Showing results by narrator "Sean Crisden" in All Categories

Bennett Cole had lived next door to Mitchell "Mac" Campbell, III for 18 years of his life, in the small town of White Acre. They'd never gotten along, never seen eye to eye, and never understood one another, not that they'd ever cared to try. But when Bennett's so-called buddies ditched him at a party in the woods where he was assaulted and left for dead, Bennett pulled through. The emotional scars rendered him too terrified to go back to school and face his "friends" or his attackers. With little choice, his family packed up and left town.

Grady Dalton is in a rut. He’s 38, without a boyfriend, and has yet to find the place that feels like home. The closest he ever got was his best friend, Nathan. But it’s been seven years since he passed, and life isn’t getting easier. That’s how he ends up in Briar County, hoping to grow roots in the place Nathan had loved. Deacon Sharpe spends his days serving homemade ice cream and his nights alone, pretending he’s getting by after his wife’s death better than he is. His world is rocked when a man shows up who claims to have been his brother-in-law’s best friend.

Today’s fans of science fiction and fantasy have an appetite for stories that address a wide variety of voices, perspectives, and styles. There is an openness to experiment and pushing boundaries, combined with the classic desire to hear about spaceships and dragons, future technology and ancient magic, and the places where they intersect. With a diverse selection of stories chosen by series editor John Joseph Adams and Diana Gabaldon, The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2020 explores the ever-expanding and changing world of SFF today.

Raised in a cult where opinions and freedom in women were not tolerated, Mara Greene narrowly escaped a life as a child bride—one where she would’ve been shared and owned by all the men in the compound. Her testimony helped put the cult leader in prison, but she’s never truly gotten past the horrors inflicted on her. Her conditioning to keep silent persists even now—despite having found a safe haven at the Resting Warrior Ranch.

Beast. Creature. Monster. Dangerous. All of these things have been said about Gren. Willa doesn't believe it, though. She knows that monsters can sometimes come in appealing packages. She knows that for all of his snarls and fearsome appearance, he'd never hurt her. And she knows she has to get Gren away from the Icehome camp, because no one will ever see him as a person, not when he attacks all who come close. Not when he's tied and treated like an animal.

"Cody Davis is gonna make a sinner out of me." Yes, I know exactly who he is. The wounded soldier at the end of Willow Street. Intimidating. Devastatingly handsome. Muscular body chiseled from stone. Deep dark eyes that dare you to come near. Attitude for days. And I just became his caregiver. Everyone warned me to stay away from him - including my father, the respected minister of our small town of Spruce. But clearly, I'm too stubborn to heed good advice, especially when Cody Davis is as frustratingly attractive - and persistent - as they come.

Ever since we found the two Outcasts, it's been my goal to get them to join our beach tribe. Handsome, impossible Juth has resisted all my efforts to recruit him and his small son. He's made it very clear that he doesn't belong with us. But when I'm trapped at Juth's side as the beach is invaded by monsters, everything changes. He talks to me instead of pointedly ignoring me. We become friends. Heck, we even share a few stolen kisses. And when the rescue party arrives, he announces to everyone that I'm his mate and he's joining the tribe.

Do you believe in love at first sight? Corey Ellis sure doesn't. Oh, everyone around him seems to have found their happy ending, but he's far too busy to worry about such things. He'll have plenty of time for romance after he survives his last summer before graduation. So what if he can't get his former professor, Jeremy Olsen, out of his head? It's nothing more than hero worship. And that's the way it should stay. Except bi-gender Corey - aka Kori - is interning at Phoenix House for the summer, an LGBTQI youth center, and the director just so happens to be a certain former professor.

Rod Nelson is used to being someone's good time, and that's fine with him. Spending his days at his adult toy store, Rods-N-Ends, he never knows who he'll meet. The second Landon Harrison walks in, he has Rod's full attention. It seems as if Landon wants him too, so why won't the man jump in the sack with him already?

In January 1959, Berry Gordy borrowed $800 from his family and founded the Detroit-based record company that in less than a decade was to become the largest Black-owned business in the United States. It also became one of the most productive and influential producers of popular music anywhere in the world. The Story of Motown is the story of Berry Gordy's triumph over powerful, established financial interests, entrenched popular taste, bigotry, and racism.

