Testing The Waters

Lillian Hawthorne is the embodiment of perfection in the eyes of the public, burdened by the expectation of setting an impeccable example. As a member of the powerful Hawthorne clan, she understands that any misstep is unforgivable. Following orders has always come naturally to Lillian, but as she grows older, she finds herself gradually falling for Alexander Montgomery, her father's best friend who happens to be twice her age. Lillian is well aware that her attraction to Alexander is considered sinful by her father and society, so she keeps her desire hidden from prying eyes. Just when Lillian believes her secret is safe, her stepbrother, Marcus Sullivan, unexpectedly appears and discovers her forbidden romance with Alexander. Marcus becomes a threat to Lillian's flawless facade, compelling her to do everything possible to please him and protect her secret. In her efforts to safeguard her forbidden love, Lillian finds herself developing feelings for Marcus, further complicating an already tangled situation. As her heart begins to beat for her stepbrother, Lillian is faced with an agonizing choice. Will she choose Alexander, her father's best friend, with whom she shares a forbidden connection? Or will she succumb to the complex emotions stirring within her for her stepbrother, Marcus? In this tale of forbidden love and intricate relationships, Lillian must navigate the treacherous waters of her own heart to discover where her true desires lie.

What makes a hero? They say a hero is someone that has given his life to something bigger than himself. I say a hero is no braver than an ordinary man, he is just braver for five minutes longer. All soldiers are brave, it's what they do with their bravery that makes them heroes. Am I a hero? Clayton Jackson dedicated his life to serving his country. Enlisting in the Marine Corps at the young age of eighteen, he never imagined following any other path. However, fate had other plans for him as a life-altering accident during his last deployment left him disabled and forces him to return home. Hiding in the small town he grew up in, Clayton tries to keep his secret from his loved ones at all costs. One day while seeking refuge from his troubled mind, his path crosses with Isabella Jones. Their connection is instantaneous as if the universe conspired to bring them together. Isabella, a mysterious and enigmatic woman, is haunted by the demons from her own past. As their relationship quickly blossoms, the unspoken truths between them threaten to tear them apart. When Clayton is presented with the opportunity to rejoin the Marine Corps, Isabella is faced with a decision: whether to accompany him or remain behind. Caught in this web of secrets and lies, they try to navigate their love through the murky waters, desperately hoping to find solace in each other's arms. But will love be enough to conquer the shadows that lingered in their hearts? Or would the truth ultimately be their undoing?

In the bustling streets of New York City, Kathrine is determined to make a name for herself and build a successful life. However, her dreams come crashing down when she gets fired from her job for constantly being late. Feeling defeated, she seeks solace in the company of her loyal friend, Dylan. As they venture out into the vibrant nightlife of the city, fate takes an unexpected turn. Kathrine and Dylan find themselves at the renowned Medusa Lounge, a place known for its mysterious allure. Little does she know that this encounter will change her life forever. Inside the lounge, Kathrine catches the eye of Andrew, the enigmatic owner and the secret Mafia boss of New York. Drawn to her resilience and determination, Andrew offers Kathrine a chance at redemption. He sees potential in her and offers her a job at the lounge, a position that could open doors to a world she never imagined. Caught between the allure of a dangerous lifestyle and the desire to make a living, Kathrine finds herself torn. As she delves deeper into the dark underbelly of New York's criminal underworld, she must navigate treacherous waters, balancing her loyalty to Andrew and her own moral compass. In this thrilling tale of ambition, love, and danger, Kathrine must decide how far she is willing to go to survive in a city that never sleeps. Will she succumb to the seductive power of the Medusa Lounge and its enigmatic owner, or will she find a way to rise above the shadows and forge her own path?

In a world where perfection is a facade, two damaged souls collide in a whirlwind of scandal, social media, and self-discovery. Arc, a rugged, brooding outsider, bears the scars of a traumatic past. His life is a constant struggle, marked by a crippling deformity, a dead-end job, and the weight of supporting his sister's future. Chelsea Waters, the golden boy of social media, has it all – until his picture-perfect world shatters. His boyfriend's infidelity, captured on camera, sparks a vicious backlash from his fans. Desperate to salvage his reputation, Chelsea's manager orchestrates a plan: pretend to be friends with Arc. As they weave a tale of love and acceptance, Arc and Chelsea must confront the dark secrets beneath their polished veneers Love is love. Tag words: m-m (male x male), lots of hastags, Instagram, insecurities, Arc is not an Orc, a sub character that swears alot, other disabled characters, crazy characters, a gang of quirky grandmothers, Chelsea's ex is a humbo, first time, past trauma, families are complicated and a happy ending. *Target Audience:* Fans of emotional, thought-provoking romance. Author's note: Most of the places and celebrities that are mentioned are purely out of fiction and are a work of the writer's imagination. The deformity Arc has doesn't exist and probably never will. This novel might the start of a series of other character's lives. PS: Please leave a review of your opinion on my book. XoXo.

