Gena Showalter – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read

Gena Showalter – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.books2020.com Thu, 23 Apr 2026 23:01:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 http://www.books2020.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/favicon.png Gena Showalter – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.books2020.com 32 32 The Fire Bride (Kings of Fury #3) Read Online Gena Showalter http://www.books2020.com/the-fire-bride-kings-of-fury-3-read-online-gena-showalter Thu, 23 Apr 2026 23:01:46 +0000 https://www.books2020.com/the-fire-bride-kings-of-fury-3-read-online-gena-showalter Genre: Alpha Male, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Magic, Paranormal, Suspense Authors: Gena Showalter Series: Kings of Fury Series by Gena Showalter
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Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 69119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)

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She has burned through lifetimes alone.
In the hidden realm of Ashmorra, immortal berserkatrix Olyssa Drachenveil, Queen of Dragons, has spent centuries bound to a cruel grant eternal life to a mortal firebrand in the heat of her flames or watch him perish. But any man she’s ignited has died screaming. She’s vowed never to test another.

He must survive her fire.
Taron Locke, brilliant historian and secret dragon slayer, has spent his life preparing to end the creature who murdered his father. A legend cloaked in beauty and ruin. When he summons her with ancient chains, he intends to end her reign, not fall under her spell. But the moment they meet, everything combusts. A battle. A bond. A kiss that could burn an empire to ash.

In war, desire is the most dangerous blaze.
As ancient enemies rise and Olyssa’s crown—and heart—hang in the balance, she must decide whether to defy destiny or surrender to it. And Taron must destroy the queen he was born to hate… or become the firebrand destined to love her for eternity

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Prologue

Hear now the tragedy of the Dragon Queen.

Once upon a time, in the age when dragon-berserkers carved kingdoms from flame, Olyssa Drachenveil was born in fire and fury, her heart sealed in ice, her destiny already written.

Her fated firebrand she must burn: immortality in her flames, or ash with no return.

For Olyssa, love equaled loss. She’d buried friends and family alike and feared losing another. So she did what dragons do best: she hardened. Leading raids beside her father, the Dragon King of Ashmorra, she helped steal treasure and thrones with abandon but no remorse.

Until she came upon Leopold Locke, a mortal man with iron chains and endless courage. The only villager to stand his ground when dragon armies darkened his skies.

With cunning traps and surprising strength, he did the impossible. He imprisoned the storm-eyed princess.

Somewhere between their battles and bargains, the line between captor and captive blurred. Hatred turned to heat, heat to hunger and hunger to love. He taught Olyssa to build rather than destroy. She showed him the joy of life beyond survival.

But as soon as her father’s war ended, Olyssa and Leopold’s newfound love faced an unbearable choice. Let him remain mortal and lose each other to time. Or forge him immortal in her flames, risking everything to spend eternity together.

He chose the fire. Love.

Olyssa agreed to test him, even as doubt flickered. But hope quickly smothered doubt, for an ancient myth foretold of a great phoenix warrior, pure of heart, rising among the dragons. A tale, she was sure, that spoke of Leopold.

She unleashed. He burned.

But he did not rise again.

His ashes scattered in the wind, and Olyssa’s scream split the heavens. Fueled by rage and blame, Leopold’s brothers struck, binding her in the very chains her sweet Leo had once freed her from. In her grief, she let them do it.

Weeks passed, her constant flow of tears seeping into the metal, igniting a second curse. From that day forth, the Chains of Olyssa would call to her whenever worn, forcing her to test the wearer in her fire. Immortality or ashes.

Ignorant of this, she left the shackles behind when at last she escaped. The Lockes, however, kept them, plotting, waiting, vowing that a son of their line would one day be her undoing. But as she rose in rank, becoming leader of the dragons, generations of Lockes withered while others bloomed, their hatred slowly curdling into something worse. A hunger for the very immortality Leopold had not gained.

Each time a Locke chained himself in the mystical bonds, he summoned the Queen of Dragons. Each time she came. And each time, she burned him to ash in her flame.

Centuries ticked on. The world changed. Olyssa endured, her heart hollowed by regret and sorrow.

Today, only one Locke remains. And unlike those before him, he doesn’t seek immortality.

He seeks her end.

When the Chains call once again, will the Dragon Queen’s heart be mended at last… or broken beyond even her fire?

Chapter

One

A well-trained human smells slightly singed. In other words: Perfect.

-Humaning for Beginners: A Dragon’s Tale of Human Management

Disaster had a flair for theatrics, and I was currently its reluctant star.

First, my father had clawed back from the death I’d dealt him centuries ago. Then, three of my best warriors vanished without a trace. Most recently? Someone spotted a human creeping around my realm. Not once, not twice, but thrice. He’d picked fights with my dragons—and won. He’d also pocketed things that didn’t belong to him, successfully avoiding traps I’d set.

I glanced at a shelf on my wall, where my favorite teacup used to rest. My hands balled.

How was he doing this? It should be impossible.

Although there were legends of rare tools able to safely whisk humans between worlds. What if he’d found one?

At least I didn’t have to wonder about his identity. “Professor Taron Locke,” I muttered into the wind, as if speaking his name might summon him, allowing me to deal with the problem at last.

Nope. He didn’t appear.

I stood on the edge of my personal balcony, the highest point of Castle Ashmorra. No rail separated the ledge from the ether; when you could fly, you didn’t need one. A light breeze perfumed with linden blossoms and wild chamomile tugged strands of hair free from a myriad of pins. The crimson hue blended with the sunrise until it looked as if my entire body might ignite in soft fire. The illusion strengthened as the hem of my scarlet gown danced at my ankles.

I scanned my queendom, a dimension stitched like the finest silk to the human world. Below me, molten spires and ancient ruins coiled together in a symphony of gold. Crystalline rivers wound through obsidian meadows that bloomed year-round with violet emberlilies and white ashorchids. Berserkers trained on a soot-streaked field dotted with mist-veiled ghost trees. Mothers and children swam in a lake the same color as skyglass, while twin suns rose in a slow, simmering dawn, casting streaks of lavender across an expanse of dark blue.

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Advertisement Kingdom of Today (Book of Arden #2) Read Online Gena Showalter http://www.books2020.com/kingdom-of-today-book-of-arden-2-read-online-gena-showalter Thu, 25 Dec 2025 22:08:07 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/kingdom-of-today-book-of-arden-2-read-online-gena-showalter Genre: Alpha Male, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Magic, Paranormal Authors: Gena Showalter Series: Book of Arden Series by Gena Showalter
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Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 114925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)

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From New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter comes a hauntingly beautiful dystopian fantasy, where ancient powers rise and a fearless young woman must choose between the ruthless prince who tempts her heart—and a destiny that could cost her soul.

When Arden Roosa returns to Fort Bala Royal Academy, nothing is as it was. No longer just a lady-in-training, she’s now the infamous girlfriend of High Prince Cyrus Dolion—and the woman who brought down a king. Her reward? Round-the-clock guards and the attention of a royal executioner with secrets. But Arden has secrets too. As a double agent slipping between worlds to decode forbidden prophecy, she knows what’s coming. Sleeping gods are stirring, and a war igniting. With only a spark, everyone will burn.

