Top Polyamorous Books of 2018 List #favorites #booklover #polylist

Every year the number of my top favorite books increases and I struggle to keep it to ten. This year I devised a plan. I'm splitting the audiobooks away from the ebooks. The ebooks I'm splitting between romance and poly romance. I'm also going to do a top 10 favorite authors. 

So this post is going to be all about the polyamorous romance. With the exception of Joely Skye Burkhart and Megan Derr, these authors are new to me and I considered them great finds. I'm pretty hard on poly romances because I need a balance in the relationships, even if there is no sex between some members of the relationship. I guess I look for a genuine family feel to the story. The ones with a slow burn are sometimes harder for me to judge whether it will have that family-feel. These had me coming back for more.  

Their Vampire Queen series by Joely Skye Burkhart still remains on my favorites list. This year she released Queen Takes Queen, Queen Takes Rook, and Queen Takes Checkmate. The story follows Shara Isador as she learns what it means to be a vampire queen and how to protect those she loves from the pit of vipers/other queens. It is action packed, has smexy times, and loaded with intrigue. I love the different ways she kicks ass. I have reread this series time and again, I even bought the audiobooks as they came out. Queen Takes Checkmate was supposed to be the last book of the series. I was pretty sure she couldn't wrap up both the Triune and Ra plotlines in one book. I was happy to hear there were would be more, not only for Shara and her men but for other queens in this world who I really liked. I'm not sure that I will ever get tired of this world.

A Life of Shadows is a slow burn poly romance with M/M sexual situations... eventually. This is the first book in The Redemption Saga trilogy. Sawyer is a hard, kickass woman. She struggles to trust, with good reason. She lives off the grid with two sides to her personality. One is the woman who takes in troubled kids and teaches them how to stand against adversity. The other is an assassin and thief. She gets caught and to protect what she holds dear, she agrees to their terms, which on the outside looks like a good deal but I had my doubts. There is action packed with loads of secrets and a very slow burn romance.

Four Psychos is the first book in the Dark Side series. It is labeled as a dark romance because this series deals the realm of Hell. The second book in the series had a trial where the characters had to make it through an underworld obstacle course and it wasn't for the squeamish. I didn't mind it at all though. This first book, Keyla is a ghost trying to become a real person again. I don't usually like stories with ghosts, but this one drew me in and I was hooked. There is a lot going on and at times it is funny. The twist was great.

I waffled about putting Hyena Queen on my favorites list. The story telling isn't perfect, but the author created this Hyena culture and lore that incorporates transgender and intersex characters with the hyena shifters that are interesting and I would really like to see where it goes. There are other types of shifters in this world and there is treachery and danger. I liked that they were portrayed as dangerous rather than simply humans who could change shape. I'm hoping that the series continues.

Technically, I wouldn't call the Dragos War Chronicles a 'romance'. There is a poly relationship (and many sex scenes to go with it) but there is also a slow burn romance between Danica and another dragon. What that means for her and her lovers is uncertain. Danica is essentially the last female dragon and she has been in hiding because male dragons are alpha-asses. She has built a network of support and has a small clan of her own comprised of different shifters (there is a whole lore about the creation of the shifters and their purpose and how the dragons have just forgotten/misused them). There are more secrets than the ones Danica carries. Oh, and be wary, there is a huge cliffhanger at the end of this that left me screaming at midnight. The next book was out so I stayed up reading just so that I could get to a place that didn't give me a heart-attack. 

This was unexpectedly good. I have a fondness for alien romances. I love the difference between humans and other species, not only physically but mentally and culturally. If there is a good plot as well, then I am all in. 

Unleashed by Tiffany Roberts fits the bill perfectly. When I started this, I didn't know that this was part of a shared universe between several authors. I will definitely be checking out more by Tiffany and looking into the other books set on this planet. In Unleashed, Nina is born with psychic abilities which causes fear in people. She was adopted by a loving couple and grew up hiding away from people until one day she decides to go to one of the nearby cities and find a mate. She gets trapped in an underground maze, incidentally freeing Aduun, Vortok, and Balir from a thousand years of captivity. Though they suspect she is working for the enemy, they must learn to rely on her and each other in order to live through the trials the maze throws at them. In the end, she was stronger than even she knew.

Dragon Magic by Megan Derr was fantastic! There are four main characters who crossed paths briefly years before and when the city is attacked, are the ones who drive the monster away. Now they are bound by an ancient oath. They have secrets not only from each other but from the world at large. There is political intrigue, assassination attempts, and... I'm struggling to describe this without giving away spoilers. I loved the in-depth look we get of each character as they grow to care about each other. It's not a quick read. I bought the paperback, too.  

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That's all that I have for the poly reads. If you have any suggestions, I would be more than happy to hear them. I'm always looking for new favorites. 

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

What's on the Reading Radar? #TBR #WishList

What am I up to? Slogging through my WIP. Never give up! Never surrender! And worked on Assassin's Retirement blog story. I need to get some more chapters under my belt. Perhaps the break from the WIP will help. 

The cool happening this week is that Songs of the Earth released on audio. Twin Flames left Tristan in the middle of the river between an ancient goddess and a shirdal. Now he can get out of the water.  :)

Also, some shameless advertising, all my titles with Less Than Three Press are 20% off. Check them out here.

As for reading... I haven't read much on the list. I've been sort of blah with reading, too. Am I burned out with reading? Perhaps. Usually, when that happens, I'll do something different in the evening like gorge on video games. I might have to play Dragon Age over again. 

