Darth Vader Rises

My mother marries into the Patterson family with me after her divorce. She marries Thomas Patterson, the dean of a veterinary hospital. Meanwhile, I marry Walter Patterson, a firefighter captain and Thomas' son. On this day, there's a huge storm. I'm almost due for labor, but I still head to the hospital to pick my mother up after an operation. We head to the subway, but it ends up being flooded. I endure the labor contractions and call Walter with trembling hands, wanting to ask for help. He finally answers after hanging up on me 18 times. "What the hell do you want? How stupid can you be, calling me in such a huge storm? "I'm saving lives here! Tracy's foot was cut by glass while being saved, and I've just bandaged her wound. Now, I have to take her dog to Dad's hospital so he can save it. The dog is hanging by a thread; if you need help, get some other firefighter to do it! Don't pester me!" Later, the rescue team arrives. My mother and I are pushed to the back of the crowd, and people won't stop shoving us around. The floodwater rises, and I have no choice but to carry her on my back while trudging along the corridor. This continues for three hours. When we're finally rescued, my mother is already unconscious, and I end up losing my child, who's almost to term. My mother and I look at each other tearfully in the ward we share. I say, "Mom, I'm getting a divorce." She says, "It's not a big deal, sweetheart. I'll do it with you. I've done it once before—I know how this goes."

His breath hit my mouth first. Warm. Shaky. Too close. Then Alex whispered, “Let go of me…” But his hands stayed on my chest. His fingers curled into the fabric like he needed something to hold onto. The thunder outside cracked, but it was nothing compared to the storm in his eyes. I tried to step back. I really did. But he moved first. Alex’s forehead touched mine, just lightly, like he didn’t realize he was doing it. His breath trembled against my lips. I felt every inch of him, every line of heat, every fight he was losing with himself. “You should hate me,” he whispered. “I do,” I said. My voice didn’t sound like hate at all. His lips brushed mine. Barely. A ghost of a touch. It burned. Alex swallowed hard. “Then why are you trembling?” I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Because you’re too close.” He gave a slow, dangerous smile. “Then stop me.” I didn’t. ◇♧♡♧◇ Blake Silver enters Midnight Academy to prove himself and bring down the Thorne bloodline for good. Alex Thorne is everything he hates, everything he fears becoming, and everything he cannot stop looking at. Forced to train together, live together, and survive each other, their rivalry grows hot enough to burn. But when a stormy night ends in an accidental kiss, one truth rises like lightning. Their parents are hiding something about their past, something that ties Blake and Alex closer than enemies should ever be. If your sworn rival might become your stepbrother… would you still want the next kiss?

Book Two of the Betrayed Luna to Alpha Queen Series Can be read as a standalone or after Book One ----- “They were supposed to hate me. All four of them. But the Moon Goddess doesn’t make mistakes, she just has a twisted sense of humor.” ----- “Let me die free rather than live as his possession.” Those were Lyralei Ravenwood’s last words before she jumped off Widow’s Cliff, choosing death over marriage to a monster hiding behind a charming smile. She should have died. Instead, she wakes in the camp of the Four Great Alphas..the most powerful, dangerous men in the ancient werewolf world. Men who look at her with resentment. Men who make it clear she’s not welcome. The Moon Goddess sent her to unite them against a rising darkness. But they don’t want unity. They don’t want her. Lyra didn’t ask to be sent anywhere. She just wanted to escape a cage. Now she’s trapped with four hostile Alphas who see her as an obligation rather than a person. Who resent every breath she takes. Who make it clear that prophecy or not, she will never command their loyalty. But something is awakening between them. Something ancient and undeniable. The Primordial Mate Bond—a force that links one soul to multiple Alphas, pulling them together whether they want it or not. As shadow wolves attack and an ancient evil rises, Lyra must navigate not just war, but the far more dangerous battlefield of four hearts that were determined to hate her. Because feelings without trust are torture. CONTENT WARNING: This book contains mature themes including explicit sexual content, violence, death of major characters, psychological trauma, and morally complex situations. Recommended for readers 18+

