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

"A talented and ambitious chef, Jaime Martinez knows the value of hard work. Now the executive chef at his best friend’s vineyard in Heron’s Landing, Jaime only wants to make his mark on the culinary world. Romance? Not in the cards for him. And definitely not with his best friend’s little sister, who’s recently grown into a beautiful young woman. A painter and an innocent, Grace Danvers is a temptation that would only end in disaster. Yet when Grace confesses her feelings for Jaime one night, he’s suddenly torn between his attraction to her and his loyalty to her brother. Soon that loyalty is tested when Jaime comes under scrutiny for a crime he didn’t commit, a crime that could jeopardize all of his hard work and his blossoming romance with Grace. As things heat to a boiling point between the forbidden lovers, Jaime must now decide if he’s willing to sacrifice everything for the woman he loves. This title was previously published as Tempt Me Tenderly. It’s been rereleased with a brand-new look and with lightly edited content."

Nicolas Alphano is the big bad capó of the Italian mafia. He is everything a man in his line of business has to be ruthless, arrogant and, heartless. He understands the value of true love but believes that Men like him don't deserve it. But what happens when a sudden girl makes him question his ways. She couldn't just turn his life upside down and left he won't let her! Not when she knows so much. --- Ayushi Tanwar is a girl with dreams. With a dash of family issues. She is not a very big fan of her family. She left them behind when she moved to Italy. Whenever things get rough she leaves, runs away in a little hope that someday maybe she can find a place she can call home. She thinks girls like her aren't supposed to be loved. But what will she do when a certain someone will not let her go.

Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What’s worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins! *** Hi, guys! If you like this book, you might also like my other stories: CEO's Love in Trap (about Cayden) Mr. President's Lost Wife (about Sky) The Heiress' Mysterious Bodyguard (Emily & Cayden's love story) Mr. CEO, You Have to Marry My Mommy (Sky & Louis' love story)

Ayla Bailore has never had it easy in her life. From being orphaned at a young age to being mistreated as the wolfless runt of her pack. Her only resolve is the hope of finding her mate. The man destined by the goddess to love and protect her. Ayla's last hope is shattered when she discovers her mate is no other than Alpha Garrick of the Red River Pack. And he is the opposite of the mate she envisioned. He derives pleasure in causing her pain. He hates her but still wouldn't reject her. Faced with a dreadful situation, Ayla has no other choice but to escape the Red River Pack with her sister, to save their lives. Unfortunately that one bold decision started to seem like a mistake when they stumbled upon the ruthless Iron Claw Pack conspiring to assassinate the King during his Luna Queen's selection contest. And now this information would cost them their lives. To save her life and the life of her sister, Ayla’s given a choice. To surrender their lives to the hands of death, or a choice to join the upcoming Queen selection contest as a member of the Iron Claw Pack, charm her way into the King’s heart, warm his bed if she has to, or make him fall headlessly in love with her, and when the time comes, successfully completes her mission, assassinating the King. Ayla has no choice but to accept and joins the battle for the Luna crown to complete her mission and eliminate the King. But what happens when she meets the Alpha King and he's not what she was expecting. And what's worse, he knows her secret, one that should get her killed. She's stepped into the Wolf's den, and now there's no way out.

“You seem to have forgotten that you’re not marrying a commoner, Alina. You’re marrying the prince of all vampires, so look alive and get me some coffee.” Alina Deluca lives a normal life up in the Californian north. At least that’s what she makes the world believe. Locked within her hypnotising emerald eyes are horrors she could never speak of, even if it killed her. Erick Stayton, the vampire prince, is her nightmare. To her, he was no more than a cold, savage predator that lusted for her blood and took away everything she had during that one traumatising night four years ago. Problem is, she is bound to be his bride. Mustering her every strength to set things right in her awry life, she gets embroiled in an ages-old feud and a struggle for power of mind-boggling proportions. Strangely enough, she finds herself connecting with Erick in ways she never knew she could. Suddenly, everything is not what it seems. Is Erick the heartless monster Alina makes him out to be? Will a vampire law made eons ago be the undoing of the whole vampire race? Will heat-ed passion bloom in these bloodiest of times? Sink your fangs into an exhilarating journey to the supernatural world with Anna Kendra’s The Vampire’s Bride. Packed with plot twists in every turn, this book will surely leave you reeling for more.

