Showing results by narrator "Ryan Michaels" in All Categories

Rule number one: Never steal from a mobster. Rule number two: If you break rule one, don't agree to be his fake wife. And the golden rule? Don't fall for the ruthless, irresistible mafia king who now calls you his. Because when you break all these rules, you're left with a shattered heart, a secret child, and years of hiding from the man who thinks you're buried six feet under. Self-preservation was never my strong suit. Marco Barrone wasn't just another mark. He was a predator in Armani, with eyes like winter steel and a smile that promised ruin. Dangerous. Magnetic. Lethal.

In the realm of Imphallion, there once was a nightmare - a living nightmare known only as the Terror of the East. Nigh invulnerable in his magical black armor and aided by unholy minions, he laid waste to all in his path on his all-consuming quest to bring order to the land. His order. Then, at what should have been his moment of triumph, his will failed. And his army fell. Taking a young noblewoman as hostage, he escaped, vanishing into darkest memory.

The dungeon—Cal—knows exactly how much their power has increased and is working daily to become exponentially more powerful. His schemes are becoming more complex and his dungeon—his body—more deadly. Dale works to subvert the plans of the dungeon, but his opponent is onto him. Hearing a voice in his head distracts him in critical moments requiring him to fight his mind even as he battles deadly creatures. Unbeknownst to both, their fight is not with each other—it’s for the continuation of their lives.

The world watches the sky with trepidation. The insanity of Xenocide knew no bounds, and all will soon suffer the effects he had planned for a millennium. Though none know what is to come, they all know it isn’t going to be easy to survive. The Master has a plan, one that can give the world at large a way to escape the onrushing desolation. It may be on the bleeding edge of morality and what he needs might prove too difficult to secure, but The Master asks for trust. Cal and Dale both have their role to play as the world hurtles toward destruction.

Sold to the highest bidder? Check. Swept away by a dangerous silver fox? Check. Surprise pregnancy with a side of danger? Oh, honey, you bet. I thought I could fix our problems by giving up my most precious gift. Instead, I landed in a world of trouble, with a target on my back. Meet Valentino Barrone: tattooed kingpin, walking red flag, and now... my baby daddy. He says he's protecting me, but his eyes scream "mine" louder than any mob hit.

On a war torn Earth, the mighty Nova Alliance is the last defense against the treacherous Coalition. At the heart of this defense are the Engines—formidable, genetically enhanced soldiers. Under the command of the legendary Captain Akira Hayashi, the elite Shadow Squad has defended the frontlines for years. But just as victory seems imminent, the Coalition strikes hard, targeting the very sites meant to heal the wounded planet.

The necromantic armies are on the warpath and nowhere is safe—even the sanctuary of the flying dungeon has been threatened. The leadership of nearly all the sentient races has been wiped out, and only the people most suited to repelling the advancing darkness have an intact monarchy. Cal learns quickly that the primary threat is not the far-off war, but the actions of those entrusted with protecting the population. As it turns out, the idea of using a flying dungeon as a war machine is very tempting indeed.

Sold to the Brotherhood. Betrayed by my sister and ex, I clawed my way free, leaving a trail of gunfire and darkness deeper than the basement cell. Now, I wake, a captive in a gilded cage. Damian, Chicago's most ruthless mob boss, claims me with a single word: "Mine." His touch offers a twisted security, but the danger hasn't ended. Now, with a secret life blossoming within me, the real battle begins. Can a ruthless mob boss become a father before his world explodes?

I thought it was a joke. Some pompous high-society game meant to play with the children of the elite. But then people started dying. Including the one who invited me to attend. Now I’m the one they all suspect. Because I have blood on my hands. Their blood.

As sleepy as Buffalo Peak's been, legendary marshal, Elwood "Firestick" McQueen, and his deputies "Beartooth" Skinner and "Moosejaw" Hendricks never expected a couple of drifters to wake it up—by kidnapping two lovely ladies in town. Hardly the sharpest quills on a cactus, these dim drifters call it courtin'. Firestick doesn't see it that way. Now the woman snatchers are heading for West Texas with their reluctant brides-to-be—and unwittingly plunging trackers Firestick and Moosejaw headlong into a rescue.

There’s a storm brewing in Oklahoma Territory, and this time, it’s deadly serious. Local cattle ranches are being targeted by Texas rustlers—and the only man who can keep it from turning into a bloodbath is U.S. Deputy Marshal Will Tanner. The newly married lawman hates to leave his beautiful bride Sophie, but duty calls—for better or worse. In Tanner’s experience, it’s usually worse. An unexpected confrontation with outlaws is just the bloody beginning. Then an escaped convict catches wind of the fact that Tanner killed his brother. Now Will’s really in the crosshairs.

Based on true events and individuals, this compelling play outlines the life and love of Cyrano de Bergerac, a man whose talent with words rivals that of his talent with a sword. Sworn to protect a man who loves the woman that Cyrano pines after, he finds himself penning love letters to her on the other's behalf. As Christian and Roxane fall even more in love, Cyrano must stand by watching a life that could have been his.

On a war torn Earth, the mighty Nova Alliance is the last defense against the treacherous Coalition. At the heart of this defense are the Engines–formidable, genetically enhanced soldiers. Under the command of the legendary Captain Akira Hayashi, the elite Shadow Squad has defended the frontlines for years. But just as victory seems imminent, the Coalition strikes hard, targeting the very sites meant to heal the wounded planet.

Eric Carter has a lot on his plate. He's hunting the Oracle of Las Vegas, a literal talking head that manipulates the future to make its prophecies come true. But it has a new trick. It can change the past, too. Now Jazz Age Los Angeles is invading the present. Long gone buildings suddenly restored, decommissioned Red Car trains appearing on paved over tracks, miles of the city changing back to orange groves. Throw in a hundred-year-old doomsday cult, time magic, and a terrifyingly powerful spell to raise the dead and it makes for a busy week.

Classic fables take on new meaning as five of today’s most original bestselling authors serve up some deliciously modern twists. New reflections on evil queens, charmless princes, and star-crossed lovers branch out in provocative and enchanting directions. Follow the path and see where it leads...

Alessandro De Luca comes from a rival mafia family, and I'm supposed to hate his guts. Except that now, I'm waking up married to him. Alessandro sees me as a pawn in this arranged marriage. I mean nothing to him... So why do I still feel like he owns my heart when he claims me every night?

A moving, inspiring and thought-provoking collection of 50 coming-out stories from around the world. From the good, the sad, the surprising and the funny, no two stories are the same, yet all are by people who share the courage to be vulnerable, take huge risks to find love and acceptance and are brave enough to be their authentic selves. Whether you have any experience of coming out or not, these stories are incredibly powerful and moving.

In The Great Dechurching, Jim Davis and Michael Graham along with renowned sociologist Dr. Ryan Burge examine the largest and most comprehensive study of dechurching—the largest and fastest religious shift in US history—to drill down to exactly why people are dechurching with respect to beliefs, behavior, and belonging.

When a band of merciless, murdering thieves raise hell across the territory, three men committed to justice descend upon them like angels of death. And when the guns fall silent and the smoke clears, the Jackals are always the last men standing.

"You're mine now, Sofia. To protect. To cherish. To punish." His whispered words sent shivers down my spine. One day, I'm a struggling single mom designing suits. The next, I'm claimed by New York's most ruthless mafia don. Angelo Pirelli Jr. steps in when a rival threatens everything I love. But his protection comes with a price I'm not sure I can pay. I try to resist. God, do I try. But Angelo's touch sets my world on fire. One reckless night changes everything. Now there's blood on my hands and a secret in my belly.