Jakeila Ortiz Pop Smoke

Shantali Mae Cross, a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Ancient Arts, encounters an impossible phenomenon during her night shift—smoke from the heating vents coalesces into the form of a cobra near ancient Egyptian canopic jars, showing her visions of possible futures. She sees herself accepting a promotion, arguing with a dark-haired man in a hospital, wearing a wedding dress, and standing at a graveside in autumn. Shaken by the experience, Shantali becomes obsessed with understanding what she witnessed, diving into research about serpent smoke divination practices. Her investigation reveals that others throughout history have experienced similar visions at crucial crossroads in their lives, but those who became consumed with interpreting and controlling their prophetic glimpses inevitably destroyed the very relationships and opportunities the visions had shown them. As Shantali spirals deeper into her research, she begins shutting out her boyfriend David, a fellow security guard who loves her deeply. When David witnesses the cobra phenomenon himself, he helps ground her in reality rather than obsession. Through her studies, particularly the warnings left by Dr. Amelia Thorne—a researcher who died alone after chasing similar mysteries—Shantali realizes the cobra's true message: choose love over fear, presence over obsession. The visions weren't warnings of tragedy but glimpses of a life fully lived with all its ordinary struggles and profound connections. When David proposes, Shantali chooses their real relationship over her pursuit of supernatural answers. She completes her research by writing a fictional novel about her experience, transforming obsession into art while helping future cobra witnesses understand that some mysteries are meant to guide rather than be solved. The story explores themes of choice versus destiny, the danger of sacrificing present love for future certainty, and the wisdom of embracing life's uncertainties alongside those who love us.

On my 28th birthday, I announced that I was pregnant. But my husband told everyone that he was sterile. Together with my best friend, they said that this was proof that I cheated on him. I tried defending myself, but in the end, I, along with my baby, died while burning with hate. When I reopened my eyes, I returned to the moment three hours before my death.

The night I find out I'm pregnant, my family's villa suddenly goes up in flames. I endure the suffocating smoke and run the risk of being disfigured as I run to my son's bedroom. However, it's empty. Just then, I hear his excited exclamations outside the window. "Monica, you look so cool when putting out fires! I bet you'll get first place in this upcoming Firefighter Challenge!" I'm about to head downstairs to lecture him when a wall collapses and crushes me. As I drift in and out of consciousness, I hear my stern, stoic husband praise Monica Sloan for her courage. If I'm guessing correctly, my husband and son have started this fire to please her. I stare at the door, which is so close and yet so far. I send out one final text before dying of asphyxiation.

Poppie is just trying to live her life the best way she can with the help of her friend, Shayla and Shayla's boyfriend, Mike. Shayla has helped Poppie with a temp job, but without skills, it's not enough. Poppie attends Mike's 'Play Parties' and gets cash for sex. Until one day, the party gets busted on a night Poppie couldn't attend, ending up with Mike and Shayla in jail. Shayla gets bonded out but has no choice but to leave town, leaving Poppie to fend on her own for the first time. As things look dark, Shayla returns and introduces Poppie to the Madame of Chicago and her world instantly turns around. Until one fateful night leaves her and a government official fighting for their lives. Someone who has been searching at finding Poppie for a long time, steps in and takes control of the situation, to which Poppie had no clue. Poppie never knew how much her life would change.

In her final year of high school, Leah Baker, a dedicated and unassuming nerd, dreams of making it the best year of her academic journey. Little does she know that her plans are about to take an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with the charismatic and popular Mason Kings. Their worlds collide under unforeseen circumstances, and to navigate the complexities of high school life, they decide to strike a deal that promises mutual benefits. As Leah and Mason navigate the intricacies of their agreement, an unexpected connection begins to blossom. However, their budding relationship is not without its challenges. Insecurities from both sides threaten to unravel the fragile bond they've formed. External factors and societal expectations add layers of complexity, putting their deal and newfound feelings to the test. 'A Deal with the Popular Boy' is a heartwarming tale of unlikely connections, personal growth, and the challenges of navigating high school hierarchies. Leah and Mason's journey explores the transformative power of unexpected friendships and the resilience needed to confront the insecurities that lurk beneath the surface.