But nothing goes according to plan. Grueling trials consume her days, and dangerous questions stalk her nights. Worse, Cyrus—the fierce, unshakable warrior she might love—is unraveling, losing pieces of himself, becoming a stranger right before her eyes. Desperate to save him, Arden strikes a life-altering alliance…and everything spirals. Now the gods are no longer dreaming. They’re hunting. Time is running out, the end closer than anyone dares to admit. Unless Arden can stop what’s coming, Cyrus will open the door to true evil—and she’ll lose him forever

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Prologue

A grinning Cyrus clutches two scarlet-stained daggers.

We stand in a stalemate, the battlefield between us a nightmare of lifeless bodies and scattered limbs bathed in the unflinching light of Theirland’s twin suns. Lavender and gold streak the sky, casting an eerie glow over the blood-soaked earth, where rivers of crimson carve fresh paths through the flatland. Overhead, a restless flock of scavenger birds circles, their shrill cries piercing the thick, heavy silence as they await their feast.

A fresh wave of CURED soldiers floods in, surging from behind the former high prince and hurrying to kill the array of glowers trapped around me. Men and women I admire. Many more will die today if I don’t stop Cyrus. But how do I strike down the man I love?

Is he still the man I love, though?

In the morning’s brightness, I notice his missing facial brand. No sign of it remains, and my guts twist. More evidence of the monster he’s becoming.

“It doesn’t have to end this way, Arden,” he calls.

“You’re right.” I huff and puff my breaths. “Walk away now, and I’ll spare you.”

His grin turns wry as he spreads his arms. Thin, snakelike shadows seep from his fingertips, coil up, and band around his neck. “I admit, your new confidence is adorable.”

“Isn’t it?” I rock on my heels and white-knuckle my sword hilt as I scrutinize my newest enemy. Cyrus is a god of a man in more ways than one. Beautiful, tall, and powerfully built, with features somehow both surprisingly soft and far too harsh. The contradiction fits. He’s always been a paradox. Demanding yet indulgent. Mysterious but open. Perfect in his imperfections. An opponent feared by the world and yet my greatest ally. From the first moment I laid eyes on him, he fascinated me. And now here we are, soldiers on opposite sides of a war I only just realized I’ve been fighting my entire life.

A chorus of grunts, groans, clinking metal, and gunfire rises as his army attacks my allies.

“You won’t kill me.” Urgency whips at my back. “But I will hurt you if you continue on this path.”

He tsks. “You give me too little credit and yourself too much. I will do whatever proves necessary to secure my rule.” A promise he made at the start of this journey. “Join my team. Merciful leader that I am, I’ll give you one more chance. Refuse, and my desire for you will no longer factor into my decisions.”

There is no need to ponder my response. I lift my sword. “I will never help you destroy Soal.”

Cyrus shrugs. “That’s disappointing but not shocking. Just know you chose this, sweetness.”

I jut my chin. “No, sweetie. You chose it.”

He draws in a deep breath, then releases a short, sharp exhalation. “Let’s get to it, then.”

“Yes. Let’s.” Heart a war drum, I run at him.

He runs at me.

We meet in the middle . . .

—The Book of Arden, volume 20, section 18, paragraph 3, verses 5–26

Chapter One

The past cannot be undone, but you can begin again right where you are.

—The Book of Soal 1.23.43.18

“I won’t do it.” The words echoed in the empty train cart as it rattled along a winding track. I stood with my back pressed against a cold metal pole, its unforgiving chill seeping through my shirt. High Prince Cyrus Dolion occupied the space just in front of me, his massive frame a tower of strength. He gripped the bar just above my head, his arms forming an unbreakable cage around me.

“Yes, kitten. You will.” Each gravelly syllable contained the full authority inherent in his title. He searched my eyes, intense to the max, before leaning closer to set his mouth near my ear. “We both know I didn’t issue a request, but a demand.”

My pulse jumped wildly until I felt a heartbeat in every part of my body. “You aren’t the boss of me?” A breathless question when it should have been a firm statement.

“I am indeed the boss of you.” He recaptured my gaze. “I outrank you by miles.”

An undeniable fact. “Fine.” I exaggerated a put-upon sigh. “You’ve convinced me. I’ll do it. I’ll obey the oh-so-important order of a superior officer.” Gliding my palms up his powerful torso to toy with the ends of his silken hair, I confessed, “I will miss you today.”

“You had better, because I’ll be missing you.” He brushed the tip of his nose against mine. “Thinking about you. Craving you.”

The air between us crackled, filling my nostrils with his intoxicating, ambrosial scent. There was no man more striking than Cyrus Dolion, especially when he cranked up his smolder like this. From the dark shadow dusting his firm jaw, to the large handprint branded on the side of his face, to his heavily lashed eyes, aquiline nose, and soft lips, he exuded pure confidence. But then, he was a warrior to his core. Absolute control radiated from every inch of his lean, muscular form, now decked out in fatigues.

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Advertisement Kingdom of Tomorrow (Book of Arden #1) Read Online Gena Showalter http://www.books2020.com/kingdom-of-tomorrow-book-of-arden-1-read-online-gena-showalter Sat, 16 Aug 2025 22:26:40 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/kingdom-of-tomorrow-book-of-arden-1-read-online-gena-showalter Genre: Alpha Male, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Paranormal Authors: Gena Showalter Series: Book of Arden Series by Gena Showalter
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Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 117246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 586(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)

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From New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter comes a fusion of modern and fantastical worlds, where a young woman must navigate a secret society, uncover a shocking enemy…and resist an undeniable attraction.

Twenty-year-old Arden Roosa knows only Ourland. Two worlds split and stitched together, with broken pieces from each, statues of fallen gods, and heavenly artifacts that are worshipped…or feared.

But nothing is more fearsome than the night.

A strange madness haunts the darkest hours, turning innocents into gleeful killers. Arden does her best to stay safe, until she reads a book written about her life―The Book of Arden―and everything changes.

Forced to join Fort Bala Royal Academy, Arden is paired with the ruthless High Prince Cyrus Dolion. But while he trains her for combat against a mystical adversary, she can’t deny the sparks burning between them.

If her panic attacks and war games aren’t enough, Arden is also tapped to join the Tome Society, rumored guardians of an invisible library with books that foretell the future. But the more she learns about the society, the less she understands about Ourland, the gods…and the person she’s destined to be

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

A multitude of people, and yet a solitude.

—Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Prologue

To: Tagin Dolion

From: Baracas Heta

Subject: A potential problem

Your Highness,

The following is an encrypted exchange between the Soalian known as Sparrow and an unknown associate referred to as “Unicorn.” How would you like me to proceed?

Begin Exchange

Sparrow: You’re ready for your first mission. Agreed?

Unicorn: Considering I submitted a formal request eight months ago, yes. Agreed.

Sparrow: You weren’t ready then. You’re barely ready now.

Unicorn: Have you even read my file? I’m the best of the best.

Sparrow: We’ll find out soon enough. You will recruit Arden Roosa.

Unicorn: Seriously, read my file. The best of the best—in battle. Recruiting isn’t my thing.

Sparrow: Recruiting is every Soalian’s thing. But don’t worry, I’ll take care of introductions.

Unicorn: Why do you want her? Who is she?

Sparrow: She’s the one you will recruit, as previously stated.

Unicorn: Stop being stubborn. Why should I risk my life for hers?

Sparrow: The Book of Soal. Why else?

Unicorn: The Book is your answer for everything. But why seek Arden Roosa specifically? (See? I can be stubborn too.)

