Gwenwyn is the most miserable princess ever, and for good reason. Merely brushing up against her or touching her exposed skin is enough to cause painful burns, or worse. And if that wasn't enough, she's just discovered the singular reason for her existence - to act as the king's secret assassin, murdering neighbouring princes with nothing more than a simple kiss.

Avalon Carter has been mute for eight years now, since something traumatized her. In the eight years, nobody other than her brother cared enough to spend time with someone who wouldn't speak back, until she met Carson Kent. The closer they get, the closer she gets to talking. That is until her past comes back to haunt her. Will she have the courage to speak up when it's a matter of life and death? All that matters are those three words.

In the summer of 1918 a tragedy echoed across the world when the Russian Imperial Romanov family was murdered by communists leaving much of the country crying out in mourning. Yet, there was a myth that one daughter, the youngest daughter; the Grand Duchess Anastasia had escaped. Though many disbelieved, for some this would prove to be more than a rumor and it would change their lives forever. Annalisa Peterson, a senior in high school, is dying to get out and move as far away from her family as possible. Not that she has had a rough childhood, but she wants to get away from constantly being expected to be the perfect A student and consistently having to visit her great grandmother who doesn't seem to like her, and oh yeah, doesn't speak a word of English. One final class assignment could change everything that she's ever known, and could literally re-write history. To find out the truth about her family's history, it isn't long before she's digging through old papers, books, photographs, and even travelling to Russia; not to mention getting her heart tangled up with the enemy along the way. As Annalisa finds out more and more, she's quickly discovering that once the real truth is out, her entire life will be turned upside down, and life will become much more dangerous for her, and those around her. Secrets are revealed. Questions are answered. One thing is certain; Annalisa never thought that her senior year would end like this.

"Aiden pick a girl this instant! Who will you marry?" Queen Alexandra exclaimed. "The maid over there," he said with a smirk. Copyright © 2016

Off the coast of Northern Ireland lies a secret that could change the course of history if the wrong people discover it. In 1943, tucked away from the turmoil of World War II, Rathlin Island is rife with old rumors about a violent storm and a vanished woman. When Eden O'Doherty stumbles upon a mysterious book and releases a burst of magic, those rumors about her mother start to seem like more than just baseless gossip. But her father's silence on the topic of her mother's disappearance leaves Eden desperate for answers. The only other person with knowledge seems unwilling-or too afraid-to speak. Aidan McMalley dreams of joining Britain's Royal Air Force to escape the bullies of his hometown and help with the war effort, but feels a competing urge to stay and protect his siblings from their abusive father-not to mention that he can't imagine leaving Eden. But when Eden plunges headfirst into danger and a stranger arrives on the island asking too many probing questions, Aidan realizes that he might not get to choose between the fight against Hitler and his struggle against bullies; the war might be coming straight to his doorstep. Torn apart by a cruel twist of fate, Eden and Aidan must navigate these dangerous secrets on their own. As their worlds slowly unravel, choices made in the past threaten to turn the tide of the war in the present. And with a new enemy rising just below the surface, they must decide what they are willing to sacrifice in order to protect what they love. ____________________________________________________________________________________ An original story with themes centering around abuse and neglect, abandonment, friendship, and family. Current word count: [57,838] Awards: Best Leading Character: 2nd place (Shadow City Awards)