Once upon a time the daughter of a mafia king fell in love with a foot soldier. This fairy tale didn’t have a happy ending. My sister and I barely managed to escape alive, and we’ve lived in relative hiding ever since. I’m safe now, but I can never forget the boy who gave his life to save mine. Except there’s a chance that he’s still alive. And he’s fighting a war. Even knowing the risks, I have to find him. I have to find some way to protect him, the way he protected me. But he isn’t the boy I left behind. He’s a violent man. A criminal. And he’s been waiting for me—the final pawn in a dark game of survival and love.

December 1985 - Senior year is really shaping up to be something. In an effort to turn my humdrum life around, I decide to take a walk on the wild side. By the time graduation hits, everyone will know who I am. Only, things don’t exactly go as planned. They go horribly, terribly wrong right out of the streaking gate. Not only have I embarrassed myself in front of Jessie Fox, the only boy I’ve ever had a crush on, but the entire basketball team now has an obscene nickname just for me. Sadly, I got my wish. Everybody knows who I am. Yeah, senior year is really shaping up to be something. Jennifer Barkly has caught my eye before, but I don’t know why I didn’t zero in on her sooner. As soon as she started tutoring my little sister, I knew I wanted to keep her in my life. Things have been a little chaotic on the girl front for the last few years. I’ve got chicks lining up for whatever I’m willing to give them, and, for the most part, it’s been fun, but lately it’s not feeling so great anymore. I want to slow it down, rein it in. Jennifer wants to go wild just as I’m looking to explore my mild side. I think maybe we should meet in the middle. I’ll be her wild if she’ll be my mild. It’s a nice balance that could work for both of us. I’m sort of hoping it’s Jennifer and I that will work in the end. My name is Tess Nichols. And my name is Rachel Torres. Jessie Fox belongs to us. Sure, he’s gifted a hickey necklace to just about every girl on campus, but we’re his tried-and-true, forever-by-his-side, and in-his-bed girls. And now this little skank Jennifer comes along and thinks she’s going to break us up? Like, fer sure. We’re so serious. Jennifer might think she’s going to weasel her way into his bedroom, but we’re not going down without a fight. We know a dirty little thing or two about Little Miss Innocent. And we also know a thing or two about making a wannabe “Jessie’s Girl” disappear from our boyfriend’s life forever. Jennifer isn’t the first ho we’ve evicted from his harem, and she won’t be the last. Yeah, my name is Tess Nichols. And my name is Rachel Torres. Jessie Fox belongs to us. Hold Me Now (A Totally ’80s Romance 3) It’s like totally awesome. CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE

It’s Tiny Cooper’s turn in the spotlight in this companion novel to New York Times bestseller Will Grayson, Will Grayson. Jazz hands at the ready! Tiny Cooper (“the world’s largest person who is also really, really gay”) stole readers’ hearts when he was introduced to the world in the New York Times bestselling book Will Grayson, Will Grayson, co-authored by John Green and David Levithan. Now Tiny finally gets to tell his story—from his fabulous birth and childhood to his quest for true love and his infamous parade of ex-boyfriends—the way he always intended: as a musical! Filled with honesty, humor, and “big, lively, belty” musical numbers, the novel is told through the full script of the musical first introduced in Will Grayson, Will Grayson.

When three best friends decide to stretch their wings and revamp the local airport in small-town Haven, Georgia, the destination is laughter and love ... Jade Mackenzie left her high-society family's expectations behind when she came back to cozy Haven, and she's never been happier. But what's supposed to be a quick trip to Nashville for a cousin's wedding turns into a disaster when one of the airport's pilots offers to fly her there. One crash landing and a shared room later, and tattooed, bearded Cash Miller is standing in as her gorgeously unsuitable plus-one—and turning her on in ways she can't deny. But a relationship? A real one? That's definitely in the no-fly zone. Vincent "Cash" Miller doesn't have much in the world, but he does have pride—and a strict policy not to let anyone trash-talk his friends, not even their mothers. Standing up for sexy, headstrong Jade comes naturally—but so does the bone-deep itch for her he's...

The Copper Mountain Rodeo has returned to Marietta and cowboy reputations aren't the only thing at stake...Marietta home town girl Kendall Dixon knows who she is and what she wants, even if the stubborn and slow-smiling cowboy who owns her heart is long gone from Montana. Rancher Brent Ashton returns to Marietta to care for his sick mother. Haunted by the death of his father, he is determined to save his derelict home and resist rekindling the romance with the only girl he's ever loved so that she doesn't sacrifice her dreams for him. But the shy and sweet Kendall he left behind has become a strong and determined woman. A woman who won't let her cowboy walk away for a second time.

Dazzling, demanding mega-stars. Tabloid drama. Brilliant, unpredictable creators. Viral rumors. Ambitious, gifted newcomers. Internet-breaking crash-and-burns. The Pure Talent Agency team manages it all—even risking scandals of their own . . . Skye Palmer puts out the biggest publicity fires for Pure Talent's top names. But when an A-list Hollywood actress's dream marriage proves anything but, Skye has to do nightmare damage control. Even worse, her ex-lover, attorney Garrett Steele, is crisis manager for her client's powerful director husband. Now for Skye and Garrett, containing this disaster—and keeping their reignited passion in check—may be mission impossible . . . Troubleshooting is what Garrett and his elite firm do best. But saving his client from career-killing bad news means battling the one woman Garrett's never gotten over. And when joining forces with Skye leads to one steamy night...

