But that was then. This is now. As a marine biologist, Maris Xayer is used to observing all types of marine life, but she never imagined she’d come face to tail with an Ujal. In the middle of a hurricane, Maris and Vados came together—ahem—and then he disappeared. She figured it was a one-storm stand with an Ujal and moved on. Except Vados hadn’t really gone anywhere and now the sexy as sin, red-skinned Ujal is back. For her. **This is a stand alone 37 page SHORT STORY.**

    EIGHT New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors bring you eight stories of memorable weddings, spilling over with nervous tingles and overwhelming moments. Experience the euphoria of wedding day bliss, cry a river of happiness and celebrate the joy over and over again with these happy ever after tales. Patricia Rosemoor – A Rancher’s Vow – Reed Quarrels asks Alcina Dale to marry him so he can save the Curly! Ranch, not knowing Alcina has been in love with him forever. Taylor Lee – Undercover Wedding – They called her the Ice Princess. That was before the sexy police commander turned up the heat and proved that fire does melt ice. It couldn’t have been a more perfect wedding until a group of would-be assassins crash the party. Natalie Ann – True Love – Shattered dreams vs. a new beginning. Can a young widow with a two-year-old heal this wounded warrior? Tamara Ferguson – Two Hearts in Accord- When active duty wounded warriors lieutenants Anna Drummond and Neil Harrison insist that the last thing they want is a long term relationship, will TWO HEARTS IN ACCORD finally admit that it’s love? Stephanie Queen – Margo and George Forever? – Will Margo make it to the alter in spite of George’s family and the circus of a wedding they planned? Suzanne Jenkins – A Greektown Wedding - Relationships are blooming as Spring approaches, but will the Detroit Police Department be enough to keep the out of control lovers in check? Alicia Street – Maybe Lovers – Can a hot doc with his own troubles convince a cynical bartender that it's okay to dream of love? Mimi Barbour – My Cheeky Angel - Can a tomboy change to attract a man?

    Sometimes, when they’re lucky enough, it’s to find a mate…a sweet, human mate…since shifter females are in such short supply. Untethered Winston wishes it was his turn to find a partner because he’s done with all the screwing around. Done with all the meaningless one-night-stands. He might head into town, when it’s his turn, but he’s staying far away from temptation. He’ll wait until his name comes up on the mating list and then he’ll settle down. His good intentions are blown to hell when he meets Ana, a timid female struggling with an event from her past. Who is this beautiful creature? This broken, sad shadow of herself. Winston promises to help her. Hell, they’ll help each other. He might have vowed celibacy but he’s not dead. Not by a long damn shot. This way, he can spend time with a beautiful female without any expectations and in return, he’ll help her get over her fears. Problem is though, friends should not be this attracted to one another. They definitely shouldn’t be this intrigued by each other. Keeping his hands off of her is becoming an impossibility. Will he be able to let her go when the time comes? Thing is, he’s not so sure anymore. Unbound It all started with a dare. One little dare. Just a string of silly words that landed Alice smack bang in the middle of the ‘Dark Horse’ bar surrounded by utter chaos. Like most pick-up joints, the place is a meat market, but on steroids. The guys aren’t just simply guys, they’re shifters. Taller, bigger…hot damn…talk about jaw on the floor gorgeous. She can’t help but stare, back pressed against the wall, eyes wide, blood coursing just a little faster through her veins. That’s when he arrives. Impossibly big and brooding, seeming to look right through her with those dark eyes. She’s so tempted to leave with him, to let him make good on all of those dirty promises. Problem is, he’s just so annoyingly arrogant. Why does she feel like she’s punishing herself when she walks out…alone? Ash watches in shock as the human turns and leaves. No female has ever turned him down. Not. Ever. He can scent that she wants him, so why is she denying her basic needs? Try as he might, he can’t stop thinking about her…about what she would look like under him. Cheeks flushed, eyes glassy, biting down on her lip as she… Ash decides that he has to have her. She’s awakened the hunter in him and he knows just where to find her. Just one time - he’ll give her exactly what she needs - and then he’ll be out of her life forever. He’s not looking for a mate, definitely not looking for love. Unfortunately, he’s about to find out that just once with this particular female might not be enough. Unchained Long ago Gage failed at love. He recently failed the human female he'd been assigned to protect. Now, the Alphas have clearly lost their ever-loving minds because they’ve given him the same duty a second time. Well, he isn’t going to take the mission. He’ll bring the human to the village, as instructed, and then she’ll become someone else’s problem.

