Within the Essence (The Division: Book One)
As the demons near, the Essences rise…
AJ had never been particularly athletic or coordinated, so waking up to realize she suddenly has super-human strength is a massive, mind-shaking shock. Finding that she’s gained a stalker overnight is another mark in the unusual category, and when she discovers she’s always had the essence of a werewolf in her blood, her world all but shifts beneath her.
Demons, she’s told, are looming in the world’s future, and the only hope humanity has of surviving their arrival is if she and teenagers like her surrender their humanity to dive into their mythical essences. Fairies, dragons, dwarves, mermaids… The remnants of seventeen different fantasy species must come to life to save the lives of everyone.
Someway, an army of supernatural teenagers must prepare to meet the demons escaping from their dimensional banishment, or everything ends. Can these teens succeed and save the world?
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When Reeko – eldest prince of his realm – saw the battle in the distance, he ordered his fellow dragons to hurry toward the scene, determined to offer assistance to the fairy kingdom under attack. He had no way of knowing that, in doing so, he would seal his fate as the ruler of a new kingdom in the lands separating the two species with a fairy as his queen. A crown was one thing, but a fairy bride? The thought disgusted him, until she entered the banquet hall. With her beauty and the mischief sparkling in her eyes… Maybe this union wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Although the fairy princess knew Reeko would choose his bride that night, Kiara gave it little thought when she entered the room of the feast. Young, headstrong, and impish even by fairy standards, only a crazy man would select her from among her sisters. So when the prince made his decision – her – she’d been nothing short of stunned. She was to be a queen? A dragon’s bride? What worse hand could life have possibly dealt her?
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Every year on midsummer’s night, seven-year-old fairies are sent into the forest neighboring Ariashon, their kingdom. The magic of that place and the night’s enchantment unite to give color to what have been plain throughout the fairies’ whole lives—their wings!
This year is Kiara’s turn, the youngest and most mischievous of Ariashon’s princesses, and she must be careful, be curious, and be brave if she wants to earn as many colors as possible for her wings.
This is a prequel to the Paranormal Romance, In Your Wings, explaining how Kiara came to have the most vibrant wings of her people. It can also be read as a stand-alone for younger audiences.
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Lila and Austin have known each other since she befriended his younger brother when she was a toddler. In fact, since her parents moved from her hometown, Lila’s lived with Austin’s family. The two are friends, though more of the teasing, taunting breed than the BFF variety.
But all it takes is one moment for everything to change…
For Austin, that moment comes when Lila performs a rumba in the school’s auditorium to qualify for the state dance competition, the young woman on stage so far-removed from the little girl in his memories.
For Lila, the moment is a reflected image of Austin preparing for prom, the guy standing in front of his mirror hardly resembling the child that spent so much of his youth pestering her.
Will they find a way to admit to themselves and their families that their feelings are deeper than friendship? And can Lila focus on this building relationship – and deal with her unstable ex – and still win the dance contest?
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Bruised and battered hearts can keep beating. But can they heal?
Preston and Nick endured the breakup of all breakups when Nick accused her of cheating on him. He insisted, and she denied while the rain pounded against her driveway and thunder roared in the distance. Then they both ran—Preston to a life of Rock & Roll, and Nick to a career in the Army.
Four years later, they’re damaged and broken almost beyond repair. He’s carrying baggage from his military days, and she bears the scars of living a lifestyle she’s grown to hate.
When Preston’s label forces her to take time away from music, their paths cross in a parking lot not twenty-four hours after her hometown return, anger and sparks flying in a confusing blend. But regardless of the feelings neither has been able to shake, too many lies and secrets stand in the way of the one thing they need in order to recover.
Each other.
Connie L. Smith 