Twinkle (Sugandha) Varshney's Blog, page 316

Sweetest Mistake By Amy Olle

Title: Sweetest MistakeAuthor: Amy OlleGenre: Contemporary RomanceSeries: A Nolan Brothers Novel, Book 2Release Date: April 16, 2016Editor: Hot Tree Editing When these two opposites attract, mistakes will be made. Lots of mistakes. Big, long, hard mistakes. Over and over, and over again…
When Emily Cole’s suitcase explodes on a crowded airport baggage claim in her new hometown, sexy cop Luke Nolan is the first to pick up her most intimate items, including her 7.5-inch, 20-speed, hot pink battery-operated-boyfriend!
In town to run the Winslow Inn on the picturesque island in Lake Michigan, Emily is determined to put her bed-and-breakfast in the small town's spotlight—while also keeping herself well out of it. But her sexy nemesis is bent on getting her into trouble, and when her impulsive retaliation to his teasing lands her in the local jail, Emily is ready to shove her tormentor into the lake… or the nearest bed.
Luke has one job—to keep the quiet, sleepy island town quiet and sleepy. No drama. No surprises. No tragedies. Never again. But the strawberry-blonde with the porn star mouth and interesting luggage turns his life upside down from the moment she sets foot on the island, and what began as a distraction from his memories of That Day, quickly turns into something more. Trouble is, Luke doesn’t want more with Emily—she’s not his type. She’s the opposite of his type. Until his brother Noah’s wedding, when bridesmaid Emily shows up with a sexy new look and their sweet tease escalates to a scorching hot hook-up that makes him forget why he was resisting the shy stutterer in the first place.
Getting involved with her would be a huge mistake, though it just might turn out to be the sweetest mistake of his life.
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Beautiful Ruin Book 1 Buy HERE Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | PinterestAmy Olle writes sexy contemporary romances filled with hope, heart, and humor. Her debut novel, Beautiful Ruin, is the first book in the Nolan Brothers series about five Irish-born brothers sent as children to live with family on a remote island in northern Michigan. She is delighted to put her Psychology degrees to good use writing romance.

Amy lives in Michigan with her long-suffering husband, brilliant son, and (female) turtle named George.

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The Crown Prophecy by M.D. Laird

THE CROWN PROPHECY
 by
 M.D. Laird
GENRE: YA fiction, fantasy, supernaturalCOVER DESIGNER: JC Clarke @ The Graphics Shed



Eve Franklin is a normal teenager until she visits a hidden world with her friend Will Farley, a Guardian of Arkazatinia, and her life takes an unexpected turn. Eve asks a question which alters her destiny and sets her upon a course fraught with peril. Her path is not all adventure and Eve finds adjusting to her new life difficult. Lonely and unhappy, she seeks the friendship of Calab, a moody and heavily conflicted demon, whose advice is … unconventional.

As the threat against her becomes imminent, Eve must learn what she can about the Crown Prophecy to prevent the Crown falling into the hands of the enemy. Can she trust Calab and can she learn what she needs to know in time?



Chapter I
February 2003

“Where are we going?” asked Eve as she followed Will through the front door. The gravel crunched under his heavy footfalls as Will made his way quickly to his father’s car parked in the driveway.

“It’s hard to explain,” he replied as he climbed into the driver’s seat and slammed the key into the ignition. “Just get in.”

Eve climbed into the car’s passenger seat. She had barely closed the door before she was pinned in her seat as Will accelerated away from the house. She quickly pulled on her seatbelt. “Are we going after that thing? That man?” she asked.

Will sucked in breath impatiently and said, “We’re going to ask for help from some people called the Procnatus.”

“Who?”

“It’s complicated,” replied Will, “you won’t understand.”

“Why?” asked Eve, who was now feeling thoroughly confused with the turn the morning had taken and Will, who was clearly under pressure, lacked the patience for explaining anything. She pushed him nonetheless and said, “Tell me.”

“They’re like another species. They’re called thorian,” replied Will in almost a growl, a surge of irritation had struck him as he narrowly escaped a head-on collision with a truck while overtaking another car. “They look like us, but they’re not human. They’re stronger and faster, and they’re immortal.”

“You’re right, I don’t understand,” said Eve, feeling her breath quicken and wishing she had brakes in her foot well as Will—who had passed his driving test only days before—almost hit another oncoming vehicle. “What are they?”

“I told you; they’re another species.”

“That makes no sense. How can there be another species of people?”

Will drove the car into a multi-storey carpark; he pulled the ticket from the machine to raise the barrier and sped up the levels to find an available space. After parking, they ran down four flights of foul-smelling stairs, entered the street and tore towards the train station. Will purchased two open returns for the next train to Milton Keynes, and they headed for the platform.

“It’s delayed,” he said, eying the departure board. “We have twenty minutes.”

“Good,” said Eve. “You can tell me about these magical beings.”

“Hush,” hissed Will, motioning for her to enter the empty waiting area. “Keep your voice down. Look, I will tell you, but you need to keep it to yourself.”

“Sure, whatever,” said Eve. “It doesn’t sound like something anyone would believe anyway.”

“No, you’re probably right,” Will said. He gave her a thin smile before continuing. “There is a world located above our world, and it is home to the thorian who I mentioned earlier and some others. The world has continents like our world; the one we are going to is called Arkazatinia. It is split up into wards, each controlled by a different group of thorian who have a ruler. We’re going to see the Procnatus thorian ruler.”

“So why are we going to Milton Keynes?”

“We’re going to use an entrance to their world in Milton Keynes, there are others, but that’s the only one I know will take us right where we need to be on the other side. I haven’t been many times, and I don’t want to struggle to find my way around.”

“Okay,” Eve slowly replied as she tried to sift through the mass of questions filling up her consciousness. “So, they look human? And they can pass to our world? So, I could know one?”

“It’s possible—they are really good-looking.”

“Really?”

“I haven’t met many, but they were stunning … this is our train.”

The two left the waiting area and joined the small crowd gathering on the platform to board the train. The train was relatively quiet, and they managed to find an empty table. A couple and a small child, who was busily colouring a fairy princess, occupied the table next to them. Eve and Will sat opposite each other.

