The Collection: Chapter Previews

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The Collection contains chapter previews for:

Fate, Frankincense & Funerals

Acheron – Vulture shifter – Shunned from society because he touches the dead…

Kharon, the only place I’m safe, is in my rearview mirror as I take the treacherous journey to Mandara.

I know it’s dangerous, but I have to go. Something is pulling me to the city. When I get there, I’m surprised to discover it’s a person - Errapel, nurse to the dying soul I’ve been sent to assist. He’s a breath of fresh air to my stagnant life, but the law says vulture shifters are forbidden from taking a mate.

Can a vulture shifter outcast, and a sweet hare shifter nurse, beat the odds, or will the archaic laws tear them apart?

The Ghastly Gumball

Magic, Romance, and Shifters – OH MY!

This is a zany, wacky story about a guy named Lockwood King.

There’s magic.

There’s humor.

There’s chaos.

There’s meddling by outside forces (but it’s for their own good – really, it is).

There’s sort of fated mates (fate gets a little push – okay, a big shove, but everyone deserves an HEA, right)?

There’s a bit of cursing (the magic and the swearing kind).

There’s inconvenient tentacle wrestling. (Don’t ask me, I just write what the characters tell me to).

And speaking of tentacles, did I mention the cigar-smoking octopus named Clyde?

If you don’t like absurdly unbelievable tales and magical mishaps, this probably isn’t the book for you. You’ve been warned.

The Final Bite

Every ten years, the gods choose a being from the paranormal world who has been unjustly killed and offers them a second chance at life. The catch? They must take a mate, and they only have three days to do it.

Fortunately for me, I, Quinnlan Trinity, am the chosen one.

Unfortunately for me, the trickster gods must have gotten into the mix because they drop me at an abandoned motel in the middle of nowheresville with three days’ worth of clothing, sans underwear, and a wad of cash. Seriously?

I've got two days left when I find a guy bleeding out. I could save him, but if I do, that means choosing him as my mate and risking rejection. Is he the one? Or, by saving him, am I dooming myself to a trip back to the afterlife?

The Men of Eden Cove Manor

My mother’s final wish was for me to embrace life and live it to the fullest. I intend to do just that. Despite the town gossip touting the dangers, I set my sights on uncovering the mystery surrounding the men of Eden Cove Manor.

After a confrontation with Mordecai – one of the hot, mysterious Manor men – he’s determined to teach me a lesson. But I’m determined not to let him win the game he’s playing.

I set out to find answers and got more than I bargained for.

Am I about to become the next secret of Eden Cove Manor?

The Alien & the Crime Boss

After fleeing the authorities on my home planet, I awaken on Earth only to find I’ve exchanged one prison for another. The difference is, I can tell the wary human holding me captive won’t harm me. He might be reluctant to believe I’m not human, but deep down he knows I’m not a threat.

Despite his suspicion, he treats me well, but how can I be certain it’s me he truly wants? What if I’m just a pawn in his struggle for power?

House Valdis Origins: Xenobia

Raised in a society that treats women like cattle, Xenobia does her best to fly under the radar and not bring attention to herself. She obeys the rules, and she doesn’t get attached to people – until Urd.

After a man with extreme sadistic tendencies buys the two women, Xen lays awake at night planning their escape.

While on the run for their lives, Xen learns that the price of rebellion is steep.

HOUSE VALDIS PREQUEL

The Rise of House Valdis

When Xenobia arrived on Earth seven years ago she was given an opportunity to start over. Maggie, her best friend, is the only one who knows what she really is. Walking in on Maggie being beaten, Xen makes a split-second decision that begins a series of events which threaten to expose her true nature, and her heart.

With danger looming, Xen is required to face her trust issues and self-doubt in order to traverse the unexpected world she finds herself mixed up in. She must decide whether the lives of her chosen family are worth exposing her secret, and whether she is willing to accept her new role and the responsibility that comes with it.

