Clock Strikes (Book 1)
Blurb:
Collin is a Neko, a human cat hybrid, who has never had the chance to leave Aloria Island. The only way a Neko is ever allowed to go to the human world is if they become a pet to a demon. Collin has been in love with Adrian, the Prince of the Demons, for years, but Adrian doesn’t even seem to notice he exists, so when Porter, Prince Adrian’s cousin, asks Collin if he would like to be his pet for the Annual Reaping of Souls Ball, Collin jumps at the chance.
Prince Adrian has secretly lusted after Collin for years, but a demon and a Neko becoming lovers is not only unheard of, such a relationship is banned. With a rebel army threatening to overthrow Prince Adrian and the royal council, Collin has to choose sides. But neither choice guarantees him a place next to Prince Adrian’s side.
Answer is Near (Book 2)
Blurb:
For a lonely Neko, Chicago is as strange and unbelievable as the fantasy realms of his childhood.
Despite the alien environment, Collin is as much in love with his demon master, Prince Adrian as ever. But the growing threat from the rebel demons who want to overthrow the aristocracy and destroy the human world still hangs over their heads, and Collin fears the rebels hold the key to the disappearance of his missing brother, Rolland.
When Izumi, a new Neko pet, comes to Chicago, he and Collin become fast friends. Can Collin trust Izumi to help him find Rolland, or does Izumi have his own agenda?
Crossing Fate (Book 3)
Blurb:
Rolland and Porter have been lovers for years, even though relationships between Nekos and demons are forbidden. But despite Porter’s numerous attempts to take Rolland away from the Neko Island and make him into a pet, Rolland refuses on the grounds their secret would be discovered.
When Lance, a demon rebelling against the Royal Council, comes to Neko island in search of pets, Rolland volunteers. But Lance is not as ignorant as he pretends. He knows Rolland is actually a hybrid demon/Neko. Lance offers Rolland the chance to join him as an equal, but Rolland would have to divulge the identities of the other hybrids. Is his freedom worth betraying Porter and the secret he vowed to keep?
All That Remains (Book 4)
Blurb:
Collin has loved Adrian, the Demon Prince, for more than a decade. In the past he has been forced to conceal his love to protect the monarchy, knowing how much their affair endangers Adrian’s standing with the Demon Council.
Collin and his friend Izumi have served their demon masters faithfully and without question. But when it becomes clear the army rebelling against the monarchy threatens to destroy not only demon society but the lives of their masters, the two Nekos become determined to find the enemy’s weakness.
Collin gains more than he bargained for when he discovers the real reason Nekos are enslaved is the power they have over their demon masters. Now more than Adrian’s reign as Prince of the Demons is threatened. If Collin cannot find a way to change the course of their history, Adrian’s very life may be forfeit.
Excerpt from Clock Strike
His blue-black hair would feel like silk against my skin. He would sit in front of me, his back perfectly straight, because princes don’t slouch. His hands, cool and big, would touch the sides of my face, pulling me closer so I could give him pleasure. And heaven knows I wanted to give him all the pleasure my Neko body could handle.
His hands would travel down his flat, tight abdomen to his pants. He would loosen his clothing and reveal his large, erect cock. I would lean forward and swallow him down my throat, hoping to hear his gasp of erotic pleasure.
My own body would be ready for him when he’d had enough of my mouth. I would look at him through my long dark lashes and the curtain of my blonde hair and give him my sweetest smile. The one I’d been practicing just for him. And I would finally say…
“Collin.”
I blinked, the sunlight glaring down into my eyes. I felt the soft grass mixed with flowers underneath my bare arms. I could feel my face flush, and I wanted to hide, but instead I looked up at the person who had called my name.
Rolland, my older brother by four years, was staring down at me. He was frowning, but I could see he wanted to laugh. His hair, blonde like mine, fell just above his chin and he reached up to tug on a strand sticking to his brown, fur-covered cat’s ear. “You were dreaming again.”
“I’m a Neko. I sleep fourteen hours a day,” I said simply, sitting up so I could better hide my erection.
Rolland plopped down next to me and wrapped his arms around his knees. “Who do you dream about?”
Although Rolland was only twenty-nine, he was one of the oldest Nekos still living on Aloria. Unable to take the confinements of our beautiful prison, most Nekos had already settled for a demon master and left for the human world.
“No one,” I murmured. At least… no one I would ever have.
“Hmm. Doesn’t look like no one.” He pointed at the tent in my pants.
I blushed and punched him in the arm. “Hey, shut up.”
He held his hands up in defense and lowered his voice. “No one stays here forever, Collin. Eventually, all of us will choose to go to the Neko kingdom forever, or become a pet to a demon. You should tell that special girl you love her while there is still time.”
“I don’t like girls, Rolland.”
He looked embarrassed. “Oh, yeah, right.”
I was silent. There was no way I could tell him who I wanted. He would think I’d gone crazy and then he would probably feel bad for me. “What do pets do, anyway?”
Rolland looked at me. “Why do you want to know?”
I had to be careful. “Just curious.”
“Whatever their master wants.”
“Is that why you’re still here?”
“Me?” Rolland ruffled my hair, and then pinched my cat ear before standing up. “I’m not going anywhere until you do.”
He was going to be waiting a while. I took his waiting hand and then followed him down the dirt path back home. We lived on an island surrounded by a sort of energy field that prevented humans from detecting us. I’d heard the kinder demons who came to Aloria frequently say that it was in our best interest humans not find us.
Sure, I knew it was a strange concept for humans to imagine half cat, half human hybrids, but I was living proof we existed.
The real reason for our invisible wall of protection, the one whispered amongst the bolder Nekos, was that the demons would never let us go. They had conquered us some four hundred years ago, and clearly we weren’t fighting anymore.
The futility of it all just made me want to chuck myself into the ocean. I wondered how long I could swim before making it to the force field. And then what would happen?
Maybe the energy field was all just a lie.
Our cottages were tailored to each family so after our parents and our sister left, Rolland and I had lived alone. Neither one of us had children or a Neko mate, so our house would probably be given to another, larger family if we chose to go to the Neko kingdom, which was really just another island without any hope of escape.
I pushed open our door and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. Sometimes, I wanted to go to join the rest of our family on the Neko homeland, but I couldn’t leave the dark-haired prince from my dreams…
About the Author
Ana Raine writes because she loves to believe in magic, dragons, and that there is more to life than what human eyes can see. Ana lives in Michigan where when it’s not snowy and wet, there are beautiful state parks and lakes to visit. When she was eighteen, she married her best friend and they live with their two cats, Mason and Misaki. Ana has celiac disease, but that hasn’t stopped her from learning how to cook and bake so she can eat tasty treats. Fudge, enchiladas, and anything involving yucca/cassava are her absolute favorite.
Ana has studied in Osaka, Japan where she learned about theater and drama. She would love to go back after she is sure her Japanese is efficient enough. Ana loves anything to do with foxes, especially Arctic foxes. One day, Ana will find a way to incorporate her love of foxes into a novel, but until then, she’ll stay focused on fairies, shape shifters, and mythology.
Feel free to stop by her blog for tasty recipes, freebies, and more.
Blog: anarainebooks.blogspot.com
Twitter: @AuthorAnaRaine
E-mail: anaraine@rocketmail.com
Publishers: Dreamspinner Press, Changeling Press, MLR Press