University friends Luisa and Kay reunite in Nairobi after a year apart to do some feel good volunteering but their friendship and the trip begin to unravel the moment they meet a strikingly handsome British philanthropist and a Ghanaian entrepreneur. In short order the donor funding the project that has brought them together is revealed to be rich and cruel, her interest in coming to Kenya to "help" routed in deeply disturbing ideology. Meanwhile, Luisa must confront her reasons for maintaining her friendship with Kay, her status as heir to a nearly incalculable fortune, her feelings for a man who seems a little too good to be true and the tragedy she left behind back in California. ** A/N This story is a work of fiction, but it's based on things I saw and heard while working in international development for five years. It's my attempt to find the complicated middle ground between those who would idealize international development and those who would condemn it. It's also a place for me to deal with a difficult friendship I had with a friend who was suffering from mental illness. She's since passed away and I'm not sure I ever really got over it. The story isn't at all done so as I'm writing I'm figuring it out too. I've set the story Nairobi and in Kisumu, which is far west of Nairobi. I've picked the title partly because of what Nairobi represents. Nairobi is a throbbing, innovative metropolis situated in a continent that is still viewed very narrowly as a place in need of help.

WATTYS WINNER 2020 Two interconnected murders, 64 years apart. One woman's search for truth and identity. Readers' comments: 'a masterpiece', 'impeccably written', 'amazing', 'superbly crafted page-turner', 'hauntingly beautiful', 'tremendous plot and character development', 'one of a kind', 'fantastic story telling', 'loved this book', 'a wonderful read", 'absolutely beautiful', 'brought tears to my eyes' and many more Wattys judging panel: 'This is VERY good. We were HOOKED from the beginning, and the writing and plot hold up throughout. This is a very unique, polished, well-written and well-researched piece.' Plot Set partly in rural England, partly on the sun-kissed coast of southerm Italy, The Painted Altar is a murder mystery mixed with romantic and historical elements (World War Two). Given away at two days old, Mary Rice has spent her life in the shadows. When discovering the suspicious circumstances surrounding her biological mother's death, she embarks on a journey which will shine a light not only on the truth but also on her own identity. Brief extract Suddenly, the door had inched open, half a wrinkled face visible behind the tautened chain. "Hello. Who is it?" The words I was going to say had of course been well-rehearsed, repeated over and over in my mind like a mantra, but now that the moment had arrived I found myself struggling to remember them. "Mrs Harvey... I think that you might... well, that you might be..." The door closed, then slowly opened once more, the chain this time unlatched. And there she was before me - half a metre away, within arm's reach. Thin lips gradually crooking upwards at each corner like the slow beatific kindling of a summer's dawn. "Oh yes love, I know who you are." Length: 70,000 words About the author: Originally from England but for the last 16 years I've been living in Italy. I hope therefore that the Italian aspects of the novel will have a certain gloss of authenticity.

A combination of a novel, a memoir and a travelogue, both fiction and non-fiction, a globe-trotting adventure full of sentiment, music, low budgets, trains, encounters and lifestyle, the author confronts his memories - and the miracles - on the page, and embarks on a new trip to celebrate Christmas in Japan in 2014. This is a flawed attempt at aligning the past from two years ago and the present: the musician, the dreamer and the writer, the philosopher, together in one place. Follow his adventures in Japan, and within the soul. Based 100% on true experiences. Keep an eye out for attached photo and video content From the author of featured acclaimed novel, "Espresso Love" and the pioneer of the English cell phone novel movement.

He doesn't know what he had been expecting out of the road trip itself besides burping contests and too much shitty gas station food with Oli and Stan, but in the brief moment before Harry ambles up his driveway, Louis idly wonders if this is about to become some sort of Gay Coming of Age story. Maine to California in ten days. In which Zayn's an open-shirt hippie they meet somewhere in Ohio, Liam's the pastor's son running away from home, and Niall's the number they call on the bathroom wall. It's 1978. Harry and Louis are just trying to get to San Fran in time for the Queen concert.

