Erotica/Science Fiction. 21707 words long. First published in extasybooks.com, 2008

Samantha Sinclair will never trust another man, but her friends decide to lure her out of her celibacy with a special Christmas gift—a night with a sensualator. John-Kuno is no ordinary man. He takes Sam away from her fears, her homogenized, synthesized existence and introduces her to the enigmatic, sensual world of the shifters. With their starlight passion burning brighter than a supernova, John and Sam do not know that in the cold reaches of space a monster is biding his time. He demands nothing less than the universe as his due, starting with Sam, but first he must destroy John and the whole race of humans and their shifter allies.

Devastated after learning his abuser (and the man he killed in self-defense) was Dr. Devlin Grant's much beloved brother, Abel feels he can no longer have anything to do with the man because of his secret. Now locked into his agreement with Horatio Kaplan – and suffering heart break over Devlin – Abel finds no purpose in his life except taking care of Savannah. When Devlin refuses to be put off and insists Abel tell him the truth of why he is suddenly pushing him away, Abel must make the hard decision of whether or not to expose the hideous acts of Devlin's brother – and shatter the man's heart. NOTE: This is Book 2 in the ABEL Trilogy. It is highly recommended that you read IT CAN'T BE YOU first. It Can't Be You Hearts In Chaos Shattered Warning: This book contains homosexual relations and language not suitable for readers below 17yo.

Caught up in an abusive situation at home from which there seems no escape, Angel’s prime objective is to protect his little brother from the same hellish existence he himself has been thrust into at the hands of their sick minded stepbrothers.

Water Spirits-Can a seductive merman be trusted The ocean holds millions of species, and some of those creatures are the stuff of legends. Niall Karson is a Nixie prince, a merman, one of nearly a hundred sons of the king of the Briny Nix. He’s sent to walk on dry land to ascertain the threat of an offshore oil drilling company looking for possible drilling sites in the ocean near his father’s kingdom. Inside the lobby, Niall is nearly run over by Carlye Layton, who he discovers is not only the woman heading up the oceanology research for the company, she’s his Adelfi Psychi, his soul mate. Unfortunately, he realizes that where Carlye’s company plans to drill is far too close to his people’s home for safety, and he must find a way to stop their plans. Can Niall figure out a way to win Carlye’s heart and still save his people? Or will Carlye turn her back on him for using her for information?

Gargoyles of Cuchulian 3 – Mate-Claim: If demons don’t recognize mates, how can Tyron claim Santos as his own? Santos is a demon, enjoying life as a bachelor and the body of any male that strikes his fancy. But one kiss to Tyron’s lips and he becomes obsessed with the little gargoyle. They strike a deal. Tyron will give him one night of passion in exchange for information his tribe needs. But before the deal is done, the gargoyle’s conscience kicks in and Tyron reveals that they’re mates and that’s why Santos can’t stop thinking about him. Scoffing at the ridiculous notion, after all, demons don’t mate like gargoyles do, Santos insists on fulfilling their bargain. Imagine his surprise when the Demon Coalition, the ruling body of demons, kidnaps Tyron, claiming Santos has started an unapproved binding with the gargoyle. Santos is told their bond must be broken. Now he has a choice, but how can Santos decide between his own execution, which would free Tyron, or allowing the Coalition to sacrifice the honorable gargoyle he’s infatuated with?

Into the Paranormal World: While regaining his strength, a horse shifter must accept the inevitability of change in order to dream of a brighter future. Baron and his friend plan a coup, staged in hopes of a better future, but it all goes horribly wrong. He is caught, and his friend is killed. When Baron refuses to rat out his buddy’s wife and daughter’s location, he’s tortured for his silence. Left hanging in his chains for several days, Baron expects death. Instead, he’s rescued by a stranger who assures him that his friend’s loved ones are well. Baron asks to be taken to them and ends up at the estate of a gargoyle clutch. Baron’s surprise is compounded when Conchlin walks in with his evening meal... and Baron recognizes the small, bright-orange gargoyle as his mate. While Baron wants the man, he doesn’t think he can give Conchlin everything he needs to complete their bond. Before Baron has even had a chance to heal and find out, Conchlin’s past comes back to haunt him, putting their mating in jeopardy. Baron realizes it’s not all about him. Will standing beside Conchlin and supporting him through adversity be enough for them to find their future together?

