New York Times 100 Notable Books Of 2023

Her name was Vitatrix, the first empress of Rome. You won't see her in any of the history books, or hear her name in any ballad or song. She isn't even mentioned in myth or legend. Her mark on mankind was erased, because she was a woman. Long ago Rome's emperor died with out a son. His cousin, a roman senator ascended to the throne with out a legitimate heir, or so everyone thought. Fear started to grip the citizens of Rome as new threats rose from every corner of the empire. In the city of Clusium, a daughter that was born to the new roman emperor, hidden by his wife. All of this to protect her from the possible rage and discrimination from her own family. All because she was born a girl. In a world where men rule, can this sole female heir secure her rightful place? Or will her gender pull her down? Raised by the midwife that helped bring her into the world, a young Trix finds out who she truly is. She must return to a family she has never known and save the Roman Empire from anarchy. She must fight a corrupt senator, a secret society, and her own fears of the future. Together with her best friend, Hector, she will learn that not everyone can be trusted. Not all stories have a happy ever after. Will this one?

Marona is an intelligent and hardworking girl, wishing for a loving life with her husband. But her husband's chaotic life kills him and now she is thrown in front of her husband's cruel brother for marriage. Mafia lord, Mikhail Delgado is Marona's nightmare, how will she survive when she is forced to marry him. Mikhail's only desire was to conquer Marona on whom he has finally got his hands. Will he be able to conquer her or will destroy her.

My younger son, who is seven, is bitten by a snake. I take him to my elder son's hospital to be treated. To my surprise, my elder son's girlfriend thinks I'm his mistress. Not only does she stop the medical personnel from treating my younger son, but she even slaps me. "My boyfriend and I are a perfect match. How dare you bring your illegitimate son here to challenge me!" She pins me to the floor as she pummels and harms me. She even screeches, "A slut like you will only stop going around seducing others once you're incapable of it!" I'm bruised, battered, and bleeding as I'm wheeled into the emergency room. My elder son handles the operation. His hand trembles as he clutches his scalpel, and he looks ashen. "Who did this to you, Mom?"

"I'm sorry for what I'm about to tell you. I just don't want you to have any misconceptions about this marriage." "What do you mean?" "I don't like beating about the bush, so I will go straight to the point. I don't like you and don't want to get married to you. I had to consent because my mother requested this from me, and I just couldn't say no to her." "What are you now trying to say?" "You shouldn't have any expectations from me or from this marriage."

When Lilith Carter’s brother is taken by a ruthless mafia king, she walks willingly into the arms of Damien Moreau—only to discover he is no ordinary man. Wrapped in darkness, feared by kings and criminals alike, Damien deals in blood pacts and ancient power. To save her brother, Lilith signs a supernatural contract, binding her soul to his. But Damien doesn’t just want her obedience. He wants her—body, heart, and magic. As the mark he carves into her skin begins to awaken something ancient inside her, Lilith discovers a legacy of cursed blood, forbidden magic, and a destiny entwined with a devil she was born to resist. The more she fights him, the deeper she’s pulled into his dark world of obsession, prophecy, and power. Trapped between desire and damnation, can Lilith break free—or will she become the queen of his infernal empire?

(A Nigerian-themed Romance) The mysterious and sudden death of her parents at age six puts Amarachi, a young Nigerian girl, at the mercy of her uncle and his cruel wife Lydia, who will stop at nothing to make Amarachi's life miserable as a result of a personal vendetta she holds against Amarachi's late mother. Born out of rape with a special gift in sewing, fate takes Amarachi on a journey to discover her roots and triumph against all odds as she encounters betrayal, pain and most importantly love admits people who are bent on ruining her life even if it means killing her. This is a beautiful Nigerian story that portrays the plights, self discovery and self determination of a young gifted girl who wants to succeed not withstanding the difficulties of life.

Ayomide, a once brilliant and studious girl, unconsciously drifted away from her dreams into the realms of nonchalant attitude towards her academics. This was due to the loss of her father to the painful hands on death, leaving only her single mother, who tried painstakingly to be the best for her daughter. But her best wasn't enough. She stumbled upon an unserious act who made the whole affair about her dead father bearable and she liked it there; in comfort.However, the cheerfulness didn't last long, before reality struck her and she was made to represent her supposed "class of dullards" in a Mathematics only competition.This story sees young Ayo, as she struggles with life's imbalance at the early stage of her life, to restore the once shining light in her; her hope.

Scent of Danger: Dark Lands book 3 Ever fall in love with the wrong man? With a body to make a young girl sigh and a voice like black velvet, Mathin is definitely the wrong man. He's not safe, he's not stable…he's not even human. Andrea doesn't know what she's getting into when she agrees to visit her granny. Swept away to another world by a man almost too hot to handle, she can't decide if it's a dream come true or someone's idea of a sick joke. Romanced by the light of the triple moons, entranced by Mathin's fiery kisses, will Andrea give up her home on Earth in exchange for something wild?

Everybody believes he doesn't like her because he never leaves the chance to bully Reese. Whatever she does he always knows how to wrong her. If she says she has to go north, he takes her to the south. She is afraid of him; always try to run away like a frightening kitten as soon as he appears. But what she and others don't know that she is the only one who holds his heart and possessed him. This is a story of Armaan Lee & Reese Beck, whose cute love journey was like a sea-saw, where she is clueless but he is resolute. Be my companion to experience their love story, where Armaan does everything, from knocking out his love rivals to behaving like a little love ruffian, to get Reese's heart opened for him.

This is the story of Abhiram, a sweet and caring person, and Jhanavi, an innocent and kindhearted girl who loved each other in their college time. Unexpectedly they were separated due to misunderstandings. Abhiram was searching for her to apologize for his mistake whereas Jhanavi doesn't want to face him in her lifetime. Accidentally they will meet at the airport after a long time. To know, what happened in their past and how Abhiram convinces Jhanavi to give him a second chance for their love. Start reading the story...