2075 Book(s) Related to our missing hearts: a novel book review

He wasn’t searching for love.

He wasn’t ready for him.

But some things—like family, and falling—happen when you least expect them.

When Ezra Anderson's sister dies, he inherits three young children and a crumbling rural property he's nowhere near prepared for. Overwhelmed, heartbroken, and freshly dumped, Ezra turns to the one person he shouldn't: Sebastian Brown—the gentle, steady Omega child psychologist he once shared one reckless night with... and never dared to call back.

Sebastian offers a safe harbor. Routine. Warm hands and a softer kind of strength Ezra didn’t know he craved.

What starts as survival—two men building a life for three grieving kids—soon strains under the weight of something deeper. The Omega in Sebastian draws Ezra like gravity, making every glance burn and every touch linger. The lines between family and something more blur until Ezra can no longer pretend.

One night becomes two. Secrets slip into routines. And somewhere between sneaking into beds at night and morning coffee, Ezra faces the one truth he swore he'd never have to:

He might not be as straight, or as strong, as he thought.

As his Alpha instincts pull him closer to Sebastian’s Omega warmth, the world outside keeps pressing in. Desire stops hiding. And when the outside world comes knocking, Ezra is forced to choose:

Keep pretending... or hold on to the only thing that feels like home.

SNEAK PEEK:

“I’m not in love with you. I just… don’t know how to breathe when you’re not there.” - Ezra

“I’m not gay. I’m just yours.” - Ezra

“You keep saying you’re not mine… but you keep choosing me.” - Sebastian

“You’re allowed to love me, you know.” - Sebastian

NB: 18+ (Tissues highly recommended.)

Three weeks after my son's death, I found the blood-stained cloth doll meant to "ward off disaster" with his name stitched on it.

Right there, in the hands of my husband's mistress, who was giggling as she idly toyed with it.
 
"The psychic said my life force was too weak to keep the baby, and that I needed a substitute to take the curse."
 
"I only sewed Leo's name into the doll. I never imagined... he would actually get sick and die."
 
"Declan, do you think Leo traded his life for our baby's?"
 
Through the crack in the door, the same man who had sobbed until he passed out at the funeral was gently stroking his lover's belly. "He was just unlucky. As long as our baby is safe, that's all that matters."
 
I turned away, pulled up the invitation for Chief Medical Examiner from the International Criminal Court in The Hague that I had shelved for a month, and hit accept.

I woke up on the same morning I was about to send another payment for my daughter's education.
In my last life, I paid for everything. Every year, without missing a payment.
Tuition. AP tutoring. Summer program deposits. Medical bills. Birthday gifts. The education fund.
Not one payment late. Not one skipped.
I only found out the truth after I died. My daughter wore a blazer that hung off her like a hand-me-down. She glued her shoes back together instead of throwing them out. She got mocked in front of her whole class for owing a two-thousand-dollar activity fee she should never have had to worry about.
She hated me for it.
She said, "You say you love me. So why was there never any money for me?"
I understood the truth only when it was too late to matter. It was never that I hadn't given enough.
It was that my husband had been siphoning it out from under me the whole time, spending it on another woman's family.
This time, I didn't wait to find out.

"Very entertaining. Highly recommended for the permanent library of any reader who appreciates a well-written mystery with twists and an intelligent plot. You will not be disappointed. Excellent way to spend a cold weekend!".--Books and Movie Reviews (regarding Murder in the Manor)SKEPTIC IN SALEM: AN EPISODE OF DEATH is Book #3 in a charming new cozy mystery series by bestselling author Fiona Grace, author of Murder in the Manor, a #1 Bestseller with over 100 five-star reviews (and a free download)!When Mia Bold, 30, learns that the pharmaceutical company she works for only cares about money, she quits on the spot, walking away from a high-powered career—and from her long-time boyfriend, who breaks up with her.With the podcast and TV show taking off, Mia’s career and life are finally starting to bloom again—when her uptight family makes an unexpected visit to Salem, to cast doubts on her passion and to urge her to return home.At the same time, Mia’s show must try to debunk a notoriously haunted house, now on the market for sale. Mia, unable to explain the phenomena, seems to have met her match—just as the real estate agent drops dead.Could this house be as insidious as it seems?Or might there be some other motive?A mesmerizing page-turner, packed with intrigue, mystery, romance, pets, food—and most of all, the supernatural—SKEPTIC IN SALEM is a cozy with a twist, one you will cherish as it has you fall in love with its main character and as it keeps you glued (and laughing) throughout the night.“The book had heart and the entire story worked together seamlessly that didn't sacrifice either intrigue or personality. I loved the characters - so many great characters! I can't wait to read whatever Fiona Grace writes next!”--Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor)“Wow, this book takes off & never stops! I couldn't put it down! Highly recommended for those who love a great mystery with twists, turns, romance, and a long lost family member! I am reading the next book right now!” --Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor)“This book is rather fast paced. It has the right blend of characters, place, and emotions. It was hard to put down and I hope to read the next book in the series.”--Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor)

"I need you to find my son. Luna is here...or maybe a doppelganger and is playing dead in my arms and I know it's not true. Gather all the men, lock down the city." I said as there was a sob from the other end of the call.

"Luna's....dead?" My Beta's voice broke on this.

"Stop playing these tricks with me, Thorne..she is not dead. Find my son. She will wake up once she sees him."

"Alpha Xenois, your son is in the morgue..."


Luna has tried her best to make her forced marriage to Xen work for the sake of their child. But with Riley and Sophia- Xen's ex-girlfriend and her son in the picture. She fights a losing battle.
Ollie, Xen's son is neglected by his father for a very long time and he is also suffering from a mysterious sickness that's draining his life force.
When his last wish to have his dad come to his 5th birthday party is dashed by his failure to show up, Ollie dies in an accident after seeing his father celebrate Riley's birthday with Sophia and it's displayed on the big advertising boards that fill the city.
Ollie dies and Luna follows after, unable to bear the grief, dying in her mate's hands cursing him and begging for a second chance to save her son.
Luna gets the opportunity and is woken up in the past, exactly one year to the day Sophia and Riley show up.
But this time around, Luna is willing to get rid of everyone and anyone even her mate if he steps in her way to save her son.

