Embroideries

My grandmother only knows how to draw one thing—infants. They're ugly, but people line up to buy the paintings. I watch as she takes those women into unlit rooms. Then, their bloodcurdling screams will ring out. Oddly enough, they always thank my grandmother when they're leaving. One day, I finally find out what exactly my grandmother paints. I discover the truth when I see an infant crawl out of one of the women's bellies—it looks just like the one my grandmother has painted.

I fell in love with a cold, taciturn tattoo artist named Henry Kane. So I deliberately damaged my tattoo again and again, picking at the skin and reworking the design, just to see him a few more times. By the third visit for touch-ups, scrolling comments suddenly appeared before my eyes: “I’m dying of laughter. This desperate female lead literally destroyed her freshly tattooed skin just to see the male lead again, and she still didn’t dare confess her feelings.” “Henry Kane is actually the embodiment of an ancient ferocious beast who sat on mountains of gold and silver but refused to spend them, choosing instead to open a tattoo studio to experience mortal life.” “He looks icy and distant, but his possessiveness has long since maxed out.” “He was just afraid his violent nature would scare his woman away.” I looked at the man in front of me, who was lowering his head as he wiped down the tattoo machine, and he did indeed give off an unmistakable keep-your-distance aura. But the comments claimed that he wanted to possess me? “Um… Excuse me?” The man tilted his head slightly, and under the weight of his deep gaze, the confession lodged in my throat. My mind short-circuited, and I blurted out, “I… I wanted to tattoo it on my lower back this time.” In an instant, the comments exploded in joy. “Woohoo! We’re taking off!” “Lower back, you say? That’s a sensitive spot! Can this pure-hearted ferocious beast really hold back?” “Good grief, straight to the undressing scene! This cunning move by the female lead is operating on a whole other level!” The man’s hand gripping the tattoo machine jerked to a sudden stop, and the air seemed to freeze for a few seconds. Then he answered, his voice slightly hoarse and unreadable, “Alright.”

Pine Hollow has followed the same wedding custom for more than a century: the groom must hand-stitch a pair of bridal shoes for his bride to wear during the wedding send-off. If the shoes fit, it means the ancestors have blessed the couple with a lifetime of happiness. I tried on six pairs, but each one was either too large or too small. Every wedding had to be canceled. Each time, Cole Bennett promised me guiltily, "Audrey, wait for me. I swear I'll make you a pair of bridal shoes that fits perfectly." I believed him. Then, at our seventh send-off, I put on the shoes and my toe tore straight through a hole in the front. I froze, but Piper Dawson, who had come with the groom's party, pointed at me and burst out laughing. "Sorry, Audrey. I didn't know the pair I bought this time would be so poorly made. They're even worse than the first six!" I stared at Cole in disbelief. "She bought all the shoes? We prepared for seven weddings, and you let her turn every one into a game?" He frowned and looked at me as though I were the unreasonable one. "Piper is a tomboy. Why are you making such a big deal out of this? You already waited through six weddings. What difference does one more make?" Then he stroked my hair and spoke casually. "Stop making a scene. I promised Piper I wouldn't marry you until she turns twenty-five and can live independently. "I promise I'll stitch the next pair myself." I watched him in silence. He had forgotten that I no longer had the right to make a scene. In Pine Hollow, seven failed wedding send-offs marked a bride as ill-fated. Within three days, she had to enter an alliance marriage with someone outside the community. And she was forbidden from returning home for seven years.

WARNING: This book is strictly for mature readers. It contains extremely explicit scenes🔞, violence and vulgar words. Readers' discretion is strongly advised. When upcoming fashion designer, Serena Voss, lands a contract deal to create custom made riding gear for the notorious Frost Vipers' MC, she sees it as an opportunity for her to save her collapsing brand before Christmas. But nothing prepares her for the moment she walks into the clubhouse and meets Knoxx "Havoc" Whitlock, the club's dangerously hot president with sexy tattoos and a ruggedly handsome face. {Funny enough, they have met before, days ago at a coffee shop where she was so rude to him after she had mistakenly spilled her coffee on him}. Knoxx, on the other hand, remembers her quite well...the sharp mouthed woman who has been on his mind since the coffee shop incident. Glad to have Miss Attitude as his employee, he intends to thoroughly tame her in every way possible...including on his bed. No doubts, they are highly attracted to each other, have burning moments on the sheets, but their chemistry gets complicated along the line when Serena uncovers a buried truth: her brother died in a hit-and-run on Christmas Eve five years ago, and the bike in the police report matches one from the Frost Vipers' garage. As Serena digs deeper, she discovers that Knoxx is strongly connected to her brother's death. When a rival gang, Widow's Bite MC, launches a violent Christmas week ambush and Knoxx's second in command, Gavin aka "Bishop" happens to be with enemy, Serena must decide whether to run for her life or fight for the man who has claimed her body and soul. This Christmas, love isn't soft. It's consuming and savage.

Yvayn is beginning his Anointment Journey now that he’s reached the age of manhood. As the son of the emperor, he must journey to the neighboring empire and meet his allies. Yvayn had lived a secluded life and now he is thrust upon the world in which his life is forever changed by events foretold in forgotten prophecies that were buried by former clan leaders and religious zealots. His world comes crashing down around him as events unfold from evil machinations that begin to destroy his world around him. Yvayn also finds himself lost and wandering into the lands of his mother and befriends his relatives under a new name. He confronts bias and judgements against him by protecting his family from a hostile lion then befriends a lost and injured wizard and decides to take him back to his home. Meanwhile Yvayn’s guardian tries to find Yvayn. Termas decides to return home when he befriends a young girl named Cai. He returns to the capital city and begins to build an army to defend the city from the evil forces that are quickly coming. He follows them into one massive battle where everything seems to fall apart from an even larger enemy. He has to fight against old clan enemies as well as religious zealots to try to keep control all while admitting that he lost Yvayn somewhere on his Anointment Journey. This is just book one of three.

"Together Forever" is a heartwarming tale of love, resilience, and the power of human connection. Set in the picturesque town of Willowbrook, it follows the lives of two individuals, Emily and Ryan, who find themselves drawn to each other amidst life's challenges. Emily, a talented artist with a troubled past, is trying to rebuild her life and rediscover her passion for art. Ryan, a compassionate and dedicated doctor, is coping with personal loss while striving to make a difference in the lives of his patients. When their paths cross unexpectedly, a deep connection forms between them, leading to a journey of healing and self-discovery. As Emily and Ryan navigate their own emotional landscapes, they realize the importance of cherishing every moment and finding solace in the presence of someone who understands their pain. Together, they embark on a transformative journey, supporting each other through life's ups and downs. Their love blossoms against all odds, but they soon face a series of unforeseen challenges that test the strength of their bond. With determination and unwavering support, Emily and Ryan find the courage to confront their pasts and embrace the future, discovering that true love can withstand any storm. "Together Forever" is a poignant exploration of the complexities of relationships, highlighting the transformative power of love, forgiveness, and the indomitable human spirit. Through its beautifully crafted narrative, the book celebrates the resilience of the human heart and reminds us that, no matter the obstacles, love can endure and prevail. In a world where everything can change in an instant, Emily and Ryan's story serves as a reminder to cherish the present and hold onto the ones we love, for it is in togetherness that we find strength, hope, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow