Author

Kristen Lee

Novels by Kristen Lee

Antiquarian's Precious Find

Арнольд! · tags1-Русский язык Newcategory17-俄语 Newcategory24-俄语

“Tis better to have loved and lost…” is utter balderdash. Losing love is devastating.When a horror-movie nightmare became real, it turned everything in Teri Munroe’s life on end, costing her all the relationships she held dear in one fell swoop, including with the one man she truly loved, Jim Erickson. The only option left to the sensitive and reserved IT security specialist was to rewrite the code of her life. Abandoning her childhood home and Jim, she made a life of contract work to provide for their child, the daughter Jim doesn’t know he has. But when random chance leads Teri to a lucrative contract in Jim’s hometown, she finds herself face to face with him again and the love she thought was lost. Can they find a way to restore it? And when Teri's nightmare comes full circle again, can they survive it this time together?

[1] Trojan Horse

Soon to come from a new story, In Our Midst:Marcus opened the door to the River Oaks apartment he shared with his girlfriend to discover her pacing slowly before the floor to ceiling living room windows, her cellphone pressed to her ear. Beside him, the apartment’s security system beeped a warning, announcing his return, and she glanced over at him, flashing a heart-stopping smile.Closing the door, he silenced the alert, and tossed his keys onto the granite top kitchen island beside an old cardboard storage box with a lopsided pile of papers tipping towards the floor on the other. Miria had brought work home again.Straightening the stack of manilla folders and legal pads next to the box, tucking in misaligned pages and unfolding creases, Marcus waited as she finished her conversation.“No. I’m not getting in the middle of this.”

Last Updated: 2020-09-30

[30] Providence

“We need shelter.” Crouching next to Jim with Teri clutched against his chest, Marcus glanced around, then contacted Frank Shepard. “This is Agent Leigh,” he shouted over the whining wind. “I’ve recovered Teri Munro.”Above the noise, Shepard replied, “Where’s Johansen, Marcus?”“Dead. He fell over a cliff at my current coordinates. I’ll give you the details later. How far are we from an extraction point?”Hearing that question, Jim lifted his head, alert for the answer. “Mile and a half. As the crow flies,” Shepard’s garbling voice grated over the radio. “It’s the closest we can get a vehicle.”“Not in this.” Jim shook his head. “None of us are dressed for it. Tell h

Last Updated: 2020-09-29

[29] Hunted

Nick had considered himself fit and healthy, but this was a supreme physical effort for which he was unprepared. Besides that he’d been up nearly twenty-four hours straight in preparation for snatching her, lugging even Teri’s petite body over his shoulders for miles and juggling two backpacks and the shotgun was making it difficult to manage passage on the rough terrain. Especially without leaving much of a discernable trail.Plus, he still had another miserable mile to go just to reach the canyon’s end. Though the climb out was traversable, it was still over steeply sloping topography, slippery with loose rock, pebbles and sand. Over such treacherous ground, he’d be unable to carry the unconscious woman. Since there was absolutely no way he was leaving his prize behind, the sooner Teri woke the better.He’d seen Erikson attempt to land the small aircraft and have to take off again, bu

Last Updated: 2020-09-28

[28] Crosshairs

Jim had hoped to be home before Teri left for work, but the location of one of the undocumented sites had been mapped for them incorrectly by the reporting individual. Unwilling to chance when there’d next be a break in the weather, he’d spent several frustrating minutes searching from the air, circling at decreasing elevations around the given landmark before he’d spotted it.Making a wide circle, he angled the plane northeast towards Moab and the airport, his thoughts wandering. It needled him, what Teri’d done, setting up her own defenses above and beyond what the FBI had. Okay, so it wasn’t that she’d felt she’d needed to, even if that did mean neither of them had much faith in the FBI and other local authorities, he acknowledged mentally. It wasn’t even that she hadn’t told him.It wasn’t any of that.She’d designed her a