All About You (Love & Hate Series #1)

I start hating Oliver just after his older brother Christian’s death. I drag him down a road of humiliation and pain to try to cope with what his brother did to me.
A few months after Christian’s passing, Oliver leaves town, and for the next two years, he is absent from my life. The demons claw their way back in, and I must learn to live with the secret that has destroyed me.
Now I’m starting a new life, away from Gargle and away from my past, but everything crashes when I see Oliver the first day at university. It’s clear that many things have changed since we’ve been apart. Now he is captain of the rugby team and the most popular bloke on campus.
Then he makes a bet and gives me an ultimatum: I leave Braxton forever and start somewhere else, or I stay and play his game… because he’s never forgotten that it was me who ruined his life two years ago.

“If this girl asked you to kiss her, what would you do?”

“I would kiss her,” he breathed, his lips grazing just shy of hers.

Lisette’s breath faltered as she leaned in, drawn by the heat of him. The almost-touch was enough to make her shiver, but not enough to satisfy.

Her hands moved first, sliding over his chest, feeling the strength beneath her palms. He stilled—then gave in.

His mouth found hers, deeper this time, unhurried but certain. The world seemed to fall quiet around them, leaving only the warmth between their bodies and the quiet, undeniable pull to get closer.
~
When a brilliant law student embarks on a summer mission to lose her virginity, she falls for a mysterious newcomer—unaware he's infiltrating her world to destroy her powerful family. When desire turns into betrayal, she must choose: protect the people who raised her, or the man who could destroy them.

There were five of them. Piece of cake! I howled as I liked to make my presence felt. Their reddened eyes turned to me just as one of them tore at the man’s throat and grabbed the woman. I almost lost my mind with rage when I saw their damn claws at her neck. To my surprise, he didn’t sink his fangs in, instead, with full force, he broke her legs. Her desperate scream of pain echoed through the forest. The trees would be the only witnesses to the massacre I was about to make. In pain, she fainted. They messed with her. Big mistake!
.........................................
Her salvation came from him. His Luna was safe but how safe was the environment she came from? Follow Dominic Stone, the werewolf actor and secret agent as he fights for the truth and his love for Rebecca.

“A MASTERPIECE OF THRILLER AND MYSTERY. Blake Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone) ALMOST LOST is book #2 in a new psychological thriller series by USA Today bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose #1 bestseller Once Gone (Book #1) (a free download) has received over 1,000 five star reviews. When a divorcee vacationing in the British countryside puts out an ad for an au pair, Cassandra Vale, 23, broke, still reeling from the ruins of her last placement in France, takes the job without hesitation. Wealthy, handsome and generous, with two sweet children, she feels nothing can go wrong.But can it?Treated to the best England has to offer, and with France out of sight, Cassandra dares to believe she finally has a moment to catch her breath—until a startling revelation forces her to question the truths of her tumultuous past, her employer, and her very own sanity.A riveting mystery replete with complex characters, layers of secrets, dramatic twists and turns and heart-pounding suspense, ALMOST LOST is book #2 in a psychological suspense series that will have you turning pages late into the night. Book #3 in the series--ALMOST DEAD—is available for pre-order!

"A book to rival TWILIGHT and VAMPIRE DIARIES, and one that will have you wanting to keep reading until the very last page! If you are into adventure, love and vampires this book is the one for you!" --Vampirebooksite.com (Turned)BETROTHED is Book #6 in the Bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, which begins with TURNED (Book #1)! In BETROTHED (Book #6 in the Vampire Journals), Caitlin and Caleb find themselves, once again, back in time—this time, in the London of 1599. London in 1599 is a wild place, filled with paradoxes: while on the one hand it is an incredibly enlightened, sophisticated time, breeding playwrights like Shakespeare, on the other, it is also barbaric and cruel, with daily public executions, torture, and heads of prisoners impaled on spikes. It is also a time of superstition and grave public danger, with a lack of sanitation, and the Bubonic Plague spreading in the streets, carried by rats. In this environment Caitlin and Caleb land, on the search for her father, for the third key, for the mythical shield that can save humankind. Their mission takes them through a whirlwind of London’s most amazing medieval architecture, through the British countryside’s most breathtaking castles. It takes them back into the heart of London, where they just might meet Shakespeare himself, and see one of his plays live. It brings them to a little girl, Scarlet, who just might become their daughter. And all the while, Caitlin’s love for Caleb deepens, as finally they are together—and as Caleb might just finally find the perfect time, and place, to propose to her. Sam and Polly have traveled back, too, and as they find themselves stuck together on their own journey, their relationship deepens, as they each, despite themselves, can’t help feeling more deeply for each other. But all is not well. Kyle has come back, too, as has his evil sidekick, Sergei, and they are both intent on destroying everything good in Caitlin’s life. It will be a race to the finish, as Caitlin is forced to make some of the hardest decisions of her life if she is to save everyone who is dear to her, save her relationship with Caleb—and try to make it out alive.

"A book to rival TWILIGHT and VAMPIRE DIARIES, and one that will have you wanting to keep reading until the very last page! If you are into adventure, love and vampires this book is the one for you!" --Vampirebooksite.com (Turned)DESTINED is book #4 in the #1 Bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, which begins with TURNED (Book #1). In DESTINED (Book #4 in the Vampire Journals), Caitlin Paine wakes to discover herself back in time. She finds herself in a cemetery, on the run from a mob of villagers, and seeks refuge in the ancient cloisters of Assisi, in the countryside of Umbria, Italy. There, she learns of her destiny and her mission: to find her father and the ancient vampire Shield needed to save mankind. But Caitlin’s heart still pines for her lost love: Caleb. She desperately needs to know if he has survived their trip back in time. She learns that her mission requires her to go to Florence, but if she wants to pursue matters of the heart, she must go to Venice. She chooses Venice. Caitlin is overwhelmed at what she finds. Venice of the eighteenth century is a surreal place, men and women dressed in elaborate costumes and masks, celebrating an endless, lavish party. She is thrilled to discover and reunite with some of her close friends, and to be welcomed back into their coven. And she is excited to join them in Venice’s Grand Ball, the most important costume dance of the year, where she hopes, once again, to find Caleb. But Caitlin is not the only one who can travel back in time: Kyle soon arrives, too, and is determined to hunt her down and kill her once and for all. Sam, too, arrives, determined to save his sister before it is too late. At the Ball, Caitlin searches everywhere, and finds no sign of Caleb. That is, until the very last dance. She dances with a masked man who takes her heart away, and she feels certain that it is him. But as the partners change, she loses him again. Or does she? Caitlin soon finds herself torn between the two loves of her life, and discovers that she has to be careful what she wishes for. Her joy at finding what she wants might just come mixed with tragedy and heartbreak. In a climactic, action-packed ending, Caitlin finds herself up against true evil, Rome’s ancient vampire coven, and the most powerful vampire coven that ever existed. Surviving will demand all her skills, as she finds herself battling for her very life. She will have to sacrifice more than ever, if she is to save the one she loves…. “DESTINED is fast paced with enough action and twist and turns to keep you engaged until the end. There are so many twists and exciting developments throughout the story that it keeps your attention!” --The Romance Reviews “ I just turned 30 and there are a few YA series that I just love and this one is definitely on that list! READ IT! READ IT! READ IT! Don’t forget READ IT!” --werevampsromance.org

