In hindsight, demanding a human woman swear herself to me in exchange for the life of her father wasn’t my best idea. But I saw her and I wanted her, and I needed a mate. After shouldering the responsibility of all shifter-kind for so long, I acted selfishly. I knew what breaking her word would cost her. Ava is the one who made an oath to me, but I might sacrifice everything to save her from it.
Ava
I’m supposed to hate Deacon, and I shouldn’t believe his story about dragon shifters blending in the human world, but the longer I’m around him, the harder it is not to fall under his spell. I humor the oath I made and try to get to know him, but I’ve got one foot out the door. I’ve been duped by false promises and handsome faces before, and I’m not giving up everything for a man again. Only Deacon isn’t just a man. And he has secrets that could threaten more than my heart.
Make no mistake, Zadie Night, I am the bad guy here.
The first time I laid eyes on Amir Vasquez, he held me hostage in my dorm.
You made me a promise.
I swore to myself my second year at Savage U would be different from the last. No more hiding from things that go bump in the night. I’m dating now. Making friends. Living my life.
But then someone starts leaving me notes and whispering my name in the dark, scaring me right back into my shell.
Are you my pet?
I’m shy and soft. Amir is dominant and hard. He stole a kiss once, and then he left me.
I should stay far away from him. But you know what they say about the devil you know…
Do I own you?
Amir will protect me, but not without cost.
I’m his, to do with as he pleases.
He thinks it’s a punishment.
But what he doesn’t know is I haven’t stopped thinking about him since he was my captor.
No one’s going to hurt you.
I’m safe from harm if I’m with him because he’s the biggest bad on campus.
Show me your whole universe.
And somewhere along the way, he became my haven, too.
You should be scared of me.
I can’t believe I’ve fallen for the villain.
(Author's note: Bright Like Midnight is a dark college romance that explores mature themes and dubious situations. If you're looking for a nice guy hero, this story isn't for you!)
Meraki Mallory lived two lives. The one that everyone thought she did, and the one she worked hard to hide. She burned with her demons instead of running from them, but when Niko Davis rode back into town with a bag full of secrets, she knew she would need to start hiding them instead. Niko knew her inside and out, and if he saw even a smidge of her soul, he would see that she was no longer the girl he left behind…
When the president of the New York chapter of the Seven Knights MC dies, he passes the gavel down to Niko… but unknown to anyone else, that’s not the only thing he left him. Niko fights for what’s his, and he’s only ever claimed one person in his life—Meraki. So when he rips away the walls she built around herself with his bare teeth, the secrets that she has so fiercely hidden away all of these years suddenly bleed onto the four unmarked graves laid out in front of his steel-cap boots… It started with a bond that destroyed everyone around them… …it ends with blood.
*this is a DARK ROMANCE. Please check triggers if think you may need to. **Antichrist is not a retelling of Hunchback of Notre Dame, there are slight nods here and there toward the original tale.
Morals don’t exist with these people. They do what they want, no matter the consequences.
Rules are thrown out. Honor is void. Right and wrong is abandoned.
Find out what happens when truth and loyalty are discarded in a world where what you want, is exactly what you get.
Cheaters is a limited edition collection of addictive stories from your favorite USA Today and bestselling authors.
PARTICIPATING AUTHORS Abigail Davies • Cole Denton • S. Firefox • Stephanie Renee • Cassandra Cripps • Anise Storm • Rae B. Lake • Chelsea McDonald • Kay Elle Parker • Danielle Jacks • Cassia Brightmore • Zoey Zane • Saffron Blu • Mary B. Moore • Stacy McWilliams • Tinley Blake • A R Thomas • Jason Hes • Kirsty-Anne Still • Persephone Autumn • Lindsay Becs • Sienna Grant • Hart De Lune • Jade Royal
A decade is a long time to wait to start your life. Can a marriage on the brink of extinction be saved?
Kia Nelson has only loved one man. She has devoted herself to him and only him. The problem is that man has spread his attentions to every woman who crosses his path. She has always accepted his indiscretions as part of the club life.
Until the other men started settling down, proving that monogamy is not dead.