Fated Mates can be wrong. Follow your heart, see with your eyes, and think, instead of obeying fate. Thorne Lamont and Azalea Archer are fated mates in their third year of their arranged marriage, but the cracks in their relationship are starting to show. Azalea loves Thorne deeply, although not with overwhelming , she supports him to excel as Alpha of the Crescent Moon pack. Though their marriage has always been a shallow, loveless one, they shared their share of happy times and Azalea has developed feelings for Thorne; however, something has been going on with Thorne and he has been distancing himself even more... Vanessa Ivanov, Thorne's first love has returned to the pack and she has her sights set on the man she left behind. As Thorne struggles with his feelings for Azalea he carries on with Vanessa until eventually Azalea makes a decision that will change both their lives. Now her ex-boyfriend Axel Rivers has returned, seeking revenge on Thorne and has vowed to steal more than his title of Alpha, he wants Azalea, too and will stop at nothing to stake his claim. Will Thorne and Azalea be able to mend their shattered pieces of a broken marriage? Or will they succumb to the revengeful plots of those who have their own agendas? The tension between them is palpable, as they try to navigate their way through the treacherous waters of their feelings for each other and the outside forces that threaten to tear them apart.

Elena grew up under the strict gaze of her mother, a woman who had no tolerance for failure. Mistakes weren’t just frowned upon—they didn’t exist. For Elena, life was a relentless climb toward perfection, where only one goal mattered: being mated to a high-ranking werewolf. Her mother’s relentless mantra echoed in her mind—anything less would be a disgrace. When her younger sister Serena is mated to their pack’s Beta, Elena’s hope of fulfilling her mother’s dreams shatters. Consumed by despair and humiliation, she flees into the night, leaving her pack behind. But fate is a trickster, and her journey leads her to the forbidden lands of the Nightshade Pack—a savage domain ruled by fear and blood. There, the Moon Goddess delivers her to Alpha VuK, a name whispered in terror across the werewolf world. Ruthless, cunning, and brutal, VuK is everything Elena has been taught to avoid. But the bond forged by the Moon Goddess is unbreakable, and despite their mutual resentment, they are tied together by destiny. As she navigates the treacherous waters of her new life, Elena finds herself at odds with VuK’s merciless rule. Her defiance stirs something long buried in him, even as it threatens to ignite a war between their packs. Yet, beneath the bloodshed and conflict lies an ancient legacy: the title of "Elder's Blood," a symbol of forgotten honor that could either unite them—or destroy everything. Will love and courage rewrite their fates, or will their differences tear them apart?

Benedykta Rebel, known as Ben to her friends, never imagined that her position as the oldest daughter of a wealthy family in New York would come with such a heavy burden. When her grandfather unexpectedly names her as the CEO of New Way Group, Ben is shocked to learn that there is a catch - she must marry a man of her grandfather's choosing in order to inherit the company. Furious at the idea of being forced into a loveless marriage, Ben confronts her grandfather, only to be met with indifference. With her family's company on the brink of bankruptcy, Ben realizes that she has no choice but to comply with her grandfather's demands. Seeking solace and escape from her troubles, Ben finds herself at a night club, where she crosses paths with a mysterious and handsome stranger. Drawn to him in a way she never thought possible, Ben succumbs to a passionate one-night stand, unaware of the consequences that will follow. But when Ben discovers that the man she shared a fleeting connection with is none other than her future father-in-law, her world is turned upside down. Caught between duty and desire, Ben must navigate the treacherous waters of love and loyalty as she comes face to face with the man who unknowingly stole her heart in a single night. Family obligations and forbidden love collide. Will she choose duty and save her family's legacy, or will she risk it all for a chance at true happiness?