"A book to rival TWILIGHT and VAMPIRE DIARIES, and one that will have you wanting to keep reading until the very last page! If you are into adventure, love and vampires this book is the one for you!" --Vampirebooksite.com (regarding Turned) OBSESSED is Book #12—and the final book—of the bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, which begins with TURNED (Book #1)--a free download with over 900 five star reviews! In OBSESSED, 16 year old Scarlet Paine races to save her true love, Sage, before he is killed at the hand of the Immortalists. Alienated from her friends and family—and with only one night left before Sage is wiped out—Scarlet is forced to choose whether to sacrifice it all for him.Caitlin and Caleb race desperately to save their daughter, still determined to find a way to cure Scarlet and to end vampirism for all time. Their quest leads them to one shocking secret after the next as they seek to find the ancient, lost vampire city, hidden deep beneath the Sphinx in Egypt. What they find may just change the destiny of the vampire race for all time.Yet it may still be too late. The Immortalist nation is intent on killing Scarlet and Sage, while Kyle, too, is on a murderous rampage, turning Vivian and the entire high school into his own vampire army, set on destroying the town.In OBSESSED, the shocking finale of the 12 book series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, Scarlet and Caitlin will be left with a monumental choice—one that will change the world forever. Will Scarlet make the ultimate sacrifice to save Sage’s life? Will Caitlin give up everything to save her daughter? Will they both risk everything for love? “Morgan Rice proves herself again to be an extremely talented storyteller….This would appeal to a wide range of audiences, including younger fans of the vampire/fantasy genre. It ended with an unexpected cliffhanger that leaves you shocked.”–The Romance Reviews (regarding Loved)

Rachel Wood wakes in a castle to find herself turned into a vampire. She longs for home, for a normal life. But she is changing too fast. When she learns Benji is in danger, she realizes she has to find him. She will stop at nothing to be with him—even if it means having to choose between life and death.

"TURNED is a book to rival TWILIGHT and VAMPIRE DIARIES, and one that will have you wanting to keep reading until the very last page! If you are into adventure, love and vampires this book is the one for you!" --Vampirebooksite.com The #1 Bestseller!TURNED is book #1 in the #1 Bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, which includes twelve books. In TURNED (Book #1 of the Vampire Journals), 18 year old Caitlin Paine finds herself uprooted from her nice suburb and forced to attend a dangerous New York City high school when her Mom moves again. The one ray of light in her new surroundings is Jonah, a new classmate who takes an instant liking to her. But before their romance can blossom, Caitlin suddenly finds herself changing. She is overcome by a superhuman strength, a sensitivity to light, a desire to feed--by feelings she does not understand. She seeks answers to what’s happening to her, and her cravings lead her to the wrong place at the wrong time. Her eyes are opened to a hidden world, right beneath her feet, thriving underground in New York City. She finds herself caught between two dangerous covens, right in the middle of a vampire war. It is at this moment that Caitlin meets Caleb, a mysterious and powerful vampire who rescues her from the dark forces. He needs her to help lead him to the legendary lost artifact. And she needs him for answers, and for protection. Together, they will need to answer one crucial question: who was her real father? But Caitlin finds herself caught between two men as something else arises between them: a forbidden love. A love between the races that will risk both of their lives, and will force them to decide whether to risk it all for each other… "TURNED is an ideal story for young readers. Morgan Rice did a good job spinning an interesting twist on what could have been a typical vampire tale. Refreshing and unique, TURNED has the classic elements found in many Young Adult paranormal stories. Book #1 of the Vampire Journals Series focuses around one girl…one extraordinary girl!...TURNED is easy to read but extremely fast-paced....Recommended for anyone who likes to read soft paranormal romances. Rated PG." --The Romance Reviews “TURNED grabbed my attention from the beginning and did not let go….This story is an amazing adventure that is fast paced and action packed from the very beginning. There is not a dull moment to be found. Morgan Rice did an awesome job bringing the reader into the story. She also made it easy to root for Caitlin and want desperately to her succeed in finding her truth….I will be looking forward to the second book in the series.” --Paranormal Romance Guild

Rachel Wood is uprooted from her home and enters a new high school, in 10th grade, in an affluent suburb in Westchester, New York. She struggles with meeting new friends, finding a boyfriend, avoiding the cliques of mean girls, and meets a mysterious boy from her school, Benji, and knows he is different from everyone. As their romance deepens, will she give up everything to find out his secret?

In RISEN (Book #6 of the Vampire Legends), Rachel Wood embarks on a mission to find her grandmother in New Orleans, and to learn the secret of who she really is. Her travels take her deep into mysterious territory, as she searches for her roots, and for an explanation of all that is happening to her. Benji will not give up on her, even though she can’t remember who he is. He is still in love with her, and more determined than ever to find her and rescue her—before it is too late. Rachel’s brother struggles to keep from giving in to his dark side, as he grapples to come to terms with his new power. Her sister, Sarah, tries to come to grip with her new life at Syracuse, while learning what it means to be a vampire herself. Rob, driven by his love for Rachel, fights to shake off the influence of the dark coven. He will have to fight for Rachel’s love, hoping her loss of memory will also mean she has forgotten her love for Benji. It will be a race to save Rachel’s life as all these forces converge in an ancient cemetery in New Orleans. But there comes a shocking twist, and by then, it may all even be too late… Will Rachel finally remember her true love? And will she be willing to sacrifice it all for him? RISEN is book #6 of the Bestselling Vampire Legends series (following SWORN, TAKEN, BITTEN, CHOSEN and AWAKENED).

My life was never my own. Born into the powerful Wayne family, I was promised to Benjamin Devon—the heir of another oil empire—before I even understood what love meant. Our marriage was a business deal, designed to merge two fortunes into one unstoppable dynasty. There was only one rule: I had to be perfect. Untouched. But one mistake changed everything. A betrayal I never saw coming left me with a secret I couldn’t undo. When I finally met Benjamin, I expected indifference—maybe even cruelty. Instead, I found something real. Something dangerous. He didn’t care about the past. He chose me anyway. For the first time, I believed I could have love… not just obligation. Until the truth came out.
One night shattered it all. A pregnancy. A scandal. Families turning their backs. I was cast out with nothing—forced to walk away from the life I’d always known.
Now I have to decide:
Do I protect him from the chaos I’ve brought…
Or risk everything for a love that was never meant to be mine?

