Gentle Villain

On my 16th birthday, I treat myself to the most delicious cake I can find. On that day, before I can even take a bite, my parents, who are always at odds with each other, sign their divorce papers right in front of me. So, on my wedding day, I tell my wife, Keira Jarrett, "If you ever want a divorce, just get me a birthday cake." She hugs me tightly and promises me."Don't worry. 'Birthday' won't even be a word in our home anymore." Seven years later, on Keira's birthday, her assistant, Jackson Price, throws her a surprise party. She slaps him across his handsome, gentle face and kicks him out of Jarrett Group. That day, I am convinced I have chosen the right woman for life. But three months later, on my birthday, I find out the supposedly fired Jackson has been promoted to Keira's personal secretary. He personally delivers a custom-made birthday cake to me. I call Keira to demand an explanation, but her voice on the other end is cold and distant. "Jack meant well. Don't be a spoilsport." I freeze for a moment, then hang up. It turns out my parents are right all along. The only way a birthday cake tastes right is when it's served with divorce papers.

Waking up crushed under a man, I nearly screamed—until I saw who it was. Adrian. My cold, obsessive husband. The man I spent a lifetime escaping from. In my past life, I trusted the wrong people. Betrayed the only man who ever protected me and died alone. One life ruined me. This one? I’ll ruin everyone who tries again. Now, the game is mine and I write the rules. I'll act sweet. Stay mysterious. And pit every snake against each other. And as for my dangerously obsessed husband? I will tame—wait... WAIT! I was just being a little gentle, why is this tyrant acting like a delicate princess? 'Hey, hey, stop clinging to me! What? You want cuddles? Head pats? You—You are not a cat, Adrian!' … “He’s deathly allergic to strawberries? But he devoured one from my hand like it’s a miracle elixir.” “He has sleeping disorders? But he hugged me and passed out like a lazy cat!” “He’s sulking… because I didn’t hold his hand?” When he saw me hugging my female best friend? He lost his mind. Yanked me into his arms and growled, “Mine,” like a deranged villain in love. I finally understood: no one else ever stood a chance. I was his only obsession.

Eileen never chose this life—sold to a dangerous mafia family as a child to save her mother’s life. Years later, she escapes, finding fleeting happiness and love in the arms of a gentle man. But her past isn’t finished with her. Dragged back into the clutches of José Santiago—the man who claims to own her—Eileen must navigate a world of brutal control, twisted power, and secrets that could destroy the only people she’s ever cared about. He wants her body, her obedience, her soul. But he doesn't get to have her heart. To protect her son and the family she left behind, Eileen must play the game. But as she plots her revenge and buries her grief, the line between survival and surrender begins to blur. She’s no longer the girl who was taken. She’s the woman who will burn everything down to take her life back. A dark romance of obsession, betrayal, and the fight for freedom.

Manuel, a tactical billionaire with an ugly past now known as Donald along side his brother Miguel, a ruthless member of a mafia group now known as Mike are out to seek revenge on Mr Delmont the man who took the lives of their parents when they were just boys. Everything seems to be going according to plan until Donald meets a captivating woman, Rebecca at the bar. Rebecca is gentle, kind, and everything he never knew he needed. But she’s hiding something. Everyone is. She seems to have a normal life with a hunting past of an abusive father and a mother she loves so dearly. She seems like an open book. Donald falls in love too quickly. In their quest for revenge, something is not adding up. There is a rat amongst them and it could be the calmest person in the room. In a world driven by secrets, lies and betrayal. Would Rebecca choose loyalty to her bloodline or the man she has grown to love deeply.

"Beg, Ursula," His voice dropped low. "On your knees." I clenched my fist, every fibre in me itching to snap his neck. For my sister. "Please." He doesn’t just want her compliance—he wants her on her knees. And she swore she’d never beg anyone. Not even him. Zachary Wellington; cold, ruthless, feared by everyone except one woman; Valerie Hampton, the one woman he despises so much since high school . He calls her Ursula — the villain in his love story and she calls him Dracula, the devil's spawn . She bullied his first love and she died when she discovered a secret about Valerie. Years later, they meet again. Only this time, it’s no accident. Zachary orchestrated an arranged marriage to claim his billion-dollar inheritance . Fueled by old wounds and a twisted thirst for revenge, he turns their union into a twisted game of chess guided by cold rules, where every move is calculated, and trust is a luxury both can't afford. But what begins as punishment spirals into something far more dangerous: desire, obsession, and secrets that refuse to stay buried. From betrayal and childhood trauma to a violent heir lurking in the shadows, Valerie and Zachary are about to uncover a truth that could destroy them both. Love was never part of the plan. But in a marriage built on lies and vengeance, it might be their only way out.