Sparrow: Perhaps you need a reminder of law 2.1.5.44. Book of Soal, volume 2, section 1, paragraph 5, verse 44: Whenever it is within your power, aid the maddened.

Sparrow: You were once maddened, yet I risked my life to recruit You, a snot-nosed kid whose issues had issues.

Unicorn: Fine. I’ll do it. But you may not like my methods.

Sparrow: What, are you going to use your “signature charm?”

Unicorn: . . .

Unicorn: . . .

Unicorn: Maybe.

Sparrow: Soal help us all.

End of Exchange

To: Baracas Heta

From: Tagin Dolion

Subject: re: A potential problem

This is a job for the High Prince. My son lacks charm, but he never fails.

Chapter One

Fear isn’t an emotion but a force; it starts with a spark and grows until it torches your entire life.

—The Book of Soal 1.18.3.25

249 AR (After Rebuild)

The waiting room smelled of clashing perfumes, nervous sweat, and old sandwiches. Too many people crammed inside the circular space, turning the midlevel of the high-rise silo into a pressure cooker.

Conversations crested and crashed with varying degrees of irritation as men, women, and children arrived and departed through a central bank of elevators. I shifted in the world’s most uncomfortable chair and studied my surroundings for the thousandth time. Green-and-gold posters decorated the drab, windowless walls.

Be Our Eyes and Ears.

All Before One.

We Are Cured.

The same images hung in most buildings throughout the province. Comforting reminders that we weren’t alone. We had help against the Madness.

I stiffened with familiar tension as the most feared word in existence echoed inside my head. Madness, Madness, Madness. Perspiration dampened my skin, and I darted my gaze, searching for any signs of infection in the people around me. No one was exhibiting telltale symptoms. Still. The air seemed to thicken, making breathing more difficult for me. Stop! The others were fine; I was fine. There was no need to panic. Please don’t panic. Not today.

Inhale. Exhale. I lifted my hair, welcoming a fresh draft to my nape. But the hem of my dress inched up my thighs, and I hurried to smooth the soft but worn buttercup yellow material into place. Call my name. Please.

A baby cried, launching a new cycle of grumbles from the old woman at my left. I’d heard the nerve-shredding chorus for three hours straight and wasn’t sure how much more I could take.

I brushed my gaze over a guy across the room—someone who hadn’t been there minutes before. My attention zoomed back to him. He was peering at me thoughtfully. Didn’t hurt that he was super cute, with deep-set eyes, chiseled cheekbones, and a clean-shaven jaw.

He offered me a stunning grin, and my brain blipped, deleting my newest litany of complaints. I waved. What? I was single, and outside of panic attacks, I tended to fixate on random things.

He made a funny face, inspiring an unexpected smile. I couldn’t help but make a funny face right back.

Barking a charming laugh, he drew the attention of half the room’s occupants. Even as he ducked in his seat, his cheeks flushing, he presented me with another stunner.

“Arden Roosa,” a harried voice announced over the intercom.

Heart leaping, I jumped to my feet. “Present!” Embarrassment scorched me as soon as I comprehended what I’d done. I’d been waiting long enough to learn the drill. Hear your name, take the elevator up, and discover if your dreams were forever crushed.

My legs quaked as I trudged to the bank and stepped into an open stall. Mr. Smiles rose and started forward, erasing the distance between us. Anticipation sparked. Maybe, just maybe, I was about to score a date and celebrate a lifelong goal today. Fitting rewards for controlling my anxiety the past four hours.

“I’m—” he began, but the doors closed, cutting him off.

Or not.

My shoulders rolled in. Forget the boy. The entire fabric of my life hinged on the coming verdict. Inhale. Exhale. In, out.

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Advertisement The Stolen Bride (Kings of Fury #2) Read Online Gena Showalter http://www.books2020.com/the-stolen-bride-kings-of-fury-2-read-online-gena-showalter Thu, 17 Apr 2025 13:13:06 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/the-stolen-bride-kings-of-fury-2-read-online-gena-showalter Genre: Alpha Male Authors: Gena Showalter Series: Kings of Fury Series by Gena Showalter
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Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)

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Clover Deering is living her best life. Kind of. Maybe. Okay, so, not at all. The owner of Fur-Ever Pet Spa is deeply in debt and battling a temper that scares even herself. Things go from bad to catastrophe when a terrifying man claiming to be a berserker king demands an impossible force a rival royal to welcome evil into his heart. In exchange, he'll gift her with a prize she cannot resist—meeting the twin she never knew existed. The problem? King Viktor Endris isn't just scary, he's downright feral.

When captured by Viktor, Clover enacts her own plan. Tame the unhinged warrior, turn him into an ally, and use him to rescue her sister. Not an easy task as Viktor is at war with ferocious turul-shifters, talks to an invisible friend and flips from controlled to chaos in an instant. As their undeniable connection deepens, she discovers a heartbreaking truth. Falling for her is Viktor's only path to ruin. Yet without his downfall, her twin's fate is sealed. The worst part? Clover just might be falling for him, too. But in the end, only one can survive. Her man, or her sister

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter

One

“I turn your pet’s bad hair day into a paw-some fashion statement!”

Clover Deering,

Owner of Fur-Ever Pet Spa

Where Every Animal Feels Fur-Tastic!

Ireached up to flip the OPEN sign in my shop window to closed, accidentally brushing the jingle bell that had rung non-stop for hours. What a day. A German Shepherd peed on my leg after stealing my lunch. A Persian shredded my arms with her razor-sharp claws–now filed, thank you—and a Pomeranian yipped until my last nerve frayed beyond repair.

My lower back and feet ached, and exhaustion saturated every muscle in my body. I reeked of wet dog. Worse, I hadn’t eaten in forever—nearly two whole hours!—but right now I was too tired to even slap together a sandwich. Proof I’d reached my limit.

Attempting to fill my bottomless pit of a stomach was my second favorite hobby. The honor of top spot belonged to rescuing animals in need. One of the many reasons I’d chosen grooming as a career.

I loved Fur-Ever Pet Spa and could only smile at the framed business certificate that hung on the pale blue wall. The shop’s first decoration. My hometown of Aurelian Hills, Georgia, offered wonderful entrepreneur resident loans, and I’d taken full advantage, building the pet spa from scratch.

My stomach grumbled, refusing to let me forget my hunger. Okay, so, after I finished my chores and showered, I’d call in a delivery order at Daisy’s. The German Shepherd’s owner had given me a generous tip, so I could splurge without guilt.

Quickening my pace, I disinfected the check-out counter, stored all leftover complimentary treats in a bag, and swept up any remaining fur. That done, I hosed down the bathing area then put the used towels and comfort blankets through an intense cleaning cycle via the industrial washer in back. In the morning, they’d go in the dryer.

Beginning a day with a messy shop always soured my mood. Satisfied, I switched off the lights and headed for the wooden staircase that led to the second floor. My private retreat and the reason I’d purchased the building. It served double duty as work and home.

A long, hot shower failed to ease my aches. The hydraulics on the grooming table I’d picked up second-hand had stopped working again, forcing me to lift my clients onto the station with physical strength alone. I was stronger than I looked, thank goodness, but even so. Yikes.

