[Book 2 in the Of Course series] The first time Emryn Ashford held a guitar, she dreamed of a career in music. After headlining the Bi-Con series in Nashville as an out artist, with the help of her talent scout (and newly promoted close friend) Hannah Nelson, her singles have climbed the charts. Now garnering attention from all angles and soaring to newfound heights, things can only go up from here. That is, until Emryn learns of her father's sudden death. Taking a step away from the spotlight, despite the growing fame, it feels like ambition and inspiration somehow slipped through her fingers. Returning to her small hometown with only 3 stop-lights and a McDonalds still stuck in the 90's, Emryn is unsure of where her life is headed. How is she going to get out of this slump, and does she even want to? And, why the hell is Mallorie Rivers playing piano in the only coffee shop in town? Hadn't she set her sights on New York? The last thing Emryn knew, she went running to Juilliard. Mallorie Rivers was done with Eddie Shaffer's shit. Period. And him not showing up, yet again, for their gig, was her final straw. And that's not including the fact that they've been on-again, off-again since they were nineteen. Before that pivotal moment her life changed forever. She loved her piano so much, it was a comfort these days. Keeping her steady, solid and holding together when it felt like the world was trying its best to tear her apart. She's forgotten the thrill of an audience or those wide open spaces where notes echo. Where she was and what she was doing now is safe. And her old dreams? They were simply just that-dreams. And dreams change. But why is Emryn Ashford picking up Eddie's guitar? Didn't she have a concert or a massive crowd of fans to greet?

When Karlie's estranged father suffers a heart attack, she reluctantly returns to her hometown in Pennsylvania, only to find herself confronting the ghosts of her past. Upon her return, she finds herself face-to-face with her super-secret-I'll-kill-you-if-you-tell-anyone high school crush. What's even more jarring, is the fact that she had just been admiring the woman checking his vitals before she realizes she already knows her. As Kaia Thomas stares back at her, all the feelings she had for her high school best friend come rushing in. As old feelings resurface and unexpected connections emerge, Karlie must navigate the complexities of her past while grappling with the possibility of a future she never imagined.

[Book 1 in the Of Course series] The only reason Hannah made it to this wedding, was because her friends asked for her daughter to be the flower girl. After the death of her wife, Hannah resigned herself to a life devoid of love and she's determined to avoid any romantic entanglements. But fate has other plans when she crosses paths with a mysterious stranger at the wedding she didn't want to go to in the first place - a chance encounter that ignites unexpected emotions. Meanwhile, Carmen arrives in Nashville with dreams of proving herself beyond the shadow of her father's record label. Unforeseen circumstances lead her to attend a small barn wedding, one where she hopes to be someone outside of her family legacy. Little does she know that a chance meeting with a captivating blonde will turn her world upside down. As they part ways, both women believe it to be a fleeting moment. However, fate has other plans, intertwining their lives once more and challenging Carmen's carefully crafted plans for her career and personal life. In this captivating tale of coincidence and second chances, Hannah and Carmen navigate the complexities of love and self-discovery against the vibrant backdrop of Nashville. Join them on a journey of unexpected encounters, heartfelt emotions, and the enduring power of fate.

As water is depleted for its magic, a vigilante uses a cold heiress to infiltrate high society and steal their water before the world--and her family--burns. 🜄 After washing up in the desert, nearly dead and with no memories, twenty-something-year-old Lana had a feeling she was involved in something dangerous. "Vigilantes targeting the wealthy" fits the bill, especially when the main perpetrator is still at large. Not that she would blame her past self, for the rich are intent on destroying the world, draining water of its magic and leaving behind its toxic remains. So Lana's surprised to learn she's the bodyguard for one such wealthy heiress. Virre Averten lives up to her fearsome reputation, despite only recently inheriting her fortune at twenty-three. Harsh and cold-hearted, Virre hoards water's magic just as much as her family's trade secrets, and she throws Lana back into her employment to protect them all. Lana has no idea how she tolerated the woman, but she's certain it was for a good reason. For instance, gaining access to the most exclusive events in the city. Thanks to each extravagant gala and lavish feast, Lana dissolves not only the facade of the wealthy, but that of Virre as well. Except she's not the only one fishing for secrets. With their enemies closing in and the world's magic running dry, the women must work together to reveal the truth before they, and all the water, burn for good. 🜄 INCLUDES ✓ Sapphic bodyguard-heiress romance ✓ Magical fight scenes ✓ Environmentalism and sociopolitical commentary ✓ Secret spy stuff ONC 2025 LONGLISTER Word Count: +39k Genres: High Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Romance Written: 05 FEB 2025 - 28 FEB 2025 Narrative: Third Person Limited, Past Tense ★ This story is only available on Wattpad by @laurendoubleu.