Title: The Omega Objection
Series: San Andreas Shifters, 2
Author(s): GL Carriger
Length: 317 pages
Publisher: GAIL CARRIGER LLC; 1 edition (November 4, 2018)

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay

Notes:

Blurb: A werewolf walks into a bar. 

Tank is working as a bouncer when he notices something odd about the sexy-as-sin bartender. He’s odorless, he’s amazingly popular with shifters, and he’s terrified.

A man without a smell.

Isaac is trying to escape his past. He hides in San Francisco because everyone knows that there are no werewolves in the Bay Area.

Until one walks into his bar.

Can a gentle werewolf with a trampled heart show a man who’s been running scared that sometimes there are monsters worth running towards?

New York Times best selling author Gail Carriger (writing as G. L. Carriger) brings you the next in her charming gay werewolves series. The San Andreas Shifter books stand alone and do not need to be read in any order. ut if you're a stickler this book comes after Bryan & Max's story, The Sumage Solution.

Delicate Sensibilities?

This book contains M/m sexy times and horrible puns. If you get offended easily, then you probably will. San Andreas Shifter stories include blue language, dirty deeds, and outright admiration for the San Francisco Bay Area. Not for the faint of heart or mouth or tongue.

Title: Fangs for the Memories
Series:
Author(s): Julia Talbot
Length: 174 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (November 6, 2018)

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay

Notes:

Blurb: One wolf lost his memory, but they’ll both lose their hearts.

Bitten werewolf Tom owes the folks at the Dead and Breakfast big for saving his life. So when they ask for help with a rogue wolf on the premises, he’s happy to do his part….

Though he isn’t quite prepared for what he’ll find.

Werewolf Nathan lost everything to a sadistic kidnapper—his freedom, his memories, and maybe even his ability to be human. But as soon as he meets Tom, he knows he might be able to reclaim his life. And even a turned wolf like Tom feels the mating call. The trouble is, Tom isn’t the only one who wants Nathan, and they’ll need help from all their supernatural friends at the D & B to defeat a powerful enemy and keep their love—and themselves—alive.

Title: Bayou Dreams
Series: (Rougaroux Social Club Book 1)
Author(s): Lynn Lorenz
Length: 204 pages
Publisher: Hartwood Publishing (November 20, 2018)

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay /

Notes: This series has been on my read list a while and I'm glad that it is back on the market. 

Blurb: Sheriff Scott Dupree’s got more problems than he can handle. He’s alpha of his small werewolf pack and coming up for re-election as sheriff in a year. On top of this, his mother is casting love spells to find Scott a mate. It’s all Scott can do to keep the town and pack under control, let alone his urges to mate.

Ted Canedo is openly gay, a disgraced ex-cop from New Orleans. His patrol partner was killed on duty, and Ted took the blame for taking protection money from the store owner to save his partner’s wife and kids grief. No one knew Ted was in love with his partner, not even his partner. Having him die in Ted’s arms killed something inside Ted too.

When the moon is full, and Scott’s momma works her magic, Ted’s erotic dreams and his work as a PI bring him to St. Jerome and sexy, straight Scott. Scott’s stunned to learn his wolf is gay and wants to mate with Ted.

Ted refuses to become involved with a straight man, much less a werewolf, terrified to risk his heart again if it means he has to watch Scott fight to the death for his right to claim Ted as his mate.

Title: Dragon's Lair
Series:
Author(s): Daniela Jeffries
Length: 190 pages
Publisher: Less Than Three Press (February 26, 2018)

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Asexual / Bisexual / 

Notes:

Blurb: Newly divorced therapist Noir wasn't expecting to fall for criminal mastermind Dragon when he was assigned to weekly meetings with him in prison as part of his possible parole. But fall he did, and hard. 

Dragon, however, is no knight in shining armor. Like his namesake, he's a fiery beast that will do anything to protect his new treasure...

Title: Claw Marks & Card Games
Series: Stallion Ridge # 2
Author(s): Maz Maddox
Length: 265 pages
Publisher:

Genre: Romance / Wild West / Centaurs and Other Paranormals / Gay

Notes: I'm reading the first book of this series, Heartache and Hoofbeats.

Blurb: Cooper Woodlock is a man who can’t seem to stay out of trouble. Between his gambling debt and being a widowed father, he can never seem to get Lady Luck back on his side.

Desperate for a winning hand, Cooper starts hitting saloons and tempting fate in order to keep the bloodthirsty Spades at bay.

When a black-clad gunslinger enters the game promising a slice of freedom, Cooper realizes all too late what he is actually playing for.

Title: Traveler
Series: Equinox, 1
Author(s): Lily Harlem
Length: 105 pages
Publisher: Lily Harlem (November 27, 2018)

Genre: Romance / Sci-Fi / Poly / 

Notes:

Blurb: After escaping a fate worse than death, Uma Nixon knows she’s one lucky woman.

She also knows Earth is no longer a safe place to be.

Not wanting to fall into the same trap twice, she uses her skills to secure a job aboard Equinox as it travels between Earth and Planet Athion.

Some might say it’s a grinding job. A long journey in hyperspace as a cognitive traveler isn’t for everyone. But throw four sexy guys into the mix—human and alien—a cheeky parrot, and a whole lot of flirting and desire, things soon get interesting out there in the abyss.

When jealousy, curious quirks of evolution, and danger rears its head, Uma wonders if she’ll be able to handle the heat and the excitement. And if she can’t…there’s nowhere to run.

