Imagined Communities

What makes a hero? They say a hero is someone that has given his life to something bigger than himself. I say a hero is no braver than an ordinary man, he is just braver for five minutes longer. All soldiers are brave, it's what they do with their bravery that makes them heroes. Am I a hero? Clayton Jackson dedicated his life to serving his country. Enlisting in the Marine Corps at the young age of eighteen, he never imagined following any other path. However, fate had other plans for him as a life-altering accident during his last deployment left him disabled and forces him to return home. Hiding in the small town he grew up in, Clayton tries to keep his secret from his loved ones at all costs. One day while seeking refuge from his troubled mind, his path crosses with Isabella Jones. Their connection is instantaneous as if the universe conspired to bring them together. Isabella, a mysterious and enigmatic woman, is haunted by the demons from her own past. As their relationship quickly blossoms, the unspoken truths between them threaten to tear them apart. When Clayton is presented with the opportunity to rejoin the Marine Corps, Isabella is faced with a decision: whether to accompany him or remain behind. Caught in this web of secrets and lies, they try to navigate their love through the murky waters, desperately hoping to find solace in each other's arms. But will love be enough to conquer the shadows that lingered in their hearts? Or would the truth ultimately be their undoing?

**EXCERPT** He rasped, his teeth grazing my earlobe. "I'll make sure you're addicted to the way I fúck you until you can't breathe without wanting me inside of you." Jesus Christ. He was going to kill me at this rate with his words... ⫷◍◍◍◍◍◍◍◍◍⫸ Lilith has perfected the art of disguise. She is an ambitious college student balancing her family’s needs by day. By night, she transforms into Raven—a mesmerizing dancer in a club where secrets reign, and the most feared man in the room, Giovanni, watches her every move. Giovanni's ruthless reputation is undeniable, but beneath his icy demeanor lies a deeply complex soul. When he hires Raven to uncover his rivals' darkest secrets, Lilith seizes the opportunity. The payout could change everything for her family—if she can handle the risk. One reckless night intertwines their fates in ways neither expected. As she ventures further into his world, every lie and secret draws her closer to disaster and a desire she never saw coming. If Giovanni uncovers her true identity, he’ll claim her in ways she never imagined—or destroy her in the process. *MATURE CONTENT AS THE CHAPTER PROGRESSES*

"Veronica is pregnant!", Mother said loudly I stopped dead in my tracks. The realization of that hit me suddenly like I was unaware of it before. "Your younger sister, Veronica is pregnant, Adele! She is", mother said again. I sucked in a very sharp breath, trying to keep myself in control and perfect order as I turned to face mother and spat those words out. "I am not getting married. I am not getting married to someone I do not know. No, that is not going to happen", I said very clearly this time and I saw a tear drop from my mother's right eye. "Do you not get it? You have no choice in this. You have no say in this!" "And I wonder why that is", I replied with gritted teeth as I glared at mother murderously. ----------------- Adele Woods; a despaired, pessimistic and brokenhearted lady found herself agreeing to an arranged matrimony after much persuasion and convincing talk from her parents, especially her mother. She had no say in it and that made her angry. Being a rebellious person, Adele refused to even take a look at her betrothed's picture. She had a thought on her mind. Her husband would want one thing from her; to procreate. And that is one of the things she would never do. But is it possible? When her husband is Christopher Marvin; a young, handsome man who would do no other thing than to make her laugh. He was the most flirtatious, lively, cheerful, and manly person she has ever met. He was definitely not what she imagined her husband to be like. Will Adele be able to pull herself out of her 'annoying' marriage? Or will she find herself changing because of a certain hot man?

"What if I can't give you an heir?" I asked, my voice trembling. Maximus's eyes darkened even further. "Then you will be of no use to me," he said, his tone dismissive. I could feel the tears starting to prick at the corners of my eyes. I had always known that my life would be hard, but never had i imagined myself in this position. *** Sold into a forced marriage, Felicity believes her fate is sealed. But when she realizes the cruel and dominating alpha king is her mate, everything changes. She gives him a son, hoping for her freedom, but instead learns she's nothing but a breeder to him. Heartbroken, she flees with her unborn child. Now a single mommy pursued by many alphas, will the alpha king recognize his true feelings and chase her back? Or will her be forever haunted by a love that was never meant to be?