Into the Paranormal World: To everything there is a season, including a time to lay down arms and to love. Jeremiah Tully lost his sister when a shifter attacked them while camping with friends. He blames himself... and rogues, believing they are a danger to society. When he finds a group of like-minded people who call themselves hunters, he joins up and spends three years helping them hunt, capture, and sometimes even kill shifters and vampires. Then a few new guys show up, telling tales of demons, and how they want help capturing some. Jeremiah doesn’t believe their tales, but when the demons attack, Jeremiah quickly turns into a believer. He flees the building, but then is chased down by one of the monsters when he crashes his dirt bike. When he wakes in some kind of clinic run by gargoyles, he thinks he’s a dead man. Instead, he learns that some humans live side by side with the gargoyles as mates, and one of the gargoyles, Grateman, is claiming him. While Jeremiah realizes he does have an odd attraction to Grateman, can a mating between a gargoyle and a hunter really work?

Gargoyles of Cuchulian 3 – Mate-Claim: If demons don’t recognize mates, how can Tyron claim Santos as his own? Santos is a demon, enjoying life as a bachelor and the body of any male that strikes his fancy. But one kiss to Tyron’s lips and he becomes obsessed with the little gargoyle. They strike a deal. Tyron will give him one night of passion in exchange for information his tribe needs. But before the deal is done, the gargoyle’s conscience kicks in and Tyron reveals that they’re mates and that’s why Santos can’t stop thinking about him. Scoffing at the ridiculous notion, after all, demons don’t mate like gargoyles do, Santos insists on fulfilling their bargain. Imagine his surprise when the Demon Coalition, the ruling body of demons, kidnaps Tyron, claiming Santos has started an unapproved binding with the gargoyle. Santos is told their bond must be broken. Now he has a choice, but how can Santos decide between his own execution, which would free Tyron, or allowing the Coalition to sacrifice the honorable gargoyle he’s infatuated with?

Into the Paranormal World: When a woman-loving player finds himself unexpectedly lusting after a male, he discovers the power of the paranormal. Over the last couple of years, Mitch Lindson has watched his buddies fall in love and bond with gargoyles. He’s happy that they’re happy... but he doesn’t understand it. Settling down with one person isn’t even a blip on his radar, yet. On top of that, all gargoyles are male. Mitch used to double date with his friends. He can’t figure out their sudden switch. When the gargoyle Kardamon breaks up his bid to seduce a daughter of one of the paranormals, Mitch is shocked to feel arousal for the male. Confused, he runs. The dreams start shortly thereafter, leaving him horny and dissatisfied. When he discovers he can’t slake his lust in his usual fashion, Mitch’s frustration grows. It doesn’t help that Kardamon manages to seek him out at unexpected times and in secluded places, driving his unexpected and unwanted desire higher. Facing off against Kardamon, can Mitch find a way to get the blue gargoyle out of his system without his life being turned upside down? Reader Advisory: Lady bits are spoken of in this story, however, no m/f intercourse takes place.

Wolves of Stone Ridge: Book Fifteen Out of the cage: One can never be patient enough if it means earning the peace caused by true love Raul Braga is finally ready to admit the reason he’s been so distracted of late is because of a man—but not just any man. Raul finds himself attracted to a wolf shifter named Sean Garcia who comes from a pack in Idaho. Even though his buddy has agreed to help him look into the shifter’s current whereabouts, Raul doesn’t have much faith that a member of the homophobic pack they’ve had problems with in the past would ever admit to being interested in him, too. Imagine Raul’s surprise when Sean shows up on his doorstep. Sean claims that Raul is his mate, which explains the attraction. Still, Sean didn’t come alone. He has an infant girl with him. Sean is the legal guardian for his niece, Lily, who is his deceased sister’s cub. Now, Raul has to decide if he’s ready for not only a relationship with a male, but a male that comes with a ready-made family. Before he can start to figure things out though, Raul is sent away on an assignment. Although the kisses are mind-blowing, will they be enough to help him overcome his fear of settling down?

Into the Paranormal World: Change is never easy, but it is oftentimes worth the painful effort. Taolma is a young boa constrictor shifter who has recently been reunited with his father after almost two decades apart. He currently lives with a clutch of gargoyles on the outskirts of a small town, but he doesn’t mind. There’s a massive arboretum to sun in and a pond to swim in, plus plenty of trees to climb. Due to the small town atmosphere, Taolma doesn’t expect to find his mate any time soon. Imagine his surprise, excitement, and disappointment when he walks into a motel room and discovers his mate. Quinn is slender, muscular, and handsome. Oh, and he’s a hunter recovering from claw-wounds received from a gargoyle. Taolma hadn’t planned on settling down any time soon, but the pull to mate is undeniable. Can he figure out how to convince a hunter that not all shifters are evil, come to grips with Fate giving him a mate when so young, and of course convince a man who hates paranormals that they are meant to be together?

Into the paranormal world: Never be ashamed of a scar. It simply means you were stronger than whatever tried to hurt you. For the last twenty-five years, Roland’s Iberian lynx had been used as an attraction in curiosity shows. One night, strangers take him away. Upon waking, he’s disoriented and scared…until he recognizes the scent of his old friend, Vane. Separated when Roland was sold and Vane wasn’t, Vane had since been rescued, and now offers the same freedom to Roland. With the force of Vane’s entire gargoyle clutch behind him, Roland finally feels like he can make a new start. Except, one of the gargoyles claims that they are mates, but Roland can’t sense it, revealing a secret he never wanted exposed. Tobias is thrilled to discover that Roland is his mate until the lynx shifter denies their bond. When the pretty shifter declares he can’t bond with anyone—and Tobias learns the life-changing reason why—Tobias vows that it doesn’t matter to him. He’ll stand by and care for his mate through any difficulty. His devotion is quickly called into question when dangers from Roland’s past force Tobias to spend time guaranteeing his mate’s safety instead of spending time with Roland. Can Tobias prove to his mate that he truly wants him and doesn’t consider Roland just another duty?

Into the paranormal world: A wounded heart is not easily mended, requiring a soothing, patient hand. Matthew Beakman’s life just got turned upside down. His brother, Marty, stumbled across something strange and fascinating and amazing! Gargoyles exist! Matthew wants to know everything about them. First, though, he wants to find the gargoyle that saved his brother’s life and thank him. Their people’s leader, Maelgwn, points out a blood-red, behemoth of a gargoyle named Vane, then warns Matthew away from him. Never good at following orders—and because he can’t help but find himself intrigued by the huge creature across the room—Matthew tracks Vane down anyway. At first, he’s confused by the way his body responds every time Vane growls at him, until a conversation with Logan makes him suspect that he and Vane are mates. Unfortunately, he also learns Vane went through some extreme torture in the hands of humans. How can he convince the stubborn gargoyle that not all humans are the same?

Into the paranormal world: Even an old dog can learn new tricks.At over four hundred years of age, Xavier Agueda has all but given up hope of finding his beloved, his soul mate. Then Detective Owen Hanson comes to the vampire’s estate to question Xavier’s coven leader’s partner. Owen’s blood calls to him like nothing he’s scented before. When his leader learns that Owen may be his beloved, he helps Xavier plan to meet him again. It takes a couple of weeks, but finally they schedule a BBQ at a mutual friend’s home, giving him the opportunity to see Owen again.Can Xavier convince Owen to accept the attentions of a man? And if so, how will Owen react to learning vampires exist? Reader Advisory: This story is best read as part of a series. Sequel to: A Bite of Fulfillment

Into the Paranormal World: A little holiday magic can make the world a brighter place. Grigoris has spent over six hundred years alone. As a gargoyle who lives away from most of society this isn’t surprising. Sure, he’s had his clutch-mates and his work, but he’s never truly had someone to share it with. When Aaden Hauser, a young black human sneaks into his garage, attempting to locate a friend and warn him of trouble, Grigoris instantly realizes the skittish male is his mate. While they enjoy a brief interlude, his human doesn’t stick around. Grigoris uses a mutual friend to track Aaden down and to learn more about him. In the process, he discovers something disturbing about the young male’s family. Grigoris realizes, although he’s the last person to rouse holiday cheer, his young mate needs it now more than ever. Can Grigoris figure out how to not only woo his wary human, but lift his spirits enough to accept that change can bring unexpected joy?

Into the Paranormal World: Sometimes getting a crash course in things unknown doesn’t always end in disaster. Zander Wheeler knows they’re out there: shape shifters, vampires, and other things. Having lost his wife over a year ago, Zander finds himself seduced by a married man. Ashamed, Zander asks his friend Logan McByrne to help him sever ties. Logan agrees, and in doing so, reveals a whole new world to him. Zander learns that his lover is a vampire, which is why he’d become so enamored with him. Then, Logan hooks up with a wolf shifter, and to top it off, a massive winged creature—the gargoyle Geoffrey, according to Logan—is claiming he and Zander are mates. When Zander demands they all leave him alone, save for Logan, they agree. Still, some sixth sense tells Zander he hasn’t seen the last of Geoffrey. He’s right. When one of his billy goats becomes aggressive, Geoffrey swoops in and saves him. With Geoffrey keeping to the shadows, they begin a dialogue. The more they talk, the more Zander realizes they may not be all that different after all. Except, he’s already been played by one paranormal. Can he open his heart to another?

