The Heart's Retreat by Shannon Blair

Centuries ago, Aspen, the woodlands’ divine Heart Tree, disappeared, twisting His lands into a corrupted shadow of their former glory and sending rage-filled werewolves to hunt His elven children. Now His punishment has passed beyond the woodlands’ borders. If its spread cannot be stopped, all the world will suffer. Gar has served his native swamplands as a soldier for almost half his life. Chosen to lead one last attempt to locate Aspen, he fears the dangers lurking in the woodlands’ corrupted depths will claim his life—and those of the soldiers under his command. But abandoning the mission means watching an entire forest burn. Bolstered by his faith in the swamplands’ divine Heart, Cypress, his conscience demands he carry on. Sage, a magically gifted healer charged with holding Aspen’s corruption at bay from his village, is no stranger to the horrors of his Heart. Neither is his estranged husband, Thorn. A seasoned hunter with the uncanny ability to sense werewolves before they attack, Thorn puts his skills to the test and his life on the line to support the search for Aspen. Sage, choosing love over loyalty to his village, lends his strength as a latecomer to the expedition, lighting the way when hope seems lost. Reunited after a separation stemming from the loss of their stillborn daughter, their shared journey to save their homeland just might lead to reconciliation—if death doesn’t part them first. As they traverse the corrupted forest’s treacherous terrain, Sage and Thorn forge a bond with Gar that transcends simple friendship. Seeking solace from their troubled pasts and uncertain futures, their boundaries break down and the dividing lines between them blur. But with bloodthirsty werewolves watching every move, their budding romance threatens to become a fatal distraction.

Tower of Bone: Book Two of the Keepers of Time Trilogy by M. N. Kinch

A time-traveling clock tower. A star-worshipping cult. A red-cloaked priest who holds time in the palm of his hand. After a disastrous rescue attempt, an immortal murderer holds Joan captive in a valley where no time passes. She’s desperate to keep Arial occupied and allow Thiago and Gabby to delve into the secrets of the Clock Tower that’s slowly draining them of their magic and sanity. As she’s haunted by terrifying visions of a priest in red, Joan uncovers memories of her past life. A dangerous love, twisted magic with more than a few secrets, and the hooded cult leader whose stolen power has damaged the fabric of time…not to mention her own horrifying death. Joan must recover her forgotten power to repair the Clock Tower and finish what she started in her past life: stopping the Priest from dragging the world—and the people Joan loves most—into timeless darkness.

The Keepers of Time by M. N. Kinch

A forgotten life. A secret passed through generations. A dangerous immortal with nothing to lose. Joan Sanders is on track for a bright future at NASA, but a strange accident and even stranger dreams draw her to the Cardozas, three mysterious siblings with a charming coffee shop, a dark past, and an uncanny knack for knowing things they shouldn’t. As Joan grows closer to the Cardozas (especially the grumpy, yet charming, older brother), she’s thrown into a world of secrets and magic that challenge everything she believes. And she realizes she may have more in common with them than she thought. While Joan and the Cardozas race to unravel a centuries-old secret that could destroy time itself, an ancient, heartbroken drifter lurks on the edges of their lives, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And he may know more about Joan’s past than she does. In this funny and mesmerizing first installment of the Keepers of Time trilogy, M. N. Kinch weaves a magical story of romance and found family, with unforgettable characters you’ll love from the very first page.

Bookshop in the City: A Novel About Turning Thirty, Chasing a Dog, a Bookshop, a Billionaire, and Finding Yourself by edbo books

Bookshop in the City A Novel About Turning Thirty, Chasing a Dog, a Bookshop, a Billionaire, and Finding Yourself 📚❤️🐶🗽 She's turning thirty with nothing to show for it. Then a runaway dog changes everything. Jennifer Miller works in a bookshop. She walks dogs on weekends to pay for her cat's prescription kidney food. She lives in a rent-controlled one-bedroom in Hell's Kitchen with an orange tabby called Charlie who has one eye and no manners. On the morning of her thirtieth birthday, she does the arithmetic of a decade and arrives at the same answer every time: nothing. Then a golden retriever named Rocky gets away from her on a street in Tribeca, and runs straight into a man in a very good suit. Kevin is thirty-four, kind, catastrophically bad at making tea — and worth an amount of money Jennifer genuinely cannot hold in her head. He is also, for reasons she doesn't yet understand, the loneliest man in New York. What follows is a year of river walks and farmer's markets, of a farmhouse with a stopped porch and a duck called Dennis, of a storage unit in Brooklyn full of other people's letters, of one very awkward dinner with one very formidable mother — and of a woman who has spent her whole life being the one who listens, learning slowly and badly how to want something of her own. Because Kevin has a habit of doing things quietly. And Jennifer has a rule now: she will not be the last to know. Warm, funny, and full of the small Tuesdays that make up a life, Book Shop in the City is for anyone who has ever been thirty and terrified, loved a difficult cat, or chased something down a street on the worst possible day. --Have fun and joy with this book-- edbo books feel good womens fiction over, billionaire romance clean and wholesome, bookshop romance novel for women, romantic comedy with dogs and cats, slow burn friends to lovers romance, new york city love story fiction, heartwarming book club novel, single woman starting over fiction, opposites attract wealthy hero romance, dog walker romance book, funny romance for women in their 30s, found family feel good fiction

How To Catch a Kraken: A Paranormal Monster Romance (Monstrous Upgrades #01) by Maggie Mayhem

Gutted by my cheating husband, I struck a deal with the Heartbreak Witch. Retrieve a relic from the sea, and I will have my heart’s desire: sweet, sweet revenge. Too bad the “man” guarding the artifact isn’t a man at all. He’s a kraken! Gorgeous but grumpy, Keaton is one of the last of his kind, and time is running out. Without a mate, the loneliness will drive him mad, and the sea will claim what’s left of him. Now that I know his secret, he can’t let me go. I came to find his treasure; I never expected to become one. But the more time I spend with him, the more I realize that I don’t want revenge. I want a very monstrous upgrade. Tropes you’ll love: 🖤 heartbroken × desperately lonely, touch-starved monster 🌊 she asked a witch for revenge, got him instead ⭐ fated mates 🛏️ only one bed (and one leaking air mattress) 🐙 last of his kind 🔪 touch her and find out 🪸 hoarder energy (she’s the treasure) 🫦 praise kink (good girl) 🦑 special anatomy (he’s got two, but not how you think) 🩷 dual POV, HEA garantueed

Coveted by the Hunter: A Post-Apocalyptic Alien Romance (Xarc'n Warriors #10) by Lynnea Lee

HEATHER When I offered to help the scary alien hunter rescue his friend, I had no idea the seven feet tall brute planned on abducting me. Now I’m stuck in a shuttle with my growly, purple captor, speeding away from everything I ever knew. Nov’k is sinfully handsome, covered in muscles, and claims he wants to wake up every day with me in his arms. He makes me feel beautiful for once in my life. Too bad he’s also the bossiest warrior on this side of the galaxy. He may be bigger and badder than I am, but if he thinks he can kidnap me and order me around, he’s in for a big surprise. NOV’K I always thought I’d find my mate among the Earth females at the new hunter’s base, but the one who catches my attention is already mated. To distract myself from the disappointment, I take on a mission to rescue an unknown hunter from a group of hostiles. That’s when I meet Heather. She doesn’t just smell mine; she’s smart, brave, and willing to help me despite the obvious dangers. My plans change immediately because nothing can ever make me leave her behind. And once she’s in my shuttle, I’m never letting her go. Lots of action and steam ahead, and as always, HEA guaranteed! CW: brief references to body image and beauty standards.

