open season c. j. box

Because my father's childhood sweetheart's daughter was accidentally burned, my father was angry and locked me in the fire house where werewolf criminals were punished. The Beta of the pack, my father, looked at me with disgust written all over his face: "I don't have such a cruel daughter. You'll stay here and reflect on what you've done." I begged loudly for mercy, admitted my mistake, pleading for him to let me out. All I got in return was his merciless command. "Unless she's dead, no one is to release her." The fire house stood isolated at the edge of the territory. No matter how much I screamed for help, no one could hear me. He assigned the housekeeper to set the room to spray fire every 2 hours. The burns were excruciating, my werewolf healing barely keeping me alive between sessions. Ten days later, he finally remembered he had a daughter and decided to let me out. But what he didn't know was that I had already died in that fire house, never to wake again.

Leigh Michaels has always hated Rocky Bolton. They bicker, annoy each other, and can not stand each other's presence. Born from parents who were best friends since College, it was natural that she and Rocky spent most of their time together. Something happened when they turned five breaking the peace between them, and Rocky became her worst enemy. When they grew into teens, they pretended to be sweet to each other to get their matchmaking parents off their backs. College came, and their pretense stopped. Leigh thought this time Rocky would be well out of her life for good, but she thought wrong. An unannounced visit from their moms forced them to meet again and spend time with each other. Seeing them together has thrown the school for a loop. Would this be the end of Leigh's peaceful college life, especially if it became known that the most popular guy in school was secretly engaged to a nobody like her? What about Rocky's rumored girlfriend? Will she take this news sitting down?

“Ellie, my child, the world will need your strength to save it from a great evil but do not be afraid. You will be sent great warriors to protect you during your journey. Remember to trust yourself, trust your mates and to follow your heart. You have been chosen by the Moon Goddess; do not despair for she will always be with you.” The same dream haunts Ellie every night. She knows nothing of who her parents were, only being told they were killed in a rogue attack. Fate was kind to her when she ended up in the loving hands of the Locke family but what happens when Ellie starts to have strong feelings towards the triplet sons of the Locke family? In a surprise twist in Ellie's "run of the mill" life, the entire supernatural world lands in her hands as the "end of days" approaches from the Great Evil. Will she survive what the Moon Goddess plans for her? Can the Locke triplets' love for her fill the hole in her soul she has felt for most of her life and help her to finally believe in herself? Will she allow herself to love her mates freely or allow the dark forces at work to rip them apart?

Kara Baxter has only two things in life she held dear - her virginity and the house she grew up in. The bank has foreclosed on the house and Kara was scrambling to find someone who can help her redeem it. Her boss at the hotel, the billionaire Nico Bernardi, offered to help, but the repayment he was asking was unpalatable to Kara. He wanted her to be his mistress. Kara refused. Her virginity is not for sale. But why did she end up in an underground auction with her virginity as the major selling point for her market value? Then, to her horror, Nico bought her. In just one night, Kara lost the two things she held dear in her life. But she was a fighter and she will show this mob boss that he may buy her, but he can never buy her love. Join Kara as she navigates her way as the mistress of the mob boss and becomes entangled with his quest for justice and truth as she fights for her own survival and love in BOUGHT.

I was always different from my brothers; always more sensitive and perceptive. I never knew if this was a gift from the Goddess or not, but my brother, Alpha Kai, used my sixth sense to his advantage and that's what helped raise our pack to infamy. But in the end, it would be that sixth sense which led to my demise - dead before I could even face my mate and his betrayal. My soft heart led to my death, and my trusting nature helped the enemy get ahead with their plans. So here I am, sifting through my memories in the Other and watching my family as they continue to live their lives without me. All the while wishing I could be there with them. **** This is a companion novel to the Bratva Wolves Novels and is not a standalone. Do not read this book if you have not read The Bratva Wolves Collection first.

"Mr. Johnson, we're in the office–" Ethan takes another step towards me, making me step backwards; although we both know it's fruitless. "So what? You may be the Director, but have you forgotten the terms of our contract?” He pulls me flush against himself, my heart racing as I reply, "For the next three months, I will do exactly as you say.” He tugs on my hair to tilt my head back, brushing his lips against the exposed curve of my neck. The sensation is electrifying, melting my initial inhibitions. "Good." In one swift motion, he spins me around; and before I know it, Ethan has cuffed my wrists to the desk, leaving me breathless and utterly at his mercy… "Ethan..." "Let it go, Ashley…" That's all I need to push me over the edge. Both my mind and body are under his spell, and I'm going to let him claim me… *** Ashley Waverly’s world shatters when her parents die suddenly. Determined to save her company at any cost, she seeks help from the most ruthless businessman, Ethan Johnson. The heartless Ethan agrees to help her, but on one condition: she has to sign a contract with him. Ashley saves her company, but the business arrangement turns into a nightmare, as Ethan doesn't miss any chance to break her soul and humiliate her. Ashley endures his cruelty in silence, only to disappear the day her contract expires… not knowing Ethan has started to fall for her. After five years, fate has again rolled its dice and both of them have crossed paths. But this time, Ashley is not alone… she has a cute little four-year-old son. Will they find redemption and a second chance at happiness, or will the scars of the past tear them apart once more? ***

After being accused of killing her father, Azura Riverstone runs away from her pack when her mate and husband orders his Gammas to hold her as the captive. Torn between hurt and betrayal from her mate and step-family, she decides to seek the Alpha King for help but the only way to get to him is participating in the Alpha combat where only Alphas are allowed. How will she find the true murderer of her father when her ex finds her and offers a deal which she can't deny?

Katarina was hired to manage the President's affairs of the heart. Her one mission: To find his perfect wife. She plied him with enough candidates - models, heiresses, socialites, actresses, a crowned princess - women in their prime who came with beautiful background and outstanding achievement. But he rejected everyone. He only wanted one woman - his executive assistant Katarina. Will she yield from his relentless pursuit of her? Especially since it did not come with any guarantees and would most likely leave her heart tbroken in the end?

June was devastated after knowing about July's death until she discovered a familiar mark on his dead body. - - - Alien, UFOs, extraterrestrial beings -- those are the things that Juniper Gallego and Julius Lysander Ignacio love to talk about when they were still kids, but when June's family moved out, they barely communicate through letters. Until one day, July's death shocked everyone including June. She hurriedly go back to their old town only to discover a familiar mark on July's corpse —the mark they once feared when they were littles.

Devyn Reilly isn't a socialite or mafia princess - she's down on her luck and it shows. Her rent is due, bills needed to be paid and she just got fired. Her singing career was going the same way as her life was - nowhere. But would all this be enough to make her go down The Rabbit Hole? Kieran Teague is a ruthless Irish mob boss, known to be so callous that even the Russian Pakhan of New York was wary of him. Stepping into his newly opened BDSM club, The Rabbit Hole, he did not expect to be intrigued by a lowly new dancer. However, the second she opened her mouth to sing, he knew he had to have her. Will the ruthless mobster be softened by the submissive siren? *Book 3 of The Mafia Trinity Series of Novels*