Enter The Seductive World 0f Gold Valley Vineyards With Two Wealthy Rancher Romances In One Book!He's Come To Gold Valley Vineyards For Revenge… Not To Fall For The Enemy!The renowned spokesperson for her family’s wine empire, Emerson Maxfield is engaged to a man solely to win her father’s approval, and the sheltered beauty never, ever steps a toe out of line. Which, to rancher Holden McCall, makes her the perfect tool to exact his secret revenge. All he wants is for her family to pay for what they did to his mother, but his plan to publicly destroy the wedding of the year starts to disintegrate as his lethal seduction ensnares his heart, too…Plus A Copper Ridge Bonus Story... 'Hold Me, Cowboy'!Sam McCormack has never met a more stuck-up–or more appealing–woman than Madison West. But when they’re snowed in, will he be forced to admit this ice queen can scorch him with one touch?

Poet, writer, performer, teacher, and director Maya Angelou was raised in Stamps, Arkansas, and then moved to San Francisco. In addition to her bestselling autobiographies, beginning with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, she has also written a cookbook, Hallelujah! The Welcome Table; five poetry collections, including I Shall Not Be Moved and Shaker, Why Don’t You Sing?; and the celebrated poems “On the Pulse of Morning,” which she read at the inauguration of President William Jefferson Clinton, and “Amazing Peace,” which she read at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C., in December 2005. From the Hardcover edition.

"I'm leaving."Dad's words come as a complete shock to Essie. How can he just walk out on her and the family, especially when Mom is pregnant?Essie keeps her dad's leaving a secret. Then Essie's classmate, Chris Crow, disappears, and everyone finds out he's been kidnapped. Is Chris okay? Is Dad ever coming back? Essie is left to wonder if people really have any control over what happens in their lives.Finally, after a startling incident with a family friend, Essie finds the strength to hold on tight to all that she has left -- and in the process realizes that the bonds of love and family do hold a person together.Inspired by true events, Hold Me Tight is a moving and powerful novel. An author's note provides further information about kidnapping and the Amber Plan programs that are in use today to help communities find abducted children.

As the hockey league's star goalie, I live by three simple principles: 1.  Keep a pristine image.2.  Work hard on the ice.  3. Don't piss off the bosses…too much. I was killing it until a mishap tarnished my image. Now, management has me cleaning up my reputation and coaching a bunch of kids. And damn, those little punks are growing on me, and so is the program coordinator, Kendra.   I'm hellbent on proving myself, but my attraction to Kendra takes me by complete surprise. Her defenses are up, but I like a good challenge.Management's directives are clear:  "Kendra is off-limits."  But there's a reason I'm the best. I won't let anyone stand in the way of what I want.

Jay na Thalang is a demanding, driven genius. He doesn’t know how to stop or even slow down. The instant he lays eyes on Maria Lopez, he knows that she is a sexy distraction he can’t afford. He’s done his best to keep her at arm’s length, and he’s succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. Maria has always been cautious. Now that her once-tiny, apocalypse-centered blog is hitting the mainstream, she’s even more careful about preserving her online anonymity. She hasn’t sent so much as a picture to the commenter she’s interacted with for eighteen months—not even after emails, hour-long chats, and a friendship that is slowly turning into more. Maybe one day, they’ll meet and see what happens. But unbeknownst to them both, Jay is Maria’s commenter. They’ve already met. They already hate each other. And two determined enemies are about to discover that they’ve been secretly falling in love…

Destiny is a word that implies the future is already written. Yet Destiny often has roadblocks to make a traveler decide which way to turn. Destiny can be a trickster also, hiding the right path in a dream. Dreams, sleep's dessert, normally fleeting and then forgotten. Forgotten. No, Destiny's design is not always clear and sometimes it takes a child's gift to light the way.We have conclusive proof in this issue that the May issue was more than just a fluke because we have yet another month's worth of fantastic science fiction and fantasy stories to deliver. This issue has some great surprises, too. While some seem to fit into traditional genres, such as alien invasion, fairy grove visitation, and haunting ghosts, there are also a few that defy description. For instance, what genre covers a botanist who finds more than he bargains for while searching for Ghost Orchids? There's a story that seems to be a general dystopia until you realize it's dealing with the most dystopic medium of all: reality television. And of course, how do you classify a story where the language changes as the story progresses?Now perhaps you can see why we're so proud of these stories.Of course, being the narcissistic sociopaths (say that ten times while drunk) that we are, we couldn't just let the fiction writers have all the fun, so you'll also see a few writing tips from me and the Editor-in Chief, Mike Cluff, near the end of this issue. They involve vehicular manslaughter and malicious fairy hit squads, so at least they should be interesting.Fiction Vortex publishes science fiction and fantasy short stories from writers around the world. All stories in this issue appeared on the FictionVortex.com site during the month of June 2013.