Planet Athion is a shared world contributed to by multiple authors. Discover more about this exciting Reverse Harem, Sci Fi Romance series today! Travel over to planetathion.blogspot.com for more information.

Title: Roam
Series:
Author(s): Dez Schwartz
Length: 208 pages
Publisher: NineStar Press (October 1, 2018)

Genre: Romance / Urban Fantasy / Paranormal / Gay / 

Notes:

Blurb: Ethan Roam suffers from night terrors and vivid daydreams, which lead him to the doorstep of the eccentric Dr. Grady Hunter, who thrusts him into a world of supernatural misfits. Ethan quickly learns that there’s more reality to his dreams than he suspected.

As Ethan unravels the truth behind his nightmares and falls into his first experience with love, he also finds himself the target of a sinister plan.

Ethan’s trust in his new companions will be tested and he’ll have to decide who he can rely on and who he must defy in order to survive a fatal Halloween night.

Title: Only Human
Series:
Author(s): Meredith Katz
Length: 55 pages
Publisher: Less Than Three Press

Genre: Romance / Urban Fantasy / Paranormal / Gay / Bisexual / 

Notes:

Blurb: Getting sick sucks, and magic sucks worse. So when Saul finds out that his sudden bout of sickness is actually a curse, he's understandably freaked out by being referred to a necromantic specialist. But the ordeal is made moderately better by the cute receptionist, Theo, who is exactly Saul's type—aside from the fact that he's dead. 

Sure, he's gray-skinned and put together from the remains of various corpses, but Theo is gentle, kind, and shares Saul's tastes in TV and video games. He knows all the right places for coffee, and enjoys long walks in the park. Maybe getting involved with the undead isn't so bad after all—and maybe you don't have to have a heartbeat to win someone's heart.

Title: Season to Shimmer
Series:
Author(s): Kim Katil
Length: 52 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 1, 2018)

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / Holiday / 

Notes: Of the week, this is the only one that I read. It's a sweet romance between Nolan and Skylar (Shimmer). I loved that they knew what they wanted. It is also a story about brothers coming together to support their youngest brother. Two thumbs up!

Blurb: One morning close to the holidays, Nolan wakes up to two surprises: a distress call from his younger brother and a beautiful man in his bed. Nolan, an art gallery owner, has always been discreet about his sexuality, but when his baby brother plans to come out at the annual family gala, Nolan wants to have his back—and that means showing up with a man of his own on his arm. Nolan knows just the man for the job.

Skylar, who owns a karate studio in St. Augustine, can’t get his one-night stand out of his mind. When he runs into Nolan at his gallery he is more than happy to volunteer his services as arm candy. Out-and-proud himself with his striking blue/green hair, Skylar is all in. Their adventure means a fancy salon, family drama, lots of sex, a ninja hippo, and palm trees lit up in a very suggestive way. By the end of it, what started as a hookup might become much more.

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

Holiday Sales!

My publisher is having a month long holiday sale that includes my books. You can get 20% the books in the LT3 catalog. See below for details!

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Rock the Holidays 2018! This year, we’re giving you 20% off all books (ebooks, paperbacks, and an additional 20% off already discounted preorder pricing!) in the LT3 Book Market, we’re bringing back our ever-popular raffle, and will be holding $0.99 sales (announced on the LT3 twitter @LT3Press throughout the month)!

For every book you buy in the LT3 Book Market during the month of December, you’ll be entered into a raffle to win one the following fantastic prizes, including:

One Kindle E-readers
One of three $20 LT3 Gift Certificates
One of six free ebook prizes

Raffle details: Each individual book you purchase enters you into the raffle. Free books are excluded as raffle entries and box sets and bundles count as a single entry. Winners will be contacted through the email address associated with their LT3 Book Market account* and will have 72 hours to claim their prize before a new winner is selected. The Kindle Fire HD will be shipped directly from Amazon.com. Contest is open to all domestic and international customers. For full contest terms and conditions, click here.

*If your contact email is different, please leave a comment with your order with the email address you’d like to be contacted at in the case you win. This email address will not be used for any other purpose.

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

New Audiobook Release! #PNR #fantasy #LGBTQ #takenonames

I am so excited! Songs of the Earth can now be found on audiobook! It is the second book in the Sumeria's Sons series and cannot be read as a standalone. Matt Haynes does such a phenomenal job with all the voices.

Links: Amazon | Audible US | Audible UK | iTunes

Blurb:​

Thrust into the role of Prince of the Lycans, Tristan strives to find his footing in a life suddenly rife with secrets and lies--and danger. Betrayed by a Goddess meant to safeguard him, desperate to protect his consort and their growing tribe, he can only prepare for the worst and struggle to hope.

And then the worst comes to kill them...

~*~*~

Did you miss the first book in the series?

Blurb: A Lycan descendant of Gilgamesh and Enkidu, Tristan is not as extraordinary as his ancestors. He is an average warrior, unremarkable throughout. But this fact does not trouble him because he has found his Twin Flame, the one person destined to be his, who will love him unconditionally, life after life.

Then his Flame betrays him, leaving him shattered and dying. Brokenhearted, Tristan dissolves the sacred bond and leaves. His best friend, Ushna, accompanies him, vowing to guard and protect him, and Tristan slowly comes to realize that love does not require a sacred bond.

But if he hopes to keep the love he chooses, they will first have to survive ancient secrets, lies, mythical creatures, and the return of absent gods…

Audiobook Links: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon | iTunes 

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

Publisher Deals for December

For the month of December, my publisher, Less Than Three Press, will be having daily deals.

