2013 Nicholas Sparks Challenge (from Debra's Book Cafe)

Alejandro spent years trying to bring the mafia down. Now he’s living under the roof of one. After a dangerous encounter leaves him at the mercy of the powerful crime family he once tried to expose, Alejandro expects prison… or a bullet. Instead, he finds himself entangled with Miguel de Luca—the ruthless heir to the empire he hates. Cold. Calculating. Untouchable. Miguel should be Alejandro’s enemy. But the deeper Alejandro is pulled into Miguel’s world of secrets, blood debts, and power struggles, the harder it becomes to remember which side he’s on. Because behind the mafia prince’s iron control is a man who watches him like he’s something worth protecting. And that might be the most dangerous thing of all. When betrayal begins to spread through the family ranks and assassins close in from every direction, Alejandro must decide: Expose the empire he swore to destroy… Or risk everything for the man who now holds his heart—and possibly his life—in his hands. In the mafia, loyalty is currency. Love? That can get you killed.

In shifter society, Eden isn’t the paradise you’re used to hearing about in the Bible. It’s the place where all girls are housed from birth until their 18th birthday. A war between the humans and shifters left the werewolf population decimated and diseased due to poisonous agents used against the wolves. As a result, birth rates of purebred werewolves declined extraordinarily, while the presence of mutant werewolves rose. To combat their fertility crisis, the Elders invented Eden where young girls were kept locked away from society. Their knowledge of the outside world is very limited and their only purpose is to become breeders after their 18th birthday when they are selected by their mates during the Breeding Selection Ceremony. If the girls don’t prove they are purebred wolves or turn into mutants, then they are killed by the Alphas. Imani is shamelessly classified as a Breeder C–the most undesirable amongst the breeders. She hates that the girls are subjected to such barbaric practices and desires to escape from Eden. What she doesn’t expect is to run into Alpha Jackson, the man who was tasked to kill her on her 18th birthday if she didn’t prove to be a purebred wolf.  The Breeding Selection Ceremony commences and Imani is certain she doesn’t have a wolf. As her “sisters” are dying around her, Imani is shocked when Alpha Jackson spares her life. Not only does he spare her life, but he selects her as his Breeder! Alpha Jackson only kills when he’s 100% certain, but there is something off about Imani and the only way he can get to the bottom of it is if he keeps her close.

Chloe Yates, a tall and stunningly beautiful attorney, was known for her loyalty in relationships. She always believed that marrying her wealthy boyfriend, Trevor Skyler, would lead to the perfect happily-ever-after. But on their wedding night, her world shattered when she walked in on Trevor having a threesome with his childhood friend, Rachel Rain, and her best friend. Heartbroken, Chloe left without hesitation and sought solace in a club, drowning her sorrow in alcohol. Fate had other plans. That night, she shared a passionate encounter with a gentle yet enigmatic man, who turned out to be Trevor’s uncle, Roman Skyler! Drawn into an intoxicating and dangerous entanglement with Roman, Chloe found herself irresistibly captivated by this mysterious and wealthy man, who was far more alluring than she could have imagined. Amid their game of mutual seduction, Chloe discovered her growing desire—to tame the man before her and become the aunt to the very ex-boyfriend who betrayed her!

Lindy, a simple teenage girl who lives in Canada, never wanted to stand out because she is afraid of getting noticed and does not want or hope to get anyone's attention. Milo , a famous member of Spitfire Strip, extremely popular, filthy rich and a woman's magnet while adored by millions of his screaming fans. He has everything could ask -- sold out concerts, album, world tour concerts year after year, money, and women. But despite everything he has, he knows there's still something missing in his life because he wants a woman that can love him not for his fame or because he is Milo Beckett from Spitfire Strip. One wicked night Canada, Lindy managed to lose her phone and once she found it, she didn't realize that it was not hers until she receives an unknown number calling her. Only to realize that an English cheeky boy had accidentally swapped phones with her who is now on his way back home to England. She kept communicating for a week with the man named as Mill who is five years older than her. When she retrieved her phone, she found out that she had swapped phones and had eventually fallen in love with a man who she didn't expect at all. Will it be easy for Lindy to date a famous celebrity? All questions she has in her head but she did not know she just got lucky.

