Winona State Library Novels & Stories

“Please… please don’t kill me,” Lily begged with blood and tears streaming from her face as the big wolf hovered over her. “I’ll give you anything you want… money… anything!” she sobbed. The big wolf studied her for a few seconds and then in one haul, he pulled her car from the ditch where it was upturned and set it on the road. But as soon as it set the car on the road, Lily pumped the ignition as fast as she could and sped off leaving a wake of dust in her trail. As she drove, her eyes darted between the road ahead and the rearview mirror nothing with fear that the Big Wolf was chasing her. He was gaining in on her… it was only a matter of seconds before he’ll get her and tear her apart. She drove as fast as she could, crying and begging on the universe to save her. Suddenly the path curved, surprising Lily who wasn’t expecting the path to take such turn. With full speed, she veered of the road and drove right into a tree. She could hear the pounding paws of the Big Wolf… even in her dying state, he didn’t want to relent. “Moon goddess, please!” she murmured in her head, tasting her blood which was flowed from her face to her mouth. Just before the darkness enclosed her… she saw it rush towards her, was this really her end?

Keeping her safe has become his life's mission. 
 Gage Hendrix is a man without roots. As an MSD Team Leader for the Department of State, he operates in high-threat environments. Serving in dangerous postings around the world, his team provides emergency security support and crisis response. Keeping the US ambassador's daughter safe in Sri Lanka? An unusual assignment for an "action group" used to dealing with evacuations, wars, incursions, and coups. Expecting a spoilt princess, Gage finds a hard-working therapist with a huge heart and sad eyes. 
 Hiding from heartache is no longer an option. 
 Chantal Durant's best friend has gone into hiding with intel that could lead to a nation's upheaval. Enemies have targeted the last person who helped her to escape… Turning a tragic past into a constructive existence, Chantal dedicates herself to helping others. She likes her work, likes her routine, and doesn't like that her safety is now in the hands of a cocky MSD agent. Her undeniable sexual attraction for the ruggedly handsome bodyguard would not only end his career but could get them both killed. 
 As multiple threats close in, Gage is faced with harrowing decisions. Trapped in an unfamiliar landscape, both Gage and Chantal will have to act fast to make it out alive. "If you're looking for the perfect blend of action and steam set against the backdrop of exciting international locales...your first stop should be Louise Dawn." - Janie Crouch.

The day my adopted sister Xina was diagnosed with a rare blood disease, I was captured by rival pack hunters and taken across pack territories. In a hidden den beneath the mountains, I was chained like an omega during the day and subjected to endless humiliation. At night, they locked me in a moonless chamber and extracted my blood and bone marrow while I was conscious. By the time my pack found me, my body was broken beyond recognition, covered in bite marks, and infected with numerous diseases that even our supernatural healing couldn't combat. My mother, Alpha Serena, looked at me barely clinging to life, and howled so painfully she collapsed several times. My brother Ivan even traveled beyond our ancestral lands to find healers who could treat me. But in my half-conscious state, I accidentally overheard their conversation: "Mother, we captured Lisa just to save Xina, and let her be violated by so many rogues. Now we're taking one of her kidneys too—isn't that going to kill her?" Mother was silent for a long time, then choked up and said: "For Xina, I had no choice." "Besides, Lisa challenged Xina's rank all these years, made her severely depressed. This is just me atoning to Xina on her behalf." "It doesn't matter if she's been tainted. From now on, we'll keep her in the packhouse and take care of her. That'll count as compensation." As the silver blade sliced into my body, tears streamed uncontrollably from my eyes. A den with four wolves... was simply too crowded.