As an a'ani warrior, my life matters little. Cloned from the same matter as thousands of others, I am but one of many. Here on the ice planet, though, I can start over. I can become my own person, have my own needs, my own wants. I know what I want. I have known since the moment I arrived. Her name is Angie. She is human, with sad, lonely eyes, and a very pregnant belly. To her, I am not just another clone. I am Vordis, the one who laughs at her jokes, tends to her needs, and makes her smile. But my brother and fellow clone Thrand thinks the same way....

Layton Foxx works hard for what he has. The condo, the career, the chance to make his mark are all down to the sacrifices he has made. With tragedy in his past, he doesn’t want or need love. Then he meets Adler Lockhart, the extroverted, sexy winger for the Harrisburg Railers, and abruptly he can’t avoid love even if he wanted to.

Him: She walked into the room like she owned it, demanding that I pay attention before she even voiced a word. When faced with the brown beauty, I almost forgot my number one rule: trust no one. I can't afford any distractions right now, especially when my latest obsession has secrets that can do more harm than good. Her: He has every reason to be uncertain about me, and yet I can't help but be drawn to him in every way. I don't want to crave him like plenty of women already do. He's a Crowne. We'd never work. So why can't I seem to remember that whenever I'm near him?

I left a pampered life and a loveless relationship to live on an icy primeval world, all for the promise of a soulmate and children. But three years have passed, and my hopes and dreams have become dashed. I haven't resonated. Without resonance, there will be no children for me, and no loving mate. So I keep waiting, and waiting . . . But then I come up with a brilliant plan to get me everything I want. And my plan needs a volunteer, one that would be happy to be my mate in all ways. Luckily, I know just who to approach.

My world was built on lies and secrets, eating away at the good parts of me. When knowing too much incriminating information could get you killed, your only choices are to adapt or die. There are things about me others would never understand. Yet, one knowing look from her and I realize that my world just got more complicated. She could be my sanctuary in more ways than one. Or she might just be the siren leading me to my demise.

Seth Brothers had it all: the hottest album in the world, more money than he’d ever dreamed of, and Dirty - the band he loved like family. But as Dirty hit the big time, Seth hit bottom. Now all Seth’s got is the guitar on his back, a heart full of regrets, and one last chance to get it all back...including the one thing he never expected. Her. Elle Delacroix has it all - talent, money, fame...except the one thing that truly matters. Love...the only thing Seth has left to give.

When life crashes down around us, how hard are we willing to fight for the one thing we can’t live without, each other? Rylee made me feel. Made me whole when all I thought I could ever be was incomplete. Became the lifeline I never knew I needed. Hell yes, she’s worth the fight...but how do you fight for someone you know you don’t deserve?

Take two defense attorneys, add one troubled NFL QB who needs them, and what do you get? A threesome of hot, sexy conflict. Gryff Ward made a serious mistake when he hired the hot-as-hell defense attorney Rayne Jordan as an associate in his high-profile legal firm, even though she’s one of the best. Now he’s struggling to keep it professional, especially when she insists on calling him “Boss”. Rayne’s been attracted to the firm's top attorney ever since her interview. And she’s well aware that calling the conservative man “Boss” drives him crazy...in a very good way.

Simone is a woman on a mission: Stop being boring, and fall in love. That's easier said than done with no prospects on the table...or under the table...or near the table. Her luck changes when fellow neighborhood business-owner Roman Taylor walks through the door of her flower shop. Roman is single, successful, and sexy - everything Simone is looking for to embark on a whirlwind summer romance with the potential to spark an everlasting love. But things are never as "perfect" as they seem.

As longtime manager of Dirty, the hottest rock band on the planet, gorgeous and brooding Brody Mason has had his share of beautiful women. Yet, the only one he’s ever wanted is the one he never had - the one who tore his heart out. Beautiful and elusive Jessa Mayes appears to have it all. Talent, money, and a glamorous life. But she also has a secret. Six years ago, she ran away from her dream career as a songwriter with Dirty, and the only man she’s ever loved, without telling anyone why.