A short story of 9700 words. A retelling of the Rapunzel story. When a witch claims a couple's newborn daughter in exchange for the father's trespass and theft, she finally has the daughter she's always wanted. As Rapunzel grows and matures, however, the witch finds that even with all her powers, she cannot keep her child from growing up.What happens when humanity’s hidden masters tire of their slaves? They start over.Financial markets are crashing, crops are failing, Cage’s disease is a pandemic, and sabers are being rattled around the globe. It’s not the world that Ben Mitchell, an expert on ancient and esoteric writings, envisioned when he left the battlefields of Afghanistan a decade ago.The world looks a little brighter when he is offered a small fortune by the attractive but mysterious Lilian Stratton to research some puzzling inscriptions found on set of stone tablets discovered in Tiwanaku, Bolivia. But to do that he must join a secret society known as the Delphic Order of the Nisirtu and travel to Steepleguard, the remote fortress-like home of an elderly eccentric named Ridley.The researcher soon finds that his client has lured him into a conspiracy of epic proportions. The rumored New World Order is, in fact, very ancient. The world is truly a stage and the scripts that have preserved mankind for millennia are being systematically destroyed by the invisible kingdoms that authored them. Within days the final script will run its course and the planet’s scattered survivors will be thrust into a new Dark Age.Lilian’s powerful opponents are now Ben’s, and even his client’s supposed allies seem to have hidden and sinister agendas. The man finds himself in a shadowy world of insane kings, power-hungry dukes, psychopathic assassins, rebel knights, and an exiled princess who will stop at nothing to regain her world throne.As civilization rapidly disintegrates and clandestine armies converge on Steepleguard, humanity’s future hinges on the researcher’s ability to navigate the labyrinths of the Nisirtu and unlock the secrets of the Tiwanaku tablets.

A cliche story of a boy who fell in love with his best friend and the story of what happened along the way. Pages of My Diary was written in to mirror a confession vlog and would engage readers to imagine the scenarios.Evelyn Kent isn't the type to jump into Christmas feet first, but with her mother begging her for the "perfect" tree, Evelyn finds herself in the snowy middle of nowhere when a gorgeous, naked man appears out of thin air. Having witnessed his race fading away through the destruction of mankind, loneliness and despair forces the dryad into the human world, where he encounters a beautiful woman holding a chainsaw in front of his tree. Together, this Christmas will be one they’ll never forget.

Two women competing for a man's heart. Two queens fighting to the death for dominance. The untold story of Mary, Queen of Scots. This dazzling novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory presents a new and unique view of one of history's most intriguing, romantic, and maddening heroines. Biographers often neglect the captive years of Mary, Queen of Scots, who trusted Queen Elizabeth's promise of sanctuary when she fled from rebels in Scotland and then found herself imprisoned as the "guest" of George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, and his indomitable wife, Bess of Hardwick. The newly married couple welcome the doomed queen into their home, certain that serving as her hosts and jailers will bring them an advantage in the cutthroat world of the Elizabethan court. To their horror, they find that the task will bankrupt them, and as their home becomes the epicenter of intrigue and rebellion against Elizabeth, their loyalty to each other and to their sovereign comes into question. If Mary succeeds in seducing the earl into her own web of treachery and treason, or if the great spymaster William Cecil links them to the growing conspiracy to free Mary from her illegal imprisonment, they will all face the headsman. Philippa Gregory uses new research and her passion for historical accuracy to place a well-known heroine in a completely new tale full of suspense, passion, and political intrigue. For years, readers have clamored for Gregory to tell Mary's story, and The Other Queen is the result of her determination to present a novel worthy of this extraordinary heroine.

