the strange adventure of a broke mercenary

Violet eyes with piercing sight. Mane of gold in pale moonlight. Skin so hard and lily white. Voice so soft, yet filled with might. He comes to me in the dark of night. Flash of teeth, smile so slight. There is no fear, no need to fight. In his embrace, I crave his bite. -S.R. Michele, or Shelly to those closest to her, is a typical 21 yr old, trying to find her way in life. She has good family, a close circle of friends. She's outgoing and friendly, and a bit reckless and impulsive sometimes. And she has certain gifts...when she touches things, she can see into the past, she can feel what was felt by others, and she can sense things before they happen. Ok, so maybe she's not so typical. An impromptu trip to New Orleans, a party on Bourbon Street, and an attempted assault in a dark alley lead her into a world she didn't know existed...but one she's not afraid of. She doesn't know if the violet-eyed stranger that comes to her rescue, and follows her home, is a friend or a foe - and honestly, she doesn't care. Once you've had a taste of the darkness, it's hard to pull away... **** This book was written in the late 1990's - early 2000's, and originally published in 2004, under the title: Diary of a Vampire by S.M. Royston. It was my first book, and it wasn't long until I came to hate it! (Please, don't look it up - I promise you, it's terrible) So here we are, years later, and I've decided to throw out my original work, and re-write it. Because I'm the author, and I can do that. The story, characters, and settings are the same - but the writing style is different, and in my opinion, much, much better. I hope you enjoy it. ****

Four years ago, following a betrayal from her half-sister and boyfriend, Diane McKenzie was involved in a ghastly accident that cost the life of her unborn baby. Now, Diane is determined to make a name for herself by working hard and reaching the highest status quo in society so she could get revenge on the people who betrayed her so badly. She gets a job in the popular Redskins Group of Company as a storekeeper and everything seems to be going well until she is locked in the warehouse and finds a little boy of three, who is inexplicably attached to her. The boy with his bright green eyes reminds her so much of what her son would have been if he didn't die at such an unexpected moment. Diane is thrown into a dilemma when her boss —Lucius Blackwood, who turns out to be the little boy's father offers her a proposal she finds impossible to refuse... Secrets are uncovered and identities unfold but Diane is completely oblivious to Lucius' true identity and the boy's abilities…

Bridget's lips curled slightly into a satisfied smirk. “We’ll see. Start the car and drive me to the city.” “Yes, ma’am,” Hans said as he opened the passenger door for her. As the car pulled out of the mansion’s long driveway, Bridget couldn’t help but notice Hans's composure. His movements were precise, his demeanor calm. “You drive well,” she remarked. “Thank you, ma’am,” Hans replied without breaking his focus on the road. Bridget tilted her head, studying him. “Why become a driver?” she asked suddenly. Hans hesitated for a moment. “Personal reasons, ma’am.” “Hmm. You’re full of secrets, aren’t you?” Bridget teased, though her tone carried genuine curiosity. Somehow, she wanted to know the deepest of the deepest of his driver. That's how it works for her. Maybe. Before Hans could reply, she noticed a black SUV trailing close behind them. Her instincts, sharp as ever, kicked in. “Hans, speed up,” she commanded. “We’re being followed.” “Yes, ma’am,” Hans said, immediately accelerating, maintaining his composed demeanor, and his expertise in driving. The black SUV matched their pace, confirming Bridget's suspicion. “Lose them,” she ordered, gripping her seatbelt. Hans’s hands moved deftly across the wheel, taking sharp turns and expertly navigating the highway. Bridget watched in amazement, realizing he was no ordinary driver. “Who are you, really?” she asked, her voice low and filled with intrigue. “Just your driver, ma’am,” Hans replied with a faint smile.