    What's the seating plan when rival clans of werewolves and vampires meet under the same roof? How can a couple in the throes of love overcome traps set by feuding relatives---who are experts at voodoo? Will you have a good marriage if your high-seas wedding is held on a cursed ship? How do you deal with a wedding singer who's just a little too good at impersonating Elvis? Shape-shifters, wizards, and magic, oh my!"The Wedding of Wylda Serene" / Esther Friesner"All Shook Up" /P.N. Elrod"Tacky" / Charlaine Harris"A Hard Day's Night-Searcher" / Sherrilyn Kenyon"Something Borrowed" / Jim Butcher"Spellbound" / L.A. Banks"Dead Man's Chest" / Rachel Caine"Charmed by the Moon" / Lori Handeland"...Or Forever Hold Your Peace" / Susan Krinard

    She was sure of it. But with no bodies and no missing persons reports, who would believe her? The profile photos attached to the friend requests Police Officer JJ Victory received were disturbing. The women were posed to look relaxed, but their unseeing eyes told another story. Was she going to have to solve this mystery on her own, or would she receive help from a unlikely source? A man who had a great deal of experience with the dead.

    But after the local sheriff, Ethan Stone, hears about her plans, the handsome lawman warns her sternly that if he catches her anywhere near a bear she’ll be in for a long, hard spanking she won’t soon forget. Not taking the sheriff’s threat seriously, Riley sets out into the nearby national forest to get started, but when she stumbles upon a mama grizzly and her cub she finds herself in terrible danger. Her life is saved by the arrival of an even larger, more fearsome bear, but to her shock the massive beast transforms in front of her eyes and moments later Ethan stands before her. The shifter sheriff tosses Riley over his shoulder and wastes no time in bringing her back to his den, where he promptly strips her naked and chastises her thoroughly for her foolishness. A painful, embarrassing spanking is only the beginning of her punishment, however, and soon enough Riley is blushing crimson and quivering with desire as Ethan takes her harder and more fiercely than she would have ever thought possible. Now that he has claimed her as his mate, Riley quickly discovers that Ethan will expect her complete submission, yet even as she rebels against his strict rules she cannot deny her body’s response to his skillful, dominant lovemaking. But with a vicious poacher prowling the woods and killing for sport, can Ethan tame his feisty mate before her disobedience gets them both hurt or killed? Publisher’s Note: Tamed by the Bear is an erotic romance novel that contains spankings, sexual scenes, elements of BDSM, and more. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book.

    Four siblings estranged, four mates, one combined goal—love and unity. Featured Books in this Collection: Book One – Cypher’s Mate Book Two – Briar’s Mate Book Three – Vaughan’s Mate Book Four – Ryker’s Mate Book Five - Shifters United: The Sequel AUTHOR’S NOTE: These are stand alone romances with an HEA. This ebook contains mature themes and language, intended for 18+ readers only.