I exited the bathroom ahead of a fragrant cloud of steam and entered my walk-in closet. With summer in full swing, I donned a tank top and shorts, then grabbed my phone from the charging dock on the built-in dresser, intending to call Daisy’s. Oh. Two new voice messages and a text.

I checked the text first and ground my teeth. From Benjamin, my ex-fiancé.

Benjaboy: I left my favorite game at your place. I’ll swing by tomorrow and get it.

I responded:

No. You’re not welcome here. Lose my number.

We’d broken up six months ago. If he’d truly enjoyed the game, he would’ve realized it was gone long before now. Besides, I didn’t want to see him. Every interaction reminded me of my failures. How I had ignored a thousand red flags, doing my best not to make waves, all to keep him happy without ever actually making him happy. How I’d forgotten that I had always desired real, genuine love. The kind my parents had shared. Instead, I’d caved to my desperation to experience contentment and settled for conditional affection. Little wondered I’d constantly felt as if a part of me was missing.

Three little dots appeared in the text thread, and I sighed, anticipating Benjamin’s reply. Sure to be a doozy. At least he wasn’t waiting the usual three days to respond.

Benjaboy: Your heart is pure ice, Clo. That’s what broke us. You know that, right?

Wow. He never hesitated to go there. My supposed lack of emotion was his excuse for cheating with my (former) best friend. Granted, I wasn’t the most expressive of people. But suppressing my emotions was a gift to all, including myself! I’d let loose around him only once, and he’d acted scared of me for weeks.

Pushing thoughts of Benjaman into a shadowed corner of my mind, I listened to the voice mails. Cancellations. Another sigh slipped out. Despite today’s influx of patrons, business had slowed the past year, and I was in danger of getting behind on my loan repayments. Every cent counted.

Okay, so, no Daisy’s tonight. Tamping down my disappointment—you’re welcome world!—I did my best to rally. I had some cheese and crackers in the kitchen. Maybe I’d finish off my jar of peanut butter too.

I returned my phone to the charger. No reason to carry it around, hoping for a longed-for text or a call I wouldn’t get. My parents were gone, and I had no other family. Benjamin had won all our friends in the breakup. A blessing, I realized now. Better no friends than bad ones.

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Advertisement The Great and Terrible (Out of Ozland #1) Read Online Gena Showalter http://www.books2020.com/the-great-and-terrible-out-of-ozland-1-read-online-gena-showalter Thu, 21 Nov 2024 13:36:56 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/the-great-and-terrible-out-of-ozland-1-read-online-gena-showalter Genre: Alpha Male, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Magic, Paranormal Authors: Gena Showalter Series: Out of Ozland Series by Gena Showalter
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Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 83933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >90

When twenty-year-old college dropout Moriah Shaker runs into an empty chapel to escape an unexpected storm, she’s catapulted into another world Wizard of Oz style. Unfortunately, she winds up in the treacherous realm of Hakeldama, a fantastical but brutal land where justice is twisted and innocents pay for crimes committed by the elites—and she’s now marked for death.

On the run and determined to get home, Moriah heads for the City of Lux, where a rumored portal between worlds exists. At her side are the most unlikely of companions. A scrappy hustler, a cranky ex-mayor, and a growing beast-dog. But the one who fascinates her most is Jasher, a heartless executioner who hides a terrible secret. Together, they’ll battle bounty hunters, lethal poppies, and winged monsters. Though Moriah doesn’t yet know it, there’s nothing more dangerous than their forbidden attraction.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

CHAPTER 1

THE TWISTER

On an overcast Monday morning in December, I masked a boatload of stress with a carefree smile and carried a breakfast tray into my father’s bedroom. “Tell your appetite to prepare for greatness,” I called as orange juice sloshed over the rim of its glass. “I made my specialties. Burnt toast and rubbery eggs.”

“Thank you, sweetheart, but I’m not hungry.”

At the first sight of him, my carefully crafted expression wavered. More fragile by the day.

He lay in bed, propped on a mound of pillows, his lower half draped by a faded pink and white comforter my mother purchased ages ago. One of the few mementos we possessed of the woman we missed with every fiber of our beings. Once I’d owned her favorite ring, but I’d done the unthinkable and misplaced it. The loss still haunted me.

Dad’s attention shifted to the window, where muted sun rays streamed in. “A storm is brewing,” he intoned.

“I’ll hunt down some candles in case the power goes out,” I replied as cheerfully as I was able. Our generator died last month, and I hadn’t yet raised enough funds to repair it. “How are you feeling today?”

He pursed his lips. “Like I’ve been chewed up and spit out.”

“So much better than yesterday. Excellent.” Oh, how I hated lung cancer. In only four short months, the awful disease had ravaged the once ox-strong man, rendering him a shell of his former self.

As I set the tray on the nightstand and organized my father’s plethora of medications, sunken brown eyes beseeched me. I stifled a groan, knowing what was coming next.

“You shouldn’t have to be my nurse and do my chores and wait tables at a crappy diner,” he grumbled. “All to pay my bills.”

Bingo. “Daddy, please don’t⁠—”

“You’ve got to let me go, Rye.” More desperate by the heartbeat, he reached out with a frail hand and clasped my wrist in a weak grip. “I know you’ve got no desire to return to college. Why not attend trade school? Those jobs are always in high demand. Think of it. Class in the mornings and fancy dates at night. Nothing would make me happier.”

We rehashed this conversation at least once a week. “First, I will never let you go. Second, I like what I’m doing now.” But he wasn’t wrong about having no desire to return to college. I’d struggled to pick a major and switched from creative writing, to business administration, to fine arts.

My talents began and ended with bringing to life the hideous dragon-esque monsters my mother wove into the fantastical fairytales at bedtime. The elaborate stories had centered around a hero king with power beyond imagining who died in battle but somehow lived on, helping his people defeat the evil beasts left behind. An artist at her core, she’d dreamed of writing and publishing a children’s book filled with her one of a kind sketches. I wished she had. I’d do anything to read it. My obsession with the beasts persisted to this day.

In high school and college, I’d failed almost every creative assignment. Paint sunflowers—F. I’d created a bouquet of monster faces. Mold a vase—D. I’d shaped a winged monster able only to hold a single flower between its fangs. Sketch yourself—A-. Honestly, that had been a shocker. The teacher praised my ability to recognize my “inner trauma.”

When my father’s diagnosis came in, I’d entertained zero qualms about packing up and heading home to tend to the family farm while he recovered. A decision I did not regret. “As for dating,” I said, picking up the conversation where I’d left off, “no thank you. Something about me makes guys uncomfortable.” They never relaxed in my presence. But then, I never relaxed in theirs, either.

“It’s your eyes.” Dad sighed. “They see too much. Your mother dealt with the same problem.” Affection tinged his voice. “The right man will welcome your deep dives into the innermost recesses of his heart.”

My chest constricted. I was eight years old when Mom vanished. Daddy took me with him to plow the soybean fields after I’d begged to ride my favorite tractor. We returned hours later to find the house ransacked, blood splattered about, and Sandra Shaker missing, never to be seen or heard from again.

Dad and I had both adored the loving homemaker who’d made everything better, and we’d been ill prepared to deal with her absence. Or the unknown. What happened to her? Everyone believed she was dead, but a part of me still clung to a sliver of hope.

Tears singed my eyes. “I miss her.” Don’t make me miss you, too.

