard, and broad shoulders, it made him look imposing as fuck.
“There’s no bed down there,” Dorian said.
“You could’ve gotten one.”
“Uh, I’d really rather have a bedroom than a basement,” Jamie interjected, picturing a lone bed among exposed pipes, insulation, and spiders. The stuff a kid’s nightmares were made of.
“Oh, it’s finished,” Dorian said, waving a hand. “There are three bedrooms down there, as well as a full kitchen and a separate entrance.”
Three bedrooms? In the basement?
“Exactly,” Coach said. “Had you put a bed in one of the rooms, Jamieson would’ve had his own apartment.”
Dorian crossed his arms over his chest, matching Coach’s posture, and glared, his eyes going all fiery. “Wouldn’t that defeat the purpose? You’re the one who said you didn’t want him in a sterile apartment. Trust me, my basement is very fucking sterile.”
Jamie had just come from a team where he’d been treated like a pariah after his breakup with the team captain’s brother, and now he had two men arguing over what would make him most comfortable.
He didn’t quite swallow a laugh. His aborted chuckle drew the gaze of both men.
Rolling his eyes, Dorian huffed a breath. “You’re right. We’re being stupid.”
Now Jamie laughed outright. “I didn’t say anything.”
“Your face said it all.”
Well. That was probably true.
About the Author . . .
An unapologetic introvert, Amy reads too much and socializes too little, with no regrets. She loves connecting with readers. Join her Facebook Group to stay up-to-date on upcoming releases and for access to early teasers, find her on Instagram, or sign up for her infrequent newsletter.
A Mind-Bending Sci-Fi Journey through Dimensional Probabilities
Fiction, Sci-Fi/Adventure, Futuristic, Thriller
Date Published: January 30, 2024
Publisher: Elite Online Publishing
Immerse yourself in a near-future world on the brink of transformation in
"Threads of a Needle." Follow Hope Valencia, a skilled PT-SOF
agent for the League of Consciousness, as she embarks on a daring mission
transcending the boundaries of time and space.
Advanced neurological technologies, now under the control of a dominant media conglomerate, manipulate humanity's belief systems, deviating from their original intent to advance human progress. At the heart of this narrative are Hope's parents, Dr. Gabriel Valencia, neurotechnologist, and Ella Valencia, whose monumental discovery of Trans-Dimensional Probability Threads unites consciousness with the physical realm, revealing a vast expanse of probable realities. This groundbreaking revelation paves the way for the Quantum Thought Dynamics-AI Protocol (QTD-AI), a technology that enables the digitization and manipulation of human thought processes.
Embark on a journey with Hope that challenges traditional understanding, unravels the very fabric of reality, and unveils hidden truths. "Threads of a Needle" not only narrates an enthralling tale but also invites you to reflect on the malleability of reality and the influential power of your beliefs, thoughts, and emotions in shaping the world around you.
About the Author. . .
DG Zitting is a seasoned entrepreneur with a career spanning over three decades in real estate finance and financial technology. He has successfully led national business firms to significant achievements.
Beyond his thriving professional journey, Zitting's insatiable curiosity spans various domains, including science, technology, philosophy, psychology, and non-denominational spirituality. This lifelong quest for knowledge has unveiled profound insights into the greater reality of the world and universe.
What sets Zitting apart is his ability to translate this wisdom into both his personal life and business ventures, yielding resounding success. As a co-founder and leader of firms employing over two thousand individuals and achieving billions in sales volume objectives, Zitting attributes his accomplishments to transformative insights gained along his remarkable journey.
By infusing his knowledge into every facet of life, including business, family, friendships, hobbies, and passions, Zitting has created a distinct advantage in navigating life's intricate game. He has also established the B∈E+T=R Life Strategy (BETR), recognizing the pivotal role of beliefs—conscious and subconscious—in shaping reality. This philosophy is elegantly summarized in his symbolic equation, B∈E+T=R, where Beliefs, Emotions, and Thoughts align to shape the probable thread of Reality, empowering others to choose the reality they wish to experience.
A copycat serial killer and the ghost of Eliot Ness. Can two amateur sleuths, with the help of the famous ghost, stop the murderer before he kills again.
A ghostly figure surprises India Bennett in her study. That’s unnerving enough, but said ghost leaves a book open to a page showing a mutilated body, a body which looks just like the body in a case Indy’s homicide detective boyfriend, Danny, is currently investigating. Standing next to the body in the picture in the mysterious book is a man Indy recognizes as the ghost she saw in her study. Danny points out to her that it would be impossible for her to have seen the man in the picture, the legendary lawman Eliot Ness.
Despite Danny’s insistence, Indy knows what she saw, and she and her best friend Cara become friends with Eliot’s spirit. With ghostly assistance, the amateur sleuths begin their own investigation. After their discovery of what appears to be a journal describing the original victims from the 1930s, and with two murders already committed by the current serial killer, Indy and Cara rush to find the copycat murderer before he kills again.
