Writing Challenges 2023 Novels & Stories

Elyna Blanc never expected to be forced into marriage, let alone with the ruthless and wealthy Hugo Dubois. But when her family's financial status hangs in the balance, Elyna has no choice but to marry Hugo, the young billionaire who leads one of Europe's biggest and fastest investment firms. Just as Elyna begins to adapt to her new life as Hugo's wife, he is kidnapped by a close person to Elyna, throwing her into a state of confusion and uncertainty. As she struggles to uncover the truth behind Hugo's kidnapping, Elyna discovers she is pregnant with his child, raising questions about the true nature of their relationship. With the paternity of the child in question, Elyna is forced to confront the reality of her marriage to Hugo and the secrets he may be keeping. As she navigates the challenges of pregnancy and a missing husband, Elyna realizes that her life may be more complicated than she ever imagined. Will Elyna be able to uncover the truth about her husband's kidnapping and the father of her child? Only time will tell in this gripping tale of love, betrayal, and uncertainty.

Sage Casey Ember-Brooks, who goes by Casey, is a fast-food worker and aspiring fantasy novelist whose ordinary life crumbles when mysterious strangers ask cryptic questions about her dragon series. Her recurring dreams of golden coins suddenly make terrifying sense when Marcus Chen—a businessman with eyes that flash gold—reveals that dragons are real, living hidden among humans for centuries. Casey's unnaturally accurate fantasy writing stems from awakening genetic memories. She's a rare "Convergence" bloodline capable of harmonising opposing elemental forces. The revelation comes at a critical time: a new cryptocurrency called DragonCoin, featuring symbols identical to her dreams, creates magical interference that weakens concealment spells protecting dragon society. At the Crossroads shopping complex where she works, disruptions cause dragons to flicker between human and true forms in full view of witnesses. Caught between Marcus (a traditionalist who wants to hide her with the Dragon Council) and the enigmatic Xaihuang (who advocates ending the masquerade entirely), Casey discovers an underground chamber housing ancient dragon artifacts. When she touches a magical coin, visions reveal three futures: chaotic revelation leading to war, continued concealment resulting in magical extinction, or a mysterious third path of integration. Casey realises DragonCoin wasn't created to expose dragons, but by another awakening hybrid like herself—someone in Seattle whose unconscious dragon heritage channels ancient power through modern technology. As magical concealment fails worldwide and dragons begin manifesting publicly, Casey must race across the country to find this unknown programmer before the interference between magic and technology tears reality apart. The story explores themes of identity, integration versus assimilation, and the collision between ancient power and digital-age innovation. With her awakening abilities growing stronger and the masquerade crumbling around her, Casey faces a choice that will determine her fate and the future relationship between the hidden magical world and human civilisation.

Shantali Mae Cross, a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Ancient Arts, encounters an impossible phenomenon during her night shift—smoke from the heating vents coalesces into the form of a cobra near ancient Egyptian canopic jars, showing her visions of possible futures. She sees herself accepting a promotion, arguing with a dark-haired man in a hospital, wearing a wedding dress, and standing at a graveside in autumn. Shaken by the experience, Shantali becomes obsessed with understanding what she witnessed, diving into research about serpent smoke divination practices. Her investigation reveals that others throughout history have experienced similar visions at crucial crossroads in their lives, but those who became consumed with interpreting and controlling their prophetic glimpses inevitably destroyed the very relationships and opportunities the visions had shown them. As Shantali spirals deeper into her research, she begins shutting out her boyfriend David, a fellow security guard who loves her deeply. When David witnesses the cobra phenomenon himself, he helps ground her in reality rather than obsession. Through her studies, particularly the warnings left by Dr. Amelia Thorne—a researcher who died alone after chasing similar mysteries—Shantali realizes the cobra's true message: choose love over fear, presence over obsession. The visions weren't warnings of tragedy but glimpses of a life fully lived with all its ordinary struggles and profound connections. When David proposes, Shantali chooses their real relationship over her pursuit of supernatural answers. She completes her research by writing a fictional novel about her experience, transforming obsession into art while helping future cobra witnesses understand that some mysteries are meant to guide rather than be solved. The story explores themes of choice versus destiny, the danger of sacrificing present love for future certainty, and the wisdom of embracing life's uncertainties alongside those who love us.

I was already halfway across the room before I knew what I was doing. What kind of people had she been surrounding herself with if she thought that she wasn't attractive? Hell, she was gorgeous, delicious, downright perfect in every way. I needed to show her what I saw. What she was in my eyes. I couldn't help myself. I had Genevieve up against the wall in a blink of an eye, a growl escaping my throat and mixing with her surprised gasp. Her hands still clung to the robe, trying to make herself seem smaller. I slipped one hand underneath, along her collarbone, while the other slid along her neck, to the back of her head where I gripped her loose bun and pulled it taught. "Babygirl, you're more than just attractive. You have my c*ck aching every time I set my eyes on you.” My voice was a distorted growl, but I know she understood every word I said. I leaned my body in against hers to accentuate my point, and Genevieve's adorable mouth widened with a surprised gasp. I took that opportunity to claim what I'd been dreaming off since the moment I set my eyes on her. I dipped my head and locked my lips on hers, and realized in that sweet, blissful moment, that I had f*cked up. *** Genevieve Blake was a well-known, erotic romance author. She enjoyed meeting her fans and writing stories that made even her blush. What she hadn't planned on, though, was for a stalker to come out from the shadows and threaten her life. When the police can't do anything, she turns to Grim Security to protect her against the deranged lunatic. But who's going to protect her heart, and her body, from the intensity of Raphael Bard?