“She was a special lady, that’s for sure. And so are you.” His hand fell away, flopping onto the mattress, but his expression remained staunch. “Attend a play date with your city friend, at least. What’s her name? Jeanie?”

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Advertisement The Wrong Bride (Kings of Fury #1) Read Online Gena Showalter http://www.books2020.com/the-wrong-bride-kings-of-fury-1-read-online-gena-showalter Mon, 21 Oct 2024 11:27:21 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/the-wrong-bride-kings-of-fury-1-read-online-gena-showalter Genre: Alpha Male, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Funny, Paranormal Authors: Gena Showalter Series: Kings of Fury Series by Gena Showalter
Advertisement

Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95196 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >102

Vacationing in Scotland, schoolteacher Elizabeth “Elle” Darcy anticipates picturesque landscapes, castles of old and kilt-wearing charmers, not awakening in someone else's body. Worse, that someone just married enigmatic billionaire Callen Bruce. Though that’s not the biggest problem. To the rest of the world, her new “husband” runs an elite empire. But behind his public persona, he’s a king of berserkers locked in an ancient, supernatural war with wolf-shifters.

Determined to reclaim her normal life, Elle will do anything necessary to switch back with Callen’s real wife. First, she must ditch the disciplined warrior. An impossibility when he refuses to relinquish the bride chosen for him by fate, even though he despises her. Or does he? The growing heat in his eyes says otherwise. Not that it matters. There’s no way this temporary queen will fall for the moody, broody secretive warrior who belongs to another woman. Nope. Not Elle. Not ever. Probably.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Prologue

Come gather ‘round, both young and old.

Listen well to a forgotten history retold.

Long ago, a powerful star fragment crashed into earth. Word quickly spread, espousing its great worth.

Soon armies gathered, each with the same goal:

win the glowing sky stone to immortalize their soul.

Except, from this relic rose songs of rage and pain,

trapping any who neared with an invisible chain.

Ultimately the worst happened, a growing bloodlust too strong to be denied.

A savage brawl erupted, and thousands upon thousands died.

As combatants morphed into beasts, with fangs and claws to brandish,

no one noticed the great and terrible moment the stone vanished.

But at last the battle ended, only ten soldiers still on their feet.

When one drew near to another, their tempers did again heat.

To prevent another violent clash, these newly minted immortals scattered to different lands.

All the while, they burned with flames of fury that should never be fanned.

They called themselves sentinels and crowned themselves kings.

And as their numbers grew, to their rules they did cling.

Even those in their lineage possess untold power and might.

Most seek calm to finally end their internal plight.

Man against beast and beast against man,

forever does the internal war span.

Victory comes when a fated bond is found, tested and tried.

Only then can the warriors and inner peace eternally abide.

So on and on the search for a mate continues.

Until they meet their match and know in their very sinew.

He is for her, and she is for him,

and their love is more precious than even their limbs.

Chapter

One

Escape to the magic of Scotland's breathtaking scenery and ancient ruins, where every corner holds the promise of adventure.

Isle of Adventure Travel Company

Istrolled through a bustling outdoor market in Edinburgh, Scotland, rolling my suitcase along a cobblestone path. Bypassing vendors selling single malt whiskey, heathergems, and cashmere sweaters—excuse me, jumpers—I kept my sights on the true treasure: a display of kilts. The perfect souvenir for myself. On cold winter evenings, I’d curl up with it and fondly remember eight blissful days spent touring magnificent castles, searching murky waters for monsters, and hiking through lush fairy glens.

The scent of lavender and fresh baked bread dominated the soft breeze as I riffled through the plaid selections. Oh, how I was going to miss this extraordinary place. Don’t get me wrong. I loved the two-bedroom farmhouse I inherited from my grandparents. I even loved my job. In roughly two weeks, I’d be kicking off my next year as a special education teacher at a public school in Oklahoma City. But. Inverness. Loch Ness. Isle of Skye. And let’s not forget the warrior-rouges with sexy accents who populated each area. Talk about Heaven on Earth!

I’d scrimped and saved for years to make this vacation happen. If given the opportunity, I would move here. Although, that meant leaving behind my mom and stepdad, Joshua, and I enjoyed being near them, no matter how maddening they were.

Six months ago, I’d broken up with my boyfriend, August, and ever since, my parents had worked nonstop to set me up with strangers. The reason I’d finally pulled the trigger and taken this trip. Everyone needed an escape now and then.

With a sigh, I selected and paid for my favorite kilt. A bold blue and black with a paper tag that read, “From Clan Bruce. The family motto is Uisge ciùin, meaning ‘Calm waters’.” The little taste of history only added to the garment’s appeal.

As I strolled off, navigating through the growing crowd, I checked the time on my phone. One hour before I needed to catch a ride to the airport. Why not re-explore the city of my dreams a bit longer? The sky continued to gray with the promise of a coming storm, sure, but wet or dry, I was exactly where I wanted to be. How many people could say the same?

Up ahead, a man leaned against a brick wall, casually eating a cookie. No, a biscuit. That’s what the Scots called them. I didn’t mean to, but I stutter-stepped as I neared. Men like him should come with a warning label. Side effects include racing heart, fever flush and loss of brain cells.

He wasn’t wearing a kilt, but his outfit wasn’t without appeal. The tight black T-shirt and leather pants, with metal spikes banded around both of his wrists might be my second favorite. Didn’t hurt that curly blond hair framed rich hazel eyes and perfectly chiseled features.

When he aimed a slow, teasing smile in my direction, I glanced over my shoulder to steal a peek at the greeting’s recipient. Wait. No one walked behind me. That meant…

My eyes widened as I refocused on him. He smiled at me. Elizabeth Darcy. The world’s worst flirter, who’d only crashed and burned in the romance department since the big breakup with August.

My knees trembled, but I didn’t slow. “Hi, hello, how are you?” I blurted as I passed him. My cheeks burned. See! World’s worst.

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Advertisement Grave New World – A Jane Ladling Mystery Read Online Gena Showalter http://www.books2020.com/grave-new-world-a-jane-ladling-mystery-read-online-gena-showalter Sat, 11 May 2024 14:57:44 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/grave-new-world-a-jane-ladling-mystery-read-online-gena-showalter Genre: Alpha Male, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Suspense Authors: Gena Showalter Advertisement

Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57502 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 288(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >61

Jane Ladling cordially invites you to the world’s most romantic wedding. But first, there’s a few items to check off her to-do list.

Actually plan the festivitiesFind a way to pay for said festivitiesAvoid finding a dead body. OOPS! Solve a murderAs the owner of a landlocked cemetery and self-proclaimed expert amateur sleuth, Jane knows death inside and out. After receiving an invite to speak at a local writer’s club, she discovers a dead body upon arrival, plus an invitation from the killer.

Player one is ready. Are you?

Now the game is on!

With a newly elected (smoking hot) sheriff who doubles as her overprotective fiancé, a gaggle of enabling best friends, and a lovingly vicious guardcat at her side, the intrepid Jane has no doubt she’ll win. But as clues lead everywhere and nowhere at once, another victim is discovered, and an ancient family curse rears its ugly head. Jane realizes she’s caught in a battle between cat and mouse. To succeed, she’ll have to lay a trap of her own…

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

CHAPTER ONE

Conflict ruins a good book. It’s stressful. Give your readers a peaceful escape.

