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Praise for the novels of New York Times
and USA TODAY bestselling author
Gena Showalter
Heart of the Dragon
“Lots of danger and sexy passion give lucky readers
a spicy taste of adventure and romance.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
“Filled with steamy sex, adventure, and a sprinkle
of humour…a fantastic book!”
—Myshelf.com
Jewel of Atlantis
“Showalter has created a ripe mythological world
populated with fascinating creatures and dark lore…
For extraordinary escapism, read this book.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
“Shines like the purest gem…Rich in imagery and
evocative detail, this book is a sterling example of
what makes romance novels so worthwhile.”
—A Romance Review, 5 stars
The Nymph King
“A world of myth, mayhem and love under the sea!”
—New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward
“I want to visit Atlantis! Deliciously evocative and
filled with sexy men, The Nymph King is every
woman’s fantasy come to sizzling life. A must read.”
—New York Times bestselling author P.C. Cast
“Gena Showalter’s stories hum with fast pacing and
characters that leap off the page. Pick up one of
Gena’s books! You won’t be disappointed!”
—USA TODAY bestselling author Julie Kenner
Atlantis
New York Times bestselling author
GENA SHOWALTER
invites you to enter Atlantis,
a world of dark seduction and powerful magic…
HEART Of THE DRAGON
JEWEL Of ATLANTIS
THE NYMPH KING
THE VAmpiRE’S BRIDE
Jewel of Alantis
Gena Showalter
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author GENA SHOWALTER has been praised for her “sizzling page-turners” and “utterly spellbinding stories”. She is the author of more than seventeen novels and anthologies, including breathtaking paranormal and contemporary romances, cutting-edge young adult novels and stunning urban fantasy. Readers can’t get enough of her trademark wit and singular imagination.
To learn more about Gena and her books, please visit www.genashowalter.com and www.genashowalter blogspot.com.
Other sexy, steamy reads from Gena Showalter and MIRA Books
ATlANTIS
HEART Of THE DRAGON
JEWEL Of ATLANTIS
THE NYMPH KING
THE VAMPIRE’S BRIDE
LORDS OF THE UNDERWORLD
THE DARKEST NIGHT
THE DARKEST KISS
THE DARKEST PLEASURE
THE DARKEST WHISPER
DARK BEGINNINGS
THE DARKEST PASSION
THE DARKEST LIE
More stunning tales from Gena Showalter are coming your way…
INTERTWINED
UNRAVELLED
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
To max—my babe.
To the ladies who help make all my dreams come true—Tracy Farrell, Donna Hayes, Loriana Sacilotto, Dianne Moggy, Margo Lipschultz, Keyren Gerlach, Marleah Stout and the amazing HQN art department. (And everyone else I stupidly omitted. Sorry!)
To Merline Lovelace—a woman who generously and warmly gives of herself without reservation.
To Debbie Splawn-Bunch—who wouldn’t let me title this book His (Hard and Shiny) Family Jewels.
Prologue
THE GODS NEVER MEANT to create them.
For centuries they paced throughout the heavens, wailing their need for beings to guide, nurture and rule. They longed fervently for a kingdom overflowing with loyal, grateful, obedient subjects.
And so, the idea of Man was born.
The king of gods was sacrificed, his blood melded with land, air, sea and fire; living creatures were formed. But the elements were unstable, the measure of portions flawed, and the outcome atrocious. The beings they created were not what the gods had envisioned, in appearance or temperament. They were not loyal or grateful, least of all obedient. These Dragons, Minotaurs, Vampires, Nymphs, Formorians—and too many others to name—were powerful rivals, potential usurpers to the royal, immortal throne.
Fear erupted in the heavens.
In a panic, the gods cursed each ghastly creation to a life under the sea, to live forever
