Shelf Awareness

"Sherman...Sherman Colton," I managed to mutter, my voice quivering from a combination of exhaustion and worry. The name surfaced from the depths of my consciousness, unexpected yet purposeful. As I felt my awareness fade, a lingering feeling of unease settled within me. I didn't just say that name in response to a question; it was more like a desperate plea, a fragment of worry for the man whose image and reputation I was afraid I had ruined in the chaotic events that had taken place. As I surrendered to the embrace of unconsciousness, a deep uncertainty gripped my soul, unsure if I would ever wake up to the light of another day. I whispered, "Mr.Colton, I didn't break your trust." ........................................................................... Within the luxurious Elite Oaks Resort, Zara Tahel, the unassuming housekeeper, found herself thrust into a passionate whirlwind of destiny. Her heartache led her to cancel her wedding when she uncovered her lover's affair with his superior. Little did she know, her life was about to take a captivating turn. In her bridal gown's elegance, Zara collided with Sherman Colton, the charismatic CEO of the resort. Their encounter was electric, sparking a photograph that set the world buzzing with intrigue. But their chemistry was undeniable, a passionate connection that smoldered. Sherman offered an arrangement, one fraught with desire and hidden longing. As their worlds intertwined, the question hung in the air: Was their deal just a façade to protect his reputation, or had a deep, secret attraction ignited since that unforgettable moment? Amidst moonlit nights and stolen moments at Elite Oaks Resort, Zara and Sherman embarked on a passionate journey, testing the limits of love and desire. Their hearts danced to a melody of fervent ardor, setting their worlds ablaze with irresistible chemistry.

In a realm where beasts held dominion, Ace King reigned supreme—a creature of awe-inspiring power and enigma. But even the mighty can stumble, and Ace's colossal error set off a chain of events that would reshape destinies. Fiona, a beacon of beauty, faced a harrowing rejection from her intended mate, plunging her into the clutches of her worst nightmare: Ace, the once-cursed Beast now proclaiming her as his soulmate. Yet, the complexities of their entwined fate began to unravel. Secrets emerged—the haunting truth behind her father's demise and the enigmatic scarlet stone. Fiona's awareness of her reincarnated past revealed the shocking revelation: her previous life's murderer was none other than Ace himself. Amidst the impending mating ceremony, where Ace's purring voice and tantalizing caresses cast a hypnotic spell, Fiona grappled with her conflicting emotions. Her feigned compliance masked a brewing plan for escape and retribution. She had to navigate this perilous dance, concealing her intentions while aiming to expose the malevolent Ace. Under the moonlit ceremony, Fiona steeled herself, ready to face the inexorable fate. Unknown to Ace, she was armed with the determination to break the cycle, expose the horrors of her past, and liberate herself from the clutches of the cruelest Beast. This was her chance to rewrite history and reclaim her sovereignty.

Title: The Alpha’s Luna and the Bloodmoon Amulet Genre: WEREWOLF Trope: HIDDEN HERITAGE AND BETRAYAL Theme: MYSTERY AND THRILLER Setting: MYSTICAL WORLD, CRIMSON CITY, MID 20TH CENTURY Blurb: Her legs had barely stretched as she stood when the hairs on her neck stood on end. An instinctive sense of awareness creeping through her. It wasn’t the usual eerie silence of the room, it was something more. A presence loomed behind her, dark and predatory. “Thought you could steal from me?”…. Lycia, a thief who never knew she was anything more than human, was sent to steal a magical artifact from a mansion. She was captured by Cove, a cold-hearted Lycan alpha. She had to take up the quest to receive a pay to afford the medication of her guardian, Jack. She’s thrown into a dark world of secrets, where she learns she’s far from ordinary. Hidden powers stir within her, and the truth behind her parents' death comes crashing down. Trapped between revenge, betrayal, and a destiny she never asked for, Lycia must face her fears, fight for survival, and scream out for the power that calls to her. What dark secrets about her past will Lycia uncover as she delves deeper into the world of Lycans? Can she trust the ruthless alpha who captured her, or is he hiding his own deadly agenda? What will happen when her brother, the merciless werewolf hunter, learns of her true identity? Will Lycia embrace her hidden powers in time to stop the war brewing in the shadows or will her enemies destroy her before she can reclaim her destiny as the true Luna?

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.”*

Callie Ruiz never imagined she’d still be stuck at BuyMore after ten years—managing chaos, covering shifts, and shelving her dreams just to keep her family going. Then Eli shows up: clumsy, clueless, and clearly not cut out for retail. She figures he won’t last a week. What she doesn’t know? Eli is actually a billionaire tech CEO undercover, trying to fix the mess he made when he bought the struggling chain. As they work side by side through blackout shifts, awkward shelf restocks, and breakroom drama, something real begins to spark between them. But when Eli’s true identity is exposed in front of the whole store, Callie feels betrayed—and heartbroken.