“What is the world like?” she asked.

Will glared at her to keep her voice down and looked at the family next to them who, amidst colouring and chatting amongst themselves, seemed not to have noticed. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek pocket watch that appeared to be coated with some fluid-like substance. He opened the reverse of the watch to reveal a small control panel, which housed a screen displaying the words ‘NORMAL MODE’, Will pressed a red button on the touch screen panel and the screen now displayed ‘SECURE MODE’.

“We can talk now,” he announced. “I have cloaked us so we’ll look like we’re not speaking.”

“Okay,” said Eve slowly. “I’m so confused, what is your part in all of this?”

“My family and I are guardians; we help to make sure Arkazatinia is kept secret—hence the speakeasy.”

“Speakeasy?”

“Yeah,” Will smiled. “My great grandad was American and was a young man during prohibition; he called the watch the speakeasy because it was easier to say than vox dissimulatrix.”

“You mean to tell me that this space age cloaking device has been around since the twenties?” exclaimed Eve.

“Well, not this model,” replied Will, “but others like it. My grandad had an actual Victorian style pocket watch; it is quite cool—very steampunky—my dad still has it. There have been many devices modified to conceal speech; that’s more or less what vox dissimulatrix means … oh, hang on.” Will switched the watch back to normal mode as the conductor approached them to check their tickets before turning back to secure mode and continuing. “I was given a speakeasy when I turned sixteen. When every member of my family reaches sixteen, they become a guardian, and we’re given the task of keeping the supernatural world a secret.”

“How? Do you turn up when something strange happens and cover it up like some secret government agent?”

“More or less,” smirked Will. “At least, the adults do, I’m only seventeen so I’m still in training.”

“Why doesn’t the supernatural world just be more careful and then you wouldn’t have to cover stuff up?”

“Most want their world to be kept secret, but there are a few who cause trouble in Lycea—that’s what they call our world. It is the role of the guardians to seek out the rogue Arkazatines and deal with them.”

“Deal with them?” asked Eve. “You mean you kill them?”

“Or send them back and have them arrested under Arkazatine law,” replied Will coolly. “Whatever it takes. To be honest, it sounds more exciting than it is; it is actually quite rare that we have to deal with anyone.”

“Right.” Eve shook her head in disbelief. How had she known Will all her life and never known any of this until today? “So, this supernatural world,” she said. “What is it called again?”

“The world is called Anaxagoras, the continent we cover is Arkazatinia, well, we cover part of it anyway.”

“Ok, Arkazatinia, why hasn’t it been found by our world? How can a whole world exist on Earth and we don’t know about it.”

“It exists on Earth, but on another level. It’s invisible to humans. I don’t really know how to explain it—I’m not sure if anyone does. Have you heard that sub-atomic particles behave differently at a quantum level and that some scientists have even suggested that it is evidence for an alternate dimension? That is perhaps the smallest hint of that world.”

“Wow! So one day scientists could just stumble across it?”

“They might do; some humans can detect the supernatural world, some people have ‘gifts’. Humans just write them off as being eccentric, but there have been some people who have managed to pass over. They are usually sent back home after their memory has been erased.”

Eve pressed her hands to her head as she imagined plausible explanations for every UFO disappearance she had heard of—did she just think this was plausible?

“This is hurting my brain,” she said. “I need coffee.” Will switched the watch to normal mode while they made their way to the buffet car to order coffee. On returning to their seats and with secure mode safely on, Eve took a sip of her coffee before continuing her interrogation. “These people we’re going to see? What are they called again?”

“The Procnatus.”

“Yes, why are we seeing them? Are they in charge?”

“No,” he said, “their government, the Imperium, is in charge of Arkazatinia, but my dad always told me to speak to the Procnatus first in an emergency as they’re the most rational.”

Will had spoken calmly though Eve could see that his eyes were betraying a hint of anxiety and she stopped her questioning.
…
They continued the rest of the journey in silence. Will gazed out of the window, the anxiety, which had settled on him briefly, had left his eyes and his expression gave nothing away. Eve felt a surge of anger rising in her stomach as she imagined all the lies he had told her and all the secrets he had kept from her. She swallowed the feeling and thought instead of everything that he had told her and everything she had seen that day. The world was so different from yesterday; yesterday supernatural beings were the subjects of fantasy: books, movies and TV dramas, but now they were real. She squeezed her temples to push a sharp pain that had formed behind her eyes into a dull ache.
…
Will shook Eve gently as the train arrived at Milton Keynes Central Station; she rubbed at her neck, which was now sore from dozing off with her head on the window. Her headache, at least, had subsided.

“It’s not far,” he said, leading Eve out of the train station and into the streets. They walked for around ten minutes with Will using a map feature on his pocket watch to guide them. “We’re here,” he announced as they approached a large glass fronted building.

“They live in a theatre?”

“Their guild occupies the same level as the theatre; they’re not in it.”

Will opened the reverse of the watch to reveal the control panel; he selected a new menu, and a lock replaced the speech display. Concealing the watch from view, he entered a password and instead of the theatre, they saw a beautiful neo-classical building fronted with massive columns.

“That is amazing!” exclaimed Eve. “It looks just like the British Museum and it doesn’t…what? What is it made from?”

Eve stared at the material used to construct the building, it looked like stone, but it moved, only slightly, but it definitely moved!

“I was shocked the first time I saw it,” laughed Will. “All of the buildings in Anaxagoras are built from this, it’s like an organic material, and it can move and change shape. It’s because rocks and metals in this world are alive.”

“Are you serious?” Eve spluttered. “So, the building could just decide to change shape if it feels like it?”

“It’s alive in the same sense that a tree or a plant is alive,” chuckled Will. “They don’t just have rocks wandering around. They can manipulate the material to join with other materials to form and hold the shapes they want. It doesn’t grow like a tree or a plant or erode like a rock, so it has zero maintenance.”

“Your watch thingy, that fluid isn’t just some weird case, it’s actually the metal?”

“Yes.”

“That’s amazing! What is it called?”

“All the materials have different names, and I don’t remember any of them, apparently the guild has a great library.”