Erin Graciella Santos, she's blind, she's beautiful. She had a gentle heart and an innocent soul. Alejandro Lucas De Rossi, the heartless Mafia Boss. He doesn't care with anyone else. He had this cold eyes, a short-temper and a dominant side. What happens when Erin caught the eye of the heartless Mafia Boss? Will she be able to change Alejandro or will she be able to dominated by the man?

Second book in My Archangel Soulmate series ** Strong arms wrapped around my much smaller frame, comfortable warmth engulfing my tingling body, followed by the softest, sweetest touch of his lips against mine, moving in a slow, gentle kiss. My eyelids fluttered closed on their own accord, pressing myself even closer, my hand finding its way around his neck, burying my fingers in his short soft hair while the small sparks of bright light still danced in between us, mixing with each other. It felt so magical, so utterly ethereal, the way his entire being felt so close to mine, tiny pieces of himself tangling with mine, like small silvery strings those tiny pieces drawing us together, creating a supernatural bond.

Undercover Hearts is a contemporary romance thriller featuring two professional liars who find themselves investigating the same crime from opposite sides. Sophia Chen is an investigative journalist who goes undercover as "Sophia Sterling.” She poses as a wealthy tech heiress to infiltrate Platinum Connections. An exclusive matchmaking service where wealthy clients are mysteriously dying or losing their fortunes. She believes owner Marcus Blackwood is running a blackmail and murder scheme. Marcus Blackwood is an undercover FBI agent. He co-owns the business as part of a long-term federal operation, with his childhood friend Elena Vasquez handling day-to-day operations. When Sophia appears, Marcus suspects she has ulterior motives. Neither realizes they're both good guys pursuing the same case—or that Elena is the real villain orchestrating everything from the shadows. The story follows their immediate, intense attraction as they circle each other with growing suspicion and undeniable chemistry. Both are expert lie-detectors thrown off balance by someone who matches their intelligence and perception. Through disastrous client dates, psychological evaluations, and increasingly personal conversations, they engage in a dangerous dance of deception while fighting feelings that threaten to compromise their respective missions.

EXCERPT "Got you." His voice echoed above my head sending goosebumps up my spine as he pinned my wrist above my head. My pulse sped up as a traitorous and familiar heat began to appear between my legs. As if sensing the effect he had on me, his smirk widened, a devious glint appearing his his cold blue eyes. I shivered as I stared into those blue orbs that no longer held any warm affection. All that it held was raw hunger and an intense desire to possess that made me want to run. He was different. He was very dangerous. "Run again," he growled, thumb tracing the scar on my wrist—the one he’d kissed better a lifetime ago. "And I’ll chain you to my bed in the name of the man who owns you. "I’m not yours—" The rest of my words died down as he crushed his mouth to mine. His kiss wasn’t gentle—it was rough and held a lot of anger. I hated how my knees buckled. How my hands fisted in his shirt instead of shoving him away. BLURB Elena was wolfless. She was scorned, bullied, and named a jinx. She had accepted her fate and thought that she would be alone forever. Then he came. The Alpha King’s son. . He cut through her defenses and loved her like no one else did. Their bond grew stronger than any other every day, but good things never last. Dark secrets begin to get unlocked. Secrets that threaten to destroy Elena and everything that she is. Worse still, all those weapons in the form of secrets are closely related to her mate. Love turned to hate. Passion turned to fury. Will their bond, which once stood so firmly, stand the test of fate?

Tia has always been labelled a spoiled brat, but this perception is misleading; it’s a carefully crafted act. As the youngest in the Alpha pair of the Cherry Ridge Pack, she feels overlooked while her brother, Simon, is groomed for leadership, and her sister, Hilary, is pampered and praised as their perfect daughter. Her loyal companion, Meadow, is her hidden blessed wolf, a gift she received after surviving a trafficking attempt. One morning, Tia discovers her family and pack brutally slaughtered. Realizing her only refuge lies with her arranged mate, Delta Allan Price, the cousin of the Alpha at Ravens' Peak Pack, she sets out on a dangerous journey. Miles Roberts, Beta of the Fisher Brooks Pack and twin brother to Alpha Tyson, is haunted by the death of his true mate, Hilary. Yet, he refuses to accept that Tia, the sister who has always owned his heart, is lost to him and begins searching for her. However, dark forces are at play, as a villain plots to reclaim their territory. With allies and enemies everywhere, will Miles find Tia in time to protect her? Will they confess their feelings for each other? And will the Goddess unleash her Dark Sister to punish those who have defied her laws? RECOMMENDED: THE ALPHA BEAST'S REBEL WOLF (Book#1 of the Dark Sister of Vengeance Series) as characters reappear. *NO S/A* The book contains the following warnings: Violence, Betrayal, Murder, Crude language and Sex. COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL!! ©2025/ T. MURPHY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED!!!