Wattys Shortlist 2022 - In the shadow of a ruined world, survival comes at a cost. Decades after modified radiation bombs decimated the earth, the survivors of New Australia live in fractured Zones-regions ruled by scarcity, controlled by gangs, and governed by fear. The bombs didn't just destroy cities; they unleashed two devastating plagues. D.V.B, a deadly airborne illness, wiped out millions. But M.A.D was worse-a mind- warping disease that turns victims into violent, flesh-hungry predators. In the RedZone, where hope is a luxury and danger is routine, Violet Warrendale has learned to hide in plain sight. By day, she's the reluctant daughter of a prominent gang leader. By night, she's Viper-a deadly ghost in the underworld, wanted for assassination. Vi has only one goal: escape Lake Darling and disappear. For good this time. But when the military storms the RedZone and abducts everyone under twenty-eight, her plan shatters. Imprisoned in a Reproduction Facility-where survival means obedience-Vi must conceal her identity from the enemy. Worse, her cellmate is the gangster responsible for her brother's disappearance. With enemies on every side, secrets buried deeper than the fallout, and a rebellion brewing in the blood-soaked cracks of the system, Vi has a choice: stay hidden, or burn it all down. ... Enemies to Lovers Young Adult Post Apocalyptic Mature (18+) ...

[COMPLETE] Katherine Williamson Peters wasn't born a beaten coward. When she was a girl she was wild and free and brave. She was Blue Angel, fierce protector of the imaginary innocent and robber of make-believe trains. She climbed trees and disobeyed her father and she cavorted with demons. At least that's what the church folk said-- Gabriel Townsend's momma was a concubine for Satan himself, and her son was the devil's seed. Not that it mattered much to Katherine, back when she was young and reckless. Gabe was just her partner in crime, her best friend in the whole world. She was Blue Angel and he was Devil Dog, slayer of bad guys and wielder of six-shooter finger guns. But life had other plans for Katherine than the rebellion and joy she favored as a girl. She couldn't say exactly how it happened that she lost her courage, but she woke up one day and found herself conquered. Battered and alone, crushed beneath the heel of her husband, her obligations, and the weight of the town's judgment. A brave woman would have fought. She'd have protected herself and brought goodness and strength back to the name of God-- a name her husband's preachings had tarnished. Katherine wasn't brave. She was a coward, and like a coward she turned her back on God and she fled... ...right into the arms of the devil.

"The Caregiver and the Mob Boss" ❦ Avelina makes her money by taking care of those who can't take care of themselves. When she is handed a case about a man who had needed a personal caregiver, she accepts. One thing Avelina never anticipated was the dangerous lifestyle he lived. Not only that, but she didn't expect for him to be so incredibly good-looking. Adrik Zolotov, the Russian mobster that everyone called "Mad Hatter". His insanity and crave for blood left him the most feared man of all. All he wanted was power and those around him to fear him. For a man recently diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, everyone believed him to be emotionally incapable of ever loving anyone. . . Imagine their surprise when he meets Avelina. ❦ "Mr. Zolotov, I have to make sure you bathe before I leave. It's apart of my jobs protocol," she said softly. The truth was that he made her feel nervous. There was so much coldness and evil in his eyes, it left a chill to run down her spine. "Fine," he stated before walking over to his bathtub. Her eyes followed his movements as he pulled off his shirt causing her to lick her lips and quickly look away. She could hear the sound of more clothes falling onto the ground until the sound of water running littered her eardrums. "You assist when asked, isn't that right?" He asked. Slowly, she opened her eyes to see that he had already gotten into the shower. "Yes," Avelina answered. "Bathe me." ❦ Dangerously far from cliché

[ORIGINAL DRAFT SAMPLE] She is twenty-nine when the FBI comes for her, but Catherine Themis was only seventeen, grieving and naive and angry, the first time she wiped someone else's blood from her fingers and felt the snake rise in her chest. She was seventeen when she stepped into the dark and never looked back. ***** By day, Catherine Themis is an unassuming civilian administrator for the Dedwich Police Department, but by night, she is a notorious vigilante known as The Hangman. Struggling with her violent urges and the psychological cost of her actions, Catherine becomes the target of an obsessive serial killer and a relentless FBI agent, and as the hunt for the Hangman intensifies, Catherine must decide which life she wishes to live and what she values more: vengeance or her fading humanity? A psychological thriller in the vein of MINDHUNTER and HANNIBAL, SERPENT HEART is a deep-dive into the life and history of a conflicted vigilante forced to confront her inner demons and evade a national manhunt. Catherine questions the efficacy of her own convictions as the FBI closes in and a vindictive murderer puts her family, love, and identity in jeopardy. With everything on the line and time running out, who will Catherine Themis become? --- [[AVAILABLE ON AMAZON]] [[REMOVED 24 DEC 2021]] [[2019 Watty Winner - Mystery & Thriller]]

Sam is the most promising swordsman among this year’s crop of Paladin trainees...and knows it. Brash, cocky, and unbeatable with a sword (well, almost), Sam is the kingdom of Thule’s best hope against the violence wrought by demons. The only problem is that Sam is really Lady Samantha, daughter of the seventeenth Duke of Haywood, and if her father has his way, she’ll be marrying a Paladin, not becoming one. But Sam has never held much interest in playing damsel-in-distress, and so she rescues herself from a lifetime of boredom and matrimonial drudgery. Pity that Tristan Lyons, the Paladin assigned to train her, is none other than the hero of her childhood. He hasn’t recognized her as Lady Samantha--yet-- but if he does, he’ll take away her sword and send her packing. Sam is not the only trainee hiding secrets: Braeden is a half-demon with a dark past that might be unforgivable. Sam, Braeden and Tristan set out for the western coast, charged with rooting out an infestation of demons that has made the West unlivable. As they travel, they uncover a deep-seated corruption of power that threatens to derail everything they stand for. Rebellion stirs, led by a rival faction of warriors who tempt Sam to join them with an irresistible offer. A war between men is coming, and Sam must pick a side. Will saving the kingdom cost her life -- or just her heart? Reminiscent of Mulan, but with a medieval fantasy twist, Paladin is a tale of adventure, action, and romance.

