Revealing

Richard Franklin has left his Midwestern roots behind to live on the coast of Maine with his family. But in the autumn of the year 2000, he must return to his Illinois birthplace on a sorrowful journey. His wife Michelle has been killed in New England by a hit-and-run driver who is never found, so back home he comes with her cremated remains, to fulfill a final wish and on her birthday scatter her ashes in the park along the river in Blackwater Valley—simply Blackwater Val to locals—the small town where they both grew up and fell in love. With him he brings his six-year-old daughter Katie who still grieves for her lost mother: Katie, who can sometimes guess who’s going to be on the phone before it rings. Who can stop all the clocks in the house, and break up clouds in the sky with her mind, and heal sicknesses, and who sometimes sees things that aren’t there...people who are no longer alive. All gifts she inherited from her mother. Only something isn’t quite right in the Val. Sinkholes are opening up, revealing the plague pits the sleepy hamlet was built over in the 1830s, when malaria and cholera outbreaks ran riot. Mysterious bird and fish die-offs begin to occur, and Katie can see ghosts of the dead gathering all around. But what she can’t see is the charred, centuries-old malevolence which has been waiting for her, and wants her for its very own. Or the pale Sallow Man who haunts the town’s nighttime streets...or the river witch—another Blackwater Val, of sorts—each of whom will be drawn one by one into the nightmarish bloodletting about to take place. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

After Ten years of living to hate her first boyfriend and highschool sweetheart, Juma Cain Namu, Stephany Lee Awinja, now goes by the name, Stella Rachael. She is a twenty-five-years-old lady who still loves the tomboy look. Forced to dress lady-like, she waits to pick her new boss, the CEO of the company she is recruited by at the airport. Her heart stops, clouded with rage when she discovers the CEO is none other than, Juma Cain Namu, the last person she wanted to meet. Ten years have passed and Juma is back to the country but not as the one from the past. He is amnesiac (no memories of the life he had before ten years ago) and has the oddest and strange disease, excessive allergy to the opposite sex (females). One of his main missions is to find his lost memories and see if he has hopes of recovering from his odd illness. But, he doesn't expect a surprise when he is fine after brushing bodies with his new female assistant, Stella, this strange tomboy. Stella also ignites strange emotions in his heart that leads him to fall for her deeply despite her unique characteristics. He wants to have her as his future wife. Stephany, unknown to her, wants nothing but to stay away from Juma Cain but her heart fails to coincide with her mind as she falls back for him but without revealing herself. She learns of his amnesia and curiosity takes way in her heart to investigate after she finds Juma's actions corresponding to what he wished his life would be yet he is amnesiac. But, just as before, now Juma is the youngest, most handsome and powerful award-winning CEO - a potential husband to many.

Born with angelic blood, Lixue has lived her entire life bound to a prophecy she never chose. Raised in the countryside among a family who shared her celestial heritage, she was sent to Heaven at the age of seven to serve the Father and awaken the powers hidden within her soul. But a single night of tragedy shattered her peaceful life—demons invaded their ancestral mansion, and in the battle that followed, Lixue lost both her mother and her brother. From that moment on, her heart closed itself to the mortal world. Haunted by loss and unable to accept death, Lixue disappears into the Philippines, working as a secret agent for her godfather’s underground organization. Her latest mission seems simple: protect Shuji Liao, a world-renowned model, from an unknown stalker. To stay close, she hides her true identity and lives under the same roof as Shuji and his father. But as Lixue investigates, she uncovers a far darker truth—Shuji’s family is entangled in a powerful criminal syndicate that threatens both the mortal and supernatural realms. Shuji, raised between two countries and burdened by a fractured family, finds his once-stable life unraveling. A mysterious incident alters his heart, pulling him away from his girlfriend and toward the woman sworn only to protect him. What begins as duty slowly turns into forbidden love. Unbeknownst to Shuji, a single kiss seals their fate. The prophecy awakens, revealing its cruel demand: Lixue must love Shuji and bear a child destined to save the world from demons, devils, and ancient evils that walk the Earth. But salvation always comes at a price. After their child is born, Lixue vanishes—erased like a dream at dawn—leaving behind a son, a broken lover, and a world saved by a sacrifice no one will ever forget.