Check their Facebook page everyday for the day's $0.99 deal.

LT3 Press Facebook Page LT3 Website

What's on the Reading Radar? #WishList #TBR

What have I been up to? I've been trying to get Constant finished by the end of November, but I hit a wall this week. Not that I was close to being done, but still getting through the mental road block is ongoing. 

In other news, there are books!

Title: Saving Jax
Series: 
Author(s): LM Brown
Length: 290 pages
Publisher: 

Genre: Romance / Sci-Fi / Dual Gendered Aliens / Felines / Gay / Mpreg / 

Notes: The other book in this universe is Loving Kit, which I loved and made my favorites list last year. I cannot wait to read this one!!

Blurb: Jax has made mistakes in his life, the biggest of which was falling for Lyndon. His love died when Lyndon refused to claim him as his mate after Jax discovered he was pregnant. His feelings turned to hate when his babies were stolen from his care the day they were born. 

Reliant on Lyndon for the cream he needs to survive, Jax does everything he can to keep him happy and he lives for the day when he will be reunited with his children.

When Jax discovers he is pregnant for a second time, he is terrified his second litter will be taken from him, too.

Ty is a dual-gendered feline who dreams of carrying his own babies one day. If they are fathered by Cal, the sexy feline he feeds from, it would be even better. Ty’s parents have other ideas. They don’t wish the public to know that their high-born son is dual-gendered, and arrange for a mating festival to take place so Ty can choose a dual-gendered mate of his own.

Although Ty has no intention of submitting to his parents’ wishes, something about Jax draws Ty to him and when he and Cal discover Jax’s secret, they know they must help.

Ty and Cal offer Jax a way to escape Lyndon’s clutches, but Jax knows almost nothing about the two felines who have offered to claim him.

The stakes have never been higher and Jax must learn to trust again, or risk losing everything.

Note: This book contains non-graphic dub-con and brief attempted assault between one main character and a secondary character that some readers may find upsetting.

Title: Lord Vampyre
Series: 
Author(s): Wendy Rathbone
Length: 241 Pages
Publisher: 

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Paranormal / Vampires / Poly / Gay / 

Notes: 


Blurb: When Lord Neverelle becomes a guest at Cliffside Keep, Vanni watches helplessly as Damion, the young man he’s grown up with and secretly loves, falls for the alluring and seductive stranger. Lord Neverelle is danger incarnate, and soon takes control of the household.

Not satisfied with Damion alone, Never uses a vampire trick called “the tempt” to compel Vanni, who is swept into a love triangle that includes fiery passion and nightly threesomes.

Now Vanni must ask himself, is any of this consensual? And what about Damion—does he really want to be with Vanni, or is it all a sensual play controlled by vampire compulsion?

M/M and M/M/M romance.

Title: A Time to Rise
Series: 
Author(s): Tal Bauer
Length: 344 pages
Publisher: 

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Vampires / Knights / Gay / 

Notes: 


Blurb: History says the Knights Templar were destroyed in 1307.

History is wrong.

Vampires haunt the sewers beneath Rome, revenants desecrate graveyards, ghouls devour helpless passersby, and incubi stalk dark alleys and seedy nightclubs in Italy's capital. Deep in the Vatican, a brotherhood exists, sworn protectors of the earth, and they stand against the darkness. Operating in secret and silence, they protect our world from the sinister, the etheric, and the evils that exist beyond the Veil.

But it's a lonely life, and Alain Autenburg knows that more than most. His lover was ripped from him years ago, and he vowed never to get close to another soul again. Even when the loneliness presses down on him, and his empty heart cries out for something more.

Something more comes in Cristoph Hasse, a new soldier arriving in Rome to serve in the Pontifical Swiss Guard. Young, brash, and fitting in at right angles everywhere he goes, Cristoph struggles in the murky, deceptive labyrinth of the Vatican. Propelled forward by a past he can't understand, Cristoph collides with Alain as both men crash headfirst into the darkest secret of the Vatican... and of the world.

Title: Ancient Whispers
Series: Humanity Lost, 1
Author(s): Sammi Cee
Length: 128 pages
Publisher: 

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Angels / Soul Mates / Gay / 

Notes: 


Blurb: Denny Langer feels like a man without options. Pretty sure that his uncle is exporting something far worse than drugs, but with no one else to turn to, he’s ready to either sacrifice his soul or end his life as he knows it.

Azorarth is the fallen angel appointed to guide Denny toward the right path. After centuries of it being paranormal law to hide his true identity, he’s conflicted when he meets Denny and senses that he is his suflet mwenza, or soul-mate.

Will Azorarth go against the laws of his realm to reveal his true nature to Denny and save his life, as well as countless others, or will he ignore the voice of the Ancient One and stay hidden?

Is humanity really lost or will salvation come one paranormal/human HEA at a time?

*This is intended for ages 18+

Title: Blind Fall
Series: (Stolen by an Alien Book 5)
Author(s): Amanda Milo
Length: 171 pages
Publisher: 

Genre: Romance / Sci-Fi / Aliens / 

Notes: I have read the first two books in this series. Stolen By An Alien made my favorites list last year. The blind woman and her dog was mentioned in two lines in that book and Amanda said she got so many emails, people asking if the dog was all right. So she wrote this. I have already read it and LOVED it. Can it be read as a standalone? Yes, it can. 