The JIAI JOUWA (Story of Love) series takes a look into how one lesbian relationship overcomes the dichotomies that can keep two hearts apart: age, class, social expectations, and distance.Born into an elite family, Jun has spent her life cultivating the professional qualities needed to claim her inheritance, the Nippon Royal Hotel empire. Just when she thinks her dream is about to come true, however, Jun’s uncle ships her from her homeland of Hokkaido to the city of Nagoya to become the new local general manager.Enter Saya, a twenty-something who invades Jun’s life with a bang and leaves just as swiftly. It’s the hope of seeing Saya again that keeps Jun grounded in her goal of taking over the family empire one day… and the more she encounters the enigmatic Saya, the more she realizes she’s falling for her.Under the scrutiny of her uncle, Jun must prove that she can become the head of the family. But she also...

The last thing I want in my life is something complicated. Everett McCabe is very complicated.It started with a noise in my yard late at night. I thought it was nothing. Then I noticed the boot print near my porch. There's someone watching me, stalking me, and my small town police can't seem to do anything to protect me. This is my home, but I'm terrified.My friend's older brother is the last person I expected to step in and pick up where the police left off. After all, I used to tease Rett.  Call him a Boy Scout. A prim and proper do-gooder with a stick up his butt.I had no idea what was lurking under his buttoned-up exterior.Something protective. Something possessive. Something… dominant.I'm scared. But I'm safe in his arms. I'm confused. But his kisses make everything clear. I'm falling apart. But his...

I was born into luxury and used to getting what I wanted. What I desired most, with my life in disarray, was the man who sat across from me. He was tall, dark and handsome, but, most notably, forbidden. It made every accidental touch more sinful and every session more addictive. There was so much tragedy and he was supposed to fix me. I shouldn't have wondered how it would feel to be trapped under his broad shoulders. I shouldn't have focused on the way he licked his bottom lip every time his gaze dropped from mine and roamed my curves. I shouldn't have dreamed about him breaking the rules to comfort me the way I desperately needed. I did though, and I was the first one to break. He was my protector and my confidant and then he became my lover. I teased him, tempted the two of us and now there's no way to take it back. With everything I've been through, I didn't expect to fall for him. There's only so...

Heralded by the New York Times and Time magazine as the couple therapy with the highest rate of success, Emotionally Focused Therapy works because it views the love relationship as an attachment bond. This idea, once controversial, is now supported by science, and has become widely popular among therapists around the world. In HOLD ME TIGHT, Dr. Sue Johnson presents Emotionally Focused Therapy to the general public for the first time. Johnson teaches that the way to save and enrich a relationship is to reestablish safe emotional connection and preserve the attachment bond. With this in mind, she focuses on key moments in a relationship-from Recognizing the Demon Dialogue to Revisiting a Rocky Moment-and uses them as touchpoints for seven healing conversations. Through case studies from her practice, illuminating advice, and practical exercises, couples will learn how to nurture their relationships and ensure a lifetime of love.

Apart, they are broken, but together, they are whole Effie and Heath are famous. Not for anything they did, but for what happened to them as teenagers. Abducted and abused by the same man, they turned to each other for comfort until they were finally able to make their escape. Now adults, their relationship is fraught with guilt and despair. Whether fighting or making love, their passion is strong enough to destroy them both - and Effie’s not about to let that happen. She knows it’s time for her to have a [unknown-8220]normal[unknown-8221] relationship, and Heath is nothing but a constant reminder of the dark past they share. Heath, on the other hand, knows Effie is the only woman he can ever love. She may want to forget what happened, but he’s convinced that they must face their past together in order to move forward. So while Effie continues to bring new men into her life, Heath becomes obsessed with proving he’s the one she needs. Then a new crisis arises and Effie begins to lose every scrap of self-control she ever had. As she struggles against her desire to return to the one man who understands her, she discovers that sometimes the only safety you find is with the person who is the most dangerous for you.

After a messy break-up, police officer Matthew Haldon is fine living in his cabin out in the woods all by himself. He has his dogs to keep him company and his job to keep him busy. He never expects to find love again, especially not with the woman he finds stranded on the side of the road during a blizzard. When Matt realizes that Holly Cook has nowhere to go, he invites her to stay at his cabin for the night. Holly is dangerous, though: with her fiery red hair and her bubbly personality, she tempts Matt like no woman ever has. As the snowstorm rages outside, Matt and Holly share a night that neither will forget. Yet Holly's past isn't about to let her go—and now, neither is Matt. This title was previously published as Adore Me Ardently. It's been rereleased with a brand-new look and with lightly edited content.