'My Last Wish.' is Annabelle's favourite book; an unknown author and delicious sex scenes, what's not to love? Well...being the Villainess, Being the villainess is what's not to love! Annabelle, a partially celibate lawyer (Not by choice) with a knack for pole dancing on the weekends with her best friend, wakes up in the arms of a beautiful stranger in what she hoped was a vivid sex dream. But, sadly, it instead becomes her new reality! Annabelle is stuck as the Villainess of her favourite reverse harem romance story--fated to be publicly executed by her contract fiancé, The crown prince of Envia. With no one to trust and nothing but malice offered by the male leads, she has no one to rely on but herself to restore her land to its former glory and clear her debt to escape the clutches of the first prince. Unfortunately, easier said than done, especially with the Prince's Knight constantly around her, her butler constantly watching, the Portburgh tycoon out for her blood and unknown prince's spies watching from the shadows making sure her plans are anything but hidden and her safety anything but guaranteed! (IMPORTANT: THIS BOOK NEEDS HEAVY EDITING, AND, UNFORTUNATELY, IT DID NOT DO WELL ENOUGH FOR BOOK TWO; I AM CONSIDERING EDITING TO COMPLETE THE PLOT IN ONE BOOK, BUT THAT NEEDS TIME (A LOT) AND EFFORT. PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE UNTIL THIS NOTICE IS ERASED. IT COULD BE YEARS** BECAUSE MY WRITING STYLE HAS CHANGED)

Emerald was loved and accepted by all of her family. However, two family members took out their hate and anger on her from the moment she was born. They hated her mother. Her parents knowing this took her to their closest friend and ally Alpha Jason. He was the Alpha of the largest and strongest pack in the state of California. Emerald's mother being of the fae people cast a spell upon his land that not only protected the pack but her daughter as well. It was not found out until later that Emerald and his twin sons Devon and Nate were her mates. Unknown to all of them Emerald's jealous family members had promised to give her to the rogue Alpha Connor. He wanted her for her powers so he could make his pack the largest and strongest. Emerald grew up returned to Alpha Jason's land, but she can't understand why she is drawn back here. Alpha Connor's son Ryder has become alpha. There is also a new threat to Emerald that no one is aware of. The Vampire King has become aware of her existence and wants her as his queen. With her as his queen, he would become the most powerful supernatural in existence. Emerald has once again met her mates but with all her insecurities can they make it work. Emerald just wants to be happy and loved but with everything stacked against her will she ever find her happiness?

Isla Hart was nobody, Beta's rejected mate - a struggling model with a shattered past and a lost wolf. One devastating fire would change everything. Liam Lockwood, the most powerful Alpha in New York, rescues Isla from certain death. With a single kiss, he turns her world upside down. Suddenly, she's offered her dream modeling contract, thrust into a dangerous supernatural world where she has no wolf, no power, and everything to prove. Betrayed once before, Isla must fight to survive. Her ex-beta wants her back. The pack doubts her worth as their Luna. She is considered weakling Luna - in contrast to her powerful Alpha mate Liam Lockwood. But Isla isn't just a victim anymore. Using her sharp mind and unbreakable spirit, she'll challenge everything—pack rules, vampire threats, and her own broken history. From being a Rejected Beta's mate to becoming the powerful Alpha's Luna Queen, Isla's journey is about to begin. She'll become more than anyone ever expected—a Supermodel Luna Queen rising from the ashes.

Married but not loved. After getting pregnant, Tessa returns to the life of her ex-husband. Not only to seek revenge on Darius, but to steal him away from his mistress, Martha. Will she succeed now that the two are married and have a child?

The day my adopted sister Xina was diagnosed with a rare blood disease, I was captured by rival pack hunters and taken across pack territories. In a hidden den beneath the mountains, I was chained like an omega during the day and subjected to endless humiliation. At night, they locked me in a moonless chamber and extracted my blood and bone marrow while I was conscious. By the time my pack found me, my body was broken beyond recognition, covered in bite marks, and infected with numerous diseases that even our supernatural healing couldn't combat. My mother, Alpha Serena, looked at me barely clinging to life, and howled so painfully she collapsed several times. My brother Ivan even traveled beyond our ancestral lands to find healers who could treat me. But in my half-conscious state, I accidentally overheard their conversation: "Mother, we captured Lisa just to save Xina, and let her be violated by so many rogues. Now we're taking one of her kidneys too—isn't that going to kill her?" Mother was silent for a long time, then choked up and said: "For Xina, I had no choice." "Besides, Lisa challenged Xina's rank all these years, made her severely depressed. This is just me atoning to Xina on her behalf." "It doesn't matter if she's been tainted. From now on, we'll keep her in the packhouse and take care of her. That'll count as compensation." As the silver blade sliced into my body, tears streamed uncontrollably from my eyes. A den with four wolves... was simply too crowded.