The world as we know it ended 209 years ago. From a desert wasteland springs a single kingdom, ruled by a tyrannical King and trapped in an endless war against the shadowy desert warriors. As a desperate bid to save what remains of humanity, society has been split into two distinct classes, nicknamed the Court and the Commons. For an oppressed population on the brink of revolution, a common thief could be the last hope. Up until now, Kay has survived by her wits alone. Reckless and impulsive, wanted by the King's guard, Kay has become known as the Runner. Using the city's rooftops as her personal domain, she manages to keep one step ahead of the King with one hand buried in the purses of the courtiers. Driven by the plight of the commoners and the unjust death of her family, Kay seizes the chance to graduate from small-time thievery to full-scale rebellion. Her opportunity comes in the form of Will, a wealthy ex-soldier with a dark past. Plucked from the streets and thrown into the shimmering palace court, Kay must use her every strength to blend into a world where she doesn't belong, closer to the enemy than she ever thought she would be.

Azima Rousseau, a demon hunter destined to save her world from the denizens of the Underworld, has to venture through the Seven Levels of Hell in order to face its Prince and close the rift between their worlds once and for all. ***** Ever since her eighteenth birthday, Azima Rousseau knew she would die battling the forces of Hell just as her mother had, and every other Rousseau before her. So when her destiny delivers her to Death's door, it is not the Devil who answers, but the Demon Prince Malecoda. Instead of ending her fated existence as his sworn enemy, he decides to bind her into a pact that challenges not only the intensity of her will to survive but also the integrity of her soul to persevere. Together they soon discover who the monsters truly are- Azima's own people. [[ 2021 WATTYS SHORTLIST ]] ---------- Cover designed by Stefanie Saw

Some people merely adopt darkness, but she was born into it. Hiding every gloomy secret, covering all the lies, she walks through the life devoid of all emotions. They all labeled her, those silly people, if only they had stop for a moment and observed. Looked into her eyes and see the wreckage behind them, see the hurt and the pain behind that anger. Nobody noticed, nobody tried to care... until that someone. • • • They loath each other and there's nothing anyone could do. Winter and Ethan are like fire and ice, like darkness and light, like hurricane and tornado they don't mix at all. But, fate, my friend is one hell of a player. So, what will happen when Fate works it's magic and the two arch enemies are thrown together? Amidst all the chaos, heart breaks and tears, will the truth finally come out and surrender? or will it act just as stubborn as the person, who hid it. Copyright © mysteriouslypoetic 2018. All Rights Reserved.

What happens when The Mafia King gets a weird text one night from a girl who is hell bent on making him hers? She is a badass who wins each and every street race and street fight. She always gets what she wants. Freedom and having control over everything is her motto. She is Valentina Martinez. He is a Mafia King who kills without remorse. Having control and power over everyone is his motto. He is Luciano Moretti. -------------------- Excerpt:- {Texts between the characters} Valentina When did I give you the honor of listening to my angelic voice? My arrogant asshole🖤 Answer the damn phone. Valentina Wow. You're desperate.😂 My arrogant asshole🖤 Says the one who called herself my Queen the first time she texted me. ------------------------ You've heard of when A badboy claims the bad girl but what happens when The bad girl claims a Mafia king? A love story of course but full of sarcasm, humor and let's not forget Love! Is it possible for two cold hearts to love each other? Join Valentina and Luciano in their journey of learning to love each other. (Only a few chapters left in the story and it will be complete) (I do not own any pictures in the story) *Previously called 'When the bad girl claimed the mafia king'*

When she was 14, Dalia was sold to Matteo Martinelli, the former leader of the largest Italian mafia. Flash forward with his son, Vittore Martinelli as the new leader, Dalia is given to him as a birthday present after years in spent in the "safe house". Dalia struggles to fulfill a promise she made and get her old self back as Vittore tries not to fall for the black beauty. Will they go through all the lies, jealousy, betrayal, envy, lust and murder together all in the name of love? Because at the end of it all, she is still Property Of Vittore Martinelli. * * * "Lift your hand," I said looking at how he held onto his bicep with a tight grip. "Let me take a look at the bullet wound." "No tesoro. I can do this myself," Vittore grumbled and I gave him incredulous look. "Don't start that bullshit with me Vittore. Remove your arm and let me help you or..." I trailed off, not able to say more. I was still in shock but I could do this. "Just... just let me help." "No." I glared at Vittore. "Why are you being so damn egotistic?! Let me help you! Do you know what it was like to find you like... and to..." I couldn't even get all the words out. "Let me help you. Please." Begging wasn't something I'd ever do but I just needed him to let me help him. "No-" "Why?!" I suddenly exploded. "Why won't you just let me help you?!" "Because I don't know how to handle it ok?!" Vittore suddenly exploded, his dark eyes glaring at me. "I don't know how to handle these... feelings. Fuck tesoro you drive me crazy! Don't you see that? You make me question everything I've ever known and... I can't..." I watched Vittore as his expression turned determined. "Fuck it." He leaned forward and pressed his lips on mine. * * * WARNING! Mentions of death, torture, gore, abuse and other things related to the mafia.