Kiami Lynn, remembers dying in a zombie horde after surviving 8 years of an apocalypse. Remembering how she spent her first life helping family who never truly cared, abandoning the few who genuinely loved her. Her final thoughts are filled with regret and betrayal as she succumbs to the horde, reflecting on how her misplaced loyalty led to her demise. But death is not the end, Kiami awakens ten days before the outbreak in her own past, alive, whole, and confused. She is greeted by the Ultimate Power System, a mysterious interface that grants her a Sanctuary — a space to train, store items, grow food, and prepare for survival. Within the Sanctuary, she is guided by Echo, a cryptic, riddle-speaking spirit who teaches her to cultivate new powers, master her skills, and make strategic choices. Reborn, Kiami is no longer the quiet, people-pleasing girl she once was. She is outspoken, calculating, and insightful, using the knowledge of her past life to anticipate the coming apocalypse. Over the course of ten days, she trains relentlessly, honing her reflexes, combat skills, and strategic thinking. Haunted by visions of her past mistakes, she learns the true cost of misplaced loyalty and the importance of foresight, strategy, and decisive action. Every decision carries risk, but every earned skill and reward brings her closer to becoming a survivor capable of not just enduring the apocalypse — but turning the tide of the human vs. zombie war. As the outbreak draws nearer, Kiami begins to manipulate the real world, testing her powers, setting traps, and preparing to rewrite her fate. With Echo’s riddles guiding her and the Ultimate Power System enhancing her body, mind, and strategy, she is determined that this time, nothing will stop her — no betrayal, no undead horde, no past mistakes.

**Book 3 to The Moon's Descendant** **Mature Content 18+** Contains graphic depictions of death, violence, sex scenes, course language and rape. Minimal trigger warnings in place. ------------------------------------------------ Zelena fights with her feelings towards her new-found mother, all the while struggling with the stress that being pregnant brings. Life takes a turn for the worst when a new and more dangerous threat emerges from the shadows, pushing Gunner to his limits and testing the strength of the bond that Zelena and Gunner share. As more secrets are revealed, Zelena's understanding of right and wrong, duty and choice, good and evil, all collide in a fiery blaze.  ------------------------------------------------------ I've dealt with a lot up until this point. I'm proud to say that through it all, I've not broken. All my life I've known pain. I've grown up on it. Lived it, learnt it, tasted it. I know pain. I have been pushed to the furthest limits imaginable. Both in mind and body. And I've still not broken. I am stronger because of how far I have been pushed. I have endured and survived more than anyone else possibly could. I have been molded into the ultimate weapon, created from pain to cause havoc. I am the shadow in the dark, the monster under the bed. I am the bringer of death. Nothing could ever break me. But this... This is unlike anything else that I have endured before. This is beyond the point of physical pain and mental torture. This is worse. This could break me. ------------------------------------------------ Book 1 - The Moon's Descendant - Told by Zelena and Gunner. Book 2 - Mother of the Moon - Told By Zelena and Lunaya. Book 3 - Twin Moon - Told by Zelena and Whiskey.

The first thing he takes from me is air. A hand crashes over my mouth, ripping me backward into a darkness so sudden my mind stutters. My scream dies against his palm. My feet leave the ground. My heartbeat slams against my ribs like it’s trying to escape. “Stop fighting,” he says, his voice a low, controlled threat against my ear. Not shouted. Not rushed. Certain. I claw at his arm anyway. It doesn’t matter. “This is day one,” he whispers. He forces me onto my knees, my breath splintering in sharp, humiliating bursts. His fingers hook under my jaw, lifting my face so I have to see him.. cold eyes, steady rage, a man carved from hatred with a purpose. “You were born into the wrong blood,” he says. “And now you’ll pay for every sin it spilled.” His thumb drags across my trembling lips, testing, measuring. A reminder he owns every choice I have left. “You’ll beg,” he promises. “Not for mercy. For the end.” And something inside me sinks, cold and final. From this moment on, nothing is mine. Not breath. Not choice. Not time. ⸻ Luna Vitiello is the silent daughter of a devil. To the world, a pampered princess. In truth, a girl who has bled in silence for nineteen years. But the man who takes her doesn’t care. To him, she isn’t a victim; she’s the enemy. A living vessel for her father’s sins, a debt meant to be paid in pain. He thinks he’s breaking a spoiled queen. He doesn’t realize he’s crushing a girl who was already broken.