Böcker av Angel Payne

She can write about anything but trust.He can believe in anything but love.Drowning the past...Ten years after a mysterious curse drove him to commit the unthinkable sin, Hercules of Thebes is still a haunted man. He's traveled the realms to atone for his nightmares-never expecting a dream to fall into his path again.But here she is.At a silly speed dating event, of all things.Writing for her future...Lois Lance, named after the most intrepid femme reporter of all, makes ends meet as a dazzling look-a-like for her pop starlet employer-but she's certain her luck is bound to run out. At the DeLux Café's speed dating party, her suspicions prove true. Swept into a fantastical realm by a daunting stranger, she must accept that demons and demigods are real-especially the captor who saves her life and awakens her body.As the adventure intensifies, Herc and Lois must learn how to shatter personal defenses, expose sacred secrets, and trust each other with painful parts of themselves. But will the vulnerability make them strong enough to outsmart an Underworld lunatic-or will love prove their greatest downfall of all?Hercules is book thirty-six in the Speed Dating with the Denizens of the Underworld shared world, featuring a haunted demigod, a take-no-BS writer, and more.

Maximus Kane and Kara Valari have defied demonic laws, human expectations, and otherworldly enemies to be together. From the depths of hell to the jungle of Hollywood, and all the terrifying places in between, the lovers have fought for a destiny that wasn’t supposed to exist—until the stars had something to say about it.

Dante Tieri, the billionaire benefactor of Chicago's most exciting bash for military personnel, is also one of the city's most sinful single men. Italian, driven, and unapologetically rich, Dante is in full control of his world-until his world is turned on its axis in the middle of his own party. Lieutenant Celina Kouris, a Navy JAG officer, couldn't care less about Dante's clothes, looks, or billion-dollar bank account. She's watched wealthy playboys ruin the lives of two people she loves. When she learns he's more than a stunning face, luscious body, and fat wallet, she succumbs to a night of hardcore passion and domination that turns her blood to fire. Dante is shaken by the needs Celina unleashes in him, and when he consults his best friend, Mark Moore, he is introduced to the magic of Dominance and submission. But when Dante wants to explore more with Celina, her walls are back uptwice as high as before. Can Dante push Celina and himself past their fears and into their destiny?

When Mark Moore arrives in Nassau to conduct a corporate training meeting, all he's expecting is an all-expenses-paid week in an island paradise. The former senator has freed up his schedule for more time with his pop-star daughter, Dasha, and for projects just like this. What Mark doesn't expect is the sweet surprise of Rose Fabian, a training participant who reawakens every Dominant instinct in his body. Rose is swept away in equal force, unable to resist Mark's knowing charm, honed body, and ability to sweep her body into ecstasy she's never known before. Mark and Rose are burdened by deep emotional wounds, and though she strongly desires Mark, she fears he's a partner she'll never earn, a dream man who lives in a world she can never reach. But hearts want what they want. Mark's learned the hard way that love must be embraced when it's right-even when the world says it's wrong. In the safety of his Dominant embrace, can Rose find the courage to believe the same thing?

Dasha Moore is at the pinnacle of pop-singer stardom but finds her ultimate joy at the feet of her charismatic career manager, David Pennington. He's the Dominant of her body, the lover of her dreams, and the owner of her heart, and he can't wait to brand her deeper with his domination... But a lunatic fan has other plans. Consumed with keeping Dasha safe, David gives the FBI a full-access pass for their investigation. Special Agent Kress Moridian has an unnerving protective streak, and David's initial instincts are soon proven true-Kress is another Dom, and his definition of "e;full-access"e; includes Dasha herself. Being shared with Kress is a new tune for Dasha, but she finds herself loving its rougher strains-and she begs David for this perfect blend of passion. While her Doms make her body sing, Dasha's heart and soul are torn. Will their union survive the twists and turns as they hunt the madman who wants her dead?

Cassian Court is the powerful, beautiful, sensual man who has changed Mishella Santelle's life with the world's most unconventional business contract-and captured her heart with a destiny neither of them can deny. But passion comes with a price.They've confronted demons, banished ghosts, faced fears, and dug to the deepest truths of their souls-but then fate delivers them a crushing new blow.When crisis strikes the Mediterranean island of Arcadia, Mishella is summoned back home. Things go from difficult to devastating when Arcadian court politics rev into high gear, setting up Cassian as the Judas responsible for the island's devastation, and giving Mishella an ultimatum: her country or her lover? The choice is as agonizing as the truths it both exposes and tests-putting Cassian and Mishella through their most brutal crucible yet.