When Sarah is given the opportunity to work as an assistant to the phenomenal pop star, she gets more than just being his assistant after realising that the man she worked for and adored isn't what he has always claimed to be, will she be able to see past her own desires and protect her boss's secret?

Summer’s RoadMy name is Ian Memmer, and I've been keeping something from my best friend Summer Quinn for years. I'm in love with her. She breaks my heart over and over, day after day, but I love her. We grew up next door to one another. She's kind and beautifully broken, and she has no idea how I feel. Because of her depression, and since she never showed any signs she felt the same, I've kept silent. Tormented. Wanting her. Becoming the playboy everyone views. I'm her rock. She needs me. I fear she's keeping secrets from me, too. Then a passionate moment between us changes everything, gives me hope. Yet the guy she's been dating wants to take their relationship to the next level.Winter’s PathMy name is Matt Holcomb, and I'm the good guy. The boy next door. I'm the safe bet and I always do the right thing. Then one night two years ago, I made a terrible mistake that caused irreparable damage, and the guilt is killing me. If I'm ever to make the leap and find love again, the woman would have to be perfect. She can't disrupt my carefully constructed control. I met my best friend Jenny Winter as a teenager and have loved her ever since. She's gorgeous and talented. Her voice could make angels weep. Yet she chose someone else and I swore I'd never fall for her again. Until something happens between us and passion ignites.Seasmoke Friends is created by Kelly Moran, an EGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

Cynthia Hart was used to living life on her own terms private, calm, and far from the spotlight that came with her family’s fortune. But one business deal changed everything. To save her father’s company from collapse, she was forced into an arranged marriage with none other than Xavier Sanchese, the most popular boy in her school, rich, confident, and annoyingly perfect. Xavier was the definition of privilege, heir to a multi-billion-dollar empire, loved by everyone, feared by some. To him, the marriage was just another transaction between powerful families. But when his quiet, stubborn “wife” turned out to be the one girl who didn’t worship him, his ego took a hit… and his heart began to stir. In public, they act like strangers keeping their secret marriage hidden from their classmates. But behind closed doors, sparks fly. Fights turn into late-night conversations, jealousy turns into tension, and soon neither of them can tell if what they feel is real or just part of their act. Cynthia wants her freedom. Xavier wants control. Yet somewhere between their pride and passion, they start to realise that love isn’t something you plan, it’s something that happens when you least expect it. But in a world where power, image, and secrets rule, falling in love with Mr. Popular might cost Cynthia everything she’s trying to protect including her heart. “Married to Mr. Popular” is a thrilling high school romance full of emotions, secrets, and slow-burning chemistry that proves sometimes, the heart disobeys even the richest plans.

Taylor Crewman has always been considered as the lowest of the low in the social hierarchy of LittleWood High.She is constantly reminded of where she belongs by a certain best-friend-turned-worst-enemy. Desperate to do something about it she embarks on her biggest project yet.

Aditi and West hate each other. They bicker, they flirt, and are possibly a little in love. Blotching the hot new guy's shirt with chocolate-mixed spit is probably not the best idea of a revenge, but Aditi soon discovers that she doesn't regret it one bit. Because despite being a jerk, West too knows what it's like to be brown, Muslim and falling apart in an all-white high school, and when he gets entangled in Aditi's struggle to tackle a debilitating trauma and a really, really loud Bangladeshi wedding, the fledgeling love-hate relationship will leave her either healed or heartbroken. Or pretty dead, because an outbreak of crimes is gripping her quaint little town in fear, and the gorgeous flirt she's falling for has his fair share of ugly secrets. -