At the ripe age of Nineteen, Adeline Matthews had Lost her father, who happens to be the only family she had. After the death of her father, she is tasked to look for her mother, the one she never knew she had. She gets thrown to her mother's world, where she meets her new family; her husband

Aria was the Luna of the Winter Mist pack, renowned for her achievements in war strategy. Her contribution was crucial in her pack becoming the most powerful in the entire country. Everything in her life should be perfect. ...Except it wasn't. In actuality, Aria's life was anything but successful. She was helpless to the whims of her abusive Alpha mate and his mistress. A mate who never loved her. As she watches their relationship grow, her options are to run away or die trying to keep her Luna position. But this is not the story of how Aria sways his closed-off heart until he finally loves her. No, this is the story of how Aria died. So when she is faced with the opportunity to go back in time and try again... will she take it? ...Or is she fated to relive her mistakes all over again? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "...And if I refuse?" I asked hesitantly. "Then you will remain in the Abyss, forever reliving your earthly memories." My mind recalled the images that had just tormented me, showing me my death over and over again. I knew now she must have shown me that strategically so I had a taste of what my refusal would look like. "Then I don't want to be Luna again... and I don't want to be Aleric's mate," I said, surprising even myself that I was bargaining with a Goddess. But I couldn't shake the feeling something seemed off. "That is the fate I have chosen for you." "Then I don't accept," I argued. "I think there is something you're not telling me. A reason why you need me to go back so badly." She was silent, her silver eyes regarding me warily. "...So I am correct," I said, taking her silence as confirmation.

His birth is an abomination, a child that should never have been born but he came forth still, on that turbulent night. Conceived from the emergence of two enemy entities of clans that never agree, he is a disaster waiting to unleash. In order to prevent this calamity, and secure the future of his entire park, Alpha Grayson does the one thing he deemed right, sealing the child's Wolf. But the greatest of werewolves that ever existed is yet to awake.

Violet Harris never imagined her life would become a headline. As the daughter of a prominent CEO, she’s used to the shadows, quietly juggling her dreams and a part-time job. But when her father arranges her marriage to Anthony Daniels, the enigmatic heir to the Daniels Group, her carefully curated world unravels. Anthony Daniels is everything Violet detests: privileged, cold, and a man who makes it clear that love has no place in their union. Yet as Violet steps reluctantly into his world of power and prestige, she begins to see cracks in his icy exterior. Small moments of vulnerability hint at something deeper, leaving her torn between resentment and curiosity. Their uneasy alliance takes a turn when long-buried secrets emerge, revealing the true motives behind their marriage. Betrayed by those she trusted most, Violet must decide whether to walk away from Anthony or confront the growing feelings she’s desperate to ignore. As power, pride, and passion collide, Violet and Anthony discover that the strongest bonds are forged in the unlikeliest of places. Will they rise above the sins of their families, or will their love remain a fleeting shade of what could have been? A Shade of Violet is a sweeping tale of heartbreak, redemption, and love blooming in the face of adversity.

After three years of living with my wife’s family, everyone thought they could treat me like a pushover. Me? I’m just waiting for her to hold my hand before I can give her the world.

Kas Mason isn't just a werewolf. She's also a Goddess. One of the Moon Goddess' fifty daughters known as the Menae. After Kas dies from starvation in the dungeon of her own packhouse, at the order of her mate, Bronx, the Moon Goddess gives her a second chance at life. When Bronx, children of her friends, and children of the ranked members of the pack suddenly go missing, it's up to Kas to accept her heritage and fight for the ones she loves the most to bring them home, even if it costs her life. Note from the author: This is the third book in The Blood River Series. I recommend reading Forever in the Future and Forever in the Past AND Daughters of the Moon Goddess before starting this book.

Asher Crayson, a billionaire accustomed to wealth, fame, and comfort, finds himself perpetually unable to discover genuine love or a life partner. Then, enters Adina Lois Kenan, a remarkable rarity in today's world – a virgin. Adina's friends mistakenly label her as overly virtuous and conspire to deceive her, ultimately leaving her in Asher's bed. In Asher's eyes, she seems like just another conquest, another woman who willingly threw herself at his mercy. Their night together takes a dark turn, as she lies unconscious, and Asher's actions border on assault. The presence of blood on the bed serves as a haunting reminder that Adina is no ordinary woman. She makes a hasty exit, grappling with a feeling of violation, yet paradoxically sensing an inexplicable connection to this bizarre situation. Adina, struggling financially and unable to access the medical assistance she needs, harbors a fervent desire never to cross paths with Asher again. However, her world is turned upside down when, two weeks later, she discovers that she is pregnant. Now faced with an unexpected and life-altering choice, Adina must grapple with the implications of her situation. As for Asher, when he learns that a woman with whom he had a single encounter is carrying his child, he too is thrust into a whirlwind of uncertainty and responsibility. The story unfolds with a cascade of emotions, dilemmas, and choices, leaving both Adina and Asher at the crossroads of destiny.