Robert K. Jensen, international man of mystery. The letter was just as mysterious. It came with warnings and non-disclosures and descriptions of dire consequences if I didn’t follow his directions to the letter. Accompanying the letter was a large shipping crate. And inside the crate was a portal to Wonderland. I had no idea that afternoon that my life was about to change so radically. It had changed completely less than a year earlier when it seemed like everything that I had loved was taken away form me. But in this box was something that was a whole new life. Inside the box was Sarah: a non-organic artificially intelligent companion, designed and built by Robby. I didn’t know what it all meant, but Sarah knew exactly what to do. That was Wednesday afternoon. By Thursday, my whole life was different. It was as perfect as Sarah herself. And as she led me down the rabbit hole, I saw and did things that I could have never imagined. Sarah wasn’t the only surprise. No, Sarah was my adventure guide. A decidedly sexy robotic adventure guide, to be sure, and she wasn’t the only beauty on this adventure. There were days I laughed so hard that I nearly passed out; and other days that I loved so much that I actually did. Robby is a man of mystery, but he sure knows how to give a nice gift when we wants to make your life something you can’t imagine. Apparently, I’m supposed to rescue these damsels in distress from a volcano god, or something like that.

     The stories in this collection, because they all happen in Upper Nettlefold, have things which happen, that influence the other stories. So the order in which they are presented here aligns with the timeline in which events in the stories happen. Read through this collection in order, and you will find that each story builds on the ones before, weaving the magic of community and interconnection between characters. There is also a map of Upper Nettlefold to help you visualise everything as you read. Although each story can stand alone, we’re sure that you’ll love finding the linkages as you go. This is our first visit to Upper Nettlefold, but it won’t be our last. You may see other collections based here, or you may see individual books from the various authors, but we will keep expanding the stories about the people you’ll first meet in this collection. The Viscount’s Summer Love A new Viscount with old secrets, a baker’s daughter, love thwarted, the threat of murder, a dramatic revelation, a long-held love finally returned. The Duke and the Spinster A Duke who needs to marry, a Lady who expects to never marry, a summer house party, a nefarious plot, gossip designed to harm, a desperate adventure, a love that redeems. Stitched in Love A seamstress who struggles to sew, a blacksmith beset by admirers, an accident with a dress, a runaway horse, a situation saved – barely, an unexpected love. Love Finds the Earl An unmarried Earl, a reserved widow, a clever sister, a social occasion, an accidental meeting, shady business dealings thwarted, a second chance for love. Doubting the Marquess An unrepentant rake, a woman more interested in business than men, a meeting, jealousy, an accident, a revelation that leads to love. The Degenerate Baron A fearless schoolteacher, a Baron lost in grief and despair, a collection of degenerate friends, a near accident that leads to a meeting, a reminder of past pain, a love beyond fear. Escaping the Scurrilous Earl A merchant’s daughter, a lonely physician, a thoroughly unscrupulous Earl, a debt called in, an impossible choice, an escape, a threat, a rescue, and a new love found. Esther, the Earl’s Hellion An orphaned young woman, a gentleman working undercover, a boarding school with a new owner, a despicable scheme, a rescue, a trap set to save, a dramatic conclusion, a fated love found. A Gentle Heart A spinster employed as a companion, a gentleman of means, a social opportunity, an act of kindness, a misunderstanding, a long hoped for love.

    Since her viscount father passed away, the family’s resources have dwindled, and she dreads becoming a destitute spinster. But when she’s invited to the Duke of Mumshire’s country estate—where she’ll be considered for the heir’s hand—hope returns.A trip to the country will also take her mind off the crime she’d witnessed at the last event of the season—an unbearably handsome stranger stealing a lady’s purse. Catherine and the thief locked gazes in the middle of the act, and while she was quickly been swept away by the crowd, later that night she was introduced to the thief, Henri LaFleur. Now he knows her name and can force her silence.Catherine shakes the memory…until LaFleur shows up as a fellow guest at the Duke of Mumshire’s estate. This time, though, she finds herself terribly, inexplicably drawn to this thief. But is LaFleur who he seems?

