Title: Rejected Mates
Author: Dania Voss, et al
Genre: Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy Anthology
Book Blurb:
Secrets, Lies, Betrayals.
Add a dash of danger and a pinch of sin,
Heart-pounding stories are waiting within…
What happens when fate steals their happily-ever-after? When the one person they were supposed to spend their life with rejects them? Can these shifters, vampires, demons, and fae find love again from the ashes of rejection?
Or will they be tied to the mates who rejected them, forced to find a way back to them or suffer for an eternity?
Lose yourself in the magic of this limited edition paranormal romance and urban fantasy collection featuring 20+ rejected mate stories full of heartache, angst, second chances, frenemies, and forbidden love.
Authors included in this set are Rebecca Hamilton, Kathrin Hutson, Sofia Storm, Eliza Gayle, K.G. Reuss, Brenda Trim, Skye Alder, D.E. Chapman, Rebekah R. Ganiere, Ashley C. Harris, A.G. Harris, Brantwijn Serrah, Stephanie Mirro, Aliyah Burke, Jennifer Laslie, Julie L. Kramer, Krysta Fox, Lily Winter, Sapphire Winters, Kyrii Rayne, Dania Voss, Missy De Graff, Cassidy K. O'Connor, Candace Sams, Verika Sloane, and Elena Forest.
Excerpts:
Blurb for Leopold by Dania Voss, participating author for Rejected Mates
Rejected? Not this alpha.
Returning home newly divorced from the jerk her family warned her about, Brianna Palermo lands her dream job at The Lion’s Den, a hot new nightclub chain that features live big cats like tigers, leopards, cougars, and lions. It’s an amazing place to work, except Brianna is afraid of cats and does her best to avoid them. But less avoidable is her new boss, and owner of the club. He has kissable lips and a dominance she’s drawn to. When he claims she’s his, she promptly informs him she’s sworn off relationships, and isn’t willing to put her heart on the line again.
Leopold Van Housen has everything he could want – wealth, power, dashing good looks, adoring women in his bed, a precious black kitten, and most importantly - a lush, thick head of hair. When his positions as pride alpha and national shifter leader are threatened by the International Shifter Syndicate because he isn’t mated and has no heir, he’s infuriated. Things go from bad to worse when he meets his fated mate, and she rejects him, but then continues to work for him, teasing him with her tantalizing scent.
But Leopold isn’t willing to give Brianna up without a fight, no matter how much her rejection stings. And threats be damned! His mother suggests he try a subtler approach to win over his delectable, feisty human mate. Easier said than done for someone who’s used to his every command being followed without question.
The battle lines have been drawn. His reluctant little mate won’t know what hit her, and she'll be purring in no time. Let the wooing begin!
Excerpt from Treaty Born by Krysta Fox, participating author for Rejected Mates
AYSHA
The wind howled around the little car, battering it with icy shards of rain. A gust pushed it toward the right, and I fought to keep it on the winding road.
"Just get to the trees," I muttered to myself, my knuckles white on the steering wheel. "Just get into the trees and you'll be fine."
The metal groaned as another blast hit us, and I bit my lip. Glancing up at the mirror, I checked the back seat for any disturbance. Everything was quiet. The car lurched to the right again and I forced my gaze forward, wrenching the vehicle back onto the road. Relief hit me as we dropped off the edge of the pavement, onto the gravel that marked the boundary I'd been searching for. Seconds later, the dark shapes of trees loomed up on either side of the narrow road. Rain still fell, but the sound of the storm faded instantly and I felt my muscles release. Safety was close now.
The small car chugged along. It wasn't fast, but it doggedly handled every dip and twist in the road as we climbed toward our destination. I could feel the sting of tears in the back of my eyes, a lump forming in my throat, but I refused to give in to them. Until I had found the Safe House, I wasn't going to give in to the emotions swirling through me.
