Mark Twain Library Long Beach

Hands. So many hands. They're everywhere, sliding up my thighs, gripping my hips, tangling in my hair. I can't see their faces, but I don't need to. I feel them. Three of them, surrounding me, claiming me. One behind me, his chest pressed against my back, his breath hot against my neck. Another in front, his mouth trailing fire down my throat. The third watching, waiting, his presence a dark promise.* "You're ours," one of them growls, and the sound vibrates through my entire body.

Do you ever wish a secret billionaire would sweep you away to a tropical island? Do you ever wish that you could be like Cinderella and find your happily ever after with the prince? From New York Times bestselling author Krista Lakes, comes a sweet but spicy Billionaire Romance Series that will have you believing in happily ever after! Each story in this series is a stand-alone one. But with all the stories happen in one world, characters will reappear in other stories. ****** The First Set: Saltwater Kisses– An accidental marriage between Jack and Emma. Rainwater Kisses– Falling in love, and finding how they fit together with Owen and Kaylee. Freshwater Kisses– Finding love in childhood friends with Robbie and Sam. BONUS: Kisses From Jack: The first half of Saltwater Kisses, but from Jack's perspective! Timeless Love Stories: Champagne Kisses– A story of long lost love and second chances with Dean and Rachel. The Second Set: Sandcastle Kisses– Finding love in all the wrong places with Noah and Izzy Hurricane Kisses– Surviving the storm together with Logan and Olivia Barefoot Kisses– A Cinderella story with Aiden and Lena The Third Set: Sunrise Kisses– Ava and Bastian discovering true beauty Waterfall Kisses– Leo finally succumbing to Charlotte's charms Island Kisses: Gabe finally meets his match in Harper!

Celestine Smith thought there was no hope for a better future after losing everything in marriage until the Alpha divorced her. Celestine took advantage of the opportunity to rise when everyone anticipated her crumbling into dust. Without the marriage binding her rights, she reclaims everything that is hers. But she must pay the price. "Let's make a deal," he adds, a deadly look on his face. "I'll get you out of this place. "What's in it for you?" Celestine asks as the man in front of her laughs. "I need to know what you want in exchange for helping me." "You." His brief response shoots lightning bolts through her body. "I want you," he says again. Celestine exhales deeply. "We have a deal."

All my life, I’ve paid for a crime I didn’t commit, being born the daughter of an ex-tyrant Alpha. For that, I’ve been bullied, hated, stripped of everything… even my rank. But nothing hurt more than falling for the one man who despises me most, Alpha Kael. The same man who cursed me with a mark I can’t erase. Just when I thought my life was over, he came. Alpha Rex. Mysterious, ruthless… and willing to wait for a heart too broken to love again. But love in our world comes with blood, betrayal, and impossible choices. And when the past comes hunting, no one leaves unscathed.

All she did was fall helplessly in love with him, but he accused her of being a traitor instead. Aurora never believed in werewolves, but she was, however, imprisoned in Alpha Brynn's mansion and eventually caught in the crossfire of love, betrayal, and blood. Theodore, the alpha’s son, has loved another woman since his teen years and considers her his fated mate, but fate leads him to Aurora instead. As feelings begin to spark, a looming danger arises. A deadly betrayal and a near-death attack force Theodore to turn Aurora into a werewolf to save her life. But before their love can deepen, his father is killed, and all evidence points to her. Now hunted and unmarked by the man she loves and his vengeful, jealous ex, Aurora must survive in a world where not every smile is genuine. Will love be her salvation or her downfall?

She was soft—kind, trusting. Until betrayal carved her open and buried the girl she used to be. What rose from that grave wasn’t weak. It wasn’t gentle. But when a ruthless Lycan Alpha steps into her path, Fate begins to stir. As secrets unravel, bloodlines collide, and marks awaken, one thing becomes terrifyingly clear: Some marks are fate. Hers might be war.