“With real books or are they alive too?”

Will laughed as he rang a bell at the door of the Guild of Procnatus and said, “No, the organic matter used to make books dies just as it does in our world.” An incredibly handsome man answered the door; Eve felt her mouth fall open at the sight of him.

Will also seemed slightly fazed, but recovered quickly and said formally, “Good afternoon, I’m William Farley, I’m a Guardian of Arkazatinia, and I request an urgent audience with Lord Thalia.”

The man glanced towards Eve, who blushed heavily. He did not react and looked back towards Will and asked, “Who is this? Another guardian?”

“No,” replied Will, maintaining his cool, “I shall explain all to Her Lordship.”

The man invited them into an elegant waiting area. Despite the grand exterior, the building did not have a vast entrance hall or high ceilings and instead showed a practical use of the great space. Both Eve and Will, expecting a breathtaking scene, found it a little disappointing. They were invited to sit in the waiting area chairs, which had the same ‘living’ properties as the building. Feeling a little creeped out, Eve preferred to stand.

“Did you say Her Lordship?” she asked.

“Yes,” Will said, “they have male and female lords.”

“Weird,” replied Eve.

“Why don’t you sit down? The chairs won’t hurt you.”

“You said it forms new shapes with other material,” replied Eve, jumping away from the wall she had leaned on without thinking. “I don’t want to become part of a chair or a wall.”

“They wouldn’t use it if it was that easy,” Will laughed, “they need a skilled alchemist to change them.”

“I’ll stand all the same,” shuddered Eve. “It would be like sitting on a chair made from bugs.”

Her eyes ventured towards the organic floor, and she began to shuffle uncomfortably. Will started to laugh, but quickly silenced himself as the door opened and a young woman entered. She appeared to be around nineteen or twenty and was incredibly beautiful.

“This way,” she said, indicating for them to follow her through the door.

She led them down a corridor rather grander than the entrance hall. The walls of the corridor were filled with portraits and news clippings of scientists and scientific feats through the ages. The walls were lined with display cabinets containing a trove of apparatus, gadgets and what looked like random junk. It should have looked cluttered, but its beautiful arrangement could easily pass for an exhibition.

The girl led them into a large office and motioned for them to sit on two chairs in front of a solid oak desk. The office was like a library/laboratory hybrid. The walls were lined with thousands of leather-bound volumes, and more cabinets displayed everything from crude tools to microscopes and numerous planetarium and orrery models. Eve and Will sat (Eve was relieved to find that the wooden seats did not appear to move) and were surprised to find the girl had sat opposite them.

“You’re Lord Thalia?” stuttered Will, blushing furiously.

The girl smiled. “Pleased to meet you, Guardian,” she said. Eve studied her face; she was as fresh-faced as a skincare model, but her eyes appeared to be as old and wise as an ancient scholar. Will started to speak, but something about her gaze hushed him, she said gently, “I am not accustomed to visits from guardians, Mr Farley, nor am I accustomed to visits from humans who should be unacquainted with our world. I assume you have a good reason for this interruption?”

Will nervously swallowed, he felt his heart beat faster and stammered, “I did not know where else to turn, my father has been taken … by … by a demon.”

Thalia raised an eyebrow and betrayed a mix of alarm and confusion before quickly regaining her composure. “I sympathise, Mr Farley, really I do,” she said, “but we have a protocol and channels to follow. Surely you’re aware that Arkazatinia is controlled by the Imperium?”

“Yes,” said Will, lowering his eyes, “but my father always told me to go to the Procnatus in matters of urgency as you are the most rational.”

She smiled, it was a warm smile and she said, “It’s kind of your father to say so. I may be able to be of some assistance in this matter. Have you eaten?”

Will relaxed a little; Eve had not noticed how tense he was until he did. He replied, “We had coffee on the train.”

Thalia pressed a button on a panel on the desk.

“Yes, My Lord?” came the crackled reply.

“Mark, could you arrange for some refreshments to be brought to my office and ask Mikæl to attend?”

“Yes, My Lord.”

“So,” said Thalia, leaning back into her seat, “tell me about this demon.”

Will and Eve glanced at each other before Will regaled Thalia with the events of the day. “My father, Andrew Farley, had been working in the garden before I got up around ten this morning when Eve phoned and said she was on her way.” His cheeks reddened and he felt a little foolish, but Thalia listened patiently and he continued. “Anyway, Eve and I went into the garden; I’d made my father a coffee and was taking it out to him when—”

Will stopped as the door opened and another handsome male entered with a tray of food and drinks. Eve stared at the man who was even more beautiful than the man who had answered the door. Breathe, she told herself.

He grinned and set the tray on the desk, he spoke in a jesting tone, “You called, my queen?”

Thalia smiled at him and said, “William Farley and I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name—Miss?”

“Eve Franklin,” said Eve, her cheeks burning.

“This is Mikæl Livius Salinator; he is my head Consiliario or consul if you will.”

“And head tea boy and bringer of scones,” Mikæl said, he winked at Eve and she blushed furiously.

“Mr Farley was filling me in on a schedule twelve incident that occurred earlier today in Lycea. Please continue.”

Mikæl appeared intrigued and perched on the edge of Thalia’s desk and folded his arms. Eve peeled her eyes from his bulging biceps when she realised that she was not breathing.

Will continued, “Eve and I had taken a coffee to my father in the garden and we saw that he was speaking to someone, it appeared to be a heated discussion. I asked Eve to wait inside, and I approached my father. I noticed that he was speaking with a demon—it was humanlike with eyes like green glass and its nails were like talons.”

“That’s an Asmodeus demon,” observed Mikæl. Thalia showed no reaction.

“I called out to my father to ask if everything was okay,” continued Will, “and the demon grabbed me and said, ‘I could take him, I could take him somewhere you’ll never find him.’ My father shouted at him to let me go and said he would do what he asked. Eve heard the raised voices and came into the garden. The demon moved from me to her, he taunted me and said that he could easily kill her. I shouted at him to ask what he wanted. He laughed at me and squeezed Eve around the neck. I tried to fight him off, but he threw me across the garden.

