Center For Fiction First Novel Prize

Herbert Fischer lets his precious childhood sweetheart dump scalding stew all over me as everyone watches. Worse, he tells me to apologize, all because I said one harsh sentence to her. Tears stream down my face as I ask him, "Is my life worth less than a hair on her head?" He snorts. "Stop overthinking. It's just hot stew—you won't die from a few burns."

Uptil the age of 9, Roselia had lived the life every child dreamed of, a loving father, mountains of toys and dollhouses and whatever else that she desired. But her world came crashing down when her father died all of a sudden. Then Roselia runs away from her home at the age of 12 for reasons that would haunt her forever. She gets on a train and travels to a different state which is when she is rescued by a man. Little does she know that the man, Derek Clifford, is the heir to the ‘Cliffords dynasty’, a billionaire family, known for masquerading their money source as a ‘family business’. But the biggest revelation awaits Roselia at the Clifford mansion… that the person responsible for her father’s ‘unexpected death’ might just be a very important member of the Clifford’s family. Just then, Derek leaves to go overseas. 6 years later What Roselia hadn’t expected was that her love for the man who saved her life 6 years ago might just get in the way of her exacting revenge as she stays in the Cliffords mansion in the guise of a chef. Derek Clifford had not ever dreamed that he would fall in love. Power was all he had ever desired. That is until his cold grey eyes latched onto the all-grown Roselia and his carefully-knit life comes falling apart. But deep down perhaps he had known that it wasn’t just moral obligation that had made him so fiercely protective of her back in the past. Unfortunately for Roselia, Derek has a dark side to him, a side he never wanted to reveal to her. Would she run or would she stand with him? Would Derek even let her go? Could he?

When journalist, Bella Sinclair, was invited to a friends birthday celebration in the local bar, she imagined there would be drinking, dancing, and letting her hair down. What she didn't imagine- being sexual assaulted.Biker Alex 'Axel' Warner wasn't happy. He was supposed to be back in his clubhouse for the weekly party held by the club. He was supposed to be drunk, with the clubwhores begging for his c***. Instead, he was serving alcohol to a bunch of drunken adults, some behaving like children. That is until he spots the beautiful redhead dancing with her friends. What will happen when the two meet?Will Axel be able to protect Bella?Will he be able to protect her from herself?

Adam Sleeves had it ALL, but despite being this privileged, there was a void in his life. (True Love) Can that void be filled when a familiar face whom he recognised as his first love reappears in his life as his children's nanny?

‘State you name.’ Luke said. His voice of authority. ‘Vera Rayne.’ He seemed to look like he was in thought. The interview went on. Vera feeling on edge and uncomfortable. Luke, he was just sexually frustrated. ‘Are you married.’ He suddenly demanded. Luke couldn’t help it. Vera was confused as to why he would ask. ‘No,’ she answered, frowning. ‘Boyfriend then.’ Vera frowned deeper. Luke thought it made her look just as beautiful. Vera didn’t know why he would want to know. What it had to do with him. Luke grew irritated by Vera’s silence. His mind going insane thinking that silence meant that she did indeed have a boyfriend. Then he began to imagine, if she did have a boyfriend, what would he look like. What was her type. And so on. ‘No.’ She had finally answered. Luke thought she wasn’t going to. ‘OK,’ he said feeling relieved. Though he would never show it.

Matthias Lowell, an unrivaled warrior, was consumed with fury when his wife and daughter were oppressed. Driven by revenge, he traveled far just to avenge them. I, Matthias Lowell, answer to no one! My sole purpose is to ensure the safety of my family, and anyone who dares to harm them will face my wrath. All warriors of the Legion of the Unbreakable, listen up: take them down!

*** COMPLETED**** Astrid is a witch living in the small town of Townsend, Tennessee. Her husband loves her no matter what the world throws at them, until now. For the last 3000 years her soul has been reincarnated along with her mate Alexander. They are finally reunited, but are they ready to fulfill their destiny? Death seems to follow them like a plague of locus. It takes not one, but two Alpha's to satisfy her needs. Will the men be able to work together or will jealousy jeopardize their destiny? The fae have a strange way of life, but can the world really accept it?

Anne works at a mall. She is the supervisor of one of the most famous men’s summer wear. She also failed once in love. When her ex boyfriend/ex fiancée cheated her. It hurts her so much. And because her age is about to pass the calendar, some of her close friends or work colleagues are looking for her a blind date or to be a boyfriend. But not one of those who were reprimanded and introduced by friends was not her type. And no captured her. Michael, a close friend and supervisor of the visual team, urges her to install a dating app so that she can have a boyfriend. Out of curiosity, she installed the app. More love, one of those who chatted with her and he immediately took an interest for them to meet. But she was disappointed because More love’s skin tone is black. She discriminated him secretly. But Anne’s view of More love changed when she met him. That they feel love and first meet to each other. She gave everything to him. The thing that she never gave to her long time past boyfriend. On the other hand, even though the two had not yet fully knew each other, destiny tested them immediately. Suddenly, her ex fiancee came back which gave her so much emotional pain. When his ex fiancee returns, she can’t tell to herself who she loves. Her ex fiancee or More love(the guy she just met) . Anne suddenly walked away from More love and not to communicate on him. Assuming she will be happy with her boyfriend’s return. But she never forgot More love. But when she decides to choose More love, she already find out that the guy has already a girlfriend.

Blessed with the powers of an African God, Tamsyn is the only Orisha to be born in the last century. Or so she believes. Desperate to protect the rest of her family, she swore to never step foot back on African soil. All of that changed when she heard that her baby brother was all grown up and set to be married. One week. A forgotten family. And all of the stolen kisses an Orisha can salvage. Tamsyn realises quite quickly that coming home was the worst thing she could have ever done for the family she wants to protect.

Buzz It had been 4 long years since Julia accused me of cheating and left me. It had been 4 years since I had been able to breathe properly. A lot had happened in the time since she left. I was now a member of a Motorcycle club. Now I’ve found her again, she is back in my life. And she has something to tell me. Julia It had been 4 years since Ryan cheated on me. Or so I was led to believe. It had been 4 years since I broke my own heart by leaving. My brother was hurt, involved in a shooting at the Motorcycle club he belongs to. The last person I expected to see was Ryan. After all this time, can I make him forgive me, and more importantly… can I convince him to give us a second chance?