Painted Faces

In the coastal quiet of Baler, a studio is born—not of architecture, but of intention.* Founded by Yam, a poet whose words cradle pain gently, and Franc, an artist who paints tenderness into walls, the studio becomes a refuge for those learning to stay—with grief, love, longing, and themselves. As visitors arrive, they leave behind more than footprints: a sigh recorded in bamboo, a poem tucked into the “Found Letters” shelf, a mural painted in crooked lines. Through zines, tea, silence, and sketchbooks, the studio teaches softness as revolution. Ren creates the *Window of Soft Returns*, an installation of anonymous voice recordings—each whisper forming a community of echoes. Drew builds the *Staircase With No Wrong Turns*, inviting people to walk through emotions without shame. Franc offers brushstrokes as brave work, and Yam curates writing circles that map healing in half sentences. Together, they host festivals that feel like hugs, and they begin traveling their archive, letting softness cross oceans. Even those who once left—like Miguel—return, discovering that some doors never truly close. Others, like Tala, capture the studio’s sound and turn it into a podcast of breath and becoming. Over seventy chapters, the studio transforms into something larger than itself: a mural of memory, a sanctuary for second chances, a place where return is sacred and voice is proof of survival. In the final bloom, the studio stands not as a monument—but as a reminder: > *“Staying isn’t easy. > But chosen together, > it becomes home.”*

My fiancé leaves me jilted on our wedding day and marries my sister. As I stand there, feeling humiliated, William Sterling gets on one knee before me and asks me to marry him. Everyone in my city knows of him—he's an elite bachelor and every woman's dream. Yet now, he slips a wedding band onto my ring finger and confesses his love for me. "I've always loved you, and I thank the heavens for giving me the chance to spend my life with you." We get married, and he treats me well. Everyone knows that he won't fall for anyone other than me. Everything changes when I accidentally enter his studio in the seventh year of our marriage. I see that he's painted thousands of portraits of my sister, Ivy Winslow. Each one is a tender confession of his love for her. The man I love with all my heart earnestly prays to the heavens and utters his wish. He's willing to sacrifice anything for Ivy to be happy, including his life. It turns out what I thought was seven years of love was nothing but a lie. Ivy is the one he's loved all along. If that's the case, I'll back out. I'll leave in three days, and I hope he and Ivy can be happy together.

Estelle and her mother moves to a new town and she is forced to attend an elite school for the rich. However, nothing goes as expected because behind the striking beautiful faces of the rich kids, lays a dark revelation that shocks her to her bones. Not only that, as soon as she steps foot in the royal school, her life immediately changes beyond her imaginations

When a chance encounter with a disabled man being mugged derails her job interview, Ophelia Sage must confront the consequences of her bravery. But as she faces rejection and humiliation, she unwittingly captures the attention of a powerful CEO. Will her selfless act lead to a new opportunity, or will it cost her everything she holds dear to her heart?

"Crystal Anderson thought she knew the Connors, but a family vacation in the woods reveals a terrifying truth. Trapped with her husband Dylan and his parents, Betty and Jake, Crystal uncovers dark secrets, faces impossible choices, and witnesses the unthinkable. Hearts will break, and blood will be spilled. Can she escape the family's deadly legacy, or is she already doomed?"

Welcome back to Clifton Heights. Sheriff Chris Baker and Father Ward meet for a Saturday morning breakfast at The Skylark Diner to once again commiserate over the weird and terrifying secrets surrounding their town. Sheriff Baker shares with Father Ward the story of a journal discovered in the ruins of what was once an elaborate koi pond and flower garden, which regales a tale of regret, buried pain, and unfulfilled debt: “Sophan” – Jake Burns has always been a bit...off. Rude, awkward, sometimes brutish, he's tolerated by Nate Slocum and his friends because he hits a mean line drive, and because they all know but don't discuss the abuse he faces at the hands of his troubled father, a Vietnam veteran consumed by his demons. But Jake is suffering something far worse than domestic abuse, and when Nate discovers what, he faces an impossible choice: help Jake and put himself in the path of evil, or abandon him, only to damn himself in the process. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

Mafia boss Dominic Russo faces chaos and betrayal. He forms an unlikely alliance with Lucia Moretti, a mysterious and cunning partner with her own agenda. As they navigate the treacherous mafia world, loyalty and trust are tested. Alliances shift, rivalries intensify, and Dominic and Lucia must outsmart enemies and confront their demons. Will their unexpected alliance lead to redemption or destruction?

Mary Madison Evans was raised by her Grandparents parents. Her parents left her when she was just 3 year old. When her Grandparents died she moved to St. Thomas City where thrill is waiting for her. She'll met new faces, friends and Family. And she'll discover a secret that will made her life changed.

After everything their relationship has encountered, the Alpha and Luna of Prime pack can finally have the peace and love they deserve. But... There is always a but. New faces and old acquaintances will invite themselves into Aiden and Ashira's life. Will they let fear break them or is their love still the strongest of all? Find out... Read more. (This is the second book of Call Me Alpha.)

Rhaenyx Maltalor, an assassin of the Henla guild is captured and her identity changed. In exchange for her freedom and pardon for her crimes, she must work with a competing guild to overthrow the monarchy. Will she find love in the man that changed her face? Or in the princess who works to restore peace to the kingdom? Will her skills be up for the challenges she faces, or will her arrogance be her downfall.