“He said that he had a message for the Imperium; he said, ‘you tell the Imperium that we want our seat and we will attack Lycea until we have it. We will start a war with the Imperium, with Lycea and with anyone who gets in our way. Here’s some incentive for you, I’ll kill your little girlfriend.’ I picked up a garden fork and drove it into his back and he let her go. He just laughed at me and said ‘you have spirit, little guardian, I like that. You pass on the message; tell the Imperium if they want to keep Lycea safe and get their guardian back, then we want our seat.’ Then he grabbed my father, leapt over the fence and left.”

Eve pulled down the collar of her sweater to reveal the bruises the demon had left behind. Thalia had stood and was pacing nervously as she listened.

“This situation could have been avoided if the Imperium weren’t so stubborn,” she said. “I can only see things becoming worse.”

“What do you mean?” asked Eve.

“Our government, the Imperium,” replied Mikæl, “thought it wise to exclude the demonic officials from the court. Demons have always been part of the Crown Alliance, the Crown was like our monarchy, and now we have the Imperium the demons are not included and they’re not happy about it. It’s a dangerous situation because the Imperium is unwilling to cave on giving a seat to the demons and the demons will up the ante.”

“I’m sorry if I sound a bit dumb, but,” said Eve, “demons have officials and want a say in parliament? That makes no sense to me; I mean, why do they care? They’re evil; they can do what they want, right?”

“It’s a common misconception,” said Thalia, “demons aren’t inherently evil, like everyone they are both good and bad. They have a role to play in the world like everyone else and that role is to provide balance. They challenge people, tempt them from righteousness to test who proves worthy to enter paradise. The demons were angels once, but they tired of the oppression they faced under Heaven’s strict rules and started a rebellion, which got very messy and saw them cast out. They formed Hell, their own system and lived by their own rules.

“They did eventually make a truce with Heaven, but they were never invited back—it seems they preferred Hell anyway. However, they did agree that they would work with Heaven to test for worthiness and have done so ever since. Demons now live and work between Hell, Anaxagoras and Lycea. The Imperator is of the opinion that the demons do not belong in our world, and he wants them cast out of Arkazatinia. He does not seem to realise the consequences of excluding them, the demons had been oppressed before and waged war on Heaven because of that. Even Heaven had to compromise with them eventually.”

“So, what now?” asked Will. “How can I get my father back? Do I need to speak to the Imperium?”

“That is what protocol commands we do,” replied Thalia. “I fear involving them will serve only to make matters worse. Mikæl, your thoughts?”

Mikæl was on his feet, he was fiddling with the instruments on the display cabinets. He answered, “Taking hostages and revealing themselves to humans is out of character for demons, it seems they have grown quite desperate in their rage against the Imperium. I agree involving the Imperium will only fuel their cause against the demons and we risk the life of your father. Mr Farley, whatever action they deem appropriate is unlikely to be a course, which will prioritise the life of one man. The Imperium has already proposed war against the demonic forces and if we involve them, it will not end well.”

“What option is there?” asked Will anxiously.

“We have always had an accord with the demons,” answered Thalia. “I shall visit Prince Calab, the head of the Asmodeus demons, and try to reason with him.”

“Isn’t that dangerous?” exclaimed Eve. “They could kill you!”

“He may not listen to reason, but I shall not be harmed,” she replied calmly. “Mikæl, will you accompany me?”

“Of course, my queen,” he smiled.

“I want to go too,” said Will.

“If you’re going, Will, so am I.”

“I will make the arrangements,” said Thalia, pressing the call button on the control panel desk. “Mark, could you arrange for transport to convey four to the Guild of Asmodeus and call ahead to advise we seek an audience with the prince.”
…
The transport Thalia had requested was a vector. It resembled a horse-drawn carriage, but required no horse and propelled along silently at great speed. Eve could not identify a power source, but assumed it had some sort of battery as it had an electronic control panel programmed with the destination. The vector sped away from the guild so fast that Eve could only see the distant landscape of Arkazatinia, anything closer blurred. It was charming and very like the English countryside.

“Is your home based on the British Museum?” asked Eve.

“It is a similar classical style,” she said. “The guild has changed many times; we usually model other buildings of interest to us. The last model was based on the Pantheon though having a round building limited the available space considerably. When I was much younger, I had a thing for large empty spaces but as I have gotten older, I have realised that we actually need to use indoor space for more than ‘gazing in awe’. We kept the columned frontage and changed the rest of the building and the interior so that it was more practical.”

“It’s gorgeous,” Eve smiled.

“Thank you,” Thalia smiled back.

“Does everyone live at the guild?” asked Eve. “I’m sorry, I’m being nosey.”

“Not at all,” grinned Thalia. “And no, many live out in Eurasia or in Lycea. The guild is mostly home to the younger generation and the troublemakers who can’t be trusted outside and would otherwise end up on the wrong side of Mr Farley’s sword.”

Eve’s curiosity was piqued and she had a ton more questions; however, she worried that she was becoming an annoyance and bit her tongue.
…
Despite the speed, it still took almost an hour to reach the Guild of Asmodeus. The guild was also built in a classical style and was smaller than the Guild of Procnatus but just as impressive. A demon met the group at the door. He had the same eye colour as the one who had attacked Eve and Will that morning. Eve guessed the species of demons shared characteristics, which was how Mikæl was able to ascertain who had attacked them.

The demon led them through to an impressive library, Eve gasped—the library was so vast she thought it must house every book ever written. Sat in an armchair aside an open fire was the demon who had attacked them. His face made Eve gasp and although he appeared much calmer than he had that morning, his appearance was quite terrifying. He looked to be no more than twenty and had a lovely mop of black, curly hair, but his thickset features and a cruel twist to his mouth gave the impression of an ancient evil lurking within. He could have passed for human, albeit an unattractive one, had it not been for his eyes. They were like brilliant green emeralds or marbles, or as Will had described—like glass. He also had long, deadly claws, which protruded about two inches from the end of each finger.

“Calab,” smiled Thalia, extending a warm greeting.