What happens when a bunch of killers are forced to live together? BATTLE OF THE KILLERS is a reality show that follows Betinia Woods, a girl kidnapped and forced to live in an underground bunker with twelve other killers. The bunker is equipped with hundreds of cameras and microphones that follow the killers every move. Every week, the killers must participate in challenges and other activities to gain points. The four killers with the most points get to leave the bunker. How do you get the most points? By killing the other contestants. ↬ Winner of over ninety Wattpad Awards ↬ First Draft

She's fae. He's human. He should never have followed her into the magic realm... Violet has one job: protect humans from dangerous magical creatures. It's a job she's good at-until the cute human guy whose life she just saved follows her into the fae world. Now she's broken faerie law, risking her future at the Guild of Guardians. She needs to get Nate home and make him forget everything he's discovered. If only someone wasn't intent on hunting him down. Vi and Nate are pulled into the darker side of the fae world, where deadly magic and long-forgotten secrets exist. Vi might be one of the best, but can she get them out alive? Dazzling magic, page-turning action, family secrets, and swoon-worthy romance. Start reading today to be swept away into this enchanting world! (Note: This is a first edition. The second edition with minor changes is now available on the Google Play store, Apple Books, Kobo, Amazon and other ebook and print book retailers.)

Ember Ryvergrave is tired and alone. Her mother is dead, her twin sister doesn't need her, and her best friend is in love with another. She feels as though she has no purpose anymore. She's a trained assassin. A killer. Surely she shouldn't be feeling so dejected from the people around her, yet those feelings linger deep inside her stomach. Along with the secret magic that resides in Ember's bones. The magic that would cost her her life if anyone knew about it. She's prepared to live a life of solitude and coldness until a strange boy with mint eyes and golden hair sees her and her magic. Ember's world flips upside down. He comes with news. Ember's fellow assassin has been taken. She has been tasked with retrieving the assassin and bringing them home. However, Ember has to cross through her country and go into the capital. Where the King resides. The man who wishes her dead. Though, she doesn't journey alone. The mint-eyed boy insists on coming. Now she must watch out for him . . . and herself. Trouble stirs and old demons come back to haunt Ember. Especially two men who are on the hunt for her. Ember's past is coming back to life and it's worse than anything she has ever imagined. Will she be able to save her fellow assassin? Or will she perish before she even reaches the capital? TWs: sexual assault, mentions of sexual assault, violence, gore, obscene language, depression, suicidal thoughts. Please take note of these before reading! 214K words *COVER ART IS NOT MINE* Len Yan is the artist of the cover, I got it off of pinterest!

I can't keep the smile off my face as I take my seat on the plane. I slide my bag under the seat and lean back. I close my eyes and let a blissful smile grace my face. He said I wouldn't be able to run. As if. I'm vaguely aware of someone taking the seat next to mine, but I pay no attention to said person. "So where we headed?" I choke on my own spit as my eyes fly open and whirl around to face the owner of the familiar voice. His eyes are hidden behind those damn sunglasses and a rather smug smile graces his face. I continue choking and he does nothing other than flip through a magazine. That smug smile never leaving his face. "You still haven't answered the question." "To hell." I finally manage to choke out. "Awesome," He flips a page in the magazine, "It's about time I returned home. You know, bodies to burn, lost souls to torture, I've missed it. It'll be fun." *** Nicolette Moore. A name law enforcement agencies across the world know. Though no one's ever seen the face of the world's greatest thief and hacker, everyone knows who she is by name. Nicky. She's an absolute genius. Once upon a time she wasn't the best person in the world. When her family was struggling she made some bad choices to help them through it, but when she tried to get out she got pulled in deeper. Ryder Stevenson. He's the son of the director of the FBI, and an FBI Agent himself. He's the one who brings in Nicky to get her protection from the people chasing after her. He's also the one, who gets assigned to protect her. Neither one of them like each other, and they can't go five minutes without getting in a full blown argument. She's constantly ditching him only for him to show up later and prove to her he's not that easy to get rid of. They're stuck with each other whether they like it or not. But he doesn't know who she really is. What will he do when he finds out? An FBI Agent protecting THE Hacker. The one the FBI have been after for years...this just screams chaos.

It's been ten years since silent Genevieve has stepped foot in the town where all hell broke loose. Memories of abuse and pain were masked by one thing and one thing only, Ace: the boy who saved her life but died while doing so. He was long gone, resting in peace. Or maybe not. Now orphaned by a tragic accident, Genevieve finds herself back in the incredibly small town of Barren Valley, Nevada, but she discovers that dust and rumors aren't the only thing that remains. So remains a boy, the same one she knew to be dead. So how could he be standing in front of her, staring at her like he'd seen a ghost? Although Ace is sure enough alive, his past is shadowed by bad decisions, gang violence... and murder? Ace is keeping a secret, one so great that it might threaten Genevieve's new life and pull her right back into a world of suffering. Now, Ace's life is spiraling out of control and only Genevieve knows the story of what's plaguing Ace's mind. Can she stop him from ruining himself, or is she already too late? A past written in blood, a house haunted by strange shadows, unexplainable candles, and a lone boy standing amongst it all to save what he's already lost. Through twists and turns, somehow these two have found one another yet again. Some may call that fate. Others just call it really bad luck. © - 2016 (rating - PG13)