Penny Cruz survives Westbrook High by staying invisible. Fat, nerdy, and on a scholarship, she has one rule: don't get noticed. But when she becomes the live-in babysitter for Jake Mercer, star quarterback, most popular boy in school, and the guy who watches people hurt her without ever saying a word, it becomes impossible.
Jake has a perfect life on the outside and a broken one nobody sees. A little sister who needs him. A dad who is always gone. A ghost of a mother. He does not need feelings. He especially does not need them for the girl sleeping down the hall.
But six-year-old Lily loves Penny from day one. And walls only hold until they don't.
When Brianna Cole, Jake's cruel ex and head cheerleader films Penny's worst moment and posts it for the whole school, Jake must choose between his reputation and the girl who made his house feel like home for the first time since his mom died. Wrong choice, Jake. Because Penny Cruz is done surviving. She is ready to win.

She came to seduce a monster. She didn't expect to fall for one.
Elena Heart is a liar, a spy, assassin and the last ghost of a murdered noble house. To break the curse of monsters plaguing her land, she accepts a deadly mission: infiltrate the court of King Xavier Drakes, the tyrant who rules with iron and shadow, and seduce him into ruin.
But the king is not the beast she imagined.
Xavier has spent a decade chained to a monster inside his own soul, forged by betrayal and a childhood spent in darkness. He sees Elena’s ruse from her first treacherous smile. Yet he doesn't kill her. He plays along. Because a woman brave enough to lie to a tyrant might be brave enough to help him burn the real conspiracy down.
As lies entangle into truth and hatred twists into obsession, Elena discovers the greatest danger isn't the monsters at the border, it's the man who knows her every secret and surrenders anyway.
In a game of power and poison, the last move is always love. Or murder.
They’re not sure which yet.

Maya, who is a fiercely independent young woman, is sold to the ruthless billionaire Damian Blackwood to settle her family’s debts to his family. She is furious and determined to escape him, but she soon discovers that Damian isn’t just any ordinary man. He’s the powerful alpha of the Inferno Pack and a werewolf burdened by a dark past. To her shock, Damian eventually reveals that she is his fated mate, a bond that ties them together against her will.
As Maya struggles to resist her growing attraction to Damian, she becomes entangled in his dangerous world, where other packs and betrayal threaten to ruin him and his power. Damian’s cold and commanding exterior begins to crack, revealing a haunted man. He only wishes to protect her and is desperate to do so.
When Maya learns that Damian initially brought her into his life to fulfill a prophecy that could save his family and pack, she feels betrayed and leaves him because she questions everything about their connection.
But as Damian’s enemies close in and his authority as alpha is tested, Maya realizes her feelings for him run deeper than she thought. She returns to help him face both the rebellion within his own pack and a final, supernatural threat that might just be what ends them all.
In the end, Maya and Damian must accept the bond, trust each other, and fight together to secure their love and their newfound family. Their journey is one of passion, power, and redemption, proving that even in their world of shadows, love can win.

When human healer Elera saves a dying silver-eyed wolf, she never imagines he’s Prince Aiden—
or that her touch would bind their lives under the Blood Moon Bond.
Now the Queen wants her dead because legends say the one who holds a wolf’s heart has the power to end or save their entire race.
Aiden refuses to release her,
and her human friend—the one who’s loved her for years—desperately searches for her
Bound to a prince she never chose, pulled toward the friend who’s always been her safe haven,
Elera must decide:
break the bond and face the consequences or keep it and lose them both.

Three years ago, I ran from my abusive marriage with nothing but my two-year-old daughter and the clothes on our backs. Now I'm back in my hometown of Riverside, trying to rebuild our shattered lives while working at the local diner and hiding from shadows that may not even exist anymore.
Then Jake Miller walks into my life—the boy who broke my teenage heart by leaving town without a word. Now he's back as the new sheriff, all grown up and impossible to ignore. He sees through my walls, makes me feel safe, and wants to protect us from a past I'm terrified will catch up to me.
But when my ex-husband discovers where we've been hiding, I have to choose between running again or finally finding the courage to fight for the life and love I deserve.
A story about second chances, finding strength you didn't know you had, and learning that sometimes the best way forward is to stop running.

Leon is a waste collector. He collects waste from Leamington Enterprise and other commercial buildings. He's made friends in the company, interacting with them whenever he comes to collect the waste twice a week.

He sometimes interacts with the CEO whenever he's available. Everybody knows that the CEO and Leon know each other, but from where and how, they don't know.

Leon is a married man, who left his husband, home and accounting job to distress. He found his solace in the waste collection industry, where he's made friends and has a peace of mind.

This is about his life and how he tries to navigate each day that comes, with a pestering husband that won't admit the wrong he's done and trying to win him back.

Humanity has long since abandoned Earth for strange planets in the furthest reaches of the galaxy. People on the hostile planet of Xyros Prime, where there is constant struggle for few resources, have grown to depend on extremely sophisticated robots in order to survive. These machines are seen as tools since they lack emotion and are made for work, combat, and service. However, Selene Callahan, a bright but emotionally distant scientist, unintentionally produces more than she intended when she designs a new artificial intelligence program meant to evolve consciousness.
Selene's only goals are to live, think creatively, and exert influence over her surroundings. She does not have time for love or intimacy, certainly not with King Orin, the cold and cunning ruler of Xyros Prime, or the elite robots he commands. But Dante, an upgraded replica of one of those robots, unexpectedly grows attached to her. A relationship that starts off tense, hostile, and full of mistrust develops into something exciting and forbidden.
Selene is conflicted about leaving her unfriendly surroundings and giving in to Dante's weird, alluring control over her body and heart as the distinction between human and machine becomes more and more hazy. However, Xyros Prime is hidden from view, and Selene may be powerless to stop the far-reaching effects of her creation.
Can Selene trust the artificial heart of the machine that loves her in a world where humanity's survival depends on its robotic overlords, or will their love end them both?

"Listen, Isabella. There are three reasons why you have to be mine, and I'll reveal them to you gradually. So, don't be stubborn about this situation because you don't have any other choice. Be rest assured," he spoke calmly, a stark contrast to the chaos within me. His composure irritated me, as all I wanted was to mourn my mother's death in peace, not add more burden to my sorrow.