Y’all Write Now–Advice for New Writers

by Tabby Paynes-Murksand

“Now stretch your arms and wave hello to our beautiful sky,” Jane Ladling said as she demonstrated from her textured, seafoam green mat. Though she’d posted an online ad and invited the entire town to participate in her newest venture, hoping to garner a monthly membership income, only her closest friends had shown up. A true travesty. Graveyard yoga might be the greatest idea anyone anywhere had ever entertained. “Now wave goodbye.”

This was the last Saturday in March, and it deserved a nice send off.

Her bangs fell into her eyes, and she blew them off her forehead. So annoying! She wished she’d let the fringe grow out, but nooo, she’d had to indulge in a moment of uncertainty and cut them again. Once she saw properly, she surveyed the morning participants as they heeded her instructions. Affection overflowed in her heart.

There was Fiona Lawrence, her sixty-three-year-old bestie, knitting partner, and national treasure. Then came Tiffany Hotchkins, a distant relative, widow, former nemesis, and now a long-term roommate. Plus, Beauregard “Beau” Harden, Jane’s dearest childhood buddy, and the head of safekeeping here at Garden of Memories, a landlocked cemetery in the idyllic small town of Aurelian Hills, Georgia.

Her favorite cohorts, Trick, Isaac, and Holden had been forced to leave the morning festivities early for a job. They worked with Beau at Peach State Security and considered Jane their casserole dealer. She fed their addiction, and in return they helped her catch murderers as necessary. Her absolute favorite hobby. Honestly, she was quite the busy honorary detective with an extensive list of solves. Okay, so, four solves. Still. Her talent spoke for itself. She rocked mysteries. Not that everyone cheered her (amazing) skills.

Today she’d set up her yoga studio in the reflection center, a tranquil courtyard boasting concrete benches and tables, with room to walk and, well, reflect. Or pose and reflect. Sunlight glowed through the budding trees surrounding the center’s outer edges. Soon wisteria and gardenias would bloom and scent the air.

A gentle breeze kicked up, not too hot, not too cool. An ideal day to enjoy nature while feigning an expert knowledge about proper breathing and stretching. Also, she wore the perfect outfit for this type of activity. A soft blush pink tank top adorned with peach blossoms and leggings of sage green with an overdone wild botanical print. On the other hand, could nature’s elegance ever be overdone?

“So far we’ve completed Soul’s Embrace, Corpse Pose and Enter the Light Flow,” Beau said, unaware of the fact that his shirt had ridden up, revealing a mid-section packed with an impressive array of tan muscles. The blond war vet clearly worked out for multiple hours every day, and probably even in his dreams. “What’s the name of this particular position?”

“I’m inclined to refer to it as Clean Slate,” she replied. A new day meant a new chance to shine.

“My slate is clean, I swear. Spotless even. Can we be done now?” Tiffany pressed her hands together, forming a steeple. The classic please give me what I want stance. “Fiona promised to make blueberry pancakes if I completed the class without running away and screaming.”

Fiona’s blueberry pancakes? Jane’s mouth instantly watered. For such a culinary delight, she’d do just about anything. Even end her one-of-a-kind routine before she’d gotten to show off her closing pose: the Final Nail.

“Class dismissed,” she all but shouted. Her stomach demanded the sweet treat immediately. There was no better food in the world. Except maybe Conrad Ryan’s cinnamon sugar French toast.

A moan slipped from Jane’s lips. For the food, yes, but also the man. Conrad Ryan happened to be the best sheriff ever to sheriff in the history of sheriffing, and her fiancé. The dreamy lawman had rang her at six a.m. to invite her to lunch in his new office, and she was already breathless with anticipation.

Her gaze dropped to the world’s most perfect engagement ring, and she grinned. The band, forged from the very gold once mined from the nearby Georgia hills, bore subtle engravings reminiscent of the hedgerows that lined multiple sections of the Garden. At its heart gleamed a stunning sapphire, the deep blue hue reflecting the serene skies above these beloved grounds. Surrounding the gem, tiny diamonds sparkled in clusters that reminded her of floral arrangements. Homage to her devotion and care for this sacred space she called home, as well as the bright future awaiting her.

Jane would never regret proposing to Conrad on Valentine’s Day. After giving her a soul-rocking kiss, he’d revealed the ring he’d purchased soon after their first date, yanked her against him and spun her around, laughingly telling her, “Yes, yes, a thousand times yes” like any suitable Jane Austen heroine.

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Advertisement The Wrath – Rise of the Warlords Read Online Gena Showalter http://www.books2020.com/the-wrath-rise-of-the-warlords-read-online-gena-showalter Tue, 27 Feb 2024 19:57:36 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/the-wrath-rise-of-the-warlords-read-online-gena-showalter Genre: Alpha Male, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Paranormal Authors: Gena Showalter Advertisement

Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 111898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >118

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter returns with a new book in the tantalizing Rise of the Warlords series, featuring a brutal Hell king and the irresistible beauty who upends his world.

For centuries, Rathbone the Only, King of Agonies, has existed for one recovering the enchanted bones of his slain wife to bring her back to life. He’s never been closer to success. But a new enemy has risen. A band of deadly war gods who have thirty days to destroy her or suffer the consequences. With time running out, Rathbone hires a maddening harpy-oracle, unaware she has an agenda of her own.

Neeka the Unwanted is a fierce warrior on a stop Rathbone and the gods. She’s seen the future if either is victorious, and it’s horrifying. She’ll do whatever proves necessary to forge a new path, even seduce the ruthless royal from his purpose. What she can’t predict? How the intense male will shatter her hard-won defenses along the way.

As Rathbone battles unexpected betrayals, cunning foes and the wild temptress he craves with every fiber of his being, he knows he must hold on to a cold dream or embrace a new flame.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Prologue

Excerpted from The Book of Stars

Author unknown

Warning: Living text subject to change

They are ancient warriors, evil to the core and loyal only to one another. Known as the Astra Planeta, Wandering Stars, Warlords of the Skies—the beginning of the end—they travel from world to world, wiping out enemy armies. Drawn to war, they turn even the smallest skirmish into a bloodbath.

To glimpse these brutes is to greet your death.

Having no moral compass, they kill without mercy, steal without qualm, and destroy without guilt. Their aim is simple, their goal fixed. Earn a mystical blessing to experience victory for the next five hundred years. A necessity in their endless war with Erebus the Deathless, for without this benediction, the Astra automatically acquire a curse. Five hundred years of utter defeat.—Page 1

* * *

The time has come to renew the blessing. One after the other, each of the nine will undergo an impossible task. Three have proven successful; the fourth must now demonstrate his worth. A merciless soldier, Azar the Memory Keeper recalls everything—except his own follies.

To win his challenge, he must face Lorelei the Incomparable, a perplexing goddess of desire. The charge is this: Resurrect her, then kill her all over again. But first he must face her husband, Rathbone the Only, a treacherous king of the Underworld who will stop at nothing to protect his beloved.

What will happen when these two powerful foes lock horns over a chosen female?—Page 12,847

Eons Ago

Eons ago

Thunder boomed and lightning flashed in a storm-blackened sky. Rathbone the Only removed his helmet, uncaring as violent winds pelted icy rain in his face. His blood-soaked hair whipped, obscuring his vision. He wiped his eyes, but the image before him never altered.

Lorelei the Incomparable, goddess of desire and his beloved bride, lay on the field of slaughter, motionless atop a pile of slain demons and their assortment of severed parts. Her crystalline irises stared at nothing. Her perfect lips remained parted with a silent scream. A drenched sable mane stuck to ashen skin, molding to exquisite features able to inspire lust in all who gazed upon her. But....

Something with claws had ripped open her chest and plucked out her heart.

Rathbone couldn’t bring himself to accept...hoped... “Lore!” Though he’d fought on the front lines for twenty-one straight days and nights without wavering, there’d been no one strong enough to fell him. Here, he dropped to his knees, his armor clanking. His weapons rolled from a once iron grip.

With a shaky hand, he gently caressed Lore’s glacial cheek. “Wake up, sweetness. I need you.”

They had plans. Toast his victory with a glass of ambrosia and make love. An adored custom. But nothing changed. Lore didn’t regrow a heart, as a deity of her capability should. She didn’t smile with delight and coil her arms around him, the way he so desperately longed. Didn’t tell him not to worry because she was soon to make his dreams come true.

“Wake up!” he bellowed, his voice hollow and broken. “Your king has issued a command.” They had agreed. He would fight until achieving victory, and they would rule this Underworld kingdom together. Mere minutes ago, that victory had finally come. This was to be a time of celebration, not devastation. “I completed step one of our plan. You must wake.”

Minutes passed in silence. The storm continued to rage, but she never revived, never responded.

Tears scorched his cheeks, mixing with freezing raindrops. His precious wife couldn’t be dead. She was the mate chosen for him by fate, and he required her. He’d accepted it at their first meeting when she’d oh so sweetly requested his aid.

“Lore. Please,” he croaked. “You must return to me.”

Still nothing.

A roar brewed deep in his chest, grief attempting to tear its way free of his insides. What had happened? Why had she come to the combat zone? She might be a goddess of desire, born with incredible power, but she was a gentle soul. Afraid of blood. Terrified of blades. She should be tucked away in the safety of their hideout, awaiting his summons.

“I’m sorry, Rath.” Hades, King of the Dead, patted and squeezed his shoulder. “She’s gone.”

Rathbone didn’t spare the sovereign a glance. He loved the sovereign like a father and even owed the male his life, but Lore wasn’t a subject they could discuss without coming to blows.

“You aren’t sorry.” He gathered the beauty close, her limp body hanging in his arms. “You hate her.” His jaw clenched. Hated.

“True. But I love you.”

That, he knew. Again and again, Hades had proven the truth of his claim. Though Rathbone’s mother had considered him a great disappointment, the King of the Dead had seen something special in him. Hades took him under his smoky wing and spent centuries training him to be a soldier without equal. Today, that training had paid off. After a gruesome year-long war, Rathbone won the right to rule the kingdom neighboring Hades’s. The Realm of Agonies.

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Advertisement Grave Wars – A Jane Ladling Mystery Read Online Gena Showalter http://www.books2020.com/grave-wars-a-jane-ladling-mystery-read-online-gena-showalter Mon, 02 Oct 2023 05:16:56 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/grave-wars-a-jane-ladling-mystery-read-online-gena-showalter Genre: Alpha Male, Suspense Authors: Gena Showalter Advertisement

Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >54

Jane Ladling presents the perfect fail-proof “Don’t Fall Deeper In Love With Your Boyfriend” Checklist!

Remember the family curse—check (ish)
Keep your mind focused on his bid for sheriff—check
Never find his competition dead in their home—check mate?

For too long, Jane has lived in fear of a generational curse. Fall in love, lose the guy; marry him and watch him die. Finally, this quirky ray of sunshine is determined to experience all life offers. With the help of the world’s most amazing guardcat, she preserves Garden of Memories, a landlocked cemetery and heaven on earth. At her side is the best ragtag team of friends in history. Plus, she’s dating the tastiest snack in Aurelian Hills, Georgia. Protective grump and future sheriff Conrad Ryan. There’s just one problem: someone murdered Conrad’s only opponent.

Of course, like any expert amateur sleuth, Jane dives heart first into an investigation. Except, the hotter the leads, the colder the case. From feuding neighbors to secret blackmailers and a missing crime boss, reality proves stranger than fiction. As new buddies and old enemies emerge, Jane will stop at nothing to uncover the truth. And maybe, just maybe, she’ll win her own campaign along the way: being crowned Miss Happily Ever After.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

CHAPTER ONE

Thou shall not sneak into the home of an opposing candidate, even if the door is unlocked.

–Jane Ladling’s Campaign Companion Code

“I think there’s something wrong with my flyer.” Jane Ladling paused in the middle of the neighborhood sidewalk, frowning at the stack of political flyers in her gloved hands.

Cold wind blew, flapping the pages. The sun shone at full wattage, illuminating the brilliant design—if she did say so herself. However, the beams provided zero heat, allowing the niggle in her mind to keep her frozen in place. What was she missing?

“Looks amazing to me, and I should know,” said the darling woman at Jane’s right. Fiona Lawrence had just celebrated sixty-three years on this Earth, so, yes, she’d obviously seen enough advertisements to qualify as an expert judge. “Critiquing other people’s work is my superpower.”

Jane wasn’t one to doubt her best friend. And the flyer was amazing. But… Her frown deepened as she read the text more closely. Cupcakes with Conrad Ryan. Hosted by Jane Ladling. Located at Garden of Memories. February 29th. 12:00-2:00.

Lovely font. An invitation to get to know the new resident ready to serve as the world’s most amazing sheriff. Adorable photo of the usually stoic Conrad smiling. A glorious expression exclusively reserved for Jane. Something she hated to share. Alas. Anything to help the precious man live his dream.

“I love the hugeness of his last name,” Fiona said with something akin to amusement hiding in her tone.

Had Jane made RYAN large enough to cover two lines? Yes. How else was the name supposed to stand out to the good people of Aurelian Hills, Georgia? A small town big in gold, community, and lately, murder. The very reason a special election for sheriff was so urgent. Conrad versus Joshua “Josh” Gunn, a well-respected deputy who’d served her hometown for over fifteen years.

Too bad for Gunn, no better lawman existed than Conrad, Jane’s on-again boyfriend. In the past six months, the smoking hot former special agent had helped her solve a string of homicides. Oh, he might have done the “official” legwork, but Jane had unofficially created theories, questioned mountains of suspects, and provided delicious snacks. Though she owned and operated a landlocked cemetery, she wasn’t exaggerating or bragging when she said she had an incomparable knack for investigating and solving the most complex of crimes; Jane was simply being honest. But making flyers… where had she gone wrong?

She traced a blunt-tipped nail over the text. His name. Hers. The cemetery’s. Hmm. Her gaze zoomed back to her name in particular. Jane Ladling…Ryan. She gasped as a light dawned, the problem suddenly glaringly obvious. Oh. My. Gosh. Once seen, there was no unseeing it.

“No, no, no,” she groaned, hugging the stack to her chest. She rocked from heel to toe in embarrassment. Then she looked at the horror again. No matter what she did—blink, shake her head, will the text to change—the abomination remained the same.

How could she have done this? How had she missed this travesty of an error when she proofed the flyer not once or twice but three times? The way she’d positioned their names… Her stomach rolled. It looked as if she and Conrad had gotten married, and this was how they’d decided to announce it.

“Found the problem, did you?” Fiona asked. Oh yeah. Jane definitely detected amusement.