Last Updated: 2020-09-27

[27] Fox and Hounds

Oh, sweet submissive Teri! Nick almost groaned aloud.Timid as a hare, she shambled towards him with hesitant steps, much to his delight, her slim hand still clutching her phone, holding it like a magical weapon between them, her face drawn in a frightened grimace. When she was close enough to grab, he snatched the device, tossing it towards the lifeless contractors.With another trembling whimper, she tried to bolt away, and thrilled with how perfectly Teri fed him his every desire, he gave chase. Through he tripped over the dog doing it, Nick caught her by the slim ankle, bringing her crashing to the ground with a hard whump and pained cry.Releasing the shotgun to catch at her with both hands, he half-dragged half-crawled up her petite body, pressing his crushing weight down on her and pinning her scrambling hands behind her neck.“Attempt to do that again a

Last Updated: 2020-09-26

[26] Concoctions

Good morning, Gorgeous.”Jim leaned over Teri and kissed her temple sweetly, dropping a handful of Estelle’s magic morning sickness candy cures on the bedside table where she could reach them and she sighed gratefully. “Good morning. And thank you.”Reaching for one, she unwrapped and popped it into her mouth, eager to have done with the nausea.“I’m walking Zoe over to Patrick and Abby’s. Abby’s going to take her to school with Beth.”Rolling to her back, Teri stared up at him. “What did our oh-so pleasant escort have to say about that?”Shoving his hands in his jean pockets, Jim shrugged, wearing a lopsided grin. “Not much. They were less pleased to find out I’m going out to the airfield.”Teri’s brows lifted inquiringly, promp

Last Updated: 2020-09-25

Where Wild Things Roam

"Darby.” My name comes out as a low snarl and I struggle to think. “I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage, Alpha.”"That's how I like you.” This almost purrs. He shifts his weight to the thigh between mine, brushing against my clit and I tremble as agonizing pleasure spirals through me. His nostrils flare with his next breath and the purr is a low sensual growl. “The better to see to every pleasurable need you have.”Big bad devilishly sexy wolf. Oh shit.

54: Postlude

IanStanding at the bare office window in the temporary building housing me, Sean and our assistants, I stare unblinking even against the brightness, noting the construction crews’ progress clearing and rebuilding the Candlewood shops along the destroyed plaza. With the framing complete for the shops in the small notch where Suzanne’s boutique once stood, the contractors have started installing the building’s major systems, including plumbing pipes, electrical wiring and heating and cooling ducts. I cross my arms over my chest, pleased overall.Further around the plaza, crews are working on a new façade— the forties style diner storefront Darla and Joe have always wanted—and the Main street government offices like mine and Seans and Jack’s Security building will be restored to look as they did before. On the opposite side of the plaza, I see Charlie, dresse

Last Updated: 2020-11-09

53: Afterward

JackLili? Anna?We’re good here, lover. Anna took care of the vamps—did you know she can see when they port in?—and ten, maybe fifteen minutes ago, the zombies all evaporated in this reddish mist. The packhouse is brimming with people though. Townsend’s working his way around with first aid. What happened? Is it over?I think you could say that. Stooping, I pull a dazed and wobbly Leo to his feet. I’ll give you the details when we get home. “Fucking Christ!” Leo wipes a hand over his face, rubbing his eyes, and surveys the destruction of the plaza. “What the hell happened? We get hit with an intercontinental ballistic missile?”“Kinda.” Turning him towards the shallow depression where Darby still clings to Ian, Tessa sittin

Last Updated: 2020-11-08

52: Shifting Tides

CarsonWhen you’ve planned something out to the tiniest of details—using a fold, one the weres mistakenly failed to close, to march a massive contingent of hungry ferocious vampires into the snowy sleeping midst of your rival’s territory and cursing their own raised dead to send battling against them, then drink the blood of a god, becoming one yourself so you can take captive your rival’s reigning queen—to suddenly find yourself spectacularly upstaged after all that damn work, well, it grates on you.A lot.It was irritating enough when the Candlewood alpha made his grand entrance to my plaza mayhem by fucking dropping out of goddamned nowhere, pulverizing an entire building to absolute rubble, complete with rolling thunder and a superhero pose. But when he stands up buck naked, flaming like Lugh of the Long Arms himself, and strikes d

