New York Times 100 Notable Books Of 2023

Ezmira Franchild was adopted at the age of eleven. No one knew where this silent little girl originated from, all they knew was that she was found under an old broken-down bridge, curled up into a ball and trembling with fear. It took her an entire year before she began to speak again but once she did, she never spoke of where she came from or who her parents were... she simply clutched to the dirty old bag that she was found with and never allowed anyone to search it or take it from her. Years later, Ezmira is still a quiet child, living in a small town with her sister, Liza Franchild and trying to make the best of her life. Little did she know that her past was not something she could run from or ignore. Once a witch, forever a witch. “I'm afraid to live. I'm afraid to let people in again because I'd never know when they'd leave. My existence is a curse.” ~Ezmira “I've been cursed for many years, but you're the first curse that I've ever willingly accepted. If you're afraid just hold onto me, we can face our fears together.” ~Axil Book 1 of the Divinity Series.

The Daughters of Darkness came to the aid of King Marner and helped him win a bloody war. For help, he repaid betrayal. This story is about how, after a century and a half, the descendants of forgotten warriors are looking for justice and revenge. On the way to their goal, one of them is waiting for love, and someone - death.

"You are no wife to me, do you get it?" He said, stepping forward crushing my already thinned personal bubble. "I am marrying you because of circumstances. The sooner you feed that to your peanut size brain, the better it will be for you and me. Do you understand?". Pushing me back against the wall with so much force it made me grunt at impact. Intense pain shot through my body when he pressed himself on me. It was like he was trying to ram me into the wall or something! - idiot- Big fat S-O-B. All these curses were going through my mind. All I want to do now is scratch his arrogant face and give him a feel of his own medicine. However, in this compromising position, I am right now! I can hardly move. So, all I did was look straight into his eyes and glared back with the same intensity. I try to break free by pushing and squirming. Alex had me in a grip so tight it felt like a hulk holding me down, so hard that it was painful. I tried to look away, but his voice made me freeze. "Answer me. Do not look away when I am talking to you bit*h!”. “Do-You-Get-What-I-Just Said? Or do I need to make myself a little clearer? hmm?" "Yes, I get it. I'm-Not-Your-Wife." "Believe it or not, I have no interest in being your wife," I said, more like spat it out, it was like poison coming out of my mouth. "Why are you smirking at me ?" he asked. Completely oblivious to what is about to come. I composed my happiness concealing it with my ‘I’m am innocent, like a kitty look’. "Oh, you're about to find out," I said.

Eliana Deere, the heiress of a powerful pack of vampires, being the only daughter of Ross, its long-running ruler. A bright and secured future for her is waiting. The only problem is that she have never desired to live that kind of life. Hugo Smith, in an intense competition with his own brother for power, willing to do just literally anything in order to beat the latter. And to him, it does not matter who he bump into or turn against along the way.

Book One of Legacies of Destiny series. The next generation of the Dark Moon series. Kalen Anderson is destined to be the first female Alpha of the Dark Moon pack. Her entire life has been spent preparing her for it – heart, body, and soul. The journey ahead is a long and hard road, but she is ready to take it on. What happens when fate decides to throw her a curveball in the form of Maddox Stark, a fellow junior at Crestwood Academy? He is the son of someone who will stop at nothing to see his revenge plan succeed. To accomplish that, he crosses paths with something dark and dangerous. Something that has the potential to destroy everything. With the aid of her visions, Kalen is able to deliver herself up to an enemy without him realizing that it is her intention to be captured in the first place. She knows full well that she might succumb to the torture that will ensue, but it is the only way to identify what it is that he has enlisted the help of. Kalen and Maddox are fire and ice – a raging storm and a blistering calm all wrapped up into one. The push and pull between the two has them both confused and conflicted. Placing her trust in him is the last thing she imagines herself doing, but it might be the only way to survive what is coming.

Luna, princess of Lunaris, has her perfect life shattered into pieces when a great tragedy strikes her out of the blue-prompting the Royal Council of Lunaris to force an ultimatum upon her. She either proves her worth by attending and graduating from Starlight University--the Starry Galaxy's top prestigious educational institution for royals, nobles, and talented/gifted individuals--or revokes her status as princess and heir to the throne of Lunaris. Faced with a tough decision, Luna decides to attend Starlight University. While attending Starlight University, despite the hardships Luna faces from some of her peers, she sets off on a road of self-discovery, overcomes her fears, stumbles into romantic encounters, and forges true friendships. While at the same time, she must fight against an army of evil, led by a supreme being forged from chaos and destruction, who wishes to pummel the entire Starry Galaxy into the darkness. -"I'm not a hero or a saint. I'm just a person trying to change myself for the better." a quote by Luna

She never imagined her life would end because of a poisoned 30ml of jelly, but this was not the end of her life, but the beginning of a new one. M awoke in the body of an abandoned child who had been despised by everyone and had a criminal record, having been given a new life and a second chance in life. M was blessed and binds herself to a Tycoon System that will take her to a higher level, allowing her to accomplish things she couldn't in her previous life. M will go to any length to pursue her romantic interests, her family, and to become the best of the best.

Year 2030, strange phenomenon called Red Cumulus drops an acid rain that created ferocious monster from the stream, the Fluxter. Nature was forced mankind to fight them that appear on every continent of the world. A company named Sovereignty pronounce big plan to save mankind from the rain of Red Cumulus and Fluxter. They created giant shelter called Dorm to take cover from acid rain, and make an army called Herrscher to fight against Fluxter. Cornelio Halozy and the member of Squad 105 start their journey as the Herrscher to defeat Fluxter and save the world. Nature's wrath and human's top army are fighting to reclaim world's authorization.

Abigail a young intelligent staff was in love with her hard face boss Debbie. A love that most people wouldn’t accept nor expects, neither have they known that Abigail and Debbie overcame so many heartaches and trials before they’ve been so sure of what they’re feeling. When their worlds collide, amidst uncertainties they fought together and a new adventure of love begins. Different people have different love stories. The love between two people doesn’t come from snap of a finger and presto - two magical love relationships were born. For Abby and Debbie, a constant balance was their barometer for success. This goes to prove that emotions are not the only basis of love. True affection, commitment and respect must be present elements that will glue them together. Abby and Debbie’s love surpassed the test of time, characters and money. Within a year, they have acquired their own properties and eventually started living their lives together.

Two marriages. Four lives. One tangled web of betrayal, secrets, and revenge. Justin and Kyla were once college sweethearts who had nothing but love and ambition. Together, they built everything from the ground up—a business, a home, a life that seemed unbreakable. Ella and Zach, on the other hand, were forced into a loveless marriage to merge empires and protect family wealth. With money to burn but no affection between them, their union was a gilded cage. One summer, a chance meeting between Justin and Ella at a luxury hotel ignites a reckless affair. What should have been a fleeting fling spirals into something darker—an obsession neither of them can walk away from. But when Kyla and Zach cross paths—two wounded hearts bonded by betrayal—their cold business deal begins to spark with unexpected fire. They both want justice. They both want payback. But what if, in the process of destroying the people who broke them, they find something neither expected? Something dangerously close to love. But could anything happen between these two?