Calab looked somewhat puzzled when he noticed Eve and Will, but returned the greeting. “Thalia,” he said, kissing her cheek, “a pleasure as always.” He invited her and Mikæl to sit by the fire, motioned for Eve and Will to sit at a desk behind them, and said, “Thalia, I must say I am somewhat concerned that you have arrived here with the two humans. Are you doing the Imperator’s bidding now?”

“Not if I can help it,” replied Thalia. “Mr Farley came to me as his father had instructed him to seek out the Procnatus rather than the Imperium in times of need. I have not contacted the Imperium and I rather hope we can avoid doing so. It won’t help your cause Calab; it will only give them further ammunition against you.”

“What choice do we have?” asked Calab angrily. “The other princes and I, we won’t be without rights and without a voice. We have existed peacefully in Arkazatinia for thousands of years, Thalia, we don’t deserve this.”

“I am on your side, Calab; I have been very vocal in my opinions of your lack of presence in court. The Imperium has tried to have me voted out because of that. Fortunately, it wasn’t supported.”

“Yet our exclusion was supported?”

“It wasn’t—isn’t. The Imperium has not put it to a vote, I have implored them to do so, but they refuse. The other Arkazatines are supportive of your seat.”

Calab bit his lip and relaxed into his chair. “Why are they so determined to run us out?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” said Thalia. “But I do know that acts of war and attacks on Lycea will not help and you risk alienating your allies.”

“Including you?”

“Calab, you know we won’t have a choice,” she said sadly. “We have to protect Arkazatinia and protect Lycea from threats from Arkazatinia. We have been friends a long time; I’d hate to see us fall out. The Imperium is the problem, I’ve already moved for a vote of no confidence in the regime. Please let’s tackle this through the appropriate channels; let us spare lives and the exposure of our world.”

Calab took a deep breath. “Charon, release the prisoner,” he instructed the demon who had let them in. Charon nodded and left the room. “You’re right as always, Thalia.” The demon gently took the thorian’s hand in his taloned hand and said, “I have acted irrationally and out of desperation. I will listen to your counsel, but if your method does not amount to change, then we will take action.”

Thalia nodded and said calmly, “I understand; however, I would urge you to speak with me before making any decisions.”

The door opened and Charon entered with Andrew Farley, who looked furious.

“You’re free to go, Guardian,” said Calab, turning Will and Eve. “I assure you he is unharmed and I offer my apologies for this morning. I would not have killed you, human; I was merely trying to be heard.”

Eve nodded and gave a thin smile. She thought she would be filled with hate for the demon who had left her bruised and fearing for her life; however, she was surprised to find she sympathised with his plight.

“That’s all well and good,” snapped Andrew, “but what happens the next time you don’t get your way. It’s only a matter of time before you kill someone!”

Calab snarled at Andrew. “There will be a war if the Imperium does not allow us the same rights as everyone else and unfortunately, wars have casualties!”

“It isn’t just you,” Andrew snarled back. “Guardians haven’t been given a seat either. We’re supposed to risk our lives defending our worlds and we have never had a say. It baffles me that you thought the Imperium would be concerned for my safe return. If my son had gone to them, he’d have done them a favour and given them a reason to take action against you.”

Calab shuffled in his seat, his brow furrowed with irritation, “Well, it seems everyone has drawn that conclusion,” he said dejectedly.

“You would too if you thought anything through!” continued Andrew.

Mikæl stood and said sternly, “We should not be quarrelling amongst ourselves. The Imperator clearly has an agenda and fighting amongst ourselves or endangering the lives of the innocent will not help anyone.”

Thalia looked thoughtfully at Mikæl and said, “Mikæl is right, he does have an agenda. I don’t know what it is but it involves more than just levying and wasting taxes.”

“So, we rally our armies and start a rebellion!” stated Calab.

Thalia shook her head and replied, “We shouldn’t be so quick to resort to acts of war, we first need to try and settle this by non-violent means.”

“I will go along with you, for now, Thalia, but,” said Calab, “there will be a war, I feel it, and you will need to decide which side you’re fighting for when it happens.”


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MD Laird is from a small town in the north of England. Her hobbies include drinking tea, eating biscuits and daydreaming … lots of daydreaming. When she is not reading and writing, she is daydreaming.

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Rise of Alpha by Lorenz Font

RISE OF ALPHA - THE PRODIAN JOURNEYbyLorenz Font
Cover Designer: Claudia Trapp of Phantasy Graphic DesignsOfficial genre of book: Young Adult/Urban Fantasy/Coming-of-age

  Release Date: May 3, 2016


All Brian Morrison wants is to be an ordinary teenager with normal teenage problems, but his uncontrollable twitching and phonic tics make that impossible. The butt of jokes in school, he is nothing but a laughing-stock until a visit to a local tarot shop turns his life upside-down.

The psychic’s strange prediction thrusts him into a mysterious world of ghastly creatures and bizarre events, and he must come to terms with the abrupt changes if he is going to survive. One mother’s plea for help presents him with an impossible challenge, but it also brings him closer to the most popular girl in school. Brian must overcome threats from all sides to honor his promise, and he is determined to succeed. His heart won’t let him turn his back on someone in need, especially when he’s fallen in love with her.

Protecting Shannon McKesson soon becomes the greatest purpose of his life. Brian discovers many things on this new journey, but the biggest one might be the truth about who he is. If only he and Shannon can stay alive long enough to unlock the mystery.



We walked toward the building together. The corridor was filled with loitering students, waiting for the bell to ring. When we got to our photography class, we both sat in the back of the room.

“Should we schedule something this weekend?” Shannon asked.

“Schedule what?” I had no clue what she was talking about.

“Our photo session.” She showed a hint of a smile.

I remembered now. She wanted me to pose for her. Eager to please, I nodded, even if I hated the whole idea. “Where do you want to do it?”

She thought for a moment. “I want a nice background.”

How about my bedroom? I wanted to say, but that wouldn’t go over well, so I tried to come up with something else. “Um . . . you want nature as the background?”

“Yeah.”

“What about the Huntington Library? They have pretty flowers and plants there.” I couldn’t believe I was talking about this stuff with a girl. I’d come a long way.

