The Distant Echo

Jessa Gencianeo, a woman who married secretly to her long-time boyfriend, because she unexpectedly got pregnant by him. Her life wasn’t indeed a fairytale throughout their marriage, because she suffered hell especially in the hands of her husband’s family. But the hell she was suffering intensified when her OB-Gynecologist told all of them that her son was positive for Down Syndrome. With that, her husband suddenly became cold and distant to her, because she was carrying a baby with Down Syndrome which made her heart shattered, especially that her husband started to cheat on her, and committed an affair behind her back with his childhood bestfriend who eventually got pregnant which made her husband, and his family thrilled. She felt alone and rejected while being pregnant, because they were even really proud of her husband’s infidelity. She couldn’t take it anymore when her mother-in-law wanted to kill her and her child, so she ran away after she signed the annulment papers. She thought after she was freed from her first marriage, she would live at peace, but still being chased by chaos. Her ex-husband’s family wanted to kill her and her baby inside her womb. Out of nowhere, she was being hit and run by a mysterious car which made her life at risk. But before she passed out, she saw who the mastermind behind it was, and it was her mother-in-law with a triumphant smirk. But little did she know that a miracle would change her life, and make her rise from the ashes after she was being saved by a Zillionaire Old Lady who was Doña McKenna Hermosa-Accardi who would help her to avenge, and would also play cupid to be a matchmaker for her to be a Mafia Lord’s Zillionaire Wife.

Kathalina Ruiz never believed in fairy tales. Her mother's dying wish bound her to enigmatic CEO Thirdie Stone in an arranged marriage she accepted out of duty, not romance. Yet somewhere between quiet nights and fragile smiles, Kathalina fell deeply for her distant husband only to keep her love locked away, too afraid it would never be returned. For three years, their marriage balanced on politeness and silence. Then one stormy afternoon shattered it all. Kathalina walked into Thirdie's office and found another woman-half-naked-sitting on his lap. Without demanding an explanation, she signed the divorce papers he placed before her, his gaze as cold as the ink that sealed their separation. What she never knew was that Thirdie's betrayal was a lie... a desperate act to protect her from the dangerous threats circling his empire. Heartbroken and grieving, Kathalina fled abroad. From the ashes of her pain, she rebuilt herself into a celebrated jewelry designer, admired for her elegance and independence. But fate had other plans. Years later, her mother's lawyer makes a revelation she has inherited a vast fortune and controlling shares in Stone Corporation. The life and the man she tried to escape are waiting for her return. Back in the city where it all began, Kathalina comes face-to-face with Thirdie once more. Old wounds resurface, secrets linger in every shadow, and danger draws closer than ever. Now, she must decide to protect her heart from the man who once broke it or uncover the truth he buried......a truth that could change everything she thought she knew about their past. A story of love, sacrifice, and second chances, The Stones We Keep asks.....is it ever too late to believe in a love that never truly died?

Jacob kissed Emily’s forehead and smiled at her. “You always make me happy, Amy.” Emily smiled, but then she frowned and froze. Did she misheard what Jacob said? Jacob called her Amy. Could it be that it just slipped off the tongue? Amy Hoffner, or Amy Brooke before she married Samuel Hoffner, was Emily’s distant cousin. Samuel was one of the ten eligible billionaire bachelors in their country and also in the continent before marrying Amy. Unfortunately, Amy was also Jacob’s ex-fiancee. “What did you say?” Emily asked, unsure if she heard him correctly. *** Emily Brooke (twenty-two years old) fell in love with Jacob years ago. Years later, she finds out that her parents are discussing an arranged marriage for her with the man she loves. Jacob Jefferson (thirty-five years old) starts a new life and becomes a successful billionaire, only to find he is in an arranged marriage. Though he doesn’t like it at first, he changes his mind as soon as he meets Emily. However, the chance for a happily ever after is broken with a harsh reality when Emily finds out the real reason why Jacob accepts the arranged marriage. Later, Emily also knows about Jacob’s secret identity as a mafia’s leader. When everything is messed up, Emily meets with her savior, Harold Montgomery. But then, Harold also has a complicated background. With Jacob and Harold later fighting to win her heart, who will Emily choose in the end? Will she find a happily ever after? *** The book is a crossover (combination) of Billionaire/Romance and Mafia genre) and a spin-off of My Beloved Billionaire, but both books can be read as stand-alone. For the most enjoyable reading experience, please read My Beloved Billionaire first.