HOUSE VALDIS BOOK ONE

It Comes From Within

After six months, the stress of the House Valdis expansion is starting to take its toll on everyone. Xenobia has taken her time with the transition in an effort to show the former House Muerte members that she is not like their former Master.

Unfortunately, her good intentions have left the way wide open for insurrection. An unsanctioned blood den is discovered, and in the process of investigating the parties involved, an unexpected enemy is revealed.

The new discovery sends Xenobia on a trip down memory lane. Will she find that her memories are the solution to victory, or will they only be there to haunt her forever?

HOUSE VALDIS BOOK TWO

No Rest for the Wicked

I'm Delilah Hawthorne - Vengeance demon in dire need of a vacation.

Renting a cabin on a lake in the middle of nowhere sounded like a good idea at the time. I mean, who would need a demon out here in the showy-ness of nature, right?

WRONG.

Turns out a trio of morally questionable (okay, downright evil) witches can't resist a good summoning. Or setting a demon trap.

Ensnared by their treachery, I'm on the hunt for a way to break out of the predicament I find myself in, because I'm no one's lackey. Does the old journal I found stuffed in between some bookshelves hold the answer to my freedom?

To add to my troubles, the sheriff is on my trail. It doesn't help matters that he's hot, and therefore a distraction. He knows I have the journal, and he knows I'm lying. Is he going to find out what I'm up to before I can figure a way out of this mess?

I don't know, but the suspense is killing me. Better to die from that than the alternatives, I guess.

When everything comes to a head, it turns out the sheriff has been hiding secrets of his own. It's a good thing that works in my favor, because I have a feeling life is about to get a whole lot more interesting. There truly is no rest for the wicked.

LIFE IS HELL BOOK ONE

Hell Hath No Fury

I’m Sheridan Dion, hedonism demon, out to win the heart of my new lady love one delicious baked good at a time.

Yeah, so I’m a demon that bakes. Shut up about it!

Unfortunately, I’m not the only one out to get the girl. Turns out Millicent has a secret admirer who isn’t thrilled with my efforts.

When things escalate, I want in on the action. No one messes with my goddess! But the stalker’s ultimatum gives me no choice but to leave or forfeit Millicent’s life.

Despite appearances, I might be down, but I’m not out. I’ve got a badass BFF to keep my girl safe while I work behind the scenes to take down my competition.

The more clues we discover, the more suspense builds. With help from my new found family, can I save my love in time? Or will I just end up getting her killed?

LIFE IS HELL BOOK TWO

Hell in A Handbasket

I’m Teivel Tynan, tracker demon, still bitter about the tragic loss of the lover I once shared with my ex.

Love. All it causes is pain. Who needs it?

Unfortunately, my stupid heart didn’t get the memo. It’s set on Oren, my ex’s deputy.

He’s a demon hunter, which makes us natural enemies. But when a bundle of joy mysteriously appears on Oren’s doorstep, it’ll take us working together to do what’s best for our new addition. The infant is a rare hybrid and that makes him a target.

Tensions run high when someone kidnaps the baby, despite our best efforts to keep him safe. Will my tracking abilities be enough to locate him and bring him home? This entire ordeal may destroy the fragile bond Oren and I have built.

I’ve lived a life full of danger, action, and suspense, but am I brave enough to hold onto the promise of a future together when everything around us goes to hell in a handbasket?

LIFE IS HELL BOOK THREE

Sure As Hell

I’m Jaru Fane, imp demon, and former contract companion. I put up a good front, but often feel like I’m falling apart.

In a supportive environment for the first time, I’ve found my calling in life - opening a contract companion business that’s safer for courtesans than the ones I worked for in the past. However, running a business doesn’t leave me a lot of time to socialize. My best friend, Lark, isn’t happy about it. And anyone who knows Larkspur, knows that’s not a good thing. A bored pixie inevitably leads to chaos.