Blurb: I was gifted as a slave-bride to an alien giant.That’s the start of my day. At least I have my guide dog, Kota, with me. I’d be lost without her… literally.

Yes. I’m blind.

And our new alien owner is kind enough that he’s not holding me to the wife or slave deal even though that’s what I was intended for. We’ve basically been dropped into a scene from Little House on the Alien Prairie, complete with his one-room cabin, and he’s been the perfect gentleman. He’s pretty great, and I’m actually starting to wish I could take him home with me.

He doesn’t know it yet, but the threat of him going into ‘rut’ is no longer a deterrent...

**This book is a standalone--grab and enjoy! (Note: Explicit language and adult scenes are contained in this book.) 56K words.

***Heads up for readers of the Stolen series: this is an interconnected standalone, so hop in and have some fun “Aha!” moments with me!

Title: Hunter
Series: 
Author(s): JV Speyer
Length: 282 pages
Publisher: 

Genre: Romance / Urban Fantasy / Second Chances / Cops/FBI / Paranormal /

Notes: 


Blurb: Luis has spent his career chasing the darker side of life. First a vice cop, then an FBI profiler, now he lands in the Boston field office, and not by choice. He expects his case load to have a much lighter tone than he’s used to. 

He wasn’t counting on New England’s dark history, or their pride in it. He didn’t understand how close-knit the old towns could be, or how protective they were of their own. He soon finds he’s going to have to count on every skill he ever used in his time at headquarters, and a few skills he didn’t know he had, if he wants to keep body and soul together.

Complicating matters is a new case Luis has just been handed, working with the Mass. State Police. Luis has history there, and ugly history too. Detective Donovan Carey is the guy who broke Luis’ heart over a decade ago. He wasn’t willing to even peek his head outside the closet, certainly not for someone like Luis. Can they put their history aside to deal with a mystery centuries in the making?

Title: The Sea of Stars
Series: 
Author(s): Nicole Kimbering
Length: 388 pages
Publisher: 

Genre: Romance / Royal Courts / Paranormal / Fantasy / Sorcery / 

Notes: 


Blurb: Desire. Destruction. Destiny.

Thomas Myrdin knows that intrigue is part of life at court, but that doesn’t make his king’s betrayal any easier to take. Yet heartbreak troubles him less than the apocalyptic visions that haunt him. Fiery premonitions that show the world burning in ruins—and the cause, the king’s daughter. Visions and vengeance awaken a strange new power within him, but not even he is sure if those visions are prophecy or madness.

Lord Adam Wexley harbors a secret longing for the elegant Thomas, but his duty is to protect the newborn princess. When a sudden threat arises, Adam seeks to procure the services of Grand Magician Zachary Drake. Even if it means sacrificing his own soul—and his body.

Drake has seen the worst of kings and courtiers. Now he protects himself with powerful sorcery and the adamant refusal to affiliate with any of the Four Courts. But the grand magician isn’t without weaknesses and Adam may be the one enticement that could draw him to ruin.

In a rising storm of magic with the power to strip away men’s souls, the thread of desire connecting three men could be the kingdom’s last lifeline…

(Series previously published as Ghost Star Night and Heir of Starlight now combined in one volume.)

Title: Shifting Shadows
Series: (Metal and Magic Book 1)
Author(s): Michelle Frost
Length: 136 pages
Publisher: 

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Shifters / Gay / 

Notes: 


Blurb: Something is moving in the shadows of Hanover Hills.

Being the lead enforcer of a werewolf pack isn’t the easiest job in the world, but Deckard Warren doesn’t trust anyone else to do it. Most days he doesn’t trust anyone, period. He leads his unit of Ironheld Wolves--defending their territory and protecting their alpha--with vigilance and a wrath as unforgiving as he is. When a man who doesn’t know his own name is chased into wolf territory by a rival pack, Deckard discovers something he thought didn’t exist for him and that he knows he doesn’t deserve.

Colt is running, but from what? And to where? He doesn’t remember anything before the moment he crossed the border into Ironheld Wolf territory with only the clothes on his back. After he leaps straight into the arms of the gruffest, most intimidating man he thinks he’s ever met, the werewolf seems hell bent on helping Colt get his memories back if only so he can send him on his way. With no other options, Colt takes Deckard up on his offer of refuge and sets out to figure out what happened to him even as proximity to the werewolf threatens to have him losing more than the recollection of his past.

But when the shadows shift and enemies are brought to light, will Deckard and Colt find a way to stand together or watch as everything around them drowns in darkness?

***Shifting Shadows is part of a continuing series and while the romance arc ends in a HFN, the overall story arc is ongoing and ends on a soft cliffhanger.***

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

Pact Day: No More Topics #ValespianPact

I was planning for today's topic to be about the humans invading Aries 7, the GyrFalconi's homeworld, and realized that I had already given that bit of history on an earlier blog post. (If you haven't read it, you can find the post HERE.) 

Since that was a no-go, I looked around for something else for Pact Days and I actually have nothing to give you. It's not surprising. The Pact Day blog posts started almost a year ago. It was inevitable that I would run out of material to discuss. Since I'm in the middle of writing books 3 and 4 of the series, there isn't anything else that I can write on that wouldn't give away spoilers. I haven't picked up a drawing pencil for ages, so there aren't any character sketches. 

So... I'm at a loss, which means that I probably won't have anymore Pact Days. That makes me sad because I enjoyed writing the blog posts (mostly, LOL) but it also means that I need to find something else to fill this spot and I have nothing. I've gotten used to having three steady blog posts every week.

