a botanist's guide to parties and poisons

In a world where family ties and business deals are intertwined, Ivy Smith finds herself trapped in a nightmare. Her father's company is struggling, and the only way to save it is by forming an alliance with the powerful Blackwood family. The cost? Ivy's hand in marriage to Victor Blackwood, a ruthless and cunning man with a reputation for getting what he wants, no matter the cost. Ivy is devastated. She's always been a strong-willed and independent person, and the thought of being tied to someone like Victor is unbearable. But her family's situation is dire, and she feels she has no choice but to accept the arrangement. As the wedding preparations begin, Ivy's brothers - Ethan, Lucas, and Julian - are fiercely protective of her. They know Victor's true nature and are determined to keep her safe. But they're also bound by the agreement, and their hands are tied. Victor, on the other hand, is determined to break Ivy's spirit. He's cruel, manipulative, and has a hidden agenda. He sees Ivy as a trophy, a way to solidify his family's power and control. And he'll stop at nothing to get what he wants. As Ivy navigates her new reality, she must find a way to survive Victor's abuse and manipulation. She's trapped in a gilded cage, with no escape in sight. But she's determined to fight back, to find a way out of this nightmare and take control of her own destiny. The story is a dark, twisted tale of love, family, and power. It's a tale of survival and rebellion, of one woman's fight against the forces that seek to control her. Will Ivy find a way to escape Victor's clutches, or will she be forever trapped in this living hell?

Skye Harris, a 24-year-old with nothing to her name except an old Subaru wagon and now a gothic style Victorian home that she bought at a Memphis house auction. She is determined to rebuild her life after wasting 6 years in an abusive relationship. While working on renovations of her new home, she begins to feel another presence. Jesse Martin has been alone in his old family home for some time. Some families have come and gone. Even some businesses as well. However, when a dark-haired beauty enters through the front door of his home, he is surprised to find that she can see and touch him. The two occupants of this old Victorian home begin to form a connection that bridges the space between the world of the living and the spirit world.

“Never in my wildest imagination did I thought na kailangan pa kitang ipa-kidnap para lang magkita tayo ulit. Hindi na ako papayag na makawala ka pa sa akin ulit, Calista. You’re in my possession now. And once mine, will forever be mine.”

Davina was a Gamma's daughter with a secret they kept from their pack. After being bullied for the last year of her life by the future Alpha and Beta of her pack she turns 18 and everything changes. Discovering her fated mate, things become tense in the world around her. A soon to be Alpha with a bad temper but a soft spot for her and a Beta that's head over heels in love but ends up letting jealousy rear its ugly head, they will fight for their place in this young girl's life and heart.

“I can scent your arousal, Mate!! You have to give in, you have to submit!” He warned with a deep voice and just then, my eyes bulged out before I turned to look at him. 'He knew we were mates all these while?' I thought inwardly as I stared at him in the dark. “You can't resist the urge for too long, Elora” he added, trying to convince me. “Never! I can hold it in! It'll end soon enough!” I declared defiantly, not wanting to submit to Alpha Killian, the one Alpha I hate and loathe.

I nodded. "I guess the night was a success." "It was." I didn't realize it but he was in my face now, only a step away. His hand went for my waist, pulling me into him. "Let's keep it that way because my mother is right by the door trying to listen in on us. I guess we weren't very convincing." I took a slight peep and there was a shadow right at the door. "What should we do?" I mouthed His hand lifted my chin. "A kiss should do the trick."

Ophelia discovered her boyfriend's betrayal in the most devastating way possible. She attended an engagement party, only to discover that the groom was her boyfriend of two years–the man she had poured her heart and soul into. The same man for whom she had sacrificed everything had not only betrayed her heart but also driven her family's business into bankruptcy. Still trying to pick up the pieces of what's left of her life, her parents gave her a more devastating news: they had arranged for her to marry a man in a coma. "This is your mess Ophelia, it's only right that you help clean it up," her stepmother had said. With no room for protest, Ophelia found herself bound to a lifeless stranger. Yet, fate wasn't done with her just yet, as the comatose man harbored secrets that would turn her world upside down once again

What if the hero in your story was the villain? Nicole, a black beautiful Nigerian woman, arrives in Italy with Raphael, the don of the Italian mafia following their marriage in Africa when he came for business purposes. She expects to begin a new, exciting journey with him but when a murder that happened in the pasts resurfaces, threatening to burn their future, Nicole sees her marriage and world crumbling before her eyes. A turn of unfortunate events and a mysterious car crash pushes a young man named Miles into their lives and Nicole finds herself trapped in a maze of lies, betrayal, scandals and secret plots as Raphael leaves no stone unturned in inflicting pains to Nicole until she sees death as a means of escaping the hell now known as her life. Will they ever get their happy ending with enemies surrounding them, threatening to destroy both their marriage and their lives? Will Raphael ever be able to win Nicole's heart again and possess her as his once more? Or will he loose every thing as he lets his demons rage havoc in his life? This is a beautiful tale of two star crossed lovers fighting to keep their marriage and love in the midst of various deadly plots. But sometimes, the price of love can be death.

"I will only change my mind after you have managed to show me how far you're willing to go. Every good thing comes at a cost, what are willing to pay for yours?" he asked me with his arms folded across his broad chest. "I would have sacrificed everything I have but the only problem is that you're not a good thing. You're a walking nightmare and my goal will forever remain escaping from your clutches." I said with so much confidence laced through my voice but heaven and earth knew that I felt like a puddle inside. His aura was so strong and powerful and anyone could disintegrate by just standing close to him. Well, I considered myself strong for being able to stand up to him when I was supposed to be whimpering like a puppy but there I was, running my mouth like a parrot. Ace was many things but soft was not one of it as long as I could tell. Everything that Hope thought she knew became a past tense from the moment she set her eyes on Ace. She felt it in her bones that she was in for a long bumpy ride. Ace on the other was looking forward to everything that Hope would bring. Everything was starting to get boring and acquiring the little fire ball was kind of like the best decision so far for him.

Andrew had always wanted to be among the popular students in his school but for that to happen he needs to be a bully to his little sister Amelia who is the school biggest nerd. unfortunately, his need to become popular overpowers his love for his sister and he made the biggest mistake of his life.