    By the time you reach the end you'll be begging for more! With No cliffhangers, no cheating, and plenty of steam this is one boxed set you do NOT want to miss! Book 1 - Ashton Drake Ashton knows he’s in no shape to help anyone. His sanity is hanging by a thread; he’s failing at the job the Drakes sent him to the city to do; and many days he can’t even handle his own dragon. The only time the beast settles is when it sees Makenna, Ashton’s high school sweetheart. The trouble is, Makenna doesn’t seem to want Ashton around. She can’t forget that Ashton left her, and besides she doesn’t have time for an out-of-control Drake, even if she could ever trust him again. Ashton knows what he needs to keep his sanity - he just doesn’t know if he can win Makenna back... Book 2 - Wyatt Drake Wyatt Drake has just broken up with his long-time girlfriend, a woman he’d expected to marry, and a relationship is the last thing he wants. But his dragon is sniffing around a tourist in his hometown—a tourist who discovers more about him in days than his girlfriend did in years—and who seems to like him despite all that, or maybe even because of it. Still, Wyatt isn’t sure he’s ready for another relationship. He doesn’t want a one-night-stand or a short-term rebound girl. He’s looking for commitment. And what kind of stability can he get from a travelling food-blogger he just met? Book 3 - Ryker Drake Mina has always known her place in the dragon hierarchy of Grove—at the bottom. Her king’s court is so far out of her league that she feels like she’s intruding even when she comes to work as a maid at Ryker Drake’s house. The attraction she feels for the rock-blasting, nipple-pierced sweetheart she works for is inappropriate on so many levels. But Mina can’t help herself. Part of her wants to keep away from Ryker to protect herself from the inevitable heartbreak when he's done with her. The rest of her wants to grab onto the happiness of being with him. Even if it can’t last. Can it? Book 4 - Griffin Drake Griffin Drake always gets left behind. While his cousins leave Grove to have adventures, he’s stuck babysitting his increasingly distant and crazy cousin, Jasper, the king of the mountain. When his cousins come home to help, they all find mates, one after another. Griffin is left alone, without even a way to meet a mate. He’s always been bad at talking to women. Then he meets Lilah, who is down on her luck and easy to talk to. He offers her a job as his pretend girlfriend, so he won’t have to live through another family get-together as the only un-paired dragon. Suddenly, he’s not behind at all. Lilah moves in, gets along with his family, and lights up his life. He was sure the universe had forgotten about a mate for him, but now he knows Lilah is the one. All he has to do is convince her it’s not all make-believe. Book 5 - Jasper Drake Cora has made a mess of everything. When she ran from the tyrant who claimed her like property, she’d hoped to start a new life, not a dragon war. Now, she’s exhausted in both body and spirit. Her grand plan has led to fires, battles and an unbelievably close mate bond with the scariest dragon she’s ever met.

    The moment Xandi wakes in Stefan’s muscular arms, feels the heat of his body pressing against hers, she feels no fear. Instead, she allows herself to be taken by one who is more than a man, whose primal nature is never far from him. As their connection grows, and as Xandi gradually loses her sensual inhibitions, experiencing pleasures she never dreamed possible, she is drawn deeper into Stefan’s mysterious world, meeting the alluring beauty, Keisha, as well as the dominant and sometimes ruthlessly commanding Anton, who can have any man or woman he wants…in any way he wishes…

    Venture into a world beyond the ordinary, where the dark passions and voracious appetites of vampires, werewolves, demons, and a few undaunted mortals combine to unleash a potent spell.

    She made them a promise, but she's forgotten. Now these determined brothers will stop at nothing to make her keep it. Christmas Noir by Barbara Karmazin A cop and her partner. The beautiful hermaphrodite they both desire. A serial killer out for blood. Performer Shannon McNal faces love and death on Christmas Day. Spiritual Noelle by Jet Mykles Noelle's set herself a challenge for Christmas. Win Daniel for herself, convince him there's more between him and Jake than just friendship and bring them all together into one happy menage. If her sister can do it, why can't she?Librarian's note: Spiritual Noelle by Jet Mykles is also available as an stand-alone eBook.