Craved by the Hunter: A Post-Apocalyptic Alien Romance (Xarc'n Warriors #11) by Lynnea Lee

SAM When a legendary PIP model shows up in my shop, I jump on the chance to work on the sentient shuttle, until I meet Pip’s owner. The surly hunter hates humans and has earned himself the nickname Loose Cannon. Worse yet, Pip is dead set that I’m Kan’n’s mate! I don’t care that the seven-foot-tall alien warrior has the galaxy’s sexiest jawline, and is covered in delicious purple muscles; he’s a jerk and totally not my type. He does everything to stop me from working on his shuttle, including calling for backup from the mothership. But when things go haywire aboard the mothership, I find my life in Kan’n’s hands, and the rest of me in his arms. KAN’N I don’t trust humans, especially not the female with the sunshine hair and intoxicating scent who has brainwashed my shuttle and makes me feel strange things. Which is why I’m leaving the moment I can. Eager to get my shuttle fixed, I ask the mothership for help. But when Jask'l arrives, he not only praises Sam for her work but he also invites her up to the mothership with him! There’s no way I’m letting her brainwash him too, so I tag along to keep an eye on her. When disaster strikes, I see a side of Sam I’ve never seen before. For once, she needs me to protect her. Now that I’ve seen how things can be between us, I’m not sure I want to ever let her go. Lots of action and steam ahead, and as always, Happily Ever After guaranteed!

Hunter's Harvest: A Post Apocalyptic Alien Romance (Xarc'n Warriors Series) by Lynnea Lee

After my shuttle goes down in the ruins with a shipment of citrus and my trade crew aboard, I wake up with a Xarc’n warrior wrapped around me and purring like a big cat. Var’n is a seven-foot-tall, muscle-bound Xarc’n warrior who spent years hiding out instead of learning to live with humans. The plan is simple: talk him into finding my crew, then get us to New Franklin before the Halloween Harvest Haunt. Too bad his translator is borked. He barely understands me, and he has already decided I’m his to protect. And worse? Var’n’s chest rumbles every time he looks at me. I know what it means, but I’m pretending I don’t. It’s a cruel world out there, and I’ve sworn off relationships to save myself from heartbreak. But how long can I keep this up when he’s the only warm thing for miles? A Hunter’s Harvest is a standalone novella set in the Xarc’n Warriors universe, featuring a protective hero who falls first, forced proximity, and a mate bond that refuses to be ignored. This is best read by those already familiar with the series. HEA guaranteed!

Too Hot to Handle by Ruby Jones

Carter regrets the way he treated Evan before he realised androids were people. Before they were given rights and protections and were paid for their work. When Evan returns to the police force as a Special Android Consultant he does his best to keep out of Evan's hair. But now the weird, sex-fetish, android murders Evan's been working on have connected to Carter’s ordinary-seeming robbery-gone-wrong, and they can't avoid each other anymore. Trapped in a snowstorm, Evan is infected with a virus that will kill him if they can't find a cure... Unless Carter helps him to satisfy the virus's demands...

An Unexpected Attachment by Ruby Jones

Since androids gained equal rights, Thomas has been seeking out new experiences and sensations. He’d like to try sex, but he wasn’t built with the parts. Two months ago, he bought them. It’s just that... He doesn’t want to try them alone. Kyle can be a bit of a jerk. A lot of a jerk. But since androids got rights, he’s been… different. Less abrasive. And Thomas can’t stop looking at him. Is this attraction? Could Kyle help him try out his new attachment?

Tied to Death (Monsters of Brimrey Island #4) by Vee Debras

He means death. But so do I. The cursed child of a cursed family, there are two questions that I’ve never been able to answer. Why would my brother end his life on my birthday? And why has he never come back to tell me? Since the day I was born, I’ve been plagued by spirits. They make me sick: numb and blind and passing out on a puddle of my own vomit. One day, I won’t get away. One day, they’ll kill me. I can’t let that happen, not before I talk to my brother one last time. But when I return home, all I find at his grave is an empty casket… And a man who tells me my brother’s not actually dead. Finch is not human. He’s a death creature who knows what I am and who can protect me from the spirits. For the first time in my life, someone can keep me safe. So what do I care if he says I should be scared of him? If he tells me I should leave? I won’t. Not until I find out what happened to my brother and unveil the secrets everyone is trying to keep from me—including Finch. Tied to Death is an MM monster romance with a transmasc main character, an obsessed love interest, many secrets, and even more angst. It can be read as a standalone with a HEA or as the fourth book in the Monsters of Brimrey Isand series.

Ten Lifetimes Of Ash by AEORAJI

Nine lives. Nine deaths. One name carved into every one of them. Shen Qinghe was once Heaven's most gifted healer. Then the Demon Sovereign Xie Wuyan cursed him into the mortal cycle, and for nine hundred years he was born, broken and buried. In his tenth life, he wakes up remembering all of it. So he does the only sane thing: he walks into the Demon Realm with a scalpel and a grudge. But Xie Wuyan doesn't fight. He doesn't even look surprised. He offers a bargain instead. Stay one hundred days in his crumbling palace, and if Qinghe still wants him dead at the end, he will kneel for the blade himself. Qinghe agrees. He has waited nine lifetimes. He can wait a hundred days. He didn't plan on the Sovereign's terrible jokes. Or the way he flinches when Qinghe coughs. Or the locked hall with nine shrines, and an empty chair beside them. Some debts are paid in blood. Some are paid in lifetimes. And some can never be repaid at all.

Haunts and Heats at Pointe Highview by A.L. Davidson

Wren Swallows wholeheartedly believes in three truths: their dad’s credit card has no limits, ghosts are definitely real, and Alphas are the worst. When the opportunity to indulge in their passion for the paranormal arises, the plucky Omega sets off on a clear day to visit a lighthouse in search of specters. Located on a tiny island, the historical landmark known as Pointe Highview promises a perfect night of ghost hunting for the haunted historian's debut ghost hunt. Everything is going according to plan until Wren discovers the lighthouse keeper - a man named Joel Cutter - is not only devilishly handsome, but a grumpy dominant Alpha who can’t stand the sight - or smell - of them. Tensions and pheromones spark between the two, but Joel remains professional despite his seemingly instant disdain for Wren’s literal existence, and Wren refuses to let a grumpy old man ruin their mood. The night of ghost hunting takes a turn for the worse when the perfect autumn weather grows stormy and strands Wren at Pointe Highview, forcing the clashing personalities to hunker down inside of the lighthouse until the sea calms and the skies clear...

