I devoted my life to Project Oryx. As a geneticist, I told myself it was about discovery, about pushing the boundaries of what life could become. I never expected my greatest creation to change me in return. What began as an obsession blurred into something far more dangerous and profound—an attachment I couldn’t explain away with logic, an unconventional love that rewrote everything I thought I knew.
When militaries set their sights on Oryx as the ultimate weapon and intergalactic coalitions hunted us to steal what I’d created, we became fugitives overnight. Bounties followed us from system to system, and every encounter reminded me that the universe measures worth in power and conquest. Yet in the midst of pursuit and fear, we found something rarer than victory. We found trust. We found family. And as the walls closed in, I realized we weren’t just fighting to survive—we were fighting for our right to remain human, and for a love strong enough to change the course of everything.
A slow-burn sci-fi space opera inspired by Frankenstein and Flowers for Algernon, dusted with a glimmer of The Wizard of Oz—where the Monster isn’t destroyed, loves, and finally finds home.
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**This book is part of the multi-author Blood & Stardust series, which reimagines classic monsters in outer space. Each instalment can be enjoyed as a standalone story.
Darkness threatens to consume him, but nothing will stop him from keeping her safe….
Ricochet:
All it takes is one glance and I know Jordan is going to be mine.
Her sweet smile and infectious energy make me feel alive again.
She chases away the shadows, giving me a reason to continue on.
But just as I’m beginning to win the elusive beauty over trouble comes for my family.
I may be a veteran with PTSD and a member of a notorious motorcycle club, but both have given me skills that allow me to address any threat and win.
I refuse to let my past dictate my future, and convincing Jordan to trust me is a matter of life and death.
Jordan:
From the first moment that Ricochet and I meet, I know he’s trouble.
The sexy biker has a dangerous and mysterious past that scares me.
I’ve been down this road before with my violent ex and I’m not sure I can do it again.
As I get to know him, I realize he’s more than just a biker with a tough exterior.
Can I trust my own heart even though it’s led me astray before?
When danger comes, I find myself trapped in the crossfire. His past catching up with him is everything I’ve been afraid of, and I’m not sure what to do.
I know deep down that Ricochet will do anything to protect me, but can I learn to trust him even though I’ve been burned in the past?
Small towns aren’t meant for billionaire Movie Stars, but somehow, Sutton Silvers fits right in. I know I should ignore him, the diner regular with his easy charm and quiet intensity. He belongs to another world, one of flashing cameras, billion-dollar contracts, and fake Hollywood smiles. I belong here, in the safety of routine. In the safety of Whispers.
But Sutton sees through the walls I’ve built, through the secret past I keep hidden. He should walk away, just like I should guard my heart. But there’s something about him, the way he looks at me like I’m worth the risk, that has me wanting more.
I know better than to dream of a future with a man like him. And yet, when danger starts creeping closer, he’s the one stepping in, refusing to let me face it alone. He has a choice to leave Hollywood behind or risk it all for the chance that I’m his forever.
Sometimes all it takes is one spark, one touch, one brave leap—to turn a slow burn summer into forever…
Bronwyn
All I needed was a fresh start.
A quiet, peaceful place to open my dream bookstore. Space to just…breathe.
Carolina Cove was perfect for that.
Falling (literally) into the fire chief’s arms? Not part of my plan. Because the truth is, I don’t know if I’m even capable of love anymore.
Or if I deserve it…
Gabriel
Love, for me, has always meant heartbreak and loss. So, duty became my refuge, the firehouse my home.
Until her.
Bronwyn shined a light into all the dark corners of my life, making me want things I swore I’d never have again.
Hope.
Forever.
Her.
But I built the walls around my heart for a reason. Letting her break them down is a risk I’m just not sure I can afford to take…
Slow-Burn Summer, book 1 in the Hearts on Fire series, is a sweet, emotional, friends to lovers, small town contemporary romance/women’s fiction beach read featuring a silver fox fireman hero and a heroine who is much stronger than she realizes. Grab your copy today and get ready to fall for Bronwyn and Gabriel.
I don’t do distractions. I work, I train horses, and I keep my hands to myself. Then Lilah Martinez shows up at my ranch.
She’s younger, confident, and all curves and sunshine where I’m grit and restraint. A trick rider fighting her way out of a bad contract, she needs temporary access to my horses. I say yes and tell myself it’s just business.
That’s a lie.
Lilah works hard, rides harder, and looks at me like she knows exactly what I’m trying not to do. The age gap alone should shut this down. Instead, it makes every glance sharper and every quiet moment more dangerous.
I’ve spent years staying in control. Now all I want is to pin her against my truck, drag my mouth over hers, and show her exactly how bad a grown man can be when he finally lets go.
❤️Review It is only because Ruby asked that Dawson agrees to let Lilah use his horses for training as he thrives on routine and prefers to live in seclusion. When he sees her he is drawn to her feisty personality as he not only offers her a place to train but a place to stay as well.
