Common Decency

I stood on the pavement outside the townhouse that had been my sanctuary for ten years, watching the removal men haul out my life. Beside me, Lyle didn't even have the decency to look guilty. "It’s just business, Lolly," he’d said an hour ago, dropping the divorce papers onto the marble kitchen island. "You were a beautiful asset. But assets fucking depreciate." Now, I was a 'no one'. No money, no keys, and my reputation dragged through the mud. I stared up at the window of my bedroom. Krista – my ex best friend – was up there right now.. I turned. A man leaned against the frame of a waiting black saloon car. He didn't look like a bloody saviour. He looked like the devil, and right now, the devil was exactly what I needed. "I'm Franco," he murmured. "And I think Lyle just made the biggest mistake of his pathetic life. He thinks he broke you. I think he just let you off the leash." The heat radiating off his body was a phenomenal. I had just lost my husband, but standing this close to Franco, the only thing I felt was a sudden, violent ache. He held out an invitation. The Apex Bloom. A survival game for the elite. The prize is a billion pounds. But it doesn't reward beauty. It rewards the hunger of a woman who has nothing left to lose." A sharp shock shot through me, and I let out a soft gasp. He stepped half an inch closer, his thigh brushing against mine. He knew what that touch did to me. He wanted it just as much as I did. "Rule one," Franco whispered. "In my arena, the only way to bloom is to bleed. Are you ready?"

What does the underboss of an infamous crime family have in common with a spirited primary school teacher? Absolutely nothing, except a marriage of convenience, of course. When Lionel Tyson defaults on a gambling debt and offers his most prized possession as collateral, Austin Hawthorne is underwhelmed. But in desperate need of a housekeeper and permanent child minder, he knows he’d be an idiot to look a gift horse in the mouth. So, against his better judgement, he accepts an offer he should absolutely refuse. Marybeth Tyson is horrified to learn that not only is her father wanted by loan sharks, but he has also sold her off to a mafia boss. Bound by duty and pushed by guilt, she agrees to give Austin Hawthorne one year of her life, despite common sense screaming at her to run the other way. After all, how hard can pretending to be madly in love with someone be? It’s all fun and games until play pretend becomes all too real, and an earth-shattering secret from Austin’s past comes to light, threatening to destroy his second chance at love with his dogged pursuit for answers. Betrayal, especially at the hands of his older brother Blake and long-time friend, Andrei Ivanov, is a bitter pill to swallow for Austin, and letting them off scot-free is not an option. Driven by his unquenchable thirst for revenge, Austin will stop at nothing to get to the truth, even if it means destroying decade-old friendships and fragile ties to The Corporation. 2022 Val Sims. All rights reserved. No part of this novel may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author and publishers.

Solce Borromeo is a blood slave. Blood slavery is selling one's life, body or blood to a royal vampire which is common in the Kingdom of Doria. She has to do it in order to save herself from poverty and thirst. During the auction, she was sold to Lord Minir—a vampire Lord who is known for his killings when it comes to blood slaves. Things got worse when Solce found out that being vampire hunter runs in her blood. But fate has always been a bully to those who are trying so hard to live. What will she do when he'll fall in love with her? "I am a slave to your blood. No one can have you unless it is me."

The world is divided. Tensions between different species and governing hierarchies lead to bleak cities full of crime and distrust. Violence is common and life is hard, even for the seemingly superior Shifters. A Lycan rogue rejected by his own people helps a human woman. Either the best or worst decision in his life. Together, they find that misleading truths have led the world for too long. Together they question age-old traditions and force a new path forward. With the changes in power brewing and questions of equality beginning to rise, the old guard awakens to face this new ideological threat. Will this unlikely pair have the strength to survive in a world that is ever more hostile? Love can do many things, but it cannot bring back the dead.

Taissa Allendale, young, single mother of two and struggling to keep the wolf from the door. Pretty nonexistent social life. When a drunken night of passion leads to her carrying a rich, handsome billionaire's baby, her already lopsided world is thrown off balance completely. Channing Chevrolet, the Channing Chevrolet. He had always believed he had all a young man could ever want, that was until he met a beautiful stranger one night and found himself needing her as he needs oxygen. Taissa and Channing, they had nothing in common, so what could possibly bring them together? And the secrets folded beneath, just what trouble could their blossom bring?

Rebellious Olivia Macdonald is being raised by her single father Alexander Macdonald after his wife dies from small pox with the help of the servants. Her youthful crush on Johnathan Campbell who is 4 years older than her gets put on hold. As she almost gets herself killed. Alexander sends Olivia to live with his sister and husband in France to return 6 year’s latter. Trying not to fall back into her childish romantic notions she avoids Johnathan attention as he seems to be involved but their common Jacobite beliefs influences events. The dangers are very real. The events they find themselves thrown in brings them together. It is as if they are destined to be together after all.

Jayden and Jaden Bruno have been the bosses of The Falcons since they turned twenty. They're twin brothers who have nothing in common, they're popularly known as The Bruno brothers. The Falcons is the largest mafia empire in Mexico, ferocious and home of brutes. It's rare to see two bosses bossing over an empire but theirs is exceptional, along with their underground business, Jayden takes care of their family company in Italy. They fight daily, in fact almost every minute, but they make up as soon as they fight. Jayden is the gentle tiger while Jaden is the hotheaded lion. They're both different, but they love each other still. They take hostage of their enemy's daughter as payback. Jaden gradually falls for their enemy's daughter but stays ignorant.

Richard has never been one to spare his enemy and Sarah isn't going to be any different. Yes, she can be unknowingly seductive and unimaginably charming but Richard only feels that she will be prettier in her grave and more useful in hell. To Richard, love is for idle minds. If there's anything he knows how to do best, it's killing. He's e devil hiding under a flawless and mesmerizing body. Sarah only wants one thing from Richard--his life. The only thing they have in common is their desire for each other's life. But will they be able to carry out their missions after that unsolicited encounter? Will Richard be able to resist this seductress and give her the death she's courting?

Aurora's world falls apart when her mate Bennet rejects her after finding him hsving sex with her step sister Alicia. She ends up homeless and pregnant after having a one-night stand with a stranger. She is taken in by Callum, a strong Alpha who tells her that he is her mate. Uncertain of his intentions and troubled by past betrayals, Aurora hesitates. Secrets about their common past surface as they get closer. Callum was the man from Aurora's one-night stand when she finds out. When Bennet reappears with regret, their relationship is put to the test. Aurora must decide between a bright future and her traumatic past, she must choose love, trust and the fortitude to go on.

Ayu, an outstanding student and scholarship recipient at Garuda High School, was forced to marry Arbinata young, called Bin, the leader of the Garuda Steel motorcycle gang who was notoriously naughty and often caused trouble. When Ayu accidentally witnesses Bin engaging in a dangerous confrontation with another gang, she finds herself in an unexpected situation. Forced to navigate between uncertainty and tension, Ayu must adapt to her new life while struggling to achieve her dreams and graduation. However, when Iky, Bin's best friend and gangmate, begins to show more attention, Ayu is caught in a complicated love triangle dilemma. In the midst of conflict, they fight against a common enemy and the hope of a better future. Can they find happiness in the midst of chaos?