She’s seen the past… OWEA Agent Beatrice Davis is haunted by the death visions that help her solve crimes. When Detective Claude Desmairis, her vampire ex-lover, asks for her assistance on a case, she’d rather help him than take the mandated leave to stave off her burn-out. The truth won’t stay buried… Pressed to solve a series of crimes before the perpetrator blows the vampire world apart, Claude turns to a woman he thought he’d been able to leave behind. But he was wrong, and his feelings for her will only bring trouble in an investigation this dangerous. As their passions reignite, they see a possible future together. Until her visions show her the face of the murderer—a man Claude can never betray.

When Janet Maple lands a job at an investment firm in New York, she begins to hope that her luck is finally turning for the better until she discovers alarming facts about her new employer. Dennis Walker is a top-notch white collar crime investigator, but when he meets Janet, Dennis finds himself torn between his professional obligations and his personal desires.Janet Maple’s stellar career ended with a layoff and her boyfriend of five years told her that he wants to be just friends. When she lands a job at one of New York’s premier boutique investment firms, Janet begins to hope that her luck is finally turning for the better. Not only is she happy with her new paycheck, but things also seem to be looking up on the personal front, as the company’s handsome attorney expresses keen interest in Janet. However, her euphoria is short-lived, as Janet soon discovers alarming facts about her new employer’s business tactics. When her boss dismisses her suspicions as groundless, Janet finds herself confiding to a cute IT engineer, Dean Snider. The closer she gets to Dean, the more Janet is tempted to break her rule of not dating co-workers, but what she doesn’t realize is that everything she knows about Dean, including his occupation and even his name, is a lie.Dennis Walker is a top-notch white collar crime investigator who will stop at nothing to put culprits away. When an opportunity for an undercover assignment at one of New York’s premier boutique investment firms comes up, Dennis jumps at the chance, adopting a persona of geeky IT engineer, Dean Snider. While he may be an ace at his job, years of experience fail him when Dennis meets Janet Maple and finds himself torn between his professional obligations and his personal desires. Will he have to choose between his feelings and duty, or will he find a way to satisfy both?

A prophecy of murder.An elf hunted by dragons.One man who risks everything to save her.In my shadow you sleep, hungry for my soul.In my heart you live, nurtured and at peace.In my life you belong, always.The red dawn of war clashes with the tide. Black descends. Shadows come alive.I call to you. I see you across the field of battle, calling to me. So many stand between us.I turn away to the tide; the tide sweeps forward, surging, billowing, covering.I raise my hand and stare at the sky above. Silence descends. A hush. Tears fall down. Liquid, they fall down my face, down my grimy cheeks, onto my bloodstained clothes.I raise my other hand. A burst of time shoots forward, galloping like my heart as I wait for the final blow . . . but it never comes. I've frozen the moment in time as the blade meant for my heart pierces his.The sobs choke my chest as I stare at the metal, gleaming red like the rising sun, sticking from his chest. His eyes are frozen as well, locked onto mine. They look unsurprised. I sink down to my knees; tears fall harder.I hear your voice. A shout, a scream of pain and anger and despair and fear from across the field. I don't turn. I look straight ahead to the eyes that are locked onto mine as I bring both of my hands down in a gesture as sharp as the blade. Light explodes outward from me, shooting across the battlefield, consuming everything.I fall. He falls too. His eyes speak the things he cannot say. They close after a minute, but mine stay open.You reach me then. Everyone else is flattened, reeling on the blood-soaked earth, but you reach me. You turn me face up. You gather me in your arms. You weep, but my eyes are dry now. My eyes are dry. "It will be alright," I whisper to you. "It will be alright.______________________________________________________________________________________________________Auri is just an elven girl raised in the human castle and courts of Ardalan. She knows nothing about the prophecy of the White Queen, and even less about elves. All she knows is a world of human political intrigue, and the intelligence gleaned from her foster father's spies . . .The word is out. The Rebel Dragons are on the move again, and death, fear and destruction are all that they leave in their wake.  And then Liran finds her.Liran is the leader of the Vi`dal, an elite, elven task-force sent out years ago by the queen of the elves to find a way to stop the death that is spreading across the known lands. Their task--find the White Queen.The White Queen is the fabled hero of the future. A queen so powerful that she is able to unite dragons, elves, animals, humans and dwarves against the Rebel Dragons and defeat them. An elf who heals by touch, and who can travel to the center of the earth and ignite the fires of their dying world.An elf so powerful that she is said to be able to stop time itself . . . and even reverse it.

