**WATTYS 2018 SHORTLIST** (COMPLETED) The early 17th century England- a time when women were treated as mere commodities for their families and burdened with unreasonable expectations of beauty and mannerisms. In such a world, Lord Bradford raises his daughter, a girl of Indian descent named Saya, with all the love and care. He wishes only to see her settled with an eligible husband; one who would be able to see past the society's prejudice and love her for the kind woman that she is. Lord Zachary Hayworth, a courageous Knight and a man of high social standing, is displeased with the prospect of marriage with Lady Saya Bradford. She has nothing of what he had desired in a wife. Her swarthy complexion and plump body, is highly unbecoming of a Noble woman. The fact that she wasn't even a Noble by birth irked him to no end. But he is stuck with her by the decree of the King. When Saya finds herself married to the wonderful Lord Hayworth, she feels optimistic about the future ahead- a future that she intends to share with him. However, Lord Hayworth wastes no time in making his displeasure known. Her world is left asunder when the reality of her situation- as his undesirable wife, sinks in... *UNEDITED* [The sequel 'His Redemption, Her Legacy' has been completed]

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.

Wattys 2018: Longlist Niccolò Romano. His name is a threat. Everyone that has ever crossed him has ended up dead. He is a killer, a gangster - a monster. And his enemies will do anything they can to hurt him.

My name is Calla Lind. Ever since my reawakening, I have live my life the way I wanted. I was able to be Calla, meet people as Calla, and have people see me as Calla. I had thought to let go of the past and be free of it. Now I know, letting go also means moving on. This is a continuation of the CALLA. WARNING! Viewer discretion advised: BOOK 2 contains adult content that is unsuitable for children. NOTE from the writer: I'm an amateur writer so please overlook plot holes, grammar issues, or anything else a story is supposed to have. This is my original story so... as the saying goes "if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all".

My name is Calla Lind. For 20 years, I have lived within the shadow of my beautiful older sister - chasing and holding onto an illusion of love. A love that will never belong to me... Now with this second chance of life, I won't chase after illusion. I won't rely on someone else for happiness. I will do what I want, enjoy what I do, and learn to let go. NOTE from the writer: I'm an amateur writer so please overlook plot holes, grammar issues, or anything else a story is supposed to have. This is my original story so... as the saying goes "if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all".

"Little Star," the king said, his red eyes shining down as he greedily took in my whole body and the repressors upon it, "it will be my pleasure to corrupt your soul." ▫▫▫ Darkness laid the Kingdom to waste since the rulers of the land long ago fell into its temptation. The red eyes shine out into the night. But among the darkness, light still can be seen- and those who follow it. These followers of the light, have a religion of their own. A religion to prevail against the darkness. And the highest of their leaders is Arishia. One who has been bathed and blessed within the Moon's light. But even the darkness reaches out to touch the followers of light. And Arishia has a purpose she must fill. A purpose given to her by the Moon. Taken from the safety of her Temple, Arishia is pushed into the King's Reaping. A tradition long ago set- where 20 maidens are selected and sent to the King's Palace of nightmares. Their goal? Survive the next 5 years, from the monster who thirsts for their blood. The winner of the reaping not only survives- she becomes the Queen of darkness- set to rule next to the King in his reign of shadows. And Arishia will try everything in her power, to keep her soul. Thank you for reading Highest rank #3 in Vampire Copyright: ©Joy (world_joy_) All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission

Lexie is not a warrior. In fact, Lexie is a painter. Her hands are always covered in paint. Never coming off. Always there. For Lexie, painting is an escape. An escape from her pain. She paints to avoid the darkness that is in her soul. She paints to avoid looking at the bleeding wound inside her chest. She paints. To forget. But then Lexie meets someone. Her mate. He also hides a dark anger inside him. An anger at everything and the world around him. When two souls collide, how do you fix each other? Atlas isn't looking for a mate. He's seen the effect of women within his life, and how cruel they can be. But then he meets someone. Someone he doesn't want to meet. A painter soul. And a warrior's heart. How will the two collide? ***Note this can be read as a stand-alone story. Moon Child can be found on world_joy_ bio page - feel free to read it to get other characters background story. Highest rank #1 in werewolf Thank you for reading Copyright: ©Joy (world_joy_) All rights reserved

One snowy night Eva ventures outside upon hearing a loud crash and comes face to face with a creature of the dark. She feels her heart skip a beat and fear coarse through her when it pulls her into its dark arms and murmurs a possessive "mine" into her ear. Highest rankings: Vampire #32/Romance #233 Edited chapter indicated with an asterisks (*) Update 8/23/20: I have started the process of refining these chapters and getting it publishing (is that a word?) ready. So if some things don't line up or you see some characters in there that are kind of random then that's why.

After escaping her past, Miranda finds herself in coastal Maine, and when she meets Owen, she must help him uncover what truly happened to his now-dead ex. ***** On the run from her abusive ex, Miranda Lewis figures a small town in coastal Maine is just the place for her to lay low. There she befriends Claire, the owner of a local cafe, and her son, Owen. A woodworker and musician, he keeps to himself, especially since the town believes he played a part in the disappearance of the town's pride and joy... a skilled artist and his former girlfriend. As the two begin to grow closer, Miranda agrees to help him uncover the truth behind what really happened, especially now that strange things are occurring again, leading all roads back to Owen. [[word count: 70,000-80,000 words]] Cover designed by Simone Northey

Sang has been haunted her whole life by a sick boy with an obsession. Tired of being on the run she settles at Charleston to see if her fortune has changed.