Showing results by narrator "Lee Samuel" in All Categories

Austin joins Dallas and Houston in Akashic's deep dive into the Lone Star State's darkest dimensions. Featuring brand-new stories by: Gabino Iglesias, Ace Atkins, Amanda Moore, Jeff Abbott, Scott Montgomery, Richard Z. Santos, Alexandra Burt, Lee Thomas, Miriam Kuznets, Jacob Grovey, Chaitali Sen, Molly Odintz, Amy Gentry, and Andrew Hilbert.

All I ever wanted to do was please my parents. But when I realized that wasn’t going to happen, I stopped trying and did as I pleased for the first time in my life. Was I a spoiled princess? Far from it. But I did take a vacation. And met a stranger I think I fell in love with. Worse, it terrified me and I ran. Like a coward. Imagine my shock when I learn he’s right here in New York City. Guy Hamilton is the man I could never stop thinking about, and when our paths cross again, I learn it’s been the same for him.

For some reason, my new boss has it out to get me. Innocent little me? I'm just a petite, talented, darling little thorn in his side. Okay, my words, not his. But he can't fire me unless I quit—long story. The joke's on him because I couldn't even quit chewing gum, let alone my dream job. So, I thought I had it handled.

It wasn’t my expectation to fall into bed with the woman who won me at the bachelor auction. I was only doing my grandma a favor, not looking for more than a shared dinner with the winner. Then again, I wasn’t expecting someone as hot as Isla to be my date. She makes it clear that she’s down for a night in the sheets but bolts, leaving me holding my junk—literally. Which I figure, in the end, is all fine and good because love burned me before, and I have no plans to repeat that soul-crushing heartbreak.

I fell in love with a boy who became my everything. Keane Stone was my first love. I thought I’d grow old with him. We had a future filled with promises, until one fateful night. One tragic accident, and just like that, he slipped into a coma. For years, I clung to hope; holding on to every 'what if.' But life doesn’t stand still. Eventually, I had to learn how to live again. Grief clung to me like a second skin when Haydn Wesford came into my life. He’s a professional hockey goalie with a natural instinct to protect.

It takes everything I have not to keep touching her whenever we’re together. But the pull is more than physical. We barely know each other, but I know there’s something calling me to her. Surprisingly, it’s not about what I can see. When I’m with her, I see myself differently. I thought I knew a lot about women, but Jenny’s a masterclass.

Introvert Dion is a quiet storm that’s been building for thirty-five years. Behind the shyness hides passion, and a wild love from a gentle soul that no woman has been able to uncover. Then he lays eyes on an exotic young beauty, gazing in Santini’s Delicatessen window. Christmas just came early. Anya is an impressive cook, good with children, and thrives in new situations. Lately, her fantasies of the sexy guy working the deli have made the season brighter. Maybe an innocent flirt would be a fun way to end her time in St. Helena.

It started on Halloween when I saw her, dressed as a witch, walking alone down a darkened road. She looked like trouble and temptation wrapped in mystery. From that first glance to our last goodnight, something shifted. For the first time in a long time, the shadows lifted. If older women are made of this kind of magic, I’ve been casting my line in the wrong waters. When we kissed, it wasn’t just sparks—it was equal ground. No games. No masks. Just us.

St. Helena's new veterinarian is six feet of handsome with a big side of sexy. But the widower isn't using his gifts. His focus is his young son, Max. Moving back to his hometown has provided the boy with stability and a big extended family. Farrah cared for her ailing parents for a hard six years. With a friend's offer of a job in a more affordable location, she's about to sell her inherited home. She wants to have an adventure, and maybe she'll find it in a fresh start.

Captain Elouise Farrington, the youngest pirate on the Caviar Sea, seeks revenge on her father’s killer. But when her oddly hypnotic foe proposes a pact to kill the Siren Queen and end the War of the Sea’s bloodshed, she must make a choice. Put aside her long-brewing retribution or act the underhanded pirate and use the alliance to claim the life of the man who destroyed her family?

