AMBY AWARDS TOP PICK 2024❤️ I can only see half of his face, reflected in the mirror at the front of the bus, and part of that is obscured by the peak of the black company-branded cap he's wearing. But I can see enough to glean that there's a strong jaw covered in scruff. A wide mouth that looks like it would be prone to smiling. He's wearing glasses with trendy light tortoiseshell frames, and I can't quite discern the colour of his eyes from my position . . . but some weird intuition is telling me that they'll be hazel, and I wonder when my brain is going to catch up. Because I *know* him, don't I? I'm almost certain of it. And he seems to know me, too. Or at least he thinks he does. The way he's glancing over at me lets me in on that. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mirren Shepherd has *many* pet peeves. Top of the list, though? Staycations . . . And surprises. So when her girls' trip abroad is cancelled at the last minute and she finds herself roped into a minibus tour of Northern Scotland instead, she isn't remotely happy. And when she finds out who their guide is . . . It's yet another reason for her to dislike surprises. Because Owen Sullivan wasn't so much the one who got away . . . He was the one who just didn't return. And, after she finally got over him, she never expected to see him again. Mirren would prefer to leave the past in the past, but Owen is determined to try to right his wrongs. Can she trust him? Can she trust *herself*? Maybe, just maybe, this surprise - and staycation - won't be as bad as Mirren thinks . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~

"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

Rescued from a blind date from hell, a career woman's one night stand with her would be savior has unforeseen consequences. **** Up and coming New York apartment manager, Vanessa Torres' life is going perfectly according to her five year plan. Well, everything except in the love department, but that will come later. On cloud nine from her recent promotion, she agrees to go on a blind date arranged by her friend. Little does she know her squeaky clean life is about to turn upside down, following a one night stand with a handsome stranger, who saves her from the disastrous set-up. Reputable, lease up closer, Gabriel Tate, loves to live life by the game of chance, with no long term plans in mind. Blessed with Adonis-like looks and a charming personality he's used to getting what he wants when he wants until one flip of a coin changes his life forever. Their lives become entangled in a heated competition to fulfill rental contracts for their respective employers, not to mention running in the same social circles within the apartment industry. They soon realize change and compromise are necessary not only within their careers but also life and neither expected to find love during the chaotic and dysfunctional rivalry. Open Novella Contest 2023 Prompts: #5 Flip a coin and make a life choice with it. Two choices, one coin, and no turning back. Do you dare? #25 "If he smiled at you, he'll break your heart. If she winked at you, she'll rip you apart. #39 On a blind date with a complete mismatch, you're increasingly uncomfortable , but too polite to leave. Then an attractive stranger comes over and gives you an out. © 2023 LJRae

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

It felt like heaven to fall in love with hell...

Sometimes texting the wrong number isn't so wrong after all. A dialogue story following Cecelia and James as they realize this fact, starting at 4:36am on a Thursday... (amazing cover by @elysian_writes <3) [this is trash, lmao. Don't read it-]

Highest Rankings: #1 in Featured #1 in Werewolf #1 in Dragon #1 in Fantasy #1 in Adventure #1 in Action #1 in Series #23 in Romance "Lyzaria! What did I tell you about the forest?" My father scolds me sharply. I flinch at the anger in his voice and quickly retract my hand, inches from the trunk of the tree. "Sorry father, I couldn't help it. The trees are just so beautiful," I whine turning towards him. His face softens slightly and he scoops me up into his muscled arms. I wrap my small arms around his neck and bury my face into his shoulder. He hugs me tightly and carries me away from the forest. "Why can't we go into the forest?" I ask, looking over his shoulder to see the red and gold leaves slowly disappear from view as we climb the hill. "The forest is a dangerous place," he sighs. "How can something so beautiful be so dangerous?" I mutter in confusion. "The danger is in its beauty." **Cover by SodaliteSilver**

The Bad Boy and The Tomboy is now published as a Wattpad Book! As a Wattpad reader, you can access both the Original Edition and Books Edition upon purchase. Nicknames, a love of soccer, and school rumors are all the bad boy and the tomboy have in common. But if they give each other a chance, will they find something more? ***** Seventeen-year-old Macy Anderson is a tomboy that plays soccer, hangs with the guys, can't stand girls (except her best friend Jasmine) and doesn't know who Sam Cahill is. But when the pair unexpectedly meet, everything goes downhill from there. Because Sam Cahill is the school's bad boy, known for skipping classes and getting into trouble. Not to mention his cocky attitude, British accent, and magnetic charm, which seems to work on all the girls -- except Macy, who has a rule not date in high school. But when Sam starts showing her his moves (on and off the soccer field), Macy begins to see a different guy under the leather-clad exterior. Will that be enough to convince her that he's the one guy worth breaking the rules for? [[Word count: 300,000 - 350,000 words]] [[2015 Watty Winner]] All Rights Reserved- ©nikki20038

Malikah knows her place. It's with the other defects in the outer rings. In her world where perfection and Unitarianism are the only options, and all who don't fit the mold live out their lives in the slums of the outer rings she's used to doing whatever it takes to survive another day. Fighting in the pits and helping out at the baker's hut has become her daily routine for so long that Malikah doesn't expect anything out of the ordinary. But that's exactly what she gets. With her hard earned savings in hand, ready to buy her own pair of shoes she goes to the market place, but instead of shoes, a mysterious necklace seems to literally be calling to her, begging her to buy it. She does. And her whole life changes. With the help of a handsome stranger and a insanely strange group of people who say she belongs with them, Malikah may just find that she doesn't know her place after all and her world, might not be the only one there is. Thrust into adventure filled with strange creatures, Gods, betrayal, destiny, and maybe even love, Malikah must stay true to herself if she wants to not only save the world, but fulfill her destiny.

As Claire aims to leave her oppressive stepfamily behind, she befriends Zion. Will he be her ticket to freedom or a distraction in achieving her dreams? ***** Claire Olsen has had a crush on Zion Petrakis since the first time she laid eyes on him, but he never noticed, instead only having eyes on the school's it girl, Maddie Jennings. Knowing she couldn't compete with Maddie, Claire hid her feelings for Zion, satisfied with admiring him from afar. However, when a series of events led Claire closer to Zion, her feelings for him grew from infatuation to love. And despite fighting hard to keep her feelings contained by distancing herself from Zion, he was determined to show her that he's earned a spot in her life. [[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]