With their attraction too explosive to ignore, Cassian Court has whisked Mishella Santelle from her tiny island kingdom to the empire he rules: New York City. Here, they have succumbed to the magic of Temptation Manor, surrendering to their lust and a love that won't be denied.But happiness is nearly ripped away when an act of heroism turns Cassian into a target of violence...from which physical recovery is only the beginning of healing. Cassian must find a way to expose his emotional scars too, revisiting a past that refuses to release him from its haunting grip. The secrets of Turret Two hold the promise of clearing a path for a new connection with Mishellaor anchoring him deeper in the past.Just as Mishella decides she's had enough of being the city's perfect little toy as New York's fresh "e;it"e; couple, a shocking visitor changes everything. Now, faced with accepting an even more agonizing reality, Mishella learns deception isn't always black and whiteand the prettiest toy sometimes hides the darkest secrets.

Engineering genius, billionaire icon, and consultant to kings, the gorgeous Cassian Court is a legend before he even steps foot on the remote island of Arcadia. But when Mishella Santelle locks eyes with him, she doesn't see that power-she sees the man behind it and the bruised soul hers has been destined for. But destiny isn't a luxury for a woman of the Arcadian court.When six months of Mishella's life are bargained to Cassian in a multimillion-dollar contract, she must learn the rules of a more ruthless kingdom: New York City. In this glamorous jungle, paths are harder to discern, enemies are more cleverly camouflagedand passions are impossible to ignore.Mishella is increasingly drawn to the beautiful but bewildering Cassian. He connects to her soul, challenges her mind, and awakens her body in ways she's never dreamed. But Mishella fears for her heart and doubts the ghosts from Cassian's past will ever free him to return her love. Unless she can prove the impossible That their love is worth fighting for.

Being rich and famous isn’t the most bizarre life can get. Kara Valari has learned that in the most intense ways since falling in love with her gorgeous literature professor from their first fevered touch.

They survived the dark. But can they trust the light?Kara Valari and Maximus Kane have been to hell and back, fighting for their love and their lives. But the path back to normal isn't as easy as they hoped. A dormant secret in Kara's blood has been awakened, and she needs the help of a goddess to learn its full potential-but also its hidden dangers.Shielded from the world in the magical enclave of Iremia, the lovers reunite with all the fires of their first passion. But as they bond tighter to each other, Kara learns that the underworld has targeted her family in terrifying ways, and the safe world around them starts to splinter.Unenamored by Iremia's promises of enlightenment, Maximus unravels more of the mysteries-and the powers-that are lurking behind the scenes. But to find his and Kara's true allies, he is forced to seek out his enemies and rewrite his thinking on good and evil.Caught in a web of gods, demons, and magic, Maximus and Kara must build stronger bridges to each other and, as a wave of deeper truths heads their way, have faith that the ramparts of their love will hold.

His worst burns are from the fire she didn't start...Being someone's rock is a role Rio Gibson never saw herself playing. On most days, she's not convinced she can even care for her adopted stray cat. But waiting for the safe return of the man she loves might be the most excruciating trial of her life, and she's pulled herself together with strength she never knew existed.Grant Twombley has reached his limit. Normally gregarious and good-natured, his spirit takes a leave of absence after he's returned to Rio's side. He's unharmed-or so it appears. He never thought he'd revisit the dark side of his temperament, but it slides back into place like his favorite worn-in jeans. And what do you know? The damn things still fit.Maybe a little too well.If Rio can conquer her demons, she just might be the guiding light Grant needs. But will it be enough for them to finally have their shot at happiness?

Two of Angel Payne's most beloved series collide for the first time!It was supposed to be a quick and easy mission. It became the night that changed his life.Being in the wrong place at the wrong time isn't new for Max Brickham. During his years in black ops, it was the norm more than the exception, including the mission that broke his spirit and ended his career. As an independent contractor, he's now able to accept the cushy jobs that are best left beneath law enforcement's radar-like the assignment he takes on as a quick favor for a longtime friend. Find a princess in a city of millions before her enemies know what he's up to. Simple, right?Never has he been so wrong.Jayd Cimarron, princess of Arcadia beloved by her people and the media alike, has fled her island home after learning terrible secrets about her past. She's in Paris seeking answers, but in Brick's protective custody she finds so much more. Hidden passions. Wicked sins. The magical pieces of her sensual side, revealed by this man's hypnotic dominanceand addicting touch.Under cover and on the run, Brick and Jayd crisscross the City of Light while fighting to stay one step ahead of the Arcadian insurgents who want to imprison her, while hunting for the one man who can unlock her past. It's a terrifying tightwire without a safety net, but reaching to each other for balance is even more frightening. Every new embrace means more truths-and vulnerabilities-are bared.Stripped to their cores, can they find enough trust and strength in each other to fly into freedomor fall into heartbreak?