A brand new firefighter series from USA Today Bestselling Author J.H. Croix! He's my new roommate. I can't stand him, and he can't stand me. Russell Dane thinks he's all that. Maybe's he's so hot he should come with a too-hot-to-handle sign, but he drives me crazy. Not the good kind of crazy either. He thinks women shouldn't be firefighters, he's obnoxiously overprotective, and I can't stand him. Unfortunately, my body is not getting the memo, but I'm stronger than a few confused hormones. Right? It wouldn't be so bad if we didn't have to work together, and if he wasn't my boss. It definitely wouldn't be so bad if he hadn't gone and kissed me. Russel & Paisley's story is perfect for readers who love small town romance, hotshot firefighters, sassy tomboy heroines, roommate romance, frenemies to lovers, hate to love, slow burn, emotional romance with a dash of angst, plenty of steam and swoon, and a...

It takes a lot for Assistant D.A. Amelia Farrow to lose her cool—except when it comes to George Gibson. With his devilish smile and chocolate brown eyes, the handsome defense attorney is known for playing it fast and loose with the ladies. When they're in court together, Amelia can barely think straight. But she refuses to succumb to George's charms—even if those charms can be pretty damn, well, charming...When George sets his mind to it, he can have most women wrapped around his finger in record time. But prim and proper Amelia, the daughter of L.A.'s most prestigious black judge, is the exception to the rule. It's obvious Amelia finds him attractive—and she'd be one fine-looking sister if she'd lose those stuffy business suits. So why can't he break through that icy exterior and get to the hot-blooded woman inside?Amelia and George can't avoid each other any longer when they both catch wind of a conspiracy involving court corruption and a possible...

Every good girl loves a very bad boy... Scarlett Ashford needs a date for her father's wedding. Only she doesn't just need a guy in a suit-she needs a bodyguard. The only problem is that Jackson Grayson is big and gorgeous and way too sexy. So much so that Scarlett's tempted to let this hot bad boy ruin her oh-so-good reputation... Jackson doesn't do relationships and he certainly doesn't sleep with clients. Yet he can't fight their inconvenient attraction, or how badly he wants Scarlett's warm and wicked curves against his body. He wants her. Now. Even if it's just for one night, and even if walking away the next morning isn't as easy as he thought. Besides, one hot and incredibly intense night between a bad boy and a pampered princess could never turn into something real...could it?

'TIS THE SEASON Dr. Kelly Hall had lost all hope of ever having a family—until single father Tanner Malone burst into her hospital and asked her how to raise his newborn daughter. What else could she do, so soon before Christmas, but lend her expertise to the gorgeous contractor? His charming smiles and come-hither glances draw her like a moth to a flame, but she's in no position to get involved with anyone. After a devastating heartbreak, Kelly has given up on happiness. Nonetheless, Kelly can't deny the attraction...or the hope she'll get the husband and family she's always longed for. As the days move closer to Christmas, it's clear to Kelly that Tanner —and his daughter—is what's missing from her life. First published as Their Little Princess by Silhouette Books in 2000. FREE BONUS STORY INCLUDED IN THIS VOLUME! Hold Me, Cowboy by New York Times bestselling author Maisey Yates The last thing Madison West expected was to...

Fans of 1990's shows like Dawson's Creek and Mad About You will love this throwback romantic comedy. After a devastating accident at sea, the only job Sullivan Calloway can get is one that few have survived. If time and tide wait for no man, neither does Helen O'Neill. She's spent years forging her own path in the movie business. The young hunk she's hired to replace her latest assistant to leave in tears may be a sight for sore eyes, but expectations will not be lowered. If he can't do the work, he'll be out on his very fine behind. If only her heart would get the memo. After all, she's learned the hard way: business and pleasure don't mix and it's better to hold off than hold on. Don't miss this slow-burn, boss-assistant, entertainment biz romance from USA Today bestselling author Karen Grey.

Superstar Wendy Williams brings on the heat in her first-ever, no-holds-barred, down-and-dirty romance novelKimberly Kind is trying to get beyond her roots. A successful, beautiful, and smart lawyer, she's finally finding direction in her life and getting off the streets. But a terrible accident threatens to throw her carefully laid plans off course. Now Kim's hiding a huge secret . . . one that could jeopardize everything.Enter King. A perfect mix of Justin Timberlake and David Beckham, the man oozes sex and has more swagger than anyone Kim's ever met. Their chemistry is off the charts. And after passion-filled nights, the intensity of their emotions takes both of them by surprise.Love was not supposed to be an option. Now it's the only thing holding them together. When their pasts come back with a vengeance, can love possibly be enough?

Kayla Chambers knows what love is - and what it isn't. When her boyfriend turns abusive, she and her son escape to a new life in a place where he'll never find them. The idyllic town of Paradise, Idaho, has everything she needs to get back on her feet. Survival is her only goal, and the last thing she wants is another man in her life. But Kayla's new neighbor, high school principal Luke Jackson, is determined to change her mind. Luke usually takes the fast lane with women, but he can see that Kayla and her son need help, and he wants to earn her trust - even if that means taking things slow. He strikes up a friendship that soon simmers into something passionate and real. But when Kayla's past catches up with her, Luke knows he has to find a way to keep her safe... or risk losing her forever.

Nothing comes easy in a post-zombie-apocalyptic world and Andi is used to losing the people she cares about. But when Will gets infected so soon after getting him back, she can't accept the possibility that her life may have to go on without him. She clings to Dan for support through one impossible situation after another, and although there are some bright spots, the darkness just keeps rolling in. When finally things seem to be settling down, and she thinks she might actually have a shot at a normal life, the unthinkable happens. She struggles with knowing nothing will ever be the same again and moving on to honor the memory of the one person she thought would always be there. But that's easier said than done, and Andi finds has to fight harder than ever just to hold on.

Hold Me: Delos Series

PR exec Natalie Lindgren is all business...until it comes to dealing with her craving for sexual submission. Two years ago, she walked away from the lifestyle—and her Dom, Javier. Now she's back at his luxury guest ranch, not as his sub, but as a member of her sister's wedding party.But Javier's not her only problem. Her ex, Ryan—who she left because his ideas to kink up their sex life veered too closely to Natalie's former lifestyle—is the best man.She'd thought she could resist the two dominant men, but with one touch Natalie is back under Javier's influence, and one whisper has her aching for Ryan's fingers tight around her wrist. How is she going to get through the weekend? Especially once the two of them join forces to remind her exactly what she's been missing...

All Lilith wants is to forget a traumatic breakup and move on, but that’s easier said than done, especially when her ex-boyfriend’s cruel words keep haunting her. Intent on proving her ex wrong, Lilith hires an escort. Handsome, charming, and attentive, Caleb is everything Lilith ever wished for, and soon she wants to be more than just his client. But Caleb hides a dark secret, and if Lilith wants to save him from the life he’s been forced into, she will have to enter the dangerous world of organized crime and risk everything, including her own life. This book contains potentially triggering situations, violence, strong language, and sexual content.**

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery’s classic blend of lighthearted humor and intense emotional conflict works its magic on two newcomers to the California town of Fool’s Gold, which Library Journal calls “a setting so real and appealing readers will want to start scoping out real estate.” Destiny Mills believes passion has its place—like in the lyrics of the country songs that made her parents famous. After a childhood full of drama and heartache, she wants a life that’s calm. Safe. Everything that Kipling Gilmore isn’t. Her temporary assignment with the Fool’s Gold search and rescue team puts her in delicious proximity to the former world-class skier every day. Part of her aches to let go for once…the rest is terrified what’ll happen if she does. Though an accident ended his career, Kipling still lives for thrills—and a hot fling with a gorgeous redhead like Destiny would be a welcome diversion. Yet beneath his new coworker’s cool facade is a woman who needs more than he’s ever given. With her, he’s ready to take the risk. But love, like skiing, is all about trust—and before you soar, you have to be willing to fall.

She's the only one he wants...and the one he can never have. Ella Clark has been in love with Alex Grayson forever. She’s tired of being invisible—or worse, being treated like his kid sister. If she can just get him to drop his iron-fisted control for two seconds, she’ll prove she knows exactly how to blow his mind. Alex has been fighting his attraction to Ella since her should-have-been-innocent sweet sixteen kiss burned down his world. He's damaged, and there's no way he'll ever drag her into his screwed up life. Until she offers him something he's always craved—steamy, no-strings sex inside his exclusive BDSM club. Where she'll be safe from the darkness that haunts him. Except there's nothing safe about being with Ella, and the more she gives, the harder it is to let her go. If he stays, he risks everything, but how can he walk away from the only woman he's ever needed?

Talia Benson has always been independent, unafraid to go after what she wants, regardless of setback, injury, or failure. But between her father’s conditional tuition payments and her mother’s nagging concern over her emotional state, Talia’s suffocating.So when Talia meets doctoral student Sean Poole, she can’t figure out why she wants him to control her. Why she wants him to boss her around. Why she wants him to hurt her.Talia learns the hard way that not all control is created equal, and sometimes submitting is the most empowering thing in the world.From the author: Hold Me Down is a standalone romance with a HEA. It contains graphic sexual situations, language, D/s elements (including Daddy play), as well as discussion (but no depiction) of self-harm.

She's the one girl he should never touch... Cooper Grayson is supposed to hole up in a mountain cabin and protect his best friend's little sister from the paparazzi for a week. That's it. But Paris O'Connell isn't a kid anymore, and it's hard to remember this is strictly business when she bats her big green eyes at him...then crashes through all his carefully placed boundaries. Paris loves a challenge. And gorgeous Cooper Grayson is the most dangerous challenge she's faced yet. He ignores the sizzling attraction that keeps her awake at nights, and he doesn't care about her fame or her contacts, only seeing her. When they finally kiss, Cooper leaves her bare. Exposed. His for the taking. And take he does... For one incredibly hot week, Cooper fulfils her every fantasy. But when the real world crashes in, so does reality. And reality tells them there's no way a Hollywood star and a bad boy from the wrong side of town could ever have a future together...

