Rodney Stark: Books

"Good evening, Mom. How was your day?" "My day was good, my love. How is yours going?" Her voice was a soothing balm against the stress of the day. "It’s... busy. My boss gave me a mountain of work to finish before tomorrow morning, so I won't be coming home tonight. I’m going to stay late and then head straight back in." "Oh, my dear," she sighed. "Just be careful. Don't get into any trouble." "I won't, Mom. Did you take your medication?" I asked, knowing how she tended to forget when I wasn't there to nag her. "Ah... I’ll take it now." "Mom, please. You need to stay strong for me." "I will, I will. I love you, Annabelle." "Love you too." After I hung up, the silence of the office felt even heavier. The lights were dimmed, except for the glow from my monitor and the soft yellow light spilling from Elias’s office. He was still in there, a silhouette of intense focus as he reviewed the project details. Suddenly, a sharp ping echoed through the quiet room. I jumped slightly, my eyes snapping to my computer screen. Unknown Email. No encrypted address. No profile picture No signature. Whoever sent this, don't want to be traced. "What is this?" I muttered, my skin crawling with a sudden, inexplicable chill. The subject line was written in bold, stark capital letters: BEFORE THE INVESTMENT. My pulse shifted into a frantic rhythm. I hesitated, my mouse hovering over the notification. When I finally clicked, my breath hitched. It wasn't just a message; it was a cache of attached documents, internal financial transfers, offshore account statements, and adjusted revenue projections. I realized instantly that these were different from the official files Elias had given me.

Jasmine Vargas accepted Mark Morelli's proposal because he was a good man who she believed would make her always happy. But everything took a different turn when she crossed paths with Tristan Morelli once again. Tristan Augist de Morelli, Mark’s older brother, is a stark contrast to his brother. Tristan, Italy's wealthiest billionaire and the president of the Cassa di Morelli. She remembers him as a deceitful mobster who took her innocence and callously left her the following day. His arrival five years ago caused havoc in Jasmine's life. It was Tristan who leaked her identity to the 'Lopez', leading to her bestfriend being murdered. Now all Jasmine wants is to avoid meeting the man who has ruined her life because she knows Tristan wants to complete his unfinished mission of destroying her family's cartel. A true hedonist, Tristan Morelli is wrapped up in all the splendor of nature. Unlike Mark, Tristan is darker, colder, and more intoxicating. His confidence is powerful, and his undeniable charm and irresistible attraction make him a dangerous temptation. Jasmine finds herself grappling with his irresistible charm and the destructive cycle he drags her into. Every attempt to push him only strengthens his obsession. Her resistance seems to fuel his desire even more. Tristan's relentless nature awakens a deep darkness in Jasmine, a side of her she never knew was there. In the midst of struggling with her demons, Jasmine is determined not to let him be her ruin. Will she find the strength to break free from Tristan's grip, or will she give in to the darkness he brings into her life? Moreover, he’s the catalyst for all the chaos that destroyed her life five years ago. Will Jasmine once again lose herself and let Tristan wreak havoc on her life? 

“Maybe I'll come back later. I'm sorry,” I said, tension strangling my voice. “No, please. Stay!” He said in a calm tone. I looked at him hysterically, and, like he had just recognised his own nudity, he smiled confidently. “I'll just put on something if you're uncomfortable.” “Uncomfortable?” I scoffed, trying to sound assuring. “No, I'm not uncomfortable. I've seen a lot of naked boys.” He shot a glance at me, sending a thrill running down my chest. “Boys?” He asked, closing the distance between us. He grabbed my left hand and placed it on his hard breast, his heart beating steady, a stark contrast to mine, which raced like an antelope running from a predator in a jungle. “Well… I've seen a lot of naked boys, but not a naked man…” I whispered softly, gazing and feeling lost in his starry eyes. ******************* Reina Grayson, the wolf-less Alpha's daughter, harbours a dangerous secret: she possesses a silver wolf. If her Pack discovers, she’ll be killed. When Alpha Van Killian, whom she was forced to marry, rejects her for her step-sister, Reina is poisoned and dies. Gifted a second chance by the Moon Goddess, she is reborn as Narah Smith. On her eighteenth birthday, she uncovers her true identity, but she had lost her wolf. She returns to her hometown, now living among her enemies as a common maid. As she navigates her past, she forms a bond with Alpha Van, who believes she’s his second chance mate despite being married to her step-sister. But with a vengeful heart and a determination to uncover the mysteries of her death, Narah must choose: embrace her fated mate or accept Alpha Zander’s proposal? Can she seek revenge on those who wronged her, or will she remain forever in the shadows?

