50 Books To Read Before You Die

Um die Vernichtung des Meervolks zu verhindern, beschloss ich, an Land zu gehen und meinen Jugendfreund Cyrus zu verführen, der inzwischen zum Alpha-König aufgestiegen war. Wie erwartet liebte er mich immer noch. Drei Tage und Nächte verbrachten wir voller Leidenschaft im Bett. Als ich aus den Freuden erwacht war, konnte ich mich kaum freuen, da er mich bereits mit ätzender Flüssigkeit übergoss. Ich schrie vor Schmerz auf, während Cyrus kalt lachend daneben stand. „Eine unsterbliche Meerjungfrau kann also auch Schmerzen spüren?“ „Das ist erst der Anfang. Solange du das Versteck meiner Eltern nicht verrätst, wirst du keine ruhige Minute haben!“ Er war überzeugt, dass unser Meervolk für das Verschwinden seiner Eltern verantwortlich war. Von da an musste ich zusehen, wie er absichtlich mit seiner Geliebten Emily flirtete; musste die Meerjungfrauen-Perle aus meinem Herzen entfernen, um Emilys Gesundheit zu stärken; musste unter qualvollen Schmerzen barfuß tanzen, um Emily in den Schlaf zu wiegen... Er hasste mich bis ins Mark, doch jedes Mal, wenn ich dem Tod nahe war, nahm er mich auch in die Arme und flößte mir Medizin ein. Mal war er eiskalt: „Glaubst du, ich bin wehrlos, weil ich dich liebe? Wachen, foltert sie weiter!“ Mal war er sanft: „Sei brav und sag mir – wo sind meine Eltern wirklich?“ Stillschweigend ertrug ich seine widersprüchliche Liebe. Bald würde ich das Geheimnis über seine Eltern nicht mehr hüten müssen. Denn wenn eine Meerjungfrau drei Jahre an Land blieb, ohne ins Meer zurückzukehren, verwandelte sie sich unweigerlich in Schaum. Bis zu meinem Tod blieben nur noch drei Tage.

Bei einem Ausflug in den Vergnügungspark brachte mein Beta-Freund Drew plötzlich eine Frau mit ihrer kleinen Tochter mit. Im Auto fehlte zufällig genau ein Sitzplatz. Drew bat mich auszusteigen und den Platz den beiden zu überlassen. Er sagte: „Laura hat es mit dem Kind nicht leicht. Sie sollen erstmal fahren, ich hole dich später ab.“ Ruhig stieg ich aus und sah zu, wie das Auto langsam den Parkplatz verließ. Drei Stunden später kamen sie im Vergnügungspark an und nahmen an der abendlichen Feuerwerksveranstaltung teil. Als meine beste Freundin Drew fragte, warum er mich noch nicht abgeholt habe, half er gerade geduldig Laura, eine übergroße Feuerwerksbatterie zu entzünden. Er war nicht im Geringsten beunruhigt und sagte: „Es ist kein Problem, Sienna später abzuholen. Sie nimmt das nicht krumm. Ich werde sie schon beschwichtigen, dann ist sie auch nicht mehr sauer.“ Wütend wird man nur auf Menschen, die einem etwas bedeuten. Dass mein Vater, meine Mutter und mein Bruder sich nie um mich scherten, habe ich noch hingenommen. Aber dass sich jetzt auch Drew nicht mehr für mich interessierte... Darum ist es Zeit, für immer zu gehen.

There are monsters in this world. And they used to be us. Now it's time to euthanize to survive in a hospice where Emily, a woman haunted by her past, only wants to do her job and be the best mother possible. Post-infection Chicago. Christmas. Inside The Hospice, Emily and her fellow nurses do their rounds. Here, men and women live out their final days in comfort, segregated from society, and are then humanely terminated before fate turns them into marrow-craving monsters known as ‘Smilers.’ Outside these imposing walls, rabid protesters swarm with signs, caught up in the heat of their hatred. Emily, a woman haunted by her past, only wants to do her job and be the best mother possible. But in a world where mortality means nothing, where guns are drawn in fear and nobody seems safe anymore – at what cost will this pursuit come? And through it all, the soon to be dead remain silent, ever smiling. Such is their curse. It won't be long before that snow-speckled ground will be salted by blood. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

He shouldn’t have imagined her lying naked on his bed. She shouldn’t have imagined his devilishly handsome face between her legs. But it was too late. Kiara began noticing Ethan's washboard abs when he hopped out of the pool, dripping wet after swim practice. Ethan began gazing at Kiara’s golden skin in a bikini as a grown woman instead of the girl next door he grew up with. That kiss should have never happened. It was just one moment in a lifetime of moments, but they both felt its power. They knew the thrumming in their veins and desperation in their bodies might give them all they ever wanted or ruin everything if they followed it. Kiara and Ethan knew they should have never kissed. But it's too late to take that choice back, so they have a new one to make. Fall for each other and risk their friendship or try to forget one little kiss that might change everything. PREVIEW: “If you don’t want to kiss me then... let’s swim.” “Yeah, sure.” “Naked.” “What?” “I always wanted to try skinny dipping. And I really want to get out of these clothes.” “What if someone catches you... me, both?” “We will be in the pool, Ethan. And no one can see us from the living room.” I smirked when I said, “Unless you want to watch me while I swim, you can stay here.” His eyes darkened, and he looked away, probably thinking the same when I noticed red blush creeping up his neck and making his ears and cheeks flush. Cute. “Come on, Ethan. Don’t be a chicken...” “Fine.” His voice was rough when he said, “Remove that sweater first.”