Nora and Noah's story from contracted: Love in the Shadow. "Hey, Nora..." Noah tried calling her, she ignored him. He bit his lips in anger, as her hand touched the doorknob, he yelled, no, more like roared, "DANYON!" Nora immediately froze in place. She closed her eyes for a second, fighting back tears. that name--- Noah, seeing her wounded expression, took a deep breath, "Look, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to--" "Don't," she snarled, haughtily glaring at him. “Don’t you even think about it.” “Nora—" He began to say, but she turned her back on him and stormed out of his office, ignoring the many eyes that followed her. ** Nora Danyon wasn’t supposed to survive the crash that killed her husband and children. Stripped of everything—her family, her sanity, and her will to live—she’s forced to start over in a world that feels colder than ever. And just when the darkness threatens to swallow her whole, he shows up… Noah Bamford—her late husband’s best friend and the man she once secretly loved. But Noah isn’t the same boy from the past. He’s distant, guarded, and haunted by ghosts of his own. Still, his presence pulls her back to life—until one stolen kiss in an elevator changes everything. Now emotions are spiraling, old wounds are ripping open, and just when Nora starts to believe in love again… Noah betrays her in the most unforgivable way. Now Nora is forced to male a choice ------ In a world where nothing is promised, and love isn’t written in contracts, can two broken souls rewrite the rules—or will their story end in ruins? There is drama, there is hate, and there is love, and above all, do they deserve a second chance? Sit back and enjoy the ride.

"Alpha Richard, my Alpha's bride just escaped. Karen is gone." He announced, glaring down at my father like an evil Ogre.  "W-what, how is that possible?" My father stuttered, and for the first time in my life, I saw true fear in his eyes. Karen escaped, the bride to-be. "Guards!" The man continued, his dark, cold, uncanny black eyes flitting towards me.  "Seize the princess. If we can't find Karen, she'll be the replacement." *** On her eighteenth birthday, Princess Andrea's world is turned upside down when her sister, who was set to marry, escapes her impending nuptials. Her father, the pack's leader, makes a fateful decision: Andrea will take her sister's place at the altar. Yet, Andrea's heart already belongs to another, until she finds her lover in bed with another woman. Saddened and enraged Andrea accepts the arranged marriage and a husband she doesn't know with open arms.  As the new bride of Alpha Ronin, she discovers that he, too, is not what he seems. Cold, distant and wanting nothing do to with their marriage, he is not at all the husband Andrea envisioned beside her. Secrets and hidden desires begin to unravel as their journey takes a dangerous turn. As they navigate the treacherous path of deception, Andrea's heartache and Ronin's conflicted feelings bind them together in unexpected ways. Just as the pack's elders, powerful alliances, and envious lovers threaten to tear them apart.  Amidst the turmoil, Andrea faces the challenges of her new role as Luna, determined to break traditions and empower the she-wolves in her pack. Ronin, burdened by a dark history, wrestles with the truth about his past and the uncertain future that lies ahead. But will they be able to protect their newfound love? Or will forces beyond their control rip them apart forever?

“Hm. Sounds like this little mouse wants to play. I can’t promise you more than tonight, Emerald, but let’s not deny we both want this,” his silky voice overwhelms me as he gently strokes my hair behind my shoulders. I do want this. I want him. Hell, even my wolf is jumping around in the back of my mind in excitement. What do I have to lose? After tonight, this would mean nothing to him. And I can say I did something for myself for once. This doesn’t have to be anything but one night. “What do you want, Sir?” I ask him softly. With no warning, he crashes his lips into mine. -------------- Emerald Patience Stone is the second eldest of the five Stone Sisters. Known for her strengths as a strategist, Emmy excels in thinking one step ahead of her opponents. As smart and strategic as she is, she couldn't foresee being used and turned down by men. Accepting her fate as always being second-choice, Emmy makes a plan to go out on her own and pursue her own dreams, rather than sacrificing her wants for her family, again. That plan is ruined when Emmy is, once again, asked to help her family forge an alliance with another pack, to help defend against a shared enemy. Alpha Vincenzo is the distant, but caring, Alpha of the Forza Pack. With a dark past, he has accepted that he is destined for a life alone- filling his evenings with meaningless one-night stands. After all, he is cursed, and won't risk hurting anyone else. Will Emmy and Vincenzo be able to defeat the enemy lurking in the shadows? Will they open themselves to the possibility of love once more? Book 2 of The Stone Sister Series: Book 1: Fearing Fate

« Si nous étions tous les deux en danger, qui penses-tu que Jared sauverait en premier ? », demande-t-elle soudain. « Quoi ? » Je n’ai pas le temps de réfléchir à ses mots, car la minute suivante, je sens une poussée dans mon dos et je perds l’équilibre, glissant dans les escaliers jusqu’à atterrir au bas des marches. ***************** Arielle a tout pour être heureuse–une carrière florissante en tant que chef talentueuse et un mariage réussi avec un milliardaire. Bien que son mari soit d’un naturel distant, elle est convaincue qu’il tient profondément à elle. Elle est satisfaite de leur relation et apprécie ce qu’ils partagent. À un jour de leur troisième anniversaire de mariage, elle découvre qu’elle est enceinte. Remplie d’excitation et d’espoir, elle imagine déjà partager cette nouvelle avec son mari, certaine que cela apportera des changements positifs à leur famille et adoucira peut-être même son caractère réservé. Cependant, le destin en décide autrement. Avant qu’elle n’ait pu annoncer sa grossesse, une figure inattendue du passé de son mari réapparaît : sa « vieille amie ». Alors que cette nouvelle venue s’immisce dans leur vie, sans qu’Arielle ne s’en rende compte, cette arrivée bouleversera tout ce qu’elle pensait savoir sur son mariage, sur son mari et sur elle-même.

