long shadows david baldacci

Gabriella's life has always been complicated. Her father, the Don of the mafia, kept his business life separate from his family life. But Gabriella knew; the late night meetings, hushed conversations, his rivals ending up dead, and the occasional "business trips" that would leave her mother worried sick. Because of this, Gabriella chose to distance herself from her father's world. She attended college far from home, and even started a different life far from her father's shadows. But there's only so much you can do when you're seen as a weakness. Her worst fears finally become a reality, and her parents are killed in their living room, while she's on the verge of death. Someone's does save Gabriella, and she survives, but loses her sight in the process. Gabriella is grateful for this guardian angel, and years down the line, they get married, start a family, and love in perfect peace. But even the devil itself can disguise himself as an angel….. Gabriella has a shot to get her eyesight back, but that shot opens up a can of secrets that will ruin her perfect reality forever.

"It's just...I don't think this is working out,” he gestured at the empty space between us. My mind reeled. "What do you mean? We're fine, aren't we?" I asked, holding onto hope. "Honestly, Kalynda, I deserve better." "What's wrong with me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Jake's gaze dropped to my body, and he didn’t even try to hide his disgust. "It's just...your weight, Kae. It's...unattractive." Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. "You're ashamed of me," I stated, my voice cracking. Jake shrugged. "I'm just being honest, Kae. You need to lose weight if you want to keep a guy like me.” "You're breaking up with me because of my weight?" I asked, incredulous. Jake nodded. Kalynda hits rock bottom when her boyfriend breaks up with her and she realized he’d been using her all along. The bullying and ridicule from her peers, including her step sister, increased, and Kae wants to end it all. But the brooding Max steps in and stops her. She sees life in a new light and works in herself. What happens when she returns as a completely different person?

Bukan hanya perempuan yang ingin di sayangi dan memerlukan sebuah perhatian, begitu pula seorang pria. Sedingin apapun Pria, hati nurani tak bisa di bohongi. Sedalam apapun ia menutupi perasaannya, Pria adalah manusia biasa. Naluri pria terkadang tidak mengetahui bagaimana perasaannya sendiri, hal ini yang membuatnya membisu. Zero, Pria muda yang terluka akan seorang wanita. Hingga membuatnya enggan dekat dengan seorang wanita. Bahkan karena emosinya ia pun terjebak dengan dunia penuh dosa. Maindset-nya mengatakan, 'Wanita hanya untuk bersenang-senang saja.' Tapi, setelah lama ia melakoni dunia hitamnya, ada suatu hal yang menarik perhatiannya. Sebuah kelembutan hati meluluhkan maindset-nya yang kukuh. Dalam sebuah kebohongan, ia menjalani dunia hitamnya di sertai dengan sebuah ikatan pernikahan. Pernikahan yang berjalan penuh dengan kebohongan itu membuatnya labil. Mau tahu cerita Zero seorang pemuas wanita bernafsu dunia? Ayo ikuti alurnya.

As a self-made billionaire, he has built an empire through ventures encompassing real estate, technology, and self-help book publishing. Driven by an unconventional desire to empower thick, chubby women, he devises a contest through his self-help book publishing company. The contest aims to boost their self-esteem and confidence, guiding them to find attentive partners. Little do the participants know, the contest holds a hidden secret—it is designed to train them as BDSM dominatrixes for a potential TV show. Amidst the carefully orchestrated contest, a remarkable woman emerges as the main protagonist. She possesses a captivating blend of confidence and vulnerability, determined to overcome her insecurities. Unbeknownst to her, fate intervenes as she captures the billionaire's attention. As their paths intertwine, a forbidden love story unfolds. The billionaire finds himself irresistibly drawn to her, intrigued by her strength and resilience. In her, he discovers not only a potential submissive but also a soul capable of unearthing his closely guarded demons and secrets. Will she remain merely his dominatrix, or will she become the key to unlocking something more profound within him?Their journey is one of passion and self-discovery, as they navigate the intricate dynamics of power, vulnerability, and trust. Together, they delve into the depths of their desires, challenging societal norms and their own preconceived notions of love and intimacy. As their connection deepens, they confront their pasts, facing their darkest fears and insecurities. In the process, they find redemption, healing, and growth. The TV show project takes an unexpected turn, leading to a powerful and empowering outcome for all the contestants involved." It delves into the transformative power of human connection, proving that sometimes, the most unexpected relationships can save us from the shadows that haunt us.

She ran from the monster she saw in him. But what if the real danger was yet to be unleashed? Trigger Warning: This book contains morally gray werewolves, aggressive mate bonds, and a love interest who doesn’t understand the concept of personal space. Forced intimacy? Physical, magical, boy on girl, girl on girl... Dubious consent? Why stop at the MMC? If you like your romance with a side of "this is probably a red flag," proceed with caution (and maybe a glass of wine). A fantasy adventure steeped in dark romance, where a haunted warrior may be the submissive heroine’s greatest protector—or her ruin. She ran from him once, but fate, magic, and desire dragged her back. He destroyed her life, and now, with the future of the world at stake, he can’t trust himself not to destroy her again. CHAPTER PREVIEW: Lyra swallowed hard, her throat dry, but the words escaped her lips before she could stop them. “I’m a reject,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “The man who was supposed to be my mate chose my sister instead.” His palms slammed the wall beside her head as his roar blew the hair out of her face. Lyra flinched, recoiling. His growl deepened, reverberating through the small space. “Whoever rejected you is irrelevant,” he snarled, his voice dripping with finality. “You. Belong. To me.”