Zyra had always been an outcast, despised by everyone in her pack for her parents' sacrifice. Her dear ones had died while saving a stranger who was wolfless and mateless, leaving Zyra alone and isolated. Despite her kindness and helpful nature, she was constantly bullied and enslaved by her packmates, living in a constant state of fear and isolation. One day, the moon goddess finally gave her a mate. But he despised her and rejected her, despite coveting her beauty. Anguished and heartbroken, Zyra kicked the hell out of him and had a one-night stand with a stranger, resulting in an unexpected pregnancy. But even with her pregnancy, her mate still had his eyes on her, causing Zyra to fear for her life and the safety of her unborn children. When the Lycan King came to claim her as his mate, she saw it as a chance to escape her current situation. Bullied, enslaved, and alone, Zyra fled in the middle of the night and raised her babies in secrecy. But the truth behind her parents' death was far from what she had been told. As Zyra delved deeper into the mystery, she discovered a shocking conspiracy that involved the very people she trusted the most. As she began to uncover the truth, she realized that the Lycan King may be the only one she could trust, despite fearing him at first. But with her mate and her pack still on the hunt for her, Zyra knew that she needed to keep her true identity a secret, even from the man she could come to love and trust the most.

Ethan smiled. “Nothing. I love hearing you say my name. It sounds so good to hear it from your mouth.” "Oh! You’re teasing me!” I pouted. “You’re mean. You know I’m in a weak state right now, but you take advantage of my situation and tease me.” "Helena Starr.” I stopped when he mentioned my full name. “Yes?” "Your name is appropriate for you since your blue eyes shine brightly like stars.” It was unexpected, so I bent my head and blushed again. “Oh, thank you.” If he kept saying sweet things like that, how could I survive? My heart, oh, my heart, I was in danger! *** As an orphan, Helena doesn’t know her real parents. She only knows they have passed away. Living with Freya, her adoptive mother, and having a relationship with her boyfriend, Kenneth, is the peaceful life she wants. Until Kenneth ends the relationship. Then her life turns upside down. But it is the moment Helena meets with Ethan that she experiences many confusions, as Ethan has hidden something. As an Alpha King, Ethan lives his life to lead his people. A bitter past hinders him from finding his true mate and love until he meets Helena. Ethan cannot resist the instant connection and affection with Helena, but his secret will put her in danger. He knows he must protect Helena at all costs. Will Helena find out Ethan’s secret and have the happily ever after she longs for?

"Answers and answers. We can solve our collective family issue," He said, eyes widened to whatever brilliant plan he had that was growing even more in his mind. "With you in my arms, the world would believe I have finally found the woman of my dreams," He continued, unaware of the growing distress that threatened to unravel me, "And my father would not dream to approach you. Out of fear that you might expose his scheme." I stepped forward, my palms on both sides of his cheeks- cupping them while he stroked my thumbs. "And what about who I am to seduce?" "He would be so interested in you because he believes I am interested in you." He would presume I was unavailable - and thus desirable. **** Son of the richest politician in the state, Alexander made a name for himself as one of the best and richest CEO of the biggest security company in the state. He ran away from home at the tender age of eighteen, leaving behind a broken-hearted Jasmine. **** When Jasmine is given the most daunting of tasks, to prove she can be more than the disappointment her mom claimed she was. She did not expect to see the man who made her believe love could be real working for her target. The man whom abandoned her when she needed him the most. Alexander must find a way to get out of what he called "dealings with the devil," while Jasmine tries her best to make sure she doesn't fall in love with him again. But is all really fair in the game of love?

Natasha Davis always had the dream of getting married to her high school sweetheart, Paul, so she wasn't bothered when she got pregnant for him at the age of 17. That was until Paul decided to leave the country to further his education. Six years later, Natasha is a single mother to give year old Mirabella and she needs to find a job. Unable to find a quality job without the required certificate, Natasha settles for the job of a nanny. Not just any nanny but a nanny to Malcolm Grayson's kids. Malcolm Grayson is a divorcee with a set of twins. His ex-wife, Yvette Brooks, a popular actress cheated on him and divorced him, leaving two kids behind. After almost four years of looking for the perfect nanny, he finds Natasha. However, Malcolm finds out that Natasha is not like any woman he knows. She is smart and determined and loyal to a fault. He start to fall head over heels for her, despite his heartfelt desire for his wife to return to him. Natasha realizes that she cannot fight her attraction for her strong-headed, annoying and insufferable boss. And just when the both of the think they've found love with each other, Natasha lands a major role as an actress that will launch her stardom. But this means she has to leave the state for a while. Not only that, Yvette decides to return back to claim her husband and kids and Paul soon finds out that he has a kid somewhere. Both of their exes return to their lives and Natasha and Malcolm have to go extra mile to prove the love and trust they have for each other.