Lonely Planet Hotel by A.L. Davidson

When Ellis Hughes accepted a position at the mysterious Lonely Planet Hotel, he never expected to find himself on a plane bound for Antarctica. Forced to leave his technology behind, Ellis arrives on the doorstep of a grand, state-of-the-art facility nestled in the frigid arctic wasteland. The resort is secretive, exclusive, and completely hidden from public knowledge. Only those with high recommendations can book a season at the resort, and the newly arriving guests looking for reprieve are not what he initially envisioned. Run by the chipper Carlisle Hawthorne and his dedicated, hardworking staff, The Lonely Planet Hotel opens its doors for the first season of the year, thrusting Ellis into a world of artists, aristocrats, heirs, and lost souls looking for healing in the midst of a chaotic universe. The isolated facility offers rest for the weary, healing for the hurt, and family for the lonely; all things Ellis desperately needs. Perhaps the most important thing it brings into his life is a mysterious writer named Dean Winters who threatens to change everything... Ellis soon discovers that the loneliest people are the most caring, and he may just find that the home he's been searching for all along is not found in a building, but the people who live there.

The Wayward Souls of Avalon by A.L. Davidson

After the collapse of Earth sends the last of humanity soaring to Mars, documentarian Jocasta Thorne finds himself trapped in his spaceship on the outskirts of the planet's orbit. Nearly giving up hope of ever seeing another human again, Jocasta's quiet life is disrupted when a knock at the bay door breaks through the silence, and the stranger on the other side promises he can get them home. The Wayward Souls of Avalon is a cozy sci-fi tale about two strangers caught in each other's orbits and their year-long trip to Mars, perfect for fans of Becky Chambers, "The Darkness Outside Us" and "Moon Soul".

Bound to be Yours (Monsters Between the Sheets: Screaming Woods Series) by Bella Blair

He was supposed to be a monster. Instead, he became her home. One year after the infamous Frankenpunch turned the residents of Screaming Woods into dragons, fairies, gargoyles, and creatures straight out of legend, nurse Poppy Hale is still painfully, stubbornly human. No magic. No wings. Not even adorable fox ears. Then she discovers she's been sharing her life with an invisible infernal Demon from Hell. For an entire year. Azaren is ancient, grumpy, and dangerously powerful, a demon ripped from his own realm and magically bound to the one woman who talks to squirrels, rescues beetles, and insists on feeding every lonely soul in town. He should terrify her. Instead, she makes him laugh. But when an ancient creature awakens beneath Screaming Woods, draining the magic that keeps the worlds apart, Poppy and Azaren are forced to confront a darkness older than Hell itself. To save the town—and each other—they'll have to risk everything, including their hearts. Because falling in love with a demon was never part of the plan. And neither was finding home in his arms. Bound to you is a cozy, spicy monster romance filled with grumpy/sunshine banter, found family, magical small-town charm, an adorably judgmental cat, and an infernal hero who discovers that love might be more terrifying than any battle he's ever fought. Your favorite authors are returning to Screaming Woods, where the monsters mash with their human soulmates. These monsters are tired of hiding in the shadows and ready to fall in love. Go into the woods and meet your new book boyfriend—he might have scales, claws, or fangs, but he's 100% irresistible.

Purrfect Christmas in the City: A Heartwarming Holiday Romance About Love, Cats, Secret Billionaires and Finding Home. by edbo books

Purrfect Christmas in the City A Heartwarming Holiday Romance About Love, Cats, Secret Billionaires and Finding Home. New York City. 🐱❤️🗽 She's afraid of losing everything. He's hiding everything. This Christmas, two lonely souls and their cats will discover that the greatest gift of all is connection. Mary Wells is a thirty-one-year-old freelance graphic designer barely keeping her head above water in New York City. With AI threatening her career, her parents pressuring her to come home, and her only companion being Jasper, her opinionated ginger tabby, she's beginning to wonder if she'll ever find her place in the world. A chance encounter in Central Park with a mysterious stranger feeding a squirrel seems like a fleeting moment of kindness - nothing more. David is a thirty-six-year-old billionaire who made his fortune in cat food and toys. But beneath the surface of his success lies a man desperate for something money can't buy: genuine human connection. Tired of being seen only for his wealth, he lives a deliberately modest life, hiding his identity from everyone - including the blonde woman he can't stop thinking about. Perfect for fans of heartwarming holiday romances, this novel celebrates the magic of New York City at Christmas, the power of human connection, and the simple joy of curling up with a good book - and a purring cat. "Mary and David's story will make you believe in the magic of Christmas - and the power of second chances." "Filled with heart, humor, a billionaire and cats. Purrfect for Cat Lovers and Christmas Lovers !" This Christmas, discover that the greatest gifts aren't wrapped in paper. They're wrapped purrfect in love. --Have fun and joy with this book-- edbo books Christmas romance novel, Holiday romance book, Contemporary romance novel, Billionaire romance, New York City romance, Heartwarming Christmas story, Sweet romance novel, Christmas fiction, Holiday fiction, Romance novel with cats

Broke Girls, Tenfold Returns by Ethan Crowe

Bai Li has spent three relentless years climbing Shanghai’s corporate ladder. Just when he finally earns a manager’s title, he misses his flight home for Lunar New Year and is forced onto an overcrowded long-distance coach. All he wants is to survive another holiday filled with nosy relatives, questions about his salary, and former classmates eager to flaunt their success. Then three penniless, neon-haired troublemakers turn the journey into chaos. Hoping to buy himself a little peace, Bai Li pays for their food. Instead, a notification sounds inside his head. [Eligible investment target detected.] [Tenfold cashback credited.] [Affection increased. Current relationship: Friend.] The rule is simple: spend money on a valid target, receive multiplied returns, and raise her affection to unlock rewards that money alone could never buy. What begins with one cheap meal becomes the most profitable investment of Bai Li’s life. Now he is heading home with three unexpected companions and a system that makes him richer every time he spends. Bai Li has no intention of returning as the same exhausted office worker who left. This Lunar New Year, everyone waiting to judge him is about to witness a very different homecoming.

Princess and the Pauper by Isabelle Kelly

Aisling, the crown princess of the small European country Vyctorya, has been sheltered her whole life with only her lady-in-waiting, Florence, by her side. She has to be perfect for her parents, and she worries about losing their love, considering that she's a closeted lesbian. With her marriage to the Duke of Belare a week away, she has resigned herself to a loveless fate. Chava Burke, a girl from America, is reeling from her father's death a year ago which resulted in a move back to her mother's home country of Vyctorya. With the anniversary approaching, Chava feels more lost than ever with no support from her family, a recent break-up with her girlfriend, and a rejection from her dream school, Purdue University. One day, after Aisling sneaks out of the palace, the two girls run into each other and discover that they look identical. They agree to switch places until the night before the wedding, and with Florence on their side, both girls are confident that they can get through the week with no one discovering their secret - until they start falling for people they shouldn't.

