The world is a realm of tribulations, evolving and changing constantly. Its history serves as a blueprint of humankind, but few receive the gift of discovering it fully. Cecilia grew up thinking she's just a quirky girl with a passion for art, struggling to fit the standards of her upper class Norwegian family. Or so she believes until an uncanny event throws her into a sea of confusion: an inner force she's unaware of shatters into pieces the vitrine containing her mother's prized porcelain collection. Guided by a burning desire for truth and a cranky Augustinian hermit, protecting the remaining goodness of humanity is what makes Cecilia embark on a quest to eradicate all the darkness she comes across. As she tries to understand herself and her nature while carrying out the tasks she receives from her mentor, hidden truths begin to unravel and her eyes open to a new reality - a world dominated by dark forces and the occult. Brought to Paris by an apparently easy mission she's faced with yet another strange encounter when a mythical creature chases her down a street. While trying to decipher the origin of the evil snail, she's thrown into a series of increasingly challenging situations. The aspects she discovers regarding her genealogy and the presence of a mysterious stranger make Cecilia realize that her task won't be so easy to fulfill, especially when the alliances she's forced to form blur out the border between good and evil. Will she choose to follow the teachings she received and fulfill her purpose or will she get lured into the abyss of temptation?

"We could just . . . *do it*, you know," he says now, teasingly. "Clear all that sexual tension up with one quick ten minute session?" I seriously hope he's joking, but I'm not certain he is. Either way, I can't prevent the exasperated huff of laughter that escapes my lips at those words. "You must be dreaming if you think there's *any* sexual tension between us," I scoff. "Anyway, I'd rather not be another notch on your bedpost, thanks very much." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ruby Rafferty has won the ultimate prize - a luxury holiday in Crete! In theory, it couldn't be more perfect - endless sun, Greek food, an unlimited free bar . . . There's only one problem. The man she has no choice but to share the prize with. Lewis Sheridan may be ridiculously attractive, but he is also cocky, cynical, and comes complete with his own specific set of red flags. He's everything Ruby has never wanted in a guy, and she's not sure she can survive *one* day alone with him, let alone ten. It's *fine*, though . . . Their suite is massive, the cocktails are flowing, and Ruby can't help but notice how handsome and charming the hotel manager is. If only he didn't think she and Lewis were already a couple . . . Will forced proximity push our vacationers closer or further apart? Can enemies really become lovers? And what will happen if anyone realises they're technically on holiday under false pretences? I guess we're about to find out . . . Cover by @jspromcoms

[COMPLETED] Elowen Neverclove shouldn't be alive. The last of the wyng, she believed she could stay hidden until her dying breath. But safety is a luxury she can no longer afford. Captured by iron chains that promise only pain and death, Elowen is thrust into a world that's been overrun by darkness. To make it worse, she's suddenly bound to an alpha were, something she never wanted, nor did she ask for. Morrow Killian's world is crumbling, and he's willing to tear the world apart to stop it. Across the seven provinces, the blight wreaks havoc, rooting its way deep within his city's walls. With the disease spreading, Morrow's only goal is to protect everything that belongs to him. But when fate forces Elowen into his life, she becomes a distraction that'll certainly take him down. Bound by fate, Morrow and Elowen will discover how cruel their tether to one another can be as their lives swing on a penduleum of death and ash. [BOOK ONE OF THE CURSED WINGS SERIES]

(Complete) Rae East has always cast herself off as a girl not worthy of a Mate. With a past of self-doubt and expectations of a hopeless future, her theory crumbles when she discovers she is mated to an Alpha. Not expecting anything from it, Rae finds herself in a confusing situation. Giving no clarity, her Alpha Mate brings her back to his pack with no purpose. She sinks into herself, lost, alone, and in pain. With a Mate who has no interest in her whatsoever, Rae struggles to find her purpose in the pack and in her own world. Not knowing if she has a future with the Alpha she can't help but want, Rae must search elsewhere for happiness like she had once planned. But with a taste of the bond she can't help but share, it becomes difficult to move on from the Alpha who holds her heart captive. PG 16+ (but you know yourself better than I do)

Lily Breighton will do anything to save her dying father. Even trespass in forbidden werewolf territory to find a legendary healing flower. But when she's caught by the territory's cursed alpha, she strikes a dangerous bargain: one year as his pack's healer in exchange for the cure. As Lily works to ease the pack's suffering, the line between healer and patient begins to blur, and she discovers that breaking a blood curse might cost her more than just her freedom-it might cost her heart.