Camila Damien has spent years avoiding Eric Sylvester—the ruthless CEO whose cold reputation precedes him. But when a career-making promotion forces them together on a billion-dollar pharmaceutical project, avoidance becomes impossible. Eric can't shake the feeling that he's seen her before. The mysterious woman in his wallpaper. The missing pieces of a night he can't remember. And now, the brilliant scientist who challenges him at every turn. But Camila is hiding something darker than career ambitions. Three weeks of her life is gone. Stolen by a drugging incident she can't remember and a saboteur she can't identify. As corporate espionage, toxic family ties, and a dangerous conspiracy close in around them, Camila and Eric must decide: trust each other with their carefully guarded hearts, or lose everything, including their lives. In the high-stakes world of pharmaceutical giants, where betrayal comes from those closest to you and the truth is buried in forgotten memories, love might be the most dangerous risk of all.

Axel Elcort is one of New York's most eligible bachelors as he runs and owns a multi-million dollar company, is a well-known business tycoon, and is the Alpha of White Claw Pack. He's a reserved, cold man who loves only his pack and business. Despite his high status and god-kissed attributes, he is lonely and yearns for a mate. Leal Horryn is a workaholic office lady with a stable salary in New York. She's in a relationship with her two-year live-in partner who's dominating the court as the state's most sought-after prosecutor. She's content with her simple life and greets every morning with a smile. That is until everything started falling apart. Heartbroken and jobless, Leal wanders to the streets of New York where she gets lured inside a company building by an addictive scent. What if two roads from heaven and land meet? Will they hug each other tightly and not let go despite the life-threatening challenges planted in their journey, or will they give up—failing to reach each other from the very start?

Following a challenging period of rejection and divorce during her early marriage, Hazel faced numerous obstacles while taking care of her younger twin siblings, Daisy and Zayn. However, her determination led her to secure her dream job, prompting her to relocate to a different city in search of a fresh start and the potential for lasting love. Yet, her plans were swiftly overturned when she discovered that her new boss happened to be her ex-husband. The man who had callously rejected her with no explanation was unbelievably the one who offered her a position, fully aware of her identity from the start. Necessity compelled her to accept the job; for it was his financial support that she depended on for survival. Now, she found herself tangled in a complicated web - contending with his new girlfriend, a coworker who harbored affection for her, and a ruthless rival of her ex-husband who would stop at nothing to lure her away. Harnessing resilience and fortitude, could she navigate these challenges without completely losing her sanity?

He's the Alpha the pack fears. She's the Beta-in-training who fears nothing. Xander Laven, Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, is known for his strength and ruthlessness. His pack respects his power, but fear is their primary response. He attends the annual gathering expecting to secure a suitable mate to bear an heir, not to find himself drawn to a fiery she-wolf who challenges his every command. Chayse Vega, a Delta from the Amber Sky Pack, is a warrior at heart. Stubborn and independent, she'd rather train than attend frivolous gatherings. She certainly wasn't looking for a mate, especially not one as arrogant and controlling as the infamous Alpha Laven.Their first encounter is explosive, a clash of wills and personalities that sparks something neither expected. He's possessive and demanding; she's defiant and sharp-tongued. The mate bond is undeniable, but can two wolves so different navigate a connection forged in growls and witty retorts? When the feared Alpha meets the fearless Delta, their world is about to change forever.

James has spent 15 long years awaiting his fated mate. When Laila, a fierce, independent human with a six-month timeline in the States, unexpectedly enters his life, she's everything he never knew he wanted. But Laila is no pushover; she's determined to resist James's persistent advances, wary of his notorious playboy past. Yet, despite her best efforts to keep her distance, Laila finds herself irresistibly drawn to James's charm and undeniable magnetism, despite her better judgment. But their budding romance is complicated as Laila finds navigating her relationship with James isn't easy, requiring adjustments and understanding on both sides. As their passion intensifies, they must navigate the complexities of the werewolf community's culture and the looming shadow of Laila's departure. And when a mysterious third enters the scene, harboring a secret affection for Laila, their love is pushed to its limits. Will James and Laila's connection prove strong enough to withstand the challenges thrown their way or will the Moon Goddess have other plans?

Mia attends her high school reunion with the hope of reconnecting with her long-lost love, but fate has other plans. She accidentally stumbles into a stranger's private room and finds herself waking up next to a man she doesn't know. The passion between them ignites as they give into their desires, and they have a one-night stand. However, she doesn't wait to find out the identity of the man and runs away, leaving behind her necklace. Several weeks later, Mia discovers that she is pregnant as a result of that one-night stand. Despite the challenges ahead, she decides to keep the baby and raise it on her own. Meanwhile, Zenith, a powerful and wealthy billionaire, finds himself under pressure from his family to settle down and get married. Little does he know that a secret from his past is about to change his life forever. He discovers that he has a child from a one-night stand, and he still has the necklace he found from the night of pleasure with the woman who disappeared at sunrise.