42 Is Not Just A Number

Book Two of the Dark Moon Series. Beta Jackson Anderson lives for his pack and family. They mean everything to him, but there is still a part of him that longs for his mate and feels unfulfilled each year that passes without finding her. He is definitely surprised when he finds her for two reasons. One, she is not a shifter. Two, she is running for her life. Imeela Precoza has been on the run for the past ten years because she escaped the massacre of her coven, the royal coven of the vampire world. Countless bounty hunters come after her, forcing her to either evade them or kill them before they kill her. She becomes a master of hiding, especially with the use of her abilities, but she wonders if this is how her life will always be – running, escaping, and surviving while being utterly alone in this world. Fate presents the perfect opportunity that will cause these mates' paths to converge. A man who wants nothing more than to protect and care for his mate, and a woman who is terrified of anyone else getting hurt because of her. It is the design of fate that takes everyone by surprise. Secrets from the past will come to light, showing the truth about why Imeela's coven was slaughtered in the first place. What does this have to do with the prophecy foretold in Book One regarding Brynn's destiny to slay a vile evil? Imeela is tired or running and decides it is time to fight back against a tyrant who has destroyed too much in her life. She is not alone any longer and has the help of a multitude of powerful individuals. Can Imeela and Jackson overcome the adversities in their path?

Nubia has her life planned out. She is working on her master's degree in post colonial studies. She has a quiet apartment and a schedule she sticks to. Every Wednesday night she finishes class at nine thirty, walks to the bus stop, and waits. The bus is always late. There is always a stranger sitting on the bench. He wears headphones and draws in a sketchbook. He never speaks. She calls him Pencil Boy in her phone and does not think much about it. Then one October night the bus is delayed by forty three minutes. Eli studies architecture but he draws people instead of buildings. He has been sketching Nubia for six weeks without ever saying a word. He is quiet and pays close attention to things. He has learned to keep people at a distance because it feels safer that way. But when the cold night gets to Nubia and he gives her his hoodie, the silence between them finally breaks. What begins as pie at a late night diner turns into a Wednesday night tradition. Then a friendship. Then something much deeper. As Nubia and Eli grow closer, they must face the things that make them different. Race. Class. The dreams they are chasing. The families they come from. And the strong pull of a connection neither of them can ignore. Set over one school year, 43 Minutes is a warm and sensual love story about two people learning to truly see each other. It is about letting yourself be seen. And it is about the moments that change your life in less than an hour but stay with you forever.

My childhood friend, whom I hadn’t contacted for years, kept calling nonstop during an important meeting. After the meeting, he spoke in a sharp tone. “Do you think you’re too big for your britches? I’m getting engaged and you’re not even coming back to help out. Do I have to invite you?” I was representing my country at an international scientific forum, so I could only decline politely. Unexpectedly, he turned all haughty. “Fine then. If you’re not coming back, then just send me a gift with four circles and I’ll let it slide. Four circles? Thinking he meant ten thousand with four zeroes, I immediately agreed. “Don’t worry, I’ll give you ten thousand dollars as a wedding gift.” “Ten grand? Who the hell are you kidding? “My wife is the eldest daughter of the Jeffersons, the most prestigious family in Cirrus. Only the most distinguished people are on the guest list. Seeing that we’re old friends, I’m letting you attend. It’s your great honor!” He cursed angrily and sent me the invitation. I was struck dumb the moment I opened it. My aloof ice queen of a wife, who kept strangers at bay, was locked in a passionate kiss with her arms wrapped around my childhood friend’s waist. “Four zeroes, huh? How about four wreaths?” My gaze darkened as I clutched my phone. Four funeral wreaths ought to count as four circles, too!

In the madness of life, we find the madness of life in ourselves. We are a reflection of the madness of life. We are the embodiment of a crazy life.

If you knew how your life would end, would you do something differently? Bruno didn't believe in fate, prophecies, or anything related to the future until that late afternoon when he and his friends were approached by a gypsy. He was completely skeptical until the gypsy sealed his fate: He would get married by the age of 24, have four children, become rich, but not by doing what he loves, nor through gambling. His father would pass away at 60 years old, two years younger than him. His destiny was linked to a young woman with brown hair, and all of this would happen only when Bruno met this woman. He promised himself never to fall in love with any woman with brown hair... And that remained true until he met Helena.

Odds! Wouldn't it be odd to not have something to fight against like suppose just some odds that we have to face? We can't just escape them for sure. I mean numbers can't be complete with just even series, right? Just the same way, having odds has been a normal part of anyone's life. Yeah, sometimes these can be weird too. Still, they can be overcome and many can be successful in doing that also. Alas! Some may not be able to do that. A couple had let the odd win as them staying together was the odd thing and it is not because they want to but because they are tired. For how much longer would two people try to fight the odds without the help from outside? And hence the failure resulting in separation. If the odds are that powerful then what if them getting back together is odd this time? Well, let's see if this time odds will win or not.