The Russian Witch's Curse Series by Bridget E. Baker

Mirdza Strelkova should have minded her own business on the long train ride, because she knew just how nasty violent men could be. Or perhaps that's precisely why she stepped in to help the frightened mother and terrified child. But in her wildest dreams, she never imagined she'd be tossed out the window of a moving train, broken and bleeding. And she never could have predicted the dark horse who would come to her aid, or the comeback story that lay before them both.

Adriana’s stuck between a rock and a very hard, very dangerous place. It’s not the first time she’s ever been in trouble, but it is the worst. When her twin sister Mirdza calls and tells her she’s going to be killed unless Adriana surrenders herself in half an hour, Adriana figures she doesn’t have much to lose. But she has no idea how much excitement her future holds, or whose protection she’s about to awaken... moreAdriana’s stuck between a rock and a very hard, very dangerous place. It’s not the first time she’s ever been in trouble, but it is the worst. When her twin sister Mirdza calls and tells her she’s going to be killed unless Adriana surrenders herself in half an hour, Adriana figures she doesn’t have much to lose. But she has no idea how much excitement her future holds, or whose protection she’s about to awaken. The scrappy fighter who has vowed never to date or marry is about to meet her match in the highest horse-shifter in existence—the displaced Czar of Russia himself, Alexei Romanov. less

From birth, Katerina had everything. Born into a wealthy, loving family, she received an impeccable education, and luck gave her both intelligence and beauty. Until she screwed it all up by falling for the wrong guy. Cursed by the same spell as Aleksander, Grigoriy, and Alexei, when Katerina finally wakes, the world's unrecognizable. She also can’t use her magical powers or shift into her horse form without villainous intervention... moreFrom birth, Katerina had everything. Born into a wealthy, loving family, she received an impeccable education, and luck gave her both intelligence and beauty. Until she screwed it all up by falling for the wrong guy. Cursed by the same spell as Aleksander, Grigoriy, and Alexei, when Katerina finally wakes, the world's unrecognizable. She also can’t use her magical powers or shift into her horse form without villainous intervention. When Katerina discovers the information her powerful and vindictive ex has been searching for, will she use it to destroy him or regain his good opinion? The last time, she bet on the wrong horse, and she doesn’t plan to make that same mistake twice. But how can she be sure of the winner before the race is over? less

Izzy Brooks has not always had the easiest life. Her dad died when she was young, and their entire family moved halfway across the country to work a ranch. Strangely, that turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to her. When she doesn’t get into vet school, and her boyfriend’s facing charges at work, and her heart horse dies, it feels like her life’s falling apart all over again. So when she sees a horse that’s about to be put down for poor behavior, she decides to take a gamble... moreIzzy Brooks has not always had the easiest life. Her dad died when she was young, and their entire family moved halfway across the country to work a ranch. Strangely, that turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to her. When she doesn’t get into vet school, and her boyfriend’s facing charges at work, and her heart horse dies, it feels like her life’s falling apart all over again. So when she sees a horse that’s about to be put down for poor behavior, she decides to take a gamble. Maybe she can train him into something decent and earn the money she needs to help her boyfriend. But this stallion isn’t just a mess—he acts like he’s never even been a horse before. If he wasn’t such a stunning sorrel with a perfect mane, tail, and blaze, she’d release him into the wild and walk away. But she knows what it’s like to feel like her options are limited. So when no one’s looking, she sneaks him into her trailer and runs away, determined to turn this horse’s life around and change her own fate at the same time. What she doesn’t know is that she just stole the world’s most powerful magician, who’s only temporarily trapped in an unfamiliar horse form, and when he finally breaks free, there will be hell to pay. less

After being attacked during a study abroad program, Whitney Brooks decides to train in self-defense. She doesn’t expect to become a sharpshooting champion. She certainly doesn’t expect to be competing for the state title when the world explodes. Literally. When a massive earthquake splits a mountain open and a black horse gallops out, nostrils trailing smoke, hooves setting the scrub brush on fire, Whitney’s as horrified as everyone else... moreAfter being attacked during a study abroad program, Whitney Brooks decides to train in self-defense. She doesn’t expect to become a sharpshooting champion. She certainly doesn’t expect to be competing for the state title when the world explodes. Literally. When a massive earthquake splits a mountain open and a black horse gallops out, nostrils trailing smoke, hooves setting the scrub brush on fire, Whitney’s as horrified as everyone else. But while other weapons experts flee, Whitney feels strangely drawn to the beast. She’s always had a penchant for violence. But Xolotl’s on a different level. He always chooses a human when he wakes to become his champion, and Whitney’s the only one who isn’t screaming hysterically. In fact, he’s fascinated when she tries, uselessly, to put him down. He has big plans for how he’ll use her to restore balance to the world. Because that’s his job—to bring death back to the world on a large scale. Now that he’s awake again, nothing can stop him. Then again, he’s never met anyone like Whitney Brooks. less