    Three Curses. Two Heirs. One Choice… Forbidden love or the throne of the dragons? Isola Dragice thought she knew what her future would bring. Only, one earth-shattering moment destroys everything. When war threatens her home, Isola returns from earth to the world of dragons she knows nothing about, and to Dragca Academy. When the four most powerful dragon guards in history are ordered to protect her, they didn’t expect to be protecting an accident prone princess. One who, accidentally, nearly kills her whole class at Dragca Academy in her first week. What happens when fire falls for Ice? Books one to five in the Protected by Dragons series (RH & 18+)- Wings of Ice (Book One) Wings of Fire (Book Two) Wings of Spirit (Book Three) Wings of Fate (Book Four) Wings of Dragca (Book Five) Including exclusive to the collection bonus scenes.

    He does all he can to resist temptation, but when Jake bumps into the gorgeous Robyn DiMarco at a bistro in Little Italy, all bets are off. Scarred and Kilt Laurann Dohner Matty has a new neighbor, and she strongly suspects the kilt-wearing hottie is a vampire—he only goes out at night, has weird visitors and the blood bank is making regular deliveries. But he doesn’t seem to hurt anyone, so “live and let live” is Matty’s motto. Until she sees a guy armed with crosses and wooden stakes breaking into the neighbor’s house. Matty charges to the rescue—and ends up in Mr. Hottie’s bed…and on his desk…and… Tinderbox Regina Carlysle Set in the same world as Jaguar Hunger. Private investigators Nate and Daniel don’t expect to find their mate while working a case. But they recognize Olivia as theirs the second they catch the missing woman’s scent—the scent of a female jaguar shifter in heat. Nate and Daniel’s task? Find then claim Livvy in every raw, animalistic way possible…and release her inner beast. Asterion Katalina Leon Betrayed by her village chief, Larisa is brought to a mysterious island and left bound in a subterranean labyrinth, where drops of her blood summon the mythical Minotaur. She expects the man-beast to take her life…but it’s her body that’s sacrificed. Darron, a shapeshifting being, ravishes Larisa, and she gives herself freely to the pleasure—a decision that will change both their worlds forever. Decadent Dance Aubrey Ross Surely the dress Zoe purchased did not transport her to an alien ship, right? No. Hallucinations. Must be. Though…the gorgeous alien who greets her seems real enough. And the sex? Out of this world. Vaden has waited years for his Decadent Dancer, and though Zoe swears she didn’t know what the dress could do, Vaden has been lonely too long to be easily thwarted. He’ll use every sensual trick he knows to convince Zoe she’s right where she belongs. Sahara Heat Diana Hunter As a favor to a friend, author Carla Braun agrees to meet with archaeologist Josef Anderson to discuss his recent desert find. To her dismay, the man’s infuriating…as well as tall, blond, gorgeous—and into BDSM. If she can look beyond Dr. Anderson’s cool exterior, Carla just might discover some scorching Sahara Heat…

    But what if a monster isn’t enough? Shadows gather, winter deepens, and Assevan falls farther into the dark. Pitted against monsters and men, Konrad faces deeper challenges. Darker foes. Some can rival even the Malykant’s power. Pushed beyond his endurance, challenged beyond his sanity, at long last Death’s Avenger might need a little help... Konrad Savast returns for another chilling set of adventures in the second volume of the Malykant Mysteries.

    This unpredictable and exciting fantasy romance series will have you on the edge of your seat! Alpha Kaden Everyone knows of Alpha Kaden, a man of twisted riddles and cryptic puzzles. His identity is one of them. His touch, another. He is feared throughout all 13 packs for his reputation of stealing young women out of their beds. And tonight he has come to steal Mara to make her a player in his wicked game. Alpha Grayson Lexia has been an unwilling member of the Vengeance Pack since she was kidnapped by Alpha Kaden at the age of thirteen. Previously a member of the Discipline Pack, she now plans an uprising to take down the Alphas and unify the 13 Packs. Alpha Jasper Dark stories of the Devotion pack’s haunting from the terrifying undead Phantom Wolves have circulated for years but Thea had never believed the rumors. That is until she met Jasper; the confident and magical missing Alpha of the pack and newly reincarnated Phantom Wolf. He also happens to be her destined mate.