Lilah is skilled a trick rider however her career has hit a crossroad, and she needs to decide what comes next. She is willing to show Dawon how accomplished she is so that he will trust her with his horses, but she never expected that spending time with him would include feelings as well.
Dawson and Lilah are brought together by their love of horses however they are both cautious when it comes to their feelings for each other and it only when it reaches a crescendo that they are finally willing to acknowledge what they mean to each other which is everything.
Kennedy lives in Dallas with her husband, son, and 80lb Goldendoodle who still believes he’s a lap dog. A bookworm at heart, Kennedy loves to snuggle up in bed or by the campfire with an unputdownable book. She began writing two years ago with Falling for the Chance and has no plans of stopping. Her novels are witty, action-packed, and offer enough steam for a great facial. If you like strong heroines and sexy, tattooed men who can’t keep their hands off them, then this author is the one for you.
Am I broken beyond repair, or can the two men who want me, flaws and all, help me love myself enough to give us a chance at a happily ever after?
Barely escaping my abusive ex, I find refuge in a sliver of Alaskan paradise in the tiny town of Anchor Bay. A great job, a cute cabin situated inside the poly community, and new friends — things are great, except for him.
Langston Allen. Jerk extraordinaire, never lets me have a moment’s peace and, for some reason, hates me. Tatted, grumpy and with a stalking fetish, the man pushes me at every turn, but the underlying heated tension between us confuses me as much as it does him.
Good thing he comes with his best friend with benefits, West O’Donnell. Not only is he sexy, sweet, and kind, but the man has dimples that make me melt with every shy smile flashed my way.
Still putting together the pieces of my shattered self, getting involved with the two men is a terrible decision, but the pull between us becomes too much for any of us to withstand. When my past and present collide, can I withstand the impact, or will I disappear again, this time for good?
Only Theirs is the third book in the Anchor Bay series. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone (each book will have an HEA for the main throuple), however the mystery/case discussed in book one will continue through the full series and will conclude in book 5. Please note this book does include two males who are into each other and one female who doesn’t have to choose between them.
🔥Review🔥 Moving to Anchor Bay was a way for Juno to distance herself from the man who left her a shell of herself and uncertain is she can trust anyone including herself. What she doesn’t need is a cantankerous man who believes that she has an agenda when it comes to her secrets and ensures their interactions are confrontational rather than friendly.
West and Langston are best friends as well as in a relationship however they couldn’t be more different as West appears to be light while Langston is dark. West believes that Juno is who is missing in their lives but now he needs to convince Juno and Langston of that as well.
I really enjoyed how with the support of West and Langston Juno reclaimed the woman she used to be so even when her past resurfaces she knows that she is not alone. All three have emotional scars when it comes to their past but as a trio they prove they are much stronger together than apart.
Man’s best friend is about to be his best wingman.
Nadia
Moving into a shoebox studio at #1 Love Place was a dream come true for me. I’m not sure what I expected, but I didn’t expect him.
I first saw Julian “Jay” Vale being walked by his dog—literally. There is nothing funnier, or hotter, than watching a Greek god of a man get bossed around by a ten-pound Platinum Frenchie. When he caught me laughing and walked over with that devastating grin, my brain short-circuited.
Now, I’m seeing him everywhere. In the lobby, by the mailboxes, near the elevator. Every time our eyes meet, my knees go weak. I know I just got here, but my heart is already trying to move in upstairs.
Jay
I’ve never believed in love at first sight. Lust? Sure. Feelings? Definitely. But looking at Nadia Mirewood standing on the sidewalk felt like getting hit by a lightning bolt. She’s beautiful, she’s funny, and she’s the only woman who’s ever made me forget my own name.
I knew the second I saw her that she was mine. The problem is, I need to convince her of that without looking like a stalker.
Good thing I have a secret weapon. My Frenchie, Salty, will do anything for a treat—including tangling his leash around the prettiest girl in the building. I’m playing for keeps, and I’m not above playing dirty to make sure Nadia falls just as hard as I have.
After a challenging day with her third-grade class Nadia is looking forward to being home when a chance encounter with her swoony neighbor and his adorable dog Salty creates chaos. When he offers to carry her bags and walk her to her door they are both disappointed when he leaves.
Jay was drawn to Nadia from their first meeting and is quite happy to have Salty act as their matchmaker. He is all in when it comes to Nadia and is willing to show her the wonderful life they could have together.
Nadia and Jay’s story is low angst and high chemistry as once Nadia and Jay meet they can’s picture a future without each other.
All it took was one phrase—“𝘞𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘢 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦?”—and I was already losing.
To the enemy.
To a Tinder date gone violently wrong.
To the Syndicate’s most dangerous heir.
It was supposed to be my last middle finger to the establishment before they sacrificed me on the family altar of arranged marriage. So I took control. I made the rules. I chose the husband.