Tides of Love by S. R. Garcia

It’s easy to fall in love with Paradise. Lucky Wilde didn’t know a stalled motor could lead to love until handsome alpha Antonio Saavedra offers to tow him back to port. He thinks it might be magic. Especially after a night of passion leaves them both wanting for more. As head of the search and rescue squad, Antonio knows not to accept drinks from the people he saves. But it’s his day off and Lucky is the prettiest omega he’s ever seen. Between random animal facts and blue eyes that threaten to pull him under, Antonio wants more than a single night. Despite Lucky’s marine studies and an endless slew of tourists in need of saving, they carve out time. When a new hotel threatens the historic hatching grounds of a rare sea turtle, interests clash. Lucky refuses to let such an important beach be taken over while a land dispute forces Antonio to confront his family’s past. They're in it together. For the island and for their love story, Lucky and Antonio are willing to do the work. Tides of Love is an MM Omegaverse Romance and is a standalone novel in the Wilde Paradise series.

Secrets of Cevoria by Lauren M Clark

Ivy and her group of unlikely companions have done the impossible: they’ve crossed the Portal into Cevoria. Vampires have been unwelcome in the Fae Realm for over 600 years, and the Fae are notorious for holding a grudge. What began as a fated mission has quickly descended into chaos. Ivy and her friends are surrounded by enemies, and are ill-equipped to deal with the rapidly approaching daylight cycles. The Fae are leveraging Ivy’s mission against her: the Portals remain closed until Oake’s betrothed is found. But every kernel of knowledge they glean reveals even more secrets. It’s a race against time to unearth the truth before the splintered relationships within the group shatter completely. Can Ivy repair the rift, or will they be trapped in Cevoria forever?

Destinies of Diarom by Lauren M Clark

In the eyes of the Council of Noctis, no crime is above Punition. Ivy’s choices have landed her in a Council Inquiry, and her very existence hangs in the balance. In exchange for Ivy’s life, Killian is tasked with venturing to the Gap of Solitude after liberating his sister, Eryn, from her Living Death. They are sent to receive their Auguries: prophecies imparted upon Maurell Vampires by the first of their bloodline. What they learn propels them into a new mystery. Leseldh’s Ending has sent a shockwave through the rest of the Idthraki Clan. Finare’s carefree life is thrown into disarray, but his struggle pales in comparison to Voresta Idthraki’s turmoil. Wild, untethered and consumed by rage, Voresta’s need to avenge his Sire sends him spiralling into the depths of depravity. When Voresta and Ivy’s opposing purposes collide, no one is ready for the devastating consequences.

Ethiques of the Enthique by Lauren M Clark

Lyla Maurell’s future lays within the walls of the Council of Noctis. The only thing that stands in her way is the little matter of suitable work experience. One white lie later, Lyla secures herself the perfect stepping-stone role at the Theatre Enthique. But there’s someone who knows her secret… Her alluring and intimidating rival, Corwyn Idthraki. Can Lyla hold onto her job long enough to make her way to the Council?

Fallow Till We Bloom by Nikki Null

TWIN PEAKS meets STARDEW VALLEY in this stunning queer small-town farmyard romance. "Never talk about the Dark Watchers..." Robyn Fields first saw the ghostly shadows after arriving at her grandfather's farm. By the time she arrived, grandpa was dead and the farm had burned down. Villagers whisper that the cryptids atop the foggy foothills must have been involved. Local vineyard heir Ash Grantor has seen them for decades without incident. Bottling himself up worked out just fine, until he got disinherited and lost everything. After Robyn invites Ash and his friends to live on the farm, long repressed feelings bubble up to the surface as the Watchers draw ever nearer. It's said that the Dark Watchers are drawn to big secrets, and that they had something to do with the old farmer's mysterious death. To save the farm and avoid that strange and haunting fate, Ash and Robyn must cast secrets aside and bloom together...

Moon's Lament by Iris Retzlaff

Betrayal took everything from him. His love, his home, his name. Years later, Suzu has built himself a new life, found a new home, and people he calls family. But the pain from the past is not so easily overcome, and the memories he tried to forget come crushing down on Suzu when he runs into the one person he never ever wanted to see again. Jin left behind the boy he loves to build a life for both of them, but five years have passed and he has hardly achieved anything. Worse, his love has vanished without a trace and the monks at the temple they grew up in pretend to have never heard of Kari. At least Jin has his best friend Niall and a boss who is like a father to him. When Jin and Niall sneak into a high society party to gather juicy gossip and useful rumours, they learn of a young couple in the employ of the Earl of Tsukikage that has gone missing, but not even their families seem concerned. To get behind the mystery of their disappearance they need the help of the Earl's lover – Suzu. Grudgingly, and only to prove the Earl's innocence, Suzu agrees. But what they find instead is a conspiracy that puts the whole empire at risk. And in its wake follow old enemies. Once again Suzu might end up losing everything and everyone he holds dear, until all that is left is revenge.

From Mountain Hermit to Immortal Patriarch by Xiaoyaos

Song Xiaoyao’s new life in a cultivation world came without any of destiny’s usual gifts. His spiritual roots were mediocre, his parents were gone, and no powerful sect was waiting to discover his hidden potential. Accepting that immortality was beyond his reach, he withdrew into the mountains and prepared to live out his days as an ordinary man. Then an unexpected encounter bound him to an imperial heiress descended from a Great Emperor—and the birth of their first child changed the course of history. Deep within Kunlun, Song Xiaoyao founded a clan. He never sought to conquer the world. Instead, he placed his faith in family, blood, and the passage of time. Generation after generation, the Song Clan produced extraordinary descendants: bearers of innate Dao physiques, bodies born from chaos, masters of space and time, peerless swordsmen, and ancient sacred physiques. Each of them possessed the power to define an era. Together, they formed a legacy hidden from the world. Countless ages later, a strange race descends upon the Ten Immortal Domains. Beings from beyond the realms batter at their gates, while the forbidden zones unleash a dark calamity from within. With civilization on the brink of annihilation, the long-sealed gates of Kunlun finally open. One Heavenly Emperor steps out. Then another. And another. Only then does the world realize that the family founded by an ordinary cultivator has become the greatest power in existence.

Masked Punishment by Penny Heart

Oliver fell HARD for the mysterious woman he and Spencer met at last month's masked billionaire sex party. Bored, he was surprised by his appetite for the newcomer, and he anticipated a weekend of hot fun. Then she left in the night while they were sleeping. He bided his time until the next sex party, but she didn't show. Oliver took matters into his own hands and tracked Melissande down. Now he can't think about anything other than punishing her. Maybe once he steals her away from her apartment and takes her to his new sex lair, he'll finally get her out of his system the old fashion way: playing out every dirty fantasy. He's always gotten bored of previous partners, so he's sure it'll work this time, and then his mind will be free again. That's the plan he and Spencer refine, with increasingly dramatic forms of punishment, including an obedience chair, forced orgasms, and a plethora of toys designed to push them all of their limits. Together, Oliver and Spencer dream up the perfect penance for desires unfulfilled. But what if, secretly, all Oliver wants is keep her to himself? This book contains explicit sexual language.

