Entry for the Open Novella Contest 2021 All love stories come to an end and so must Logan and Cassie's. However, as they plan to take the big and hard final step towards annulling their sixteen-year-long marriage, life gets in the way to make things even harder and takes them on a strange and unexpected adventure. "The greatest thing about being kidnapped with your estranged lover is that you're forced to face all the issues you've tried the hardest to run from." Prompt 71 "This is our last dance, my dear," They say, to which you reply, "Then make it the best dance, my love." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Completed; 2/05/21 Word count; 30,000

My husband, Mark, is a good man; he's a strong man. When I needed him to step up with our kids as I finished dental school, he became our little family's rock without ever complaining or being bitter. He owned late-night feedings and diaper changes like a champ while I slept so I could be prepared for my classes in the morning. Now, it's my turn to return the favor. He's working hard on a high-profile case that could change the trajectory of his career if he wins this case. In marriage, sometimes a little sacrifice is needed, which is why on our tenth wedding anniversary, like the past six months, I'm celebrating alone, a sacrifice I'm more than willing to give to the man who's so proudly stood by my side all these years. That is until this betrayal . . . . . . well, let's just say it was never a sacrifice I was willing to make. For Readers: *This story is a novella. My goal is to keep it UNDER fifteen chapters with each chapter no more than 2K words. *Constructive critiques are welcomed. * I do try my best to proofread, but mistakes will slip through. Feel free to point them out!

I was sent to capture the CIA's most wanted fugitive. But things took a tragic turn, My entire team was murdered before my eyes, and I was kidnapped by said fugitive. It seemed like my government had forgotten me and I became a puppet for the fugitive. His name is Andreas Hidalgo, and his cold eyes hold no sense of life whatsoever. On a very special day, he contacts my government, but in exchange for one of his most dangerous shippings, He wants to marry me. My country agrees. It dawned on me. I was sold by the very country I pledged to serve for the rest of my life. I am now married to a fugitive, a sociopath and a master of control. But I aim to spite him, to make him lose control. But falling in love with this criminal was never part of the plan. My name is Laura Hill, I am a CIA agent and now the wife of a fugitive. BOOK 1 of the DEVIL'S BRIDE SERIES

[BOOK TWO] [Completed] [Voted #1 Best Action Story in the 2018 Fiction Awards] When the Russians dismantle one of the largest and fastest growing Italian Mafia family's in the States, war is declared. To avenge their friend's death, a fallen king, a washed up queen, a struggling couple, and a depressed brother must come back together to fight. Through their own series of trials and tribulations, they learn that although they can attempt to fight their own battles, the only way they can overcome them is together. That is when they have the most power. ~ ~ ~ © 2018 taintedkissesxo * cover by lvcianos on instagram *

After landing a coveted accounting position, an ambitious accountant must prove his worth to his new colleagues, especially a grudge-bearing associate intent on making his new role hell. *** How do you recover from unrequited love? For Mark Dawson, the answer is moving to a new city. But New York has not quite welcomed him with open arms. Nor have his new coworkers, with their less than enthusiastic reception and passive-aggressive behavior. Ever the optimist, Mark is up for the challenge to earn their respect and ensure they do not mistake his kindness for weakness, starting with the gorgeous ringleader of the group; a cut-throat financial analyst who was vying for the same position. Sara Cruz is not just a pretty face and she's tired of always having to prove her value and losing out on opportunities just because she doesn't have an extra appendage between her legs. The most recent sting leaves her bitter and resentful towards the easy-on-the-eyes transfer senior accountant and sets out to send him packing, proving she is the better 'man' for the job that's rightfully hers. But with each attempt to discredit him, she's met with Mark's frustratingly calm and understanding demeanor. Sara realizes the bigger fight she must win-besides resisting his easy humor and attractive selflessness-is avoiding becoming a cliché office romance. ONC prompt #133

