Beware the poison of the Murder Blossom! When a desperate wizard sends Templeton Kane on an important quest, he's obliged to team up with a formidable woman named Lill. Not only is Lill an imposing physical specimen -- as are many in her tribe from the Glacial Wastes -- but she's also an Ink Mage, a woman whose magical tattoos give her extraordinary abilities. As they chase an ancient artifact, moving from danger to danger, they discover that legends are not always what they're cracked up to be. Occasional strong language, brief adult situations, and gritty sword-stabbing action. The Murder Blossom is a 25,000 word NOVELLA. A word about SideQuests: Ink Mage SideQuests are meant to be shorter works set in the world of Ink Mage. Think of them as "in between meal snacks" while waiting for the books in the main series. While the SideQuests are meant to stand on their own, characters and situations might (or might not) appear in the main novels.

    This new planet called Earth is strange and the people even stranger. He was there for one reason, to find more of his people and to protect them from enemies old and new. What he didn’t expect was to find a mate that both he and his dragon wanted to bond with. Things just got more complicated but he was a dragon shifting warrior, he could handle anything.

    They do their jobs well, using their dual positions to protect humans and shifters alike from those who would prey on them. But when their boss, Alan's father, calls them in on a new assignment, they discover that a horror has developed within the local shifter population.An unknown local serial killer is harvesting humans for their meat...and he is using modern distribution methods to help other degenerate Shifters get their fix.As Alan and Danny scramble to find the killer before he strikes again, their new FBI contact arrives: Special Agent Tamara Pierce, a tough, determined young agent originally from Tennessee. The chemistry between her and Alan is so powerful that his father recognizes the two as a true mating, and warns Alan not to resist or neglect the bond he feels.As Alan struggles to deal with the situation in the middle of a horrifying murder case, he finds his new bond tested when their suspect kidnaps Tamara. With her at his mercy in his booby-trapped lair, the killer has everything stacked in his favor. But Alan has a surprise in store for the degenerate who has dared to lay hands on his mate.... ENJOY FREE WITH KINDLE UNLIMITED Enjoy all the books in the series: Dragon's Fated Mate: Dragon Detectives Book 1 Dragon's Dog Day: Dragon Detectives Book 2 Dragon's Angel: Dragon Detectives Book 3 Dragons Unleashed: Dragon Detectives Series Book 4 Dragon's Egg Thief: Detectives Series Book 5 WARNING: This book contains mature themes and language. Intended for 18+ readers only. Tags: Romance Short Taboo BDSM Pleasure Forbidden Stories Adult Discipline Submission Ménage Sport Valentine Dating Druid Stepbrother LGBT BBW Billionaire Romance, billionaire obsession bachelors baby unmasked brothers, Alpha male romance erotic billionaire omega lgbt, Adult sex books romance with sex adultery new age druid Celtic, Forbidden series fruit love romance pleasures billionaire, New Adult romance contemporary college paranormal with sex fantasy fiction, Short Stories Sport reads romance divorce gay military inspirational clean ghost vampire werewolf cowboy doctor highlander pirate politician viking beach gambling baby pregnancy second chance vacation wedding divorce office workplace amnesia new year christmas angel devil demon fbi police dark fun theft murder noir dog cat food craft hitman conspiracy financial london ireland scottish druid wales sweden denmark angels demons dragons elf shapeshifter aliens clones corporations pirates robots horror mystery thriller coming of age superhero sword magic invasion cyberpunk contact empire genes fleet troop exploration bisexual transgender gay lesbian time travel action adventure spy historical fantasy wizard warlock zombies spanish life application inspire papal christian historical jesus self help self-help catholic hebrew woman women haunted house metaphysical guru conduct of life death family man men mystic healing transformation ancient medieval renaissance aging childhood youth death depression alcoh