The Devil is Here (and He's Demanding The Rent) by A.L. Davidson

The Devil is in The Details While out performing his duties as a psychopomp, Lucky - AKA the Prince of Hell - accidentally plows into an unsuspecting priest-in-training named Charlie with his sports car, ending the mortal's life decades sooner than planned. Feeling a tad guilty over the accidental severing of Charlie’s mortal coil, Lucky decides to keep an eye on the would-be clergyman. The problem is, Charlie is a hapless, bumbling bundle of nerves who causes chaos wherever he goes. His do-gooder presence and holier-than-thou aesthetic makes him a target for every demon, devil, and down-and-out resident of Hell’s business district, causing endless migraines for the fiery heir who literally just wants to chill. Things couldn’t get much worse, but Lucky's luck seemingly runs out when he discovers he’s being audited on top of having his afterlife disrupted by Charlie. If he can't clean up his files - and his act - his sweet ride will get repo’d and his snooty sister will take over as head psychopomp. That’s when the Prince of Hell gets a brilliant idea to hire Charlie as an admin, ensuring he keeps his car, his job, and his fiery eyes on the handsome priest in the process. But as the days in the office tick by, Lucky soon realizes that the growing warmth in his chest isn't coming from his eternal flame, but something much worse: feelings. The devil is a dastardly landlord, and the only thing that’s certain is death and taxes, so they’d better get to filing.

Feral: Intergalactic Dating Agency (Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides #13) by Sue Mercury

An alien warrior with a dark past. A reluctant human woman who has lost everything. And a boundless passion that burns beyond control... Sadie loses everything during a rebel attack on her city—her brother, her friends, and the new bakery she just opened. After spending several frightening nights on the streets, she reluctantly signs up for the Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides program, believing it's her only chance at survival. Less than a day later, a huge, musclebound alien warrior arrives to claim her. His name is Feral, and he's the largest and most intimidating male she's ever seen. She's pleasantly surprised, however, when he treats her with unexpected compassion and respect. Maybe, just maybe, she can find happiness with Feral after all. That is, until she learns an unsettling secret that threatens to unravel everything... Vaxxlian warrior Feral is a skilled assassin with a dark past. Now that the war against the Irrcons is over, he's ready to settle down and take a human mate. The female he's matched with is the most beautiful woman he's ever seen, and her sweet nature calms the storm inside him. He longs to claim her, body and soul, but first he must earn her trust. He dreams of raising a family with Sadie and living a quiet life on Planet New Vaxx. But when she discovers the truth about what he is, she tries to run. Can Feral convince his frightened mate that she's safe with him and he'll never unleash his darkness on her, or will Sadie always fear the warrior she's bound to for life?

Errik: Intergalactic Dating Agency (Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides #12) by Sue Mercury

The fierce warrior has finally found his mate. Now he'll do anything to keep her... Vaxxlian warrior Errik has always had a restless spirit. After the war, he postpones settling down on the new planet his people have claimed, choosing instead to travel the galaxy as a cage fighter. He never loses a battle and soon makes a fortune, but it's a hollow existence. He finds himself yearning for something more. A mate. A home. A reason to finally stop running. Holly has spent years traveling North America in her RV, taking odd jobs wherever she goes. But with unrest spreading across Earth, her nomadic lifestyle is becoming increasingly dangerous. Then she discovers she needs lifesaving surgery she can't afford. When a friend suggests she sign up for the Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides program, Holly reluctantly agrees. In exchange for becoming an alien warrior's mate, she'll receive the healing nanobots that can save her life. She's not prepared for Errik. The handsome and attentive warrior is nothing like she imagined. His kisses leave her breathless, his touch makes her burn, and she soon begins to wonder if the mating union she entered into out of desperation could become something more. But when Holly is suddenly offered a way out, Errik fears his mate will choose freedom over him. And the warrior who spent years running from commitment becomes more determined than ever to keep the woman who has finally given him a reason to stay.

Draevan: Intergalactic Dating Agency (Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides #11) by Sue Mercury

He only wanted a mother for his orphaned niece. He never expected to fall for his assigned mate... Alone and struggling to raise his baby niece, Vaxxlian warrior Draevan decides to take a human bride. Surely his niece deserves a mother, even if Draevan isn't certain he's capable of loving a woman. Then he meets Cora. Beautiful and sweet, the human female awakens feelings he thought long buried. Their mating union is supposed to be one of convenience, but Draevan soon finds himself hoping for a true partnership with the woman who is quickly capturing his heart. Desperate to escape a mysterious stalker, Cora signs up for the Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides program. The former popstar is shocked when a huge, intimidating alien warrior arrives to collect her, but when she sees the gentle way he cares for his baby niece, she decides to give him a chance. When they finally consummate their union, Cora is surprised by the fierce passion that ignites between them, and she starts to hope that maybe their marriage can become something real... something more than an arrangement. Unfortunately, Cora's dangerous past hasn't been left behind on Earth. A mysterious threat has followed them to Planet New Vaxx, and Draevan will stop at nothing to protect the woman he adores and the little family he never expected to have.

Embers Spark (OrcFire #06) by Alana Khan

In a world divided by barbed-wire fences, their love defies all boundaries, igniting a passion that sets their worlds on fire. Raisa From the moment he saw me, the handsome orc went into protection mode, even though I insisted I didn’t need his help. His piercing gaze and commanding touch awakened desires I never knew I possessed. And that long, black tongue? Well, let’s just say it defies the laws of physics. In his arms, I find solace, shelter, and a love that's thrilling yet forbidden. But as danger lurks in the shadows, I'm forced to confront a choice: safety or a love that sets my soul ablaze? Durga Raisa’s combination of fierce independence and vulnerability ignites an attraction that leaves me breathless and hungry for more. Although our love is taboo, I'll battle man and orc alike to keep her safe. Though our love defies the odds, together we're unstoppable. Thrill to Embers of Healing, a sizzling tale of forbidden love, as USA TODAY Bestselling authors Alana Khan and Aria Vale take you on a thrilling journey of romance across different worlds with no cheating or cliffhangers in this scorching romance, just a strong orc who loves his very good girl. Guaranteed love and eternal happiness await. For readers 18+ ready to ignite their passion. Tropes include: Forbidden Love, Rescue/Protector, Fated Mate, and Forced Proximity.