“Hidden depths of Ambition” is a gripping tale of power, revenge, and the quest for justice, following the life of Alex, a young man driven by the tragic loss of his parents. The story begins with Alex’s childhood, where the seeds of ambition are sown as he navigates the challenges of growing up without his parents. Early on, he demonstrates leadership qualities that lead him to win a student council election, sparking his interest in politics. As he matures, Alex not only excels academically but also ventures into the business world, establishing his own successful enterprise. However, the shadow of his parents’ mysterious deaths looms over him, compelling him to investigate the truth behind their demise. This dual quest for power and revenge propels him into local politics, where he faces off against seasoned adversaries and uncovers a conspiracy that intertwines with his family’s past. As Alex’s political ambitions grow, so do the stakes. He announces his candidacy for president, employing innovative campaign strategies and facing media wars that test his character. Personal sacrifices strain his relationships, revealing the cost of his relentless pursuit of power. Allies become enemies, and betrayal lurks around every corner as he grapples with the dark side of politics. The narrative reaches a climax during the presidential race, where Alex’s leadership is put to the ultimate test amid a national crisis and the resurfacing of his parents’ case. With a coalition of unexpected allies, he confronts the forces threatening his presidency and seeks justice for his family. In the final sections of the story, Alex must navigate the aftermath of his decisions, facing the consequences of his quest for vengeance and the legacy he wishes to leave behind. What will Alex do?

"I can't live like this! Hated, betrayed and sold into slavery for scorn I do not deserve!" Valerie Mo'monte. Young and beautiful Valerie is the daughter of a noble wolf and has lived in shackles, bearing the title of abomination and disgrace child she endured pain and suffering from the scorn of others including her own father. Just when she thought that her life could not get any worst; her father decides to sell her off to be mated as a slave to a the Alpha Emeral the ruler of their kingdom. But before the day of her mate ceremony, the Alpha Emeral forces himself upon her which causes her to run away from her kingdom. Valerie is labelled a traitor and the Alpha commands that she be hunted and killed. She had lost all hope and her life was about to be ended she is saved by the Alpha of the opposing kingdom, Alpha Lukkar and brother to the Alpha Emeral. Alpha Lukkar had immediately fallen in love with her, takes Valerie in and forcefully marries her as his Luna. Forced to live with him, love starts to bloom, and soon the two find themselves intertwined in romance. But tragedy befalls when the Alpha Emeral comes to take back Valerie as his rightfull Luna. Alpha Lukkar refuses to back down, and holds his claim over Valerie as his mate, revealing she is pregnant for Lukkar. Lukkars actions stir up the possibility of a war. The choice falls on the shoulders of young Valerie, does she go back to her people who has scorned and tortured her for the most of her life to avoid the conflict between the Alpha brothers? Or does she run away to loving arms of the Alpha Lukkar and chooses to hell with the war?

Lance, a Mafia Boss, a man with an iron fist and dispensing harsh justice to anyone who disobeyed his law. He was feared by men and desired by women, but his heart was frozen, kept hidden behind thick icy walls. All that changed when Bella came crashing into his life. Bella was an ordinary woman, but she had a big heart and was determined to break through Lance’s cold walls. She showed him a whole new perspective on the world and slowly melted his frozen heart. Although Lance was wary of opening himself up to Bella, he found himself wanting to be closer to her. Their relationship was tested when Bella’s brother, a petty criminal, was caught in one of Lance’s raids. Lance was determined to punish him according to his law, but Bella begged him to spare her brother’s life. In the end, Lance decided to show mercy, and Bella was deeply grateful. The couple’s relationship blossomed and Lance opened himself up to Bella, revealing his true self. He started to become more caring and compassionate and was no longer the cold-hearted Mafia Boss. Their relationship had a positive efect on Lance’s business. He became more lenient, particularly when it came to punishing those who hurt women or children. This made him even more respected in the city and soon he was known as the kind-hearted Mafia Boss. Bella and Lance’s relationship was not formed without its challenges. They had to keep their relationship a secret due to the danger and scrutiny that would come with it, but eventually they decided to make it public. Despite the disapproval of their families and the danger it posed to them both, will they stay together and continue to love each other's flaws?

“You'll ruin me, Dawn,” I whispered, my words thick with pain as my forehead connected with hers. I caught her full breasts and hardened rosy pink buds under the silvery glow of the moonlighting that soaked the surface of the pool in its celestial touch. “Would that be such a bad thing?” her question came out with a heavy, sensuous effect, completely tipping me over the edge. •••• With a bruised, low self-esteem, and subjected to immense torture at the hands of her step-family, Dawn Griffin could have sworn that there was absolutely nothing life wanted to throw at her that she wasn't ready for but how wrong she was because the essence of her being shattered when her mate dumped her for her stepsister. As though that wasn't enough, they were so eager to get rid of her, tossing her into an arranged marriage she didn't want, and confiscating her freedom. It was a decision that led her to the arms of a strange man at the bar she ended up with to drown out her problems in drinks. Dawn's matrimony, however, came with a twist and brought her right back into the web of the first man she ever got intimate with, the dangerous Alpha and the devil himself, Alpha Rhys Hallowvern. Rhys Hallowvern was that one Alpha that everyone was so terrified of because of his beastly nature and his aversion for commitment led to him getting a wife he didn't want. But two people who despised each other confined to the same space, how long would it take before facades start shedding, revealing their true intentions? Will the sinister forces lurking in the shadows sit back and hand them their happy ending on a platter of gold?