    Their arrival sets off a series of events that will transform human/Draconian relations - and eventually, the entire planet. Using state-of-the-art technology, the Draconian mating lottery matches each dragon shifter with his ideal human woman. Sparks fly and tempers flare as the couples work to bridge their interpersonal and inter-species differences. Each alien and his feisty, curvy mate must also grapple with a host of other problems: forbidden dark technologies, anti-Draconian terrorists, hostile alien invasions, devastating attacks, and more. The books win praise from readers for their humour, spice, enticing seven-foot-tall warriors, and otherworldly details. For lovers of shapeshifters, sci-fi romance, and paranormal romance, The Draconians is a feast for the imagination. Alien Commander's Bride (Draconians #1) She’ll do anything to protect her family… even mate with the sexiest alien she ever hated!Lexi Garcia is fed up with Draconians. The dragon shifters have ruined her life! They came to Earth asking human women to sign up for their mating lottery. In exchange, they've offered to share advanced technology with humanity. But someone on their armada is selling other - forbidden - Draconian technology to greedy criminals, and the black market in advanced technology has ensnared Lexi’s family. Her father owes money to a tech-dealing mobster - who wants her sister as payment. To save them both, Lexi has no choice but to join the lottery and submit herself to a Draconian. Sure, the one she’s been matched with is super sweet, seven feet tall, muscular... devastatingly sexy. But she hates him. Doesn't she? Nash Or, Commander of the Draconian Navy, knows Lexi is meant to be his. Her strength and loyalty are as compelling as her sexy curves. He just needs to convince her that not all Draconians are bad. Can Nash put a stop to the underground technology that’s enslaving humans while he woos his sassy bride? Alien Warrior's Mate (Draconians #2) She's looking for a job, not a mate... but fate has other ideas...Loretta Franklin hasn't paid much attention to Draconians, the dragon shifter aliens who've come to Earth looking for human mates. She's been too busy getting her MBA so she can take care of her grandmother and younger siblings.But when she comes to NYC from Alabama for an interview, anti-Draconian terrorists attack the building she's in. They want the dragon shifters to leave forever, and they don't care who they kill.Fortunately for Loretta, Draconian commandos come to the rescue. And their leader, General Mylash Shin, might be intimidating - but he's also the sexiest male, human or alien, she's ever encountered!Mylash is certain the curvy human is his mate, and urges her to take the DNA test to prove it. Loretta finds the seven-foot-tall warrior hard to resist... but she doesn't want to leave her planet and her family. Can the general win his most important campaign ever, and persuade Loretta that he's worth it? Alien Fighter's Woman (Draconians #3) She needs a way off the planet... but she gets a lot more than she bargained for.When Tabby Wilson has to run from her techno-drug-dealing boyfriend, she figures the Draconian mating lottery will be her ticket to safety - and the good life. Then her new mate is forced to take her along on his commando mission, but she soon learns that the dragon shifter alien provides benefits far greater than luxury.Oro Nix can't afford distractions - he's an elite fighter facing a serious human threat. Nonetheless, he quickly succumbs to the lure of his sassy little human mate, her sexy curves, and the roar of his inner dragon.But he and Tabby soon discover that his mission is more complicated than either of them realised - and she's part of it. Alien General's Wife (Draconians #4) He’s her last hope… and she might be his... A devastated woman… When Indigo Robertson learns that her name has come up in the Draconian mating lottery, the timing couldn’t be worse. The benevolent dragon shifter aliens need human women to replenish their DNA… but their ancient enemy, the Mulgor, have followed them to Earth and invaded.The news that she’s been matched with a Draconian warrior comes just after the Mulgor kill Indigo’s entire family. Filled with grief and guilt, she can’t allow herself any happiness. Not even with a seven-foot-tall, sexy as hell dragon shifter! A determined alien… Vlosh Torr can’t afford distractions. The highest-ranking officer in the Draconian military, he is charged with driving the Mulgor invaders from Earth. But he cannot resist the lure of his resilient little wife, her sexy curves, and the roar of his inner dragon. Two crucial battles... Vlosh must fight the Mulgor while he courts a mate who’s fighting her feelings. But when Indigo makes an important discovery, will it mark a turning point in their relationship… and the campaign to protect Earth? Alien Architect's Bride (Draconians #5) She survived the destruction of her world, but can she survive him? A determined woman... Octavia Reynolds is living in a refugee camp in Central Park amidst the ruins of her beloved New York City. She's one of the only people left who understands what the city needs to rebuild, and feels the weight of that responsibility keenly.When she finds out that the Draconians - the dragon shifting aliens who came to Earth six years ago to mate with human women - plan to reconstruct her home in a totally unacceptable way, Octavia is furious. She'll do whatever she can to save what's left of the city - even mate with an alien. A man on a mission... Grand Architect Joss Noro has come to Earth on appointment from the president himself. He expects to construct a typical Draconian colony, not have primitive [or uncultured, or unrefined, or ignorant] humans questioning his plans.Joss rejected love long ago when his first love fell into the mating thrall with another man. When his general tells him he'll be getting a mate, like it or not, it only makes the already-surly dragon even crankier. A change of plans... Octavia joins the Draconian mating lottery as a last-chance gamble, hoping she can persuade the architect to listen to reason. She never expects her mate to be the very man she hates the most.Joss and Octavia butt heads with as much passion as they give each other in the bedroom. But can Joss listen to the words of a backward human female, or will Octavia have to watch her city be destroyed once more?

