stretched thin synonym

The things we want are so very rarely the things we need. Clifton Heights, a modest Adirondack town, offers many unique attractions. Arcane Delights sells both paperbacks and hard-to-find limited editions. The Skylark Diner serves the best home-cooked meals around, with friendly service and a smile. Every August, Mr. Jingo’s County Fair visits, to the delight of children and adults. In essence, Clifton Heights is the quintessential small American town. Everyone knows everyone else, and everyone is treated like family. It is quiet, simple, and peaceful. But shadows linger here. Flitting in dark corners, from the corner of the eye. If you walk down Main Street after dark, the slight scrape of shoes on asphalt whispers you're not alone, but when you look over your shoulder, no one is there. The moon shines high and bright in the night sky, but instead of throwing light, it only seems to make the shadows lengthen. Children disappear. Teens run away. Hunters get lost in the woods with frightening regularity. Husbands go mad, and wives vanish in the dead of night. And still, when the sun rises in the morning, you are greeted by townspeople with warm waves and friendly smiles, and the shivers pass as everything seems fresh and new... Until night falls once more. Handy's Pawn and Thrift sits several blocks down from Arcane Delights. Like any thrift store, its wares range from the mundane to the bizarre. By daylight, it seems just another slice of small town Americana. But in its window hangs a sign which reads: We Have Things You Need. And when a lonely traveling salesman comes looking for something he desperately wants, after normal visiting hours, after night has fallen, he will face a harsh truth among the shelves of Handy’s Pawn and Thrift: the things we want are rarely the things we need. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

Victoria Lewis was twenty-one years old, kind-heated, smart, and beautiful, her father and her late mother promised her that they will never interfere in her love life. However, when Victoria found her father trying to commit suicide, she agreed to an arranged marriage to James Johnson to save her father’s company from bankruptcy. James Johnson’s father Emmanuel Johnson arranged this marriage because he didn’t want his son to marry Serene Logan since she was not compatible with his son James Johnson. However, James Johnson was head over heels in love with Serene Logan, he threatened his parents that he would kill himself should they separate him from Serene Logan. Would James agree to the arranged marriage to Victoria Lewis? Will they be happily ever after?

She signed a contract with him to become the lady at his beck and call. He claimed, “This is for our mutual benefit. Once the contract expires, we will be nothing but strangers.” However, he broke his promise and refused to let her go. “Liam Ackman, when will you ever let me go?” His thin lips curled up into a smirk as he picked her up bridal style. “Anna Hamilton, you are mine for the rest of your life! Don’t even think about leaving!” Turned out, it had always been a trap, and she fell for it. There was no escaping his grasp! 

Lina Watson works hard to support herself and pay for her college degree in Literature. When she thinks her life is finally getting back on track, she discovers that her boyfriend, Noah Perry, is just playing her. Resentful, Lina decides to use a mysterious and unknown man to get revenge and gets mixed up with the biggest mafia gangster in New York, the Don of Cosa Nostra, Vincenzo Bonaccorso. "A kiss and nothing more?" Really? Or is this unusual request just the beginning of a beautiful love story?

Sceptical Lou Riley desires love, however what will she do once she gets an opportunity to own her fairytale romance? Will she freak out and push him away, afraid he is getting to break her heart or go along with it and hope it is the real thing?

Sophia Ava Valentine and Noah Parker are in love with each other for over three years. The lovebirds had nothing to worry until Sophia's father arranges her marriage with a ruthless billionaire playboy, Irwin Pierce to seal their business partnership. When Irwin discovers her love with Noah Parker, he makes it his mission to ruin his life and that of Sophia's friends. Sophia accepts his proposal with one condition - Irwin must leave her friends alone. Now, it's up to Noah & her best friends to save her from Irwin and his not so innocent schemes.

Felicity Amee Taylor loved Massimo De Luca, the future Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack, from the moment she didn't even know the meaning of love. So, when he asked her to marry him, She didn’t think twice before saying yes. Only to realize that Massimo wanted just a perfect Luna for his pack, nothing more than that. She did what Massimo expected of her in the hope of him falling in love with her someday. But her hope was shattered like pieces of glass when Massimo found his fated mate. "Thank you for being an amazing Luna, Amee, and handling my pack. Now, it's time to step down from your position and also to reject each other." Soon, Massimo realized the value of Felicity only after losing it. Before he could undo the mistake that he had made, she disappeared from his life like thin air. * Years later, their paths accidentally crossed. "Please give me a chance, Amee." "Why? So that you can toss me again by saying ‘Thank you." She asked coldly.

Aeden had been married to Dean for 4 years now and yet she still found out new things about him every day. Their love was so strong it transcended worlds. But what they would soon find out was that their souls also transcended the universe but in a very different way; one that they could never have conceived of. I have NOT abandoned this story. I am finishing my other story, Raised by Gods. Once RBG is finished I will only be working on this until it is finished.

"You're my weakness!" Jerald said, still aiming his gun at Jennifer. "If all I am to you is a pawn that your enemies will use against you then, do as you wish." She said as she stepped towards him. He stepped back. "Don't come closer or I'll shoot!" He warned her, his hands jolting. "Jerald Carter, New York Cosa Nostra can't even shoot me." She mocked him. "Jennifer!" He warned her again. "You can't kill me, Jerald," She pressed her chest on the gun. "You and I borh know I am The Thing You Kill For," *** Jennifer's Father Promised that she will marry Jerald Carter. Jennifer's been dreading over the arranged marriage because she has a boyfriend-but now that her family's lives depends on it, there's no denying it anymore. There's something mystifying about Jerald Carter but nonetheless, Jennifer couldn't help but fall for him. No one is perfect of course, Jerald Carter Has a big secret he is keeping, of The Dark and Deadly Variety. What will happen when Jennifer finds out that she married a man who could just easily kill her as a snap?

"Monster," I smirked to myself as I read the morning paper. If they only knew the truth. I sipped my coffee as I skimmed through the story. They had all the details wrong and the police were idiots. I heard the bell chime on the door to the coffee shop and saw her walk in. Her hair was down just the way I liked it. She was perfect I thought to myself as I eyed her and planned my next move. I think when she finally saw me she made the connection. Her eyes got wide. "Ethan?" Ethan Graves is a well-known man in the community with a dark secret. His darkness is so great that even he can't control it sometimes. He plays his role well during the day but at night he takes on a whole new persona. The newspapers call him a monster and the police are baffled. Then the new detective on the case walks in. The one that he let go. The one he was obsessed with. It was finally time to make her his. The game of cat and mouse had never been something he would ever consider, he usually likes the woman to be weak and defenseless against his charm and good looks. However, for this kill, he would play the game and Josephine Wells would be his trophy.