Strategic-planning Books

**Dark Romance** Being the new girl is hard, Mary is shy, introverted, and prefers the solitude of being with her books than people. But in her new school, things became different as she got noticed by the wrong people. She catches the attention of the school's bad boy who begins to taunt and ridicule her. ***** I played with my fingers as he stared, he didn't stop staring and I was finding it hard to maintain eye contact with him. His stare was making me feel uncomfortable. I couldn't help but wonder what he was doing here alone. "Mary Davies," he whispered my name. "You are still a virgin right?" He asked smirking. "Hmmmn... Untouched. Innocent. Just like I have always wanted." He whispered, trailing a finger down my collar bone. "I am going to have so much fun with you," he whispered again, kissing my ear lobes. "So much fun." He added, stepping away from me. He began to walk towards the door. "See you tonight."

*His eyes scanned my bruised face, searching for answers. A careful, gentle hand caressed my cheek, intensifying the turmoil in his gaze. "He did this to you." It wasn't a question; it was a statement. But I couldn't find my voice, trapped in frozen silence. Fear gnawed at my skin as I stood amidst cold-blooded killers, surrounded by chaos and lifeless bodies. And as he held the gun, I knew more bodies would soon drop.* *** To everyone else, she was a nobody. A vessel for their perverse desires, a desperate pawn willing to fulfill their every whim. A nearsighted girl, finding solace only within the pages of her books, a portal to escape reality. But what they failed to grasp was that behind those innocent blue eyes lurked a devil, dependent on her happiness, hiding in the shadows and watching over her. And that devil was prepared to sacrifice everything for her. The scariest part? She had no clue. *"Why do you act like you're in love with me?" "Jesus, Lily," he growled, "I TATTOOED YOUR NAME ON MY FUCKING CHEST!"*

Prince Maddox, the soon to be ruler of Nitraville, has all the women in his kingdom on their knees for him with his striking features and long fangs. He's the most arrogant and ruthless man to live in Nitra, getting every girl he wants and everything he wants. Screwing with him may just mean you could be his next drink. Willow, an innocent life who likes to write books and keep to herself in her isolated acreage, is one of the most nice and shy people you could ever meet. She grew up with her Grandparents after her mother died giving birth to her, and her father abandoning her for another family soon after that. Though she's written and dreamt of it, she never has felt the warm touch of a man who loves her. Her lips remain unkissed. In order for Maddox to become the king, he must find a woman to secure the throne once and for all. Then one day, the two finally collide after months of pending alignment, but in the worst possible way of course... Who could love such a monster?

Everyone was shocked when Emily Harper rejected the proposal from Brandon Young, the handsome entrepreneur every woman dreamt of. Tired of facing people's comments, the heiress of the Savior Group ran away to another country. Without any bodyguard, without anyone to protect her. "Don't act like a child, Emily. Stop waiting for Cayden. That kid from 23 years ago must have forgotten you. Now go home! Don't let our enemies take this opportunity to kidnap you!" Unfortunately, Emily didn't heed the warning. She thought she was safe until she realized. Someone had put drug in her drink! What would happen to Emily? Would there be someone to save her from that dangerous situation? *** This book can be read as a standalone, but if you want to explore the characters' childhood, you can check my other books: CEO's Love in Trap (about Cayden) Hiding the Twins from Their Billionaire Father (about Emily and her twin brother) Mr. President's Lost Wife (about Sky)

For three years, Eliza Sterling has lived with a quiet grief. After giving her husband, Scott, her entire fortune and her father's company, her only regret is the child they've been unable to conceive. On the morning of their third anniversary, she discovers Scott’s real betrayal: a secret plan to sell her father's empire out from under her, confiding in his CFO that his wife is “a soft spot” to be managed. But the real devastation waits in his office. There, she finds Scott with her stepsister, Chloe—a betrayal made monstrous when Chloe reveals the truth: their infertility is Scott’s choice, a cold strategy to prevent a true heir. Eliza is left utterly ruined, her heart, her home, and her legacy stolen. Her only offer of help comes from Adam Thorne, Scott’s rival, who presents not condolences but a partnership. In exchange for his legal and strategic might to destroy Scott, he wants a piece of the company. Eliza accepts, forging a bond built on revenge and a sharp, growing respect. As Scott watches the wife he took for granted become his most dangerous enemy, he is consumed by a regret that may be too late. Eliza must navigate a war on two fronts: a corporate battle to reclaim her power, and a personal war for her future, caught between the husband who shattered her and the rival who challenges her to rebuild herself from the ashes.