Demetria Viitor is a witch, a half human-half fae hybrid. She was also a healer and slave to the Ura clan. Until the Northern fae attacked and everything changed. Ericson Dragoste, general of the Northern fae, couldn't care less about his fated mate. Until he met her. Cover design by dancingpandapall

When Summer Princess Lumikki is offered to the Winter King as payment for a debt, the Winter court is dragged into chaos. Alone in a foreign land, with no one but herself to rely upon, Lumi is quick to adapt in order to survive. But the longer the winter king stays with her, the more he is unable to let her go. Like the sun and moon, fate continuously has them moving towards each other- yet apart. As her life unfolds in unexpected ways, Lumi realizes that love can only be found, if all else is sacrificed. But are they willing to pay such a price? And are some loves worth fighting for? This is a story of redemption. This is a story of strength. This is a story of revolution. This is a story, of when the sun fell. COPYRIGHT: ©Joy (world_joy_) All rights reserved Thank you for reading | COMPLETED

After finally graduating high school, eighteen year old Elizabeth Proctor is pressured into a party at sea. When things go wrong, she finds herself thrown into an entirely different world. Waking up on a pirate ship that sailed hundreds of years before her time, Elizabeth must figure out how to adjust to her new life and hide her impossible secret. A grand adventure awaits her if she's only brave enough to take a chance. Cover by @All_AboutAssymetry *Updates on Saturdays* 11/30/16 - #236 in Historical Fiction 1/23/17 - #225 in Historical Fiction 2/12/17 - #98 in Historical Fiction 4/7/17 - #69 in Historical Fiction 4/30/17 - #34 in Historical Fiction 5/21/17 - #29 in Historical Fiction 5/26/17 - #17 in Historical Fiction 6/13/17 - #14 in Historical Fiction 6/23/17 - #7 in Historical Fiction 6/27/17 - #6 in Historical Fiction 7/5/17 - #4 in Historical Fiction 5/15/18 - #1 in Historical Fiction Started - 9/17/16 Finished - 6/10/17

Forced to sail to the sun-drenched kingdom of Ardalone to fulfill a marriage alliance, Prince Thomas of Pretania must choose one of the Ardalonian princesses to be his wife. But every choice comes with consequences. Spurned by Thomas' older brother, Princess Dulciana stands to inherit the throne as she is eldest, but only if she marries an Ardalonian noble. Second-in-line Prince Frederico will do anything to ensure that doesn't happen. But beyond the palace gates, a rebellion is stirring...and if there's one thing Prince Thomas excels at, it's stirring up trouble. WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE SEASON SERIES! (Though I'm going to do my best to ensure you can read as a standalone if you don't want to read the first two.)

************************************************************************************** An outcast rogue must break a curse put on his fate, or die on his nineteenth birthday. To survive, he'll need the sword of a maiden, the aid of an immortal, and the power of forbidden magic that could cost him the only girl he ever loved. ************************************************************************************ *** THE JACK OF SOULS won a Silver IPPY this year! *** THE JACK OF SOULS won 1st place in the PNWA Competition in Fantasy! * *** THE JACK OF SOULS won 1st place in the Southwest Writers competition! * *** A "Featured Book" on Wattpad! * *** Now a "Staff Pick" on Kickstarter! * *** Available on Amazon in paper, hardback, and ebook ! * *** My contract with Kindle Select won't allow me to post more than 3 chapters here, but... *** Sign up for my newsletter on stephenmerlino.com for alerts when it's free on Amazon! * MY INSPIRATION I wrote this out of pure love of trickster rogues; I love the wit over brawn motif -- Odysseus over Achilles, Raven over Eagle -- so I like to play with it in my stories. In JOS I set the rogue and con-artist Harric against a foil of warriors in a land threatened by magic and civil war. Whenever possible I turn familiar tropes on their heads: instead of a handsome young Lancelot, I cast a broken-down ex-champion addicted to pain-killing herbs; instead of a dashing Squire Brian, the old knight reluctantly takes an ambitious young woman as squire. Similarly, I re-imagine the standard medieval milieu by infusing aspects of two of my favorite historical periods, Elizabethan England, and The American Frontier. Both eras boast a kind of nationalistic arrogance that borders on hubris, and a magnificent spirit of resourcefulness and re-invention that is fun to play with. SERIES The Jack of Souls is first in a series. I am posting parts of the sequel here now (The Knave of Souls), to help me refine the story.