After two switchbacks and a sharp turn to keep the wheels on the road, the cabin appeared before me, the promise of safety burning from the candle in the front window. A sound strangely like a sob escaped me at the sight. I coasted to a stop and took a moment to collect myself, pulling my hood up before daring to open my door. I shivered as the rain hit, stinging my exposed hands with the chill, but pulled open the back door, lifting out the blanket draped shape before running to the porch.
As I took the steps in two long strides, my arms shook with the weight I carried, but I didn't set it down. Not yet. There would be time to rest once I was inside. At the wide front door, I took a shaky breath. The scent of moss and fertile earth mixed with the ozone rich odor of the storm, a comforting combination that was familiar. I'd been here once before. Years ago when I was younger and truly alone.
My hands full, I kicked the wooden door with the tip of my boot. Striking once and then twice, followed by a pause before delivering two more sharp kicks. Strangers stumbling onto this place out here were rare, but knowing the code meant something to whoever was waiting on the other side of the secured door. It prepared them for what they might face.
Just as I began to worry that I'd been wrong, that the light in the window didn't mean what I thought it did, the door was wrenched open and I stumbled inside. Warmth washed over me, along with the soothing smell of Pack. Home. After far too long, I was finally home.
The distinctive click of a trigger pulled back to its first position made me flinch.
"Well, little visitor, I think you should probably tell us who you are." The voice was rough, tinged with warning and the hint of a growl beneath it. I tightened my grip on what I carried, lifting my eyes defiantly, something I hadn't done in a long time. My hood fell back and I took in the presence of four large men. Their scent marked them as wolves, but their stance told me they were all soldiers. Veterans of the Treaty War.
The man before me froze when my eyes met his and my stomach clenched as recognition sparked between us.
"Aysha?" he asked, the threat running beneath his previous statement wiped away. Something else replaced it. Something like hope, or maybe even grief.
I forced myself to remain steady and strong under the amber gaze trained on me. My fingers curling possessively over what I held, I answered. "Hello, Calder."
Excerpt from Graveyard Shift, The Grave Warden Saga, by K.G. Reuss, participating author for Rejected Mates
Sophira
“Sophira. Zander is here.”
“I’d hope so,” I said, looking around the room. I had to keep an eye out for the jerk in case he tried to light my dress on fire or something. Tonight was the choosing. His perfect mate would be picked from hundreds of names by the cauldron. I knew my name was going into the depths, but I wasn’t worried. Our hatred for one another ran far too deep for the fates to lump us together for eternity.
“There he is. Ugh. He looks amazing.”
“Where?” I didn’t really care how he looked, but I did want to keep an eye on him in case he really did try to cast on me and send me squealing straight to the beyond in a blaze of glory.
I didn’t have to wait long to find him.
“Well, if it isn’t Sucky Von Morris.” His voice rang out behind me, using the nickname he’d given me when we were kids. I let out a groan, drawing in a deep breath and counting to three before I turned around to greet him.
“Zander,” I said tightly, taking in his slicked back black hair and dark suit that had obviously been tailored to hug every muscle he’d sprouted over the years we’d know one another.
“Wow, Sophira?” His green eyes widened as they raked over me. A blush, something very unlike him, clouded his handsome features before he cleared his throat, averting his eyes. Inside, I smiled smugly. I’d never made Zander blush before. Mom and her friends had done a great job on my attire tonight.
“How are you doing, Zander?” Hazel chuckled as Zander ran his fingers through his black hair.
“Uh, good.” Zander glanced at me quickly. “I, uh, almost didn’t recognize your face there for a second.”
“Well, I’d never forget your face,” I shot back. A grin spread over his features, reaching his sparkling green eyes. He visibly relaxed.
“I’d hope not. I’m sure you dream about me every night.”
“I suppose if nightmares can be counted as dreams, then sure.”
“How cute. You’re even thinking about me when you’re supposed to be sleeping.”
Jerk.
“Your snake eat that dog yet?” he continued, cocking his head at me, that teasing grin on his face. I wanted to smack it off his face so badly that my hand twitched.
Narrowing my eyes at him, I answered, “No.”
“You’re such a weirdo. When are you going to stop trying to be different and just get a cat like all the other witches?”