Ophelia Lewis, a privileged young woman, had her world shattered when she lost her father in a tragic accident. With her stepmother and jealous stepsister, Samara, scheming against her, she is forced into an arranged marriage with Kent to secure her place as CEO of Lewis & Hale. However, betrayal strikes when she finds Kent and Samara in an intimate moment. Humiliated and cast out of her own company, Ophelia speeds away—only to fall victim to a rigged car accident orchestrated by Samara. She wakes up in a hospital, saved by strangers, only to discover she is pregnant. Determined to take back her life, Ophelia fakes her death, undergoes plastic surgery, and reinvents herself. Her plan? To infiltrate the business world, reclaim her company, and exact revenge. Her journey leads her to Aaron Donovan, a ruthless billionaire with a dark past. He hires Ophelia, unaware of her true identity. Their working relationship is a battlefield of clashing egos, yet undeniable chemistry ignites between them. As she rises in the corporate world, fate intervenes—Aaron’s company merges with Lewis & Hale, bringing Ophelia face-to-face with her enemies. As secrets unravel, Ophelia’s presence unsettles Samara, who senses familiarity but fails to uncover the truth—until she stumbles upon hospital records. A deadly game begins as Samara orchestrates the kidnapping of Ophelia’s son, Caleb. In a tense showdown, betrayal and bullets fly. Kent meets his end, and Ophelia finally puts an end to Samara’s reign of terror. Three months later, Aaron proposes, sealing their bond. As a final act of love, he gifts Ophelia ownership of Lewis & Hale—the company that was once stolen from her. With vengeance fulfilled and love found, Ophelia steps into a future she fought to reclaim.

In a tale of revenge, rebirth, and romance, Ashlyn Knight rises from the ashes of public humiliation to become one of the most powerful figures in the business world. After being betrayed at her wedding by her fiancé Christopher White and his mistress Penelope, Ashlyn transforms through a strategic marriage to mysterious billionaire Richard Walker, who shares a connection to her past life as a military commander named Hannah. Ashlyn methodically dismantles the White and Knight families' empires, revealing dark secrets including Penelope's involvement in her mother's death and Christopher's illegitimate status. Her revenge plot takes an unexpected turn when she discovers she's actually Steven White's granddaughter through his illegitimate daughter, giving her a legitimate claim to both family empires. Richard, initially a partner in her revenge scheme, proves to be more than just an ally. Their marriage of convenience evolves into a powerful love story as they discover their shared past lives - he was a fellow commander who failed to protect Hannah in their previous existence and has spent this life making amends. The story climaxes at the International Business Summit, where Christopher's desperate attempt to destroy the couple backfires spectacularly. Multiple confrontations lead to Penelope's arrest, Christopher's imprisonment, and the public recognition of Ashlyn's birthright. In a dramatic moment, Richard renews their vows, transforming their tactical alliance into a declaration of true love. The narrative concludes with Ashlyn and Richard's unified empire becoming a model of ethical business leadership. They establish a foundation in her mother's name, helping others who face similar injustices. Their story becomes legendary in both business and social circles, proving that the sweetest revenge isn't just in destroying enemies, but in building something greater from the ashes of trauma while finding true love along the way.

Daisy Croft had it all—the fame, the fortune, and the man who adored her. But in her previous life, she took it all for granted, blinded by pride, bitterness, and jealousy. In a cruel twist of fate, she lost everything, including the one man who loved her unconditionally: Louis Grant. Now, given a second chance at life, Daisy is determined to rewrite her story. This time, she’ll fight for her love, her career, and her family. She rises through the entertainment industry like a storm, captivating the world with her newfound charm and maturity. Yet behind her success lies a secret, a past filled with regrets and betrayal. Louis Grant is a ruthless business tycoon, feared by many and respected by all. His icy demeanor and ironclad control make him untouchable—except when it comes to Daisy. His love for her is as deep as it is dangerous, and though he can’t forget how she shattered his heart before, he’s drawn to her new warmth and sincerity. But even he can sense that something has changed. As Daisy navigates the glittering yet perilous world of fame, dark forces from her past—friends turned enemies, and the mysterious mafia ties that once sought to ruin her—lurk in the shadows, threatening her newfound happiness. This time, she vows not to let anyone stand between her and the life she’s determined to reclaim. Can Daisy prove her love for Louis, protect him from the dangers she knows all too well, and finally find redemption? Or will the ghosts of her past once again destroy her only shot at happiness? A heart-stopping tale of love, second chances, and redemption, Reborn will sweep you off your feet and leave you breathless until the very last page.

I'm Isa Borgia, the daughter of the most powerful Don in Corvina. My father worries I'll marry the wrong man on a whim, so he arranges for me to be engaged to Luca, the rising heir of the Marino family. It's an arranged marriage, but that doesn't mean I've lost all my say. The very least I can do is choose a ring I genuinely like. So, I go to the mafia auction. When the diamond ring appears as the final jewel of the night, I lift my paddle. Just before the gavel falls, an arrogant voice comes from behind me. "A country bumpkin like you thinks you can compete with me? Do yourself a favor and leave." The auction hall goes quiet for a few seconds. The only sound comes from the camera shutters clicking around the hall. I turn and see a woman in a gold couture gown. Her mouth curves in a casual smile, as if she owns the place. Before I can say a word, the auctioneer rushes to close the bid.
"Sold! Congratulations to Ms. Sofia Lopez for winning the final lot, the Eternal Star!" My brows pull tight, and a hot spike of anger rises in my chest. "You ended the bidding early! Do you even follow the rules here?" Sofia turns around and gives me a once-over, her gaze sharp as a blade. 
"Rules?" She lets out a cold laugh. "Come on. I'm Luca Marino's favorite godsister. Around here, I make the rules!" I can't help but laugh. What a coincidence. So, she's my fiance's godsister. I pull out my phone and call him. "Luca, your godsister just snatched the engagement ring I picked out. How are you going to handle this?"

