A criminal mastermind makes a bold move against a wealthy client to put himself in a position to retire in comfort. He has no idea what he's up against when a young widow, desperate to make ends meet, sets her eyes on earning the bounty set on his head. *** Newly widowed housewife Melody Scott needs to earn some major cash, fast. When her bright and busy children learn that a priceless ruby bracelet has been stolen and a six-figure reward is being offered, they convince her to try to do what the police, museum security, and the best private investigators have failed to do. Working against them is a notorious thief who has met people from around the world, but who has never once encountered a woman like Melody Scott. When the sweet innocence of the Scott family clashes against criminal forces more dangerous than they ever imagined, Melody is all too aware that a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do to protect her family. The Widow, Melody Scott is a 2021 Watty Award Winner! Content Warning: This story does contain depictions of stalking behavior.

Bailey copes with the loss of a handsome acquaintance, John, by writing him a series of letters. She explores a future that will never be, a present full of opportunity with John's goofy best friend, Quinn, and a past that threatens to destroy everything. ***** Bailey had only known John as the handsome man from floor ten that smiled at her and said hello whenever they met in the elevator. Yet, when he suddenly passes away she finds herself mourning the relationship she never got to have with him. She begins researching John's life, learning about the man she never got to know. In doing so she meets his best friend, Quinn, who's playful nature and rugged appearance may be exactly what Bailey needs to come out of her shell. However, with her walls built high after past nightmares and her heart lost in a memory, she may never be able to see what's right in front of her. Wattys 2021 Winner - Chicklit Content Warning: Domestic Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Sexual Assault, Death, Miscarriage, Drug Use, Suicidal Thoughts

New and improved version of Kiss and Tell is now published by W by Wattpad Books under a new name "As Long As You Love Me". The book is available for order now, link in the chapter inside. As Wattpad reader you can access the original version- Kiss and Tell right here! *** Cata and Gabe are college and internship rivals. But when Cata's visa renewal is rejected, will their fake-dating-to-marriage-of-convenience turn into the real thing? *** Cata is a Venezuelan immigrant who left home after her brother was killed in a political protest. Now a college senior, she has her eyes set on a full-time position at the company where she interns so she can stay in the US. There's only one catch: Puerto Rican Gabe, aka the campus babe. Gabe has it all, and he's poised to snatch the coveted full-time position for himself. But when Gabe breaks up with his girlfriend and needs a date for his brother's wedding, he and Cata strike up an arrangement: a fake date for a very real job. It's all fun and games until Cata's visa renewal is rejected, threatening to bring all her plans crashing down. Will their fake-dating-to-marriage-of-convenience turn into the real thing? [[Word count: 90,000-100,000 words]] Cover designed by Jill Caldwell ©2020-present marianna leal / hubrism. This body of work is available exclusively on Wattpad. If you're viewing it on a different website or under a different username, it has been illegally stolen and you may be at risk of malware. Please notify the original author.

"I can't remember what happened that night. I'm not talking slippery details or fuzzy-edged visions; I mean a complete and utter blackout. Like I wasn't even there. Except... I know I was." Since the death of her boyfriend six months ago, Morgan Cain's life is spiralling out of control. She didn't mean to stay away from college all this time. She didn't mean to ghost her best friend, who was only trying to look out for her. But most of all, she didn't mean to keep it to herself that she was with Josh the night he died-and doesn't have a single memory of what happened. It's hard enough returning to campus, but things get even worse when a shocking exposé in the student magazine reveals a sinister truth about Davidson University's golden boy. Amidst twisted allegations of abuse and sexual assault, Morgan is set to discover that the more she remembers about Josh... the more she may want to forget.

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.

Introverted Charlie never expected to gain the attention of Dia, the chatterbox on the train, and he certainly wasn't expecting to fall in love. *** A few words can describe Charlie Jackson. He enjoys the simplicity of a coffee far more than the average person, and devotes too much time to his work - commuting included. But Charlie's life is far more complicated than meets the eye. Hindered by his stammer and the anxiety that occurs as a result, he has become accustomed to letting others use their voices for him. When Dia strolls into work one day, it seems that the universe has its own plans. Charlie instantly recognises her as the chatty woman from the train he takes five days a week. She's different in many ways, and it becomes clear that there's something between them. But the journey to love isn't so smooth sailing, especially when Dia's own battles come to light. Can Charlie fight his demons to support Dia in facing hers, or will his anxiety never allow him to become more than the stranger on the train? Romance Wattys Winner- 2020 1st place in the Firework Awards [New Adult] Featured in the Wattpad Summer Challege- 2020 Content and Trigger Warning- this book contains themes including the following; mental health, anxiety, suicide awareness, domestic violence.

*Watty's Shorts Winner, 2020* While cleaning out empty lockers during detention, North Kingsley comes across a battered textbook filled with off-beat and personal messages written in awful handwriting. On a whim he writes them a message back. Days later, he returns to the locker to find a post-it note response waiting for him. From there a timid friendship between seeming strangers strikes up and North finds himself becoming increasingly curious about the person on the other end of his messages, to the point where he stops fighting the feeling that maybe there's something more beginning to grow between them. *PART OF THE "STORY IN A NIGHT" COLLECTION* Started: March 20th 2020 (Chapters 1-20) March 24th 2020 (Chapters 21-22) Completed: April 12th 2020 (Chapters 23-27) * FIRST PLACE 'AUTHORS BOOKS AWARDS' SHORT STORY CATEGORY: 14-08-2020 *Watty's Shorts Finalist: 12-11-2020 *Watty's Shorts Winner: 05-12-2020

How To Be The Best Third Wheel is now published as a Paperback & E-book by Wattpad Books! As a Wattpad reader, you can also now access the Original Edition for free and the Wattpad Books Published Edition here upon purchase. It's the last year of high school, and everything has changed . . . ***** After a summer spent in the Philippines, Lara Dela Cruz is eager to start her senior year and, most importantly, reunite with her three besties. But what she did not expect was to show up on the first day of school to all three of her friends now in relationships. Fighting for their attention, catching some new and confusing feelings for long-time frenemy James, and wading through the pressures of post-high-school plans all have Lara reeling. And to make matters worse, Lara's beautiful and untrustworthy cousin conveniently appears and wiggles her way right between her and James' budding relationship. Feeling like a third wheel in more ways than one, Lara must learn to accept that change is inevitable, love is complicated, and being the odd one out is sometimes where inner power is found. [[Word count: 100,000-150,000 words]] Cover design by Jill Caldwell Wattys 2020 YA fiction Winner Wattpad Books Prize Winner