He doesn’t sleep with the same woman twice, they said. And I believed it... until he couldn’t stop touching me. Night after night, he called me to his bed like I was his favorite secret. They told me I was lucky—an omega chosen by the Alpha himself. I believed that too... until I found out I was pregnant. Then he married his Luna. He didn’t even look back. So, I ran. I ran with nothing but my pride, my broken heart, and the child growing inside me. People called me foolish. Maybe I was. But now... he’s looking for me. Searching the world like he’s lost his mind. And just when I thought my heart couldn’t be pulled in two, a man with kind eyes and a powerful soul held my hand and whispered, “Please don’t go back to him. You’re mine now.” My mate. His cousin. And the father of the child I carry? No. It can't be that easy. Because my heart still burns for the Alpha who broke it. So tell me… How do I choose between the one who marked my soul…

Aria Monroe never believed the supernatural worlds she read about in her favorite novels could be real—until the night she fled her abusive husband with her daughter and stumbled into a forest pulsing with ancient magic. There, she meets Kaelion Duskbane, a mysterious and impossibly powerful man who claims she is his fated mate. Kaelion is no ordinary supernatural. He is a tribrid—vampire, werewolf, and witch—descended from a bloodline that has ruled for centuries. As King of All Supernaturals, he hides secrets even his council fears to whisper. His powers go beyond the known limits of magic, and his connection to the divine creators—the Moon Goddess, the Star God, and the Blood Father—marks him as chosen. But fate has more in store than a royal romance. As Aria is drawn deeper into Kaelion’s world, she begins unlocking powers of her own—abilities no human should possess. Their bond triggers ancient prophecies, divine intervention, and a war between light and shadow. With Kaelion’s brother Lucien discovering his own mate and secrets unraveling at every turn, Aria must choose whether to embrace her destiny or be consumed by it. Twists, betrayals, and steamy passion collide in this supernatural saga where love is power, and power can change the world.

Lyra Vale has always lived a careful life in a world where humans share uneasy truces with supernatural beings. But when the mysterious crescent-shaped mark behind her ear begins to burn, she’s drawn to Moonmark Ink—a tattoo shop in the dangerous, supernatural-controlled town of Ashridge Hollow. Her plan to cover the mark quickly unravels when she meets Ronan Bane, the magnetic, alpha werewolf who has been haunting her dreams for months. Ronan knows exactly who Lyra is: his fated mate, caught between two worlds as a rare half-human, half-wolf. Their connection is undeniable, but Lyra is unaware of her heritage or the pull of her first moon heat. As desire intensifies, Ronan must protect her from rival packs, prowling vampires, and the political dangers tied to her bloodline—especially if she’s connected to the powerful and dangerous Duskfang Pack. Torn between fear and an attraction that defies logic, Lyra is forced to confront truths about her lineage, the supernatural politics of the Hollow, and the primal bond tying her to Ronan. In a world where trust is fragile and predators lurk in every shadow, surrendering to their connection might be the most dangerous choice of all. Marked by Moonlight is a steamy, suspense-filled paranormal romance about fate, secrets, and the burning pull of a love written in the stars. It is also a four-part series telling the tale of not just Ronan and Lyra, but of the people they trust. Each book blends into the other as they find a way to survive the war to come.

My boyfriend, Tom, promised a grand mating ceremony for my twentieth birthday. But at my banquet, he publicly requested a mate link with my stepsister, Lily. While the whole pack roared and cheered, I just stood there like a fool. The betrayal hit hard. Before I could even breathe, Sam—the Obsidian Pack's Alpha heir—said he'd secretly loved me all along and asked to claim me. I said yes. For five years, he spoiled me. Memorized my favorite runs, my wolf's quirks. Then I overheard him with his Beta: "Sam, Lily's Luna of White Rose Pack now, just like she wanted. You still gonna fake it with Any?" "I can't have Lily. Doesn't even matter who my mate is anymore. As long as I'm with Any, Lily's safe and happy." Later that night, I found his safe in the study. Inside? Every single thing she ever gave him. Handmade wolf fang pendants. Letters sealed with her paw print. His prized chest armor, every single scale etched with her name: [Lily, my dearest love. I'd shred through every thorn for your smile.] [Lily, rip out my wolf heart if you needed it. ] [Lily! Hell, I'd steal the whole damn world if you asked.] Five years. Five years of lies, shattered in seconds. I filed my request to leave the pack. In two days, I'd be out of Sam's life for good.