I became the ultimate simp for Shannon Seay, the school's notorious flirt, and everyone assumed I was head over heels for her. When she skipped classes to pick fights or chase thrills, I'd copy notes and homework for her. When she tangled in ambiguous flings with other guys, I'd provide alibis to cover her tracks. For three grueling years, I poured my heart and soul into transforming her into an academic star, securing her spot at a top university. But right before orientation, she dumped me. Towering over me, she declared, "I know you've had a crush on me forever, but you're all books and no spark. Compared to Hunter, you're too rigid. We're done. I'm with him now." The crowd held its breath, anticipating my meltdown. I peeked at my phone, confirming a $50-million transfer, and replied with genuine nonchalance, "Alright, congrats." No one knew my unwavering devotion was purely because her father had paid handsomely for it. Now that the pay had been secured, it was time for me to vanish.

Sable Hart has spent her life staying invisible in Briar Hollow—until the day Nightfell’s Alpha, Caelan Varr, is buried and a burning mate mark appears on her wrist. The pack calls it impossible: a bond formed after death. Lyra Varr, Caelan’s ruthless mother and Luna of Nightfell, names Sable the “widow” and orders her taken for judgment under pack law. Before chains can close, Caelan’s voice slips into Sable’s ear from the darkness of her car—cold, intimate, possessive—forcing the engine to turn over and pushing her onto a forgotten highway. Redcrest intercepts her. Garrick Thorne, their amber-eyed Alpha, offers protection with a smile that cuts: Sable isn’t just marked—she’s leverage, a doorway to Caelan’s blood-right, and the prize that can tip a brewing pack war. Desperate for answers, Sable follows the pull of the mark to Maeven Crowe, a bone-seer who collects truth like debt. Maeven confirms what Sable fears: widow-bonds don’t stay quiet. They get hungry. And doors don’t choose who walks through. Caught between Lyra’s merciless authority and Garrick’s strategic hunger, Sable must bargain with a witch, outmaneuver two packs, and decide whether Caelan is her fated protector… or the first mask worn by the thing trying to claim her body. Because Caelan wasn’t the only thing that came back.

Amara Lawson never imagined her life would change because of someone else’s broken promise. One minute, she is living quietly in the shadow of high society. The next, she is standing at the altar as a replacement bride. When a powerful engagement collapses days before a crucial billion-dollar merger, the Harrington family needs a solution—fast. To avoid scandal and financial ruin, they choose Amara. She is suitable. She is convenient. She is expendable. But they underestimate her. Lucas Harrington is cold, calculated, and dangerously controlled. To him, marriage is a contract—nothing more than a strategic move to protect his empire. He makes it clear from the beginning: he did not choose her, and he will not fall for her. Indifference, he believes, is his strongest shield. What he doesn’t expect is Amara’s quiet strength. Behind the polished smiles and grand public appearances lies a marriage filled with tension, unspoken attraction, and emotional warfare. Every cold glance hides curiosity. Every sharp word masks a pull neither of them can ignore. But the truth behind the broken engagement is darker than anyone knows. Secrets begin to surface. Betrayals come to light. And enemies circle, waiting for Lucas to lose everything. As danger closes in, Lucas is forced to confront the one thing he never planned for—his growing feelings for the woman he once saw as nothing more than a substitute. Because sometimes, the wife you never wanted becomes the only woman you cannot afford to lose.

Falling in love with a handsome billionaire was one thing, but falling madly in love with a sinfully hot billionaire who has sworn off love was an entirely different situation. Such was the condition that Cookie Logan found herself. From desperately needing to be saved from her abusive ex, she ran into the arms of Jamie Henderson, the one man that aroused dark sinful desires in her that only he could sate. But just when she thought she’d finally found the perfect lover, everything came crashing down when she discovered he’s had an ugly past that she couldn’t ignore. Cookie’s heart was broken, yet she thought she could do without him until her ex arrived in her life again, to start a new bout of trouble. With no one to run to except Jamie, and with so many unshared secrets looming over them, she’s forced to make a decision that would either reap out her heart for the second time or mend her broken relationship with Jamie. To know more about my books, follow me on Instagram @sophia.bendel

Caily Galileo believes everyone can change, everyone can become an angel. Everyone except Pietro Giacometti. He is a damned monster who will never change. And not his devilishly charming smiles that are only ever directed to her can change her opinion of him. Pietro Giacometti knows what he wants and what belongs to him and Caily Galileo belongs to him. He has been away from her for years but it is now time Caily knows and accepts that she can only ever belong to one man, Pietro Giacometti... MINE PEACHES NOTE: If you have read any of my books in the past, then you'd know my male leads kill and things can get a little bit dark but this particular book might be darker than all my previous books. Pietro Giacometti is an obsessed man who will do anything and everything to be with Caily even if it's the most unhinged thing ever. He is dark and wild. This book, however does not contain non consensual sex or rape in any form. Thank you for choosing to read 'MINE, PEACHES'. Trigger warnings: Stalking, obsession, explicit violence, BDSM.