Masked Ward

Serena Miller is a young capable woman who strives to be something but is haunted by past. Raised by an adopted family who sees her as nothing but a tool, Selena views the world as a reflection of her past, beneath every smile is an agenda and behind every helping hand comes a chain. By fate, she saves a dying old man, Duncan Tate who is the patriarch of one of the most powerful elite families. He names her as his granddaughter Selena Tate bringing Selena into a world she could only dream about. Selena must learn to survive the world of the elite, amongst filial betrayals, masked enemies, schemes and even terrors from her past. And watching closely from the shadows is a cold and ruthless heir, Damian Montalvo, with ties to Selena than she could ever imagine. When long buried truths begin to surface, betrayals strike from within and forbidden feelings develop between two heirs, will Selena choose love and survival or will she choose to bring it all down?

“Be my woman and warm my bed,” he said, with a smirk. "And you must follow the terms." The terms: no pregnancy, always remind him to use protection, constant permission for even the simplest things—even visits to her sick mom—and never denying him intimacy. Sophie Thompson should have walked away. She should have told him where to shove his suffocating terms. But when her mother’s life hangs in the balance, Sophie signs away her freedom to the masked billionaire whose kiss feels like sin and whose touch makes her tremble. She thought it would be just a deal. She thought she could survive his world of wealth and power. She was wrong. Because Julian has secrets buried in darkness, an ex-fiancée who wants him back, and a past that could destroy them both. And when Sophie breaks the one rule she never meant to—falling for him—she’ll learn the deadly truth that hides behind the billionaire’s mask. #1

There are a lot more truths in the books we read, than we’d like to admit. What if a book delves into the lives of the very town you live in? Reveals to you some personal stories of people you know? Or thought you knew. Bookstore owner Kevin Ellison faces this truth when a mysterious book shows up in Through a Mirror, Darkly by Kevin Lucia. Through a Mirror, Darkly is a Supernatural Thriller collection masked as a novel. With elements of mystery, suspense, and otherworldly horror, Through a Mirror, Darkly successfully delves into the worlds of Lovecraft, Grant, and the mysterious Carcosa. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing Arcane Delights. Clifton Heights' premier rare and used bookstore. In it, new owner Kevin Ellison has inherited far more than a family legacy, for inside are tales that will amaze, astound, thrill...and terrify: An ancient evil thirsty for lost souls. A very different kind of taxi service with destinations not on any known map. Three coins that grant the bearer's fondest wish, and a father whose crippling grief gives birth to something dark and hungry.

In my fifth year of marriage to the Don of a powerful mafia family, I find out that the protection charm he gave me causes me headaches whenever I bring it with me. As a surgeon, this raised my alarm. I retrieved the small sachets I had found inside the amulet and brought them to the toxicology lab at Kosley Hospital.. The doctor inspects the sachet and tells me that it contains a type of slow-acting poison that doesn't just cause harm to the victim's body but also renders them infertile after a while. I cry and exclaim, "But that's impossible! My husband gave this to me! His name is Vincenzo Cursley. He's also the person who owns this hospital!" The doctor looks at me in confusion. "Miss, please stop the nonsense. I know Mr. Cursley and his wife. They're very close and intimate with each other. Also, Mrs. Cursley just gave birth to a baby boy not too long ago. They're both now in the VIP ward, looking at their baby." Then, the doctor shows me a photo on his phone. Vincenzo was wearing his usual black suit with the Cursley family emblem embroidered on it. He was holding a baby in his arms, and as for the woman standing next to him… I know her. Her name is Claudia Henderson. And Vincenzo has always referred to her as his adoptive sister.

In the glittering heart of the city, where power plays and secrets intertwine, Serena Ward lives a life shadowed by her past and guarded by her independence. An Omega determined never to be tied down, she never expected a chance encounter with Lucien Vale — the formidable Alpha heir to one of the city’s most influential empires — to unravel everything. One intoxicating night burns between them, fierce and unforgettable. But when morning comes, Serena vanishes, leaving Lucien with nothing but questions — and a hidden truth neither is prepared for. Weeks later, Serena discovers she’s carrying triplets, each bearing the unmistakable mark of their Alpha father. Alone and defiant, she disappears into the quiet outskirts, determined to protect her children from the ruthless world Lucien inhabits. Bound by a cold marriage contract to the enigmatic Clara, Lucien’s life is a tightrope walk between duty and desire. When fate brings him face-to-face with Serena and the children he never knew existed, the collision threatens to shatter his carefully constructed world. Amidst corporate intrigue, family betrayals, and the harsh glare of the public eye, Serena and Lucien must navigate a storm of secrets, passion, and dangerous alliances. And when a shocking revelation about the marriage contract comes to light, loyalties are tested, and hearts are broken. Will love prevail in a city where everything, even the strongest bonds, can be bought — or lost forever?

