Late Stage Capitalism

It’s end of October 1985 and the crumbling river town of Dubois, Iowa is shocked by the gruesome murder of one of the pillars of the community. Detective David Carlson has no motive, no evidence, and only one lead: the macabre local legend of “Boris Orlof,” a late night horror movie host who burned to death during a stage performance at the drive-in on Halloween night twenty years ago and the teenage loner obsessed with keeping his memory alive. The body count is rising and the darkness that hangs over the town grows by the hour. Time is running out as Carlson desperately chases shadows into a nightmare world of living horrors. On Halloween the drive-in re-opens at midnight for a show no one will ever forget. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

My fiance, Henry Gordon, was two hours late to our vows on our wedding day. Just as he was catching his breath and about to say ‘I do’, he received a call from his secretary, Yvonne Luther. After hanging up, he looked at me apologetically. “Honey, my useless team can’t handle the personnel appointment of the financial team on their own. They’re insisting that I head back! I’ll make it up to you with another wedding later on.” I told him that I understood though I felt disappointed, because he was at a critical stage in his career. However, the moment he left without hesitation, I tossed the ring on my finger into the venue’s flower bed and announced to everyone that the wedding was cancelled. I had to see for myself who would ask Henry, a mere minority shareholder, to make such a significant decision without consulting me, the chairperson. He did not know that just a few hours earlier, I had taken back the ‘gift’ I gave him and reclaimed my position as the company’s chairperson.

I was diagnosed with late stage the Hollowing—Wolf Soul Degeneration. According to the Compatible Soul Restructuring Program, I could survive by receiving a soul transplant. If no match were found, I would be brain-dead in three months. After more than two months of waiting, the soul that matched me best was given away by my mate to my sister. The therapist recommended that I keep waiting for a new match, but I refused. I signed a treatment waiver and left Central Medical Center early. All the wealth and resources I had spent years saving—I gave every last bit to my sister, Lisa. For the first time, during the full moon family dinner, my parents smiled at me. My mate moved into Lisa’s room to take care of her. I did not get angry. I even made him breakfast. Even when my little pup asked if she could be his mom, I nodded and said yes. I gave them everything they wanted. So why are they regretting it now? …

The night before the design competition, my husband took my design draft, promising to secure a patent to protect my work. In the intense competition, my work stood out and won first place. During the award ceremony, I walked on stage wearing the necklace that my daughter and I had made together. Suddenly, my seven-year-old daughter rushed up to the stage, screaming, "Mom, how could you steal Veronica's necklace? That's horrible and embarrassing. Just come down and go home with me."

BLURB "Really?" "Yes, but only on one condition" I stayed silent and waited for him to continue. I'd do anything he asks as long as he's willing to help me. "You marry me," he says finally. "What? Marry you?" "Of course, it's going to be fake. The company shareholders want me to get married to keep my inheritance, something about a will my late father left before he passed on. So, I'll agree to help you if you can pose as my fiancé" he explained. ~~~~ Katie had no other choice than to go to Sean Banks when her mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and has barely a year left to live. Having lost her job the previous months, she was back on bills, with no one else to help, she had to meet her ex, whom she broke his heart with when she ended their relationship abruptly with no reason. Sean is different from the man he used to be, colder and sexier, but agrees to help her under one condition, she poses as his fake fiance to make sure he gets his inheritance check. Will Katrina agree?

Ashley Dawson, a brilliant 22-year-old chemistry student, has lived a quiet life defined by loss and independence. Though she secretly owns a massive pharmaceutical empire inherited from her late mother and grandmother, Ashley prefers the simplicity of her lab over boardrooms and business deals. Her fiancé, Harvey West-a wealthy, charismatic CEO-was once her dream man, but their love story shatters the day before their wedding when Harvey asks for an open marriage and an NDA to protect his affairs. Heartbroken, Ashley is pulled into a dangerous new world when a domestic terror group develops a deadly chemical weapon. The military calls in Major Nathan Ford, Harvey's cousin and a decorated U.S. Army Special Forces officer, to lead the operation. Nathan needs a brilliant chemist to help decipher the weapon's formula-Ashley becomes that civilian consultant. Forced to work together under high pressure, Ashley and Nathan build an unlikely partnership, discovering strength, trust, and a slow-burning attraction. Meanwhile, Harvey refuses to let go, flaunting his mistress in public and humiliating Ashley. When Ashley finally breaks off the engagement, Harvey spirals, convinced Nathan stole her away. Nathan proposes a marriage of protection, offering her his name and his shield against Harvey and his powerful family. Ashley, tired of being powerless and cornered, agrees. Their whirlwind marriage shocks society, ignites scandal, and sets the stage for a passionate love story built on loyalty, respect, and redemption.

THE LIE is all about a newlywed couple who have not has sex through throughout the dating stage and on their wedding night fear gripped her when she saw how huge‘’Cucumber’’ between his legs is. This affects their relationship as she had lied to him that she is not a V-irgin

The story sets the stage for an unexpected and potentially tumultuous relationship between Davina and Xavier, as they are thrust into an arranged marriage against their will. Davina faces the challenge of paying off her debt, while Xavier must come to terms with the sudden change in his life. Their futures are now intertwined in ways they could never have imagined.

"I'd always find you, Clara," he says, love and hatred burning brightly in his eyes. "There's nowhere you could hide from me. I'd find you anywhere, even in Hell." *** Clara Morelli is the youngest daughter of Nicólo Morelli, one of the most powerful men in the New York mafia. All her life she's been told that she would be auctioned to a strong and rich Italian family, and she believed it to be the highest privilege. She is hated by her mother and older brothers as she is her father's favourite, and so she never got along with them. On the day of her auction, her mother gives her a cryptic message that instills fear in her, but it is too late to turn back. Igor Makárov is one of the richest men in the Russian mafia, and when he shows up at the auction, his presence is unexpected. When he sees the gorgeous Clara on stage, he bids the highest price for her, starting a war between the Russians and Italians. Upon buying her, he makes her sign a bridal agreement where she vows to marry him and swear fealty to him and his family. Their relationship is rocky and explosive at best. She hates him and could never love him as he is cruel and vicious, but that all changes one fateful day. However, things go astray when she uncovers a horrible secret, one that forces her to leave everything behind and carry a secret of her own with her. Igor is not the man she thinks he is. He is much, much worse.

Janiyah finds herself reluctantly on the auction stage in a world where women are auctioned off for one-night stands because she is desperately trying to get money for her sick sister's medical care. Janiyah becomes increasingly uncomfortable as the auction goes on, especially when an unexpected bidder makes an amazing fifty million dollars for her.