If you have any suggestions or topics you'd like to hear about. Just drop me a comment and I will definitely write about it.

I will have some announcements regarding the Valespian Pact in the future. I am working on something for InstantFreebie connected to my newsletter sign up. I have a handful of side stories about Zeus growing up with the Vondorians. I'm also going to be working on an anthology of flash fictions set in the Valespian Pact world. :) I don't have a time frame for them yet because I'm pushing to get Constant finished and off to the publisher. When I have something more set, I'll have another post about it.

In the meantime, I wanted to thank you for hanging out with me on Thursdays. I really appreciated it. <3

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

What's on the Reading Radar? #WishList $TBR

What am I doing? The computer went down and I had to take it in for repair. In the meantime, I've been working on Constant (The Valespian Pact, 3). My goal is to get it finished by the end of the month and I already feel the 30th breathing down my neck like a fire dragon. LOL! The manuscript is currently at 111k and I'm working on a new chapter. That's been the process: edit, rewrite, delete chapter and write a new one, then add new content/scenes. After this new chapter, I'm considering deleting the next one. I've been scanning it for anything that can stay but it doesn't look promising. 

For reading, well there are a couple of books that I'm reading at the same time. I have noticed that I'm stopping around the 70% mark because I don't want the story to end... or I'm afraid that the story will stop at a cliffhanger. The cliffhanger book happened last week and I wasn't expecting it and now I'm a little apprehensive about at least that one series. 

Title: Kill the Queen
Series: (A Crown of Shards Novel Book 1)
Author(s): Jennifer Estep
Length: 480 pages
Publisher: Harper Voyager (October 2, 2018)

Genre: Fantasy / Magic / Political Intrigue / Some Romantic Elements /

Notes: I'm reading this one currently (audiobook) and have really enjoyed it. The MC at times has been too cynical but considering what her life was like, it's understandable though I wanted to smack her a time or two. 

Blurb: Gladiator meets Game of Thrones: a royal woman becomes a skilled warrior to destroy her murderous cousin, avenge her family, and save her kingdom in this first entry in a dazzling fantasy epic from the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Elemental Assassin series—an enthralling tale that combines magic, murder, intrigue, adventure, and a hint of romance.

In a realm where one’s magical power determines one’s worth, Lady Everleigh’s lack of obvious ability relegates her to the shadows of the royal court of Bellona, a kingdom steeped in gladiator tradition. Seventeenth in line for the throne, Evie is nothing more than a ceremonial fixture, overlooked and mostly forgotten.

But dark forces are at work inside the palace. When her cousin Vasilia, the crown princess, assassinates her mother the queen and takes the throne by force, Evie is also attacked, along with the rest of the royal family. Luckily for Evie, her secret immunity to magic helps her escape the massacre.

Forced into hiding to survive, she falls in with a gladiator troupe. Though they use their talents to entertain and amuse the masses, the gladiators are actually highly trained warriors skilled in the art of war, especially Lucas Sullivan, a powerful magier with secrets of his own. Uncertain of her future—or if she even has one—Evie begins training with the troupe until she can decide her next move.

But as the bloodthirsty Vasilia exerts her power, pushing Bellona to the brink of war, Evie’s fate becomes clear: she must become a fearsome gladiator herself . . . and kill the queen.

Title: A Vampire's Heart
Series: Ellowyn Found, 1
Author(s): Kayleigh Sky
Length: 399 pages
Publisher: Kiss Drunk Books (November 13, 2018)

Genre: Mystery / Paranormal / Romantic Elements / Dystopia / Gay / 

Notes: 

Blurb: Vampires live.

And they hunger…

Otto Jones, a cop assigned to the seemingly random murder of a vampire, would rather hide out in the nearest bar than waste his time on a dead vamp. He hates the bloodthirsty demons. But when the king of the vampires commands him to work with one of the lesser princes and find the killer, he has no choice.

Prince Jessamine Senera is ready to sacrifice his happiness in a loveless marriage for his family’s benefit… but not yet. He dreams of adventure, excitement, and true love. He lives on romance novels and detective stories and wishes he could drink synthetic blood like every other vampire. But he can’t. He needs human blood to survive and is hated by vampires and humans alike.

As Otto and Jessa draw closer to an entity that doesn’t want to be discovered, Otto finds the heart he thought long dead opening to the romance-loving Jessa. No good can possibly come from falling in love with a vampire, but when a shadowy assailant attacks Jessa, Otto will descend into the darkest pit of the earth to rescue him.

If you like vampires, mythical and urban settings, intense suspense, and happy ever after, then you’ll love this first book in the dark and mysterious Ellowyn Found trilogy!


A Vampire’s Heart is a stand-alone paranormal dystopian noir romance with a satisfying conclusion to the love story and a central mystery that weaves the trilogy together.

Title: Bond
Series: Forbidden Desires, 2
Author(s): Piper Scot, Virginia Kelly
Length: 306 pages
Publisher: 

Genre: Romance / Omegaverse / Paranormal / Dragons / 

Notes: The first book of this series was awesome. I fell in love with Harry and this is his story. I love it just as much. Great series.

Blurb: Adorably naive and shockingly brilliant Harrison Lessardi only needs two things in life: his pet iguana, Steve, and his undying love of science. That is until he witnesses his best friend lay eggs, and a third must-have strolls into his apartment—the sardonic and mischievous Everard Drake.

