Showing results by narrator "Nick Cracknell" in All Categories

In a city scarred by conflict, secrets can kill and trust is a dangerous gamble. Psychologist Aaron Thornton is riddled with self-doubt after failing to stop a tragic incident at the American prison where he works. So when his wife, Claire, receives a job offer in her native Belfast, Northern Ireland, he sees a chance to start over by treating hardened criminals in Northern Ireland’s judicial system. But Thornton’s work soon entangles him in the aftermath of ‘The Troubles,’ a brutal conflict that rocked Belfast for over thirty years.

Roman Grayson has turned his prison stint into an opportunity of fame by becoming the reigning champion in an underground fight club. But when he’s dethroned by a new inmate, Roman quickly loses everything that made his incarceration bearable. From the extra perks of being champion, to the authority of keeping fellow inmates in line, all the way to his best friend being forced to room with the man who stole everything from Roman.

I’ve broken free and I’ve also freed the human who was held captive with me. But I don’t know where we are, and I don’t know where my home is. The local wildlife may be smaller than I am, and maybe they don't have fangs near as large as mine, but I’m still terrified. My issues with germs—and my uncompromising avoidance of all the things that I’m afraid of coming into contact with—is going to get me killed in this wilderness. Thankfully, Aurora lets me follow her. Thankfully, she seems to know the way out of this endless and inhospitable woodland and desert biome.

Novi Navarro's life hangs in the balance after being sentenced to serve in the Temple of the Chimera. The Prioress in charge seems intent on breaking not only her spirit, but the spirit of every living thing within those impenetrable walls. When a chance encounter leads to an unexpected friendship with one of the sacred creatures inside, she discovers a new reason to go on.

Terrorist leaders are not benevolent men inclined to make peace but vicious bullies. The IRA was the Islamic State of its day. Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan are similar wars. In these, an insurgency like the IRA/Sinn Fein mix is the main problem. A proven solution is the rule of law, where police intelligence dominates because investigative practices fail. The approach - widely misrepresented and commonly misunderstood - devastated the IRA. Some terrorists were killed, most were in prison, and many were on the run.

I broke the rules and stole an auction item from her buyers. Because somehow, they’d managed to abduct a Gryfala princess. Though, she doesn’t look, or act, or sound quite like I thought one of her kind would. But I’m merely a Rakhii gladiator; this is the closest I’ve actually ever been to a princess. I’d be considered lucky, indeed, if she chose me to guard her. Instead, I want more. I need her to claim me. Because she doesn’t know it, but now I can’t let her go.

Annika is a fiery flame-haired rocker chick from Portland. All she wants is to find success with her band. Talvi's an arrogant fae bad boy with an ego as big as his bow. When the snarky, sassy guitarist steps through a portal into the faerie realm, he vows to help her get back home by whatever means necessary.

A decorated knight for Richard the Lionheart and an ally of the House of de Lohr, Sir Garret de Moray was a man described as cold, intimidating, foreboding. A man with eyes as black as night. Receiving a royal appointment as Captain of the Household Guard, there was no man more qualified or prepared for the role because on the sands of the Holy Land where Garret went on Richard’s great quest, the Christian armies whispered of a knight whose wisdom was ancient. Some wondered if he was the walking dead, an immortal soul who had lived many lifetimes over, because his skill and power exceeded earthly restraints. Kronos, they called him. The father of the gods. Then came a lady without hope…

Created when they intermingled with demons, the dark elves who rule over the fae of Sinaryos have come to rely on humans to keep their race alive. The royal family is no exception, with a king on the verge of death, a court riddled with spies, and a broken line of succession. Despite everything working against him, Prince Fallon Blackwood has met all the demands of the crown for nearly 100 years...except for one. After avoiding this obligation for too long, the time has come for him to take a harem and prove that he's capable of continuing his family's bloodline.

Meet William Frederick Cody, a recently liberated merman-turned-cyborg who sets off in the semi-arid (okay, desert) climate of Traxia seeking the trusty horse he’s ordered. Instead, he’s saddled with a mischievous donkey. The donkey unseats him at the first opportunity, forcing this merman to travel on foot through the desert under the burning alien sun.

