Charlie Richards

Caspian Carpathian is a nearly two centuries old vampire. He’s learned to control not only his blood lust, but his emotions as well. That’s how he became the perfect diplomat for the Vampire Council. In an effort to warn the vampire population ahead of time, Caspian is sent to Stone Ridge to learn about the scientists threatening shifters. He’s not prepared to come face to face with his beloved. After a rocky start, he discovers that Casey, a small bunny shifter, fears him and his teeth. Now Caspian has to use every ounce of restraint he can manage and every seductive tactic in his arsenal to win the trust of the one man that completes him.

Casey Streusel is beyond grateful to a number of members of the Stone Ridge wolf pack. After all, they saved him from an almost certain torturous death at the hands of scientists. Sure, Casey is still extremely skittish and deathly afraid of needles, but he’ll get over that eventually, right? Discovering his mate is a blood-sucking vampire throws his newly created world completely off-kilter. He suddenly finds himself battling two sets of urges, both new to him. Can he figure out how to relinquish control to his mate and accept the pleasure he offers? Or will he give in to his desire to flee from those needle-sharp fangs?

Detective Catlin Hill doesn't understand the instant, possessive attraction he feels for the slender John Doe in the hospital bed. But the minute those scared baby blues meet his, Catlin lets his protective instincts rule him. The guy has amnesia, and it’s only from a conditioned response that Catlin confirms his name is Gallo Ricci. After passing the case to a fellow detective, he takes the victim home with him and gives in to lust. For some reason, it doesn’t even faze Catlin when his new lover turns into a horse in his living room. When a group of guys drop by and start talking about mates and centuries of living together, Gallo has a panic attack, proving his past abuse won’t allow him to take charge enough to claim Catlin. Is their relationship doomed from the start? And what's tough enough to take down a shifter and leave him in the hospital?

On the road: Don’t strike at the hand that helps. He could end up important to you.

When Eli escorts an injured shifter to Stone Ridge territory for medical treatment, he arrives in town suffering from motion sickness. The last thing he wants is to meet his mate while praying to the porcelain god, but that’s exactly what happens. To make matters worse, being ill messes up Eli’s senses and he doesn’t immediately recognize the cute sub as his mate, sending the other man running. When Eli catches up with Sam, it doesn’t take him long to realize the wolf shifter has been burned badly in a past relationship. Can he figure out a way to earn Sam’s trust? Or will his mate run a second time?

Keeping an open mind can lead to a full heart.

Carl Lewis has little joy in his life. He’s recently struggled through a painful divorce, has partial custody of his two kids, and is learning to rearrange his schedule so work as a detective is no longer first. It’s not easy. Then he meets his new neighbor, Vincent Androse, an openly gay firefighter who just went through a bad break-up of his own. He gives the man a hand moving furniture, and they strike up a friendship that starts to fill holes in Carl’s life he didn’t even know were there.

Vincent moves to get away from his cheating ex-boyfriend, Lonnie. His new house is big and empty, and he finds himself enjoying the Friday night BBQs with his new friend, Carl, even with the man’s kids there. When Lonnie shows up, begging for him to come back, again, and refuses to leave, Carl steps in, pretending to be the new boyfriend. Vincent discovers Carl can kiss—really kiss, and he starts wanting things the straight cop can’t give him. Can he?