This man seemed utterly heartless.

**

Eighteen-year-old Isabella Fred Roland is haunted by her mother’s tragic death and trapped in a raging life with her ruthless father, the Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack. When she meets Alpha Blaze Arthur, the arrogant leader of the rival Star Fall Pack, she rejects their destined bond, only to discover he holds a dark secret about her father.

Forced into an arranged marriage with Blaze, Isabella grapples with simmering pressure and the disclosure of her pregnancy. Desperate for escape, she flees to a new territory and finds relief with a kind stranger, Noah. But when her past catches up to her, she must confront her father and the painful truth behind Blaze’s vendetta.

Can Isabella trust Blaze to help her seek justice, or will their intertwined fates lead to more heartbreak? In a tale of love, betrayal, and recovery, Isabella must cross a untrustworthy path to find hope and a future for her child.

When Cory's father suddenly dies, his entire perfect world is torn apart.
Gone is the loving mother, doting sister, lovely house, and the huge allowance. Instead, Cory needs to deal with the bank auctioning off the home he gave his first steps in, an illness that befalls his little sister, and the depression that's eating his mother alive.
Just as it can't get any worse, Patrick with the golden-brown eyes, the infectious laugh, and the rich life eventually showed interest in Cory. The thing that Cory believed would have made his once almost-perfect world completely perfect now becomes his biggest fear as he tries to keep his new life a secret.
With juggling his depression, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm; Cory just doesn't know if the boy with the infectious laugh has a place in his life anymore.

"Out in the Wind"is not just the story of a teen who is forced to grow up sooner than any kid should. It is also a real story that happens to lots of people around the world on a daily. This is a story full of tears, sadness, hope, loss, faith, and love.

The day before my engagement to my fiancé, I discovered I was a fake heiress.
And now, the real young lady had returned, and I was being sent away to the poor countryside.
But unlike what they said, my biological parents weren't poor country folk—they were the wealthiest family in the nation!
And I owned top-tier farms, a mysterious jewelry studio, and was a hidden tycoon who could shake up the entire business world.
My fiancé, who had looked down on me, was now crying and begging me to marry him.
He came to me with photos: "Pretending to be greedy, pretending to be ignorant, when you're actually a top-tier mogul? My fiancée, you've deceived me so thoroughly."

Seven days before the apocalypse, my vampire parents forced me to hand over three million to buy a house for my baby brother in full.

As an actuary, I knew that order would collapse in seven days and the money would become worthless. So I not only readily agreed, but also used their family's records as collateral to raise millions in high-interest loans, building an impregnable, top-secret fortress.

Seven days later, an unexpected change occurred.

The debt-collecting gangs and the endless horde of zombies drove them to the brink of despair. Meanwhile, I sat in a temperature-controlled safe house, sipping freshly ground coffee, calmly watching the cannibalistic karmic retribution unfold on the security camera.

In the apocalypse, there is no family affection, only the probability of survival.

In their three years of marriage, Stella tried her best to win Clarence’s heart, but sometimes love just isn't there.

As soon as she found out he was cheating on her and even got his mistress pregnant, all her efforts seemed futile so she made the tough decision to let go and vanish from his life.

Little did she know, Clarence went mad after her departure, searching for her everywhere.

Until one day, he spotted the woman he had long sought, now transformed, holding hands with a cute baby.

Unable to contain himself, Clarence grasped Stella’s chin: "Darling, didn't you promise you'd love me only?"

She chuckled, "A second chance is given only if this time we play by my rules."

Is divorce a sign that the couple don't understand each other or that they BEGIN to?

They were finally at a place where everything seemed to be going alright until suddenly it wasn't. The past has come back to haunt Evelyn and her mates. Thaddeus's past has come back with a vengeance to ruin them and destroy the very bond they fought so hard to save. Now faced with new challenges, and grief so strong it has torn them apart, can they find a way back to each other? Or will they be each other's demise?

This is the third book of the savage series and can not be read as a standalone.
Book 1 Sinful Mates
Book 2 Sadistic Mates

This book is Dark Paranormal Romance if you don't know what that means I suggest you look it up before reading, it contains triggers that readers may find distressing, read at own risk. This book is also Reverse Harem.

Her future was set in stone; in just three months, she would become the first Alpha female of her bloodline.

Life felt like a dream until one day, it turned into a nightmare. That day, Aife learned that the vicious beast elders brought up as a way to scare children wasn’t just a fruit of someone’s imagination.

He came out of the shadows to prove he was real: the pack was under attack, warriors fell at her feet and she was forced to make a choice that would shatter her reality. “Her. Give me her and I will let the remaining ones live. Give her willingly or I will take her after I finish slaughtering the few pack members you have left.”

To save them, Aife agreed to leave with the man who slaughtered her pack. Little did she know her life would be at his mercy from the moment he threw her over his shoulder. In a matter of hours, Aife lost the title of the future Alpha and became the beast’s possession.

“Please, Ash,” she begged, and it undid me. I sucked her clit slowly, while two fingers slid deep inside her. She clenched hard, already close. Bram groaned from above, one hand tangled in her hair as she took his cock into her mouth like she was born to do it.


THIS IS THE SECOND BOOK IN A SERIES. PLEASE FIND HUNTED HYBRID FIRST!

They saved her. But Raelith’s mark still lingers.

After being rescued from the Blood Goddess’s cage, Elowen is home. Surrounded by her mates and the growing kingdom they are building, she should feel safe. Instead, her nights are filled with dreams of a broken girl in chains. A stranger she doesn’t know, but whose pain feels carved into her very soul.

Raelith’s corruption still stains Elowen's spirit, whispering in the dark corners of her mind. And with every passing day, Raelith claws closer to unleashing an ancient chaos entity that could destroy not just Elowen, but every realm.

Together with her five fated mates, the dryads who have pledged their loyalty, and the gods themselves, Elowen must learn to fight back, not only against Raelith, but against the shadows gnawing inside her. Bonds must be strengthened. Magic must be mastered. Trust must be earned. Because this war will not be won by power alone.

It will take healing. Connection. Found family. And the kind of love that refuses to break.

As kingdoms collide and battle lines are drawn, Elowen will be forced to rise higher than ever before. She is the Moon Goddess’s chosen, the vessel of prophecy, the heart that can unite every fractured species. But if she falters, if Raelith succeeds, the world will fall to rot, ruin, and eternal blood.