Handles is the Nasty Bastard MC attorney. He loves his life. There is not a single complaint to be had by him. He’s got a wife at home and any woman he wants at the club. He works hard and plays harder. Status quo is exactly what he wants–forever.
When Kia tells him their marriage is through, that she wants to start her life over, without him. Handles is forced to decide, not just for himself but also for his future.
He has to choose whether he wants his freedom or his wife?
Posting “certain types” of pictures online is never a good idea. Especially when you’re the star player of your college football team. But I did it anyway. Never did I think that by posting my pictures online that I would find someone that I would actually be interested in. But I did. I saw her pictures, she commented on mine and the conversations were nonstop. She was the girl of my dreams and I wanted to meet her. Who knew that the girl of my dreams was the shy girl that sat next to me all semester. Now that I know who she is, I want my shot. Only if she would give it to me. Every chance she gets I get turned down, but I'm not giving up. I will show her that she is worth it, even if she may not think so.
Worth Every Second is a complete standalone, college romance. This book does contain trigger warnings. If you are looking for more information in regards to these trigger warnings, please visit my website for more information.
Everyone thinks I died three years ago. I sacrificed my life for my friends. To redeem myself for all my wrong doings.
I don’t exist. Not in the real sense of the word. I’m just a man fulfilling my destiny that was laid out for me from the day I was born. A man put in position to take over the largest criminal organization.
I’m just a pawn in a game with nothing to lose. Until my past hits me like a freight train. The only woman I ever fell for reappears in my life. But she isn’t just anyone. Her family is one of the most powerful mafia families in Italy. And it’s the family I’m after for trying to take down The Partners.
We never should have been together. We never should have met. Our story could start a war. Especially when she drops a bomb I never saw coming. And now the stakes are so high even my own life is forfeit.
I may not exist. But that won’t stop me from taking what’s mine. And risking everything for a family I didn’t know I had.
**This is book 3 in The Partners series. While they are standalones, it is best they are read in order. This is a dark romance suitable for readers 18+. This book may contain subject matter that can be seen as triggers.
From bestselling author Dr. Rebecca Sharp comes a sexy, surprise pregnancy romantic suspense...
Jackson Pyle breathes by the rules. From SEAL team to Covington Security, he lives for catching bad guys. But everyone has their breaking point and a pile of dead-end leads in a string of high-profile robberies is his.
Isla Keyes should’ve looked the other way when the man towering over the bar caught her eye. Sure, big, beautiful, and broody were her kryptonite, but Jackson stands on the right side of the law. And with her family’s line of work, she should’ve steered clear… but she couldn’t.
After one incredible night, they went their separate ways. Until that robbery case turns into something far more dangerous. And when one clue leads Jackson to the local flower shop, he’s faced with the woman he can’t stop thinking about—and the secrets she’s been keeping.
Jackson demands answers, but the truth Isla gives him is something he never expected—she’s pregnant. With his baby.
One night broke all the rules and branded them for a lifetime. Now, they’ll have to bridge opposite sides of the law if they want to stop a killer and save their future.
I’ve been writing letters to a military man overseas and now he’s coming back home...
I started writing to Cody two years ago while he was stationed at a base overseas. I’ve told him everything about my life...only I slightly embellished some parts. Like the fact that I’m really into sports, have a serious boyfriend, and I’m in my fifties. I had my reasons, you see, but now he wants to meet and I’m scared he’s going to think I’m a big liar.
So I decide to tell him that I’m his pen pal's daughter, yeah, nothing like adding oil to the fire. But when we meet I can’t help but think how handsome he is and how I want more. But how can I ever start a relationship with someone that doesn’t really know the real me? Am I the worst best friend ever?
Josephine Sherman was born to legends. Her parents are both the best in the business. She was born for the stage. She has a dream, and she’s determined to make that dream come true. Odin Taylor wasn’t just named after a god… he is a god. At least in his own mind. He’s a rock star. Every woman wants him. He’s never had to work for a woman’s attention before. Before her. Before Josephine. Josephine isn’t just the lead singer in Beautiful Unwanted Wildflower. She is the beautiful unwanted wildflower herself. That is until Odin sees her. He wants her. She’s like nothing he’s ever had before. Can they be what the other needs?