Her eyes lit up. “Oh yes! That’ll be perfect. I want to see the Corpse Flower.”

Great! She’d be taking my picture next to the Amorphophallus titanium, an unattractive plant that smelled like . . . well, it lived up to its name. What a way to boost my ego. I tried to smile anyway.







A professional daydreamer, Lorenz Font discovered her love of writing after reading a celebrated novel that inspired one idea after another. Since being published in 2013, she has been conspiring, butting heads, and enjoying her spare time with vampires, angels, samurais, and other creatures she has created in her head.

Her perfect day consists of writing and lounging on her garage couch (a.k.a. the office) with a glass of her favorite cabernet while listening to her ever-growing music collection. She finds writing urban fantasy exhilarating and places an intense focus on angst and the redemption of flawed characters. Her fascination with romantic twists is a mainstay in all her stories.

Lorenz lives in Southern California with her supportive family and three demanding dogs.

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Sweet Light by Alexia Halliwell

Hostile.That was one word that summed up Lira Matthews in Kane’s honest-to-god opinion. Actually, calling her hostile was putting it lightly.Belligerent. Vicious. Scathing. All wonderful words that could be used to describe Lira.Never in his entire life had he met a woman like her. From the very moment she stepped into the small town of Hazelwood she intrigued him. It could have been her guarded, distrusting eyes or her sweet softness hidden underneath her tough façade — all Kane knew was he wanted her.To Lira, a Dean’s list medical student, Kane was just another hot mechanic. Sure, he had corded arms that made you gulp in desire and a kindness to him that made your insides melt, but they were from two different worlds. Two worlds that were never meant to meet — they both knew that.That was until Lira’s past catches up with her and she must decide whether she can face her fears or let it consume her whole. Amazon US I Amazon UK I B&N I iBooks I Kobo Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a black truck zoom past me and suddenly brake a few metres ahead. It shifted its gears into reverse and sidled up beside me. The driver’s door thrust open and Kane jumped out in all his glory, rounding the hood of the vehicle and walking towards me. Of course he was here. His cropped, dark hair was quickly becoming drenched. Drops of rainwater ran down from his hair over the hard ridges of his face and disappeared into the front of his shirt. I tore my gaze from the expanse of his solid chest and lifted my head to meet his eyes. His sharp green eyes skimmed over my face and ran over my drenched body. “Lira, what are you doing in the rain?” Kane snapped, shaking out of his leather-lined jacket and pushing my arms into it. This jacket was different to the leather one he was wearing last night. The softest wool I had ever felt lined the inside, instantly warming my chilled bones. The cuff came past where my arm ended, the heavy jacket ending just above my knees, but it was perfect. I buried my face into the collar, breathing in the heady scent of Kane; warm soap and the slightest whiff of tobacco. My eyes flickering shut, I let myself take in Kane’s smell. I could get drunk on this stuff. Alexia Halliwell is a New Adult Romance author, fresh to the wonderful world of publishing. Born and raised in beautiful Sydney, Alexia loves nothing more than lounging under the shade of a big gum tree inhaling her favourite paperback. When she isn’t bar-hopping down the streets of Sydney (for research purposes of course) or cuddling her gorgeous pup, she’s probably snuggled in bed with a cup of tea, spinning elaborate tales about all the characters screaming at her in her head.

Adoring Her by Michelle Dare

Radek Cole had been the stereotypical bachelor, just the way he liked it. Then he fell hard and fast for Kasi Markson, a fiercely independent woman, who always speaks her mind and never backs down. They’ve overcome major obstacles in their short time together, but that only made their relationship stronger. Too bad there are still hurdles to conquer.An admirer becomes unhinged and a former lover reappears. What else awaits them? Can they weather any storm that comes their way, even the one that’s about to turn their lives upside down? Amazon US I Amazon UK I B&N I iBooks I Kobo ONLY $0.99!Amazon US I Amazon UK I B&N I iBooks I Kobo ON SALE FOR $0.99!Amazon US I Amazon UK I B&N I iBooks I Kobo Michelle Dare is a romance author. Her stories range from sweet to sinful and from new adult to fantasy. There aren’t enough hours in the day for her to write all of the story ideas in her head. When not writing or reading, she’s a wife and mom living in eastern Pennsylvania. One day she hopes to be writing from a beach where she will never have to see snow or be cold again.

Lost & Found By Teri McGill

Is it possible for a heart to be … Lost and Found?
 BOOK 1 FREE MAY 1ST & 2ND Title: Lost & Found
Author: Teri McGillSeries: My Heart is Yours, book 3 (Standalone)
Genre: Contemporary RomanceRelease Date: May 1st, 2016Editor: Hot Tree Editing               For over a decade, Tag Coleman has been struggling to exorcise his demons.               Constantly haunted by his first love’s death, he aches for a second chance at happiness, but guilt screams one undeniable fact: he does not deserve it. Can Tag’s shattered soul ever find forgiveness and allow him to love again?               Emery Lawson’s one and only goal is to uncover the truth surrounding a tragic accident that took her cousin’s life. She embarks on a journey to find the one person who could be responsible, with unexpected, life-altering results.              When your soulmate — the love of your life — is lost, what are the chances of ever finding another? Is it possible for a heart to be … Lost and Found? Amazon International All Links Catch up with the My Heart is Yours seriesSigns of a Quiet Heart(Book 1)FREE MAY 1ST & MAY 2ND Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU    Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU Facebook I Amazon I Goodreads Teri McGill grew up in Queens, New York and moved to warm and sunny Los Angeles in 1994, immediately following the Northridge earthquake. She taught Mathematics to deaf high school students for thirty years, which explains some of the recurring themes in her stories. When she is not at the computer, either writing or beta reading/proofreading, she enjoys working out, golf, mosaics, Math tutoring, and watching sports. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Psychopomp and Circumstance By Adrean Messmer