When Lark starts popping up in my office to spend time with me and starts learning more about worldly things, unanticipated feelings develop between us. But I should have known I’d be more of a curse than a blessing. Most days I can barely keep myself together. Why did I think I would be good enough for him?

As if my inner turmoil isn’t enough, an unexpected threat appears, putting not only my business in jeopardy, but Lark in danger, as well. There’s only one thing to do. Hire the protection services of my sometimes lover, Soren.

Sensing the spark between my bodyguard, Soren, and Lark, I know what I have to do. I have to let Lark go. It’s the only way to keep the disaster that is my life from ruining Lark’s innocence.

But before I can set everything up, Lark’s impulsive heart gets him captured.

I want justice, but it’s slow in coming. It’s up to me to take action. I may not be good for much, but I’ll avenge Lark’s suffering, even if no one ever knows.

Just when everything has been laid to rest, and I’ve resigned to moving on, Lark throws me off kilter by professing his love for me in true Larkspur style.

After all we’ve been through, will my inner demons keep me from accepting his love?

LIFE IS HELL BOOK FOUR

A Cold Day in Hell

I’m Hadassah Engel, angel on probation for sharing my power with an exile from Heaven.

I took a risk helping my brother save a demon, and my punishment is hell on Earth. If the suspense of waiting for Heaven’s verdict doesn’t kill me, Malakhi’s chosen family just might.

I’m not trying to be rude, but I’m from Heaven, and they’re… not. I’d rather not stain my perfection with their morally gray shenanigans.

Still, I hate the disappointment radiating from my brother every time I reject his family’s efforts to include me. Which is the reason I make a half-hearted attempt to connect with Jezebel, knowing she’ll reject my efforts. I can say I tried and go back to my solitary days. Technicalities are a beautiful thing.

When my plan backfires and Jezebel sticks to me like gum on the bottom of a shoe, I find myself on the run with her in an effort to help her escape a past she’s kept hidden from everyone. If I can keep her safe, maybe it’ll mend the rift between me and Mal’s family. They’d be livid if I stood by and left one of their own in danger.

Talk about instant regret. No good deed goes unpunished, as they say. Jezebel is abrasive and annoying af, but now I’m stuck with her.

Except the more I discover about the reclusive dog shifter, the more my heart thaws. She’s been through hell and back, but hasn’t let it break her.

When Jezebel disappears without a trace, I’ve got a decision to make. Am I willing to sacrifice my life in paradise for love?

LIFE IS HELL BOOK FIVE

The Cursed: Jericho

As Alpha of the clandestine Obsidian Shadow Pack, pack loyalty is everything to me. I've got to uphold the promise we made to be the last of the family line. The curse must end with us.

But then I go and find my fated mate - something none of us thought possible.

I try to stay away to keep her from getting tangled up in our family drama, but she's in danger. The mate bond screams at me not to leave her to a violent end.

If I choose my mate, I break my oath.

If I choose my pack, my mate could die.

Which one am I willing to sacrifice?

THE CURSED BOOK ONE

The Cursed: Ezri

When I was sixteen, my life was completely altered. One minute, I’m making out with a hot guy. The next, I’m covered in blood and running through the woods – on four paws.

And it didn’t get any better from there.

Now, I’m on the run from Hunters with only the clothes on my back and whatever loot I was able to snag from my last job. I need a miracle.

When a witch shows up offering me a way out, I’m hesitant to trust her. But it’s either her way or dead. Seems like a no-brainer.

Suddenly, I’ve got an entire family I knew nothing about. And with that family comes a friend, who happens to be my mate.

Even knowing what I am, he accepts me. But after the repeated disaster my life has proven to be, can I accept him?

THE CURSED BOOK TWO

The Cursed: Nicola

I wasn't looking for a mate, especially if said mate is a bloodsucker with a mysterious past.

See, me and vampires, we've got history. I've got no warm feelings for them after nearly meeting my maker at their hands. They terrify me. No one knows how deep the fear runs, and how much I fight it every day when I have to look at my mate.

