Eternal: (adj.) Lasting or existing forever; without end or beginning Athanasia never complained about her situation. She never felt like she had the right to. A random event leads her to befriend a small boy. A boy that she believed she would never see again. His situation was heartbreaking, she knew that there are others that are more unfortunate just like him. However, this one encounter changes everything she expected of herself, gave her freedom when the world only wants to swallow her up. --- "Why are you doing this? Why are you befriending me? Though we met five hundred years ago, why do you still bring me into your life? So much can happen in that many years but instead of staying with your friends or finding other things to do, you're with me. Why?" I ask again. Though I don't like being so forward, I can't help it. I'm scared to hurt him. He shifts his gaze to me. His hazel eyes gleam into my blue ones as if he knows something that I don't. "You're right. I had five hundred years, five hundred years to stay with my friends and five hundred years to find other hobbies." He pauses, taking in breath. "But I had five hundred years without you, we only had two weeks together. And those two weeks were the best I've ever had. That's why I want to continue them-with you, Athy." --- Disclaimer: All ACOTAR characters and plot belong to Sarah J. Maas. My characters and scenes are my own work.

Set in a charming, rural Japanese village, Hana and The Dragon follows Hana, a curious and spirited young girl living a peaceful life surrounded by familial warmth and deep culture. As her village prepares for the annual summer festival, Hana becomes fascinated by local legends about a mysterious dragon rumored to dwell in the nearby Shimizu-gawa river, a guardian figure who hasn't been seen for many years. Driven by her curiosity, Hana uncovers subtle yet puzzling clues suggesting that the dragon might soon return. Unusual occurrences in nature further heighten her suspicions, signaling significant changes in the mortal and supernatural worlds. Determined to unravel the mystery, Hana embarks on an adventurous journey into the heart of her village's history. Along the way, she learns of deep connections linking her family and her community, to the legendary dragon itself. With a thoughtful blend of fantasy, Japanese local folk religion, Japanese Chūbu region cultural traditions, and coming-of-age themes, Hana and The Dragon beautifully captures the essence of family bonds, the importance of bravery, and the richness of cultural legacy through the eyes of an adventurous young protagonist.

Flames and Ashes Bound by rivalry. Consumed by passion. Lost in the flames. Amber Bardot doesn't believe in love. She believes in power, control, and keeping her heart locked behind steel walls. A survivor with a sharp mind and a sharper tongue, she's built herself from the ground up-no room for weakness, no space for distractions. Lawrence Wayne is everything she refuses to want. Cold. Calculated. Unrelenting. A multimillionaire with an empire at his feet and a smirk that spells trouble. He plays the long game and plays it well, whether in business or in breaking down the defences of a woman who refuses to fall. He's her rival. She's his greatest challenge. When a high-stakes deal forces them to work together, their rivalry ignites into something neither of them can control. She pushes. He pulls. She resists. He conquers. But when the ghosts of Amber's past threaten to burn everything to the ground, Lawrence makes a choice-protect her at all costs, even if it means losing her forever. Because love was never part of the plan. But neither was the fire between them. In a game of power, seduction, and secrets, who will burn first?

#Wattys2025 Shortlist Crimson Veil The wedding was just the beginning. When her kingdom falls and her cousins are slaughtered, Meira of Ink and Bone is spared - not out of mercy, but as a weapon. Ryul, the ruthless general turned Emperor, sees in her both a threat to his power and the perfect key to seal his rule. But Meira refuses to kneel. Dragged into a forced engagement, she becomes a pawn in a court of veils, ancient prophecies, and burning secrets. Haunted by visions of a future she cannot escape - one where her body yields to the very man who conquered her world - Meira must decide if she will break... or remake the empire from within. He wants her loyalty. She wants his blood. And the Veil watches them both. A dark, gothic fantasy laced with sensual tension, power plays, and spiritual warfare - Crimson Veil is a slow-burn psychological battle between a cursed bride and the man determined to own her soul.

[thewattys2025 SHORTLIST] "You're nothing. Just a sad, pathetic girl hiding behind your books. Maybe if you weren't so weak, you wouldn't be such an easy target."-Ethan "I don't care what you think of me, Ethan. I never have."-Mira

~Wattys 2025 Shortlist~ BLOODLINES: THE BLOOD WITCH Book One of the Bloodlines Trilogy When Morgan Doran inherits her family's ancestral estate, she expects dust, secrets, and maybe a little madness-not a haunting, a legacy of forbidden power, and a warlock sworn to kill her. But Callum Rook isn't just any warlock. Bound by blood and prophecy, he arrives at the castle with a mission-to stop the rise of the last Blood Witch. Yet Morgan is nothing like the monster he was raised to fear. She is human. Fierce. Magnetic. And when he chooses love over legacy, everything unravels. As Morgan's powers awaken, ancient forces rise to claim her. Her bloodline carries not only the power to destroy, but the memory of betrayal, sacrifice, and a curse that spans generations. The deeper she falls for Callum, the more dangerous their love becomes. With enemies closing in and her destiny hurtling toward a tragic end, Morgan must decide: will she accept her fate, or rewrite it in fire and blood? Darkly romantic, chillingly magical, and emotionally devastating-Bloodline: The Blood Witch is a gothic fantasy of love, power, and the price of defying prophecy.

Daughter of the Empire is the untold story of Zehra Dilruba Sultan, the youngest and most beloved daughter of Sultan Selim I and Ayşe Hafsa Sultan. Born into the heart of the Ottoman dynasty, she is not just a princess but a force of nature-respected by sultans, feared by viziers, and adored by the people. Unlike her siblings, Zehra refuses to be blinded by court rivalries. She chooses wisdom over blind loyalty, justice over vengeance. From the moment Hürrem Sultan steps into Topkapi, Zehra becomes her silent pillar, but never her puppet. She stands for what is right, even if it means standing alone. As the empire trembles under the weight of ambition, betrayal, and bloodshed, Zehra carves her own path-one that will shape the destiny of the women who follow in her footsteps. Her journey is one of power, love, sacrifice, and the unyielding strength of a woman who was more than a princess-she was the empire's beating heart. In a world of sultans and shahzades, she was the one they all turned to. She was the one they all feared losing.

Salma a girl found her self in the middle of the great castle walls and without even trying she caught the eye of a prince, and not just any prince ~ Şehzade Mehmet was the son of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and Hürrem Sultan. He was known for his intelligence, kindness, and potential to become the next sultan. He was one of Suleiman's most beloved sons and was often seen as the ideal heir. However, his life was tragically cut short

An Egyptian beauty swept away against her wishes and sold into slavery. Who knew what trials and tribulations she would face in the hornets nest that was the imperial ottoman harem. But would she come out on top.....