Awkward Turtle

Welcome back to Clifton Heights. Sheriff Chris Baker and Father Ward meet for a Saturday morning breakfast at The Skylark Diner to once again commiserate over the weird and terrifying secrets surrounding their town. Sheriff Baker shares with Father Ward the story of a journal discovered in the ruins of what was once an elaborate koi pond and flower garden, which regales a tale of regret, buried pain, and unfulfilled debt: “Sophan” – Jake Burns has always been a bit...off. Rude, awkward, sometimes brutish, he's tolerated by Nate Slocum and his friends because he hits a mean line drive, and because they all know but don't discuss the abuse he faces at the hands of his troubled father, a Vietnam veteran consumed by his demons. But Jake is suffering something far worse than domestic abuse, and when Nate discovers what, he faces an impossible choice: help Jake and put himself in the path of evil, or abandon him, only to damn himself in the process. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

Jane Winters moves to Los Avalos with her mother, Sarah, who is getting married to the Alpha, Kyle Heiden. Once there, Jane realizes that her new stepbrothers are the two boys who used to bully her. They had lived with their mother for two semesters and had made Jane's life hell. Now faced with having to live in the same house as them, Jane makes two new friends. Freya is bubbly and just what Jane needs. Sebastian likes her as she is and wants more than just friendship. When Jane turns eighteen she realizes that her mates are Reid and Ryan Heiden, her stepbrothers and bullies. Jane is convinced they're playing a mean trick on her when they tell her they want her. Follow Jane's story as she stumbles through awkward teenage phases, tries to sort reality from fantasy with her twin mates and Sebastian's declaration of love. Who are the good guys and who are the bad guys? Will Jane make the right choice? Who will she choose?

The last thing Scott McCall expected to see in his hotel room one night is a beautiful waitress. A woman so desperate for a at his company that she would do anything to get his attention…like sneak into his hotel room to talk to him. Despite his growing attraction for this woman, Scott McCall throws logic out the door and hires her anyway. Vivian Sanchez is excited. She got a at a successful company, despite all the mistakes and bad decisions she made… and she couldn't believe it. Everything was falling into place and It was all happening like a fairytale. She vows to give this new her best, but there's just one problem. …. Her boss Being crazily attracted to Scott McCall was a situation Vivian didn't quite anticipate when she asked for this , and she doesn't quite know how to handle it. The long awkward gazes, subtle flirting and tension between them is enough to make anyone crazy. An affair with the boss could ruin her, but what is life without risks?....

All her life, Maxine lived in the shadow of her glamorous stepsister, Coreen. So, at age 18, she was awkward, nerdy, and wolf-power-less, making her an easy target for mockery. She gets the dare to kiss Alph Damore—the handsome alpha of Hanton University—at Coreen's party, and her world spins 180 degrees. Just after this, Maxine's family is evicted on a falsely accused infidelity charge. Months later, her life is going to turn another turn when her mother brings home her new stepfather—Alph's father. The different world to which she is cast, one of power and money, is not what Maxine had expected; now, she will have to contend with Coreen's envy and take up the role of half-sister to Alph. Problems ensue when she learns that Alph has been her fated mate all along. Is Maxine able to sail through this turbulent new life and the hidden bond between her and Alph, or will the chaos consume her? Will she ever find the wolf inside herself that turns everything favor to her?

Alexis Jenn Buenavista, a 24-year-old spoiled brat from a wealthy, influential, and famous family, has a life revolving around drinking with friends as if there's no tomorrow. Work isn't in her vocabulary. That's how she's always been... until one day, her parents told her to marry 38-year-old billionaire Zac Rogen Walker. As a stubborn and spoiled brat, she tried to run away but was caught by Zac's bodyguards. She can't accept the idea of an older husband! Zac needs an heir for his company, and his parents are pressuring him to marry since he's not getting any younger. He chose Alexis because of her youth and vitality, which would surely provide him with an heir. The two make a contract that gives Alexis the freedom she once had, but with one condition: she can't have sex with her boyfriend or any other man except Zac. And so, their awkward married life begins. Who will give in to temptation first? Who will give up? And who will fall in love?