As if things aren't bad enough, my blood is the only thing that's keeping Tavian from going mad from starvation. Literally, no other blood will do.

When I'm sent on a mission for the Ravenswing Coven, my fear meets Tavian's past, not only pushing me to my limit, but making me see the humanity in my mate, despite him being undead.

If I come out of this alive, will I finally conquer my fear and be ready to make our bond official?

THE CURSED BOOK THREE

The Cursed: Mason

The Obsidian Shadow Pack is not just a pack; it’s my blood family. When my brother, Jericho, took over as our leader, we made a promise to each other. I broke that promise, and I’ve been carrying the secret around with me for years. But circumstances have backed me into a corner. My lies, my dishonor… it’s all about to be revealed. It doesn’t matter if my decision was life or death, I could lose everything, including a chance at having the one thing shifters yearn for most, a fated mate.

THE CURSED BOOK FOUR

Holiday Bells & Magic Seashells

Best. Weirdest. Holiday. Ever.

A month off for Christmas might sound glorious to most people, but I seem to have misplaced my holiday spirit.

Thankfully, the purveyors of holiday magic seem determined to work behind the scenes to save me from myself.

A mysterious, tattered stocking bearing a promise.

The gift of a surprise beach vacation.

Rescuing a beautiful woman with a secret.

This holiday season is shaping up to be the strangest I've ever had.

But I think it might just give me the one thing on my wish list...

A happily ever after.

Grab a hot chocolate and dive into this sapphic winter romance featuring an apathetic human headed for grinchdom, and the mermaid fascinated with all things Christmas who teaches her how to love the holidays again.

The Husbands

An accident brought them together, but life will tear them apart.

Everything changed for Dorian and Augustine the night an assassin made a terrible mistake. As the two men navigate the aftermath, they can’t deny their developing feelings, but a relationship isn’t in the cards. Broken-hearted, they both move on with their lives, believing they’ll never see each other again.

Then the unthinkable happens.

Three years later, their wives become friends and can’t wait to introduce each other to their husbands. What do you do when the one that got away is within reach, and you can’t acknowledge what they mean to you?

Dorian and Augustine are about to find out.

Unexpected Heroes

Losing everything is a disaster, until an unexpected hero sneaks into your life and saves the day.

ELIJAH

After narrowly avoiding a prison sentence, I snatch up the chance to start over. But my ex certainly didn’t make things easy. I’ve lost everything–my job, my reputation, my friends, everything except what matters most, my infant son, Griffin. He’s the reason I live and breathe, but I don’t know if I can do this alone.

Then an angel appears in the form of my new neighbor, Jude. He’s handsome and good with my son, but my heart is hesitant to love again. Especially with Jude’s personal demons interfering, leading him to betray my trust.

Despite our falling out, when my past shows up, putting Griffin in danger, Jude’s the one riding to the rescue. He’s a good man, but am I ready to risk my heart to build a future with him?

JUDE

He’s gone, and he took my heart and soul with him. Life is now an endless round of working security jobs and losing myself in the bottom of a bottle… until the night I meet my new neighbor Elijah and his baby boy. Suddenly, the future I always wanted is possible again, and I cling to it with all I’ve got. But my clinging leads me to make a decision that could tank everything before it gets started.

Even though Elijah has pushed me away, when he and Griffin are in danger, I can’t stand by and do nothing. Elijah and I may not end up together, but he and his son have become my reason to live. As long as they are safe, nothing else matters. I’d rather they be alive to love from afar, than be dead and return to the darkness I was in before we met, because this time I might not make it out.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

These chapter previews are for books that are quick read novellas or short stories, for a bite-sized reading escape!

This author does not consent to any Artificial Intelligence (AI), generative AI, large language model, machine learning, chatbot, or other automated analysis, generative process, or replication program to reproduce, mimic, remix, summarize, or otherwise replicate any part of this creative work, via any means: print, graphic, sculpture, multimedia, audio, or other medium.

No generative AI was used in the creation of this book.