The Free Library Of Philadelphia

Madison Byers returns to the dazzling city of Los Angeles, determined to reclaim her family's legacy after the tragic loss of her father. Yet, standing in her way is a menacing uncle with ambitions to seize her father's empire. In a city where power and wealth rule, Madison's last hope for redemption takes an unexpected twist when she shares a passionate one-night encounter with Tyler Marshal, the charismatic billionaire playboy. Tyler Marshal, accustomed to a world of deceit and danger, suddenly finds himself captivated by Madison's wit and determination. Their lives collide, and a whirlwind of events propels them into an arranged marriage neither of them saw coming. As they navigate the treacherous waters of high society, deceit, and hidden agendas, the fate of their families hangs in the balance. Trusts are shattered, and long-buried secrets claw their way to the surface. In a city where destiny can change with a stolen kiss or a fleeting touch, Madison and Tyler must dance to the unpredictable tune of fate while facing relentless opposition at every turn. Sometimes, destiny also begins with the brush of lips or touch, but how well can both parties dance to its tune with the many oppositions?. In "Thorns of the Heart", a tale of love, intrigue and power, will they emerge victorious or be consumed by their demons?

When my husband returned home to visit his parents, I noticed that he forgot to bring back the specialties he had bought. I ran after him, only to find him getting out of a car in a suit. His childhood friend stepped forward to welcome him. They held hands and smiled as they looked into each other’s eyes. They looked like a happy, newlywed couple. Only when my husband saw me standing not too far away did he hurriedly distance himself from his childhood friend. “Her mother’s critically ill, and her mother’s only wish is to see her get married. I’m just helping her.” I simply smiled. I pushed him right back to his childhood friend’s side and started cheering with everyone else. “When’s the baby coming?! I’ll be sure to wrap a nice gift!”

Not every love story ends in happiness, and sometimes, the most painful twists come not from fate, but from our own choices. Yeonho loved Vaani—but he couldn’t save her. Zane loved Vanessa—but his own actions led to her death. Now, Zane has been granted a second chance—an opportunity few are ever given. Thrown into a time he never knew, with questions that have no answers, Zane must unravel the mystery of his survival and the purpose of his unexpected return. What is he meant to do in a world where he never existed? Can he right the wrongs of the past, and what sacrifices will he make to ensure his future? The clock is ticking, and Zane's journey to redemption is about to begin. Will he find the strength to rewrite his fate—or will history repeat itself?

In the remote Arctic, where the nights stretch for months and air crackles with ancient magic, werewolf packs emerge breathing life into the cursed cold. With time, humans migrate, sharing an uneasy harmony with the pack. Fiona Ashford grows up with soon-to-be alpha Jason Frostwood and is ready to stand beside him to usher in the new era and bind the two powerful packs. Two nights before the wedding, she learns of his infatuation with Lena, a human girl. She is too late to intervene and it culminates in a public rejection that shatters her world. While Jason faces the wrath of his pack and the terrifying possibility of losing everything for a love that society deems forbidden, Fiona must navigate her shattered heart while wrestling with the idea of punishing Lena for Jason's betrayal.

Izobel Rodriguez, a hybrid, has always been unsure of what she will become. For years, she discovered she possessed greater strength, power, and abilities than her siblings. Coming from a line of descent powerful families of vampires and werewolves, they were always in hiding, their story was never told and they must never be discovered. Until she met Ethan, their annoying neighbor, who awakened her inner self, making her fall in love. Only then does she realize that the connection Ethan and she created brought disaster and jeopardy to the secret they have been protecting for a very long time.

Sometimes there are times when your own salvation is not at all happy. For example, you managed to break away from assassins, but at the same time crossed the border of the cursed forest. Or killed the werewolf that bit you, and the first full moon, when you have to turn into a monster, is expected in only seven days. Or… when the one who agreed to help you seems more and more not a person. But maybe the latter is just not so bad after all?

I'm the ultimate predator, a bear shifter. I live by a code. Hunt or be hunted. Kill or be killed. Then I meet her. The second I catch her scent, I know she was meant for me. She was born to wear my mark and I was born to protect her. She belonged to my enemy until I took her. He wants her back. He'll wage war to get her, but no one's taking her from me. She's mine, and I'm not letting her go.

Claire Hanzel was an omega by birth with an extraordinary power: she can communicate with witches, dead or alive. As her race was always considered the lowest and she was rejected by her mate, the Alpha King's son, Ajax Larwoods, Claire felt heartbroken and went to seclusion with the help of a witch. Thinking back on how poorly she was treated by everyone, including Ajax himself, Claire was resolute to live a new life where she can be free and happy. So when Ajax suddenly appeared to her peaceful abode and almost killed everyone surrounding Claire, Claire was beyond speechless. With a horrible but powerful alpha such as Ajax, Claire was imprisoned and suffered through the hands of her very own mate. Every full moon, she prayed to never want to see Ajax ever again, even in their next lives. But as if fate continued to play its trick on her, when the war emerged and she died, on her rebirth with memories intact, Claire found herself facing her scum alpha mate once again. But why was Ajax suddenly showing her differently? He was the cause of her demise. He was a scum alpha... he was, right? Status. Identity. Power. When everyone wished for omegas to die, one omega desired to live. This was the story of a powerful alpha and his brave, little omega who wanted to change the world's views, challenged by the hands of fate.

It was not pleasant for her to grow up at her uncle's place after her parents died. Despite various problems, she used to be happy with herself. She spread love and harmony in the family. She was grateful to her uncle and was patient with her aunt and cousin. However, her life took a sharp turn when her aunt sold her for surrogacy to repay massive debts. She agreed to this arrangement to pay back her upbringing. When she gave birth to twins, she fled with one baby. She assumed her path would never cross again with the stranger who had gotten her pregnant. But she was proved wrong when a handsome, wealthy man approached her and asked her to be the mother of his son, who was the same age as her son. Is good luck knocking at her door? Or is destiny playing another nasty game with her?

Merida was a certified black sheep of the family. She loves to hear her grandmother's story about fairies, dragons, pirates and princesses and her favorite was the tale about the legendary pirate named Escarial, and a Princess called Athalia. Listening to her grandma’s folktales was her routine all throughout her eighteen years of existence. That’s why when her grandmother died without having at least a last talk with her, she turned badly depressed. She didn’t go to school at all, and just stayed in her grandmother’s room to lock herself away from the rest of the world. Three days after her grandmother’s funeral, strange things happened in her room. The painting her old woman often gazed on suddenly moved and glowed. She succumbed to it, helpless, and had nothing to do to save herself because of the force that was beyond overwhelming. The next thing she knew, she was in North Sonnenfield. What’s more shocking to her was the name she’s called as by her servants; Princess Athalia—the heir of the throne, and the only daughter of King Eldar of North Sonnenfield. She was in awe, because she remembered that King Eldar was the character in the story. The palace where she found herself lost was the same place where the brave princess who ventured the dangerous sea had lived. She loves being in a Sonnenfield. However, she knew to herself that the day will come when she would wake up from a dream. But life always has a twist because Captain Escarial came to the scene. She expects that he will be gentleman just like pirate captain in the book. But to her horror, this Captain Escarial is snobbish, rude and proud. Oh, how she hates him!