Last Updated: 2020-11-07

51: Rising Waters

Carson“Oh-ho-ho, yeah!” I chuckle-growl wickedly, stretching and looking from one hand to the other. Not that I needed to see it. I can definitely feel the power of a fae god pulsing inside me. There’ll be no wiping this smile off my face, that’s for sure. “Well, on to bigger things.”Reaching inside my leather duster, I draw out one of the iron cuff bracelets I’d used before on my lovely little princess. Nudging her father’s limp form with a toe, I roll him over and stooping, slip the iron cuff over his wrist, loving the sound of his weak groan. “You just wait right here, Dad, while I take care of your daughter.”I glance around the wrecked plaza as I make my way to the front steps of the hotel. The entire host—undead and were—have stopped what they’re doing and stare wide-eyed at me. Ex

Last Updated: 2020-11-06

50: Invaders

CarsonI’d have preferred launching a rapid assault into Candlewood to capture my lovely fae Luna while she was still in her grove. But if she and these filthy weres are going to make it difficult, then I can certainly adjust.I’m flexible and obliging that way.In fact, it might even be better. Because if I’ve got to march a vampire contingent through that boring little dump town to get her, I’m letting them loose to wreak havoc and tear it apart at the seams. Wipe those hairy were bastards off the face of the planet like that stupid slacker Cordelion was supposed to.Since it’s a land attack, I don’t have to contend with whatever that scary as hell sea monster thing was and Madame Soublet’s doing an admirable job keeping my snowy-haired necromancer kitten and her vampire-devouring smoke phantasm busy here i

Last Updated: 2020-11-05

49: Deadly Tic-Tac-Toe

JackAn anxious looking Dr. Myers is waiting outside Darby’s door when Sean and I arrive.“Good morning, Dr. Myers.”“Good morning, triumvirs.” She glances, nodding, to each of us in turn. “I assume you’re here to talk to the Luna as you’d previously mentioned.”“If we can.” There’s a faint hint of concern in Sean’s voice. “Is there something wrong?”“Not really, no.” Dr. Myers inhales deeply, then continues slowly. “The hospital’s staff psychologist has been in this morning already. It’s only been a few days and based on the Luna’s responses this morning, I don’t think we’re at therapeutic dose on the antidepressant yet. If you’re going to talk to her, I would ask that you do so gent

Last Updated: 2020-11-04

The Work of Grace

Grace Hammond lost the most important person in her life, her grandmother, Juliet. Left with little beyond a failing farm and not much clue how to run it, she's trapped-- either she gives up three generations of roots and leaves, or she finds some help and makes it work. When a mysterious letter from Juliet drops a much needed windfall in her lap, Grace knows she has one chance to save the only place she's ever called home and posts a want-ad.The knight that rides to her rescue is Robert Zhao, an Army veteran and struggling college student. A first generation Korean American, Rob is trying desperately to establish some roots, not just for himself, but for the parents he's trying to get through the immigration process, a secret he's keeping even from his best friends. Grace's posting for a local handyman, offering room and board in exchange for work he already loves doing, is exactly the situation he needs to put that process on track.Neither is prepared for the instant chemistry, the wild sweet desire that flares between them. But life in a small town isn't easy. At worst, strangers are regarded suspiciously, and at best, as profoundly flawed-- and the Hammond women have a habit of collecting obscure and ruthless enemies. Can their budding love take root in subtly hostile soil and weather the weeds seeking to choke them out?