Everard Drake, celebrated doctor of the tremendously wealthy Drake family, has one goal in mind when he arrives at the scene of his youngest brother’s latest disaster: incinerate Harrison Lessardi. Unfortunately for Everard, the moment he spots Harry, incineration becomes an impossibility—he must have the gorgeous beta as his own, even if it means holding him captive on his estate.

But something else lurks behind Everard’s interest in Harry—something that tugs at Everard’s soul in impossible ways, and that will send Everard and Harry down a rabbit hole of discovery that will change the world as they know it.

An alpha and a beta can’t share a bond.

Can they?

Bond is a 78,000 word steamy omegaverse mpreg-ish romance that will leave you in stitches. It contains an unexpectedly consensual kidnapping; giant magical lizards; an iguana with a full wardrobe named Steve; never-ending nicknames; and a HEA that may, or may not involve mosquito nets. For maximum enjoyment, Bond is best read following the events of Clutch.

Title: Green Death
Series: 
Author(s): Madeleine Ribbon
Length: 
Publisher: 

Genre: Romance / Science Fiction / Dystopia / Gay /

Notes: 

Blurb: For ninety years, the Exclusion Zone has been walled off from the rest of the country. The neighborhood—once a hotbed of political revolution—is now crumbling. Poison from the great catastrophe still hangs in the air. It taints every living thing that breathes it in. It causes rages, great bursts of violence that can’t be controlled. And that makes living within the walls incredibly difficult. But the descendants of the catastrophe survive, and the resistance hasn’t died.

As poison master to the Oligarch, Tryg Sant knows a lot of things others shouldn’t. But when he discovers his family’s darkest secret, his brother tries to kill him. When Tryg’s lover pushes him out of a helicopter and into the Exclusion Zone, Tryg finds himself trapped in a dangerous new world, entirely different from the one he expects. Now he has to learn to survive nearly-feral humans and his own disintegrating mind. Luckily, he’s found an ally in Riot, one of the victims of the Green Death…

Title: Jinn
Series: Djinn Rebellion, 1
Author(s): Jessica Cage
Length: 273 pages
Publisher: 

Genre: Romance / Dystopia / Urban Fantasy / Dragons / Djinn

Notes: I seriously love this cover. I'm always on the look out for stories about Djinn. 

Blurb: In a post-apocalyptic world, the earth is divided, and magic rules all. The strongest of which, is about to be challenged.

For centuries, Jinn has watched from afar as the powers that be, fought to claim a part of the world as their own. With no stake in the game, the djinn remained a powerful but neutral party. That was until an old friend presents Jinn with an offer he can’t refuse. The love he thought he’d lost forever is still alive, and he has the map to her location.

Mike wants his people freed from the slums and Jinn has the power to make that happen. In return for his aid, Mike will lead the quest into the darkest corner of the earth to find her.

With a new player on the field, everyone is on edge and for good reason. Jinn will go to hell and back for the woman he loves, and he’ll destroy anyone who gets in his way. 

Jinn is book 1 of the Djinn Rebellion Series, a Paranormal Urban Fantasy series USA Today Best-Selling Author, Jessica Cage.

If you like powerful men, second chance love stories, and epic fight scenes with dragons, well you’re going to LOVE Jinn.
Grab your copy today and find out just how far he will go to save the woman he loves!

Title: The Serpent's Mate
Series: (Iriduan Test Subjects Book 3)
Author(s): Susan Trombley
Length: 277 pages
Publisher: 

Genre: Romance / Aliens / Sci-Fi / 

Notes: I have not read this series or heard of it before I saw this cover and snagged it because I needed to know more. It sounds like it can be read as a standalone but now I'm caught. The first book is titled the Scorpion Mate and the second is The Kraken's Mate. I love trying out Sci-Fi alien romances, and these aren't the typical 'aliens' with strange colored skin but look human. They are on KU so I'm going to give the series a go.

Blurb: When Cass is abducted by aliens and sold to an alien pirate queen who collects female slaves to harvest their pheromones, her first experience with extraterrestrials quickly turns from surreal into a nightmare, which only grows more terrifying when an alien with a snake-like lower body and a surprisingly handsome face comes to her rescue. But Cass isn’t sure she’s actually safe with him, because he looks at her with hunger in his eyes.

Nahash has always been a loyal, honorable Iriduan soldier. After distinguishing himself above his peers, the genetically-enhanced warrior volunteered for an experimental program to create a hybrid with powerful psionic abilities, using DNA taken from a giant serpent that decimated one of their outer colonies. Though his body changed into a form beyond the scientists’ expectations, his mind became a weapon that could alter the very course of Iriduan civilization, perhaps even saving it from its inevitable ruin.

After such drastic alterations to his biology, scientists told him he was free from the affliction that caused Iriduan males to imprint on a single female, bonding him to her for life. The last thing he expects is to bond instantly to a human female he rescues during a raid on a pirate colony. Now, he’s stuck with her, because if he isn’t exposed to his mate’s scent on a regular basis, he will die. The fact that his body craves her as much as it needs her fills him with resentment, but when he realizes that the Iriduan Empire will do anything to keep her under their control because of what she means to him, he doesn’t hesitate to protect his mate—even if it means betraying his people.

The rogue test subject and the abducted human make a desperate escape from the Iriduan Empire, but the galaxy proves to be a dangerous place and there are worse things than the Iriduans waiting in the darkness of space. With no one to rely on except for each other, Nahash and Cass might not live long enough to find a home where they can settle down and explore the love that grows between them—love that takes them beyond their physical bond.

