The Art Of Public Speaking Stephen Lucas

A broken heart is the most perilous thing in the merciless realm of organized crime. Elara Vetrova never imagined that one visit would set off a sequence of betrayals that would cost her everything when she goes to the hospital to check on Leo Volkov, the strong and cold mafia kingpin and also the ex-lover of her sister. Recently involved in a near-fatal automobile accident, the volatile leader is released before she shows up and vanishes without a trace, leaving only questions and a terrible sense of abandonment. Elara finds her boyfriend, Dmitri Baranov, locked in a private hug with her sister Mara, at home. Especially as her family ignores her suffering coldly, the betrayal cuts more deeply than she could have expected. Elara's mother leaves her feeling more alone than ever before since she values family relationships above everything else and shows no reaction to her wrath. But when the dangerous Leo resurfaces in her life—unwillingly dragged back into a world of secrets and vengeance—Elara finds herself in the middle of a lethal game forced to face the demons of her past. Elara has to choose who she can trust between her broken family, a forbidden romance with the guy who still haunts her nightmares, and a deadly conspiracy endangering her own life—and if she is ready to risk all for a second shot at love.

After three miscarriages for Xavier Lowe, I see it—my mother-in-law has three years left, my father-in-law nine years, and my sister-in-law two years. I say nothing. After the third miscarriage, my mother-in-law blames me, calling me a curse who "kills" children. My sister-in-law sneers, saying she almost died in a car crash the year I married Xavier—as if my bad luck dragged her down. My mother-in-law snaps, "She can't even keep a child. It must be because she's cursed!" Xavier just stands there, silent. He doesn't say a single word for me. I know that, deep down, he believes that I bring bad luck. Maybe it's also because he already has someone else—his secretary, Yvette Snyder. His mother has always liked her better, and he clung to her the night I lost my third child. I don't explain because I know the truth will only destroy them faster. On my 28th birthday, I catch a glimpse of my own countdown in the mirror. On that day, I take a leave of absence. I go to the funeral home and pick out an urn—pure white, just like the wedding dress I once wore. Wearing a beautiful floral dress, I text Xavier, asking him to meet me at the lake where we first met ten years ago. I wait from daylight until nightfall as my countdown ticks to zero. I die, and he never shows up.

In a haunting piece of paranormal fiction, after the ancient forces of light and darkness harness their powers into eight separate rings, humanity itself becomes its only hope. However, things go horribly wrong when jealousy, family, love and secrets cloud the sane judgement of the ring bearers. Will humanity be able to save itself, or will our fate be to fall into the hands... of Kayos?

I was a famed assassin. She knew my name. Everyone did. Feral. Death's very own hound. But she was the one that'd left our hut in the dead of night. And I wasn't one to forget something like that. I'd gone looking for her when she left things the way she did. She was nowhere to be found then. Yet here she is now. Standing in my tavern. With her cloak in a pile around her ankles and offering me her body in plain view of every rogue in here. Bold move. But she was nothing if not that. She thought I'd give in and said yes to this venture to rescue someone she loved because of some misplaced honor. Not in the least! I said yes because I intend to wreak vengeance on her, for what she did to me. Every chance I get, I'm going to make her miserable. And I'm going to take great pleasure in doing so. Welcome to my world Warrioress. Where the price of vengeance comes much higher than a bit o' coin.

Ryder Radstille, a young warrior from Khenealm is known for two things: his title as "The Roar" for his strength and the other for his ten-year long contract with his sigil partner named Raeya. But ever since their last war with the Shadows, he had been distancing his self from her as he was in the stage of healing from their losses. The Shadows took advantage of Ryder's dilemma and they keep on attempting to revive the wars. Ryder is faced with two things: to save the world; and to protect the one whom the whole world really means to him.

Jeremy has a dark secret that could destroy his life if he's not careful, and she goes by the name Isabella... Isabella promised Jeremy that their one-night tryst was just that; that no one would ever find out the sworn enemies had shared a passionate night together. But now Isabella is a wanted woman, on the run from the wolf pack that kidnapped her, and she's desperate enough to do just about anything to stay alive. When fate brings her back to Jeremy, rivalry becomes passion, and suddenly more than just her freedom is at stake. Jeremy will fight to the death for the healing Isabella brings to his battle-worn heart; and for this cowboy wolf, all's fair in love and war...

A story about brotherhood and friendship, even wars, schemes, and tactics. All set in the late antiquity of Pars, in the fictional capital of Clapestris. On a rainy fateful day, two separate legends are born and brought together as siblings. Being known as a freeloader, all that Darina wanted to have is a secured place in the palace. As a prince, Thariem has a responsibility to secure his way to the throne. Surrounded by royal jealousies and war-like times, Darina and Thariem are competing against each other. In the midst of their competition, a tragic event agitate. Bound to perform their heroics, they are set together to resolve the tragedy while thriving to find themselves and win their desires. With all the prowess and sacrifices they can allot, they have to redeem their kingdom from its downfall, while there is still time.

Paige's world is turned upside down when she discovers her boyfriend in the arms of her half-sister. To make matters worse, her parents force her into a loveless marriage with a bankrupt billionaire's son to save their failing business. Left with no choice, she finally agrees after her step-mother promises to pay for her mother's kidney transplant. Little did she know that her soon-to-be husband was the guy she had a one-night stand with after a dare! Will Paige's life take a positive turn after the marriage, or will it continue to spiral downward?

~The HYBRID LUNA's Sequel~ “You disobeyed our rules princess, you are going to be punished.” Knox, her vampire mate said. “Yeah, don't act like you hate it, we can smell your arousal princess, your pussy is dripping wet. Now, come here.” Delaney gulped. Of course, she was aroused! How can you see these two hotties and not get wet? ... After finding out her parents were the main cause of the clash between werewolves and vampires, Delaney went into hiding only to discover she was pregnant. What was she supposed to do with a werewolf baby? What will her vampire mate do when he finds out? *** Book 1: Mated To The Alpha Kings Book 2: Return Of The Hybrid Queen Book 3: Enslaved By The Ruthless Vampire King

"You're so beautiful" she blushed, placing her hands on his face. "The most handsome", she said, still looking at him with the most beautiful hazel eyes. "Take your hands off me" He snapped, pulling away creating distance between them but she closed it...again. "Leave!" He warned for the last time as his last restraint slipped away, fangs elongating. Fear gripped her, she ran but couldn't make it past the door. Catching her swiftly, he slammed her hard on the wall. "Too late princess" he hissed, as his beast surfaced. Nicole is a beautiful regular vampire female, with eyes that keep you locked, leaving heads turning whenever she walks past. But for some weird reason she never fancies any male vampires that came her way until she met Lucas, the most powerful hybrid.. To Nicole, he is just an ordinary man, the most handsome she has ever seen but never did she know that Lucas is no man but a super hybrid vampire who survives only on the blood of vampires. Falling completely for his charm, will Nicole meet her end? Or is the predator about to fall in love with the prey??