Showing results by narrator "Kirt Graves" in All Categories

In 2159, the Democratic State Force gains ground every day. As they fight to bring representative democracy back, they become heroes to the citizens indentured to the United Corporations of America. Widely spread guerilla units support the first civilian protests the country has seen in decades. Now it’s the Corporations on the defensive. And they are getting desperate.

Ralph Lewis, otherwise known as Po’Boy, made one decision that changed the trajectory of his entire life. On the losing end of a schoolyard fight, he’d been on his back in the dust, glaring up at the boy who’d flattened him. Had watched unbelieving as that same boy stretched out his hand, offering to help Ralph to his feet. Against every instinct, he had accepted. In that instant, he went from friendless pariah to having a partner and ally. For the first time in his life, he was respected...and feared.

Seven Corporations rule the former United States with seven codes of conduct based on their ideas of morality. Comply with the code of the Corporation that holds your Citizen Contract, or suffer the economic consequences. Or fight back. For 60 years the Democratic State Force has been fighting to return representative democracy to the country. Living in the no man’s lands between cities and hanging on by their fingernails, the thinly spread guerrilla force hasn’t gotten far. But they have a secret weapon: their finest unit, Base 1407. Handle: The Wildcards.

Sexy bartender Seth Marino is the epitome of the allure and sophistication for which the town of Lavender Shores is known. For 20 years, Seth has found contentment and happiness as co-owner of the Blue Blossom Bed and Breakfast. Seth’s kind heart, good looks, and humor charm both locals and tourists - except the one person who despises him. Charley Perez began building the life of his dreams a few years before Seth moved to town.

In this short story from the Aces High, Jokers Wild universe, Tweak and Abigail put their heads together and find out if they can use unpatented seeds to resurrect something truly precious: a cacao tree. Along the way, they explore the ethics of genetic engineering and what it really takes to survive a drier, hotter world. Come see what can grow out of a few seeds.

Tommy Dees is in the weeds - restaurant speak for beyond overwhelmed. He's been working at Sunset Estates Retirement Community to get the experience he needs to attend one of the best culinary schools in the world. And he also needs a letter of recommendation from his sadistic manager. In exchange for the letter, Tommy has to meet three conditions - including train new-hire Gabriel. Gabe, with the dimples and kind heart, who Tommy crushed on during summer camp at age ten and then never saw again. Unfortunately, Gabe doesn't remember Tommy at all.

What do you do when you’re assigned a commander that you can’t take orders from? If you’re the Wildcards, you put your heads together and get rid of him. After all, the Wildcards are known for creative insubordination, chaos, and commanders begging to be reassigned.

George Bell, aka Twisted, knows the odds are against him. Have been all his life. Born in a Louisiana bordello, raised around the rough and rowdy men of a motorcycle club, he’s never been the lucky type. But he believes luck can change, so when fate gives him a glimpse of breathtaking beauty, he’s more than willing to roll the dice. Chancing upon what could be the woman of his dreams, he’s prepared to push this streak as far as he can.

One thousand years ago, the Elduari conquered the country of Varen in a brutal war. Now, every few generations they subject their one-time enemies to a terrible tradition: bloodthirsty monsters are unleashed across the land, attacking indiscriminately, keeping the population in a perpetual dark age.

Trapped in a necromancer’s tower on the longest night of the year. Merek is a pillar of his country community and a confirmed bachelor. He had his chance at love, and he let it slip away. But he’s got friends, a faithful dog, and a snug home. Holidays can be difficult, but Merek knows how to handle loneliness. When he volunteers to house-sit for a necromancer on the day before Solstice, Merek expects to be doing the job with no companion apart from his dog. He’s displeased to be trapped in the tower overnight by a sudden snow storm.

Calaf and Ishmael are two friends thrust into a world of clashing empires in third century CE Rome and Persia. Growing up in the court of the brutal Kushan emperor Timur, Calaf is Timur’s son and heir, and Ishmael is the son of Timur's scribe. They are inseparable, with ties of love and devotion that stretch back to births days apart and shrouded in mystery. When Calaf nearly dies saving Ishmael, his father is furious that the prince would risk his life for a servant, and does all that he can to separate the friends.

Theo Reese is just like any other 17-year-old — with one small exception. This summer all he wants is to spend time with his boyfriend, Eddie, and work on his MIT research project. His parents have other plans. An old friend needs the help of Theo’s family. Oliver Glenwood is an '80s music star who runs his own label. His wife and his daughter, Sofia, now a chart-topper herself, are the targets of kidnappers. Oliver hopes they can eliminate whoever is behind the threat.

Confident businessman Joel Rhodes sees the small California town of Lavender Shores as nothing more than a business opportunity and a final stepping stone to the position he's been working toward his entire life. It was supposed to be just one night in town to close the deal, and sleeping with one of the local men, no matter how gorgeous, meant nothing more than a few hours of fun. Andrew Kelly is perfectly content with the life he has in his hometown. So much so that the only thing missing is someone to share it with.

Sander Fiala, Duke of Roses, is fourth in line to the South Abarran throne, even though his rogue power earned him the nickname “The Monster of Roses” and got him banished from the castle. But right before he’s about to set off on his annual birthday sailing trip, the queen asks him to meet with the notoriously volatile North Abarran Duke of Arles. Tarik Jaso, Duke of Arles, expects the worst from people. So when he’s attacked and wakes up in the cabin of a stranded boat, he knows he’s royally screwed. Because the man looming over him is the infamous Monster of Roses.

In 2127, a young farmhand who calls herself Janice runs away from her corporate contract, her home, and everything in her past. Ahead of her is the Colorado desert, baking in a hundred and ten degrees of summer heat. But it’s better than what’s behind her.

In the rough realm of bikers, there are no shortcuts to win a place among the old guard. It’s a world where respect can only be earned, trust is painfully gained, and loyalty will be fiercely returned. Jerry Rogers lived his life bound to those firm tenets which anchored his brotherhood. MHL&R was more than a patch on a leather cut; it ran thick as blood through Retro’s veins as he worked to better things for his club, and family. Confronted by evidence that what happened in the past wouldn’t remain quietly buried any longer, Retro embarks on his most important journey.

Po’Boy, Wrench, and Crissy show how they're meant to be in this saucy and sassy story about love, and change, and doing a whole lot more than just getting by. Now that Po’Boy has found his happy with the two people he loves more than life itself, he just has to figure out how to keep it. Their triad relationship walks a finely balanced line between the demands of their outside lives and in bed, and Po’Boy is determined to keep things good and sweet for his partners.

Eighteen months ago, Tarik Jaso, Duke of Arles, would have been thrilled if Sander Fiala, Duke of Roses, sank beneath the waves along with his stupid boat. That was then.

All Robbie Fontaine ever wanted was a place to belong. After the death of his mother, he bounces around from pack to pack, forming temporary bonds to keep from turning feral. It’s enough – until he receives a summons from the wolf stronghold in Caswell, Maine. Life as the trusted second to Michelle Hughes – the Alpha of all – and the cherished friend of a gentle old witch teaches Robbie what it means to be pack, to have a home. But when a mission from Michelle sends Robbie into the field, he finds himself questioning where he belongs and everything he’s been told.

In the ruins of Caswell, Maine, Carter Bennett learned the truth of what had been right in front of him the entire time. And then it – he – was gone. Desperate for answers, Carter takes to the road, leaving family and the safety of his pack behind, all in the name of a man he only knows as a feral wolf. But therein lies the danger: wolves are pack animals, and the longer Carter is on his own, the more his mind slips toward the endless void of Omega insanity. But he pushes on, following the trail left by Gavin; the son of Robert Livingstone. The half-brother of Gordo Livingstone.