Psychopomp and Circumstance By Adrean MessmerGenre: Horror, New AdultPublisher: A Murder of Storytellers It starts on Facebook—an update that Nell doesn’t remember making. It’s bad enough that she’s dying and none of her friends know. Now, she’s pretty sure she’s going crazy. She sees the Sewercide Man everywhere she goes.
The bright, safe little town of Bandon is descending into darkness, dragging the inhabitants along for the ride. Death follows madness for those bound to the Sewercide Man’s will.But the Sewercide Man is more than just a ghost or a monster. He is death without justice. He is destruction without remorse. He doesn’t have a plan.
He just wants to bring everyone home.
"A blend of gritty realism and dark supernatural, Psychopomp and Circumstance is Heathers meets It Follows, with a sprinkling of The Twilight Zone, all told with black humor, nihilist teen angst, and a buried need to be loved and accepted."—Richard Thomas, author of Tribulations
Adrean Messmer is a horror writer living in Tulsa, Oklahoma with a tiny human she put together from some spare parts and a technowizard husband. She has a cat named after a Batman villain, and a dog who's really a magician.When she was eight, she asked her mother to read Stephen King's It to her as a bedtime story and her mother actually did it. So, that probably explains a lot.

   

His Possession By Tory Richards

Erotic RomanceDate Published: 5/1/2016


Her betrayal sent him to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s out now, and he wants revenge!
Raze is a member of the Wreckers MC, sentenced to life for a crime he didn’t commit, by the words of his best friend’s little sister. New evidence surfaces, proving him innocent, and once he’s released he’s determined to find the woman responsible. It doesn’t matter that they had history, doesn’t matter that he’s wanted her for the better part of a decade. Rosa’s betrayal has cost him three years of freedom, and he’s going to wreck her.

EXCERPT
Once inside the small kitchen I went to the cupboard, where I knew the fucking booze was kept. I grabbed the first bottle of unopened whisky and started to reach for a glass before deciding that I didn’t need it. I needed more than a fucking shot to fuel me for what I wanted to do to Rosa. I couldn’t let her get to me. I wouldn’t. We may never have acted on our feelings for each other, but we both had known they were there.
Well, the time for acknowledgement had fucking lapsed. Her betrayal had sealed her fate, and I was ready to make her pay. I downed about three shots worth, letting the raw burn settle in my gut and fuel my hate. Running the back of my hand across my mouth, I headed for the bedroom where Rosa was locked up, thinking about her pretty face as she’d sat on the stand condemning me, hearing again her tearful words as she’d sworn that I had done the killing, and recalling the silent plea in her eyes as she’d stared at me. I’d understood then that she didn’t believe what she was saying, yet it hadn’t stopped her from lying.
I came to her door, turned the lock, and opened it. Rosa turned from the window she’d been staring out of, tear tracks lining her smooth, olive-toned cheeks. Even in her disheveled state she was fucking beautiful. Her midnight hair was shiny and half tumbling down to her shoulders. I let my gaze wander lazily down her full curves, taking in the slight changes that had occurred since I’d seen her last. She was soft and ripe, and I was going to devour her.
She took a hesitant step toward me. “How many men have you fucked, Rosa?” I asked from the doorway. My question startled her, and she halted abruptly. I could see the confusion shimmering in her eyes. Her brows furrowed. Those sweet, full lips parted as she opened her mouth to answer, but nothing came out.
“How many men have been between your legs in the last three years?” I snarled, baring my teeth. She stepped back against the window in fear.
She began to shake her head. “No one,” she whispered. “There’s been no one since—”    
“I was locked up?”
Tears swelled in her fucking eyes. “Raze, I’m so sorry—”
“No!” I was on her before she could finish. “You don’t fuckin’ get to say sorry, as if that will make it all go away,” I gritted into her upraised face, upraised because my hand was in her hair, pulling her head back so that she was forced to look into my eyes. I could so easily snap her neck if I wanted to. “Three fucking years, Rosa. For three fucking years your lies kept me behind bars, kept me from my club.” I swung her around and crushed her against the window, moving my mouth next to her ear. “Kept me from fucking.”
Keeping her pinned, I reached for the zipper at the top of her dress and pulled it all the way down her back. When it stopped at the top of her luscious ass I took the parted material in my hands and ripped it the rest of the way open until her whole fucking backside was exposed. I ignored her gasp, taking in the smooth slopes of her rounded ass, naked because of the thong she had on. Lust slammed into me like a freight train at the sight of all that curvy flesh. I wanted to squeeze it until she was branded with the imprint of my hand, leaving no doubt as to who she fucking belonged to.
How many times over the last decade had I imagined fucking Rosa?
“Then I guess we’re both overdo, “I grated into her ear.




About the Author

I’m a grandma who writes smut. I'm also a mother, daughter, aunt, friend, and sister who discovered my passion for writing at the ripe old age of ten. Before I received my first manual typewriter, with pencil in hand, I would jot my stories down on notebook paper. Later, after receiving that desired typewriter at the age of thirteen, I spent hours in my bedroom writing, where my parents thought I was doing homework.
I was born in Maine, where most of my family still lives today. However, for most of my life I've lived in Florida, where I attended school, married, and raised my daughter.
Writing is a hobby for me, and even though I've retired from Disney it remains a hobby. I'm happy to be making just enough "mad money" from it to be able to keep my cats fed, travel a little, and spoil my grandchildren.
For a while (many years actually) life got in the way of my dreams. A few years ago, with the encouragement of my family, I decided to get serious about my passion, and I haven't looked back!

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One Last Fling by Leela Lou Dahlin

One Last Fling By Leela Lou Dahlin Event planner Daisy Maxwell has never been lucky at love, but her family’s financial issues convince her to toss her hat in the ring to be the Billionaire’s Bride. If all else fails, she figures she at least has a shot at planning the winner’s wedding. She never expects to meet a man—the wrong man—at the first event, a sexy chef who charms her and makes her believe there’s love at first bite.

Chef Ryder Blake has a problem…well, two. First, he’s met the most amazing woman at the best but worst time of his life. Daisy is a morsel of sexy and sweet all rolled into one dynamite package he’d love to sample. But his second issue is a little more complicated… He can’t tell Daisy—or anyone—he’s the secret billionaire seeking a bride before his thirtieth birthday or he’ll lose his inheritance. Daisy is definitely bride material, but he’s not sure he’ll survive the pressure, especially after she proposes one last fling before she plans to say “I do.”