The Goddess chose her.

Now the world needs her more than ever.

This is not a happy story, this is in no way a love story despite what the stupid a-hole men in her life chose to believe. There are triggers, including SA, talk of past SA, ideas, and attempts at suicide, as well as thoughts and feelings surrounding unwanted pregnancy. I don't romanticize what happens despite what the deluded characters do. This is not a typical shifter story, so please don't expect it to be. You will need a box of Kleenex and nearby objects to throw in frustration and anger. So, if you still wish to read Ria's story and follow her journey, watching her persevere, become an awesome mom, and never back down from screaming at the top of her lungs this is wrong, despite a short bout of temporary insanity, then come along and read her story, and fly with dragons.

She had survived; she had prospered, from a time trapped in her personal hell to the hard life on the streets, to finally finding happiness with her chosen family.

Ria

She thought she had been handed a gift, a reward for perseverance. Yet that gift had a dark reality attached.

She would discover a world she didn't know existed, a future she didn't choose, and a purpose she refused.

She would discover dragons, and they said she was theirs.

Legacy of Dragons
Ria and the Balaur brothers never imagined how far their family would come.
After surviving betrayal, loss, and the lies that nearly destroyed everything they loved, they dedicated themselves to building a future. What began as a training facility for dragons soon grew into something far greater—a place where dragons and other species from around the world could learn, train, and thrive together.
Now the facility is flourishing. Their children have grown, many finding their own mates among dragons, shifters, and other species from distant lands. The family Ria fought so hard to protect has expanded beyond anything she once dreamed possible, bringing new friendships, new adventures, and a growing legacy of grandchildren.
As old secrets continue to surface, long-held beliefs about dragons and mixed-species bloodlines are being challenged. Truths buried for generations are finally coming to light, reshaping everything they thought they knew about their world.

King Valerio's cold eyes searched through the small crowd, then on her. "I want the half-dead thing..." He calmly demanded.

The Alpha King hesistated, his expression thick with uncertainty. "Take her then, if it properly seals the treaty like you have demanded."

That moment, Evyths Thorne knew that her pack not only hated her but effortlessly threw her at the mercy of the very creature that could ruin what's left of her.

The ancient vampires in Ravencroft.

...
When Prince Valerio D'Arcy Belmont chooses a rejected omega as his treaty hostage, the supernatural world questions his sanity. But Valerio knows something they don't…

The moon goddess chose her. The pack destroyed her.
Evyths Thorne was an omega without a wolf, the weakest member of the Crescent Pack.
Her fate should have been simple: become Alpha Ryker's Luna.
But when her fated mate humiliates her one too many times, Evyths makes the ultimate choice.
She rejects him.
A decision that costs her everything.
Banished from the only home she's known, Evyths becomes a prisoner of the vampires and the possession of Prince Valerio D'Arcy Belmont — a cold, brilliant vampire who sees her as nothing more than a bargaining piece.
But when an ancient prophecy begins to awaken, the omega everyone called a curse may be the one supernatural creatures have been searching for.
And Valerio must decide.
Is she his greatest weakness?
Or his greatest weapon?

Alley is the daughter of an alpha to the largest pack, she has a hard determination to protect the people she loves. When the wolf ball comes around she meets her mate, alpha to the second largest pack. Together they learn more about their family history and discover Alley isn't just a wolf, she is also the great white witch and her mate isn't just an alpha but one that comes from a royal bloodline.
She now has a target on her back with someone trying in everyway to take her power forcing her to align her self with not only the dark witch queen but the vampire queen.
Things aren't always as easy as she had hoped for, endless times she has had to prove herself worthy but with the help of her pack, her parents pack and the element carriers themselves there is nothing she can't do.
While training hard and being betrayed by someone she was supposed to trust, the ultimate battle ensues but who will come out victorious? Read along to find out.

“When you think that life cannot get better, Blake Pierce comes up with another masterpiece of thriller and mystery! This book is full of twists and the end brings a surprising revelation. I strongly recommend this book to the permanent library of any reader that enjoys a very well written thriller.”--Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Almost Gone) ALMOST DEAD is book #3 in a new psychological thriller series by USA Today bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose #1 bestseller Once Gone (Book #1) (a free download) has received over 1,000 five star reviews. After the disastrous fallout from her last placement in England, all 23-year-old Cassandra Vale wants is a chance to pick up the pieces. A high-society, divorced mother in sunny Italy seems to be the answer. But is she? With a new family come new children, new rules, and new expectations. Cassandra’s determined to make this one last - until a horrifying discovery pushes her to a breaking point. And when the unimaginable occurs, will it be too late to pull herself back from the brink? Who, she wonders, is she becoming?A riveting mystery replete with complex characters, layers of secrets, dramatic twists and turns and heart-pounding suspense, ALMOST DEAD is book #3 in a psychological suspense series that will have you turning pages late into the night. Book #4 in the series will be available soon.

"A book to rival TWILIGHT and VAMPIRE DIARIES, and one that will have you wanting to keep reading until the very last page! If you are into adventure, love and vampires this book is the one for you!" --Vampirebooksite.com (Turned)DESIRED is Book #5 in the #1 Bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, which begins with TURNED (Book #1)! In DESIRED (Book #5 in the Vampire Journals), Caitlin Paine wakes to discover that she has once again traveled back in time. This time, she has landed in eighteenth century Paris, an age of great opulence, of kings and queens—but also of revolution. Reunited with her true love, Caleb, the two of them finally have the quiet, romantic time together that they never had. They spend idyllic time together in the city of Paris, visiting its most romantic sites, as their love grows ever deeper. Caitlin decides to give up the search for her father, so that she can savor this time and place, and spend her life with Caleb. Caleb takes her to his medieval castle, near the ocean, and Caitlin is happier than she ever dreamed. But their idyllic time together is not destined to last forever, and events intercede that force the two of them apart. Caitlin once again finds herself united with Aiden and his coven, with Polly and with new friends, as she focuses again on her training, and on her mission. She is introduced to the lavish world of Versailles, and encounters outfits and opulence beyond what she ever dreamed. With never ending feasts and parties and concerts, Versailles is a world of its own. She is happily reunited with her bother Sam, who is also back in time, and having dreams of their father, too. But all is not as well as it seems. Kyle has traveled back in time, too—this time, with his evil sidekick, Sergei—and he is more determined than ever to kill Caitlin. And Sam and Polly each fall ever deeper into toxic relationships, which just might threaten to destroy everything around them. As Caitlin becomes a true and hardened warrior, she comes closer than ever to finding her father, and the mythical Shield. The climactic, action-packed ending, takes Caitlin through a whirlwind of Paris’ most important medieval locations, on a hunt for clues. But surviving this time will demand skills she never dreamed she had. And reuniting with Caleb will require her to make the hardest choices—and sacrifices—of her life.