The day before Henry Baker and I are supposed to marry, my mother sedates me. She makes my twin sister marry Henry instead. A few years later, the company Henry established turns into a thriving empire. My sister, Diana Halliwell, flourishes with him. While I was at the lowest point in my life, my childhood friend, Jorge Ward, proposed. It's only after marriage that I realize he's worthless. Diana and Henry attend various parties. They enjoy delicious food and wear expensive clothes. Meanwhile, I end up exhausted after having to cook and clean for my family. One night, Mom speaks softly to Jorge when she thinks I've fallen asleep. "I was worried she would find out the truth about what happened back then, but it seems she's too dumb to notice anything." Jorge laughs. "You're a genius, Erica. You laced Laura's water with sleeping pills so Diana could marry Henry on her behalf. I'm glad to see how happy Diana is now." Mom sighs. "I just feel bad for you. You've always liked Diana, yet you're forced to live with a wash-out like Laura…"

Lil Ward was given a task by an old man named Cain. His mission was to eradicate a hundred wicked people in the world. He realized that killing people was an unjust thing itself, but though he didn't want to kill, he could not control his power that was forcing him to commit the heinous crime. Lil became busy helping people, but he was also killing those bad people. One day, he met a girl named Kaila Breaks, with whom he didn't expect to fall in love. Lil hid everything about his power from Kaila, because he knew that she would leave him if she knew that he was a murderer. In contrast to Lil's expectations, Kaila also had a power from the wicked woman named Alicia. Kaila was also using her power to kill those bad people, because of the task that was given to her by Alicia. One day, the path of Lil and Kaila would meet. The hundredth people that they needed to kill was themselves in order to get rid from the curses of Cain and Alicia. The tale will tell you how Lil and Kaila were destined to fight against each other. Will they change their fate? Who will sacrifice oneself to make the other survive? Will they just let destiny decide everything? Which one is more important to them, love or freedom?

They took everything from me before I was old enough to remember: my name, my family, my life. Raised as the Ashfords’ scapegoat daughter, blamed, beaten, humiliated while my perfect sister shone, I thought I was worthless. Until a masked stranger broke into my father’s study and called me by a name I had forgotten: Celeste. Vincent Torres is everything the Ashfords pretend to be: powerful, untouchable. He says my life with them is a lie. That I was never meant to be theirs. That he can help me take back my name, my inheritance, my future. All I have to do is marry him. A contract. Nothing more. I’ll become the wife my sister always wanted to be. I’ll infiltrate the world that should have been mine. And together, we’ll destroy the family that destroyed me. But somewhere between the contract and the vows, between the lies and the truth, I forgot the most important rule: Never fall for your weapon. Especially when he might be just as broken as I am.

<> “Just let me go. I promise I won’t tell... I... I won’t say a word.” “Shhhh.” He whispered, placing his hand on my mouth, hard enough to stop me from talking, soft enough to not hurt. God, no, I don’t want this, I don’t want any of it. “Spread your legs, Kitten.” His voice was rough I didn’t. I just kept sobbing, my tears touching the injury he carved on my chest made it hurt more. “Pl... please...” came out as a mumble instead of actual words. “Now.” He sounded like he was starting to get pissed off. *** Moving into college was supposed to be a new start for me, but with a masked stalker on my trail, surviving is near impossible, I don't belong to him, but he thinks otherwise and he wouldn't mind breaking every will power I have until I accept it. Trigger warning from author: This book is dark, if unapologetic villains in books bother you then this book is not for you.

Alex Heart was never meant to be seen… at least, not like this. Scarred, betrayed, and stripped of her title, the former Masked Warrior of the East is thrust into the cruel spotlight when her own fiancé tears off her mask in front of the entire realm. Rejected, humiliated, and falsely accused of the fire that killed her parents, Alex walks away with nothing but her pride and pain intact. But fate isn’t done with her yet. When she collapses on the cold steps of the Lycan King’s estate, it’s not death that meets her, it’s Adrian Frost. Powerful, mysterious, and utterly captivating. Where others see her scars, Adrian sees a survivor. And he’s not letting her disappear. Drawn into a web of political intrigue, bloodlines, and betrayal, Alex must confront not just her past, but the parts of herself she buried long ago. And as the bond between her and Adrian deepens, so does the danger. In a world where loyalty can’t be trusted and love is a dangerous game, will Alex risk opening her heart again... or let it harden for good?