Talvi Marinossian has slain maenads and fought off vampire attacks, but nothing has prepared him for getting involved with one of these forbidden "modern girls". When he finally tracks down Annika it's obvious that she's changed since her recent adventure in his homeland. It's also clear that she's not ready to embrace the next chapter in her life. He tries to persuade her to open up to him, but she finds it difficult since he won't even explain how he earns a living.

I dislike people. I despise humans. A cruel mandate from one of my region's rulers has saddled me with a slew of little alien humans: I'm to put them to work. One problem? I run a rock quarry, where humans’ thin skin is a detriment to productivity. Overseeing these humans is like trying to herd yanaks. If I don't burn, beat, or strangle them to death by the day's end, it will be a miracle.

Scandal. Blackmail. Obsession. It's just another day if you're a Marinossian. When Annika disappears without a trace, Talvi launches the hunt for his most infuriating rival yet. His only clues are from a government he's increasingly at odds with. In exchange for access to their resources, he does the unthinkable and reveals Annika's true nature. Time is short, but the list of names Talvi can trust keeps getting shorter.

Aspiring rock star Annika Brisby thinks she knows where her life is going until she steps through a broken portal that leaves her stranded in a fae-filled realm of fairies, shapeshifter druids, psychic vampires, and other mythical beings. Unable to return until it's repaired, she's rescued by wood nymphs who believe her sudden arrival is no accident. After being taken in by a prominent family of elves, Annika finds herself struggling to resist the seductive spell of their youngest son, Talvi.

In 1558, during the reign of Bloody Queen Mary, Earth is visited by extraterrestrials who initiate first contact. Their mission is to gather samples of life on Earth and observe but not interact with humanity. After witnessing a brutal execution, their patience is tested beyond breaking point... First Contact is a series of standalone novels that explore humanity's first interaction with extraterrestrial life.

For centuries many have pondered the prospect of an afterlife and feared what came to be known as ‘hell’. In the near future, we map the elusive ‘dark matter’ around us, only to find out that it is hell itself, and it is very real…As the satanic President Razour attempts to bring forward Armageddon to prevent humanity repenting, the fate of us all rests in the hands of Cleric20, a hedonistic loner with a checkered past, and his robot sidekick, GiX.

The Benningtons appear to be the all-American dream family until their daughter, Melissa, witnesses the chilling murder of her closest friends. Forced to flee from the ruthless killers, the entire family enters the federal witness protection program. Assigned to safeguard the Benningtons in their new life in Billings, Dirk Sterling and his US Marshals team anticipate a routine assignment. However, their task takes a dangerous turn when a trio of assassins descends upon the town with one objective: to eliminate Melissa.

Forbidden Kaos magic has been found in the walls of Blackwood Castle, forcing Prince Fallon to face a new kind of enemy—a darkness that threatens not only his kingdom, but the very foundation of his bloodline. With secrets buried deep within his court and a Royal Council that undermines him at every chance, Fallon is running out of people he can trust. When a mysterious stranger arrives in Sinaryos with an offer that seems too good to be true, Prince Fallon is poisoned by the most deadly substance of all—Hope.

Hidden behind a mask and with a dagger in his sheath, Mute serves the crown with pride. A fair life, if not a monotonous one. But his next contract nicks too close, for murder within a brothel is always nasty business, especially the one which Mute frequents. The brothel his Dorothy works, his Dorothy who awaits Mute and only Mute. Surely none would dare touch her, for if they did, royalty or not, they would fall to Lord Mute, the Silent God's chosen one. They would scream…

I’m possessed by an ancient, powerful kitsune hellbent on chaos and destruction. Until we can find a way to lift the curse, I’m a threat to everyone I hold dear. Tensions within the Namikawa-kai, hunters lurking in the shadows, and vengeful ex-boyfriends want to thwart us at every step. All I want is to be with Raiden, my mate, the man I love. If we stand together, we can get through it all. But when I see a new, ugly side to Raiden, I can’t help but question if we really want the same things. When the time comes to run, will Raiden leave it all behind for me?