Ever heard of a professional Liar-for-hire?

Well, meet Lola Beaumont, CEO of LIAR FOR HIRE, a discreet hiring and lying agency.

Lola's job is to craft and sell lies to help rich people in need of help, by assuming different identities and using various disguises. Think crashing an ex's wedding, fake dating a hockey player, bursting a cheating ass boyfriend in the act, fiancée-for-a-day, CEO’s contract wife, pretend-girlfriend for a high school reunion. Whatever you can think of.

One night, Lola gets an anonymous email with no name, no subject, and nothing that could be traced to an actual sender. But the job is simple. She is to approach billionaire CEO, Vincent Vale, and get his attention, but there's a twist—she’s to go without any disguise.

Despite the odds, the offer is mouthwatering so Lola takes the job. She designs the perfect meet cute, and cooks up a pitiful lie to pull the handsome billionaire’s attention. But when she finally comes face to face with him, he not only knows her name. It becomes clear that she’s the splitting image of a woman who is supposed to be dead.

An article comes out overnight and Lola gets tangled up in it. With her life now on the line, Vincent Vale becomes her only lifeline. And she, his only ticket to uncovering buried mysteries and unravelling hidden truths.

Now she must leave the name ‘Lola Beaumont’ behind, and become the WOMAN who died three years ago.

But there’s someone lurking in the shadows who will stop at nothing to see her DEAD.

Follow the tale of a professional liar, and a Billionaire CEO who hates lies.

"A book to rival TWILIGHT and VAMPIRE DIARIES, and one that will have you wanting to keep reading until the very last page! If you are into adventure, love and vampires this book is the one for you!" --Vampirebooksite.com (Turned)LOVED is Book #2 in the #1 Bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, which begins with Book #1, TURNED! In LOVED (Book #2 in the Vampire Journals), Caitlin and Caleb embark together on their quest to find the one object that can stop the imminent vampire and human war: the lost sword. An object of vampire lore, there is grave doubt over whether it even exists. If there is any hope of finding it, they must first trace Caitlin’s ancestry. Is she really the One? Their search begins with finding Caitlin’s father. Who was he? Why did he abandon her? As the search broadens, they are shocked by what they discover about who she really is. But they are not the only ones searching for the legendary sword. The Blacktide Coven wants it, too, and they are close on Caitlin and Caleb’s trail. Worse, Caitlin’s little brother, Sam, remains obsessed with finding his Dad. But Sam soon finds himself in way over his head, smack in the middle of a vampire war. Will he jeopardize their search? Caitlin and Caleb’s journey takes them on a whirlwind of historic locations—from the Hudson Valley, to Salem, to the heart of historic Boston—the very spot where witches were once hung on the hill of Boston Common. Why are these locations so important to the vampire race? And what do they have to do with Caitlin’s ancestry, and with who she’s becoming? But they may not even make it. Caitlin and Caleb’s love for each other is blossoming. And their forbidden romance may just destroy everything they’ve set out to achieve…. “LOVED, the second book in the Vampire Journals series, is just as great as the first book, TURNED, and jam packed with action, romance, adventure, and suspense. If you loved the first book, get your hands on this one and fall in love all over again.” --Vampirebooksite.com “THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS series has had a great plot, and LOVED especially was the kind of book you will have trouble putting down at night. The ending was a cliffhanger that was so spectacular that you will immediately want to buy the next book, just to see what happens. As you can see, this book was a huge step up in the series and receives a solid A.” --The Dallas Examiner

"A book to rival TWILIGHT and VAMPIRE DIARIES, and one that will have you wanting to keep reading until the very last page! If you are into adventure, love and vampires this book is the one for you!" --Vampirebooksite.com (Turned)RESURRECTED is Book #9 in the #1 Bestselling series THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, which begins with Book #1, TURNED! In RESURRECTED (Book #9 of the Vampire Journals), 16 year old Scarlet Paine finds herself changing in mysterious ways. She is becoming sensitive to light, able to read peoples’ thoughts, and is faster and stronger than she’s ever been. She doesn’t understand what’s happening to her, and tries to ignore it. But she can only dismiss it for so long. Caitlin Paine, her mom, knows too well what’s happening to her daughter. She underwent the same transformation to vampire once, centuries ago. But now, in the present day, as a mere human, she has no memory of it. All she has is the journal she found in the attic—her mysterious vampire journal—telling of her exploits in another time and place, and of the vampire race being eradicated. But was there one exception to the rule? Could it be that Scarlet, her daughter, is the last remaining vampire on earth? As Scarlet tries to fight who she’s becoming, she also tries to fight her intense feelings for Blake, a boy in her grade who she has a crush on. She can’t tell, though, if he’s into her, and with the big Halloween dance just days away, the pressure is on. She would do anything for Blake to ask her. But Vivian, the meanest of the popular girls, is also on Blake’s radar, and she’ll do anything to make Blake hers—and to make Scarlet’s life a living hell. Luckily Scarlet has her own clique of friends to back her up, including her best friends Maria and Jasmin. They, too, have guy troubles—but it isn’t until Sage appears, the mysterious new boy, that her friends become obsessed. Scarlet finds herself attracted to him, too—and is surprised when it is her, of all the girls in the school, that he pays attention to. But her mind is set on Blake, at least for now, and she continues to hope he’ll ask her to the dance. Just when it seems that Scarlet has what she wants, her body changes. Soon it may be impossible for her to be near her fellow humans. Soon, she may have to choose between her desire to live and her desire for love.

In FALLEN (Book #7 of the Vampire Legends), Rachel Wood wakes to find she has fallen down a hole, into a fantasy world from which she tries to escape. She searches desperately for Benji, but destiny seems intent on keeping them apart.Rachel, saved from the underworld by her Grandmother, finally learns the secrets of who she is—and how powerful she is.Benji fights for his life, his love for Rachel never fading, he eager to be reunited with her. But he is up against forces more powerful than ever, and he may not be able to break free.Darker forces than ever are at play, determined to end the world, and it will be a race against time as they all converge on the portal in the midst of the ocean, all of them fighting for possession of the ancient relic that alone can save the world.More than anything, Rachel is determined to save her love. But as a dramatic twist comes at the end, she realizes, this time, all may be lost forever….FALLEN is book #7 of the Bestselling Vampire Legends series (following SWORN, TAKEN, BITTEN, CHOSEN, AWAKENED and RISEN).