Set up to break her bond with her Alpha mate after the Lycan King passed a decree that no alpha was allowed to reject or break off their bonds with their mates unless the mates did it themselves, Ellie Fowler could hardly believe her luck when by some strange fate, she's immediately bonded to the Lycan King himself, who now thinks she's nothing but a disloyal mate and worse, an Omega. Lycan King, Archer Daalmans, has a year to find his mate to prevent him from losing his strength or worse, dying, and he is determined to find her only for that reason. However, he is disappointed to find his mate is a dirty Omega who doesn't know her place, and he wants nothing to do with her, but he can't seem to keep his eyes off her or stop himself from protecting her.

Nang mapunta si Raven De Leon, sa lugar na kung saan malayo sa syudad. Lugar na kung saan, puro puno at tunog ng mga ibon at alon ng dagat lamang ang maririnig. Lugar, na kung saan nakilala niya ang isang binatilyo na si, Aries De Guia. Nagkita at nagkakilala sila sa hindi inaasahan na lugar at pagkakataon, at mag hihiwalay nga din ba sila, sa itinakdang panahon?

Warning! Mature Content! *Excerpt* "Does it make you nervous when I stare?" His voice was laced with sinful passion. "Will you hate me if I do this?" His dark gaze took in her entire frame. "I am obsessed with you, Delaney." *** Delaney, a beautiful woman, only wished for one thing - A peaceful life, and perhaps, a little touch of financial independence. But throughout her childhood, life gave her a contrast to her wish. She grew up knowing nothing but hatred from her family, and eventually, from her fiancé too. For three years, Delaney paid for a sin she never intentionally committed - losing her virginity to a stranger. This innocent mistake chattered her life and her relationship with Blaine. He detested her so much. But one question is: Why hasn't he called off their engagement? Gradually, Blaine was becoming the man she hoped he'd be. She'd secured a job at a prominent company too... She was already inching closer to her dreams when suddenly, he resurfaced - The stranger who had almost ruined her life three years ago. This stranger who was perfectly built for sin turns out to be Blaine's boss, the most dreaded Adonis Langston. And this time, he wanted more than just a one-night stand... Poor Delaney's life was set into panic once again. Little did she know that she had also cast her spell on her soon-to-be boss, who turns out to be Adonis's childhood best friend! Oops! Financial Independence, power, and fame at its peak... All hell is about to let loose as these three men are never known for surrendering. She had all she needed to exert revenge on those who'd hurt her, depending on the decision she makes. But in all of these, she is about to face the biggest betrayal of her life.

He woke up with no memory, no name, no past… only a system in his mind telling him his fate: conquer the hearts of eight men… or lose everything. Naïve, silly, and utterly unprepared, Finn had no choice but to obey. Each man was more than a challenge... they were his past lovers, the very ones he had betrayed and abandoned, and now, he had to win their hearts again. There was Niam, wild, reckless, and infuriatingly irresistible—the first to challenge Finn, and the one who taught him that love could sting as sharply as it could thrill. Then Franklin, the perfect golden prince, hiding a playboy heart behind a flawless smile. Lucian, the older, calm, untouchable stepfather figure. Ethan, the cold professor, untouchable and strict. Aiden, the brilliant scientist. Lucas, the cunning actor, schemer, and manipulator…. Mason, the isolated genius doctor, haunted by solitude, whose heart melted for a patient unafraid to cry, play, and demand love on his terms. And finally, Theo, the dying tycoon, preparing to leave the world, only to find a reason to fight for life, desire, and passion… in the arms of the boy who promised him love in return. Bound to these eight men, Finn had to navigate lust, desire, heartbreak, and the pain of past betrayals. Every touch, every glance, every kiss was both a weapon and a lifeline. Could he win back the hearts he once broke, or would he lose himself—and them—forever? From system-driven missions to torrid nights of passion, from angst to redemption, Finn’s journey is one of love, loss, and a harem that refuses to forgive—or let go. One thing was certain: to survive, to regain his life, and maybe even happiness… he would have to conquer not just their hearts but his own.

Story 1: "Make a wish," He asked her. "I want to die." She replied without hesitation. He was the only one who could save her, and she was the only one who could see him and bring him back to life. Story 2: after so many years, a message arrived for a reunion of the whole batch. everyone was excited except those two hearts, twisted and anxious. But little did they know it was going to be a new beginning for the two of them as they would finally fall in love all over again...

Nachdem sie in der Nacht vor ihrer Hochzeit eine Nacht mit einem Fremden verbracht hatte, verließ Arianna das Land, um ihr Leben neu zu beginnen. Die 22-jährige Arianna Jason lebte ihr Leben, um den Menschen zu gefallen, die sie am meisten liebte, ohne zu wissen, dass sie lediglich eine Beute war, die für den Tag ihres Untergangs gehegt wurde. Ihr Leben hat die bittere Pille des Verrats geschmeckt. Sie möchte der Welt das zurückgeben, was sie bekommen hat, aber wie kann sie ihre gute, unschuldige Persönlichkeit ändern, um in eine grausame Gesellschaft und Welt zu passen? Kann ihre süße Natur verdorben werden, oder wird sie es schaffen, auf dem richtigen Weg zu bleiben?