The Grinch Who Stole Orcmas (OrcFire #07) by Alana Khan

When a grumpy orc firefighter meets a Christmas-obsessed human, sparks fly as snarky words and opposite worlds collide. Joy I've always believed in the magic of Christmas, but I never expected it to arrive in the form of a scowling, green-skinned volunteer. Grum’s gruff exterior hides a heart as big as his huge, tattooed muscles, yet our scorching attraction faces a sinister plot that threatens both our communities. Grum I hate Christmas. Period. But when Joy barges into my life with her carols, tinsel, and relentless good cheer, I’m dragged into her whirlwind of holiday madness. Now we're tracking down stolen presents, exposing corruption, and—against my better judgment—I'm thinking Christmas might not be so bad after all. Take a brief detour from the usual high-stakes OrcFire series as USA TODAY Bestselling author Alana Khan dishes a fluffy, fun, and fiery holiday romance. Happy Orcmas! No cheating or cliffhangers in this scorching read, just a grumpy, green orc, and a woman so filled with good cheer she’s sweet enough to give you a toothache. Guaranteed love and eternal happiness await. For readers 18+ who want to kindle some holiday heat.

The Orc's Comfort (Sunshine Valley Orcs #03) by Alana Khan

He cooked for her. In his culture, that's not just kindness. It's a claim. Julia I wait all day for my green, square-jawed, absurdly handsome neighbor to fill my doorway. He's been feeding me through my recovery—healing broths, elaborate dishes, everything so delicious I've started begging him to teach me. I tell myself a woman can appreciate tusks and slabs of muscle without it meaning anything. I have no idea every meal is a proposal—and I've been saying yes with every bite. Rhazgar I am the last keeper of my clan's culinary traditions—every recipe a thread to a world that exists only in my hands. I never used my clan's traditions to pursue someone. Until the brilliant, book-loving woman next door started asking questions no one had ever bothered to ask. I stand in her kitchen, too large for her space, too far gone for my own good, watching her go still with pleasure over a meal I made to claim her. Eight years of cooking for everyone and belonging to no one. Turns out the only person worth cooking for was next door the whole time. Some gifts can't be taken back. Some come with a seven-foot green orc who spent years carrying his grief... and has very specific plans for what comes after dinner. Caretaking hero • Food as devotion • Cultural miscommunication • Forced proximity • Size difference • Slow burn to scorching • Explicit heat • Guaranteed HEA

Fogfall by Penny Moss

Bastian has made it his purpose to scavenge survival knowledge to trade with those who need it the most. In a world destroyed by a deadly parasitic fog, that’s basically everyone. Life is hard in a waterlogged country prone to inclement weather and mutant butt worms. Just when things can’t seem to get any worse, he ends up captured by a cannibalistic cult. Trapped in their cave where his only prospect is to become someone’s dinner, Bastian meets his one chance of escape, the human equivalent of a mental breakdown, Felix. A cheerful, unstable disaster of a man who dreams of seeing the sky, touching some grass, and getting infected. Felix also happens to have a valuable talent that could buy Bastian supplies, favour, maybe even a future. But as they flee the cave and struggle together to stay alive, his contempt for the jaunty cannibal turns into the biggest risk to his life yet. Because falling for someone in the middle of fighting blood-thirsty cults and mutated parasites will absolutely get him killed. Especially when that someone not only relies on him for survival, but insists on being infuriatingly irresistible. Fogfall is a post apocalyptic gay romance novel that explores the brutal nature of an infested Netherlands and the few people still inhabiting it.

Blue Mandarin: A novel of sun, mandarins, miracles, and second chances. by edbo books

💙🍊 Blue Mandarin A novel of sun, mandarins, miracles, and second chances. Sometimes the most beautiful miracles grow from the seeds of desperation. Carlos Fernández is known throughout the sun‑soaked village of Valdesol for his sweet mandarins and his even sweeter heart. But when his beloved grandmother falls gravely ill and the money for her surgery is nowhere to be found, Carlos paints a single mandarin blue and offers it at the market with a wild promise: “This Blue Mandarin will make you happy. It will make you healthy again.” The villagers laugh — until a mysterious rich man buys the fruit for an impossible sum, then vanishes. That act of kindness saves a life, but leaves Carlos with a debt of the heart he is determined to repay. A year later, the stranger returns, and with him is his daughter Isabella — beautiful, kind, and miraculously recovered from the illness that once threatened her life. In the moment their eyes meet among the market stalls, Carlos and Isabella begin a love story that will bridge two worlds: the earthy rhythms of a small Spanish farm and a life of privilege in Madrid. Together they will weather storms that threaten to uproot everything, build a business rooted in hope, and discover that the real blue mandarin was never a piece of fruit at all — it was love, in its most stubborn and radiant form. A sun‑drenched, heartwarming novel about family, second chances, and the small acts of faith that can change everything, Blue Mandarin will wrap you in the scent of orange blossoms and the warmth of a Spanish summer, and remind you that the sweetest harvests grow from the seeds we plant in our darkest hours. Perfect for anyone who believes that love is the truest magic of all. --Have fun and joy with this book-- edbo books

The Knucker King by Alicia Dingley

Call for me, I will hear it and come to you... The church has deemed healer Avice Gardener an outcast from her village — her strange herbs and ancient knowledge mean she is too witchy for comfort. But when a baby is born “wrong” and a second birthed with the mark of magic, Avice knows human remedies will not suffice. Instead, she takes the infants to Knucker Hill, at the entrance to the Underneath. The dragonesque Knucker, King Trewoofe, has long watched Avice’s healing abilities from afar. For years, he has yearned for her gentle hands and kind eyes to rest on him a little longer. But when he agrees to help care for the suffering children she brings him, the church turns on them both, pouring poison into the Underneath. Desperate to save the noble, wounded king, Avice takes Trewoofe into her home, riddled with darkness and barely clinging to life. And as the frost deepens, two hearts seek solace in one another… even as the outside world threatens to divide them forever.

The Buried Promise (Sierra Rose Ridge Series) by Annee Jones

I came to Sierra Rose Ridge to paint a chapel, not dig up a three-year-old murder. But when I find human remains hidden beneath the mission floor, the town's brooding sheriff becomes my shadow. Wolf Mora has a personal stake in this cold case—and now that I've accidentally cracked it wide open, someone wants me silenced. Wolf doesn't trust outsiders. Doesn't let anyone close. But he's not leaving my side, and these late-night painting sessions are getting dangerously heated. His hands steady my scaffolding. His body blocks the door. And when he looks at me like I'm the only thing standing between him and the darkness? I forget this job was supposed to be temporary. The killer's watching. Wolf's past is catching up. And I'm falling for a man who swears he buried the idea of love a long time ago. Good thing I'm an artist. I see what's hidden beneath the surface—including the heart he claims doesn't exist anymore. 🔥 A scorching small-town romantic suspense with a protective sheriff, touch-her-and-die energy, and Southwest heat that has nothing to do with the desert. ✨ Perfect for readers craving spicy romance with danger, obsessive heroes, and guaranteed HEA.