It had been five years since my mate Ethan Blackwood secretly marked me. Then his brother, the Alpha of the Shadow Moon Pack, died in the territorial war. To become the next Alpha of Shadow Moon, Ethan inherited everything his deceased brother left behind. Including his widowed sister-in-law, Victoria. After every time Ethan shared Victoria's bed, he would hold me close and whisper reassurances: "Autumn, just wait a little longer. Once Victoria gets pregnant, we'll have our Mating Ceremony!" This was the pack's only requirement for him to inherit the Alpha position. In the six months since returning to Shadow Moon territory, Ethan had gone to Victoria's chambers countless times. From once a month in the beginning, to now almost every other day. Finally, after countless nights of sitting alone until dawn, news came that Victoria was pregnant. But along with this announcement came another—Ethan and Victoria would be holding their Mating Ceremony. "Mommy, is someone having a Mating Ceremony here?" my daughter asked. I looked around at the stark contrast to our sparse living quarters. The main hall was filled with flowers and balloons. People bustled about outside, everyone joyfully preparing for their Mating Ceremony. I pulled my innocent daughter into my arms: "Yes, sweetheart. Your father is having a Mating Ceremony with someone he loves, which means it's time for us to leave." Ethan didn't know that we wolves of the Silver Crescent Pack never cared about so-called Mating Ceremonies. In Silver Crescent, female wolves were revered. My mother was the current Alpha, and I only needed to bear an heir to the pack to inherit her position. I dialed a number I hadn't called in five years: "Mother, I already have an heir now. I'm ready to come home and claim your Alpha position."

A FANTASY ROMANCE AND ADVENTURE! “A man’s touch should never scare you.” His voice called for her attention and she gave it to him. “A man’s touch is something you are meant to enjoy. It will fulfill all your desires and protect you no matter what.” ~ "If she dies, he dies. So will his wolf." ~ High school was rough for Zaramanni who has features that are strange to other humans. Just when she was about to forget about her past that almost killed her, just when she was ready to open a new chapter in her boring life, she is pulled into a new world. When her soul is suddenly connected with the wolfless Alpha King of Zenrada, she becomes an open target for fairies and she finds her real identity as a half-fairy. Her stay in that strange universe gets riddled with strange occurrences, an unexpected mate bond, attempts to take her life and never-ending supernatural drama. But her stay in that universe may not be a terrible thing as she thought it would be. Asides from having powers others can only dream about, she learns what it means to be loved and to be touched by a man in ways she could never imagine. Her once boring life finally became fun and for once, living became bearable. [Contains triggering and mature scenes] ~ NB: THIS STORY CONTAINS TWO BOOKS BOOK ONE: THE POWERFUL HALF-FAIRY BOOK TWO: THE WAR THAT LOOMS

This Book is Classified into Two Books under the same title. Book One has 60 Chapters. Whiles Book Two is the continuation and the love story of the Book One main characters' children. A one-night stand with a stranger brought Ashley to her downfall. Being betrayed by her step-sister and her boyfriend on her birthday, Ashley took on an impulsive action to sleep with a stranger. Which unfortunately got her pregnant. To add to her sorrow, her step-sister and her 5 years boyfriend were getting engaged. Thrown out from her home by her father and stepmother, Ashley thought she would struggle to carter for her baby. Until she met a man who took her under his wings and protected her. But the man always wears a mask in other for Ashley not to recognize who he is. Not having anywhere to go. Families and friends turned their back on her. Life was hard for Ashley. But she was still determined to move forward with the unknown man. Ashley was overwhelmed by the unknown person's care toward her. Without having any idea, the unknown person is no other person than David Westwood. The CEO of DWC, the multi-billionaire, and the same person who got her pregnant. What will Ashley do with her triplets? What will Ashley do when she finds the man who got her pregnant? Will Ashley forgive him and forget her past? Will there ever be love between them? Read more to find out!!