“We’re friends,” I said, voice barely steady. Aaron’s lips curled, slow and cruel. “No, we’re not.” “Friendship’s too pure for this.” His hand slid to my waist, hot and claiming as he yanked me flush against him. “Do friends kiss like this?” He kissed me. Hard. Possessive. “Or grab each other like this?” A squeeze to my ass. A gasp. “Or think filthy little thoughts?” His breath burned against my ear. “Touch themselves to it?” My cheeks flamed. My body betrayed me. “Stop lying, Venus.” His voice was a growl. “I feel it. Every time I’m near you.” I whispered, “But you don’t even like me.” His smile was pure sin. “I don’t have to like you to fuck you.” Then the offer: “Let’s get it out of our system. No lies. No strings. Just truth.” He grabbed my chin, eyes lit with hunger. “Say the word, princess.” A whisper against my lips— “I’ll ruin you.” And God help me… I wanted him to. --------- Aaron Sinclair needs a bride to claim his inheritance. Venus Astor needs a miracle to save her dying mother. What begins as a cold contract marriage spirals into a dangerous game of buried trauma, stolen identities, and forbidden attachment. He’s ruthless, closed off, and refuses to love. She’s resilient, lost, and refuses to stay unloved. But when secrets unravel revealing a stolen childhood, a tragic past, and a vengeful stepmother, their fake marriage is the only thing standing between them and destruction. In a world ruled by power and silence, will love dare to speak first or break them both instead?

My roommate had a peculiar knack for pestering everyone into liking her posts on social media, all so she could collect enough likes to claim some prize or another. It was her way of life—nagging, nudging, and guilting us into clicking that little thumbs-up. One time, the campus beauty queen liked my roommate's ad for a facial mask. Not long after, she was in a horrific car accident. The vehicle caught fire, and her face suffered severe burns, leaving her disfigured beyond recognition. Meanwhile, my roommate seemed to undergo a miraculous transformation, her complexion turning porcelain fair and flawless as though she'd been kissed by the heavens. Then there was the academic prodigy, a shoe-in for graduate school, who liked her tutoring service post. Shortly after, he was exposed for academic fraud, and his once-brilliant reputation was reduced to ashes. Strangely enough, my roommate's research paper suddenly won an award, catapulting her to fame and fortune. And me? I fell into her trap too. I liked her rental agency ad, and before I knew it, my world crumbled. A scandal erupted, revealing that I was the result of a mix-up at birth. It turned out she was the long-lost child of wealth and privilege—a hidden gem cast into the rough, now reclaimed by her rightful family. As for me, I was packed off to the countryside village she had escaped from and forced into a brutal marriage with an old man. My life became a living hell, and eventually, I died there, broken and forgotten. But fate wasn't done with me yet. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day my roommate begged me to like her post in exchange for yet another prize.

Once full of laughter and dreams, Lily Harrison’s life shatters after a tragic accident leaves her confined to a wheelchair. The loss of her mother and her shattered sense of safety push her into isolation, sealing her heart behind walls of fear and silence. Wealth surrounds her, yet loneliness is her constant companion. Ethan never planned to become anyone’s caretaker. Struggling to find work, he accepts a strange offer that leads him into Lily’s guarded world. From the moment they meet, Lily resists him—rejecting his help, his kindness, and his presence. But Ethan stays. Quiet, patient, and steady, he fills the mansion with warmth she thought she had lost forever. Slowly, trust begins to grow. Through shared mornings, sleepless nights, and small moments of courage, Lily finds herself leaning on Ethan in ways that terrify her. He becomes her anchor, her safety, and the one person who sees her not as broken, but as someone still worthy of love. Just as their fragile bond deepens, danger strikes. A violent attack shatters their fragile peace, revealing shadows tied to Lily’s powerful family and forcing Ethan to risk his life to protect her. In the aftermath, emotions they can no longer ignore rise to the surface—fear, longing, and a love neither of them expected. But love comes with boundaries, secrets, and choices that could destroy them both. As past trauma collides with present danger, Lily and Ethan must decide whether they are brave enough to cross the line from caretaker and patient to something deeper… or if fear will cost them the one place they finally feel safe. In a world filled with uncertainty, can love become the strongest form of healing?