The Smoking Mirror Chapter 1

“I'm so sorry, Leo,” I rasped, my voice barely a whisper. Tears of guilt and self-blame streamed down my cheeks as I stood before him, eyes cast downward. Despite the fact that I was his prisoner and he was my warden, I couldn't bear the thought of anything bad happening to him. I told him, “It's my fault. I shouldn't have let you go-” “Damn it, Alessandra. I don't want your apology,” Leonardo snapped, lifting my chin with a firm finger, forcing me to meet his gaze. His voice was hard as steel as he continued, “I want you to write a fucking essay about how much you think about me. How you crave my touch. I want to hear you say you love me, because I swear it in this life, mia principessa, there won't be anyone else but me.” ----------------------------------------------------- When Alessandra Scavelli is forced into marrying Leonardo De Castello, her childhood sweetheart turned feared mafia kingpin, her world is thrown into chaos. Leonardo, still madly in love with her, sees this as a chance to reclaim their lost romance. Alessandra, however, is torn by a secret mission handed to her by her family: infiltrate Leonardo's syndicate and bring it down from within. As she delves into Leonardo's dangerous world, Alessandra finds herself conflicted between her family’s demands and the undeniable pull of her own heart. The once clear lines between loyalty and love blur, and she must navigate a treacherous path where betrayal lurks at every corner. Will Alessandra follow through with her family's plan, or will she surrender to the passion that threatens to consume her?

Charlotte Hope, a teenager who tried to escape her sorrowful fate find hope to a person who fulfilled everything she dreamed of, not until everything has changed. Unknowingly, that person is just the other part of his personality. Will she embrace the violent side of the person or will she let him go?

BLURB: “TRUE LOVE DOESN’T COME AT THE PERFECT TIME. IT COMES WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECTING IT.” Mhia got betrayed by her boyfriend many times. Pero paulit-ulit pa rin niya itong pinatawad dahil naniniwala siyang magbabago pa ito. Ngunit, nang masagad nito ang pasensya niya, siya na rin mismo ang pumutol sa sariling kat*ngahan. She ended up in the arms of a stranger. Si Skyler dela Merced; ang taong napakaraming lihim. Paano nga ba niya ito makikilala nang lubusan kung sa bawat subok niya, palagi na'y nagsasara ito ng pintuan? At paano niya mapaniniwala ang lalaki na may pag-ibig, kung siya mismo ay nagdududa na sa totoong kahulugan niyon?

Catalina Ramirez has always been the subject of gossip on campus—labeled a playgirl not for what she did, but because of what people think they saw. When her long-distance boyfriend left for the Philippines, rumors flew that she cheated with her boy best friend, Aiden. What no one knew was that Aiden was simply protective of her, always by her side, never crossing the line. But to others, closeness easily looked like something more. With striking blue eyes as calm and deep as the ocean, Catalina doesn’t need to lift a finger to catch anyone’s attention. Her beauty is effortless, her voice captivating. As a member of a rising campus band, she sings with a passion that defies the quiet disapproval of her mother. Who has always tried to pull her away from music. Catalina feels it deep in her bones: her mother is hiding something from her, something about her past, something she’s not ready to confront. Then came Logan Axel Tyndall. At first, Catalina thought it was nothing but a harmless crush, an infatuation she’d get over in a week or two. She tried to laugh it off, but soon found herself stalking him, chasing after the way he walked, talked, and carried the world like he knew more than he let on. Before she knew it, she wasn’t just falling... she was drowning in him. But Logan wasn’t just another boy. He held the missing pieces of a puzzle she never knew she was trying to solve. Through him, secrets begin to unravel. Questions long buried rise to the surface.

For my own benefits, I need to stop the CEO's wedding. For my reputation, I need to marry the CEO. That was years ago... Now, for my heart, I need to hide myself and my son to the CEO who's also his father. While I am taking my revenge.

Hebe woke up one day realizing she's in love with Gael, her best friend. She promised she would do anything and everything just to make him hers—whatever it takes, whatever is at stake; so she devised a way for the two of them to get married. The only problem? Gael is gay.

His life is full of violence, blood and death. His name is Cerberus, that's what they call him because he's vicious, cruel, and ruthless. To be The Mafia leader you have to be, fearless, heartless and shameless, to have what you want, to get what you want and to own what you want. Gabriel 30 years, the leader of the black cross mafia or family as he calls it, he's well known everywhere due to his cruel acts. Ariel a sweet 18 years high school girl innocent, shy, kind and pure. The girl who always sees the good in people even though they can't see it themselves. She's a believer that everyone matters and everyone must have a chance. These two people will meet, their worlds collide, their life won't be the same. Is the gangster going to be changed by the angel or the pure soul of the angel is going to be tainted.

Dahil lamang sa isang halik ay natagpuan na lamang ni Iris ang sarili na ikinasal na siya kay Sebastian Buenavista, ang nag-iisa at susunod sa pagiging Mafia ng pamilyang Buenavista. Noong una ay hindi niya ito matanggap na ikinasal siya sa isang katulad ni Sebastian pero habang tumatagal ay napapaamo na ng binata ang malamig nitong puso at natagpuan na lamang ni Iris ang sarili na unti-unti na siyang nahuhulog sa binata. Habang lumalalim ang pagmamahal nila sa isa't-isa ay unti-unti ng lumalabas ang mga sikretong itinago ni Sebastian. Sa oras na malaman niya ito ay handa kaya siyang manatili sa tabi nito hanggang dulo?

“You seem to have forgotten that you’re not marrying a commoner, Alina. You’re marrying the prince of all vampires, so look alive and get me some coffee.” Alina Deluca lives a normal life up in the Californian north. At least that’s what she makes the world believe. Locked within her hypnotising emerald eyes are horrors she could never speak of, even if it killed her. Erick Stayton, the vampire prince, is her nightmare. To her, he was no more than a cold, savage predator that lusted for her blood and took away everything she had during that one traumatising night four years ago. Problem is, she is bound to be his bride. Mustering her every strength to set things right in her awry life, she gets embroiled in an ages-old feud and a struggle for power of mind-boggling proportions. Strangely enough, she finds herself connecting with Erick in ways she never knew she could. Suddenly, everything is not what it seems. Is Erick the heartless monster Alina makes him out to be? Will a vampire law made eons ago be the undoing of the whole vampire race? Will heat-ed passion bloom in these bloodiest of times? Sink your fangs into an exhilarating journey to the supernatural world with Anna Kendra’s The Vampire’s Bride. Packed with plot twists in every turn, this book will surely leave you reeling for more.

A student on a school camping trip gets possessed by an unknown creature; giving him special abilities and forcing him to its bidding, thus bringing a devastating threat to the camp and its surroundings. Has an elusive evil truly returned? Can the possessed student find a way to regain full control? And what are the origin and motives of the creature? Dive into a world of ignorance, mysteries, and thrills as the Unknown Origins series unfolds. Black River (Apocalypse Uprising) [Major sub-story synopsis] Dolly and her best friend Chesa go on a trip to visit the enchanted river, unaware of the strange happenings in the community living close to it. What will happen if their quest for paradise leads to desperate attempts to survive? and will they ever return home from the nightmare? [sub-stories in this book can be read at anytime the reader wishes, but it is advised to follow the plot sequentially. See note for more information. This book is rated 16+ because of its dark theme.]