Eden Series by Marian Perera

Whore…gift…and unexpected ally.  In Dagran society, Alex is the lowest of the low—a “mare”, an object to be used by the nobility. When her owner, Stephen Garnath, gifts her to his greatest rival, she begins plotting her path to freedom. Nothing and no one will ever control her again. Not her degrading past, and certainly not her growing attraction to a man reputed to be an even crueler master than Garnath. Robert Demeresna is instantly suspicious of such a generous gift... moreWhore…gift…and unexpected ally.  In Dagran society, Alex is the lowest of the low—a “mare”, an object to be used by the nobility. When her owner, Stephen Garnath, gifts her to his greatest rival, she begins plotting her path to freedom. Nothing and no one will ever control her again. Not her degrading past, and certainly not her growing attraction to a man reputed to be an even crueler master than Garnath. Robert Demeresna is instantly suspicious of such a generous gift. Yet she comes to him armed with only her sharp mind—a potent weapon he can use to defend his people from the enemy. And underneath, an unbreakable spirit that besieges the walls of his heart. Slowly, Robert chips away at Alex’s defenses, striking sparks that make her begin to believe even a lowly whore like her could be worthy of him. Until Garnath springs a trap so cleverly hidden, war is unleashed before either of them sees it coming. A new kind of war fought with steam engines, explosives—and magic with a killing edge…  Warning: Contains violence, steam engines, steamier sex and multiple explosions of the unstable chemical variety. less

"Love as strong as the tide. Betrayal as cruel as an undertow. " "Eden Series, Book 2" Moments before he sets sail into pirate waters to rescue prisoners, Captain Darok Juell receives additional orders to take a mysterious woman on board who will help him in his mission. When she arrives, she is unlike any woman he has ever seen. A cold, controlled operative of Seawatch, Yerena Fin Caller wields an iron hand over her emotions, and an almost magical control over a great white shark... more"Love as strong as the tide. Betrayal as cruel as an undertow. " "Eden Series, Book 2" Moments before he sets sail into pirate waters to rescue prisoners, Captain Darok Juell receives additional orders to take a mysterious woman on board who will help him in his mission. When she arrives, she is unlike any woman he has ever seen. A cold, controlled operative of Seawatch, Yerena Fin Caller wields an iron hand over her emotions, and an almost magical control over a great white shark. On the surface, her orders are simple: use her shark to guide Darok through dangerous waters, attack any pirates who interfere. Her emotions must remain under lock and key, lest they travel along her delicate connection with the finned killing machine below. As she and Darok navigate the Strait of Mists into the Iron Ocean and evade a killer-whale-controlling traitor Darok s generosity and warmth coax Yerena to give in to desire. But they have no future together. Especially if Darok s legendary recklessness forces her to obey a secret order to send his ship to the bottom of the sea Warning: Contains naval battles, a shark that enjoys winning races, a woman who can control the shark sometimes, the captain who wants her in his bunk, and hot sex on the high seas. less

He’s racing for a prize. She’s running for her life. And they’re on a collision course. Eden, Book 3 Captain Alyster Juell is relishing the taste of his first command for the fleet of Denalay. The steamship Checkmate doesn’t carry weaponry, but that doesn’t matter. His mission is to win an ocean-crossing race—and its hefty prize. As the voyage gets underway, Alyster hits his first snag—there’s a stowaway on board, a reporter who poked around for information about his ship the day before... moreHe’s racing for a prize. She’s running for her life. And they’re on a collision course. Eden, Book 3 Captain Alyster Juell is relishing the taste of his first command for the fleet of Denalay. The steamship Checkmate doesn’t carry weaponry, but that doesn’t matter. His mission is to win an ocean-crossing race—and its hefty prize. As the voyage gets underway, Alyster hits his first snag—there’s a stowaway on board, a reporter who poked around for information about his ship the day before. And it’s too late to turn back. Miri Tayes didn’t intend to stow away. She was forced to run for her life when a colleague discovered her secret: She can pass for normal but she’s a half-salt—daughter of a Denalait mother and a pirate father. Despite her lack of seaworthy skills, Miri works hard to earn her keep, and Alyster, taken with her quick wit and steely nerve, falls for her. But as the race intensifies and the pirates use a kraken to hunt down Checkmate for its new technology, the truth could be the most elusive—and dangerous—prize of all. Warning: Contains a reporter hiding a dangerous secret and the captain who’d like to strip her bare in more ways than one. Also pirates, prejudice and passion. less

One touch, and the tide isn’t all that’s rising. When brothel health inspector Jason Remerley finds a uniformed woman waiting impatiently in the Velvet Court parlor, wanting to hire a man’s services, he’s struck by lightning. His intense, immediate attraction compels him to pretend his way into her arms. Enough silver, and most men forget about Captain Lera Vanze’s half-burned face. She senses something off about the handsome, ill-dressed prostitute who sells himself so cheaply... moreOne touch, and the tide isn’t all that’s rising. When brothel health inspector Jason Remerley finds a uniformed woman waiting impatiently in the Velvet Court parlor, wanting to hire a man’s services, he’s struck by lightning. His intense, immediate attraction compels him to pretend his way into her arms. Enough silver, and most men forget about Captain Lera Vanze’s half-burned face. She senses something off about the handsome, ill-dressed prostitute who sells himself so cheaply. But with his first touch, goose bumps turn to shivers of desire—right before the truth drives them in opposite directions. Her fury is still simmering when they face each other in a more “official” capacity. She’s joined a warship to stop a terrorist only Jason can identify. Though trust is scarce, they’re swept away in a tidal wave of murderous plots and an explosive attraction that could leave them marooned in an emotional—and very real—minefield. Warning: She knows how to wield her sword, he knows just how, when, and where to apply his…mind. Contains deception in a brothel, sex in a cave, a shark with a bad habit, and one very large wave. less

He fights to break the ice trapping his ship. She fights to melt the ice binding his heart. After a broken betrothal, musician Maggie Juell boards the ship Fallstar, hoping enough time and distance will change her ex-fiancé’s mind. Fallstar is nothing like she expected—and neither is its brooding, darkly handsome captain. Deeply bitter over his last ship’s sinking, Captain Vinsen Solarcis is embarking on the final voyage of his career... moreHe fights to break the ice trapping his ship. She fights to melt the ice binding his heart. After a broken betrothal, musician Maggie Juell boards the ship Fallstar, hoping enough time and distance will change her ex-fiancé’s mind. Fallstar is nothing like she expected—and neither is its brooding, darkly handsome captain. Deeply bitter over his last ship’s sinking, Captain Vinsen Solarcis is embarking on the final voyage of his career. Though he’s drawn to Maggie’s warmth and courage, he reminds himself she’s in love with another man fool enough to jilt her. When they encounter a foreign castaway who claims more survivors are stranded on a giant iceberg, Vinsen sails to the rescue—only to find they aren’t quite so helpless after all. Fallstar is trapped within a magical wall of ice. Vinsen and Maggie share a single passionate night before he leads a desperate mission to free his ship. But Maggie has no intention of being left behind…although the cold, blue heart of the iceberg holds secrets darker than she ever imagined. Warning: Contains a woman who had her heart set on marrying the right man, but finds herself falling for the wrong one. A giant bear, raunchy banter, sex in inappropriate places, and not nearly enough ice to cool their desire down. less