At the age of 9 Leela Lou Dahlin started reading the romance novels her grandmother left around the house during her summer vacations. She learned early that she enjoyed the type of story that could make you feel like you had fluttering butterflies in your stomach and bring tears to your eyes. Leela tries to create the emotional and endearing stories she adored as a child and continues to love to this day.
She resides in SW Pennsylvania working as a RN Case Manager during the day and spinning her sweetly sexy stories by night.
You can also find her blogging over at Nice Girls Writing Naughty
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NICCI CARRERA

LOVE CATERS ALL
by
Nicci Carrera
Official genre of book: contemporary romance


When hard-driving CEO Rick Nordan arrives in Lobster Cove under strict orders from the family doctor to take a break, he discovers the rental house comes with a family attached, including one sexy dynamo of a caterer. She's nothing like his ex-fiancee who wouldn't sign a pre-nup, but maybe that means she's the real deal and not a gold digger.

Maya Cruz wants life for her widowed mother to get easier by renting out her house during the summer. But teaching Mama business means explaining Rick isn't a "guest," he's a "customer." And the first thing Mama does is invite Rick to join their family activities. Having Rick around wouldn't be so bad if Maya didn't find him so attractive. The last time she fell for a vacationing millionaire, she had her heart broken.

She swore off his type, and he's not looking, but this might be a recipe for love.

“Doc made me unplug. Ordered me to read books. Even went so far as to write out a prescription.” Rick reached in his pocket.

She took the paper he’d retrieved and read it. Sure enough, their website and the words, No electronics, read a book were scrawled on an Rx sheet in Doc’s handwriting. She handed back the note. “I’d recognize Doc’s penmanship anywhere.”

“Penmanship!” Rick grinned. “You can see from Doc’s chicken scratch, if I had to rely on the Internet for entertainment I’d be out of luck. It’s old-fashioned bound-paper for me this week.”

“I love books. In our library, you’ll find the classics, westerns, and some spicy romance.” Maya thought she’d just toss the last genre in there to see how he’d react. He grinned. Her stomach fluttered. This man was nothing like the conceited ass she’d dated last summer. Both men might be rich, but they were so different. “History, biography, and a Bible.”

“Will there be a quiz?”

“Only on the romance.” His laugh was so sensuous she could roll in it.

“I really need to dry the floor. I’ll get a rag. Excuse me.”

Mama passed her at the hall closet. “We should invite Mr. Nordan to our party tomorrow.”

Oh no. Rick was going to meet the gorgeous twins before Maya even had a single date with him.



I just finished reading Love Caters All. What a good, fun read! Nicci Carrera creates a fiery romance between a hot-shot Silicon Valley exec and an independent owner of a catering business in small-town Maine. Obviously opposites attract between these two, and the bi-coastal setting and Nicci's humerous dialog gives the story an extra edge. I enjoyed reading about the characters' different lifestyles and how they found love after tackling several twists and turns along the way. I definitely recommend it! By catherine hampel Verified Purchase

I received an ARC of this delightful novella and enjoyed it so much I purchased a copy for my Kindle. : )Back to Love Caters All, I enjoyed the Cruz family and how they all bounced off of each other. I especially loved the heroine’s food truck and it made me think of the movie Chef which I watched this summer. Maya Cruz is a strong, independent woman who gives up much in her own life to care for her mother and younger sisters after her father’s sudden death. It takes an unlikely hero, in billionaire Rick Nordan, to make her sit up and take notice of her own life. It takes that hero to roll up his sleeves, and allow her to let someone else carry some of the burdens of life. To let love in. These two are truly so well-suited, and yet they have many issues to overcome before they can find their way to real happiness.The author has an easy style and I found myself immediately drawn in to this story, and I read the novella in one afternoon. Her glimpse into the hero’s corporate life in California brought authenticity to the story and provided a fascinating contrast to the life the heroine encountered back in Maine. By Roben Verified Purchase



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THIRD STRIKE'S THE CHARM
by

Nicci Carrera
Official genre of book: contemporary romance



Super student Cara Cruz made it all the way through her prestigious MBA program only to choke on the last final. Ordered by her advisor to take the summer off and clear her head, she’s home in Lobster Cove for some fun before retaking the exam. If she fails a second time, she will lose her dream job offer in Chicago. Meanwhile her best friend happens to be her ex-boyfriend’s mom, which means close contact with the man who broke her heart. Twice. This time she’ll protect her heart no matter the cost.

Ex-major-league baseball pitcher Jason Ward blew his money, his elbow, and his love life. Now at home taking care of his mom and working on a new life plan, he wants Cara back, but he already struck out, didn’t he? Maybe not, and now his mission is to win her back without telling her the truth about why he really came home.

Winning at love will be the only play that counts.



“I found out I couldn’t go back to the majors the day of Maya’s wedding.”

She remembered his anger, the way he stormed off, how hurt she’d been at the time. “Oh no! I’m so sorry.” That news made Maya’s wedding day one of the worst of his life. “I had no idea.”

“I know. That’s why I wanted to tell you. I was in a really bad state of mind that day. I acted like such a jerk.”

Her heart constricted. “The whole kiss thing was an accident, and I made it worse by not sorting it out right away. Now to find out you had that awful news hanging over your head makes me feel even worse.”

He frowned. “I overreacted.”

“Well, it’s understandable now.”

He cleared his throat, meeting her gaze. “Now that we have that cleared up, are you seeing someone?”

Did he want to try again? Her heart gave an inappropriate little bump. Remember your MBA, your new job. And remember how many times Jason disappointed you. “No. I’m not seeing anyone. I need to get my career settled before I think about anything like that.”

He frowned, and then nodded.



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Nicci Carrera lives to write contemporary and spicy love stories with sassy heroines and sexy heroes. Nicci believes the perfect man makes lots of bread…the kind you eat hot from the oven with butter. She lives in Silicon Valley with her husband, and yes, he bakes all their bread. When not at her keyboard writing a romance, in the kitchen, or curled up with a book, Nicci enjoys photography and long walks.

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