Fifth Castillion is a happy-go-lucky bachelor from a wealthy clan of Castillion. He never imagined being in a serious relationship and being a man of one woman. But when he met Antoinette San Francisco, everything changed. She's a demure and classic woman who dreamed of being a nun and temporarily went out to the convent to fulfill her responsibility to her sister, Tamia. Destiny is full of surprises, indeed. Tamia fell in love with Fifth, while Fifth fell with Antoinette, and vice versa. But as a good half-sister, Antoinette sacrificed her love for him. She let him go despite their love for each other for her sister's happiness. She pushed Fifth to marry her sister as Tamia's dying wish. He will do everything she wants, even if it costs him happiness and freedom. He married Tamia while Antoinette pursued her dream and became a nun. Selfless love is sometimes too cruel for those who sacrifice. Is there a happy ending for both of them? Or will their sacrifices set them free?

"Casey, hurry up and pack. Tonight we will move!" "Why so suddenly, Mom? Where are we moving to?" "Your new father's house. I'm getting married to David next week. Your dream of having a family will come true. In fact, you will get the bonus of three handsome brothers." I don't argue. That same night I joined my mother and moved to my stepfather's house in a different state from where we live now. After a long journey, we finally arrived. David greeted us warmly. But, the beautiful dream I previously imagined must now turn into hell. I must be brother with my enemy! He is the young man who once humiliated me and who became my first love. What destiny is this?

Marrying the love of her life is the cherished dream of any woman, but for Olivia, it was a complete nightmare, because Harrison treated her as if it was the worst thing that happened in his life, until the day she couldn't take it anymore and asked for a divorce, despite the pleas, the woman could not get him to give her a second chance, subdued and humiliated she had to return to her parents' house, what Harrison family, not even he imagined, was that Isabella would return, but she would no longer be that humble woman who pretended to have nothing, now she had everything, she returned with the intention of taking revenge, but in a convenient way Harrison was awakened in love, Will he be able to get his heart back without getting hurt in the attempt? Will Olivia be able to forgive so much pain?

Cristian, being the beta of his pack, is sent to be the bodyguard of a woman whose life is in danger. He just never imagined that this woman would be his partner ... but what a partner. Alisha Meyer, an independent and entrepreneurial woman, the least she wants is to be tied to a man and less now that she is being harassed and her life is in danger. But when she is shot in the chest and almost dies she will realize that there is something strange inside her and she will be surrounded by tall men, a lot of testosterone, possessiveness and wolves? You will only have one alternative. Tame beasts

The novel is mainly about the forgotten British poet/writer named C. J Richards who lived in Burma/Myanmar in colonial times and he believed himself as a Burmophile. He served as I.C.S (Indian Civil Servant) and when he retired from I.C.S service, he was a D.C (District Commissioner) and he left for England a year before Burma gained its independence in 1948. He came to Burma in 1920 to work in civil service after passing the hardest I.C.S examination. He wrote several books on Burma and contributed many monthly articles to Guardian Magazine published in Burma from 1953 to 1974 or 1975. Though he wrote several books which had much literary merit to both communities, Britain and Burma (Myanmar), people failed to recognize him. The story has two parts: one part is set in the contemporary Yangon (then called Rangoon) in 2016 context and a young literary enthusiast named “Lin” found out unexpectedly the forgotten writer’s poetry book and there is surely a good deal of time gap that led him into a quest to know more about the author’s life. The setting is quite different comparing to colonial Burma and independence Myanmar (Burma), early twentieth century and 2016 which is a transitional period in Myanmar. The writer’s life is fictionalized in the novel and most of the facts are taken from his personal stories and other reference books. It is a kind of historical novel with a twist and it has comparatively constructed the two different periods in Myanmar history to convince readers, locally and abroad more about history, authorship, humanity, colonialism, and transitional development in Myanmar today.

Sidney fell in love at first sight with a man whose family have so much to do with her family, and the secret ran deeper than she could ever imagined! Will she ever get past the betrayal? Bradley never knew what it was like to fall in love with someone, only to lose them for something his family did or didn't do. Will they ever forgive each other?