Downside Up

What does the underboss of an infamous crime family have in common with a spirited primary school teacher? Absolutely nothing, except a marriage of convenience, of course. When Lionel Tyson defaults on a gambling debt and offers his most prized possession as collateral, Austin Hawthorne is underwhelmed. But in desperate need of a housekeeper and permanent child minder, he knows he’d be an idiot to look a gift horse in the mouth. So, against his better judgement, he accepts an offer he should absolutely refuse. Marybeth Tyson is horrified to learn that not only is her father wanted by loan sharks, but he has also sold her off to a mafia boss. Bound by duty and pushed by guilt, she agrees to give Austin Hawthorne one year of her life, despite common sense screaming at her to run the other way. After all, how hard can pretending to be madly in love with someone be? It’s all fun and games until play pretend becomes all too real, and an earth-shattering secret from Austin’s past comes to light, threatening to destroy his second chance at love with his dogged pursuit for answers. Betrayal, especially at the hands of his older brother Blake and long-time friend, Andrei Ivanov, is a bitter pill to swallow for Austin, and letting them off scot-free is not an option. Driven by his unquenchable thirst for revenge, Austin will stop at nothing to get to the truth, even if it means destroying decade-old friendships and fragile ties to The Corporation. 2022 Val Sims. All rights reserved. No part of this novel may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author and publishers.

The world might think billionaire Xavier Gaines has it all, but he’s got a big problem. His successful software company is about to sign a government contract that’ll land him smack in the glare of the public limelight, and his lifelong battle with social anxiety has marked him as a cold, uncaring bastard in the eyes of the press. To dispel the unflattering image, he needs help, and there’s only one person he trusts with the job—Peyton Smoke. Gorgeous, kind, and funny, she agrees to be his media relations director and soon imbeds herself so deeply in his life, his world will crumble if anything upsets the balance. He cannot screw up their solid unit. No matter how achingly he desires her. Yet, how is he supposed to resist when she tugs emotions from him he didn’t think he was capable of experiencing? Especially since it appears he’s not the only one fighting their undeniable attraction. Ever-after might be possible...if he can convince her to believe in love again.Counterbalance is created by Kelly Moran, an EGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

Noel had a great life, or so she thought. She had followed all the rules that a woman is suppose to. She got married, she had children, and she was a dutiful wife. One fateful day will change her life dramatically, and end the love story that was her life. Lost and alone, Noel must learn how to navigate the world of love all over again. Finding her way through the fast paced world of dating, and failed relationships will she ever find love again?Wrong Way Up is a story about the modern dating world, and navigating relationships. Follow Noel as she learns about the new rules for her world. Dealing with abusive relationships, treacherous friends, and breaking the values she was taught as a child. Will she find a way to fly again, or will she choose to end it all?

Five minutes before the graduate admission exam began, the campus heartthrob quietly slipped a crumpled piece of paper into my pencil case. Lines of floating text drifted across my vision. [The paper is filled with answers. The school heartthrob has reported it, and the proctor will be here any second!] [As long as they find it, his admission slot will be canceled immediately!] [Serves this bookworm right for standing in our heartthrob’s way. The proctor is his aunt. He’s doomed today!] The next second, the proctor stormed into the classroom and headed straight for my seat. “Someone has reported you for cheating,” she said sharply. “Empty your pencil case. We’re checking it.” Without a word, I turned the case upside down. A few pens fell onto the desk, but there was no paper. The campus heartthrob’s eyes widened in disbelief. “How is that possible? I–” Before he could finish, a slip of paper covered in answers slid out of his own pocket and dropped onto the floor. What they didn’t know was that I was born with a weird power called “Misfortune Rebound.” Anyone who tried to harm me would end up suffering the consequences themselves.

The night before her wedding, Selina’s perfect life ended. Her fiancé, Jason, cheated with her closest friend, leaving her heartbroken and furious. Determined to make them pay, she began a bold plan of revenge. Her first strike humiliated her best friend—but the backlash was swift. Her enemy vowed to destroy Selina in return. Then came the next step: seducing Jason’s brother, Adrian, a man she barely knew, to hurt Jason indirectly. Yet, revenge took an unexpected turn. Selina’s calculated plan began to unravel as she fell for Adrian, and he, too, found himself drawn to her. But secrets have a way of surfacing. Jason discovered the truth, her brother became entangled in the chaos, and her best friend schemed relentlessly to ruin their budding relationship. With every obstacle, every betrayal, and every whispered secret, Selina and Adrian’s love was tested. Could love survive the consequences of revenge? Or would their hearts pay the ultimate price? Twisted Intentions is a story of betrayal, passion, and love found where it was least expected.

“Kaelin, this feels wrong… we shouldn’t be doing this,” he muttered, his voice shaky, eyes darting away like he wasn’t sure if he should even be here. “Relax… just trust me,” I said quietly, trying to ease the tension in his shoulders. He sighed, still looking conflicted. “But I’m not gay,” he blurted out again, like he needed to remind himself. I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Neither am I.” He frowned, hesitating. “Then doesn’t this make us gay?” I shook my head with a small smile. “Nah, Elian. Some things don’t make you gay. We’re just… helping each other out. That’s all. Keep that in mind.” Unrequited follows Elian….a rich kid still haunted by his dad’s death. Things take a turn when he falls for a girl in his class, not knowing their families share a dark, twisted past that’s bound to mess everything up. His best friend Kaelin is struggling too — torn between feelings he shouldn’t have for Elian and the pain of being rejected by his own family. And then there’s Lloyd, quietly caught in the middle, dealing with his own confusing feelings for Kaelin that only make things messier. As secrets start to spill, their lives tangle in ways none of them saw coming. Unrequited is a story about love that hurts, truths that cut deep, and how the past always finds a way back.