    But instead of being angry, Kyle is excited about this opportunity.He sees this as his chance to step out his father's shadow and become his own man. Now the Lion's heir could become a true Lion Alpha.The woman Kyle is due to marry is Krista. She is smart, sassy and beautiful.On the outside she seems perfect and this arranged marriage seems to be a match made in heaven.However, Kyle is about to discover some very disturbing secrets about his new bride. Secrets so disturbing that life as he knew it will never be the same again...If you love lion shifter romances -- and you are age 18+ -- this twisted shifter story full of mystery, action, adventure and the hottest mating scenes is for you. Strap yourself in and enjoy the ride, as you will not believe how it all ends!!

    When Jeff reveals that he is fascinated by her former husband, Quentin, Becky discovers a side of Jeff she didn't know about. The two embark on an exploration of the boundaries of their union.

    Her brother has always been cruel but there is something even darker going on within his house. Terrified and yet determined not to sit idly by whilst her brother enacts his plan, Violet forces herself to intervene. The handsome gentleman is none other than the Duke of Abernyte and Violet finds herself beginning to lose her heart, even though she knows such a thing can never be.Matthew is quite certain that his time at war will help him with his responsibilities back in London. But when he finds himself dizzy and powerless, he can only rely on the aid of one mysterious young woman for help. Unable to recall her face, Matthew does all he can to discover her. When his interest in Lady Violet seems to drive her away from him even further, Matthew is certain she knows something important. Will his determination push her too far? And can he permit himself to open his heart to her, despite the danger?

     The three of them were always together. They were a team. They grew up together, went to school together, and even graduated college together, but something in their world is shifting. Lily is beginning to see them differently. She doesn’t want things to stay the way they are. Her heart races when they are in the same room together. She imagines their hands on her body. What happens when her secret dreams become reality? Is she willing to cross that line? If she does, there will be no coming back.

    

    Like you."Brina and Eagan meet for the first time when she's nine and he's fourteen. They like each other from the very beginning, though their bond isn't immediate, but it grows over the years. What links them is the fact that their parents are photographers and are extremely devoted to their work and to each other; so much so that both Brina and Eagan have to learn how to take care of themselves from a very young age. Despite their differences, age, gender, nationality - Brina is Italian and Eagan is American - they find comfort in their growing friendship. Then Brina becomes a teenager, and her feelings for her friend start changing and deepening. New desires stir within her. As soon as Brina realizes how those feelings complicate her friendship with Eagan, she runs away from him. A few years later, Brina is twenty and Eagan is twenty-five, they find one another once again.(Recommended for ages 18+, due to sexual content and language).Publisher's note: This is a fully re-edited, and enriched with new and special contents version of the IBD Award Winner novel, A Veil of Glass and Rain, by Petra F. Bagnardi(aka Petra March).

    He's tall, dark, and handsome but he's also a vampire. He's not your average vampire either because he's the best rapper on the planet. Before becoming a rapper, young Prince’s humbled beginnings start in a loving home to the voodoo plagued world of a Haitian shanty town. There he meets a beautiful stranger who changes his world forever. All could be well, but through a series of unfortunate tragedies, he finds himself alone and in trouble in this strange land. He has to use his wits along with newfound power to escape one perilous situation after another. Upon his return to America, Prince links up with one of the city's rap royalty to stake his claim on the music scene. That's of course if no one drives a stake through his heart before he can reach the top of the charts. Ready or not world, The Dark Prince has arrived.