When the biker who broke her heart rides into town, a woman must choose between passion and duty. Jackie Ashenden ups the ante in a seductive series co-written with Megan Crane, Rachael Johns, and Maisey Yates. Leonidas “Blue” Delacroix might be the prodigal son of New Orleans aristocrats, but the Deacons of Bourbon Street are his real family. And with their patriarch murdered, Blue wants nothing more than to unleash hell on the motorcycle club’s enemies—even if it means taking up arms against the girl who used to be his best friend. She’s done quite a bit of growing up, and suddenly their chemistry is red-hot. But where’s the line between ruthless seduction and sweet temptation?For Alice Day, loyalty is everything. When Blue skipped town, she had no choice but to adopt a new family: their rivals, the Graveyard Ministry. Seeing him again reawakens old feelings . . . and fiery fantasies. Alice could never forget the scent of leather on his skin—just as she could never forgive the sting of his betrayal. But while the Ministry has treated her like one of their own, Blue is part of her soul. And as their liaisons hit the boiling point, Alice trusts her heart with the deadliest choice of her life.

Captor and captive. Lovers. Soulmates. We’re all that and more. We thought we were past the worst of it. We thought we finally had a chance. We thought wrong. We’re Nora and Julian, and this is our story.

Especially for those of us who ordinarily feel ignored, a spotlight is a circle of magic, with the strength to draw us from the darkness of our everyday lives. Watch out, ex-boyfriends, and get out of the way, homophobic coaches. Tiny Cooper has something to say—and he's going to say it in song.Filled with honesty, humor, and "big, lively, belty" musical numbers, Hold Me Closer is the no-holds-barred (and many-bars-held) entirety of the beloved musical first introduced in Will Grayson, Will Grayson, the award-winning bestseller by John Green and David Levithan. Tiny Cooper is finally taking center stage . . . and the world will never be the same again.

A Keep Me Still Novella *SPECIAL EDITION AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME FOR THOSE WHO BOUGHT SPECIAL EDITION OF KEEP ME STILL* Sometimes happily ever after is just the beginning… High school sweethearts Layla Flaherty and Landen O’Brien are living a fairytale in the heart of Spain. Landen’s professional soccer career is taking off and Layla is finishing her college degree. But when her aunt Kate calls with life changing news, she has to reveal the secret she’s been keeping from everyone. She’s pregnant. And she’s not sacrificing her child for anything, not even her own life. Landen has a secret of his own. There’s one thing he never wants to be. Ever. A father. NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: On November 11th, the Special Edition of Keep Me Still will no longer be available. It will be replaced with the standalone edition. Readers who have already purchased that version will have the option of uploading the new version at no additional cost. However, some readers have expressed their deep love for that special edition cover. And I have to agree, it is gorgeous. So for those of you who purchased the special edition and would like to keep that cover in your e-reader library, the sequel novella Hold Us Close will be available as a separate free novel for a limited time

Love in the fast lane  In the five years since Alana Sharp Dumond lost her husband, she has remodeled her life. Her vintage car company, Custom Classics, is raking in money. She owns her own home and she has top-of-the-line friends. If she misses the feel of a man's arms around her, she'd never admit it. The shadows from her past are nobody's business but her own.  Worldly restaurateur Roland Casey has had his eye on Alana for months, but and now he wants to speed up put their relationship. With his tall, muscled build and cognac-brown eyes, he's never had any trouble romancing a woman—until now. Sultry Alana keeps putting the brakes on all his moves. Roland has no doubt that he can send her temperature racing, but can he mend her once-broken heart?

Still reeling from her mother’s death, news anchor Jane Caldwell’s life is upended further when she learns the father she lost twenty years ago is still alive. Her mother’s will unleashes a manhunt—the Caldwell sisters must find their father, or their mother’s estate will not be settled, and their questions about his disappearance will remain unanswered.

Jane’s search leads her to Guatemala to investigate a man who claims to be her father and heir to the family fortune. Needing a translator, she enlists enigmatic Harrison DeNeuve, a sexy ex-patriot with a penchant for wearing dark sunglasses in public.

As Jane struggles to reunite with her would-be father, Harrison fights to suppress his desire for Jane. He has a secret—one he’s sequestered himself in a third-world jungle hideaway to keep safe—and falling for Jane puts more than his heart at risk.

Jane finds two men in Guatemala—a father and a lover—but can she trust either of them?

Hold Me Down: Part 4 of the Devil’s Host MC Serial

She never wanted to return.He wants nothing more than for her to leave.But the fire between them is as strong as the past that haunts them.Annie Freemont grew up on the road, immersed in the romance of rare things, cultivating an eye for artifacts and a spirit for bargaining. It's a freewheeling life she loves and plans to continue—until her dad is diagnosed with dementia. His illness forces them to return to Moonhill, their ancestral home on the coast of Maine—and to the family they left behind fifteen years ago, after Annie's mother died in a suspicious accident. Once at Moonhill, Annie is shocked when her aunt separates her from her father. The next time Annie sees him, he's a bizarre, violent shadow of his former self. Confused, she turns to an unlikely ally for support—Chase, the dangerously seductive young groundskeeper. With his dark good looks and powerful presence, Chase has an air of mystery that Annie is irresistibly drawn to....