“Just great! You see it too.” Cheeks heating despite the chill, Jane tapped the paper, pointing to the worst mistake anyone anywhere had ever made in the history of forever. “Be honest. Does it seem like I’m announcing a change in my marital status?”

A smile bloomed over the older woman’s beautiful face. “Are you worried Conrad will think you did it on purpose? As a hint?”

“No! Definitely not.” But maybe? She unleashed the groan brewing at the back of her throat. The guy knew and accepted her refusal to wed. That she was willing to date him was a miracle. And her recent softening toward the idea of love? The biggest miracle of all. But marriage? Never!

The women in her family were cursed. Fall in love and lose the guy. Marry him and watch him die. Although, yes, Jane had recently admitted the curse might possibly be self-inflicted. The reason she’d agreed to finally get serious with her favorite lawman. Like a big girl, she’d decided to stop cheating on her future with her past and running away.

Still, she’d be eternally mortified if he saw this flyer. “I think it goes without saying that we’ll be removing and burning all evidence of my blunder.” Jane whipped out her phone. “I’ll text Beau and tell him to retrace his steps, reclaim every paper he’s hung or passed out, then meet us at the hearse.”

She’d parked the family car at the entrance of The Treasure Trove, the largest neighborhood in Aurelian Hills. From there, she and Fiona had gone right. Beauregard “Beau” Harden, a war vet and her dearest childhood friend, went left with his military bud, Trick. The two darlings had volunteered to help…after demanding payment in the form of casseroles.

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Advertisement Conrad – Falling For the Gravekeeper – A Jane Ladling Mystery Read Online Gena Showalter http://www.books2020.com/conrad-falling-for-the-gravekeeper-a-jane-ladling-mystery-read-online-gena-showalter Thu, 06 Apr 2023 07:50:17 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/conrad-falling-for-the-gravekeeper-a-jane-ladling-mystery-read-online-gena-showalter Genre: Contemporary, Romance Authors: Gena Showalter Advertisement

Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 51995 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 260(@200wpm)___ 208(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >56

Jane Ladling told her side of the story. Now Special Agent Conrad Ryan tells his.
Welcome to Aurelian Hills, a small town rich in history and community, and six feet deep in murder.

When a local playboy doctor is found dead in an unearthed grave, Conrad is on the case. But this loner by choice is ill prepared for the cemetery’s quirky owner. A beautiful brunette with a curious nature, a fascination with cats, hats and a talent for distracting him. Doesn’t help when she, well, tries to help, and constantly inserts herself into the investigation.
With suspects stacking up, wild theories flying and a would-be amateur sleuth giving him a run for his money, Conrad must do what he does best. Buckle down, piece together the evidence and save the day. What he won’t do? Fall for the enchanting gravekeeper. Not him. No way.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

CHAPTER ONE

Make sure your knock is authoritative, to the point and certain. That way, people know who they’re dealing with before a word is ever spoken.

–A Gravekeeper’s Guide to Dating

Special Agent Conrad Ryan remained behind the wheel of his government issued sedan, parked in a lot with three other vehicles. The same spot he’d occupied all night. Morning sunlight framed the rat trap motel before him. An Atlanta staple often touted as The Full Monty. It was also the site of two upcoming arrests.

“If a suspect runs,” Tim Barrow said from the passenger seat, “you’ve got to do the chasing. It’s your turn.”

Conrad didn’t spare his partner a glance. He continued to scan the area, on the lookout for anything troubling. With a tone drier than dirt, he replied, “Funny how it’s always my turn.”

“Isn’t it?” The other agent shifted in a failed attempt to get more comfortable, then reached over to pat Conrad’s shoulder. “But you really can’t complain. You’re young and in the prime of your life.”

“What are you, forty? That makes you five years older than me.”

“I’m thirty-nine, but I’ve got a wife, kids and a mortgage. You gotta add a decade for each. The stress, don’t you know.”

Please. Tim Barrow adored his family. Something Conrad didn’t have and didn’t want. He’d rather solve cases than spend time with people. Any people. Although, yes, his days had become pretty monotonous. Climb out of bed, guzzle coffee, investigate a murder while marveling at the depths criminals sank, jog five miles, try and fail to sleep. Repeat.

“What’s wrong with these seats?” Barrow rubbed his lower back. “When will the warrant come in?”

“Any minute.” As soon as they received the go-ahead, they’d make the apprehensions, close a case, and finally head home. Unless one of the suspects left the motel room, thereby endangering others. Then Conrad had a legal right to kick into action, warrant in hand or not.

“Distract me from my aches and pains.” With a groan, Barrow shifted again. “Tell me how things went with Tonya last night.”

Conrad swallowed a groan of his own. Why had he ever mentioned the date? Seriously? Why? Sharing personal information only invited further inquiries about his life. Even at his best, he wasn’t exactly an open book. He possessed an inner circle of one—his foster brother Wyatt—and he had no interest in welcoming a second member.

“’Cause you know,” the other man added, “Margot has set her sights on a second chance with you.”

Oh yeah, that was why he’d mentioned the date. It had stopped a matchmaking attempt. Or so he’d hoped. Coworkers who played cupid were the worst.

“I’d rather not discuss Tonya and Margot.” Tonya, the beautiful accountant who’d treated a server like a servant, ensuring Conrad wanted nothing to do with her. And the perfectly pleasant Margot, a friend of Tim’s wife who’d been a poor fit. For some reason, Conrad had failed to relax in her presence.

Actually, he failed to relax with anyone but Wyatt.

A ding sounded from Barrow’s phone. He read the screen and whooped. “Guess who got that warrant?” He returned his gaze to the motel and frowned. “Perfect timing, too. The boyfriend is on the move.”

Sure enough. A male in his early twenties with scruffy hair, a wife beater tank, and a devil tattoo on his forearm exited room 214. A pair of shades hid his eyes. Stains littered his wrinkled jeans. He puffed on a cigarette before dropping it and stomping on the butt.

Two days ago, a distraught mother had showed up at Georgia Bureau of Homicide headquarters, claiming someone was demanding five hundred thousand dollars in exchange for her daughter. If she refused to pay, the young woman would die. Just like her roommate.

Hadn’t taken long to verify the college student’s disappearance and the roommate’s demise. But evidence hadn’t pointed to an abduction. No, the truth proved much more sinister. The daughter had poisoned the roommate, panicked, and tried to cover up the crime with a staged kidnapping via her boyfriend. The two planned to use the ransom money to fund a fresh start in another country.

“If the daughter exits, she’s all yours,” Conrad said, emerging from the vehicle. Oppressive summer heat enveloped him, baking him inside his suit. A sensation he’d lamented but accepted. What else could he do? Hand on his weapon, he stalked toward the suspect. “Troy Billingsley, I’m Special Agent–”

Billingsley jolted and sprinted off. With a sigh, Conrad gave chase. He dodged a series of crumbling speed bumps before tackling the thief to the pavement.

The guy didn’t go down easy. He fought, elbowing Conrad in the sternum. Sharp pain exploded through him, and breath gushed from his lungs, but his grip on Billingsley never lessened.

A shadow fell over them. “And that’s another reason it’s always your turn. I could have a major head start, and you’d still beat me to the finish line.” Barrow bent down and snapped the cuffs in place. “Troy Billingsley, you have the right to remain silent…”

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