PHOENIX Their screams haunt me. I’ve tried to drown them out, But now I’m forced to fight my demons in this hell. Shackles remind me I’m a hostage. That my pain isn’t a nightmare. This time, the screams are my own. Only one thing gets me through it all. Brown Eyes. She is my strength and my downfall. But does she want to be rescued? I used to be haunted by the evil in my nightmares. Now the monsters are real. I don’t know if she’s a villain or my savior.
CALLIE Her death haunts me. I’ve tried to fight for justice, But now I’m losing myself in this hell. I got in over my head and now I’m trapped. This place is a nightmare. And I have to escape. Only one thing can stop me. Prisoner 813. He is my weakness and my salvation. But does he deserve to be rescued? He’s haunted by his nightmares. Maybe he deserves them. I don’t know if he’s a villain or a savior.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Atoning Conviction is the fifth novel in the Conviction series, which has an overarching plot throughout the series, but no cliffhanger for the couple in this book.
For best enjoyment, please read in order.
**While the Conviction Series as a whole is not considered “dark romance,” Atoning Conviction definitely qualifies as a dark romance. It should only be read by mature readers (18+). For complete TW list please read reviews, see the Author's Note on the inside, the Author's "review" below, or visit the Author's Website. Reader discretion is advised.**
Quinn Green has packed up herself and her daughter to go live in the mountains of Colorado.
While she's excited for this adventure for them, she isn't expecting it to be so much work. Or to have to call on help so soon.
Graham Trevors is an Army veteran who now makes his living fixing other peoples problems, house problems that is. Traveling around as a handyman in a small farm town isn't all that exciting, until he gets an inquiry from someone new.
The moment Graham meets Quinn Green is the moment his life changes forever. Through fun times and rough times, these two grow closer as the months pass, then, when one oversteps, the other backs away.
But they won't let that stop them from a happily ever after... right?
Off The Grid is Book 1 in the Average Gents series and is an interconnected standalone. Always a happily ever after.
I loathe Micah Reed. Yet, I can’t keep my eyes off him.
Years ago, he opened his mouth in a room full of our peers. Said nine words and ruined my life. My high school crush did exactly that… crushed me.
But I am no longer the quiet, loner girl from high school. The girl who let others trample her spirit. Now, I take charge. Stand tall. Bend to no one. Never again. Especially Micah Reed.
Peyton Alexander makes me question my sanity. Yet, I refuse to stop antagonizing her.
Since her first day at work, she has given me the death glare. Lipped off and verbally slapped me. And every night, I go back for another round.
Not sure what I did to deserve her animosity, but I plan to find out. Plan to fix whatever mistake I made. Although I live for her banter, I want more with Peyton. The attention she gives other men, I want it for myself. Call me presumptuous, but Peyton Alexander will be mine.
Micah wants me because I don’t fall for his charms. Peyton resists to deny herself the truth.
Will he figure out who I am? Will she ever let me in?
Lenny Primrose is a puppet. A temptress sent to make my life bloody miserable. Adored by the public and used for her father’s benefit. Every man wants her, and every woman wants to be her. She’s good for my reputation. That’s the only reason I agree to the little devil’s proposal. I’m game. Willing to play pretend to get what I want. Until what I want is her. Now, there are no rules. I’ll wage a war against the world just to keep her.
Even the deadliest men have their vices, and she happens to be mine.
**Oaths and Omissions is the third interconnected standalone in the Monsters & Muses series, and is a dark contemporary romance. It is NOT fantasy or a retelling.
For the first time in Clara's life, she's finally starting to feel at home in Pt. Redwood. Following her heroic endeavors six months prior, the people in town finally see her as an ally and not a threat. She and Sean have settled into a happy life and business at the Drunken Mermaid has never been better.
But if there's one thing Clara knows is to never trust the the calm before the storm.