{2022 WATTY SHORTLISTER} {18+ COMPLETED} England, 1842 Lady Hutton, otherwise known as Penelope Chapman, cares not that her husband has a wandering eye. That is, until he wanders away completely--all the way to the continent with his mistress, where he's been for the last five years. Abandoned, Penelope decides she shall not spend her life living without the occasional night of casual companionship. But then Penelope meets British naval officer Beckett Ash, and she realizes that there isn't anything casual about him. The man who has been assigned to protect her whilst uncovering a smuggling operation at her summer house party is strikingly handsome, and their connection is increasingly difficult to ignore. There are only two problems. Firstly, Beckett hasn't a clue that Penelope already has a husband. And secondly, his best friend and fellow naval officer is Penelope's protective half-brother. What happens when Beckett decides to marry an already married woman?

• WATTYS 2022 WINNER • When Iris Monet married millionaire Jared Darling, she had only one rule - that he could cheat on her with anyone except the household staff. This arrangement of theirs would have gone on quite happily if she hadn't caught him on the snooker table with their maid, and on their wedding anniversary night no less. Humiliated and more than a little drunk, Iris storms out of the house vowing never to return unless it's for a well-compensated divorce. But as the train trundles out of the city, she slowly calms down and quickly realizes that there's a problem. A big problem. Because the only thing Iris has ever done in her life is being a trophy wife. The prospect of unfunded singlehood on the cusp of her thirties is a horrifying nightmare she's unprepared to deal with. So naturally, when she lays eyes on who she thinks is the richest bachelor in Ryefair, Iris is more than ready to put her claws into him. Except, Satoh Akai isn't the richest bachelor in Ryefair - not by a long shot. And as someone who speaks better with animals than people, romance is the furthest thing from his mind. When an unstoppable force meets an immovable object, anything is possible but one thing is certain - worlds will collide and hearts will burn. ✒ 17th November 2021 (start) ✒ 27th July 2022 (end)

When romance-obsessed Somali Sharma discovers her favorite bookstore has murdered the romance section, she launches an email assault on customer service. Instead of corporate speak, she gets wickedly clever replies from a mysterious wordsmith who thinks love stories are "beautiful lies" and happy endings are "dopamine delusions." What starts as literary warfare becomes epistolary seduction. Each email exchange grows more flirtatious, more vulnerable, more addictive. He's cynically brilliant, she's passionately stubborn. Email by email, two strangers fall in love through carefully crafted words, sharp wit, and vulnerable confessions. He's brooding and brilliant, hiding behind professional distance. She's fierce and romantic, refusing to let cynicism win. Together, they create their own love story, one perfectly timed response at a time. But plot twist: her enigmatic email nemesis has been keeping a secret that could rewrite their entire love story. Sometimes the best romances begin with a complaint and end with a revelation that proves truth is stranger than fiction.

Heath and Teagan only agree on one thing: they don't want to be in a relationship. Teagan, who is busy finishing her law degree, needs a break from the stress of living up to her parents' expectations. Heath is following his passion and starting his career as a physical therapist, but his family's drama is tearing his life apart behind the scenes. As members of the same friend group, Heath and Teagan will be around each other plenty during wedding season, whether they like it or not. With no time or desire to date, the two come to an agreement: pre-scheduled hookups through the summer or until something real comes along. A situational relationship, otherwise known as a situationship. Their arrangement seems perfect. If their past doesn't come back to bite them.

[COMPLETED ✓] Hate was their language, seduction was their weapon-falling for each other was never part of the plan. Qoarah & Siño [BOOK COVER BY: crybabywisa]