Elena has always been an outcast. Born with a hole in her heart, blamed for her mother’s death during childbirth, rejected by her father, and treated as a servant in her own home, she grew up lonely and unloved. With a weak heart that leaves her fragile, she had never felt like she belonged. Until the night everything changed. At the Full Moon Festival, everyone is shocked when the mate bond ties the smoking hot and ruthless immortal Lycan King; Lycan Nikolai, to Elena. For centuries, Nikolai has searched for his destined Luna—a reincarnation of the powerful woman he once loved but lost tragically. Realizing that Elena is weak and sick, he rejects her without a second thought. Elena’s stepsister, Sophie, gladly takes her place as Nikolai’s Luna, unaware that fate has other plans. A tragic accident that plunges Sophia into a state of coma forces Elena into the role she never wanted. She becomes a substitute bride to a king who sees her as worthless and a total waste of time. Thrown into a ruthless world of elite wolves, betrayal, and secrets, Elena is determined to survive. As she uncovers her own hidden strength, she begins to form an undeniable bond with Nikolai. But Sophie won’t let go so easily, and the shadows of Nikolai’s past threaten to destroy everything. Secrets unravel, prophecies are revealed, and enemies rise from the shadows. Will Nikolai see past her weakness to the powerful woman she truly is, or will the ghosts of their pasts and present temptations destroy them both?

After her father's heart attack, Munachi Alice Rowland needs to stop being the spoiled rich kid in order to assume the position of the director in his gallery. What she isn't prepared for is finding out how bad the state of the gallery's finances are. Now Muna must find a potential investor to get the company back on its feet and pay off their debts. Grant Stevens, Muna's former school mate who made high school hell for her has returned to the city, richer, more powerful than ever and also hot as sin. When Muna finds out that Grant is the CEO of the company her father owes millions of dollars to, she is beyond shocked. Things get worse when she discovers the agreement her father signed with Grant's company. Muna has no choice, other than agreeing to Grant's every wish, which might just entail marriage with him. Muna is very sure it is yet another strategy to torment her, just like he always did nine years earlier. She is supposed to hate Grant, but how can she explain the constant attraction she feels instead whenever he's close? With his flirtatious smile and advances, can she be able to guard her heart and get married to her enemy for two years without catching feelings? As they say, there's a thin line between love and hatred, could Muna's nemesis have some stronger feelings for her after all?

“Shouldn’t the people who put you in this state pay for their sins before you decide to die or not?” the owner of the hands that had gripped her legs growled in a low deep voice. Alora immediately recognised the voice, causing her to turn to look at him. “Take my hands now, Alora and I will let them wipe the very dirt on your shoes with their tongues…” Alora Vancleef had it all, wealth? fame? beauty? Intelligence? She lacked none. She was the only daughter of the richest man in the city and the wife of the successful CEO, Eliaz Deutchmond of Los Angelos. She believed her husband was the perfect husband to have ever lived until he showed her his true colors after her father’s death. Alora never expected the man she so much loved and adored to impregnate her stepsister, steal her inheritance, divorce and throw away their five years of marriage like a piece of trash all in a day! Just when she thought she had seen it all, Eliaz connived with Cynthia, killed and ended the little life that was growing inside her! Betrayed, broken and tired of living, Alora resorted to death as an escape to the pain she was feeling. While standing on the roof of the hospital building, she was about ending it all when a big muscled hands appeared from nowhere and gripped her legs firmly. Who is this mysterious man? Will Alora trust him enough to give life a second chance? What happens when the unexpected happens and now this mysterious figure doesn't want to let Alora go even after everything? Read to find out more…..