In “Shadows of the Past,” a thrilling fusion of historical crime and supernatural suspense, the spirit of Eliot Ness becomes an unexpected ally, guiding Indy and Cara through a treacherous maze of secrets and hidden motives. With their lives on the line and the body count rising, they must navigate the shadows of the past and confront the malevolent force that seeks to perpetuate the sins of history.
The past and present collide in this captivating novel, unleashing a bone-chilling tale of danger, redemption, and the enduring power of justice. Prepare to be captivated by this gripping page-turner.
The man bent over, hands on knees, breathing in deep, ragged breaths until his heart rate slowed to a more normal level. He wasn’t as young as he used to be. Standing, he wiped his hands on his pants, brushed off the dirt and weeds clinging to the denim overalls, then gazed down at the body laid out in the field near the railroad tracks.
He took a moment to look at, and admire, his handiwork, but only a moment, as he couldn’t afford to be spotted. Then he reluctantly slipped quietly through the night to his waiting car, parked not a dozen yards from where he’d dumped the mutilated corpse. There would be time later to savor his memories of the enjoyment the person’s last hours had provided.
The dim whistle of a train sounded in the still evening air as he pulled open the driver’s-side door. The whistle sound was replaced by the crunching of dry weeds as he drove out of the field.
Author Bio:
Born in Arkansas and raised in Southern California, Pamela McCord started writing later in life when she was challenged by a friend to create a book out of his story idea. Since then, she's become an internationally published author. Pam has spent over 40 years working as a legal secretary at a law firm in Orange County, California. Aside from writing, she follows the stock market, buying, selling and trading stocks and options. In contrast to that, she loves trips to Las Vegas where she can spend many happy hours at the Pai Gow tables. She shares a condo with her very own My Cat From Hell TV star, Allie, who manages to exude just enough affection to make her scary feral ways tolerable.
The Darkness will invade their dreams and turn their reality into nightmares.
The Origins of Darkness
The Schatten Chronicles Book 1
by KA Stefana
Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance
They witnessed the death of the evil king and thought that they had saved the land from the darkness within, but he survived and hid within the Northern Boundaries for almost a century. He found a way to escape and regain his powers but he could not break the curse that bound him to the icy wasteland, until one day. One spell bound within ancient magic. One spell that unleashed his plan.
Night after night he visited young innocent maidens in the remotest villages as they were just about to come of age. He entered their dreams and tempted them with raw desire. As they fell prey to his evil plan, he took from them what he wanted and destroyed their futures so that he could rise again.
Soon his daughters would rise, the daughters of darkness. They would travel to lands beyond, where his feet could no longer touch the ground. His daughters, sired for evil, would reign terror down on the southern kings and he would reclaim what was stolen from him and break the curse that bound him.
This is the prequel to The Daughters of Darkness, A Schatten Novel by KA STefana.
In the peaceful Land of the Rhein, the Darkness looms on the horizon. Evil infiltrates the castle walls, and traitors lurk in the shadows. Can King William protect his beloved land from the impending doom? Enter Idalia, an enigmatic outcast whose fate is uncertain. Could she be the one to fulfill the prophecy, to save the kingdom from its imminent downfall?
But as the truth about Idalia's past unravels, King William must decide whether to trust her or condemn her to death. Amidst betrayal and treachery, the dragon Morgan holds the key to the prophecy that will determine the fate of the land. Will the outcast born for evil rise to power and defeat her father? Or will she betray those who trust her in the heat of battle?
With twists and turns at every corner, only time can reveal what lies ahead in this epic tale of romance, betrayal, and banishment.
Welcome Readers! Followers and Members of the Shadowverse. I am so excited that you are taking this journey with me. I love to weave tales of darkness and light, pushing my characters to the end of themselves. How will they react? Some may fall into evil, spiraling into a never-ending vortex of darkness. Others may walk the line between the realms of darkness and light. Only a few will rise above the chaos. They are the defenders and heroes in the world of shadows, but they, too, wrestle with the shadows surrounding them, trying to lure them down dark alleyways and into the back rooms of iniquity.
My friends always ask me where my tales come from. I guess it comes from years of reading great tales from the likes of Tolkien, Lewis, and so many others. In reality, I don't have a clue. The stories somehow flow from the unruly characters that beg to be written yet refuse to follow their storylines. Just the way I like it!
Past the shadows, you will find a twist of romance between kings and outcasts, enemies to lovers, and everything in between.
As for me, I started my writing journey during quarantine and haven't stopped writing since. I am thankful for the writing community and their support and for my family and friends. Most of all, I am blessed to have a husband who supports all of my late-night shenanigans, wrestling with characters and pounding away at the keyboard until the wee hours of the morning.
~ A million hugs! Thanks for joining the Shadowverse.