What he finds is more than he expected or could ever have hoped for.Demyan is a bruter, one of the rare and exotic people of the planet Elquone. He is also a slave. And according to his contract, if he does not have a master, he must be returned to the cruel hands of Vortigern Vedek, the man that killed Chellak's father and stole his throne.For Chellak, it is a double-edged sword. He knows the moment he meets Demyan that the sexy little man is his destined mate, but the laws of his planet state that he can not own a slave. To keep Demyan, he must defy his own laws and beliefs. But keeping Demyan is not as easy as winning his heart.

    An interplanetary exclusive club with every luxury available to its members, The Glove is also a place to explore the deepest levels of sex and love, a place where every member has a chance to find the one thing they really desire, leaving behind the mundane world and entering a fantastical land where rules are meant to be broken. Featuring four stories from Sean Michael's decadent and lush universe, this volume of Velvet Glove has something for everyone. In Connor's Journey, Connor attends a friend's pre-commitment send-off at the Velvet Glove, and he knows he's out of place, but is determined to enjoy his one night among the rich. Then he meets Desmond, a regular member, who wants to show him everything about being a sub if he'll take a five year contract. It beats his old job, but can he do the things Desmond wants him to? Peace Within The Quiet features Gloucester, a sub who's not getting any younger, and he's never found anyone to call his own. Then he meets Katashi, a quiet, serious Top, who's drawn to Gloucester, inviting him to a session. The two of them find they have more in common than they thought, and begin a journey of a thousand miles with a single step. In Love and the Farmer, Love is the best, and brattiest, sub at the club. Punishments are fun for Love, as long as he's the center of attention. Then Freddie comes along. Freddie agrees to take Love on, and Love's furious at being taken in hand by this country bumpkin, but he learns soon enough that Freddie is far from a bumbling farmer. Finally, in Soaring with Hawk, factory worker Jester lets supervisor Hawk convince him to visit the Velvet Glove. Hawk treats Jester with kindness, and soon enough, Hawkwants Jester to move in. Jester's family are less than thrilled, but when he thinks he has nowhere else to go, he finds out that he'll always have a place with Hawk. Hot, lush, and full of love and adventure, the Velvet Glove will take you places you've never dreamed of, and you'll want to visit again and again

    As Tina struggles to understand Althor, this strange, attractive man with golden, metallic-looking skin and other variations from Earth humans -- she and Althor find themselves the targets of a manhunt by police and by the military, who have captured the damaged starship. From memories of her childhood in a Mayan village, to the streets of Los Angeles, to a military base and a chance to reach the stars, Tina comes alive as an astute, sympathetic narrator, facing life and tough choices with courage, wit and compassion. Part of Asaro's highly acclaimed Skolian Empire/Ruby Dynasty series which SF Chronicle called "One of the major series in the genre, which Booklist found "in many ways as compelling as Dune, if not more so", LIGHTNING STRIKE, Book I is an expanded and revised version (along with LIGHTNING STRIKE, Book II) of her novel CATCH THE LIGHTNING.

    Will the love of a wily, cock-sure, young pirate be enough for the stoic hunter to risk exile from his own people?

    One look at the large, dominant alien who claims she belongs to him sets her body on fire. When he tells her, in explicit detail, how he'll claim her in every way, she is eager to give her mate everything, body and soul.Von of Everis is a ruthless and high ranking Hunter who's spent years fighting in the Hive wars. But his bed, and his life, are empty until Alexis arrives. One look at his innocent little bride and he knows she belongs to him.Simple, right? Nope. The match is challenged by one of the most feared warriors on the planet and stolen kisses and mind-numbing pleasure won't save Von from a deadly duel. But Von is a Hunter, a warrior, a protector, and someone is trying to take what belongs to him. Only him. He will do whatever it takes to protect, save and claim his virgin mate.