Anaïs Iluak has always dreamed of becoming a supermodel, but her father’s terminal illness and her impoverished upbringing leave her with no choice but to set those aspirations aside. Out of desperation, she accepts an extraordinarily lucrative surrogacy contract from an anonymous client. What Anaïs doesn’t know is that her client, Cael Moriane, is the enigmatic heir to the nation’s most powerful entertainment empire. As their worlds intertwine, a shocking truth about Anaïs’s true ancestry comes to light: she was born alongside Lilith Amaruq, the spoiled daughter of the wealthy family she was meant to belong to. As love, jealousy, betrayal, and ambition collide, Anaïs must navigate the schemes of a jealous rival and uncover the secrets of her past while finding her rightful place in this new reality.

Selene a brave female werewolf having a birthmark from an Alpha bloodline and the last of her kind, who never knew of her true identity but worked as a maid with Mr Orion a ruthless alpha werewolf who wasn't interested in finding a mate but kept countless lovers, He later happened to be Selene's mate, a twist of fate. _____ " Selene, your birthmark... is a sign of your destiny. It's only given to the children of an Alpha werewolf blood" She smiled again, her eyes glinting with a knowing light." Ah.. But that's where you're wrong Selene. you'd see what you're truly capable of and when you do, you'll join us as of our own" I felt a shiver run down my spine as she straightened up, her eyes never leaving mine. what did she mean? What was I capable of? And what did she mean by "join us"? I was human, not a werewolf. But the mark on my arm seemed to be pulsing with a strange energy, as if it was trying to tell me something.

In a world which is filled with evil, where the powerful rules the city,where power and danger mean the same thing, a beautiful young woman called Alexandra finds herself in love with a man who seemed like the man of her dreams. With him,she feels like a woman and for a second,she thought that he was all a dream which she wishes never to wake up from. Luca, the mysterious man who captured her frail heart,hides a very deep secret from her as he fears that revealing it to her would make her distance herself from him. He is the feared leader of a very powerful mafia group. Never having time for love, he finds himself confused as he falls for Alexandra. He refuses to let her go even though he knew that she would be safe away from him. As the love between them blooms, Luca finds it difficult to protect Alexandra as her colorful life contrasts with the dark, corrupt world in which he belonged. Can their love stand strong against the weight of his secret and the danger that comes with them?

When I was five months pregnant, I was kidnapped by a group of thugs. They used my phone to call my brother, Jeremy Wirkola, and my husband, Grant Sanders, to demand a ransom of ten million, but no one answered. I was tortured and assaulted until I was barely alive. When I was finally rescued, Jeremy cried and promised to avenge me. Grant was in tears too. He vowed to get me treated. However, while under the haze of anesthesia, I overheard Grant's cold voice outside the door. “Jessie is waiting for a bone marrow, but don’t forget to remove Ashlyn’s uterus. Just tell her the injuries were too severe to save it. Oh, and get the best surgeon for her. She’s afraid of pain.” His assistant hesitated. He was clearly uncomfortable. “Mr. Sanders, isn’t this going too far?” Grant paused for a second before he replied firmly. “She refused to donate her bone marrow to Jessie and even used the baby as an excuse. She’s selfish. Besides, if we don’t do this, how can I bring back Jessie and our child into the family? As for Ashlyn, she’s my wife. I’ll make it up to her for the rest of my life. She used to bully Jessie with her status, which resulted in Jessie suffering from depression and almost killing herself. It’s time she paid the price for it.” As I listened to his heartless words, something inside me shattered completely. Since they had chosen to sacrifice me for Jessie, let them have what they wanted then.

Zoe Reed’s life shattered the day Alpha Philip’s darkness ripped her family apart. Barely escaping with her life, a cryptic heirloom, and her mother’s dying words, Zoe returns to Nighthaven Academy, a school for supernatural beings, with one goal: vengeance. But as she uncovers the truth about her unique bloodline, she realizes she’s more than a werewolf - she’s also part witch, marked by ancient magic that could save her world… or destroy it. Amid the chaos, Zoe finds her heart caught in a battle as fierce as the one for her life. Dominic, a brooding and fiercely loyal werewolf, stirs something wild in her soul. But then there’s Cassius, an enigmatic vampire with a haunting past, whose intensity pulls her toward the darkness she fears and the power she craves. Both men understand the shadows she walks better than anyone, yet their loyalties threaten to unravel everything Zoe is fighting for. As the danger surrounding Nighthaven deepens, Zoe must confront secrets that link her family’s murder, Alpha Philip’s rise, and a prophecy that could bring about the end of the supernatural world. In a battle of light and darkness, love and betrayal, Zoe is forced to make impossible choices: Will she embrace her legacy and fight for justice, even if it means losing those she loves? Or will the pull of forbidden love and untamed power consume her? Shadow of Heart: The Awakening is a spellbinding journey through a world of ancient rivalries, forbidden romance, and the unyielding power of the heart. Fans of gripping supernatural dramas, star-crossed lovers, and fierce heroines will be captivated by this tale of resilience, passion, and the fight for destiny.