Book picks similar to
The Curse of Broken Shadows (Smoke and Shadow, #1) by Laura Winter
fantasy
dnf
romance
death-of-a-parent
From the Ashes
Amber Lynn Natusch - 2016
Then the dark and mysterious Merc walks into her life, and it takes a disastrous turn for the worse.Now under attack by enemies both known and unknown, Piper has little choice but to flee her refuge—and start over in a place few vampires ever go. Rural Alaska seemed to fit the bill, except for Knox and his crew of werewolves. The pack shares a connection with Piper that few of them can explain, and none of them can escape. With time running out for answers, Piper must fight the demons of her past to ensure her future—or die trying.
The Binding
L. Filloon - 2011
When she discovers that her attacker is her own brother, Lucas, who disappeared four years ago, Lily refuses to believe that her brother would truly hurt her and becomes determined to find Lucas and bring him home. Lily finds that Lucas’ disappearance is somehow tied to Tharin; so when he informs her that she is his betrothed and must return with him to Velesi, fulfill a treaty between their families and unite the two strongest clans through their marriage, Lily agrees. However, she’s not going to Velesi for a wedding, but to bring home her only family, Lucas. On their journey to the borders of Velesi, the realm of the Thirteen Clans, they’re pursued by a Sidhe assassin group call the Ange, meet with an ogre crime lord that ends badly, deal with a sleazy troll motel manager, and when they discover that there’s a bounty on their heads, they must keep one step ahead of every assassin, bounty hunter and low-life criminal in Velesi. Protecting Lily has become the biggest challenge of Tharin’s life. Lucky for him he has help in the form of his twin brother, Tolan, Lily’s best friend Julia and his three bodyguard cousins.
The Shifter's Catch
T.S. Ryder - 2017
A girl who needs money. Sounds like a match made in heaven. Unless they end up dead… Prince Edan never wanted a mate. But now that his brothers are killing each other, he’s the only one who can produce an heir. So when he meets a woman who makes his fires burn blue, he doesn’t think twice. His Dragon spreads its wings and flies her away to his kingdom. Isobel has only one dream. One that costs money she doesn’t have. So when she meets a rich stranger who offers her a job, she’s ready. Except she doesn’t realize that the job is to have his babies… But the vibrations of the universe have spoken. And by the way, it’s pretty difficult to say no to the delicious hunky Dragon and the sheer dominance that radiates from him. What Edan doesn’t know is that Isobel has a gift: She can see the ghosts and demons that are threatening the kingdom. But as the feelings between Isobel and Edan deepen, can she still see? And will he unleash his flames for her when she becomes bait? This is a 109-page stand-alone paranormal story with lots of steam, shifters, magic and action. It has an HEA, so no cliff-hangers! This is a HOT story with mature themes and language. Most definitely for 18+ readers only.
For the Wolf
Hannah F. Whitten - 2021
But not all legends are true, and the Wolf isn't the only danger lurking in the Wilderwood.As the only Second Daughter born in centuries, Red has one purpose-to be sacrificed to the Wolf in the Wood in the hope he'll return the world's captured gods.Red is almost relieved to go. Plagued by a dangerous power she can't control, at least she knows that in the Wilderwood, she can't hurt those she loves. Again.But the legends lie. The Wolf is a man, not a monster. Her magic is a calling, not a curse. And if she doesn't learn how to use it, the monsters the gods have become will swallow the Wilderwood-and her world-whole.
The author has provided a list of content warnings here.
The Bridge Kingdom
Danielle L. Jensen - 2018
The first is that King Aren of the Bridge Kingdom is her enemy. And the second is that she’ll be the one to bring him to his knees.The only route through a storm-ravaged world, the Bridge Kingdom enriches itself and deprives its rivals, including Lara's homeland. So when she’s sent as a bride under the guise of peace, Lara is prepared to do whatever it takes to fracture its impenetrable defenses. And the defenses of its king.Yet as she infiltrates her new home and gains a deeper understanding of the war to possess the bridge, Lara begins to question whether she’s the hero or the villain. And as her feelings for Aren transform from frosty hostility to fierce passion, Lara must choose which kingdom she’ll save… and which kingdom she’ll destroy.Passionate and violent, The Bridge Kingdom is a seductive fantasy perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash and A Court of Thorns and Roses.