Lily, a vibrant 25-year-old woman, has spent years building a life with her charming but emotionally distant boyfriend, Mark. When Mark unexpectedly ends their relationship, revealing he has been seeing someone else, Lily is left heartbroken and betrayed. Reeling from the emotional devastation, Lily decides to focus on her career and personal growth, hoping to heal from the wounds of her past. In a twist of fate, Lily’s career path leads her to Richard, the powerful and charismatic CEO of the company where Mark works. Unlike Mark, Richard is everything Lily needs—intelligent, kind, and supportive. When Richard offers Lily a position to work closely with him, their professional relationship evolves into something much more personal. Drawn to his strength and empathy, Lily slowly begins to open her heart to the possibility of love again. But Mark, unable to let go of the woman he once controlled, becomes consumed by jealousy when he sees Lily with Richard. Determined to win her back, Mark’s obsession quickly turns dangerous. When Lily rejects his attempts to rekindle their toxic relationship, Mark's need for control spirals into violent rage. As his jealousy deepens, Mark’s once-charming demeanor morphs into something far darker—he becomes a villain determined to destroy everything Lily has built with Richard. As if Mark’s growing obsession weren’t enough, another threat arises from Richard’s past. Samantha, Richard’s vengeful ex-wife, resurfaces, determined to sabotage Richard’s happiness and reclaim the life she lost. Caught between the malevolent forces of both Mark and Samantha, Lily’s life becomes a battle for survival, love, and self-worth. With Mark’s dangerous obsession escalating and Samantha’s manipulative tactics threatening her career and reputation,

Delfina Poletti is a twenty-four-year-old woman raised by deeply religious but loving parents. Her faith and view of the world is shattered when her cousin tangles with the wrong crowd, putting their lives into danger. Trading her life for theirs, Delfina marries a mob underboss for the Matrone family, Ercole Muraro,more than fifty years older. When he suddenly dies, Ercole’s family comes out of the woodwork demanding answers Delfina cannot provide. Furio “The CEO” Matrone, is head of the Matrone family mafia. A billionaire in his own right he is tasked by his father to make sure Delfina never reveals the truth behind her marriage contract, even after her husband’s death. Furio twice her age, has been her secret crush since the day they met. While she suffered under Ercole, it was of his godson Furio, Delfina dreamed. Ruggero Rapallino, a billionaire who worked hard to keep his businesses distant from his grandfather’s dirty dealings, is desperate. From the day Ercole Muraro introduced him to Delfina, Ruggero wanted her, secretly lusting after his grandfather’s wife. Finding out the old man left nothing to her in his will he finds himself provided the opportunity to find out more and to insert himself into her life. He wants to be her savior and to right the wrongs he knows the dead man committed. Delfina finds herself torn between a nice guy and the wickedest man she’s ever met. One can give her peace and serenity while the other makes her want to watch the world burn. What’s a girl to do when she has two hot men pounding on her bedroom door? Try them all on for size, of course.

Aujourd’hui, c’est notre troisième anniversaire de mariage. Le dîner est prêt… mais il n’est jamais rentré. Notre union n’a jamais été faite d’amour, juste d’un malentendu. Trois ans sans enfant, une belle-mère qui ne m’a jamais acceptée, un mari distant, et pourtant… je l’aime encore. Il y a trois jours, j’ai appris que j’étais enceinte. Ce soir, j’espérais lui annoncer la nouvelle. Mais une notification a tout brisé : une photo de lui, en train d’embrasser ma sœur. J’ai reconnu le lieu. J’ai pris mes clés. Je suis rentrée seule. J’ai passé la nuit à pleurer. Dans la chambre d’à côté, ils ont fait l’amour. Et moi, recroquevillée sur un canapé, j’ai touché le fond. Le matin, c’est sa mère qui m’a réveillée avec un seau d’eau glacée. Elle m’a hurlé que je n’étais plus sa belle-fille, que je n’avais plus rien à faire ici. Alors je suis partie , trempée, humiliée, brisée. Mais dans ma poche, il y a ce papier froissé. Le prénom d’un inconnu. Un regard posé sur moi, hier soir. Le seul qui m’ait vraiment vue. Peut-être que c’est là que tout commence.