When a local teenage girl accuses one of Pt. Redwood's esteemed elders of atrocious acts, getting him killed, Clara knows there's more to the story. This girl is terrified of something--or someone--and Clara has the sneaking suspicion she's covering for her real attacker.
Clara can't help but come to the girl's defense, jumping into the investigation. But this time, Clara might be up against an enemy she can't beat.
I have a reputation for being tight-lipped. You learn quick when you become a professional hockey player to be guarded with the media, so I’ve worked hard to cover up the mistakes of my youth.
But when I’m traded to the Florida Fury, where my ex–best friend is the starting right wing, I’m forced to confront my past. Ford and I have a lot of history, especially when it comes to his little sister, Imogen.
My heart still lurches in my chest when I see her. My hands want to reach out and touch her. My mouth wants to keep apologizing.
She’s the only woman who ever made me want more. But she’s also the one who fell victim to my most regrettable decision.
I’m not a believer in fate, but I must be back in her world for a reason. I’ve fought for everything I’ve gotten and I’m not backing down from what I know will be the best thing in my life.
It’s a new semester at Regalia University, and by the end of it, five men will die.
My sister was good, kind, loving, and the Royals of Regalia bullied her till she killed herself.
I set foot on campus ready to right some wrongs when the most handsome bunch of stone-cold weirdos asked if I needed a little help…
Don’t get me started on Lucien. He fancies himself a vampire—complete with sharpened canines, cape, and a coffin, but if anyone knows how to make a man bleed, it’s him.
Wilder’s on another level, and you’re not allowed. He’s out to expose every conspiracy from Area 51’s alien relocation program to the trackers implanted in our brains. The man doesn’t kiss a woman without patting her down twice, but if you need to get your hands on an arsenal, his is unmatched.
My growling, snapping Cato escaped his last mental institution. Now he has a new obsession: ripping out the throat of anyone who looks at me sideways. Don’t worry, he can’t bite you through the muzzle.
Then, of course, there’s their leader, Rafael. The son of a hitman dances his way around campus, and only takes his headphones off to hear the obscene amount you’ll pay him to take care of your problems. Otherwise, stay out of his blissful world, or he’ll blow it up with you inside.
These four are as determined to make up for not protecting my sister as they are to protect… and keep… me. They’re freaks. Weirdos. Psychos. But damned if they’re not taking my heart like they do everything else—without mercy or permission.
It’s the five of us against the most powerful and untouchable of Regalia. No one thinks we can win, but I like my chances. To take down a Royal, you need a Rogue. And I have four.
The Rogues of Regalia is a dark contemporary reverse harem romance and book one of the series. It gets wild in these pages, if you can handle that, dive in!
Miller Campbell, Mason Creek’s newest doctor, arrives on the scene of an accident where Mariah Abercrombie is trapped in her car. After she’s rushed to the hospital for treatment of her injuries, Miller can’t seem to get her off his mind. And even worse, Mariah displays an intense fear of everything in a way that’s disturbing. He knows she’s hiding something, but when Miller tries to help, she refuses to answer any questions. Mariah trusts no one, not even the handsome doctor who wants to befriend her. Only the doctor refuses to give up. The mystery behind this beautiful woman increases his interest and pursuit of her until he sees a crack in her walls. Miller finally discovers the truth when her walls crumble, but will he stay by her side and risk everything for this perfect stranger?
If you enjoy small town romances with a bit of intrigue, humor, and spice, then download this book today.
Do soulmates exist, or are they created? If you love someone and set them free, will they always come back to you?
Ksenia Pasternak was given to a man when she was just a child. Her life has never been her own. She has been running for a decade, hiding from the world. She does not forge relationships of any kind. She’s had enough of that to last her a lifetime. Grisha Antonov was given a girl when he was in his early twenties. She was too young for him. He accepted the deal anyway. As a Russian Bratva Torpedo, it was a deal that he should have demanded money for, not a barter, not a person as payment. When the news breaks that someone from their past is released from one of the most secure and dangerous prisons in Russia, Grisha knows one thing and one thing only. He must protect Ksenia at all costs, even if she doesn’t want to have anything to do with him. She is bound to him, but at the same time, he is equally as bound to her. They are meant for one another, bound, owned, connected.