    Join the Undercover Protectorate. Or die. In a world of controlled magic, I’m an Unknown. Deadly power, little control. I’m only alive because I pay a Blood Sorcerer to keep me hidden. But when he comes to collect on the debt I can’t pay, one of his goons slams me with a deadly curse. Suddenly, I’m out of options and out of time.When I’m given a rare chance to join the elite Undercover Protectorate and train at their academy to become an investigator, I have a way to hunt the cure for the curse. They have resources I don’t. Easy, since I’m broke. Seems like a good plan, right? At least, until they tell me Cade will be joining me on my hunt for the Blood Sorcerer. He's an actual Celtic war god--and the hottest guy I’ve ever seen. The catch? I can’t let him know that I’m an Unknown, or I’m out on my ass and deader than Hades.The Valkyrie boxed set contains all five books in the series full of non-stop action, adventure, magic, and romance. Titles include Undercover Magic, Academy of Magic, Pursuit of Magic, Attack by Magic, & Master of Magic.

    Brimming with fiery passion, sassy psychics, witches, fae, and adorable dragon babies guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings, Dragon Mates will set your heart ablaze for hours on end.Holden’s MateHumans prove to be odd creatures, but one blue-eyed psychic compels me in ways I’ve never experienced.I can barely keep my inner dragon in check when she’s near.But will my unfathomable secret keep us apart?Xander’s MateI need a mate to help me raise my charge: a baby dragon princess.And I know Summer is most definitely that woman.If we’re destined to be together, can we learn to overcome our differences?Beau’s MateI know it’s best for little Elliot, but I’m not sure I’m ready to find a mate.Especially a human one.Until I meet a sexy redhead who’s just as stubborn as I am.With this sassy witch and my hard-headed dragon, it all comes down to a battle of will.Julian’s MateAfter spending so much time with her back on Charok, I know my mate is nowhere on Earth.But when I come face to face with her again, it’s like a dream come true.Until we find out a powerful demon has slipped into the living realm on Earth along with her.Dragon’s Royal GuardA portal ripped open, thrusting me into a strange new world. And then I met her.Royal Dragon’s ProtectorI’ve been pulled from my home planet, forced to acclimate to this foreign world.But now I’m being pulled to Nora.Royal Dragon DaddyI never expected to be a single dad. Nor did I think I’d ever find a mate willing to raise another woman’s baby.Until I met Aurora.Royal Dragon’s WitchThe powerful, unyielding attraction I feel toward a certain mysterious beauty has my dragon reeling to claim what’s his.But she’s my mortal enemy.★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “A super-sized paranormal romance collection! Steamy and romantic, with adventure and great characters..” ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “You will fall for these shifters and want one for yourself.” WARNING! Steamy shifter love scenes inside! Readers 18+ only. Dragon Mates packs Meg Ripley’s bestselling Daddy Dragon Guardians and Shifters Between Worlds series into one riveting anthology..