Into the Paranormal World: Putting your faith in the unknown can be terrifying, but the rewards can far outweigh the fears. Kort is a gargoyle and known as the friendly playboy of the clutch, while nothing could be further from the truth. As much as he flirts with almost every available male that enters the gargoyle’s estate, he’s never taken any to his bed. Kort is waiting, just as he has been for over three hundred years. After watching a number of his buddies be blessed with their mates, he has faith that Fate will soon reveal his own other half. When Kort smells something wonderful on the clothes of a fellow gargoyle’s mate, he is quick to question the human. He suspects the other man has been in contact with his mate. Learning that the owner of the scent, a human named Mace Capston, was just in the emergency room, Kort locates the human’s home and takes up a vigil. He waits impatiently for his opportunity to speak to the human. The first time he has a conversation with the injured man, however short and in the darkness, leaves Kort eager for more. When Mace’s attacker returns, Kort whisks the cute human to safety... too bad his mate passes out from fear in the process. Can Kort convince Mace that the creature from the dark is not the real monster?

Into the Paranormal World: Getting lost in the woods, an otter shifter discovers a treasure beyond value. While helping out some of his buddies, Aziel Boltson learns the creatures that go bump in the night are real. His mother’s stories are true—gargoyles, shifters, and more actually exist. The local paranormals—a gargoyle clutch—have an estate north of town. Aziel loves using the natural wildlife as an outdoor gym, lifting tree branches and swimming in the pond. Spotting the pond’s local gator going after a huge otter, Aziel moves to intervene. He ends up injured, but it’s not all bad. The otter turns into the sexiest man Aziel has ever seen—Jerome Laguna. While he’s never been with a guy, he can’t help but want this one. To Aziel’s pleasure, Jerome claims he is his mate. Unfortunately, a prophesy of Aziel’s mother’s rears its ugly head in the form of Jerome’s family attempting to hunt him down and take him back to the Amazon. Can Aziel and his friends help Jerome escape his otter family’s clutches or will the prophesy be fulfilled, forcing Aziel to lose his one true love and his future in one fell swoop?

Out of the Cage: Pause...a temporary stop or rest, a cessation of activity because of doubt or uncertainty. Derek Sommers is fleeing a bad situation, made worse by foolish decisions from years before. He’d given into his father’s demands once and it had cost him a relationship with his brother, Deke. When Derek’s father demands he marry a certain woman, Derek has had enough. He decides to find out if Deke’s partner was telling the truth and travels to Stone Ridge in hopes of repairing ties with his brother. Except, even from states away, Derek’s father doesn’t want to let him go. Dillan Shoreman travels to Stone Ridge to visit his godson, Edwin. When he nearly takes out a man jay-walking, he discovers the battered human is his mate. Having been alone a long time, Dillan thanks Fate’s oddly timed blessing. Unfortunately, he discovers that convincing his mate they have a future together will be harder than he thinks. Between a manipulative father, a guilt-tripping mother, and a conniving wannabe bride, Dillan’s mate already has plenty on his mind. Can Dillan convince Derek that he can give him the peace, healing, and strength that his heart so desperately needs?

Out of the Cage: Renewing the fireworks can get a little crazy. Jared Templeton has settled down with his wolf shifter mate, Carson Angeni. For the most part, he’s given up his life as an assassin, but he finds other ways to fill his time. When he comes home with the scent of another male on him, Carson shows Jared that he hasn’t forgotten what he gave up to be with him.

Into the paranormal world: Sometimes giving in to temptation can lead to unexpected rewards. Martin Marty Beakman finds himself entranced by a bearded, cloaked stranger in a coffee shop, Raymond. Although he feels like a stalker, he returns again and again until he eventually figures out a pattern. When Marty is confronted by his brother Matthew regarding his actions, he admits his attraction to someone he’s never even spoken to. After his brother encourages him to change that, Marty follows Raymond in an attempt to do just that. Instead, he sees something almost unbelievable…Raymond removes his cloak, spreads wings, and flies into the night. When Raymond, out of the blue, contacts Marty online, will he give in to his desire to learn more about the guy? Or, will the strange sight the evening before keep him from seizing the opportunity?