READ TRIGGER WARNINGS! In a world where power is the ultimate weapon and betrayal is currency, the line between hero and villain doesn't just blur... it shatters. She's the woman you're warned about. She's selfish and deadly, you don't see her until you feel the knife in your back. He's the man everyone fears. He's cold-blooded and dark, the embodiment of vengeance in an expensive suit. They should have destroyed each other. But instead, they made a deal. She's playing a game with no rules. He's rewriting them as he goes. Together, they're a storm no one can outrun. Loyalties are broken, alliances burned, and blood spills in their wake. But when the smoke clears, only one thing remains certain, trusting the devil doesn't make you safe... It makes you just like him. She's the sinner. He's the executioner. And in their obsession, no one gets out alive. Some stories don't have heroes. Some don't need them. This is theirs. Outlaw - where survival isn't enough, and obsession is the only law. Highest Ranks: #1 - badgirl #1 - secretsociety #1 - enemieswithbenefits #1 - antihero #2 - hacking #2 - slowburn #2 - enemies [All rights reserved, Copyright @devilseyez 2024]

Clarissa Lincoln is a martini glass half full type. Heck, even when she slurps the last bits of icy vodka from the glass, she'll tell you it's plumb full! Until a disaster of a night on New Year's Eve sends the daydreaming, serial dater spiraling as her hopes of happily ever after seem to be circling the drain! The distraught, Rissa is left hopeless and bleak as she vents to a friend at a coffee shop on New Year's Day. Self-help writer and well-known handsome bachelor, Conner Fields, who wrote THE dating guide a few years back, overhears Rissa's tirade when he is brainstorming for his next book. The grumpy writer is about to storm off, annoyed at this woman's loud intrusion, when suddenly he has an idea. An experiment, actually. A dating one, only instead of dating men, Rissa has to remain single for one year and get to know herself by going on special solo dates. After these dates, she will need to meet with Conner to fill him in for the book. It's a weird offer, but women everywhere swear that Conner's first book changed their lives, and he's offering to pay her well if she takes on the challenge seriously. The broke city girl could sure use a few extra bucks, and she's been failing miserably in her love life so far. It's an offer she can't refuse, and so a deal is made and a dating experiment that's sure to go wrong begins. Gumpy/Sunshine Relationship Coach He falls first

Arian Moore is living a life of hell. Married to an abusive top dog Lawyer, she has never felt more alone in her life. But when she meets Aiden Emerson, she feels a new sort of hope for a better life. But Aiden has some secrets of his own. He has blood on his hands and a dark and dangerous ethic. "I just didn't want you to get the wrong idea about me," Aiden's brows furrowed as he watched me with concern. I gave him a little shrug and grinned. "I don't think bad of you. Honest. You can sleep with whoever you want." His teeth sunk into his bottom lip as he stared down at me. The green in his gaze became darker and he subtly shook his head. "Not whoever I want." Mature/graphic content. Assault Rape Domestic violence. Read at your own risk! Cover and graphics created by @Ashley_mariex ❤️ Copyright ©️

They used to be inseparable as they grew up together. Now, she doesn't even want to look at his face, much less be in his presence. She had successfully avoided him for the last 4 years, but when her safety becomes gravely compromised and her parents go missing, she has no choice but to turn to him for help. He's willing to help. The only problem is, it's not for free.

❝You feel so good, 𝐌𝐬. 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧.❞ He moans in my ear before arching me on his desk. I tried to keep my moans at a minimum, but he felt incredible as he was pummeling me from behind. ❝I can't get enough of you,❞ he groans, the erotic symphonies of our skin slapping bringing me closer to ruin. ❝I'm insatiable when it comes to you, Quinn.❞ ▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂ What transpires when a young, billion dollar CEO gets rejected by his daughter's teacher? 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 𝟎𝟐/𝟐𝟎/𝟐𝟒 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝: 𝟎𝟒/𝟑𝟎/𝟐𝟒 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: - # 𝟏 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 - # 𝟏 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 - #𝟏 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐰𝐰𝐦