At twenty-two, Hailey Parker is a single mom just trying to survive her new job as a secretary at the elite Bailington Academy. She's messy, bright, and full of heart-everything Professor Ellena Thorne has worked hard to shut out. Ellena is brilliant, reserved, and emotionally off-limits after a painful divorce. But when Hailey crashes into her world-literally-what starts as irritation turns into something far more complicated. Two women. One impossible attraction. And a slow-burn journey toward love, laughter, and maybe even healing.

Death is only the beginning... For as long as anyone can remember, there have been legends of Atlantis. A city that shone. A city that fell. A city that vanished into the sea never to be seen again. Until now. Aubrey Winters is your typical geeky librarian- at least, she was until she died. Waking up inside a casket was never how she planned her life going - she had plans. Well, maybe not plans unless you counted reading through a TBR pile. Still, she sure as hell didn't want to die. When an accident ends her life prematurely, Aubrey finds herself plunged into a whole new world. A world of blood, of battles, and of beasts. Forced from her quiet life, Aubrey must learn to fight with courage, honour, and loyalty to survive. She must become Atlantian or die trying.

Wattys shortlist 2021 "I'm already loving this story" - _singforjoy_ "You are going to get me what I want," Isla said, calmly. "Or I will kill you." The words hung in the air between them. Raif looked unconcerned. "Is that so?" he said. Born to the captain of a pirate ship, Isla has spent her whole life at sea. Raised among sailors, her father has trained her to fight, command a crew, and, most importantly, the secrets of the ocean currents. When her father is killed in a storm, she is forced to step into his role as captain. Not only does she have to provide for the men on her ship, but she also inherits her father's outstanding debt to Lord Sutherland: the task of stealing the rare Serpent's Eye emerald. After months of failure to locate the emerald, Isla is forced to take extreme measures: she kidnaps Duke Raif Sayers, who knows of the emerald's location. But Raif proves to be more strong willed and stubborn than Isla expected. Matters become even more complicated when Raif's father offers a large reward for his son's rescue and suddenly every cutthroat is looking for Raif and the pirate who kidnapped him. As Isla and her crew are pushed to their limits and race against their deadline, Isla has to face that the one decision she thought would save her crew could be the very thing that destroys them. "Isla is such a kick-ass character that I can't help but to love her." - strawberrytrifles "This amazing book. I found it and fell in love" - sparklingdophlin333 "Isla is amazing, she is so strong willed and brave. I love her so much! She is already becoming one of my favourites 😍❤️" - theaxbank "Amazing. Your writing makes the setting, your characters and their actions leap off the page." - ADesignerofBeautiful "I am definitely seeing the Carter side of her now!😄" - notevenfunny_ A Loria Tale # 2 #1 Teen Fiction

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.

A no-nonsense IRS agent sent to investigate a family business for tax fraud finds it difficult to do her job when the suspect is so frustratingly adorable. ~~~A 2021 WATTY AWARD WINNER!~~~ ***** Summer Hong is good at her job. As a field agent for the IRS's criminal investigation division, she knows never to let things get personal. Her resolve is tested, however, when she meets the beguiling Holly Layton. Holly loves Christmas, and loves the Layton Christmas Tree Farm even more. If only her father would take her seriously and let her play a bigger role in the company. Dealing with an IRS agent breathing down their necks isn't what she had in mind, though. Still, if she succeeds in somehow making the problem go away, maybe she'll finally get the recognition she deserves. But how do you get rid of a "problem" you secretly have a crush on?

Veronica 'Scar' Carusone has a secret. A secret she has been keeping ever since her father was murdered in the accident that gave her her nickname. Now a student at New York University, Scar is living her life, trying to get ahead in school and leave her past behind. But when her secret life and real life start to mix, shit hits the fan.