~ 2021 WATTY'S SHORTLIST ~ "I-well, I..." I hesitated with my response. I wanted to let go. To not worry about what would happen in the future. I'd always loved staring into fires. It hypnotized me with its beauty and danger. It was so tantalizing to look at, but one little touch could destroy. I knew the heat between Tyler and I was similar. It started off small but it had only grown in the weeks he'd been here. We'd fed it unintentionally, and it had gone from an ember to a crackling flame. Every nerve in my body wanted to reach out and touch it, even though I knew I'd get burned. *************************************************** Pia Callahan always lived a carefree life with no worries. Her only responsibilities were to attend her college classes (sometimes) and keep herself fed (on ramen). When tragedy strikes, Pia is all of the sudden thrown into a whirlwind of change. She has to grow up and take on more responsibility than she could ever imagine: the custody of her best friend's son. Pia may not believe she is the best person for the job, but she is determined to do it. She'll trade in frat parties for PTA meetings and beer-bongs for apple juice. But what happens when the ruggedly hot motocross athlete Tyler Westwood shows up in her small town? Tyler lives on the fast track, never caring too much about consequences. You can't when your job is to do backflips through the air. Sometimes, you just have to send it and hope for the best. From the second Tyler meets Pia, he knows he wants her. But she is determined to ignore their bubbling chemistry. She has priorities now and a summer fling isn't one of them. Will Pia be able to stay away from Tyler? Or will she decide to hit the throttle? ***************************************************

"𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞?" "𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞." Nothing in life has come easily to Chase. He's had to work for everything he's gotten until she comes along and feels like the big break he's been waiting for all his life. Lexi may have stumbled into his arms, but he's going to have to fight like hell to keep her there; to earn himself a spot in her life, in her heart. But Chase knows that she's worth it, and he's no stranger to hard work. Lexi wants to be free, and Greenville is the key to the platinum shackles keeping her from escaping the dollhouse of a home she grew up in. Everything about her new home breathes color into her dull life, and she's not going to give it up for anything. She's going to make it on her own, and nobody is going to underestimate her this time. Lexi is built from materials much stronger than porcelain. Her high hopes may finally be within reach, and she doesn't plan on letting anything or anyone distract her from her future, at least not for more than one night. Apparently, Chase didn't get the memo.

Ella Mae Emerson, the girl who stays hidden at all costs, the girl who likes to be alone with eyes glued to the floor, words coming out as stutters, and nervousness her own personal shadow. She's just a girl who's trying to make it through the day with anxiety clinging to her back. Declan Olin Anderson, the new kid who transferred with drooling features and a charming attitude. Football is his sport, you could say he's quite the stellar athlete who's got game both on and off the field. If you push he'll pull, he doesn't quit because no good athlete does. She wasn't like him and he wasn't like her. They each got their own problems but finding each other wasn't one of them. * "You're beautiful Ellie, that's why they're staring." He whispers into my ear. My cheeks go hot as my eyes meet his. I don't know why, but when Declan calls me beautiful I get this feeling that I can't describe. He makes me feel so special. At this moment it's just me and him, he smirks and adds, "You're my girl, not theirs, they are jealous and they should be." Completed - 12/28/19

"Kiss me." He orders, slamming my locker shut. "Is she coming?" I ask, turning my head to look behind me, but he grabs my face and makes me look up at him. "Yes, now kiss me." I do as told, getting on my tippy toes as I lean up to kiss him. He kisses me back slowly, before he pins me against the lockers and deepens the kiss. My eyes widen and I try to push him away. This isn't part of the deal. He pulls away, a full on smirk plastered on his face. "I lied." He confesses, turning around. "She wasn't coming." Then, he walks away.

*WARNING: RATED MATURE DUE TO LANGUAGE/SEXUAL CONTENT. READERS MUST BE 17+* *CANNOT be read without reading prior novels in series* Asher Pryce hides behind a wall of secrets he's spent most of his life building up. How else is the adopted child whose birth parents run a drug cartel supposed to fit in? He's notorious for his overconfident swagger and total lack of patience for bullshit - a master of masks. The one thing in his life he can't fake? His feelings for his best friend's twin sister. When she returns back home after eight years of living in another city, Asher is ready to take their lifelong friendship to another level. Of course, life has rarely worked in his favour. Between the letters his birth parents keep sending him, a run-in with an old enemy that's out for his blood, and his responsibility to protect his adoptive parents from his fucked up birth family, he would only be putting the woman he loves in danger. He may make his living as a fighter but this is one fight he's destined to lose. Right? Aria Hunter has gotten pretty good at faking it until you make it. After getting through an abusive relationship and fleeing to another city Aria is ready to return home years later. Everything has changed, including her relationship with her best friend. There's a constant magnetic pull between them and Aria feels their intense chemistry with every touch and look Asher steals from her. Gone is the once scrawny and irritable ten-year-old boy replaced by a cocky and assertive man that's way too hard to resist. But his looks aren't the only thing that changed about him. When Asher finds himself part of his birth parent's crowd once again, Aria knows this only means trouble. The more she fights to keep him safe, the harder it is to hide how she feels about him. Maybe their feelings for each other just aren't meant to be realized. After all, falling for your best friend is just a cliché. Right? All rights reserved to TheFeveredBookaholic.