Louis De Lange.
The twin who should’ve died.
The traitor.
The man who lost my sister—his so-called true love.
He said he had nothing left. So I made him my weapon.
But the problem with controlling a wolf in sheep’s clothing?
You never see the fangs until they’re already at your throat.
The plan was simple. The timeline set. Sixty days to infiltrate, manipulate, and survive.
But I wasn’t banking on Louis being more than broken—I wasn’t ready for how dangerous he could be when he finally decides he’s done bleeding for everyone else but himself.
I was playing to win.
He was playing to lose.
And we were both about to learn…
The sweeter the poison the more bitter the fight.
To the end. Love. Hell. Or destruction. Let the games begin.
When it comes to his brother Louis wants answers and doesn’t care what he has to do or who he has to align with to get them. His next plan is to marry Tempest and use the physical and emotional intimacy that comes with it but feelings were never meant to be part of the plan.
Despite his previous relationship and actions with her sister Tempest needs Louise if she is going to get the outcome she wants. She is determined to prove that she is a more than capable of the position she desires within the family, but nothing is going according to plan when it comes to Louis.
If this compelling series had to end it couldn’t have been with a more compelling couple. Two people brought together by their own agendas who take us on a suspense adventure filled with surprises, great chemistry and a love that makes them both stronger.
Meet Rachel Van Dyken:
Rachel Van Dyken is the #1 New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of over 100 books ranging from new adult romance to mafia romance to paranormal & fantasy romance. With over four million copies sold, she’s been featured in Forbes, US Weekly, and USA Today. Her books have been translated in more than 15 countries. She was one of the first romance authors to have a Kindle in Motion book through Amazon publishing and continues to strive to be on the cutting edge of the reader experience. She keeps her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, adorable sons, naked cat, and two dogs.
Cursed in love, I thought I had to watch the woman I love drift through life without me.
One slow dance in a dark hole-in-the-wall biker bar seals the deal for me. I can’t keep my distance. Hiding in the shadows and watching her any way I can isn’t enough. Not when I need her more than I need to breathe.
Then she starts to leave me notes, giving me more of herself than I thought possible, and I know I have to claim what’s mine.
They say the Hart men aren’t meant to find their forever, but curses be damned.
Dear Reader,
This Valentine’s Day eight of your favorite instalove authors have something special just for you!
Our secret admirers are done pining and yearning. They’re more than ready to spring into action to be able to call their valentine mine. Pushed to the edge, these book boyfriends have been craving their women for too long and will do anything to claim them. From sweet nothings, whispered spicy dirty talk or sexy love notes, there is nothing they won’t do to get their women.
Get ready for all the happily ever afters and swoon worthy moments that will guarantee to make your heart pitter patter with joy.
✨TEASER: WHISKEY FLIRT by @walker_rose_books releasing March 13th!
#PreOrderHere
Why you need to #ONECLICK this book…
💋cowboy romance
🩷small town
💋friends to lovers
😍protective golden retriever
🥃baker x distiller
😉not-so-secret crush
🧁black cat with a past
🥵mutual yearning & pining
I returned to Huckleberry Springs to start over with my name on a bakery and my past sealed up tighter than a mason jar. I plan to run my business, keep my history to myself, and ignore handsome flirts like local distillery owner and rancher, Cruz Foster.
Cruz might make me forget how to frost a cookie, but I’ve been taken in by guys like him before. When he turns up the charm, I punch his efforts down like a first proof of sourdough.
He backs off but continues being sweet. My car dies, and he’s there. I need a ride, and he’s there. I want to tell him that I miss the whiskey flirt with the lopsided smile, and he’s there with a sizzling kiss.
The real Cruz is even better than the one he shows everyone else. I fall harder for the guy who loves his family, works hard, and shares his troubled childhood with me. A man who fixes himself is my weakness
But secrets like mine don’t stay buried in small towns. If I don’t want Cruz sinking to the bottom with me faster than blueberries in cake batter, I need to break my heart and go back to minding my own business.
The moment we’ve been waiting for is almost here! If You Keep Me, the final installment in the Toronto Terror Series by Helena Hunting, is dropping next month.
Get ready for an irresistible age gap hockey romance that wraps up this beloved series with heart, heat, and unforgettable moments. 🏒🩰
STORIES OF HEAT, HEART, AND HOPE, a limited-edition charity anthology, celebrates the power of love in all its forms. Couples navigate between the pull of the past and the promise of the future with courage and passion. From curvy girls to tough guys, from tender new adults to seasoned older adults, these multicultural and interracial lovers invite us to savor the joy of living, loving, and believing. Dive into Love Wins, an anthology of diverse romances, featuring uplifting tales of hope, celebration, and second chances, curated in memory of our fellow writer and romance lover, Twyla Turner.
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Kari's Book Reviews and Revelations 