Maria Finn's husband was cheating. First she threw him out. Then she cried. Then she signed up for tango lessons. It turns out that tango has a lot to teach about understanding love and loss, about learning how to follow and how to lead, how to live with style and flair, take risks, and sort out what it is you really want. As Maria's world begins to revolve around the friendships she makes in dance class and the milongas (social dances) she attends regularly in New York City, we discover with her the fascinating culture, history, music, moves, and beauty of the Argentine tango. With each new dance step she learns—the embrace, the walk, the sweep, the exit—she is one step closer to returning to the world of the living. Eventually Maria travels to Buenos Aires, the birthplace of tango, and finds the confidence to try romance again.  As exhilarating as the dance itself, the story whirls us into the center of the ballroom dancing craze. And buoyed by the author's humor and passion, it imparts surprising insights about how to get on with life after you've lost in love. From Publishers WeeklyShaken by the discovery that her Cuban husband and salsa partner was having an affair, Finn, a contributor to New York magazine, embarked on learning to tango as a way of healing her broken heart, and chronicles her journey in this rather dry memoir. In tango, an Argentinean dance form originating in the immigrant neighborhoods and brothels of Buenos Aires, she tapped the sources of human sorrow and human happiness and found a safe comfort and intimacy among strangers. From standing on the sidelines watching the elegant, accomplished couples to plunging into her initial lessons at the South Street Seaport and attending her first milongas, or social dances, Finn had to connect with a series of constantly changing partners, some better at leading than others, and some more forgiving than others about her mistakes. Finn organizes her memoir around the tango steps—from la salida (the basic) through la caminata (the walk), la volcada (the fall), el boleo (the throw), all the way to el abrazo (the embrace)—which also cleverly mirror her stages of grief, from anger to acceptance. Sadly, her foray remains journalistically stilted rather than tango sensuous, and rarely warms the reader. Along with her personal story, involving a trip to a wedding in Buenos Aires and documenting there the gay tango scene, she nicely elucidates the evolution of the dance, through the music of Astor Piazzolla and Carlos Gardel, and traces briefly its flashpoints across the globe, from America to Finland and Turkey. (Feb.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From BooklistWhen she discovered her husband was cheating on her, New York City resident Finn wallowed in anger and grief—but not for long. She realized the quickest path to recovery was to get off her duff and dance. Finn was drawn to the tango from the moment she happened upon a cluster of dashing dancers strutting their stuff in Central Park. She soon found her date book filled with nightly milongas (social dances). Tango, Finn learned, had its own vast vocabulary of steps, from El Gancho (The Hook) and El Boleo (The Throw) to El Abrazo (The Embrace). Its themes of sorrow and heartbreak meshed well with her melancholy frame of mind. The tango eventually gave Finn the confidence to begin dating again. Most of her matchups were a bust, but she didn’t give up hope. When she traveled to Buenos Aires (on a trip originally planned with her husband), she realized that her life wasn’t over; it had only begun. Finn has penned a lively debut memoir, brimming with tango history and lore. --Allison Block

