Dardanos, CO. Series by Calle J. Brookes

(First in the Dardanos, Co. series) War was cruelty, cruelty was war. Sacrifices must be made by both sides. Rydere Dardanos was king of the Dardaptos people—the race of beings responsible for the ancient vampire legends. He’d do anything to protect his people in the war between the Dardaptoans and all those named Taniss. Emily Taniss was the new CEO of Taniss Industries, the company her grandfather started sixty years ago... more(First in the Dardanos, Co. series) War was cruelty, cruelty was war. Sacrifices must be made by both sides. Rydere Dardanos was king of the Dardaptos people—the race of beings responsible for the ancient vampire legends. He’d do anything to protect his people in the war between the Dardaptoans and all those named Taniss. Emily Taniss was the new CEO of Taniss Industries, the company her grandfather started sixty years ago. The company responsible for so many horrific acts against the Dardaptoan people. Her grandfather’s actions held many repercussions for Emily and her cousins. It would take them years to straighten it all out. But Emily didn’t have years, she had only moments. Rydere saw the young woman’s death as a necessary sacrifice for his people. So many of his people had been lost at Taniss hands, her death was only fitting. Owed to his people. He didn’t have to like killing her, but he would do it. He held her small body clutched against him as he lowered his fangs toward her neck. He would make it easy on her, he would make it quick. Until his first taste of her blood made it clear to him she wasn’t just a sacrifice. She was his destined mate...and queen of his people. Now he would have to convince her of that... less

Mickey Taniss had a difficult time trusting men--of any species. And she knew she'd never be able to trust one who'd turned her from a human woman into a vampire! Or a Dardaptoan--whatever he'd called her. She knew the truth--he'd kidnapped her and taken her from the very world she knew. And now he wanted her to believe some goddess she'd never heard of had preordained them being together? He was absolutely crazy... moreMickey Taniss had a difficult time trusting men--of any species. And she knew she'd never be able to trust one who'd turned her from a human woman into a vampire! Or a Dardaptoan--whatever he'd called her. She knew the truth--he'd kidnapped her and taken her from the very world she knew. And now he wanted her to believe some goddess she'd never heard of had preordained them being together? He was absolutely crazy. Theodoric Sebastos had spent the long centuries waiting for and longing for his mate, and when he found her he would do whatever he had to in order to convince her that they belonged together and that she could trust him. But how was he to do that? less

Mallory Taniss would fight to protect her family, and when the strange creature in her kitchen threatened that family she vowed to fight him or die trying. But it was no ordinary man standing in her kitchen. Aodhan Adrastos was the strongest warrior of his vampiric race, and the woman before him wasn't just the granddaughter of his enemy--she was the mate he'd waited almost six hundred years to claim...

Rathan was the displaced king of demons bent on revenge against Kindara's family, her beloved brother in particular. Kindara was his means to an end. He got more than he bargained for when he kidnapped her and separated her from her daughter... Now they must work together to complete Kindara's quest...for if they don't, she and Jierra could be the next of their Kind to be lost...

Jade always knew she was different and she always knew there was a special someone waiting for her. She hadn't known he would be four hundred years old--or a vampire. Barlaam had waited for centuries for his Rajni--his destined mate. He never expected it to be some human girl who was barely twenty-one! The only honorable thing for him to do was step back and give her a few more years--maybe a decade--before he staked his claim! But that's not what Jade wants.. moreJade always knew she was different and she always knew there was a special someone waiting for her. She hadn't known he would be four hundred years old--or a vampire. Barlaam had waited for centuries for his Rajni--his destined mate. He never expected it to be some human girl who was barely twenty-one! The only honorable thing for him to do was step back and give her a few more years--maybe a decade--before he staked his claim! But that's not what Jade wants... He might be resistent, but Jade was unstoppable. He was hers, and she would have him! less

Jason Taniss was a family man, first and foremost. He loved his grown daughters and he was learning to tolerate his vampiric sons-in-law. But as a Lupoiux werewolf he longed for his own mate. She was out there waiting for him, somewhere. He just had to find her. Dr. Annabelle Macgregor ran faster than she ever had before. Her scientific mind refused to accept what she'd seen. Werewolves did not exist... moreJason Taniss was a family man, first and foremost. He loved his grown daughters and he was learning to tolerate his vampiric sons-in-law. But as a Lupoiux werewolf he longed for his own mate. She was out there waiting for him, somewhere. He just had to find her. Dr. Annabelle Macgregor ran faster than she ever had before. Her scientific mind refused to accept what she'd seen. Werewolves did not exist. Jason knew the rogue wolves wouldn't stop until they caught the lone female human; he knew what they would do to her if they caught her, too. As an employee of Taniss Industries, the woman was his responsibility to protect. He'd do just that. But when Jason caught Anna's scent, one thing became clear...she was his mate... Anna had been in a relationship with a dominant man before, and that experience was the last thing she wanted to repeat. She'd had to start over before, and it wasn't something she ever wanted to do again. Jason would do anything to change her mind. (Also includes "The Healer's Heart", a short story featuring Jason's younger daughter Jade and her mate Barlaam.) less