Author’s Note: 18+ Contains steamy scenes between a human heroine and a very alien hero.

Title: Infinite Blue
Series: 
Author(s): Natalina Reis
Length: 218 pages
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing (September 8, 2018)

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay / 

Notes: I'm sorta of excited that this seems to be about avian shifters.

Blurb: When a shifter and a human are bound by fate, neither man knows if their connection will be enough to save not only their growing love, but their lives.

Shahin Halcón has been taught that if and when he meets his soul mate, he’ll know immediately. Always the rebel, he doesn’t believe it until the day he crosses paths with Cai, a full-human.

Plagued by unsuccessful relationships and heartache, Cai Banes’s life is quiet and unexciting. When he meets young and wild Shahin, his life is turned upside down, and he's not sure he likes it.

But neither can deny the powerful pull that draws them together.

Old secrets and ancient myths about cross-species relationships plague their romance and threaten to put their happiness and life at risk. Will their love for each other be strong enough to survive?

Title: Fated Heroes
Series: The Consequence of Destiny Book 1
Author(s): Brittany Cournoyer
Length: 170 pages
Publisher: 

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Magic / Gay / Mystery / Action-Adventure /

Notes: 

Blurb: What do you do when the life that you know ceases to exist? When a typical night with your friends turns into a night of horror instead? A night that proves that monsters are real and your life will be forever changed? That’s exactly what happens to four friends when they go from watching movies to fighting for their lives.

Michael, Kimberly, Nick, and Courtney are four normal adults, enjoying a night of leisure when a scratch on the sliding glass door catapults them into a world made for movies and books. Pretty soon they are forced to face things that nightmares are made of. Only, this time the nightmares are real.

After a visit to a family member’s house, the foursome is given a journal that was made for them more than two centuries before. A journal that has their destiny written down. Armed with the journal, family secrets, and the help of two unexpected people, the group embarks on a mission to try to save not only a few dozen gifted people, but all of mankind as well.

Will they be able to save everyone, including themselves? Or will this life they were fated to live be too much for the group to handle? Could the two special men that join the foursome turn out to be the men of Michael and Nick’s dreams? Even with special gifts of their own, it’s easier to fight the monster under the bed when it’s just a dream instead of a reality.

Fated Heroes is an exciting adventure filled with magic, lots of friendship, and maybe even a little bit of love between two male characters. Follow this amazing group of friends on the first part of their journey in Book One of the Consequence of Destiny series
.

Title: His Consort
Series: 
Author(s): Mary Calmes
Length: 284 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (November 20, 2018)

Genre: Romantic Elements / Paranormal / Vampires /

Notes: I'm almost finished with this. It reads like it is the first book of the series but there isn't a series title.

Blurb: A new life in New Orleans is all Jason Thorpe had hoped: his quaint little store attracts a devoted staff and his warm, loving heart grants him a loyal circle of friends. He's perfectly content, having left behind the chill of a confusing and danger-filled night in Washington, until he discovers something unbelievable lurking in the steamy darkness of the shadowy streets of the Vieux Carré, something that turns out to be terrifying... and utterly mesmerizing.

The prince of the vampyrs, Varic Maedoc, is visiting New Orleans when he finds out the man who once helped his counselor is there in the Quarter. He thinks to simply meet and thank Jason—until he lays eyes on him. Varic’s devoted himself to protect the honor of his race, and he's never wanted a mate before... but he immediately knows he must have this man, and no one else will do.

Varic may want to bring Jason safely into his world, but someone who doesn’t like the human's soothing influence on vampyrs has deadly plans that would disrupt Varic's dreams. Now, unable to tell friend from foe, Jason finds himself wondering how to hold on to the prince’s heart when he’s fighting for his life.

Title: Secrets Revealed
Series: Dragon War Chronicles, 2
Author(s): AG Carothers
Length: 167 pages
Publisher: 

Genre: Romantic Elements / Alternate World / Paranormal / Dragons / Shifters / Bisexual / Gay / MF / MM / MFM / Poly Relationship / 

Notes: The first book ends with a cliffhanger but since I barely read the blurb, the HUGE cliff hanger took me by surprise. But this one was out so I jumped right over. This one does not give the cliffhanger warning. I'm about 2/3 way through. I say poly relationship instead of romance because it's just that. She has several lovers in her group and they all love each other have sex but it is not an active romance. It's more of an action-adventure with sex and romantic elements. Lots of dragon intrigue and the male dragons are real @ssholes.

Blurb: Last time on Dragon War Chronicles, we left our heroes fighting for their lives in the midst of battle...

Kollin races against time to get samples of the weapon used in Canada to their lab in Oslo. Kenshin races to get Danica back home in time to save her, Aiden and Xander. Danica's allies start to converge in Toulouse in aide and help to prepare for what may come.

Will Kollin be able to help save Danica, Aiden, and Xander before all is lost? Will Matt be able to track down who's responsible for a new weapon that threatens them all? What will happen when Danica's biggest secret is revealed?

Secrets are revealed that will change the future for all dragon and SLIP kind alike.

Warning: This book contains explicit sexual situations that are MM, MF, and MMMF. There are romantic relationships displayed that are MM and some depictions of loving and consensual BDSM relationships. There are also bad puns, a game of tag with an invisible dragon, and lions, jaguars, and bears. Oh my!

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

Pact Day: Giving Thanks

I wanted to wish everybody a Happy Thanksgiving. 

I hope that you have a fabulous day. 

See you next Pact Day!