    Like other dragons, she hoards diamonds, but unlike other dragons, she covets knowledge as well. So when the local villagers offer her one of their younglings as a sacrifice, she decides to take it home with her and study it so she might learn all there is to know about humans. If the youngling satisfies her curiosity, she'll set it free eventually. If it disappoints, she'll feed it to her soon-to-be-born dragonets. As it so happens, the youngling is fearless, clever, and dragon-smart. She quickly exceeds Taziem's wildest expectations and winds up bonding with the newborns. Lathwi, The Soft One, they call her, and accept her as a tanglemate. As they live and grow and play together, Lathwi forgets that she was ever human. After a time though, Taqziem must banish Lathwi from her territory for her own safety. Forced into the human world again, Lathwi begins a journey of re-discovery, stumbling onto a plot to revive dragonkind's ancient nemesis. She withstands sorcerous attacks and an onslaught of demons, but without her mother's help, she knows she cannot defeat the evil that threatens to consume the world. The question is, can she return to Taziem's mountain in time to prevent an apocalypse?

    Sea Serpents. Pirates. Dragons. Follow Darek of the Red Claw Clan through this three book box set, a young sailor crossing blades with ruthless pirates and warring clans. As his hidden powers grow, first in his natural ability to commune with sea dragons, so too does his uncanny dragon-riding skill and sudden bursts of psi power. Yet a foul wind blows across the serpent deeps, bringing with it a former apprentice, Cyrus, a forsaken sorcerer who wields terror and death. The Dragonclaw Islands are thrust into the brink of war as Darek struggles to find his path, unlock his skills, though alienated from his sister and parents. Is he destined to become the Mage Reborn? Ever more does he realize he must stop the tides of war, bring order to clan and family while the rising menace of Cyrus lurks unseen. Taken under the wing of the ailing Dragon Mage Agrippa, Darek uses his powers to unite the Dragon Riders against the growing swarm of sea serpents controlled by Cyrus’s forbidden magic. The fires of rebellion, stoked by a Pirate Queen, plunge the Islanders into an all-out war among dragons, sea serpents, and monsters of the deep. But are Darek’s powers enough to combat these foes, especially when he is linked to the pirates by blood bond and their beautiful queen? Dive into this world of adventure, imagination, and danger that fans of Dragonriders of Pern, Eragon, Dragonlance, Dragon Blood, Dragonvein, Temeraire, and Dragon School will love. Scroll up and one-click to buy this box set today while the introductory price lasts!

    At Ever After High, some students are paired with companion creatures; some aid them in their quests to fulfill their destinies, while others offer the kind of friendships you find only in fairytales. Darling Charming loves riding her horse, Sir Gallopad, who has the ability to camouflage himself by changing colors! But Sir Gallopad hasn't always felt so special. Read this original short story about how Darling got her enchanting pet horse.

     I know I'm about to be fired. After the civil war, when Sven Mishal accepted the mantle of Phoenix King from Mia Hill, it's the obvious outcome. I was appointed by the late, psychotic King Emberich so he won't see my loyalty to the now devastated flocks. Sven has no choice but to get rid of me. It really doesn't help that he's golden, gorgeous and when I'm near him, my heart literally flutters. Stupid heart. Unrest bubbles beneath the surface of the Phoenix community. Most are still angry about how the conspiracy and coup went down, how badly it destroyed lives, and they blame Sven. Enough to want to kill him. How do I stop an assassination with my own life intact?