It’s not the first time Edith’s husband, Joe, has lied to her. But it will be the last.
When she finds photos of a mysterious woman on her husband’s phone, the heartbreaking implications are all too familiar, and Edith sets out to discover her identity. What starts as a desperate search for answers quickly becomes a terrifying spiral of obsession and subterfuge.
With each new secret uncovered about her life, her marriage, and the man she loves, Edith is left with even more questions.
What exactly is Joe hiding? Who is the woman in his photos?
Refusing to accept Joe's lies any longer, Edith soon finds herself living a double life, telling lies and keeping secrets of her own. When she uncovers a final piece of the puzzle, something darker and more gut-wrenching than even she could’ve anticipated, Edith is forced to make a choice about the future of her marriage.
The truth always comes at a price. Sometimes, that price is your life
Jonas "Smoke" Harper has watched his brothers find their perfect mates, never imagining he'd actually meet someone who complements every part of him — even the monster that lurks within. But his instant connection with Camellia goes far beyond wanting the intelligent, beautiful, and lethal woman in his bed. They are two parts of a whole, linked to each other and to a larger network that exists everywhere around them.
Camellia has lived on her own for a long time, relying on her unique psychic abilities to keep her safe. She knows that Jonas was literally made for her, and that makes their addictive connection more dangerous than a thousand enhanced super soldiers. Once the larger threat looming over them is dealt with she's going to get far away as fast as she can. Life has taught her that the only one she can truly trust is herself.
Jonas can sense Camellia is going to run — and the hunter inside doesn't want to let go. Not when he knows how good they'll be together. So he'll just have to use all of his considerable skills to convince her to stay..
Dante When I was younger, I believe I almost stumbled upon something I shouldn’t have. Something that upset my mother and made her abandon us all. It was all my fault.
I grew up wondering how she could leave us? My older brothers never blamed me, but I’ve blamed myself. So much so I never asked questions when I was thrown into the family business. Then I had my little girl. I thought I could take a vacation from being a Di Lorenzo.
However, my selfish wife has ensured my return to the life. I will no longer be able to remain an outsider to what my brothers and I have been handed.
Lizzy The Di Lorenzo’s have secrets. I know a lot about having those. When Gio Di Lorenzo hired me five years ago, I knew those secrets would come out. His younger brother Dante doesn’t know who I am and now I’m stepping into shoes I never thought I’d fill.
When this becomes personal, all thoughts of keeping my secrets go out the window. In the blink of an eye, I become who I was created to be.
Will the truth tear everything apart? Will there be one secret too many? Or will it all go according to plan in this unexpected love?
When her final year of college turns into a disaster, Kenzie Sharp can’t wait for it to be over. Thankfully, her best friend is by her side, especially when dealing with the cheating ex-fiance and his new girlfriend. With graduation around the corner, the best friends are making plans for a fresh start in a new apartment.
So when Kenzie arrives home to their apartment only to find her best friend not just gone, but completely moved out, she knows something is wrong. The university says she withdrew. Their friends haven’t seen her. And the police don’t think she’s missing.
Everyone knows when someone goes missing you’re up against a clock. With her back against the wall, Kenzie puts all her money on the line and hires a private investigator. Will Anderson is the definition of an unfriendly ex-cop, but together the two form an unlikely partnership to find her friend.
As the investigation heats up and more women turn up missing, Kenzie must put her life on the line to get the answers she seeks.
She is mine to protect–always. He is untamable–until he isn't. Alessia's life isn't much of a life, not anymore. She's been kidnapped, promised, sold, abused, rescued, and now lives with the Nasty Bastards MC. She stays out of sight, a fly on the wall, trying so hard not to attract any attention whatsoever.
The man who does see her knows what he wants... maybe.
Scuba lives his life one way and one way only–his way. His family is his club. The only thing he's serious about is the club. He's wild and free, but when he sees Alessia, he knows that there is something more to her than meets the eye. She intrigues him–consumes him.
When Alessia is given a choice for her future, Scuba takes that choice away and claims her for himself.
