A Portrait Of The Artist As Filipino

In the coastal quiet of Baler, a studio is born—not of architecture, but of intention.* Founded by Yam, a poet whose words cradle pain gently, and Franc, an artist who paints tenderness into walls, the studio becomes a refuge for those learning to stay—with grief, love, longing, and themselves. As visitors arrive, they leave behind more than footprints: a sigh recorded in bamboo, a poem tucked into the “Found Letters” shelf, a mural painted in crooked lines. Through zines, tea, silence, and sketchbooks, the studio teaches softness as revolution. Ren creates the *Window of Soft Returns*, an installation of anonymous voice recordings—each whisper forming a community of echoes. Drew builds the *Staircase With No Wrong Turns*, inviting people to walk through emotions without shame. Franc offers brushstrokes as brave work, and Yam curates writing circles that map healing in half sentences. Together, they host festivals that feel like hugs, and they begin traveling their archive, letting softness cross oceans. Even those who once left—like Miguel—return, discovering that some doors never truly close. Others, like Tala, capture the studio’s sound and turn it into a podcast of breath and becoming. Over seventy chapters, the studio transforms into something larger than itself: a mural of memory, a sanctuary for second chances, a place where return is sacred and voice is proof of survival. In the final bloom, the studio stands not as a monument—but as a reminder: > *“Staying isn’t easy. > But chosen together, > it becomes home.”*

Valentina Luca, a struggling artist, marries the enigmatic billionaire Marco Lorenzo, who only married her simply because of her beauty and appealing appearance. Despite her efforts to win their approval, Valentina faces constant scrutiny and rejection from Marco’s family, particularly his formidable mother Francesca, who deems her unsuitable due her background. When pressured by his family, Marco agrees to divorce Valentina and pursue a relationship with Isabella Alessandro, a wealthy heiress recommended by his parents. Valentina discovers a secret about her parentage from her mother, Sofia—a revelation that alters the course of her life. Fabio Matteo, Valentina's billionaire father, reveals himself. Fabio, desperate for an heir and previously unwilling to acknowledge Valentina due to societal pressures, now recognizes her after a DNA test confirms their relationship. He bequeaths his vast fortune to her before passing away, instantly making Valentina the wealthiest woman in Italy. With newfound power and wealth, Valentina's former in-laws and Marco Lorenzo seek her forgiveness and return, begging for another chance. As she navigates her new reality as Italy's most prominent figure, Valentina must decide whether to forgive the past and embrace a new future, including a potential reconciliation with Marco Lorenzo or forget about him and give her new billionaire admirer, William James a chance. Prepare for a rollercoaster effect

David Kennedy, an art student and part time tattoo artist, meets the shy and beautiful Tina Spencer at a party at the college he attends, after she asks him for a tattoo. He is immediately enthralled by her. Something doesn’t feel right though, especially when he sees the nasty bruises covering her arms. Then Tina goes missing. The years go by, and he still thinks about her. Then one day, fate intervenes, and he finds himself face to face with the beautiful woman he tattooed all those years ago. But she has some devastating secrets. Where has she been this whole time? Will David ever get the chance to heal her? Will they get the happily ever after she needs?

*Hollis Bogard isn’t known for her commitment. In fact, she’s content leading a single, flirtatious life. That might change after meeting Whitney York, a free spirited artist thirsting for adventure.Having been cursed out, chased, and scorned by every broken hearted woman twenty eight year old heroin addict Hollis Bogard has slept around with, she’s not fazed at all by any of it. Always preferring to look for the next best set of kissable lips. Life as an emotionally unavailable bachelorette has served her well, and after all...everyone was warned before anything happened. Feelings were a big no. Hollis had seen what love did to her parents, and wanted nothing to do with the white picket-fenced lie. So long as her bed was warm when she needed it to be, that’s what mattered.Californian Whitney York is ready for a new start. While spontaneity wasn’t a strong suit of her’s, packing up everything she owned into her little black 2008 Toyota Prius and driving cross country to Auburn, Maine was the best idea she’d had all year. No more nagging mother, to hell with her father always comparing Whitney to her successful sister, Theresa. The one with the prestigious acting career, doting husband, and two all American poster children. She wanted to be free to figure out her own destiny. When elusive Hollis bumps into electrifying Whitney at a local bar on the outskirts of town, sparks fly between the unlikely pair.Disclaimer: Strong sexual content, graphic sex scenes, drug usage. 18+, please. This novel won’t be for you if you’re not comfortable with any of the above topics.2019 All Rights Reserved (you know how it goes) Please don’t attempt to steal any part of my work.

