2015: The Year Of Reading Women

Don Matteo DiCarlo is a ruthless mafia lord, feared across the city for his power and cold heart. When a wealthy businessman, Richard Thornton, defaults on a large loan, Matteo is dispatched to collect the debt. Upon arriving at Thornton’s mansion, Matteo is met with the grim realization that the once-wealthy tycoon is now nothing more than a broke fool, living far beyond his means by borrowing money from the wrong people. Desperate to save face, Richard offers his most precious asset—his daughter, Isabella—as payment. Matteo is initially repulsed by the idea. Isabella is soft, delicate, and far too weak for someone like him. She's the very picture of vulnerability, and Matteo has no patience for weakness. However, as the days pass and Matteo spends more time in her presence, he finds himself drawn to her in ways he can’t explain. Isabella, though fragile in appearance, hides a fierce resilience beneath her gentle exterior. The more Matteo tries to keep his distance, the more he’s tempted by the soft touch of her skin, the innocence in her eyes, and the way she challenges his cold exterior without even trying. As their relationship heats up, Matteo must battle his growing attraction to the woman he initially deemed unworthy. But Isabella has her own secrets and desires, and the line between debt and desire begins to blur as their chemistry intensifies, testing both their limits. In a world of power, corruption, and deceit, will Matteo be able to claim what is his without losing himself in the process? Or will Isabella be the one to change the Don’s heart forever?

Disclaimer: Rise of the Phoenix is the spin off/sequel of Dragon's mate. It can be read as a stand alone book Sarah Johnson is a girl whose life is anything but ordinary. At a young age she was adopted by an extraordinary couple of dragon shifters. Living with them and learning about the supernatural world gave her perfect insight into how a relationship between two people should look like, and she knew she won't ever be able to settle for anything less than true love. That's why she secretly dreamed of finding her own prince from a fairytale… the one that will love her just as much as she would love him. But what will happen when Sarah's sweet and bubbly nature clashes with always frowned and gloomy prince that was anything but what she had imagined? What will happen when the one that was meant for her refuses to accept her? With an unknown danger looming over Sarah's head, worries and troubles from the past, will they be able to set their differences aside and be what they are supposed to be… soulmates… or will they drift apart so that nothing can hold them together?

 Ivy Sinclair was born to be forgotten.  Ivy, a wolfless runt of the Bloodfang Pack, had little choice but to disappear into the shadows after being turned away by Alpha Killian Wolfe. However, a long inactive power awakens within her when Killian's brutal rejection leaves her broken and alone. She lives as something darker, strong, created by sadness and wrath, rather than the weak girl she was before. Centuries old, a prophecy was said out loud: "Born of light, born of shadow, a queen without a crown, a wolf without a pack... The forsaken will cry out, and the broken will rise. With the rogue king, Ronan Devereaux, by her side, Ivy sets out to tear down the empire Killian built. But the path to vengeance is not without its cost, and Ivy soon discovers that the darkness within her runs deeper than she ever imagined. Her soul is bound to something ancient, and when Killian returns, desperate to reclaim her, Ivy must face a choice that will shatter everything she’s fought for. The storm is rising, and Ivy is no longer the one who will be broken. She is the one who will break everything.

‎At nineteen, desperation drove Leah Carter, a vulnerable young woman with nothing left to lose, into the arms of a stranger, and into a one-night stand that would change her life forever. That single choice saved her grandmother’s life, but at an unbearable cost. She stole a priceless family crest and disappeared. ‎ ‎Six years later, Leah is a single mother living to protect her secret child at all costs, even if it means carrying her guilt forever. ‎ ‎Damien Thorne is a billionaire heir haunted by a deadly fire he didn’t start. Trapped in a vicious power struggle for his family’s empire, he trusts no one, especially the people closest to him. ‎ ‎His stepmother is determined to steal control of the Thorne empire for her son, Julian, whose goal is simple: to ruin Damien and run the Thorne Group into the ground, driven by lifelong hatred and resentment. ‎ ‎When fate forces Leah and Damien into close proximity, sparks ignite into a volatile enemies-to-lovers attraction neither can deny. Old wounds reopen as Leah is drawn into the fight for the Thorne legacy, where the stolen crest holds the key to everything. ‎ ‎As Damien fights to protect his position and the empire, Leah becomes both his risk and his refuge. But the truth about the past, and the child between them, could destroy what they’re building before it has a chance to survive.

Maia is a very charming half-blooded wolf who comes from the famous family of Lumayag. Her father is the third rank werewolves ambassador. In able to make their family more powerful, she has been arranged to marry the first rank werewolves ambassador, Alpha Oakley, the most feral and feared Alpha. Will they be a perfect match? How about not? Because Maia found out that Oakley has an affair with the Queen. So, she runs away together with her unborn child. That's when their chase begins.

Feel the fear and marry him anyways.7 years ago Emilia's whole life turned upside down when she got betrothed to a Mafia boss, Adriano Romano.At first she was the one who always kept her head down and acted on the orders of other people. But she never knew that deep inside she had quite a rebellious spirit, that makes it even more difficult for her to survive in a 'male- dominant' world.A world where everything works as per the rules and regulations of her husband, will she be able to get tamed as a grateful obedient wife or will her rebellious spirit stop her from becoming one?

Naomi is known for being smart and reserved, when she is fated to be the mate of the Alpha she's had a crush on for years. Naomi feels like luck is finally on her side. Until that reality crashes around her and she finds herself alone, banished from her pack and pregnant. After starting a new life Naomi is led to wonder can she truly leave her old pack behind and the Alpha that hurt her? When he comes crashing back into her life It seems that the life she planned for herself and her son and what destiny wanted are two very different things.

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.

After I got a second chance at life, I stopped bringing lunch to my wife, who had become the factory manager. She would leave for meetings through the south gate, so I would sneak around through the north. In my previous life, I knew she only married me with an ulterior motive, but I still fell for her. I thought I could warm her heart over time. However, Shirley Scott was always just polite to me, nothing more. When I tried to get close, she would hand me a book and say, "Read more so people won't look down on you." Once, with a bit of liquid courage, I hugged her. Yet, she just stood there, stiff as a board, and said, "It's what married folks do." Years later, as I was dying, I read her memoir and learned about how she felt trapped in our marriage, like being stuck in the mud. She hoped she would never have to be with me again in another life. That hurt more than anything. However, then, I woke up and discovered that I was back to when there were whispers about her and the factory's technician. This time, I did not make a scene. I just asked for a divorce.

Sometimes there are times when your own salvation is not at all happy. For example, you managed to break away from assassins, but at the same time crossed the border of the cursed forest. Or killed the werewolf that bit you, and the first full moon, when you have to turn into a monster, is expected in only seven days. Or… when the one who agreed to help you seems more and more not a person. But maybe the latter is just not so bad after all?