Touchstone

On her last day of high school, Cassandra Devlin walked out of exams and into a forest. Surrounded by the wrong sort of trees, and animals never featured in any nature documentary, Cass is only sure of one thing: alone, she will be lucky to survive.The sprawl of abandoned blockish buildings Cass discovers offers her only more puzzles. Where are the people? What is the intoxicating mist which drifts off the buildings in the moonlight? And why does she feel like she's being watched?Increasingly unnerved, Cass is overjoyed at the arrival of the formidable Setari. Whisked to a world as technologically advanced as the first was primitive, where nanotech computers are grown inside people's skulls, and few have any interest in venturing outside the enormous whitestone cities, Cass finds herself processed as a 'stray', a refugee displaced by the gates torn between worlds. Struggling with an unfamiliar language and culture, she must adapt to virtual classrooms, friends who can teleport, and the ingrained attitude that strays are backward and slow.Can Cass ever find her way home? And after the people of her new world discover her unexpected value, will they be willing to let her leave? A Swedish-born Australian writer working in fantasy and science fantasy. Cass walks into adventure. Adventure gives her blisters.

In the months since Cassandra Devlin walked off Earth onto another planet, she has grappled with everything from making blankets to helping psychics battle the memories of monsters. Not able to find a way home, she has instead gained friends and a purpose. Unfortunately, that purpose brings with it the pressure of being more than a little valuable, and those she has befriended are also her guards, ordered to explore and control her abilities to find out just what it is a touchstone can do.Test subject was not the career path Cass had been planning.With no privacy, too-frequent injuries, and the painful knowledge that she must always be an assignment to her Setari companions, Cass can only wish for some semblance of normality and control.And as her abilities become more and more dangerous, tests and training may be the only thing capable of protecting Cass from herself. A Swedish-born Australian writer working in fantasy and science fantasy. Cass walks into adventure. Adventure gives her blisters.

Part 3 of the Touchstone Trilogy.Cassandra Devlin doesn't know what she's for. But she knows she's running out of time.Since Cass was rescued from the abandoned world of Muina, the Aussie teen has proven more than useful to the people of Tare. Expeditions to their home world no longer end in slaughter. The teaching city of Kalasa has been unlocked. After years of searching for answers, they are starting to make progress.But space is tearing itself apart. Ionoth attack in ever-greater numbers. And "the useful stray" has been injured so many times that the Tarens hesitate to use her for fear of losing her.With one particular Taren now her most important person, Cass is determined to contribute everything she can, and hopes to find some answers of her own. What is the link between Muina and Earth? Why are the reclusive Nurans so interested in 'rescuing' her? And what role in the crisis do the inhuman Cruzatch play?Can Cass keep herself together long enough to find out? A Swedish-born Australian writer working in fantasy and science fantasy. Cass walks into adventure. Adventure gives her blisters.

A Fairy Tale RomanceWhat if a dragon lived under the city of Paris?Sarah Redman, a bank project manager up to her neck with work, wants some adventure in her life. A career opportunity in Paris seems like a dream come true, but once she gets there nothing goes as planned. The job interview she thought she wanted falls through and her dreams about a crying dragon trouble her. To top it off, she gets lost in the tunnels of Paris with a man who attracts her more than she wants to admit.Trainer extraordinaire, Josh Kleine, needs to pull off a successful presentation at the Paris Transportation Conference to land the big client and save his company. But strange events in the tunnels under Paris drive him to distraction and a strange, profound sadness. In search of answers under the city, he gets trapped below ground with a gorgeous woman who he desires like none other before. But will the sadness tear him apart before he can convince himself and her that love doesn't only exist in fairy tales?Together they may hold the key to the strange disasters striking the City of Lights. Can Sarah unravel the secrets of the city and of her heart in time to save them all?***A short novel. This is a novella of approximately 20,000 words.***Beth Barany writes magical tales of romance and adventure to transport readers to new worlds where anything is possible.

NOT A STAND ALONE NOVEL. An extra for The Touchstone Trilogy.What happens when the plot ends? A relentless barrage of weddings, babies, and planetary colonisation! Meandering through the two years following the conclusion of the Touchstone Trilogy, this self-indulgent collection of family reminiscence is more saccharine than dramatic, with the most action to be found in snowball fights.For those who truly just want to know what happens next, no matter how mundane, read on for the everyday, ordinary lives of psychic space ninjas playing house. A Swedish-born Australian writer working in fantasy and science fantasy. Cass walks into adventure. Adventure gives her blisters.

One does not simply walk onto another planet. At least not without the help of a daughter who has developed unlikely powers, fought an intra-dimensional war, and then arranged for a family relocation to a futuristic clone of Earth. Laura Devlin would gladly have paid any price to have her daughter back, so living in a techno-paradise with spaceship views is merely an added bonus. And a dream come true.But Arcadian paradises do not come without complications. Laura's include a plethora of psychic grandchildren. Interplanetary diplomacy. Her daughter's immense fame. And KOTIS, the military watchdog that seems to consider Laura's entire family government property.Forewarned by her daughter's experiences, Laura had anticipated as many problems as she could, and didn't doubt her ability to cope with the rest. But she had not planned on Gidds Selkie, a military officer 'chipped from flint' and not at all the sort of man lifelong geek Laura had ever imagined would find her interesting.Burned in the past, Laura is surprised to find herself tempted. Is this a new start to go with a new world? Or a mismatch doomed to failure? A Swedish-born Australian writer working in fantasy and science fantasy. Cass walks into adventure. Adventure gives her blisters.

Travel writer Lainie Shaw doesn't have time for men-especially not the disappointing, real-life kind. She's perfectly content losing herself in her work…and in the dreamy portraits of Highland warriors that adorn the galleries of Inverness. But when a spontaneous purchase of an antique jewelry box delivers more than she bargained for, fantasy and reality collide in the most unexpected way.Because the man of her dreams-kilt, charm, and all-suddenly appears at her feet.Now, the heat between them burns hotter than a Scottish summer, and Lainie finds herself swept into a passion that feels timeless. But as desire deepens into something dangerously close to love, she begins to wonder-can a man from the past truly belong in her future?

A Highland legend. A modern woman. A love that defies time.When Ian MacDuff's brother disappears through time to be with his true love, Ian suddenly finds himself the reluctant Laird of Clan MacDuff. The clan accepts him as their leader-but to secure his place, Ian knows he must do what every good Highlander eventually must…take a wife.After one too many ales, Ian toys with his brother's enchanted brooch-the very thing that upended his world. A strange fog fills his chamber, and when it clears, he's relieved to find himself still in his own bed. Until he notices the beautiful woman lying beside him.Natalie Blackwood, a Scottish historian, wakes to find herself in what can only be her wildest fantasy: in bed with a medieval Highlander who knows exactly how to wield more than a sword. But as fantasy and reality blur, Natalie realizes this is no dream-and that the only way home might be to follow her heart through the mists of time.

A Highland warrior lost in time. A woman bound by duty. A love written in legend.Colin MacDuff grew up on tales of time travel, true love, and a magical heirloom known as the Highland Jewel. But he never believed a word-until the day he finds himself flat on his back in the year 1648. Before him stands the most breathtaking woman he's ever seen…and she's not at all impressed.Sera has long dreamed of escaping the Highlands like her sister before her. She's sworn never to be used as a pawn in a marriage alliance and vows only to wed for love. But when the mysterious, irresistible Colin appears out of nowhere, his touch awakens desires she can no longer deny.Now, as passion ignites and danger closes in, Sera must decide whether to follow her head-or her heart. Because Colin is more than a man out of time…he may be the key to her destiny.

Travel to worlds where anything is possible-time travel to Medieval France; a cute Santa's elf hiding in plain sight in San Francisco; a mystery under the city of Paris that only love can unlock; and, love, destiny, and a labyrinth.Four romance novellas and bonus short story in the TOUCHSTONE series, by award-winning novelist, Beth Barany.TOUCHSTONE OF LOVEA time travel romance. When a thunderstorm transports software expert Rose Waldman to thirteenth century France, she meets hunky stonemason Julien, who is secretly creating a gargoyle in defiance of his master mason. Can independent gadget loving Rose trust her life and heart to Julien, and can she really never go home again?A CHRISTMAS FLINGA Christmas Elf romance. What if falling in love put the life you cherished in jeopardy?Dahlia, a Santa's Elf, has 21 days left before Christmas to create the best toy in the world without using magic or revealing her true identity. Stuck on how to complete the prototype, and working as a temp in San Francisco's financial district with no time for love, will her Christmas fling get her unstuck, or will she turn her back on her beloved career for her heart?Liam, an up-and-coming financial analyst, swore off women after getting dumped by the love of his life. He just found out his ex is going to the company Christmas party with his rival Michael Hendricks. Up for promotion against Hendricks, Liam has to win the favor of his boss. His best bet is to invite the vivacious secretary Dahlia to the party. Will Dahlia be a welcome distraction, or will she turn his life upside down?PARISIAN AMOURA Fairy Tale romance. Sarah Redman, a bank project manager, wants adventure in her life. Trainer extraordinaire, Josh Kleine, needs to pull off a successful presentation at a Paris conference to land more clients and save his company. Together they may hold the key to the strange disasters striking the City of Lights. Can Sarah unravel the secrets of the city and of her heart in time to save them all?A LABYRINTH OF LOVE AND ROSESA Fairy Tale romance. What if what you wanted got in the way of your destiny? French MBA grad Lili Grenault needs to succeed at her last pitch meeting to fund her international green tech business. But her grandmother tells her to drop everything, find her one true love, and embrace her magical legacy by Beltane, in one week, or chaos and failure in her life will ensue.San Francisco investor Brett Barnaby wants to find his great-grandfather's gravesite in Amiens, France, one of the primary battle sites of World War I. Family legend says that purpose, greater mission, and perhaps even untold riches, will be unlocked when he finds that grave. But his search in Amiens brings up fear, anger, and dire warnings about some wild Green Man. He turns to local Lily Grenault for help.Can these two independent freethinkers work together to prevent chaos from triumphing and find love in time in the labyrinth of roses?And BONUS short story: FALLING IN LOVE AGAINA time-travel-esque romance. Sexy Medieval stonemason Julien has to rely on his fiancé. Rose to adapt to a 21st century life, to learn English, and find his place in a modern world. Software expert Rose has no time to spare with two jobs to support her and her fiancé Julien in expensive San Francisco. Will a weekend getaway rekindle the spark so these two time-crossed lovers can fall in love again?