From Jerilee Kaye, author of best-selling novel “Knight in Shining Suit”, comes the spin-off of the top-grossing interactive story, “All the Wrong Reasons”. One last adventure. That was all Julianne wanted. One last trip to escape the pressures of an arranged marriage to a man she doesn’t love and doesn’t even like. One last time to experience freedom… to go wherever she wanted to go, to be anyone she wanted to be. On her last two weeks in Paris, she met someone unexpected—aspiring painter, Jas Mathieu. He was as handsome as hell, and as sweet as heaven. Terrified of what her father and fiancé could do to Jas if she stayed with him, she fled Paris and left him behind—with no real information about herself, not even her real name. Seven years later, after her father stripped her of her heiress title and privileges, she crossed paths with Jas Mathieu once again. She found out that he wasn’t exactly the struggling artist she thought he was. And he was no stranger to the family and social circle she belonged to. It turned out that years ago, when they met... she wasn't the only one keeping secrets.

Blurb: Elena Monroe, a struggling artist haunted by her past, never imagined her life would cross paths with Rand Calloway — the youngest billionaire in London and heir to a powerful but ruthless empire. When their worlds collide one rainy evening, their connection becomes undeniable, defying the walls built by wealth, pride, and fear. As Elena learns to love a man who has everything but peace, Rand discovers what it means to have something money can’t control. But when the media exposes their secret romance, and his empire begins to crumble under scandal, both must decide what truly matters — power or love. Through heartbreak, sacrifice, and redemption, The Billionaire Beneath the Rain tells the story of two souls who find each other in the storm… and fight to stay there, even when the world turns against them

She paints beauty. He sees obsession. Crystal Morgan,a young lady who majored in art with a rising reputation, though her talent would open doors– gallery showcases or even peace. But when unsettling messages begin to appear, her recent pictures – Crystal realizes someone has been watching her. Someone who knows too much. As her world turns darker with each brush stroke,the line between admiration and fixation blurs. And the masterpiece he's obsessed with ….is her.

Agatha is a writer at a publishing company. She is single and ready to mingle, provided that no commitment. Even sex is not a problem as long as no strings are attached. On the other hand, Lexie is a happy-go-lucky actress but not as famous as others. They are best friends with opposite personalities, but they get along. They have no secret except one. Lexie didn’t know her best friend was a femme lesbian.

Aria selalu percaya rumah tangganya sempurna—sampai malam itu ia memergoki Raka, suami yang dicintainya, berselingkuh dengan Nadine, rekan kerja suaminya. Balas dendamnya elegan: merebut segalanya dari Nadine—status, rumah tangga, bahkan dua anak yang kini memanggilnya “Mama”. Raka pun terpuruk, menyaksikan hidupnya hancur. Sebelum dipuncak kemenangannya, muncul Samudra, kakak ipar yang kaya raya dan dominan, mengatur setiap langkah Aria hingga ia goyah antara dendam, ambisi, dan godaan terlarang. Mampukah Aria tetap setia pada rencananya, atau justru terjebak dalam permainan hati yang ia ciptakan sendiri?

Brian, CEO muda dingin dan penuh rahasia. Selama bertahun-tahun dia membangun dinding di sekelilingnya. Akibat sakit yang dideritanya. Kehadiran Laura menghancurkan semua batasan yang diciptakannya. Laura yang hanya ingin hidup sederhana. Dia terjebak dalam pernikahan dengan Juan, seorang model terkenal yang mencintainya dengan obsesif. Brian ingin memiliki Laura, sementara Juan tak akan melepaskannya. Laura berada di antara dua pria yang mencintainya dengan cara berbeda. Siapakah yang Laura pilih? Bagaimana Laura bisa lepas dari jerat cinta salah satu pria itu? Yuk ikuti kisahnya!