"It wouldn't be the first nor the last time any one of you Titan Gods had affairs with ‘Greek Gods’ you know," Thaelia twisted her lips. Lukas face hardened and he tried to keep it like that, but one look at her face and a smile broke out of him and he's laughing hard. She accompanied him and chuckled softly, adorably, and it drove the son of Helios crazy. "Didn't know moon princesses could contain that much spite." "What can I say?" She lowered her voice, licking her lips. Her beauty was much more obvious, with her eyes the color of the sea, lined with gold, and lips rose. It was enough to make him realise he's drowning again, only this time it's on the color of her eyes. "You... inspire me." "Inspire you?" "Yes," She smiled sweetly *** There's two things that strikes Talia as she starts reading the book of her past—Lukas was a reckless son of Helios, Ajaxson was the son of Ajax who's head over heels in love with her while she was a moon princess desired by both of them. To add a Greek Goddess Hera made it impossible for her to stay happy with Lukas. It was just not written in the stars. ***

After being publicly rejected by her mate, the Alpha's son, orphans Kit, and her little sister Cami, run away from their pack. Seven years later, who should walk into the diner that Kit works at and Cami studies in, but the new Beta of the pack they abandoned, who just so happens to be Cami’s very smitten mate. Kit is horrified when Cami begs her to come back to the pack where she still feels the humiliation from her rejection, but she can’t abandon her only family, so she reluctantly tags along. What she doesn’t expect, is that the once arrogant but popular son of the pack’s healer, Colin, has turned out to be not just a nice guy, but smoking hot too. And much to her surprise, he is interested in her. Which is great, because the mate who rejected her is now her Alpha and seems to take amusement in embarrassing her. Embarrassing her, and at the same time, wanting to use her for his pleasure, which even though she can’t stand him, she struggles to be able to physically resist him. And to make matters worse, he refuses to let her reject him back, threatening to kick her out and prevent her from seeing her loved ones anymore. Will she ever be able to finally reject him back and be happy with Colin, who wants her for more than just her body, or will she forever be trapped in an infatuation with someone who is emotionally uninterested?

He closed the gap between us and his hand travelled to my waist, pulling me closer to himself. His cologne filled my nostrils and he cupped my face in his hand gently. The look in his eyes whenever he looked at me always seemed like he was watching something so ethereal and now wasn't any different. I was supposed to hate him, to not be able to stand him. But why was I letting him do this? And why did I like it too? Love it even? He smirked at me, leaning down with our lips almost touching, his minty breath fanning my face. "I'm fucking addicted and obsessed with you if you haven't noticed." He paused as he studied me while I took a deep breath. "Are you sure you can't stand me?" He asked. "Or are we going to keep on lying to ourselves, babydoll?" ~ Vittoria Belluci, popularly known as 'Lilith' is short tempered, bossy, fiesty, poor social skills and a beautiful resting bitch face. Roman Argentero, Brooklyn's popular mafia don known for his playboy status, cockiness, flirtatious behavior but also ruthless and finally his Greek god appearance. A one night stand in the past, an arranged marriage, a stupid bet, a hatred she has for him and his family, and an addiction he has to her. Will she find out how her sister died? Or who keeps wanting to kill off her family? And doing all that with a fragile promise to herself to not fall in love. What happens when a Belluci falls in love with an Argentero who is already addicted to her?

I left one dire situation and landed in another! Why can't fairies be sweet?! My name is Jessa, and I recently took a trip to Ancient Troy because I said, "I didn't believe in fairies," while sitting on a fairy hill, during a full eclipse. I was on vacation with my family in Ireland, and my sister Meena was with me on the hill when I was sucked through time! Now, I ripped through time again, landing in Ancient Pompeii. Right before Mount Vesuvius destroys the whole area! The best part? My Trojan Prince husband has a twin in Rome and has purchased me as a slave! Why couldn't I return to my own time! Do you want to hear some sound advice? Don't ever piss-off a fairy!

A few days before my postpartum period ended, I found two plane tickets to Mirelia tucked inside Daryl’s wallet. I was secretly delighted. I thought he had planned a surprise for me. But on the very day I was supposed to recover, he told me that his company had suddenly sent him on a business trip. I tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep—only to see his first love post on social media. [Finally fulfilled our promise to kiss at Saint Vyron Cathedral. Thank you, God. After all this time, it’s still you.] The photo showed the two of them holding hands and kissing. I didn’t confront him right away. Instead, I turned to look at my sleeping daughter beside me, then picked up my phone. [Dad, I've made up my mind. I'll take over the family business.]

Ayada Yumi Kaede. She's the destined protector of her land. The land of Hanlon where different creatures lives. It has been peaceful until Haruska, the main antagonist invaded the kingdom to kill the protector while she was a kid but he failed. Ayada and her siblings traveled across to the other world to hide from Haruska. Subalit sa hindi inaasahang pangyayari napahiwalay si Ayada sa kaniyang mga kapatid habang nasa loob ng portal na naging dahilan ng pagkawala ng kaniyang mga ala-ala. She lived as an orphan on an orphanage and left when she reached the legal age. She worked hard to fulfil her needs. She met a dominat man who arrogant claiming that Ayada was his lover. Things became complicated when Ayada's power was awakened and her rejected twin showed up. She found out that her lost childhood friend was the man who claimed that she was his lover. Then, the time has finally come. They need to return to their original world to fullfil the prophecy. To defeat the main antagonist.