*36* Guile

*Juliet*When Sam wakes a few hours later, we dress and wander the interior decks, just for the sake of walking. The salon market is considerably subdued, though the newsstand, refreshed with new material since our stop in Chicago, still does a brisk business, as does the soda vendor, through primarily in his stock of candy, particularly the sour drops, which seem to help those afflicted with sea sickness.“Mr. Hammond, Mrs. Hammond,” the captain greets as we make our way past the crew’s quarters. “I trust you’ve had more enjoyable travel today than yesterday.”Captain Blake falls in beside us, and though his stride is brisker, Sam urges ours to keep pace. “You’re looking better rested. Does that mean conditions are improving?”“I’ve only just received word there’s ice in the str

Last Updated: 2020-11-17

*35* Tempest Tossed

*Sam*The Isle Royale tosses fitfully on the rough waters long after I soothe Juliet into an exhausted sleep.Alert to the subtlest changes in the steamer and the violent squall outside us, I lay awake the next several hours listening to the high hum of the engines at full. Against this storm, even this early in the season, I don’t anticipate much chance of survival were the Isle Royale to go down—I don’t even anticipate much opportunity to try—but if there is one, I’m ensuring Juliet gets it. God knows I’ve seen people survive worse and compassionate though she is, she’s a fighter.Into the soupy blackness pierced at intervals by the ship’s great spotlight sweeping about it in a circle, the whistle continues to sound regularly, accompanied by the random calls of sailors—“Ice floe to starboard!”— and fro

Last Updated: 2020-11-16

*34* Imminent Dangers

*Sam*As we near the pier and the Isle Royale at dock, Juliet rubs the hinge of her jaw in the small space before one ear and casts keen eyes towards the horizon. Though it's sunny, strong squalls are dragging hard at protective tarps strapped down over awaiting cargo on the docks. Men cling to their hats, and women to those and their billowing skirts and I see several clots of sailors watching the surface of the lake with a weather eye."I feel it too. Climate's shifted." Outside, the vicious sporatic winds have the flags along the pier and on nearby buildings snapping wildly, often standing stiffly from their grommets as though laid out horizontally rather than hung vertically. The driver negotiates the car as close to the dock as he can get, then bids us wait and charges down to the Isle Royale's extended gangplank, the wind pushing at his back as he holds his cap i

Last Updated: 2020-11-15

*33* Port

*Juliet*“Did I hear a knock at the—oh!”Hurriedly emerging from our state room’s bathroom in the morning to keep someone from waking Sam, I find my efforts in vain discovering him reading through a hand-delivered note as he slowly crosses the antechamber. He’s dressed only in his sleep pants, his hair tousled and his head down as he skims the words on the page, and though we’ve been together for over a decade now, he’s still the most handsome man I’ve seen.As his eyes slip over the words on the paper, mine rove this broad muscular chest and shoulders appreciatively, creep along at the hard lines of his midriff to where they narrow at his waist. I was doing something. I remember that much. But there’s no telling what that was now because the sight of my muscly and perfectly chiseled husband, sleep-disheveled and half-nak

Last Updated: 2020-11-14

*32* Honeymooning

*Juliet*“The chief engineer, assisted by the second or assistant engineer, is responsible for the steamer’s machinery and operation,” Captain Blake explains to Mrs. James trailing along at his side. “The firemen or stokers are under their supervision and responsible for feeding either wood or coal fuel into the furnaces to keep the steam up in the boilers.”“So,” using her dainty hands, Mrs. James repeats the hierarchy to Captain Blake for confirmation, the level of her hands descending like rungs on a ladder, “Engineer and his assistant, then oilers and firemen. And working together, they comprise the heart of this marvelous monster?”“Assuredly, Mrs. James. While he must take direction from myself regarding maneuvering, the engineer’s also subject to dispatches from headquarters, but only as to speed and th

Last Updated: 2020-11-13

*31* Recompense

*Sam*To say that was a daunting conversation with Andrew James is an understatement. He’s a fine man, certainly, but fierce, determined, with an unstoppable drive to achieve. Which is intimidating to say the least as a man but reassuring as Juliet’s husband— he's nowhere near her type, if I'm a fair judge.Despite the obvious—flexibility, lacking a better term—I’ve seen in my brief and sickening introduction to the people from Juliet’s former high-society existenence, Mr. James is very much and very happily married, and while he may or may not be a decent friend to my wife, has no more designs upon her than in a friendly capacity, much to my relief. In fact, he’s as determined to see I’m restored to her good graces as I am.Thankfully.Unfortunately, beyond reminding me what I already know about

Last Updated: 2020-11-12