"Hold You Against Me quite literally grabs a hold and refuses to let go until the end. Truly one of the first Mafia books I've read that sucked me in with a completely original and brilliant storyline that had me guessing the entire time!" ~ #1 NYT Bestselling Author Rachel Van Dyken Once upon a time the daughter of a mafia king fell in love with a foot soldier. This fairy tale didn't have a happy ending. My sister and I barely managed to escape alive, and we've lived in relative hiding ever since. I'm safe now, but I can never forget the boy who gave his life to save mine. Except there's a chance that he's still alive. And he's fighting a war. Even knowing the risks, I have to find him. I have to find some way to protect him, the way he protected me. But he isn't the boy I left behind. He's a violent man. A criminal. And he's been waiting for me--the final pawn in a dark game of survival and love. "Suspenseful and sexy, Hold You Against Me will leave you gasping for breath and wanting more. Skye Warren is the queen of dark reads and she comes through once again with Hold You Against Me. An absolute must read." ~ USA Today best selling author Rebecca Shea "It's so beautifully written with lyrical prose that has an edge to remind you that this is so much more than a love story. This book is everything I wanted and more for Clara and Giovanni. It broke my heart and put it back together again..." - Kimberly, The Book Sirens "This is the story I've been dying for, and it's a story I never expected. Beautifully layered, romantic and sexy, Skye Warren delivers a complex story of fierce loyalty, absolution, and endless love. The writing in this book is as breathtaking as the story is unforgettable. I absolutely loved it. " - Angie and Jessica's Dreamy Reads QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS BOOK Is Hold You Against Me really a standalone? Yes! Hold You Against Me has the complete story of Giovanni and Clara, beginning to end. It includes the prequel novella Tough Love. Can I read Tough Love early? Tough Love is available FREE on all retailers now. It's also included in Hold You Against Me. Is there a cliffhanger at the end of Hold You Against Me? Nope. How dark is this book? Hold You Against Me is possibly the most romantic book I've ever written. It's also a dark romance, so this hero will do anything to have the woman he loves. Praise for the Stripped series: "Very Angsty 5 Star Read! This book is so compelling, you won't be able to put it down, this is one of those books that you'll want to save to re-read." - Melissa, Books Can Take You There "There's one thing I can say with certainty, Skye Warren never fails to deliver a heartfelt, slightly dark, I can't stop turning the pages story. This one is no different." - Di, Twisted Sisters "It's dark, mysterious, sexy, and I loved every page of it! There were twists and turns that I never saw coming! I love when an author is able to keep me guessing until the very end of the book." - Book Fancy Book Blog "The writing is so incredibly fluid, the characters so intriguing, and the story so captivating. If I could give this book more than five stars, I would. It's as emotional as it is sexy, and beautiful as it is dark. Absolutely flawless." - Sammy, Just Let Me Read "The characters were beautifully written, they jumped from the pages, leaving a lasting impression. Skye Warren eloquently writes the darkness in her characters, her words are profound, descriptive, and utterly addictive. I bow, Skye Warren." - Twisted Sisters Book Reviews**Review"This is the story I've been dying for, and it's a story I never expected. Beautifully layered, romantic and sexy, Skye Warren delivers a complex story of fierce loyalty, absolution, and endless love. The writing in this book is as breathtaking as the story is unforgettable. I absolutely loved it." - Angie and Jessica's Dreamy Reads "It's so beautifully written with lyrical prose that has an edge tor emind you that this is so much more than a love story. This book is everything I wanted and more for Clara and Giovanni. It broke my heartand put it back together again..." - Kimberly, The Book Sirens "Gio, oh Gio, my heart broke for him and what he suffered! He is a hard man. Yet, This hard, cold man, has the softest heart for those he loves!! he romance of the story adds a layer to such a phenomenal dark read... Love, Love, Love this book!!" - 2 One Click Chicks "It's safe to say that if you like your romance with a side-serve of childhood demons and questionable intentions, or if like me, you just can't get enough of Skye's writing, you will love this one too. Beneath the shadowy layers lurks a truly wonderful age-old tale of a boy and a girl and a love worth risking it all for; worth fighting for; worth dying for." - Courtenay, Goodreads reviewer "We met Giovanni and Clara in Tough Love and this book takes our characters in a tumultuous ride full of darkness, danger and endless love... Fantastic story and well worth the wait!!!! I highly recommend it!" - Lina's Reviews From the AuthorEXCERPT FROM HOLD YOU AGAINST ME: Something moves me gently, constant and rhythmic like waves. I'm warm. There's something soft curling around my arms, wrapped inside my fists. Padding beneath my cheek that smells like home. An unnatural darkness weighs down on me, keeping me from waking up--a demon's whisper in my ear. You're warm, you're safe. Sleep. But something is wrong. I remember falling asleep, so suddenly, remember drinking water that I hadn't filled. And I remember the phone call from Amy telling me that Giovanni's alive. Impossible. Awareness pricks my skin like a cold breeze. Wherever I am, I'm not alone. I blink rapidly, forcing my eyes open. They adjust to the darkness quickly, taking in the tinted windows on either side and the wide leather bench curving beneath me. I'm in a car. A limo, to be exact. And it's moving. On the opposite side of the long space, a large body reclines. I can see the wide stance of his legs, the pale white of his shirt. A suit jacket tossed beside his hip. His face is hidden in the shadows of the vehicle. I was raised by the head of the Las Vegas mafia, the capo. I grew up around guns and violence, so I know when a man is armed. It's the way he holds himself, the warning shimmering around him like a dark halo. This man is armed and extremely dangerous. Every muscle in my body tenses. My mind still swims in thick water, because I must have been drugged. He drugged me, this faceless man. Why did he take me? It won't be anything good, that's for sure. Even worse, I suspect this has something to do with my past, with my family. It's messed up that I'd rather be taken by some random psycho. But at least then I'd have a chance of getting away. "Who are you?" I demand, my voice hoarse from whatever drugs they gave me. There's a long pause, the weight of his regard as heavy as a finger trailing down my neck. "Have I really changed that much, bella, that you don't recognize me?" 

Stranded with a cowboy for Christmas...from New York Times bestselling author Maisey Yates! Oil and water have nothing on Sam McCormack and Madison West. The wealthy rancher has never met a haughtier—or more appealing—woman in his life. And when they're snowed in, he's forced to admit this ice queen can scorch him with one touch... Madison had plans for the weekend! Instead she's stranded with a man who drives her wild. A night of no-strings fun leaves both of them wanting more when they return to Copper Ridge. His proposal: twelve days of hot sex before Christmas! But will it ever be enough?

John Jackson. He’s a sweet talking Georgia boy, rough around the edges with an irresistible smile. John sets his sights on the new girl, determined to show her what his small town is about. But she isn’t as accepting as he thought and she rejects him at every turn. The beauty and boldness of Alyssa Winters stirs John’s blood. She quickly works her way under his skin and becomes a constant in his life – his best friend, his other half. As the attraction between the two friends grows, John wants more. She pushes, he pulls. When one reckless night of fun wreaks havoc on John, Alyssa risks it all to ease his pain, giving him the one thing he desires most...her. But John’s sadness runs too deep, the damage, irreparable. He runs, she falls. John must work to prove himself. Despite everything, Alyssa is the one person he doesn't want to live without. The stakes are high, and he’s willing to bet it all. Even if it means he’s left to suffer alone.