Two of Angel Payne's most beloved series collide for the first time!They're on borrowed time. But is it a gift to be savored or a torture to endured?Jayd Cimarron and Max Brickham gave themselves to each other during a night that was only supposed to be just that. But when the retrieval mission for Jayd turned into the rescue mission for Brick, their finite hours turned into an accidental extension in Jayd's island kingdom.But palm trees and Mediterranean breezes aren't big enough erasers for their twisted challenges. Brick is a wanted man by nearly every law enforcement agency on the globe, and Jayd is still in the crosshairs of the ruthless renegade who wants her as his ticket into Arcadian politics. Jayd's brothers don't see Brick in any better light, especially after discovering he owns two high-end dungeons that cater to people's hottest fantasies. Their edict is clear. The sooner Brick leaves Arcadia, the better.Desire dictates other plans.Brick and Jayd can't ignore the soul-deep bond that draws their bodies-and hearts-closer. In the furnace of their passion, they have no choice about acknowledging the power of their bond: a connection that's tested when Jayd disappears during a hostile invasion on Arcadia.Until now, Brick thought his worst fears had already been faced and beaten. With the help of some trusted friends, he must dive to a new level of terror inside himself-because there, in his heart, is where he'll find the way back to Jayd. The unbreakable bond of their invincible love.

Lucy Fava arrives on the Island of Arcadia desperate to save her wedding planning company. Her plan? Secure the year’s biggest bash—a double Cimarron wedding. But first she must impress the man who controls the kingdom’s purse strings, Prince Shiraz Cimarron.Beyond beautiful and unspeakably alpha, the enigmatic male ignites every drop of Lucy’s blood—and a flood of dark, dangerous fantasies. She vows to leave Arcadia as soon as possible, but when Mother Nature grounds her, she can’t resist a taste of her fiery desire for Shiraz.While trying to convince herself Shiraz is just another fling, Lucy discovers the soul hidden in his perfect body, the lover beyond his regal kisses, and the dominant fantasy she’s craved her entire life.But when real life pierces their passionate bubble, Lucy realizes seduction has become addiction, passion has turned into need, and attraction has deepened to love. Shiraz is her fantasy come true, except she never wanted a prince with obligations to an entire country.It’s time for Lucy to cut her losses and run—but will she be able to let Shiraz go without admitting he’s taking her heart and soul with him?

Brooke Valen has resigned herself to a life of adoring Samsyn Cimarron from afar. The massive warrior has been her knight in shining armor since her family was forced to seek refuge on the island of Arcadia to avoid a terrorist’s bounty. Devoted to earning Syn’s respect, Brooke fears he’ll never see her as anything more than a scrawny teen with stars in her eyes.To Samsyn Cimarron, true love is a concept best left to storybooks. Syn prefers to keep things simple with a string of one-night lovers as he focuses on the security of his country. When Brooke is wounded helping to defend the kingdom, all his careful mandates are shattered, as a night of fleeting passion with her doesn’t feel like enough.Can he fight the new sensations that come with committing everything to her? There’s a dark side of his desire…and exposing it may turn Brooke from him forever.Despite sharing a bed with the man of her dreams, Brooke has never felt more alone. Is the love in her soul strong enough to reach the beast in Syn’s? Or will Brooke have to prove her devotion further by confronting Arcadia’s arch enemy?

Is Camellia Saxon really here, as a guest in the castle of the world's most mysterious royal family? Not too long ago, she was shuffling through a humdrum suburban routine. Now, surrounded by the exotic allure of the Isle of Arcadia, she's struggling not to pinch herself.Cam's excitement turns to dread when she lays eyes on Evrest Cimarron. Beautiful, commanding, and regal, he turns her logic to ash and her blood to fire...making it all too easy to overlook the crown on his head.As an Arcadian, Evrest is already on Cam's don't-even-go-there list, and as the leader of the kingdom, he's a forbidden fantasy never to be fed...until a mishap lands Cam in Evrest's most secret chamber.Surrounded by luxury beyond imagination, she's seduced by a creature who's not just a charming host and elegant king-he's a powerful, passionate man. In Evrest's arms, Cam learns she has new identities too. The sensible girl gives way to a woman of illicit needs and sinful desires.