*Warning: LABELLED MATURE. Due to sexual content and graphic language, this book is recommended for readers 17+ in age* *CANNOT be read without reading prior novels in series* Under-the-radar boxer Cameron West loves to get through life in a series of humour and mischief. He'll be there to charm your panties off and give you a good laugh about it right after. But it's true when they say that the happiest people often hold the darkest secrets. Cameron is running from an extremely dark past, with secrets he'll fight to take to his grave, and isn't too proud about how he still hasn't escaped his demons. His biggest secret of all could threaten to ruin his career completely and is the reason he refuses to pursue his passion of boxing. When a certain fiery Latina sashays her way into his life and his heart, Cameron must rid of his demons once and for all and struggle to keep what he loves by doing what he does best: fight. Spunky and flirtatious Avery Cruz can give anyone a run for their money with her witty comebacks and alluring demeanour. Finally reaching the level of psychiatry she aspired to achieve, she's at the peak of getting a handle on her life. That is, until, a charismatic boxer who never fails to melt her with his all too adorable smiles completely consumes her head and heart. Avery soon discovers that this seemingly carefree hunk is hiding some major secrets that threatens to crash everything they managed to built. Pasts will be revealed, trials will come to light, and through it all, Avery will be put to the test. Will she manage to convince Cameron that their love can overcome any demons, no matter how dark or difficult? All copyrights reserved to TheFeveredBookaholic.

COMPLETED: 24/02/17 *Warning: LABELLED MATURE. Due to sexual content and graphic language, this book is recommended for readers 17+ in age* Rising boxer Jaxon Cage is known to be a fighter on and off the ring. He's a man on a mission; redeeming the death of his little brother, who was on his way to become a boxing star. Jaxon holds himself accountable for his brother's death and now takes his place in the ring to continue his dream. Turns out, he's a natural. With a 5-year-old daughter he's raising, he needs the money now more than ever and is steadily making his way to the top with the help of his Coach. There's just one problem - he's taken a keen interest in his Coach's daughter and can't afford the distraction or any further burdens. But resisting her and focusing on his torturous reality is easier said than done. Quiet and shy Emily Resnick leads a simple life as an elementary teacher. Or she did, until her father took the talented and outrageously handsome Jaxon Cage under his wing. Now, she finds herself consumed by the dark and brooding but secretly soft-hearted man. She was a goner for him the second she saw the devotion he gave to his daughter and new-found job. As she discovers the many layers to this difficult man, she can't help but want to ease his burdens and carry his demons. She can't help but want him, period. Jaxon is intent on pushing her away, though, and Emily must decide if she should run from the inevitable destruction of her heart while she can, or fight for the fighter. All copyrights reserved to TheFeveredBookaholic. #1 in Fight #3 in Adult Book two: https://my.w.tt/hZHitjLyuV

She never met someone that is so cold and soft at the same time, that is mean to everyone, and not to mention he is super hot. He never met someone so shy, that only minds her own business, and is a total darling and makes his cold heart melt. Liliana Smith is a total angel, she is shy, and the girl that had no friends and her parents are workaholic, she just finished high school and is about to go to college. Greyson Carter is the opposite of Liliana he is cold, has lots of friends, is a hockey player, and has the perfect family. He is on his second year of college. As everyone says, opposites attract each other.

A Sports Romance • Basketball/Soccer/Lacrosse • Two Neighbor Enemies. One Fake Relationship. • "I'm sick and tired of pretending. I want us. I want you and me." "And so what? Do you want to be with me? Because I'm sure tired of being a second choice." "You were never the second choice. I just came back from my dad's to tell you I chose you." Easton's voice erupts from behind Mauricio. The world goes still. "I told you, I'd never make you choose, but for the sake of the three of us...this needs to be done. Who do you choose, Malia?" So much for no rules in bad ideas. • Seniors Malia, Easton, and Mauricio have a situation. A bad idea kind of situation. • Introduction, Extended Synopsis, & Author's Note inside. • S: 01/12/2021 E: 09/12/2023 The Morhills Elites Series/Book One/Four Parts (©mimisarai 2021) • Current Status: Completed (First Draft)

"If this was published, I'd buy it" Rhi can have any guy she wants but she goes for the guy she has been friends with for years. Unluckily for her he is her best friends brother and Rhis brothers best friend.