The history of the Aztecs has been haunted by the spectre of human sacrifice. Reinvesting the Aztecs with a humanity frequently denied to them, and exploring their spectacular religious violence as a comprehensible element of life, this book integrates a fresh interpretation of gender with an innovative study of the everyday life of the Aztecs.
Saving his sister’s life means facing magic that could destroy his. Jovian Neferis is content to live a life free of magic. Talk of angels, demons, and sorcerers is little more than myth. It certainly isn't anything as close to him as his own family. Or so he thinks. That is, until his sisters exhibit gifts of prophecy and sorcery. When his sister Amber is abducted, his remaining sisters and he give chase. Their journey across the Great Realms is filled with danger, intrigue, and magic. With every step they unearth more mystery surrounding their family. With every turn, Jovian questions what he's always believed. But something far worse than myths and legends awaits. An ancient darkness has risen, and its goal is the total destruction of his family. The Bonds of Blood is the first in an epic sword and sorcery adventure brimming with dark magic, majestic elves, and wistful fae.
A gripping, blood–drenched saga about twin brothers, the men they love, and the enduring truth that true love never dies – no matter how many times you kill it. Thierry d'Arjou has but one escape from the daily misery of his work at a medieval abattoir – Etienne de Balthas. But keeping their love a secret triggers a bloody chain of events that condemns Thierry to a monstrous immortality. Thierry quickly learns that to survive his timeless exile, he must hide his sensitive heart from the man who both eases and ensures his loneliness...his twin brother. Shaped by the fists of a brutal father, Olivier d'Arjou cares for only two things: his own pleasure and his twin. But their sadistic path through centuries is littered with old rivals and new foes, and Olivier must fight for what is rightfully his – Thierry, made immortal just for him.
The groundbreaking romantic horror trilogy, Bonds of Blood, comes to a thrilling conclusion with a story of loss, grief, and redemption. Monsters don't get to be heroes... Betrayed by his brother and imprisoned in his sister's dungeon, Olivier d'Arjou isn't about to let a few chains get in his way. A vampire for six hundred years and a plague on his family for longer, he has no reason to hold back from wiping out the last of his family members and anyone who gets in his way. But first, he'll need to break free. When Oberon North, witch and survivor of one of Olivier's most heinous crimes, comes seeking vengeance, it should be child's play to bend the witch to his will. But Oberon comes with more power and resilience than Olivier expects and forces him to confront truths he'd rather avoid. But Olivier's inner conflict must take a backseat when he learns of his sister Aurelia's plan to save the world from the demon Xadrak. A battle generations in the making, to succeed requires the ultimate sacrifice from both Olivier and his brother Thierry – and the last chance Olivier has to reclaim his humanity and a future he never thought possible.
Twelve stories of wayward travelers. Twelve stamps on the passport of the soul. Walter struggles to see past his disfigurement, but a trip to Thailand and a mysterious woman may challenge his quest for perfection. Married to a workaholic, Leslie is accustomed to solitude until her overbearing Indian mother-in-law turns her kitchen into a verbal battlefield. A woman looks for the perfect souvenir in the Turkish Bazaar and instead finds a passionate love affair. From ice storms in Maine to swimming pools in Vera Cruz, errant souls must grapple with past baggage to forge profound connections and a new sense of direction. At home and abroad, solitary travelers embark on journeys that take them where they never expected to go. Bonds of Love & Blood is a poignant collection of award-winning stories featuring life’s unexpected arrivals and departures. If you like intimate accounts of lives at the crossroads, vibrant portrayals of global locales, and elegantly-crafted prose, then you'll love Marylee MacDonald's compelling tales of travel. Buy Bonds of Love & Blood to embark on a heart-wrenching journey of love, loss, and redemption today!
A powerful emperor, mysteriously killed. A nation torn apart by conspiracies, betrayal and chaos. Amidst this, there were two young boys, brothers in arms; disgraced by the empire, they set out to avenge their master and fulfill his last wish. But will they succeed in regaining the kingdom? Or will one of them heed to the persuasive words of the evil? Will they fight together for their purpose? Or will they turn against each other in search of their true selves? A simple but thrilling story that brings out the human emotions of love, friendship, rage, hatred, thirst for power and knowledge! Join the shinobi on their journey to become the strongest warriors in the realm.
With my gift coursing through my veins, the tables have turned on the Draven Campus. I'm no longer the Giftless reject, no longer the girl who's fair game to the other students for daring to run away from my Bonds. But there are bigger problems heading my way. With destiny pushing me closer and closer to each of my Bonds, I'm fighting tooth and nail against nature to keep my distance. But they're fighting harder to keep me in their grasp. When it becomes clear that the Resistance is closer than we ever thought, I don't know who I can trust. Can I finally take control of my gift, or will it take control of me? *Savage Bonds is a full length reverse harem PNR novel with material that may be difficult for some readers. This book will end on a cliffhanger. It's recommended for 18+ due to language and sexual situations.
From the author of the romantic horror debut Beckoning Blood comes the gripping sequel that mixes blood, sex, and magic. No–one gets to choose who they spend eternity with. Aurelia d'Arjou has vampires for brothers, but it is as a witch that she comes into her own power, keeping balance and control, using her strength to mitigate the death and pain that her brothers bring. When she is forced to take on the centuries long task of keeping the world safe from the brutal demon that wore her father's skin, duty dominates her life. But rare happiness comes in the form of a beguiling, flame–haired oracle who makes the perfect companion...but for one thing. Hame doesn't want to be an oracle, but when a demon destroys the closest thing to a father he has, he has little choice but to aid Aurelia with his visions. Unable to love her as she would wish, their centuries–old friendship comes under attack when a handsome Welsh witch enters his life – and his heart. As treachery and betrayal push Hame to choose between his closest friend and his lover, it becomes clear that when it comes to war, love doesn't always conquer all, and happy endings are never guaranteed.