Birdie Walton's life is unexpected. When she finds out she is pregnant after a one-night stand at a college party, everything she had planned is ruined. This new revelation leaves her to decide if she has what it takes to be a mother, despite having never had one to look up to. Then, she meets Miles, the grumpy, borderline-alcoholic neighbor, and the two of them seem completely wrong for each other. But despite the fact they can't stand each other, they spend moment after moment sitting on the porch of their duplex, learning about each other.

Ryan Shea has sworn off men. After her last relationship imploded in front of her eyes, she decided to take a break from swimming in the dating pool…possibly forever. The brilliant computer whiz loses her brain when it comes to love, and jumping feet first burns her every time. Without a home or much of a clue where life is headed, taking a trip back to the small town of Fawn Hill to stay with her best friend seems like the only option. Except it puts Ryan directly in the path of the one man she can’t fall for.

Forrest Nash is a smug know-it-all. With his brains, ridiculous good looks and penchant for disobeying the laws of both the police and the dark web, Fawn Hill’s resident genius is cockier than any man Penelope Briggs has ever encountered. It doesn’t help that their six-year age difference makes him completely ineligible in her eyes. Add in the fact that he doesn’t want marriage or babies, and that should eliminate him from the dating pool forever. But it doesn’t mean she can’t sleep with him. Once. Or twice. Or ten times.

Lily Grantham has always done what she’s been told. The daughter of a senator, she grew up as the good girl of Fawn Hill, and carried that torch right on through to adulthood. Her only wild streak? Bowen Nash. She loved that boy since the day they laid eyes on each other, and it nearly ended them both. A decade later, and Lily still can’t move on, even if Bowen has made it clear he doesn’t love her anymore.

One short trip to the wine store had me returning with a red wine stain on my white outfit and an attitude. When the cocky man who gave me both shows up for my "welcome home" party, things get interesting. Sexy and cocky, Max Shine, the locally famous weatherman, is the life of the party. His dance moves have all the ladies standing in line for a chance. I hate him. So why do I want his mouth on me? Why do I want to fight the woman hanging on him? Then he opens his mouth and reminds me. Yep, I hate him.

My flight was cancelled and I ended up sharing a ride home with a guy I had met on my vacation. But he was no ordinary guy. Two hundred pounds of sexy. Six foot three made of steel. Top scorer both on and off the ice. This hottie knew how to slap a puck!

Alexander (Xander) Livingston left college with the dream of becoming CEO of his uncle's technology company. Nine years later, all his dreams have come true. All except for one: marrying the love of his life. Madison (Maddie) Hightower had always been a loner until Xander came along. Devastated after he left her behind to chase his dreams, she focused all her energy on becoming president of a digital software company - the same business Xander is slated to take over.

Tatum Trevino waltzed into my life like he owned it. The renowned soccer star showed up as my new coach and changed everything. Until rumors started flying about the bad-boy prodigy kicked off his team. I thought he was nothing but another cocky playboy, but there was another side to him under the facade. Late training sessions, secret getaways, and a delicious sleeve of tattoos led to temptation. We kept our relationship private, but I wasn’t the only secret he was keeping.

Conor Hammond is desperate. Well, not quite - but desperate enough to do something potentially stupid. His high school reunion is right around the corner and, now that he’s a wealthy business owner, all those girls who used to diss him will want to hit on him - and he needs a buffer. His assistant Morgan Tredway’s going to help out by playing his fiancée for the weekend. But then Conor notices how nice Morgan’s legs look in those red heels...and Morgan remembers how she used to have a crush on her boss.

After seven years of competing, Adam is at the top of his game in the surf world. But troubles at home have forced him to consider retiring earlier than expected. With the possibility of a final competition in his future, the pressure is on Adam to perform; to leave on a high note. Long hours practicing at the beach only causes more turmoil between him and Lindsay...until finally, the stress reaches a boiling point and someone gets burned.