Once upon a time, humankind ruled the world while lycans and vampires lived in secret. This is no longer that time. Rae Blood Day-the culmination of my training. The day I find out my fate. I will not cry. I will not beg. I will remain calm. Emotions are for the weak, and I am not weak. My name is Rae and I will survive this. But I never expected him to call my name... Kylan Someone wants to frame me for immortal insanity? Be my guest, darling. I'll just pick a fighter as my bait, a consort with a hint of defiance. And when the culprit attempts to bite, I'll be the one who bites back. Because no one touches what's mine, including the fiery redhead at my side. Welcome to Kylan City. I dare you all to come out and play. **** Oh, no. This wasn't good. I couldn't afford for Kylan to be interested, not with immortality dancing at my fingertips. You can't want me, I thought. But how did I convey that? I... I... Do something! My jaw clenched in frustration, not knowing how to stop this-him. His grip on my chin tightened painfully, his growl vibrating my chest. It took me too long to realize why, to realize what I'd done. His tongue was trapped between my teeth. I'd just bitten him. I'd just bitten a royal vampire. And not just any royal vampire, but Kylan, the oldest royal in existence.

This is not a comprehensive study of every sexual quirk, kink and ritual across all cultures throughout time, as that would entail writing an encyclopaedia. Rather, this is a drop in the ocean, a paddle in the shallow end of sex history, but I hope you will get pleasantly wet nonetheless. The act of sex has not changed since people first worked out what went where, but the ways in which society dictates how sex is culturally understood and performed have varied significantly through the ages. Humans are the only creatures that stigmatise particular sexual practices, and sex remains a deeply divisive issue around the world. Attitudes will change and grow – hopefully for the better – but sex will never be free of stigma or shame unless we acknowledge where it has come from. Based on the popular research project Whores of Yore, and written with her distinctive humour and wit, A Curious History of Sex draws upon Dr Kate Lister’s extensive knowledge of sex history. From medieval impotence tests to twentieth-century testicle thefts, from the erotic frescoes of Pompeii, to modern-day sex doll brothels, Kate unashamedly roots around in the pants of history, debunking myths, challenging stereotypes and generally getting her hands dirty. This fascinating book is peppered with surprising and informative historical slang, and illustrated with eye-opening, toe-curling and meticulously sourced images from the past. You will laugh, you will wince and you will wonder just how much has actually changed.

"I'm as peaceful a man as you're likely to meet in America now, but this is about a death I may have caused. Not slowly over time by abuse or meanness but on a certain day and by ignorance, by plain lack of notice. Though it happened thirty-four years ago, and though I can't say it's haunted my mind that many nights lately, I suspect I can draw it out for you now, clear as this noon. I may need to try." Set in a summer camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains during the deceptively tranquil 1950s, The Tongues of Angels is a story of the twenty-one-year-old painting teacher, a superbly gifted boy, and their advance toward a startling fate. As the now-older man looks back at on that summer, he reflects on the meanings he thought he had learned on the threshold of manhood from the perspective of full maturity.

All I want for Christmas is to feel my legs.Because my mates broke me. After years of adoration and love-and lots of intimacy-my guys have a special holiday request. A little fae baby. Like a fool, I agree, but there's no way I can choose who gets to be the father. So, my guys have come up with a solution. A series of trials will determine who'll do the deed; namely, one in the bedroom that has me questioning if my lady parts are really up for this. Right now? Yeah, I can't feel my legs. Except one look at my mates has me caving. The idea of them as dads melts me into a puddle of Claire-goo. Even if their timing can't be worse. My dream of opening an Interrealm Fae Academy is just within reach. Then my pregnancy arrives with one hell of a twist. I'm going to have to count on my guys more than ever to get me through this mess. Wish my mates luck. They're going to need it. Because a pregnant fae with control over all five elements is a challenge unlike any they've ever faced before. Something tells me this is going to be one unforgettable holiday. Authors' Note: Elemental Fae Holiday is a standalone why-choose novel with a happily-ever-after ending. It features characters from the Elemental Fae Academy world but can be read without previous knowledge from the trilogy.