Stolen & Bred by the Bratva: An Obsessed Bratva Billionaire Auction Romance (Bred By The BRATVA Series) by Annee Jones

🔥 I walked into that auction on my own two feet. Eyes open. Chin up. Ready to sell the one thing I had left and walk away with enough cash to save my brother's life. I didn't know he was already in the room. Vadim Sorin — Bratva-born, cold-eyed, built like a man who's never once been told no. He watched another man win me. Then he took me anyway. Now my brother's debt is paid, my old life is gone, and I belong to a man who looks at me like I'm the first thing he's ever wanted for himself. The problem isn't that he scares me. The problem is how badly I want him to keep me. Virgin auction • Obsessive Bratva hero • Breeding kink • Kidnapping • Forced proximity • Guaranteed HEA 🔥

Her Obsessed Protector (Halo City Protectors Romance Series) by Annee Jones

🔥 I don't ask what's in the package. I don't open it. I deliver it — clean, fast, no trace. Until this job. Now half of Halo City wants what I'm carrying, and the only thing between me and a body bag is six-foot-something of armed, infuriating problem named Torin Dempsey. He's not the bodyguard they send for billionaires. He's the one they send when things get ugly. Forty-eight hours. Safe houses, backseats, a hotel room neither of us pretends is about sleeping. He says his job is getting me out alive. But the way his hands find me in the dark? That's not the job. 💋 Sharp edges. Grey morals. Filthy chemistry. 🔥 Morally grey lovers • Forced proximity • Ticking clock • Obsessed protector • Guaranteed HEA Quick, hot, and bingeable in one sitting. 🔥

Kidnapped by the Mountain Man Bodyguard (Mountain Man Bodyguard Protector Series) by Annee Jones

🔥 Famous, spoiled, and having the worst week of my life — because my father hired a bodyguard and the bodyguard took my phone, my heels, and my entire personality hostage. Rafe Coulter doesn't do paparazzi. Doesn't do small talk. Doesn't do anything except drive this truck deeper into nowhere and tell me to sit down in a voice so low it does something embarrassing to my thighs. He says I talk too much. I say he should find a more interesting way to shut me up. The look he gives me says he's considering it. 💋 A scorching, laugh-out-loud enemies-to-lovers romance for readers who like their heroes bossy and their heroines totally unmanageable. 🔥 Bodyguard romance • Mountain man • Forced proximity • Enemies to lovers • Guaranteed HEA Quick, hot, and bingeable in one sitting. 🔥

Stuffed by the Alien: Sci Fi Alien Romance (Holiday Heartmates #06) by Julie K. Cohen

He needs a mate. She needs a safe place to hide. Together, they find something neither expected—home. Tammi came to the alien world of Zyan for a job—and to escape a past that nearly destroyed her. She never expected to be claimed by a scarred warrior… or to fall in love with his mute son. Torvikk sought a mate to secure his child’s future. He never expected a human woman to awaken what he thought he’d lost forever—need, desire, and a bond that goes far beyond duty. But when Tammi’s dangerous ex resurfaces and powerful forces at the embassy threaten to tear them apart, she must choose: run like she always has… or fight for the family she’s found and the love she never dared hope for. Torvikk has already made his choice. Tammi is his heartmate—and no one will take her from him. ◆◆◆ Mine to Love! A tender yet spicy Thanksgiving alien romance filled with protective instincts, emotional bonding, and undeniable heat. 🧡 Alien Romance 🧡 Marriage of Convenience 🧡 Single Dad Romance 🧡 Fated Mates 🧡 Holiday Romance 🧡 Broken Hero 🧡 Found Family 🧡 Hurt/Comfort 🧡 Forbidden Love 🧡 Protective Hero 🧡 Second Chance Romance 🧡 Slow Burn with Payoff 🧡 Thanksgiving Romance

An Imperialist Era: Kopp Chronicles by Gregory Kopp

Enter “An Imperialist Era” of extravagant wealth and romantic royal pageantry, where the world’s imperial leaders stand at the pinnacle of their power, their political influence extending even into the secretive deliberations of a Vatican papal conclave. Beneath the veneer of pageantry, desperation is rising among their subjects. Peaceful protests fail to improve their day-to-day lives, so strident activists are encouraging a worker’s revolution against these authoritarian regimes. A continent away, an immigrant American family faces the same hardships, struggling to afford life’s necessities as labor unions strike for better pay and safer working conditions. Their confrontation with business owners’ hubris results in a frightening tragedy. In the midst of this global maelstrom, the dashing British agent Richard Cordwell and the beautiful French spy Madame Duvernay are recruited by the King to navigate the courts and palaces of Europe to blunt the growing threat of world war and help lay the foundation for a fragile alliance while shadowy figures try to stop them. Their mission intersects with the young United States President, thrust into the high stakes of geopolitics as his nation takes its place among Old World powers while facing the shocking threat of invasion. Experience the next exciting volume of The Kopp Chronicles—an epic and sweeping saga of romance, political intrigue, and the triumph of the American dream.

Kiss Kiss Touchdown: A forgotten napkin note. A viral Super Bowl kiss. A love story ten years in the making. by edbo books

Kiss Kiss Touchdown: A forgotten napkin note. A viral Super Bowl kiss. A love story ten years in the making. Jennifer Hart is an indie singer on the verge of her big break. David Reynolds is the Super Bowl MVP quarterback of the L.A. Thunder. They haven’t seen each other since college, when he was the quiet regular at her campus coffeehouse gigs—too shy to say hello, bold enough to leave a napkin on her guitar case: Your voice could make a stadium full of people forget how to breathe. Don’t ever stop. She kept that note. He never forgot her. Now fate has brought them back together at a sun-soaked charity flag football game, and David is determined to turn a decade-old crush into the realest thing in his life. What starts as a laugh-out-loud mini-golf date and a disastrously fun karaoke duet quickly deepens into a love neither of them saw coming. But with Jennifer launching her first national tour and David grinding through the NFL season, “real life” threatens to pull them apart before they’ve even begun. Long-distance fights, career chaos, and the weight of two very public lives test the bond they’re trying to build. Then comes the Super Bowl—a storybook comeback, a winning touchdown, and a kiss in the end zone that goes so viral the whole world dubs it Kiss Kiss Touchdown. Warm, witty, and packed with heart, Kiss Kiss Touchdown is a feel-good romance about second chances, the beautiful chaos of chasing your dreams with someone you love, and discovering that the right person has been believing in you all along. Perfect for fans of swoony sports romances, slow-burn chemistry, laugh-out-loud banter, and love stories that feel like summer on every page.

Rosie's Roadhouse - Pancakes with Love by edbo books

Rosie's Roadhouse - Pancakes with Love: A Novel About Pancakes, Passion, Bikers, and the Love Worth Waiting For. She made the best pancakes in Idaho. He was just looking for breakfast. Neither expected to find forever. Some places are just diners. Rosie's Roadhouse is where love comes home. Rosie Hart has spent her whole life at Rosie's Roadhouse, a historic stagecoach-turned-diner nestled in the Sawtooth Mountains. At thirty-three, she's strong, beautiful, fiercely independent—and completely married to her work. Her legendary pancakes draw travelers from across the country, but Rosie's given up on finding a man who understands that the Roadhouse isn't just her business. It's her heart. Max Barnett is a tall, tattooed biker and president of the King Wolves motorcycle club. At thirty-seven, he's built his life around chrome, leather, and the open road. He's not looking for love when he pulls off the highway on a golden summer morning and orders a full stack of Rosie's famous pancakes. But one bite changes everything. The pancakes are legendary. What will happen in Rosie's Roadhouse? Perfect for fans of: Small-town romance, later-in-life love stories, foodie fiction, found family, and sweeping multi-generational tales with heart.

