High Tide In Tucson : Essays From Now Or Never

Ashlyn hasn't spoken a word since the age of eight, and her heart's never felt more protected. But, when the confident and ever so charming Derek stumbles into her quiet little world, her emotions-and forbidden desires-have never been so loud. For twenty years, silence is all Ashlyn Holland has known. Haunted by the memories of her father, and the harrowing song of the ocean that stole him from her, Ashlyn maintains a safe distance from the rest of the world. Treading carefully the sea of fear and anguish that surrounds her, Ashlyn is determined to do all she can to protect her heart from such a tragic loss striking again. In silence, she grieves. In silence, she is safe. In silence, she finds the strength to breathe. But the silence can only last so long... Derek Moreno is charming and devoted, and quick to see through every wall Ashlyn erects. With his arrival in town, defences fold and walls begin to crumble, the songs of her heart reaching new heights. Together, they crest twin tides of fate, the silence she'd once sought engulfed by his gentle touch, and the whispers of a love thought impossible. For the summer, Ashlyn welcomes the noise. The disruption. But, the ghosts of Derek's past will no longer remain silent, and their deafening power has the potential to drag them both into a current strong enough to drown them amidst their heartache.

For almost four years without her twin brother, Addison Miranda cannot swallow the pain of her brother's death that still haunts her every night. That's why she pours her every emotion on writing which her brother influenced her when they were still young. And as she grows older, she wants to pursue the dream that settles her from the grief of her lost. The only thing that her mind automatically focuses on is becoming a published writer, willing to do whatever sorcery she needs to perform. But just like any other human being, she stumble upon the biggest regret of her life. Meeting Corpse De Chavez is the start of how she wanted to dig her own grave. It is like in a blink of an eye, Addi become blind of how her success will fall on her hands like streaming waters. She found out that Corpse is a big part of her past that has been torturing her for years. And how unfortunate for her to fall for someone that she’s supposed to despise. Desperate to live a peaceful life, she decided to quit everything so she can save herself from falling apart, even though it breaks her heart leaving the person that loves her more than anyone else. Addison Miranda believes that whatever witchcraft that she's been under, she wanted to get out of it as soon as possible before she falls with it. Because just like spilled coffee on the table, Corpse caused a big mess that no one has ever done to her life. 

--- *The Current Between Us* > She took something from the sea. > Now the sea wants her back. > > Beatrice thought it was just a silver comb. > A pretty thing given as a gift of promise by the Prince. > She was wrong. > > The moment she touched it, the nightmares began. > A voice in her head calling her name. > A mark glowing on her skin. > And a man with black eyes who escaped police custody with spears in his hands. > > King Dave has three days left before the land kills him. > He needs the comb back. He needs the prince. > And according to the blood of the Court, Beatrice is the key to both. > > Hector doesn’t believe in monsters. > But he believes in Beatrice. > And he’ll do anything to keep her safe — even if that means fighting a war he doesn’t understand. > > As the tide rises and the Court hunts, Beatrice is caught between two worlds. > One pull is magic, ancient and claiming. > The other is human, steady and terrified to lose her. > > Some bonds are written in blood. > Some currents you cannot swim against. > > *Update 3x a week. Cliffhangers guaranteed.* > Enter the water. If you dare. ---

Juan Shaw was Harbor City's youngest chief of cardiac surgery. Everyone said his hands were the steadiest, and his heart was the coldest as well. But I knew he wasn't incapable of gentleness. It was just that his gentleness was simply never meant for me. The day after our engagement, my father suddenly had a stroke and was rushed to the emergency room. The nurse told me they needed two immediate family members to sign the consent form. I called Juan right away. The phone rang for a long time before he picked up, and a woman's weak sobs came through the line. It was his ex, Whitney Jackson. Juan said in a low voice, "Whitney's having a panic attack and I'm accompanying her. Have the hospital start emergency treatment first." I gripped the pen until my knuckles turned white. "The doctor said they needed two immediate family members to sign. My mom's dead. I only have you." He was silent for two seconds, but his voice stayed steady. "Don't make it sound so serious. Even though the hospital has procedures, they won't really refuse to save him." Whitney choked on a sob on the other side. "Juan, don't let me delay anything. Maybe you should go. I can manage alone." Juan answered at once. "Don't force yourself. I'm not leaving." When the call ended, the nurse urged me again. I lowered my head and looked at the engagement ring on my finger. Juan had chosen it himself. He said the harbor was always covered in thick fog. He could spot me right away if the ring was bright enough. That day, the white lights outside the emergency room were blinding. I was standing in the fog. I couldn't wait for him. By the time Dad was no longer in danger, I had already spent the entire night outside the ward. Daylight came. Juan finally sent a message. [Whitney is asleep now. How's your father?] I looked at the ferry docked at the pier outside the window. The fog was gone. I should go now.

**Temptations After Dark** is a seductive collection of short stories that will leave you breathless, flushed, and craving more. Within these pages, fantasies come alive, each tale exploring the raw, unfiltered heat of passion in its most intimate and forbidden forms. Sensual, daring, and unapologetically erotic, this collection is your invitation to indulge without restraint… because some desires are meant to be satisfied.

The day high school seniors across Cedarhaven received their college decisions, my own graduation ceremony had just ended. Adrian Hawthorne came to meet me outside the campus with Celeste Monroe, his newly divorced former sister-in-law. He had barely offered me the sunflowers in his hand when Celeste brushed them aside with a laugh. "Sunflowers? You could try harder if you're courting a young woman." Adrian smiled and handed the bouquet to her. "Then you choose. Clara will like whatever you pick." I stood beside them without finding a place in the conversation. Celeste patted his shoulder. "Your tie is crooked. There are too many people here for you to embarrass me." Adrian lowered his head and let her straighten it. After the graduation photographs, he drew Celeste close and told me, "You're good with a camera. Take a few more pictures of us." For three years, every movie meant for two came with a third ticket, and every anniversary dinner had been chosen around another woman's restrictions. I had protested before, but whenever the argument ended, I was always the one Adrian set aside. Then Celeste accidentally left her phone in my purse, and I saw the photograph on her lock screen. Across the image were the words: July 2 - finally free. The same date was engraved beneath Adrian's watch. He called impatiently, "Clara, hurry. Celeste can't wait all day." I stared at the screen for several seconds and deleted the photograph. Everyone online was discussing how to choose the right college, and I finally understood something too. When the first choice is wrong, you withdraw before it is too late. There was no reason to keep a photograph of Adrian and me either.