Showing results by author "C. S. Johnson" in All Categories

Prague, 1870. For the last 10 years, 19-year-old Eleanora Svobodová has worked as a servant in her stepmother's household. Along with her older brother, she dreams of the day they will be free to live life on their own terms. But everything changes when their estranged grandmother comes to Prague on behalf of Queen Victoria.

After joining the Order of the Crystal Daggers, led by her dauntless grandmother, Lady Penelope, Eleanora Svobodová set out to save her kingdom from oncoming devastation. And she failed. Following the attack on Prague Castle, Eleanora is determined to redeem herself. She sets out to win Karl’s trust while distancing herself from Ferdy, whose secrets and lies have done nothing to stop her from falling in love with him.

Amir Qureshi knew his life would never be the same the day he met Naděžda Ollerton-Cerná, much to his chagrin. With her sharp wit and brazen charm, Naděžda is as infuriating as she is irresistible, and Amir cannot stop himself from falling in love with her - even though they can never be together. As an ally to the Order of the Crystal Daggers, under the command of Naděžda’s indomitable mother, Amir knows there is no place for love in the life of a spy.

Saturn. The Ringed Planet. Harbinger of ideas and wonder. The planet that gave birth to the modern era of science envisioning the myriad of multi-colored rings circling the planet, one of the reasons for the invention of the telescope, and the second largest in our solar system. These are the stories of Saturn, the great Titan. Tales of time, age, and endings.

There's nothing worse than a long ride in the car with AB, or so Kallie thinks as they head off to the Fairview Mountain Rehab Center to pay a visit to Trevor Darlington. But once they arrive, she finds there are some things that are indeed worse than Abuela-Blanca's kami-nazi driving—such as running into Azure, her fashion designer from Model Middle America. Only he's not Azure—or is he? There's nothing "Azure" about the pasty-faced, non-makeup-wearing man who shares Azure's face. Kallie's more than certain it's a twin thing, even as he begs her to keep his devastating secret.

Orpah Abraham has always been a woman who's had the world against her. After working hard and doing her best to appeal to all the right people, she's learned the full value of persistence and perseverance. But now that Martha Davidson—her one true rival for the coveted title of Pie Queen, and the one woman she'd never been able to win over—is dead, and her friends and family are asking questions, Orpah finds her career and reputation on the line. For her, it's time to draw a line in the sand—and cross it herself. It's time for No More Miss Nice Pie.

Garland Morris is an easygoing guy—eager to please, quick with a smile, and always interested in a good gamble. For years, he's enjoyed his job at the First Bank of Fairmont, especially since it provides him the stability he needs to be a little adventurous when it comes to hedging his bets. But when Charles Piper and Orpah Abraham, Fairview's most respected judge and one of Alabama's most prominent media figures, approach him, each asking for a "special request" regarding the bank's financial records, Morris finds himself stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Upon their return from a largely disappointing trip to Florida, Kallie and AB are both expecting a slow week. However, their expectations are quickly subverted when AB finds out there are still more radioactive doughnuts out in the city—and one's been eaten by none other than Officer Max Powers, the same man who'd helped Kallie the night of her Model Middle America audition. And when Officer Powers becomes his greatest fear—a man with nothing left to lose, wildly desperate to enact vengeance against his brother's killer—Kallie and AB have new, unpleasant questions to answer.

After a lifetime of failure and half-hearted successes, Edith Hennessey is far from content with her life—but she's still grateful to at least be alive. When her best friend and next-door neighbor, Martha Davidson, is found dead, Edith strives to think of a way to honor her passing.

Kallie once looked forward to the Spring Fling, the one dance allowed at Cuttingham City High School. It was too easy to dream of Blake Turner as her perfect date.... But now, thanks to her deal with Abuela-Blanca, they’re spending the weekend in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, attending the “retirement gala” for Zina “ZZ” Morozova--one of the last and youngest inductions to the KGB.

The first time I fell in love with Princess Mele was when I saw her smile, and I fell in love with her the second time the moment I heard her sing.

Kitsuneko has always done her best to honor her duty. As a young fox-cat changeling, she was conscripted into slavery by King Dario and Queen Arianna of Toulacoeur to serve as the surrogate for Princess Cari, their daughter who was kidnapped 17 years ago. But when Kiro, Cari's younger brother and the heir to the throne, proclaims his love for her, Kitsuneko is torn between her duty to the kingdom and her desire for the virtuous prince. And when Kiro's kisses leave her breathless, Kitsuneko finds herself—and the kingdom—in mortal danger.

What makes a book sexy? I’m not talking about erotica per se, but what is the difference between a book you eagerly devour and a book you slum your way through? While there are individual exceptions, the most objective difference between a good story and a downright terrible one is simple—it all comes down to the writing. It’s either good writing, and we can forgive the technical flaws a little more easily, or it’s bad writing, and bad writing is just bad. Good writing is more than just good writing. Good writing is sexy.

Known as the dark-skinned princess from the southern colonies—formerly the kingdom of Marula—Ebony is no stranger to hardship and loneliness. Forced into royal servitude after the death of her father, Ebony resolved to keep her head held high despite her sorrow—no matter how much vitriol she endured from her stepmother, Varyes, queen of Pommier. As the queen’s son, Prince Rion, helps to piece her broken heart back together with his love and kindness, Ebony begins to hope she will one day find a new home for herself.

Charles Piper has been a respected judge in the small town of Fairmont, but there is little he can do to sway the courts of public opinion. When Martha Davidson's marriage fell apart, he was quick to offer her his help, and she was quick to return his kindness with his favorite chocolate pie—and that's when the town's whispers began to swirl....

Aerie St. Cloud spent her life under the regime of the United Revolutionary States, working toward the day she would earn her place in the Military Academy at New Hope—and the affection and acceptance of her family unit. But when she is accidentally captured by the fearsome space pirate, Captain Chainsword, Aerie finds herself in the center of conflicts between her worlds and her heart.

Life in the United Revolutionary States has never been easy for Aerie St. Cloud. Recovering from recent injuries and unable to recall the last few weeks of her life, she feels haunted by a growing absence in her memory. Stepping out in search of the truth, she is determined to get the answers she seeks—even if they only bring her more pain.

Aerie and Exton are still at war with the Revolutionary States, but there is much to celebrate. Now that they are together again, Aerie finally has what she's always wanted: a loving home. But her past, and her parents, are far from letting her move on with her new life. When Merra escalates the war with her treachery, Aerie is faced with an impossible choice: save her mother or betray Exton. With the fate of the planet on the line, Aerie and Exton know their decisions could mean the difference between victory and defeat. Can they pay the price that war—and true love—demands?

Asher Davidson is headed home to visit his mama and sister, and to see his wayward older brother, too - and he's bringing home a surprise: Pamela Pearson, the love of his life, and the woman he intends to share his future with. But with the murder of his mother, and the revelation of past family secrets, Asher finds that he and Pamela may not go together, as sweetly as he'd originally thought.

Despite the many demands that come with being a member of the Order of the Crystal Daggers, Eleanora Svobodová has plenty of reasons to celebrate. With Lumiere’s capture and Lady Penelope’s reluctant acceptance of Ferdy, not even Ben’s painful ire can completely diminish her joy. But just as the future begins to look bright, the past catches up to Eleanora and the other members of the Order. Can Eleanora and the Order find a way to save the kingdom? And even if they do, will they be able to survive a new betrayal from among their ranks?