A lonely, bitter waitress from New York finds a wee bit of Irish luck courtesy of a cranky Leprechaun.A compilation of new adult and young adult contemporary and paranormal stories.There are moments in life that take you by surprise - an outcome you weren’t expecting, an instant connection with a virtual stranger, or those warm tingles of new love. No matter what happens, you are certain that you will never be the same. Step inside and join these best-selling authors as they offer you a glimpse into the hearts and minds of some of your favorite characters. From dystopian to paranormal to contemporary romance, this collection provides a taste of all that you love.Written by Anna Cruise, Carlyle Labuschagne, Charlotte Abel, C.L. Foster, Delphina Henley, E.L. Todd, Kelly Risser, Kristina Renee, N.L. Greene, Randi Cooley Wilson, Sharon Rose Mayes and Susan Burdorf

A disgruntled bank executive launches a scheme to steal thirty million dollars from his employer, and hopes to disappear with his attractive young assistant.Jason Dunn is an executive overseeing billions of dollars flowing through his clients' accounts. He's perched high on the corporate ladder, but after one mistake he falls with a crash, barely keeping his job. When his new lover has an idea to cash in and disappear with her, the temptation to burn the institution that burned him is too enticing to resist.

Sarah loves cooking & her parents indulge her seemingly harmless penchant for cooking unconventional recipes. But Sarah secretly aspires to own her own restaurantJames is on the lookout for a special girl. And in Sarah he thinks he has found the right partner. But when Sarah shares her dream of a restaurant, James is horrified.Will Sarah be able to choose between James & her passion for cooking?*****A SWEET CLEAN AMISH ROMANCE*****Sarah loves cooking. And her parents indulge her seemingly harmless penchant for cooking unconventional recipes. But Sarah wants to do more than just cooking. She secretly aspires to own her own restaurant.James is a young Amish lad on the lookout for a special girl. And in Sarah, he thinks he has found the right partner. But when Sarah shares her dream of opening a world-class restaurant, James is horrified.Things don't improve when Sarah's parents warn her that she would be shunned if she keeps on with her stubbornness. On the other hand, James begins to wonder if their relationship was a mistake.Will Sarah be able to choose between the love of her life, and her passion for cooking?This is a stand-alone short story with no cliffhangers. It is an ideal read for fans of Amish books, Amish Romance, Christian romance, and Christian fiction.

Dan Hodges was on the verge of the life he'd always wanted: a beautiful girlfriend, high school graduation just ahead, and a promising baseball career.Then, in one ill-fated moment, it all vanished.Dan clawed his way back over the course of a grueling year but, just when he was ready to reclaim his world, darkness descended again. Can he emerge one more time ... Alive on Opening Day?In the spring of 1973, Dan Hodges is on the verge of starting the life he's always wanted.He is dating the girl of his dreams.He is about to graduate from high school.Best of all, he is headed to college as a baseball star. Then, in one ill-fated moment, his world is crushed, and Dan is plunged into nothingness for nine long months.When he finally emerges from his personal oblivion, nothing is the same. Devastated by what he has lost but bolstered by all that he still has, Dan is determined to rebuild his life, and that's what he sets out to do.Just when it seems he is about to reclaim his lease on a promising future, darkness begins to eat around the fringes of his vitality once more.Can Dan latch on to all he holds dear and make it through the shadows to emerge, once again ... Alive on Opening Day?

An impoverished Norman knight, Jamie is assigned to escort Axia, the Lancaster heiress, to her betrothed. But Axia is bent on enjoying her last moments of liberty before her contractual marriage takes place. Suddenly, Jamie realizes that he is falling in love with this beauty, and he must contrive a daring plan to win her freedom and her defiant heart.