"I'm not your mate! I reject you! Evil!" He stepped closer like Aeryl was some dangerous animal. One moment, he was across the room. The next, his hand was around her neck, lightly but very threatening, resting her back into the far stone wall. Aeryl gasped, her breath scattering at the sudden, inhuman move. "Careful. You don't know what you're walking into, hybrid," Aramisius hissed, his lips grazing her ear. "You should know your enemies. I am one of them." "What... what do you want from me?" His eyes burned red-silver, unnatural light cutting into her. "All. Of. You." Warning: This book is 18+. There was no escape from him. Aeryl has always known her blood was dangerous. Born a hybrid, she was never fully human, never fully safe. When her father bargains her away to the powerful Lycan Lord, she chooses the only path left. Run and fight. But the night is not merciful. Aramisius rises at midnight: cruel, exquisite, and ancient. And now he has scented her. His mate. His curse-breaker. His obsession. Aeryl may think she can flee, but he does not chase. He hunts. Dragged into his rose-scented castle, Aeryl discovers that the greatest danger is not his cruelty but the way her body responds to him. Her wolf calms in his presence. As rival kings, witches, and shadows close in, Aeryl learns the truth too late: Every kingdom either wants her or fears her and the danger was never Aramisius. It was what would happen if she is taken from him. Can Aeryl find herself and stand against the armies and powers as the world begins to shift? This is not just another werewolf romance. It is dark erotica where bodies are claimed, love is sacrifice, and surrender is the most dangerous ecstasy of all.

On the day Winter Everhart suffers a miscarriage, her husband, Joshua Stroud, and their son, Terence, are out with his beloved Jessica Lynch. They watch the very performance Winter has always loved. "You're just so unreasonable. What's the point of all this?" "Dad, can you get me a new mom? She's so annoying!" On Winter's birthday, she returns from the hospital only to find Joshua celebrating Jessica's instead. Even Terence, the child she nearly gave her life to bring into the world, pledges to protect the woman who has stolen everything from her. Tears glisten in Winter's eyes as she smiles. Then, with quiet resolve, she walks away from the cage of a marriage that has bound her for five years. Joshua and Terence believe she won't survive without the Stroud family. What they don't expect is that she rises so high that they can no longer reach her. "Mr. Stroud! Mrs. Stroud's car design is now number one nationwide—Stroud Group has been completely outshone!" "Mr. Stroud! Mrs. Stroud has just won the World Championship in Artificial Intelligence Design!" "Mr. Stroud! Mrs. Stroud has been invited by a foreign president to attend a state banquet!" Regret tears Joshua apart. Dragging Terence with him, he kneels before Winter and pleads, "Honey, please give me another chance! If being your servant is what it takes, I'll do it!" But just beyond the door, a strikingly handsome man kneels on one knee, a leather collar fastened around his neck. Twining a diamond leash around Winter's palm, he vows with his gaze burning with feverish devotion, "My master, from this moment on, I bow to no one but you. Please, take me in."

The things we want are so very rarely the things we need. Clifton Heights, a modest Adirondack town, offers many unique attractions. Arcane Delights sells both paperbacks and hard-to-find limited editions. The Skylark Diner serves the best home-cooked meals around, with friendly service and a smile. Every August, Mr. Jingo’s County Fair visits, to the delight of children and adults. In essence, Clifton Heights is the quintessential small American town. Everyone knows everyone else, and everyone is treated like family. It is quiet, simple, and peaceful. But shadows linger here. Flitting in dark corners, from the corner of the eye. If you walk down Main Street after dark, the slight scrape of shoes on asphalt whispers you're not alone, but when you look over your shoulder, no one is there. The moon shines high and bright in the night sky, but instead of throwing light, it only seems to make the shadows lengthen. Children disappear. Teens run away. Hunters get lost in the woods with frightening regularity. Husbands go mad, and wives vanish in the dead of night. And still, when the sun rises in the morning, you are greeted by townspeople with warm waves and friendly smiles, and the shivers pass as everything seems fresh and new... Until night falls once more. Handy's Pawn and Thrift sits several blocks down from Arcane Delights. Like any thrift store, its wares range from the mundane to the bizarre. By daylight, it seems just another slice of small town Americana. But in its window hangs a sign which reads: We Have Things You Need. And when a lonely traveling salesman comes looking for something he desperately wants, after normal visiting hours, after night has fallen, he will face a harsh truth among the shelves of Handy’s Pawn and Thrift: the things we want are rarely the things we need. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing