The Great Chain Of Being: A Study Of The History Of An Idea

BLURB: “The World owns his Image. His heart is another story”. Superstar actor Luca Moretti is Brooklyn’s Idol, flawless image, Oscar winner, and master of character creation. But when a leaked photo threatens to destroy him, his team hires struggling Journalist Daniel Reyes to write a flub piece rehabbing his image. There's Just One Problem: Daniel hates everything Luca stands for. Daniel knows celebrity profiles are bullshit PR, and Luca's Polished charm makes him want to burn the interview to the ground. But when a late-night argument turns into a kiss that shocks them both, they strike a deal: Daniel gets the raw, unfiltered Luca_ no lies, no filters for one week. What starts as a professional exchange becomes reckless: Secret trysts, Stolen moments, A Love neither can afford. Then the blackmail texts arrive: Someone knows. Someone’s watching. And if Luca doesn't end it now, both their careers will burn. But how do you walk away when the wrong person feels like home?

Annie fell in love at twelve years old with Alexander. It was a chance encounter that led to her living a half fulfilled life. Now at 24, Annie's life is so boring and dull. She needs something to hold onto, and therefore she holds onto her memory with Alexander. That one night that seemed to change everything. Alexander lives a very different life. His life is full of what one might call adventure, loss, and drama. When a chance encounter brings them back together, will Annie find out she was in love with the idea of Alexander, or learn to love the real him.

Out of curiosity, a young woman engaged to be married sneaks off to a blind date to meet a man she has been secretly communicating with, but he is not what she expected and she finds herself in trouble as it leads her and her possessive Fiancé to take an oath of Fidelity which in dismay, she later discovers cannot be broken.

By the fifth year of my marriage to James Hill, he began pretending to be his late twin brother, the late Don of the family. With that, he took over all of a Don’s duties and the role of my sister-in-law, Hilary’s husband. Every time after he slept with her, he would cut his arm open, kneel before me, and beg for forgiveness. “Pia, you’re the only woman I’ve ever loved. Once Hilary gives birth to the heir and secures her position, I’ll fake my death and come back for you.” He told me his twin brother had died saving him, so he had to fulfill his brother’s last wish. During the year he pretended to be his brother, James slept with Hilary ninety-nine times. After a full year, Hilary finally gave birth to the family’s heir. I truly believed James would fake his death as promised, then take our son and me away from this bloody life. However, I saw him with Hilary in his arms, teasing the tiny baby she carried. “Hilary, I’ll stay with you and our child until he’s ready to take over as the next Don.” Silently, I wiped my tears and went back to my room to pack my suitcase. My son saw me crying and ran into my arms, gently wiping away my tears with his little hands. “Ma, Aunt Hilary already had her baby. Why isn’t Papa coming home yet?” I placed my clothes into the suitcase as I told him softly, “Because he doesn’t want us anymore. But don’t be sad, sweetheart. I will build us a home.” If James wanted to raise an heir, then I would return to North Atlantis’s most powerful mafia family, take my rightful place as my father’s heir, and become the Godmother of the Mafia.

Born into a world of pain and betrayal, Winnie never knew love—only survival. Abandoned by a father who never cared, tormented by a stepmother who sold her innocence for profit, and forced into a life she never chose, she learned that mercy was a luxury she could never afford. When her only family—her beloved brother—is ripped from her, Winnie is left with nothing but the scars of her past and the fire of revenge burning in her soul. She refuses to be another victim, refuses to be just another forgotten girl. With the help of Carter, a man with his own demons, and Michael, a protector forged in blood, she fights back. But Damien—the monster who ruled the shadows of her life—won’t let go so easily. He built his empire on broken lives, and he won’t fall without a war. As Winnie uncovers the secrets that could destroy him, she must decide: will she run, or will she burn everything down with him? “shattered chain” is a harrowing tale of survival, revenge, and the power of resilience. In a world where monsters wear human faces, Winnie must break free from the past—or be consumed by it. Will she rise, or will the darkness finally claim her?

My younger sister, Angela Schrute, got married at 20. By 21, she already had a child. I'm Elizabeth Schrute, 27 years old, and still unmarried. Over the years, I've brought home a few boyfriends. But every time the subject of marriage comes up, my father, Michael Scrute, will take them into his study. I don't know what he said to them. But whenever they come out of that room, they will turn cold and frightening. It's like their hands are itching to wrap around my throat and squeeze the life out of me. My latest boyfriend thinks Dad is being unreasonable… until he follows him into the study. When he emerges, his eyes burn with rage. He breaks up with me on the spot and slaps me. Twice. I still can't figure it out. What is it that drives each of them away? And what secret is hiding in Dad's study?