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Scott Drake is alone in a hotel room and there is no escape. He can walk out at any time but there is no getting away from the past, from his guilt, from himself and the fear of losing someone that he loves all over again. ‘Fading Polaroids in Reverse’ is a series of snapshots of moments and memories in Scott’s life, and is the sixth short story in the ‘Diamonds’ Collection.‘Sarah was completely different to the women he'd known since his records started selling. She was real and that made her an exception to the boho posing and tragic gracelessness of everyone else. That was also what made missing her even more terrible. So, most of the time, he avoided thinking about her. It was much easier to silently destroy all the women who could never compare to her…’Scott Drake is alone in a hotel room and there is no escape. He can walk out at any time but there is no getting away from the past, from his guilt, from himself and the fear of losing someone that he loves all over again. ‘Fading Polaroids in Reverse’ is a series of snapshots of moments and memories in Scott’s life, and is the sixth short story in the ‘Diamonds’ Collection that also includes ‘Bewilder’, ‘Heart over Head over Heels’, ‘Bonfire Blues’, ‘Lily Green’, and ‘The Devil eats Coleslaw’.

Silvio, jeweler and gemologist, leads a life of serene and reassuring. The fate, however lies in wait; when it is involved in a series of events that deprive him of affects and of control of everyday life, search for a way out becomes his matter of concern. Against the background: Bologna (North Italy) late nineties. Narrative essential with some adventure."A diamond is forever" says a well-known slogan.Silvio Rhodes had two precious diamonds called "Ele".He lost them both, he will find them?Ele: pure diamond he had carved after a year of study, the best gift received from his father Jeweler with store in the center of Bologna (North Italy). Ele: this is the Eleana's nickname; she is wife of Silvio, daughter of Victor, the watchmaker, pure and simple, a Mediterranean beauty, with so much selfless love for all, especially for the unfortunate nephew Eriberto. On Christmas Eve, in jewelry stone, Silvio is robbed of diamond Ele. He is upset and it takes a long time to find peace of mind and the desire to work. Eleana is a great comfort to him.In the following months Eleana lives the drama of Eriberto, for her as a child. The nephew has a brain tumor. This trauma leads to depression Eleana. She needs to take care of and accepts the help of Verter, the doctor, the only friend of Silvio.Silvio feels lonely and frustrated, he speaks with Stephanie, beautiful woman, wife of Verter, and the two spend a night in the house with him. The next day, surprise! Eleana back home and finding traces of meeting two, her equivocal behavior of Silvio. She abandons them.Silvio is desperate, also has an accident with the expensive car, the sample loses and gets hurt. Only Verter helps him. They mast is to find Eleana.They discover the Eleana project: Escape, a center for traumatized by the loss of loved ones, and they find the traces to find Ele.Diamond Ele is found but Silvio does not feel joy, has matured and decided to auction Ele to have the funds to implement the Eleana project, hoping for his return.

Cockatrice, wolf-otes, and dragons, oh, my. All Elain Pardie-Lyall wants this Christmas is for life to settle down and give her a break, so she can enjoy her three hunky wolf shifter hubbies Ain, Brodey, and Cail Lyall, as well as her extended family. Fat chance of that. Current events are woven from ancient vengeance. The future of the new mega-Clan and lives of countless innocents hinge upon the Triad of Elain, Lina, and Mai untangling threads from the tapestry of the past. Fate's a real bitch…but so is Elain. She isn't a wolf to be trifled with, especially where loved ones are concerned. It's time for her to embrace her heritage and her destiny, and she's determined to do so with open paws. With lives on the line, Elain must dig deeper than ever before and figure out how to walk her new path, or risk losing everything when she discovers lurking amongst them A Wolf in the Fold. *Note: This book contains graphic violence and depictions of torture. A Siren Erotic Romance*