For years, I’ve dreamt of what college life could bring and while some things changed, there was always one constant. It didn’t matter how wild I allowed my imagination to run, it always led me to the same place in the end.
It led me to him. My future was clear, and he was it.
Until suddenly ... he wasn’t.
Now I’m a shell of who I was, on a path too blurry to follow, and I see no way out. No way up.
They say first loves last forever. That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.
From USA Today Bestselling Author, Terri E. Laine, comes a new standalone, enemies to lovers, small town romance in the Mason Creek series.
Nate Bowmen needs to save his MLB career by keeping his reputation squeaky clean during the offseason. Meeting a stunning woman who drives him crazy in both good and bad ways is a temptation that can screw that up. Avery’s sharp tongue could end his chances of renewing his contract if she wants to make a name for herself. Only something won’t let him walk away.
Avery’s family has a score to settle with the Bowmen’s. When gorgeous Nate arrives back in town, she sees a way to right a wrong while giving her career a boost. When he turns out to be far more than the headlines suggest, she’s tempted in ways she never expected. Her loyalty should be with her family. Falling in love with the bastard isn’t a part of the plan.
St. Louis Mavericks star defender Lars Jansson is dead set against relationships. A new love makes him wonder if maybe he can change, but first, he must confront the truth about who he is.
Lars
On the ice, I’m unstoppable. If anyone is in my way, it’s simple—I move them. Hockey is my life, and I don’t have the patience for relationships spanning more than one night. But when I meet a woman so bold and intriguing I can’t help wanting more, I’m blindsided by the revelation that no matter what I do, I may never be enough for her.
Sheridan
One night. That’s all it was supposed to be. But Lars Jansson is larger than life in every way—how could one night be enough? It’s risky for me to see him again, and to let myself fall for the stoic hockey player who is charming in his own way. He thinks it’s his truth that could undo us, but he couldn’t be more wrong about that—it’s mine
The dark didn't end with the light. He lost his future. She fights to survive. More secrets, more betrayal, and a love that was meant to fail before it even began.
My name is Weston, but my friends call me Wes. Though, I don't have many left. Two years ago, I lost my dream. My future.
My best friend's sister stumbled across a secret she had no idea existed—her secret.
Friendships were betrayed. Unexpected alliances were formed. My loyalty was tested, but I blindly stood by their side.
What I didn't realize was that following them into the dark would cost me everything. My friends. My scholarship.
I was driven by anger and resentment toward the people I had once trusted with my life. Until I met her: King.
My name is Kingsley Monroe. At least, that's the name I go by these days. I didn't plan this. I wasn't supposed to stay. Keep moving, he ordered.
Then, one fateful afternoon changed the course of my future. I ran into him: Weston Sheats—literally.
I stayed in the shadows for over a year. Eventually, my need for him to notice made me step out of the dark. I wanted him to see me once. I swore I wouldn't let him get close, I would not get attached. I failed. I fell—hard.
An unexpected turn of events was the wake-up call I needed. I had to tell him, come clean. But would he accept my past? Who I am?
Realizing there was no future, I did what I was supposed to do months ago…and I took the one thing with me that could've made a difference for both of us.
** Author's note: Because of the Dark (BOTD) is the fourth book in The Dark Series and considered an INTERCONNECTED STANDALONE. Wes's story within The Dark Series is set two years after the last chapter in Of Light and Dark (Book Three). This series is intended for MATURE (18+) readers. It is labeled dark due to the themes that may be considered TRIGGERS for some. Reader discretion is advised.
He was all business until he fell head over tool belt for the sexy, single mom.
I’m not bitter that Savannah St. James rejected me in high school. It's her cluttered storefront I have a problem with. Still, it’s hard to stay mad at her when she’s more beautiful than I remember and her son keeps finding new ways to sneak over to my hardware store every chance he gets.
While I admit he needs a male figure in his life, I’m the wrong guy for the job. Despite my reluctance, the little guy brings us together even as our pasts keep us apart.
I’m falling deeper for this woman, and the more I get to know Savannah, the more I realize I may have misjudged her. Maybe we can get a second chance after all.