    A new threat has surfaced, and he finds himself trapped in a web of deceit and lies.,Burn (Steel Brothers Saga): Jonah Steel is knee deep into trying to solve the mystery surrounding his family and his brother's abduction, and the arrival of his best friend has complicated the situation...although not as much as his infatuation with his brother's therapist, Dr. Melanie Carmichael. The quiet humility of the blond beauty has him enthralled, and he burns for her as he never has for any woman.,Melt (Steel Brothers Saga):Jonah Steel is intelligent, rich, and hard-working. As the oldest of his siblings, he was charged by his father to protect them. He failed in the worst way. Dr. Melanie Carmichael has her own baggage. Although the renowned therapist was able to help Jonah s brother, she is struggling with feelings of inadequacy. When the oldest Steel walks into her office seeking solace, she can t turn her back.

    He is stunned to discover than his old friend Peter Mandeville left his only child in his care in the hope that he will teach her something about her heritage, an aspect of life that his strong willed daughter has yet to experience. Felix has spent his entire life avoiding the convoluted world that constitutes Society and is appalled by the burden that has been thrust upon him, especially when his new ward refuses to play by the rules. For Dominica Mandeville there are no rules. Beautiful and independent, she has spent her life following in the wake of battle in the company of her soldier father and her Portuguese mother. After a life of adventure, the knowledge that she has been given into the care of a perfect stranger chaffs unbearably. The loss of her beloved parents hurts but the loss of her freedom is the cruelest cut of all. Will she ever learn to be a demure debutante? Or will her impetuosity lead to scandals that even the capable Felix is unable to save her from?

    But are they really ready for the wild ride ahead?Featured Books in this collection: The Shifter's Shadow (Shifters Of The Seventh Moon #1)Jack Warren doesn't expect Thea Redgrave to come striding into his life. And damn, if he's prepared for it. Or for the paranormal transformation that's in store for him when he attempts to save her life.The Shifter's Embrace (Shifters Of The Seventh Moon #2)With a demon on their tails, the group finds themselves in the spooky swamps of the Everglades, fighting for their lives. Jean Luc and Celia find themselves fighting their unlikely desire for one another, fearful of a love that will change both of them irrevocably.The Shifter's Seduction (Shifters Of The Seventh Moon #3)Tre has told himself a million times that he’d never be good enough for Caroline, that is, until Arturo takes an interest in her himself. Tre finds himself having to rise to the occasion and see if he can make Caroline love him before she falls in love with the evil Arturo.The Shifter's Desire (Shifters Of The Seventh Moon #4)The group of the Seventh Shifter series are all present and racing the clock and racing the demon. It’s all they can do to fight against the darkness and tumble hard into love.This steamy paranormal shifter romance collection contains strong sexual themes/language and is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

    

     Next thing he knows, he’s starting to feel a weird hunger that won’t let him be no matter how much he eats. As it turns out, he was assaulted by a Lust Demon while he lay there unconscious, and was himself changed into one when his digital assistant quarantined the threat to save him and disrupted its spell. As a result of the interaction between the sandboxed succubus and the game he was playing at the moment, Glenn now has access to a character sheet full with life points, stats and a long list detailing all his new abilities. All in all, it wouldn’t be that bad if he didn’t learn that those life points are directly tied to his sexual satiation, and should those points reach zero, he would die. Now a Fledgling Incubus, Glenn will have to obey the same rules as other Lust Demons to survive—that is to locate new preys and bed them at all costs. There’s a small problem though. Contrary to regular demons, Glenn isn’t about to just jump on unsuspecting women during their sleep and ravage them until death ensues. And thus, he probably won’t be able to draw enough life points, as killing their victims is the main way for his kind to satiate their hunger. His back against the wall, Glenn will have to explore alternative ways to earn his points and stay alive, and ultimately gain enough experience to level up and add new skills to his repertoire. But first things first, he needs to find women to test his new skills on and experiment. Join Glenn as he builds a harem of willing ladies and discovers that the key to his survival is to concentrate on their pleasure and bring them to orgasm after orgasm... Warning: this book includes harem elements, adult situations, game mechanics and explicit language. Read at your own peril.