    But he isn’t just a grouch extraordinaire, he’s been through hell and has the invisible scars to prove it. She knows the situation is delicate but she has a reputation for stomping in like a hurricane. Somehow, she’ll have to help him heal from his past, even if they can never have a future. Hearts have to break before they can be fixed… Adam lost everything, and now he’s a man lost. There’s no coming back from what he experienced. He knows you can’t have a perfect life twice. But one spunky vixen shifter is determined to test that theory… and his very last nerve. He can’t deny that Barb makes him feel like a man again, makes him remember what life was like before it all fell apart. But risking another heartbreak is something he can’t bring himself to do. Not when he has his daughter to think about. She’s all he has left of his old life, and he’s not about to risk hurting her. Limits are tested, boundaries are drawn, hearts get cracked, but it will all come out in the wash. Nothing a little dirty, messy, hope can’t fix

    Betrayed. Now a new ruler must rise from the ashes. Mykah had been the Empire’s greatest general before it had rotted to corruption. Now he builds his own empire in order to crush the greatest nation in the world. At his side is the stunning woman who leads the horned barbarians from the north, known as the oni.The Empire’s armies are limitless. They have dragons, vampires, scores of mages, space-bending foxes, and more patriotic knights than one can imagine. Their industrial network can outfit an army in days.Sometimes, winning requires a lot more than just a good army and tactics.Mykah is up against the clock as the Empire rushes to crush his rebellion. He needs to find an edge over his opponent. His old allies turn on him even as he gathers new ones: elite sorceresses, energetic berserkers, and the horned beauty that leads the oni.Establishing a new empire is hard. Mykah needs to do it before his past catches up to him and grinds him into the dust. Note: The Empire Reforged Series is an empire building fantasy series with harem / polyamorous elements, beast-girls, adult scenes and plenty of violence. Enjoy, or don’t read.

    Merwin --Magic barrel / Bernard Malamud --About marriage / Denise Levertov --from Jane Austen / Virginia Woolf --Princess and the tin box / James Thurber.

     He's been hunted like a rat for longer than he can remember. But now he's come into the light. And the darkness is waiting.

    For almost three years, the Federation and the Klingon Empire, allied under the Khitomer Accords, have contended with the nascent coalition on a predominantly cold-war footing. But as Starfleet rebuilds itself, factions within the Typhon Pact grow restive, concerned about their own inability to develop a quantum slipstream drive to match that of the Federation. Will leaders such as UFP President Bacco and RSE Praetor Kamemor bring about a lasting peace across the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, or will the cold war between the two alliances deepen, and perhaps even lead to an all-out shooting war? Raise the Dawn After the disastrous events in the Bajoran system, Captain Benjamin Sisko must confront the consequences of the recent choices he has made in his life. At the same time, the United Federation of Planets and its Khitomer Accords allies have come to the brink of war with the Typhon Pact. While factions within the Pact unsuccessfully used the recent gestures of goodwill—the opening of borders and a joint Federation-Romulan exploratory mission—to develop quantum-slipstream drive, they have not given up their goals. Employing a broad range of assets, from Romulus to Cardassia, from Ab-Tzenketh to Bajor, they embark on a dangerous new plan to acquire the technology they need to take control of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. While UFP President Bacco and Romulan Praetor Kamemor work feverishly to reestablish peace, Captains Sisko, Jean-Luc Picard, and Ro Laren stand on the front lines of the conflict...even as a new danger threatens the Bajoran wormhole as it once more becomes a flashpoint of galactic history. Brinkmanship The Venette Convention has always remained independent, but it is about to become the flashpoint for a tense military standoff between the two power blocs now dominating interstellar space—the United Federation of Planets and the recently formed Typhon Pact. The Venetan government turns to the Typhon Pact’s Tzenkethi Coalition for protection in the new order, and has agreed to allow three of their supply bases for Tzenkethi use. But these bases—if militarized—would put Tzenkethi weapons unacceptably close to Federation, Cardassian, and Ferengi space. While Captain Ezri Dax and the crew of the U.S.S. Aventine are sent to investigate exactly what is happening at one of the Venette bases, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the U.S.S. Enterprise are assigned to a diplomatic mission sent to the Venette homeworld in order to broker a mutually acceptable resolution. But the Cardassian delegates don’t seem particularly keen on using diplomacy to resolve the situation, which soon spirals out of control toward all-out war. . .