essential qualities of liturgy

My sister and I are twins, and we both have kidney failure. After a long wait, we finally find two matching kidneys. The doctor is prepared to transplant one for me and one for her. However, she breaks down in tears in my fiancé's arms—she wants both kidneys for herself. When I object, my fiancé locks me up at home. He has my sister undergo surgery to have both kidneys transplanted. "You haven't been sick for as long as your sister has. She just wants to live like a normal person—how can you be so selfish? Can't you wait for the next matching kidney?" He doesn't know that I can't wait any longer, though. I'm going to die soon.

The word 'mate' is said so often around here that it has just become a part of everyday life. But never in a million years did I ever think it would be directed at me. And the shit storm that followed was nothing I didn't expect. With a father that vowed never to let me go and a mate vowing to never leave me, things were about to get really complicated. With me stuck right in the middle

Grace Hammond lost the most important person in her life, her grandmother, Juliet. Left with little beyond a failing farm and not much clue how to run it, she's trapped-- either she gives up three generations of roots and leaves, or she finds some help and makes it work. When a mysterious letter from Juliet drops a much needed windfall in her lap, Grace knows she has one chance to save the only place she's ever called home and posts a want-ad.The knight that rides to her rescue is Robert Zhao, an Army veteran and struggling college student. A first generation Korean American, Rob is trying desperately to establish some roots, not just for himself, but for the parents he's trying to get through the immigration process, a secret he's keeping even from his best friends. Grace's posting for a local handyman, offering room and board in exchange for work he already loves doing, is exactly the situation he needs to put that process on track.Neither is prepared for the instant chemistry, the wild sweet desire that flares between them. But life in a small town isn't easy. At worst, strangers are regarded suspiciously, and at best, as profoundly flawed-- and the Hammond women have a habit of collecting obscure and ruthless enemies. Can their budding love take root in subtly hostile soil and weather the weeds seeking to choke them out?

We're celebrating my son, Baby Selwyn, turning a month old. I'm walking past the pool with him in my arms when someone shoves me from behind. Colin Selwyn jumps into the pool like a madman. He saves us and immediately rushes us to the hospital. Baby Selwyn makes it out alive because of the timely rescue. When I open my eyes again, Baby Selwyn and Colin aren't by my side. I sit up while coughing and remove the needle inserted into my hand. I leave the hospital room and head for the pediatric department, wanting to see Baby Selwyn. However, as I walk past the emergency room, I hear Colin talking to a doctor. "We managed to save the child from drowning, Mr. Selwyn. Why has he now died of asphyxiation?" "I smothered him. Per the plan, he was never supposed to make it out alive!" "But why? He's your son!" "I promised Sandy that I would make our child the Selwyn family's sole heir. Lucille should never have given birth to Baby Selwyn." Colin's tone is gentle and calm, yet his words are cold and cruel. I've always thought I had a loving marriage, but it's just a joke! I've already lost my beloved son, and my heartless husband is the one behind his death. I don't want him anymore!

Georgina knew nothing of her father's dealings with the Richardson family. She only knew that she had fallen in love with her husband against his wish. She desired Adam so much but as theirs was a marriage convenience, she could only look, not touch. She had her own reason for agreeing to marry him--which was not financial gain, as Adam ruefully thinks but how could the truth stay hidden, when she shared such intense passion with her husband...

This is a standalone book from one of the stories in the book "The Wild Adventures". Nicole Parker is a girl who can be said to have everything. Money, beauty, and brains. She is the only child of the most successful business tycoon in the capital. But despite having almost everything, she lacks in the most intimate relationship comfort and stability. A reason why she became rebellious toward her parents. She wanted to get their attention by doing things that would require their responses. She started bullying people around her. But what happens when a bully gets bullied? Would love be enough to change her? Find out in Nicole and Mike's colorful and steamy love story. "The Queen of Bullies"

"I, Alpha Killian Silvestre, accept you as my mate my beloved Luna, Riana. I promise to protect and love you till death.” That's a Promise I heard from him 10 years ago. My name's Riana Alabama, Luna of Bloody Scar pack. Betrayed by my first Alpha, Banished by my own pack. This is my story. Alpha Killian married me 10 years ago in the Land of Harvard. We live happily and ruled the Bloody scar pack together. Not until Zillah Okinawa came, his Mistress. He betrayed me and choose her over me. He even accused me of having an affair with one of our beta males. They banished me from Harvard Castle and I found my way to Valentin. There, I meet my second Alpha who saves me from my biggest nightmare in the past. He asked me to become his Luna and I accept him as my mate to change my fate. “He destroyed you once, and I will not allow him to destroy you again,” Alpha Diego saves me, loves me, and gives everything to me. I promise him that I will never betray him. But Will I be able to keep that promise when I return to Harvard? One revelation turn my world upside down.

Celine and Franco had been married for a year, but Celine was completely unaware of the true reason behind Franco's decision to marry her. Following the passing of Franco's grandfather, he became more distant and cold towards her. Until one day, Franco shockingly filed for divorce and revealed that he had only married her to secure his inheritance from his grandfather. He even went as far as accusing her of being a gold digger and introduced another woman to her. Driven by anger, pain, and resentment, Celine signed the divorce papers and left without taking a single penny from Franco. She wanted to prove that she was not after his money. Just at that time, she discovered she was pregnant, and she made a promise to herself to protect her child from her ex-husband. After dedicating five years of hard work to building her own business, Celine turn up as a successful CEO, a powerful and influential woman known worldwide. She had risen to power and independently raised her son. However, one day, Franco expressed his desire to win her back and be a father to their son. The question remained: would she allow him to enter her life again?, or would she make him suffer for causing her pain?

Hana was just a normal girl living in a peaceful village near at the seashore. Her life was fine, not until a tragic bloody night happened. her village was burned down by fire and most of the villagers are perished by unmerciful pirates. She abled to escape with the hand of a handsome hypocritical man. She wants revenge for her family and for the village. Along the way of finding vengeance, she met friends and she didn't expect to unravel her true identity. She discovers her ability, her power, but she can't control it. So, by finding vengeance to whomever she expects to help her, she found answers from her own hands. But could she be able to withstand every trial she faces, only to get the revenge she hoped for or die.

“I now pronounce you as a husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!” The priest announced and I froze. I knew I was cursed the moment this blood oath was taken which bound me to hell, the hell of this Sinner. My eyelids raised to see the ugly creation of god. My husband! Vladimir Sokolov! His rugged face carved with uncountable ugly marks stung my slow beating heart. His hazel green eyes held a satisfied dark shadow as He pulled me close, raised my chin and whispered coldly, “From this very moment, you share the crown of Bratva’s pakhan. Prepare yourself to bear its weight, Babochka. Because I own your existence now!” He slammed his cold lips on my trembling ones, punishing me with a brutal kiss. Tears pricked my eyes with disgust but I tolerated his touch for the sake of my family. My eyes followed the part of the audience, Russians, who burst into cheers while the other party, Italians, looked at me with remorse and pitiful gazes. Oh yes, how could I forget I was the sacrificed lamb thrusted into hell to get scorched for a lifetime. But No. I still had the last hope to save myself from this cursed fate, this cursed marriage. ………….. Born in a sin will definitely be called the Sinner. Without morality and mercy, Vladimir Sokolov the Bratva’s Pakhan ruled the city with an iron fist. Due to the influence of some political parties He had to marry the Daughter from La Camorra. Rose Barbieri! Marry her, have his heir and wear the title of family man, that's what He planned to do but what He didn’t imagine was that his innocent, submissive wife was someone who would burn the flames of his hell into ashes one day.