Meet the Order of the Black Oak: a powerful order of modern-day warriors fighting evil to protect the ones they love.
Son of an ancient vampire and a legendary French witch, Mont-Royal Immortal Magnovald St-Amand has lived for so long that nothing matters except his ruling over the Montreal’s sultry nightlife. But when he chooses to help an ambitious real estate tycoon rescue her kid sister from a pack of daemons, he finds deep yearnings in his soul that he thought were buried forever.
If you love loyal tough guys with hearts, satisfying slow-burn paranormal romance and safe Happily Ever Afters, the Black Oak World is for you.
***** Fantastic series of action, magic and awesome romance. You will fall in love with the characters and feel you are right with them.
“So you never drink from humans, like sucking the blood directly.” Cat wouldn’t let it go.
“Well… I have.” He winced, his hands again dug into his pockets. “I do.”
Nyssa tightened her grip on her sister and slightly turned sideways. “Mag, this is way too weird for us.”
Her mind full on denial, she had retreated behind her aloof persona. It didn’t matter what he was. Or that he was still hot as hell. She had to cut ties with him this very second.
“Look, I never drink from innocent people.” He folded into himself further, his usual pale features—the shade no doubt due to his condition—slightly flushed. “I don’t kill people. It’s just… fun.”
“Fun?” Her brows shot up in astonishment. How on earth can any of this be anything like fun? Her resentment mounted again, her heart pumped heavily at the center of her chest.
“Yes.” He was defiant again, his firm chin thrust sharply at her as he pinned her under his solid gaze.
“Fun?” she repeated. Her anger grew fully, her vision tunneling and seeing only him, the brazen leather-clad rebel who had brought this upon them. “There was nothing fun about tonight. Three monsters claiming to come from some prince of hell that you somehow insulted.”
“Nyssa, calm down. He saved us.” Cat interjected with a measured tone, swiveling away from her embrace. “No, Cat. I will not calm down,” Nyssa shrieked. Her hands flailed in front of her, her body boiling with rage as her fear, astonishment, and exhaustion took over any reasonable thoughts. “I got you from the grips of a sexual predator and now this. A fuckin’ vampire!”
Marie-Claude Bourque is a Montreal-born Seattle-based author of gothic paranormal romance and the winner of the American Title V award with her first novel ANCIENT WHISPERS.
Her writing features modern-day fantasy skillfully weaved into infinitely romantic supernatural stories between smart strong women and complex passionate heroes.
Rafe is a volunteer fireman who is sworn to protect his ranch and town. Gail has just lost everything to the devastating fire that destroyed her home. Will these two be able to heal their scars and find new love and happiness?
After the trauma of war, rancher Rafe comes home to help his community as a volunteer fireman while trying to find balance in civilian life. He must carry the mantle of his family, who have been Guardians of Coyote Valley for generations. Now its up to Gabe to protect the town from the fires that ravage the national forests around Coyote Valley. But as he gives his all to the community, he often forgets to take care of his own heart.
Loner Gail has just lost everything to the devastating fire that destroyed her home. When the handsome rancher who saved her offers to let her stay at his place, it seems like the perfect solution. Until she remembers she doesn’t really like living with people. It’s why she was living up on top of the mountain in the first place.
Rafe and Gail arrived at Rafe’s house exhausted. You wouldn’t think it would take that much out of you just meeting with a few contractors, but having to go over the numbers, the data, the timelines, and the creative decisions around the roof all in the heat of a 104° day had been a little bit much. Rafe took one glance at Gail and felt bad for her. Not only had she been moved out of her house but now she had to work so hard just to get back into it. She needed a break.
“Why don’t you go and take a shower,” he said with a smile. “I’ll get dinner started.”
“Why are you always making me dinner?” Gail frowned as if he’d asked her to make dinner.
Fortunately, Rafe got it. She was tired. No need for him to take it personal. He gave her a sideways grin. “Don’t you like the way I cook?”
“You are by far one of the finest chefs I’ve ever had the great pleasure of consuming food from,” Gail said with a smile.
“Well, I think that’s probably laying it on just a little thick.” Rafe rolled his eyes. “A simple ‘thank you for the very lovely meals,’ will suffice.”
“Well thank you for the most loveliest meals.” Gail took a deep breath and moving towards the counter. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
“Nope, I’ve got it all buckled down here. Green beans and salad from the garden, southern fried steak from the Foster’s Ranch. Sound good?” He waited for her response with the uneasy feeling that he’d be severely disappointed if she didn’t like what he’d planned for dinner.
“You realize I’ve never cooked you a meal?” Gail said
“There’s plenty of time for that. Once you get up to Buttercup Ridge or even back in your home, you can invite me up for dinner.” Rafe smiled.