He had amends to make to the woman the gods had paired him with--but how was he to do that when those very gods made such demands on both of them? He'd had months to regret what he'd done to the mate the gods had given him, but Alpha of the Taniss Lupoiux pack, Rand Taniss's time had just run out. The gods had made a decree and he had three days to fulfill it--or lose his family forever. Jierra had loved her mate from the very beginning, but loving him didn't mean she had to trust him... moreHe had amends to make to the woman the gods had paired him with--but how was he to do that when those very gods made such demands on both of them? He'd had months to regret what he'd done to the mate the gods had given him, but Alpha of the Taniss Lupoiux pack, Rand Taniss's time had just run out. The gods had made a decree and he had three days to fulfill it--or lose his family forever. Jierra had loved her mate from the very beginning, but loving him didn't mean she had to trust him. When he suddenly showed back up in her life making ridiculous demands, she wanted to slam the door in his face. But two things stopped her...their twin son and daughter. After all, family was the basis of both their Kinds, and he was their father... Reading order for the Dardanos, Co. paranormal series: The Blood King—Rydere & Emily The Seer’s Strength—Theo & Mickey Live or Die—Cormac & Josey The Warrior’s Woman—Aodhan & Mallory Awakening the Demon’s Queen—Rathan & Kindara The Healer’s Heart—Barlaam & Jade Once Wolf Bitten—Jason & Anna (also includes The Healer’s Heart) The Wolf’s Redemption—Rand & Jierra The Wolf God & His Mate—Eiophon & Kennera A Warrior’s Quest—Renakletos & Aureliana Out of the Darkness—Nalik & Cassandra less

She cried 200 tears, and where they landed, her people grew… A goddess was supposed to protect her people. Guide them. Answer their prayers. Kennera had failed them. For three thousand years, their mournful cries had twisted her heart, made her imprisonment unbearable. But she had a plan to save her Kind. Even if it meant her death at the hands of the Wolf god... moreShe cried 200 tears, and where they landed, her people grew… A goddess was supposed to protect her people. Guide them. Answer their prayers. Kennera had failed them. For three thousand years, their mournful cries had twisted her heart, made her imprisonment unbearable. But she had a plan to save her Kind. Even if it meant her death at the hands of the Wolf god. He'd had three thousand years to plan his revenge against the foolish Girl Goddess responsible for his captivity, and once they were free, Eiophon would stop at nothing to act on those plans... less

She was going to die. Aureliana Adrastos knew it, and would meet that death face-to-face, sword in hand. That was one reason why she’d kept the knowledge that she’d found her mate to herself. The grief for the life they would never have together nearly crippled her... moreShe was going to die. Aureliana Adrastos knew it, and would meet that death face-to-face, sword in hand. That was one reason why she’d kept the knowledge that she’d found her mate to herself. The grief for the life they would never have together nearly crippled her. What purpose would it serve to tell him? It would only cause them both far more pain than Aureliana could ever hope to endure… Ren, prince of all warrior demons, wanted the fiery Dardaptoan female for his own, and she wanted him, too. So why was the bravest female he’d ever known running from him? He’d followed her anywhere; honor demanded it. He would stop at nothing to have her—or to keep her safe. Nothing would stand between them. Not even the warrior girl herself… less

She had been born—and then reborn—with the knowledge that in one of her lives she would be called on to bring forth evil. For if evil was not reborn, then it could not be defeated. Loren Nellano was a Druid of ancient and powerful skill, but even she would be defeated by the Dark Sorcerer. But she'd also known for a long time that she could not escape her destiny. Every world depended on her to protect it from the evil that approached, could she do it? Loren didn't know... moreShe had been born—and then reborn—with the knowledge that in one of her lives she would be called on to bring forth evil. For if evil was not reborn, then it could not be defeated. Loren Nellano was a Druid of ancient and powerful skill, but even she would be defeated by the Dark Sorcerer. But she'd also known for a long time that she could not escape her destiny. Every world depended on her to protect it from the evil that approached, could she do it? Loren didn't know. But she had to try. But she didn't have to do it alone. less

Sometimes destiny was terrifying. You could not escape it, and it mattered little if you even tried. Nelciana Nellano had tried thousands of years before, but the Goddess of Family had lost every loved one before. Nothing would stop her from protecting the family she had left. Not even the father of her children.. moreSometimes destiny was terrifying. You could not escape it, and it mattered little if you even tried. Nelciana Nellano had tried thousands of years before, but the Goddess of Family had lost every loved one before. Nothing would stop her from protecting the family she had left. Not even the father of her children... Lothonos, God of Logic, knew the birth of his children righted the worlds temporarily, but if anything were to happen to the babes, everything they'd gained by the children's conception would be lost. And that would put the nineteen worlds in chaos again. Something no one could afford... So why was the mother of his children going in to battle when her place was next to the babes, protecting them—and herself—from the ugliness that was war? Surely Nelciana knew that he would do whatever was necessary to protect their children—and her—from the horrors that were coming? Surely she knew that there was nothing he would not do for her...? less

Acylias was one of the most ancient and powerful gods. He searched the worlds for the lost shifters as a bird of prey, and knew he was a terrifying sight. All feared him. And he liked it that way. He was the God of Nightmares, after all. He would not be brought low by a half-human, half-witch female of less than thirty years! Until her arrow sent him hurtling from the sky. Teagan Taniss would defend her children however she could... moreAcylias was one of the most ancient and powerful gods. He searched the worlds for the lost shifters as a bird of prey, and knew he was a terrifying sight. All feared him. And he liked it that way. He was the God of Nightmares, after all. He would not be brought low by a half-human, half-witch female of less than thirty years! Until her arrow sent him hurtling from the sky. Teagan Taniss would defend her children however she could. She’d fended off demons and before, and she’d face them all again if it would keep her family safe. And something was coming for them all… Teagan had to make a choice—go with the shifter in front of her promising protection, or stay and defend her children alone. She had only minutes to decide… God of Nightmares is a novella from the Dardanos, Co. paranormal romance series. less