Testing Waters Novels & Stories

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

I wasn’t even pregnant, yet I ended up popping abortion pills like they were candy. It was all because in my past life, the moment my widowed sister-in-law got pregnant, every single side effect of her pregnancy became mine. She strutted around happily with her big belly, consuming spicy tamales, while I was rushed to the hospital for violent nausea and stomach pain; she showed off her flawless skin in crop tops every day, while my stomach broke out in hideous stretch marks. When I told my husband what was happening, he just shoved me away impatiently. “Enough with the jealousy! My brother’s dead, and she’s carrying his only child. Of course, I should look out for her. Do you really have to put on such an act?” After that, my sister-in-law went even further. She kept testing her limits during pregnancy and even ate a mango she was allergic to. And me? I went into anaphylactic shock, landed in the hospital, and nearly died. Doctors couldn’t explain it. They just brushed it off, saying I was overly jealous and it was all psychological. Later, my sister-in-law tried to brand herself as a “hot single mom”. She went live, belly and all, to show off her weight-loss workouts. She jumped around for three straight hours. And me? My uterus literally gave out, and I hemorrhaged to death. When I opened my eyes again, it was the exact day she first announced her pregnancy.

"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 the fifth year of being exiled to a deserted island in the international waters by Chelsea Herrera, I finally learn how to stay extremely humble. When Chelsea brings Derrick Carpenter, a university student she keeps, and a Doberman to the island just to pick me up, I get down on my knees as though it's the most natural thing to do in the world. Then, I wipe the sand off Derrick's shoes with my sleeve before bending over to use my back as their stepstool. "From now on, you're in charge of taking care of Ricky. He and Dobey are your family now." I nod with a small smile. After Chelsea has usurped my family's businesses and forced my parents to jump off a building, she chooses to abandon me on a deserted island so that I can learn to obey her commands. She has succeeded in everything she's done. By the time I finally get to return to the familiar villa, everything there has already changed. I wake up at 4:00 am every morning in order to prepare a nice breakfast for Dobey the Doberman. After that, I groom it properly. At 9:00 am, I've prepared the outfit Derrick will be wearing for the day. Then, I'll travel to a boxing gym so that I can serve as his human punching bag. At night, I prepare some alcohol and snacks while listening to Derrick and his friends laughing at me. They then proceed to discuss how to tame me, the formerly arrogant scion hailing from the ex-richest family in the elite society.

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.