To Defy a Dream: A Sleeping Beauty Retelling (The Shattered Tales, #4) by Mary Mecham

What if Sleeping Beauty pricked her finger on purpose? Princess Aurelia’s kingdom is plagued by the Eternal Slumber, a disease progressively ensnaring the minds of her subjects. After Aurelia wishes for the means to revive her brother, her sinister fairy godmother presents an ominous solution: Aurelia must stab herself with a poisoned spindle. Accepting this fate plunges Aurelia into a nightmare where victims of the Eternal Slumber are being held hostage by a dark djinni. However, Aurelia’s brother isn’t the only familiar face she finds herself reunited with; Everett, the love of her life who mysteriously disappeared years ago, is there as well. As the djinni’s power grows, Aurelia must decide who to save before the djinni escapes and enters the waking world. Failing on her quest could trap her in the dream world forever. Will she forgo her chance at a happily ever after and protect her brother, or will she choose to rescue herself and the man she loves? No matter who she chooses, someone will be doomed to remain in the nightmare that never ends. To Defy a Dream is a second chance romance retelling of Sleeping Beauty. It is one of twelve novellas in The Shattered Tales, a collection of twelve fractured retellings of your favorite fairy tales. They can be enjoyed in any order, so fall in love with the swoony sweet romances, magical adventures, and tale-shattering twists one happily-ever-after at a time!

The Midnight Blizzard: A Cinderella Retelling (The Christmas Chronicles) by Mary Mecham

An ice slipper wasn’t the only thing left behind at midnight… Noelle Frost only has one chance to reclaim the inheritance stolen from her after her father’s death. With her stepfamily plotting to win the prince’s heart during his bride competition to secure their own power, Noelle must infiltrate the royal ball to confront her stepmother and reclaim her birthright before time runs out. But in order to get close enough, she must compete for a crown she doesn’t want—and a prince she doesn’t love. The real danger lies in her growing feelings for Jack, the prince’s enigmatic mage advisor. As their forbidden romance ignites, Jack becomes Noelle’s only ally in a world of treachery, with access to the records that could restore her to her rightful place as the heiress of the Frostwood estate. The closer Noelle gets to Jack, the more impossible their future seems. As the competition heats up and the prince’s attention turns to Noelle, her stepmother offers a risky bargain that Noelle can’t turn down if she wants to protect Jack, even if it means leaving the castle forever. After all, if Noelle and Jack can never be together, does she have any reason to stay? As midnight approaches, Noelle must decide if she can truly leave her heart behind. This is a Cinderella retelling, filled with forbidden love, dog sleds, blackmail, and an illegal courtship set in a snowy kingdom. Perfect for a cozy Christmas read, fans of Melanie Cellier, Tara Grayce, and Deborah Grace White will love this no-spice romantic fantasy book. Tropes in The Midnight Blizzard: ❄️ Forbidden, Illegal Love ❄️ Blackmailed by her Stepmother ❄️ Ice Slippers (instead of glass) ❄️ Cinderella Goes in a Dog Sled to the Ball ❄️ Locked in a Closet and Can't Kiss (but they want to!) ❄️ Jack Frost is the fairy godfather ❄️ Grimms inspired What Readers Are Saying: "This was absolutely THE PERFECT choice for a cozy winter read! I'm all gushy and stuff now" "I'm fairly certain I didn't breathe during the last 30% of the book because PLOT TWISTS AND FORBIDDEN KISSES." "With dog sledding, ice skating, magic ice slippers, and a nod to the 12 Days of Christmas, this “prince picks a bride” competition is magical."

Byron: The One Lung Filipinomenon by Russovoir

Bridging multiple genres, Byron: The One Lung Filipinomenon is a story of Byron Thomas, an 18-year-old openly gay student in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Enthralled with a fantasy of the American Dream, he is convinced beyond a doubt that he was born in the wrong country, and, with his parent’s blessing, he immigrates to the US. Finally free from suppression and the religious society of his homeland, Byron is able to start exploring his sexuality, while also dealing with feelings of inadequacy, the challenges of living alone, and fears of being an immigrant in a foreign land. Then, one night, Byron brings a stranger home, and everything goes terribly wrong. In a possibly supernatural turn of events, he becomes a completely changed man. Inspired by Greek mythology, the story asks: what if you had the chance to be totally happy and healthy, but in exchange you have to start all over again, forgetting anything—and anyone—who hurt you? Would you take it?

Chords of Green and Gold (Tales of Eukarya) by Sarah Beran

Rumpelstiltskin meets the Frog Prince... Prince Dorian of Anura has been looking a little green lately...literally. After an encounter with a disgruntled princess, a curse has left him with a rather frog-like appearance. Desperate to find a woman to break his son's curse, King Ion decides to host a lavish, golden ball. The only problem? The kingdom is short on funds, and the king's grand plans could send their small kingdom into bankruptcy. Lydian Miller has always been her father's pride and joy. In fact, he is so proud of her skills as an artist that he drunkenly claims one night that she could turn straw into gold if she wanted to. These claims reach the king of Anura, and before she knows what is happening, Lydian finds herself locked in a room full of straw. The king has one order: turn the straw into golden party decorations or forfeit her life. All seems lost...until a funny, green-looking fellow arrives with just the help she needs. Who is her mysterious savior? Why is the golden ball so important? And who would even want her firstborn child, anyway?

The Crystal Realm: A Collection of Retold Christmas Tales (The Realm Collections) by Abigail Manning

A Festive Retelling of A Christmas Carol, The Gingerbread Man, and The Nutcracker... In the kingdom of Wiessel, the Festival of the Crystal Star is a greatly beloved celebration that has always been welcomed with mounds of holiday cheer. But this year, some citizens are finding it difficult to indulge in the celebrations… On the eve of the celebration, three women are met with a twist of fate that may put a damper on the festivities. A young queen struggles with finding joy in her future while dealing with the trauma of her past, an orphaned sixteen-year-old gains a home, only to run from it, and even a starry-eyed dancer finds herself chasing a thief into the night. While the realm celebrates around them, these three must conquer their new enemies while relying on each other in unforeseen manners. Will the secrets of the Crystal Realm be unraveled? Or will their hearts be left frozen and shattered? Between orphaned royalty, shadowy strangers, and frigid nights in the snow, it seems hard to believe that this festival could have ever been so jolly… For more more updates on retellings like these, sign up for my free newsletter at abigailmanningauthor.com