She must resist her enemy…But his kiss may just have the power to vanquish her… Lady Sorcha Comyn never thought she'd be married, let alone to Reed Campbell, leader of a rival clan. But when her brother and Campbell form a truce-and she finds herself kissing Campbell in her bedchamber-her brother demands a marriage between Campbell and her. And Campbell insists on having Sorcha in his bed. Though she vowed never to fall in love, she can't resist his strong arms and the passion he elicits. Campbell has never cared for weak women. Is it any wonder his desire for the sword-wielding, knife-throwing Sorcha consumes him so completely? The lass may claim she isn't fond of him, but the way she falls easily into his arms says otherwise. He's determined to have her-in every way. But first, he needs to win her fierce, feisty heart.

Enjoy these two Christmas sweet paranormal romanceTouchstone Series books!In this collection: A CHRISTMAS FLING and A CUPCAKE CHRISTMAS, 2 novellas for your Christmas reading pleasure!BOOK 1:ABOUT A CHRISTMAS FLINGWhat if falling in love put the life you cherished in jeopardy?Dahlia, a Santa's Elf, has 21 days left before Christmas to create the best toy in the world without using magic or revealing her true identity. Stuck on how to complete the prototype, and working as a temp in San Francisco's financial district with no time for love, will her Christmas fling get her unstuck, or will she turn her back on her beloved career for her heart?Liam, an up-and-coming financial analyst, swore off women after getting dumped by the love of his life. He just found out his ex is going to the company Christmas party with his rival Michael Hendricks. Up for promotion against Hendricks, Liam has to win the favor of his boss. His best bet is to invite the vivacious secretary Dahlia to the party. Will Dahlia be a welcome distraction, or will she turn his life upside down?BOOK 2ABOUT A CUPCAKE CHRISTMASWhat if you risked losing your baking legacy by cooking up a love truly special?Florian MacMillian needs a final job to complete his baking resumepreferably a job where he's unlikely to blow things up with his unruly magicbefore returning to the North Pole and taking his rightful place as Master Baker to all the elves.Kate Delore desperately needs help in her fast-growing cupcake business. Florian is a perfect fit, so she brings him on as baker. Florian is happily up to his elbows in batter, and Kate's business is booming.But when things heat up between them, Florian wonders if he should risk his legacy to cook up something truly special.IN THE TOUCHSTONE SERIESTouchstone of Love (A Time Travel Romance) (Touchstone, #1)A Christmas Fling (A Christmas Elf Romance) (Touchstone, #2)Parisian Amour (A Fairy Tale Romance) (Touchstone, #3)A Labyrinth of Love and Roses (A Fairy Tale Romance) (Touchstone, #4)A Cupcake Christmas (A Christmas Elf Romance) (Touchstone, #5)

One little mistake and a twist of fate cause sparks to fly... Sixteenth-century Highland Laird Camden MacLeod wakes up in the modern world. Confused with his surroundings, he haphazardly throws on his kilt and goes in search of whoever has played such a foul trick on him. What he finds instead is beyond tempting… 
 Amanda Bennett is thoroughly exploring the medieval Scottish castle she's rented for her best friend's bachelorette party. Not only does an oddly shaped stone in the tower catch her fancy-it somehow brings her dream man to life.