Friends to lovers never felt so good! Will true love get a second chance? Trevor Willis is sexy, sweet, and oh so fun. He’s also my best friend’s brother-in-law. That should mean he’s off-limits—or that I should be off-limits to him. Someone probably should have told us that before my best friend married his brother, before the morning of the wedding when we woke in each other’s arms, before I woke with gaping holes in my memory. They didn’t. We did. *** Shana Price is that one woman. Usually shy and awkward, I want to be more for her—and in her presence I am more. I don’t even have to try. She’s my one. I knew it the moment I first met her. The problem is the little hassle of the thousands of miles between us. Now, everything has changed. Shana is back in the United States—all I have to do is make her see that her job isn’t the only reason to stay.

Dr. Ivy Monroe has her life planned down to the minute and falling in love isn’t on the list. But when a once-in-a-lifetime research grant for couples opens up, she realizes she’s missing one key thing: a partner. Desperate, she convinces Lake Hart, a carefree filmmaker in need of quick cash, to pose as her husband for the summer. The two opposites enter a couples’ retreat in the mountains, pretending to be madly in love. Between the awkward therapy sessions, forced intimacy, and their one-bed cabin, their “fake” marriage starts to feel dangerously real. Ivy fights the growing pull between them, while Lake begins to see through her walls — and into her heart. As summer fades, so does the line between truth and lies. But when their secret is exposed, Ivy risks losing both her career and the man who made her believe in love again. Months later, in autumn’s quiet beauty, she gets one last chance to tell Lake the truth — that their love may have started as pretend, but it’s become the most real thing in her life.

Alexis Jenn Buenavista is a 24 year-old spoiled bratenilla girl from a rich, powerful,and famous family in the country. Partying all nights and drinking with her friends as if there's no tomorrow is her expertise. Working is not in her vocabulary. That's how she is... Until one day, her parents told her to marry the 38-year old, famous billionaire, Zac Rogen Walker. As a spoiled stubborn brat girl, ay lumayas siya sa kanila. But unfortunately, she was caught by Zac's bodyguard. She can't accept an old husband! Zac needs an heir for their company. His parents urged him to marry as he is not getting any younger. He chose Alexis because she is young and active which surely gives him an heir. The two signed a contract that gave Alexis the freedom to do anything she wanted but she cannot have sex with her boyfriend or any other man except with Zac. And their awkward married life has begun... Who will give in first to temptation? Who will give up? And who will fall in love?

As a lady , how would you feel if the person you turn out to love is younger than you? I am sure you will feel kind of awkward, right? This happens to be the same problem Hazel has to face ........ Meet Hazel Dakota a twenty one (21) year old high school drop out who tries so hard to make ends meet and also take care of her sick mother . She got a mouth watering offer to work as a personal maid to the son of a rich woman , Hardin Castillo and that was where it all started from.. But who is Hardin Castillo? Let's us meet him. he is a 18 years old teenager with a snubbish attitude, an ex Juvenile delinquent who doesn't give a damn about anyone. * What will happen when Hazel was falls hard for the teenager? Will he return her love? If yes , will she be able to tame him? Will Hardin be able to put his past behind him? Hmmmmh I am so curious ....... * Find out by reading this suspense filled story, AGE( it is just a number) .......

“Uh, sir, maybe it's better for you to get dressed first?" Amy said. “No need, Ms. Brooke. I'm more comfortable this way.” Samuel smiled, pulling Amy's hand so her position was closer to him. “Besides, I won't need the towel for much longer.” Amy frowned to hear that. “What do you mean?” “Please, Ms. Brooke, ah, maybe I should call you Amy instead. After this, we will be more intimate. It will be awkward to call each other by our last name. Agree?” *** Amy Brooke (twenty years old), the eldest daughter of Brooke's family, has everything all women want: youth, beauty, wealth, and a great family. However, she will lose all in an event and changes her life immensely. Samuel Hoffner (thirty five years old), a billionaire, has everything all men want: great looks, wealth, popularity, and power. However, he is an anti-commitment guy. When they will meet each other and tie in a marriage contract, what will happen later? Can Amy make Samuel fall in love with her? Will their marriage survive or will it be only a short-term arrangement?