Conan Hill is a trans male looking to escape his haunting past. He wants nothing more than to keep his head down and remain unnoticed at his new school, though that is quite difficult when the captain of the track team seems to have fallen for him. ***** Life has been hard for Conan. In hopes of escaping past bullies and finding a fresh start where no one knows who he used to be, his family decides to move from Texas to Massachusetts. He makes a promise to himself that he will survive high school by going unnoticed and avoiding any conflict that might reveal his former identity. But this ends up being more difficult than expected when the school's golden boy and popular jock, Owen Wilson, takes up a keen interest in him. Could this be the beginning of something beautiful for Conan, or just another chapter of his life that he would have to run away from? Content/trigger warning: This story contains themes of bullying, transphobia, homophobia, abuse, and suicidal thoughts, as well as sexual activity. [[word count: 80,000 - 90,000]] Cover designed by Jenna Conrad

This princess is about to find out her powers aren't as harmless as they seen. Amber Young was an outcast at school and got badly bullied. Darcy her sister also convinced her to get revenge on Becky's and Her ex-boyfriend who is a player but she finds out at the ball he is a centuries old vampire player and he is ONE of the candidates for her fiance. And she started having dreams of a guy and her body reacts in a weird way. her own ribcage starts imploding. What the hell is happening? And now she has to choose her candidate for marriage? Can things get anymore complicated. Did I mention she's awakening to be a vampire?

British business mogul Rikkard Ambrose has departed London to face his arch-rival in a deadly game of espionage and intrigue at the Royal Court of France, leaving his lady love behind to knit socks and twiddle her thumbs. Left behind alone? That is not something Lilly Linton is willing to put up with! Determined to show her boss who's boss, she embarks on her most dangerous adventure yet, armed with the most powerful weapon of all: love-and, just in case, her trusted revolver. The 5th volume of Robert Thier's award-winning Storm and Silence series.

Family - the most important thing in the world, right? If it's your own, maybe. But if it's the family of the incredibly powerful, incredibly alluring businessman with whom you've been conducting a secret office affair, and they don't yet know about the affair, things are a little bit different. Life is about to get real for Lilly Linton. All those stolen moments behind closed doors, those secret kisses and whispered words are about to catch up with her. As she and her boss, business-magnate Rikkard Ambrose, travel north to his parents' palatial estate, she is about to discover whether she has the strength to step out of the shadows and change her fate forever. Volume four of the award-winning "Storm and Silence" series.

"How could you... last night... I was helpless! You are the one who molested me! And you dare do it again now!" she huffed. Khail wasn't affected with her crying. "Yes, I dare. You are just too sweet not to be tasted." His statement rang deep in the back of her mind. These were the words of an insensitive, cold-hearted demon. No more, no less. He was lusting on her --yes he was-- and that was the rightful particular emotion of choice. "I said don't come any closer!" she cried again when she noticed him inching more towards her. "I will stab you! I swear I will stab you demon or not!!!" she threatened, but it was only gibberish talk for Khail. "Nonsense Selene. Stab me if you want," he urged and this surprised her greatly. He continued to close in on her and this time, Selene didn't hesitate plunging the knife into his chest. ~ S ~ Easy for Supernaturals to live their life in what everybody calls 'forever'. That is easy for angels yes, but for demons, it is most likely a damnation of boredom. And that -- is the truth. However, how much more would it be for a demon who has a unique power to wield time and space? What is HE to do with such an unlimited lifetime then? ~ S ~ So this is a 5-part short story about Khronus and Selene that is stand alone but still connects to my book, SANCTUM. Do enjoy reading it and don't forget to comment, vote and share. ^_^ Lovelots, ~J.M. Felic Contains Mature elements. All Rights Reserved JMFelic Books

#1 in Vampire 18.7.2015 "Stay." He commanded. Arabella's lips quivered, she blinked furiously trying to hold back her tears. She took a careful step backward, then another. "Don't. I won't let you go." His grey eyes grew darker as he spoke the words. "Even if it kills me." With that, she got her legs moving. Each step faster, stronger than the last. She ran as fast and as far away from him as she could, her wolf whimpering inside her - pained to be away from her mate. ___________________________________________________________________________________ In the year 2153, vampires and humankind are at war. The only weapon humans have left are werewolves, half-human half-beast. And vampires are determined to eliminate the only threat that is in the way of world domination. First, by taking out the largest and most powerful pack of werewolves - Black Crescent. Nathaniel Devin is King of the vampires and the most powerful vampire in all of history. Ruthless, cold blooded and more than capable of indiscriminate cruelty to get what he wants. Bestowed with unimaginably handsome features and god-like physique, he knows he could get any woman he desires. Yet he is incapable of love, or so he believes. Arabella Snow is daughter of the Alpha of Black Crescent Pack, the largest and most powerful pack of werewolves. Aside from being daughter of the Alpha, she is known throughout the entire werewolf committee for her vast beauty. The only thing that matched her beauty was her abundant grace and kindness. Arabelle is determined to follow in her father's footsteps in the fight for humanity, and despises the greed filled vampires more than anything in the world. What happens when Arabella finds out that her mate is none other than her arch enemy, Nathaniel Devin? Will thie violent, forbidden love have a good end?