“I am a cat. Besides, I like snakes. Well, with the exception of you.” I folded my arms over my chest and smiled smugly at him. His eyes darted down to my chest, where I had the girls pushed up to full attention.
He quickly averted his eyes, his fingers in his hair again. “Nice necklace.”
“Right. I’m sure that’s what you were looking at,” I shot back at him.
He grinned widely at me, no sign of embarrassment on his face.
“You don’t have anything I’d want to see, Sucky.”
“Don’t you have somewhere you need to be?” I snapped as Hazel laughed softly beside me. “Isn’t your engagement being announced tonight? Your perfect mate? Shouldn’t you be trying to schmooze all the single ladies in the room so you can grab one final lay before some poor witch gets stuck with you for, well, ever?”
He looked around himself, seemingly confused. “Aren’t you single, Sucky? Or did the fates finally feel sorry for you and stick you with some poor, unsuspecting warlock?”
“Screw you, Zander.” I urged myself to remain calm. Just a few more hours and I’m out of this hell hole and back to my bed.
“Easy, sweetheart. We can get to that later.” He winked at me, making me curl my hands into fist, the violent magic running through my veins itching to get out and turn him into anything I could squish with my heel.
“You wish,” I snarled.
“I think you’re the one wishing,” he answered, his eyes darkening as he stared back at me, all signs of his teasing behavior gone, morphing into something scary. “And to answer you, I don’t particularly enjoy having my fiancée chosen for me. It could end up with me forced to be with someone I don’t particularly care for.”
“That’s not how the choosing goes. They’re your perfect mate. If you reject them—” Hazel started, sounding appalled he would even consider hating who was chosen for him.
He scoffed, a bitter look blanketing his face. “I’m not staying an eternity with someone I can’t stand. I don’t care what happens with a rejection. I should get to pick.”
He had a point. Knowing Zander though, he’d never pick, opting to just run through the witches and never take a mate.
“Then maybe a vamp will chew your head off and save us all the trouble of pretending to care,” I said, wanting that last word.
“Right.” He nodded, his gaze softening as he stared back at me. He looked almost sad. “I need to go. Hopefully, I don’t see you later. And good luck on that grave warden thing. Let’s hope we don’t get stuck as you for the escort. You’re the last person I’d want to see in my final moments in the mortal realm.”
“Fine by me. You can die and find your own way to the beyond. Or not. I don’t care either way.”
So lame. My comeback game was not on point tonight.
He let out a chuckle before turning and moving across the room to join Brandon. Brandon caught my eye and grinned, giving me a wave. I waved back at him. He at least didn’t amger as much as Zander did.
But no one in the world could upset me like Zander. He held the title.
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Author Biography:
Int'l bestseller and award winning author Dania Voss writes compelling, sexy romance with personality, heat, and heart. Born in Rome, Italy and raised in Chicagoland, she uses her background to create stories with authentic, engaging characters. A favorite with romance readers, her debut novel “On the Ropes,” the first in her Windy City Nights series, became a Barnes & Noble and Int’l Amazon bestseller.
The second and third installments in the Windy City Nights series, “The Warriors' Whisper” and "Hannah's Bliss" received 5-star reviews from Readers’ Favorite ®. "Hannah's Bliss" was voted April 2019’s Book Of The Month at The TBR Pile. All three novels in the series were designated as Recommended Reads in the 2019 Author Shout Reader Ready Awards. “Hannah’s Bliss” earned an award in the Oklahoma Romance Writers of America’s 2020 International Digital Awards contest, and won 1st place in the 2021 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards (NERFA), in the Erotic Romance category. Dania has also contributed stories to multiple romance anthology collections.
Dania’s work has been highlighted on NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX, and she has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Southern Writers Magazine, and Chicago Entrepreneurs Magazine (selected as the #8 Top Chicago Author in 2021). The Windy City Nights series is going to the moon in 2022, as part of the Writers on the Moon project.
Dania’s novels are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, and iTunes. When she’s not writing, you can find Dania at a sporting event, a rock concert, or at the movies (usually a comedy).
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