This a story based on things happening around us. What a life... Working hard all these years to get to where I am today sure paid off... Success is sure better and exciting when you work for it, Instead of cheating your way into it... But let's not forget.. Working without a little prayer never works.. In the end, I thank God for making my future a bright one . My name is Julia... A woman of 31 and a CEO of my own pharmaceutical company called AMTEX PHARMACY CO. , I have no parents, they died when I was young, so my uncle Reginald took me in and raised me up to be woman I am today. My uncle was very strict with me, I wasn't allowed to hang out and have any social life with other kids when I was young, the only companion I had were my books, He made me study regularly but he gave me time to relax, and apart from that, He focused on teaching me proper manners, on how to approach and respect people, My uncle bought me up in a strict and no nonsense manner, thus transforming me into a very serious individual. The question is will she change and be a better person? Let's find out as we read this wonderful story. This is a Nigeria story setting and its all about a young lady who made it in life and became a CEO her own company.

Naomi spent her summer reading books and planning how she will stay invisible so she can finish off her last year of high school drama-free. But all those plans go down the drain when an unexpected Asian family of a widowed mother and her teenage son moves in across the street. Even though Naomi tries to keep her distance from Hero so he doesn't find out about her heart disease, he seems to have taken a liking to her. Naomi's cousin Riley had called dibs on Hero but his interest lies elsewhere so she often blames Naomi for trying to steal Hero. Most of the girls at school fawn over Hero because of his good looks and height which spell problems for Naomi since he keeps hanging around her. The more Naomi tries to stay away from Hero the larger her curiosity grows and even though Hero has secrets of his own to protect from Naomi's prying eyes he can't stop himself from wanting to know more about her. The two try to deny their feelings to try and protect their secrets but jealousy starts to show its face when Josh asks Naomi on a date and Hero hooks up with a random girl at a party in retaliation. Who will break first? And spill their secrets?

Important Note to Readers: This story includes two books in the same series. Each book focuses on a different generation of the powerful Wyndham family. Book 1: Gabriel & Isla (Completed) A scandal forces Isla Ainsworth to marry Gabriel Wyndham, the billionaire heir she never wanted. Tied down by duty, surrounded by enemies, and trapped in a loveless marriage, Isla has to survive in a family that never accepted her. He gave her his fame, wealth, protection, and his whole world… but never his heart. Until the truth changes everything. “Please, give me one more chance.”The proud billionaire kneels on one knee and kisses her hand earnestly. “Sorry, Mr. Billionaire. I already have a new life.” Book 2 (Start from Chapter 261) : Mercy & Aurelian (Ongoing) Betrayed by her fiancé. Sold by her parents. And used for profit. Mercy loses everything in one night. Determined to rebuild her life, she takes a job at Wyndham Holdings, only to catch the attention of its powerful, reclusive heir. Aurelian Wyndham doesn’t date. He doesn’t trust. And he’s not the type to marry. But when his family pressures him into an arranged match, he shocks everyone by proposing to Mercy instead. It was supposed to be a convenient marriage. Until living under the same roof begins to reveal secrets about Mercy’s past… secrets tied to the Wyndham empire itself. And now, walking away is no longer an option.

Winner of The People Choice Awards (Fiction) 2019 for Best Diverse Books When "Gossip " meets "Pretty Little Liars" and had a kid with "Sherlock Holmes". That kid is "The Bad Nerd Boy". "You know my secret now. That's really bad, Summers." He smirked. That nerd smirked! And call me crazy but at this moment, he looked goddamn hot.      "I won't tell others." I blurted the words out, hoping it gave the assurance he needed so he would let me go because even though he looked damn hot, he also looked dangerous. Trying to stop myself from trembling, I bit my lips.  His eyes caught the movement and he bent forward, filling my nostrils with the smell of dope he smoked earlier. Tilting his head, he clicked his tongue and smiled. "Wrong move." With that, he slammed his lips against mine, knocking all the air from my lungs. He kissed me with no mercy. His tongue slipped at the seam of my mouth, and my mind went blank when I felt the tip of his tongue caressing mine. Pulling away he watched me with a mischievous look on his face as he said, "now I'm going to be yours." * * * Professionally edited by Fernanda Lemos. All Rights Reserved 2018 © agatharoza