Into the Paranormal World: Sometimes running from something will lead you right to it. Logan McByrne enjoys working at his construction company, drinking beer with his buddies, and sex with no strings attached…usually in that order. When his occasional hook-up, the gargoyle Geoffrey, gets too serious, Logan heads to Oregon for a working vacation at his friend, Zander’s ranch. On a hunting expedition to thin a large pack of coyotes that have been terrorizing his buddy’s goat herds, he runs into the last thing he expects, a group of wolf shifters. Zander panics, there are shots fired, and Logan is blamed for a stray bullet that hits one of the wolves. James Jimmy Noleander is the beta of the Tamang wolf pack. While he never expected meeting his mate would grant him an immediate happily ever after, he never in his wildest dreams thought his mate would shoot him. Jimmy wants to forgive his mate, but there are laws in place and restitution must be made. On top of that, Jimmy discovers that a jealous gargoyle is on Logan’s tail and Logan has commitment issues. Can Jimmy keep Logan safe, figure out a way to convince Logan of the benefits of mating, while finding suitable reparation that won’t drive his mate away?

On the road: Sometimes the 8-legged freaks are the good guys. Haben Bello heads for Kansas to help his old friend, Wes. The human attorney deals with child custody in shifter-human cases, protecting shifter secrets. Wes needs help uncovering the true motives behind a young boy’s mother who suddenly wants custody after she’d given up all rights to him twelve years before. When Haben meets the boy’s human foster father, Lou Reynolds, he realizes the man is his mate. Lou is still coming to grips with the fact that shifters exist. It’s one thing for his son to be able to turn into a lion, but a spider? Lou may be able to accept Haben the man, but can he learn how to accept Haben the tarantula? And what about when Haben’s job in town is done and he decides to move on? Lou has a son and can’t just up and leave to join Haben on his nomadic travels. Can Lou trust Haben’s insistence that he’s willing to turn his life upside down, adopt a lion shifter cub, and settle down after nearly one hundred years of freedom?

Into the paranormal world: When Fate pairs opposites, will the magnetism push them apart or draw them together? Cornelius Roister is a flirt, has been since coming out. He lives loud, proud, and for the moment. What only his best friend, Gustav Gus Hermance, knows is that it’s a defense mechanism, an act, used to keep people from getting too close. People that are close can hurt you, and he’s had enough pain to last him a lifetime. When Cornelius visits Gus at his new home, he is ecstatic to discover his mate in Einan, a gargoyle enforcer. Until him and large-and-in-charge Einan have their first personality clash…and then their second. They just can’t seem to carry on a conversation without disagreeing or arguing. Is Cornelius’s mating doomed before it even gets started? Or can Cornelius and Einan find some common ground?

Maelgwn, leader of a clutch of gargoyles in Durango, Colorado, only planned to be in Stone Ridge a few days to help a fellow gargoyle’s mate through laying their first egg. His plan to leave changes when he scents his mate in the hospital. He discovers his mate is Bobby Truman, a human who has no idea the paranormal world exists, even though a number of his friends are shifters. Maelgwn begins the arduous process of watching and waiting, searching for that perfect opportunity to make contact with his mate.Bobby Truman is tired of his boyfriend, Seth’s, abusive friends, especially when Seth doesn’t do anything about their antics. The broken nose, compliments of Seth’s buddy Grant, is the final straw. When he’s attacked by muggers and rescued by a mysterious stranger in the dark, Bobby hopes it’s the opportunity he needs to make a clean break from Seth. Even if it doesn’t work out with Maelgwn, maybe Bobby can keep his new love interest’s attention long enough to prove to Seth they are really done.Bobby thinks it’s odd that Maelgwn won’t come into the light, always meeting him after dark, but he’s nowhere near prepared for the truth when it finally comes out. Can Maelgwn convince Bobby that the things that go bump in the night aren’t always bad and to take his place at Maelgwn’s side in a paranormal world? Even when that means uprooting his life and moving?

Into the Paranormal World: Sometimes the truth is even stranger than fantasy. Officer Tian Chavez goes undercover at a college in Durango, Colorado as Tian Whithern, a gangster. It’s not the first time he’s taken such an assignment, since he looks years younger than he actually is. Finding out who’s offering strength-enhancing drugs to students and other townspeople takes a jaunt around the crazy maypole when he discovers the truth. It’s not drugs that give the ability, it’s completing a mate-bond with a paranormal creature. To his shock, he learns that gargoyles, shifters, and even vampires are real. Now, he needs to come up with a viable cover story. To make matters even stranger, Tian runs across Chef Roman, a gargoyle who seems to think they’re mates. While he finds the huge male attractive, Roman isn’t an exceptionally personable individual. Tian isn’t certain what to make of him or his gruff, bumbling attempts at seduction. When he realizes accepting a life with Roman would mean the end of his work... plus other drastic changes to his life, can he decide on what’s the right path?