Gail’s eyes widened. “Did you just ask me to invite you on a date to my house so I can cook you dinner?”
Rafe laughed. “Yeah, I could see how it could’ve been construed like that. But you have to remember I’m awkward and I like to draw attention to my awkwardness to try and give it some semblance of humor rather than just being straight awkward. But mostly what I’m saying is the cottage is done. I got the call and you can move out.”
“Oh.” Gail’s face fell.
“That is what you wanted, right?” Rafe asked. “Your own place.”
“Yes, yeah, of course,” Gail stammered turning towards the hallway. “It’s wonderful news.”
“Thought you’d like that. I got the call just a little bit ago.” Rafe smiled even though he didn’t feel like it. In the short time she’d been in his home, Gail had grown on him. Suddenly, as she turned and walked down the hall, Rafe realized how much he was going to miss having her around. Every muscle in his body seized up. He wanted to chase her down the hall of his own house.
But she wasn’t looking for a relationship. And, if she was, she probably wouldn’t pick a traumatized orphaned vet. Rafe turned slowly back to the green beans. He needed to just focus on making her dinner and let go of any other thoughts he was having. He closed his eyes in prayer for a moment asking God to still his heart and guide him.
Kadi James was raised on a ranch in Northern California riding horses, writing stories, and waiting for true love to happen. Her passion for storytelling took her around the world to experience global cultures, history, and mythology, always looking for the similarities rather than the differences. After years overseas, country roads brought her back home again and she returned to California, her family, and the ranch where she grew up. Today she writes Sweet Ranch Romance that touches reader’s hearts by reminding them of the simple things that really matter in life; family, kindness, and always…love.
She’s desperate to get her life straight. He’s struggling to stay true to his dreams. Together, can they whip up the recipe for happily ever after?
Harriet “Harry” Belmont feels like a total failure. Returning from San Francisco to England to care for her grandmother after being fired and discovering her boyfriend is married, she’s determined to turn a mess into something vaguely positive. But when her woeful cooking skills send her gran’s dinner up in smoke, the big-city refugee is stunned when the man who jumps to her rescue is a handsome old flame.
Jamie Forrest’s love of culinary creations has come back to bite him. Though the small-town chef loves the meal-kit business he built to help others, it’s become so successful he no longer has time to spend in the kitchen. But his stress multiplies exponentially when the woman he saves from a food-prep disaster turns out to be his gorgeous childhood sweetheart.
As Harry’s forgotten feelings resurface, she’s torn between helping him open his dream restaurant and fleeing back to the life she promised she’d never sacrifice for a man. And though Jamie realizes he never got over her, he’s terrified that if he lets her in, she’ll just break his heart again.
Can the reunited friends find a way to put love on the menu?
Harry glanced at Nicki, who raised her eyebrow. “I’d take him up on the offer if I were you. You might not get a second chance.” She winked at Harry, raised her empty champagne glass, and headed for the bar.
Harry took Jamie’s hand. Her fingers prickled when she touched his, clicking on a memory she’d long since stored away: his touch. The feeling of taking the hand of someone special.
“What was Nicki talking your ear off about?” Jamie asked as he led her to the floor.
Harry smiled to herself. “Just life,” she said, and started to dance.
The band played every song from Harry’s youth. She and Jamie danced and sang words she didn’t know she remembered. Harry pulled out dance moves she hadn’t used for decades, and Jamie mirrored her like they’d been dancing that way forever. By the time the band slowed things down, Harry’s feet were on fire and her dress stuck to the moisture in the middle of her back. Jamie’s hair stuck up in damp spikes. At some point, he’d undone another button on his shirt.
“To all the lovers out there,” the singer said, her voice breathy. “We’re available for weddings.”
The crowd laughed and as the band played the opening notes of a familiar ballad, couples paired up, others left the floor, and people who’d been sitting on the sidelines suddenly found themselves pulled to their feet and led onto the dance floor. Harry made a show of looking tired. She ought to sit this one out. It was one thing to boogie the night away with Jamie, to laugh at one another’s moves, to have fun. But slow dances always meant something, and Harry didn’t want to send the wrong message. “Drink?” she asked.
Jamie took her hand and Harry was relieved he felt the same way and was leading her from the floor. But he didn’t. He held out his hands and took Harry’s. He smiled. That smile. And when he invited Harry into his arms, she went.
Jamie’s hands wrapped around her waist, and Harry’s body moved in time with his, and when she rested her head on his shoulder, her senses relaxed with the familiar scent of somewhere she belonged.
Maggie Wild lives in California Wine Country with her own Mr. Right and a small collection of furry friends. A native of Yorkshire, England, she returns “home” every day through her fictional worlds. When not writing her fun, contemporary romance stories, she loves to watch the birds in her garden and hike through the local redwoods. Learn more at MaggieWild.com.
