The Next Pope: The Leading Cardinal Candidates

This is not a stand-alone book. You have to have read book one: Flight of the cardinal. The last surviving member of the royal Cardinal family took flight after the uprising. Princess Cressida Cardinal–now living as Ida- spent the last ten years since the uprising in hiding. During her indenture as a maid in the Kestrel household, she found her fated mate Xander, and together they escaped the clutches of an angry Duke Kestrel, only to tumble into more turmoil. In book one, they uncovered a secret about Ida's heritage while searching for answers to explain her powerful magic. Ida is a hybrid. Part Faith and part magic wielder. This makes her a dangerous weapon that could unleash all hell on earth. But there is a sinister reason why no other hybrids exist. Osprey has now captured Ida and took her into custody within the very castle she used to call home. While in his care, Ida's life is turned upside down, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. As Ida is imprisoned, Xander must hide and bide his time until he can rescue her. He cannot count on the support from the rebellion, as he suspects there is a traitor amongst them. This will cause Xander to embrace his Lycan legacy and set out to find loyal supporters in the last Lycan pack. Alas, time is short when he learns Ida has escaped and found the one who bound her as a child. Will he reach her in time and prevent Ida from losing herself with the torrent of power in her, or will the past repeat itself and bring their entire world into chaos, dooming all humans, shifters, and magic wielders alike? Find out in the last book of this series.

The uprising killed the royal Cardinal family. The Cardinals were magic wielders and had ruled for over five hundred years with an iron fist. Eventually, the humans waged war against wielders and shifters. They overthrew the crown, branding all non-human beings as Unnaturals and leaving them to fend for themselves in a broken world. Ida has spent those last ten years since the uprising sold from one household to another, never able to repay her indenture. The situation, although not ideal, has offered her a second chance at life. A life in hiding was better than no life at all, and she did not wish to suffer the same fate as others of her kind. Sold into the services of Duke Kestrel, she meets a seductive yet mysterious Lord Alexander. Already in his thirties, Xander cares very little for his title and responsibilities. He should have been married years ago, but no woman appears to please him. Many assume he is simply difficult, but not all is what it seems. Xander carries the weight of being a shifter, unable to find his mate in this new kingdom. After a chance meeting between them, Ida becomes overwhelmed by Alexander's mixed signals. She dares not succumb to her inner feelings. Letting Xander in would mean opening up about what she truly is, and she is determined to keep her past hidden. Xander, however, has other plans. He intends to get his mate by whatever means necessary. When both their lives intertwine by fate, a new quest emerges fraught with danger as they encounter all walks of life trying to tear them apart. Can their love survive, or is there a more sinister plot afoot?

“You can’t love me. We can’t be together. It will ruin my career. It will ruin my life!” That’s what Kayla Danes told Corvin Marlowe when their relationship started becoming real. As one of the country’s most beloved actresses, Kayla was bound by a strict contract–one that required her to maintain the illusion of romance with her loveteam partner who used to be her real boyfriend, Derek Boyles. Her fame was built on that loveteam, and her fans worshipped the fantasy they created. Loving someone else wasn’t just discouraged. It was forbidden. Corvin, a billionaire hotel tycoon, promises he’ll take care of her, even pay the penalty if she breaks the contract. But Kayla has worked hard for her career. It’s everything to her, and she refuses to lose it because of a love she isn’t supposed to have. But after that one night with Corvin and more unexpected meetings afterward, staying away becomes harder and harder. Things get even worse when Derek finds out about their secret relationship. Out of jealousy or spite, and wanting all the sympathy for himself, he reveals everything and turns it into a scandal that puts Kayla in an even tougher spot. Now, Kayla has to make a choice: Her career or the man she loves. But is she ready to let go of either one?

Matthias Lowell, an unrivaled warrior, was consumed with fury when his wife and daughter were oppressed. Driven by revenge, he traveled far just to avenge them. I, Matthias Lowell, answer to no one! My sole purpose is to ensure the safety of my family, and anyone who dares to harm them will face my wrath. All warriors of the Legion of the Unbreakable, listen up: take them down!

A stunning married woman came to me, asking to share an apartment. She could not afford the rent, so she offered to pay with her body instead. I thought I had conquered her both body and soul, but it turned out she had other intentions. What I had believed was a moment of passion turned out to be a dangerous trap, as this woman was a black widow. She snuggled up to me, laughing softly. "Don't you know that lust is a double-edged sword?'"

Getting rid of Mina, Fred's wife, after five years of her problematic self, he finally felt relieved. He needed a new wife so he got married to Jayda on the contract that she was going to be given 1.5 billion dollars. Fred and Jayda had shared a strong bond a few years back after an accidental 'one night stand'.Trying to balance their relationship seemed to be a problem as both of them were too enclosed in the fear of revealing their pasts and problems, with Jayda being so cold…READ ON TO DIVE INTO THE LOVE STORY OF JAYDA AND FRED AS THINGS UNFOLD BETWEEN THEM.