SKEPTIC IN SALEM: AN EPISODE OF CRIME is Book #2 in a charming new cozy mystery series by bestselling author Fiona Grace, author of Murder in the Manor, a #1 Bestseller with over 100 five-star reviews (and a free download)!When Mia Bold, 30, learns that the pharmaceutical company she works for only cares about money, she quits on the spot, walking away from a high-powered career—and from her long-time boyfriend, who breaks up with her.With the podcast taking off, and with a romance brewing, Mia and the crew film the first episode of their new TV show, in the haunted house of one of the original Salem witches. Mia’s working hard to debunk the unexplained happenings—when suddenly, someone dies unexpectedly.Even worse—the suspicion falls on her.With her future at stake and her career and reputation on the line, Mia has no choice but to solve the inexplicable death. Could the cause be supernatural?A mesmerizing page-turner, packed with intrigue, mystery, romance, pets, food—and most of all, the supernatural—SKEPTIC IN SALEM is a cozy with a twist, one you will cherish as it has you fall in love with its main character and as it keeps you glued (and laughing) throughout the night.Book #3 in the series—AN EPISODE OF DEATH—is now also available!

"Very entertaining. Highly recommended for the permanent library of any reader who appreciates a well-written mystery with twists and an intelligent plot. You will not be disappointed. Excellent way to spend a cold weekend!"--Books and Movie Reviews (regarding Murder in the Manor) SKEPTIC IN SALEM: AN EPISODE OF MURDER is the debut novel in a charming new cozy mystery series by bestselling author Fiona Grace, author of Murder in the Manor, a #1 Bestseller with over 100 five-star reviews (and a free download)!When Mia Bold, 30, learns that the pharmaceutical company she works for only cares about money, she quits on the spot, walking away from a high-powered career. Worse, her long-time boyfriend, instead of proposing as she expected, decides to break up with her.Mia’s true passion lies in her own podcast, devoted to debunking the occult and shining light on the truth. The daughter of a con-man father, Mia feels a moral responsibility to the truth, and to spare others from being conned.When Mia, at a crossroads, receives an invitation from a famous supernatural podcast inviting her to move to Salem and join their podcast as the skeptic-in-residence, Mia sees a chance to start her life over again and to pursue her life’s mission.But things in Salem do not go as planned. When an unexpected death happens—in the midst of Mia trying to debunk a haunted inn—she realizes she may be in over her head. With her own future now at stake, can she really prove that witches and ghosts do not exist?A mesmerizing page-turner, packed with intrigue, mystery, romance, pets, food—and most of all, the supernatural—SKEPTIC IN SALEM is a cozy with a twist, one you will cherish as it has you fall in love with its main character and as it keeps you glued (and laughing) throughout the night.“The book had heart and the entire story worked together seamlessly that didn't sacrifice either intrigue or personality. I loved the characters - so many great characters! I can't wait to read whatever Fiona Grace writes next!”--Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor)“Wow, this book takes off & never stops! I couldn't put it down! Highly recommended for those who love a great mystery with twists, turns, romance, and a long lost family member! I am reading the next book right now!”--Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor)“This book is rather fast paced. It has the right blend of characters, place, and emotions. It was hard to put down and I hope to read the next book in the series.”

My name is Charles Cole, a blind lactation therapist.
Of course, apart from pretending to be blind, all my skills are genuine.
Ophelia sat on the bed and slowly took off her top right in front of me, her beautiful figure revealing its spring allure under the golden warm sunlight.
“Mr. Cole, let's begin!”
I nodded, reaching forward with both hands, yet I didn't dare show the slightest unusual expression on my face.
The reason was simple: Ophelia's husband, Russell, was standing coldly right behind me at that moment.

I’m a top assassin.

Three years ago, on a rainy night, I was being hunted when a stranger took a bullet for me. As he lay dying, he grabbed my hand and begged me to protect his son—and to keep living in his place.

To escape my pursuers and keep that promise, I changed my face, took his identity, and stayed by the boy’s side as his father.

His wife was arrogant, cruel, and constantly cheating. For the child—and to protect my cover—I endured all of it.

Until today.

She drugged me.

When I woke up, a doctor was holding a blade over my chest. They were about to take my heart.

Lying on that operating table, I finally learned the truth: her family had been trafficking organs all along.

That man died three years ago because he discovered it, and she arranged the crash that killed him.

She murdered the man who saved me. Now she wants to kill me too.

She still thinks I’m the same weak doctor who gets out of breath after a short run.

She doesn’t know I’m resistant to anesthesia.

And she definitely doesn’t know these hands have held scalpels—and snapped far too many necks.

Ice Princess × Hockey Captain


I was supposed to be the next Olympic figure skating champion.

Until one fall destroyed everything.

My career.
My knee.
My future.

So I disappeared.

At Yale, I’m just another freshman trying to stay invisible.

No skating.
No spotlight.
No past.

It almost works.

Until Eli Hayes.

Yale hockey captain.
Campus golden boy.
The one person who keeps looking at me like he already knows who I am.

The more I try to push him away, the closer he gets.

And the closer we get…

the more dangerous my secret becomes.

Because if anyone finds out the truth—

that the girl hiding at Yale is the same Silver Preston whose Olympic dreams shattered on national television—

everything I rebuilt will fall apart again.

Including the one person I never meant to fall for.

I inherited my mother’s breathtaking beauty, while my sister was cursed with our father’s plain, vulgar looks.
Consumed by jealousy, she married early and settled into a mundane life, while I was kept entirely imprisoned by our mother—forbidden to date, forbidden to marry.
Whenever I brought a boyfriend home, my mother would take him into that mysterious locked bathroom.
Every single man who walked out of there would have glazed eyes and a flushed look of utter ecstasy. Then, without fail, they would coldly abandon me. Even the man who swore to marry me completely succumbed—to the point where he was having sex with my mother in the garden in broad daylight!
What’s even more bizarre is that whenever any female relative stepped into that bathroom, they came out looking at me with vicious hatred, joining forces to spit on me.
Betrayed by everyone and pushed to the brink, I decided to flee this demonic house in the dead of night.
But the moment I peeked through the crack of the door and finally caught a glimpse inside that bathroom, the blood in my veins turned to ice.
Only then did I horrifyingly realize the true reason my mother was willing to destroy my entire life...