***Second book in the "Love to Hate You" series*** Vicky Wilkes is unlucky in love. She met the man of her dreams one year, three months, one week and two days ago. It was the most memorable night of her life, but it wasn't the most memorable night of his. Now he's back, and all is fair in love and war.

We know from JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit, that the Dwarves of Durin go on a quest to reclaim their Erebor homeland. But before they uproot their lives--yet again--this short story explores one possible scenario for Thorin Oakenshield's pre-quest life. The question remains, will he leave his new life to go on a quest, or not?

Lucy is always run off her feet on Valentine's Day. She's invisible, too. She works the Valentine's shift in an upmarket restaurant, watching other people's love stories play out over a romantic meal. There's the wealthy husband and wife; dressed to impress but thoroughly miserable. The woman who bagged the banker and wants to make sure he doesn't get away. The lonely widower who sits at the table he shared with his wife the night he proposed, and the guy who tries to impress his date with a fancy restaurant he can't afford. Lucy wants her own slice of romance, but someone needs to notice her first.

Meredith Townsend is a wedding planner who loves to give other people their very own slice of "Happily Ever After". Married to the man of her dreams, with plans to buy a house and start their own family, and with a best friend who keeps her in a steady supply of freshly-baked cakes, life is perfect. But, as a handsome stranger will explain to her, all marriages end in tears, one way or another. For Meredith, they're tears of grief, when she becomes a widow at the age of thirty-two. Smothered by overbearing parents and a close-knit group of friends who try to wrap her up in cotton wool, Meredith struggles to cope with life after Rhys. She can't eat, she can't smile, and she can't bear being surrounded by excitable brides. She's drowning, and she needs someone to save her. Jude Jackson is going through a messy divorce. He's a cynical wedding photographer who catches Meredith's grief on camera. A virtual stranger, he sees her tears as inevitable, but beautiful. Their instant chemistry could be just the lifeline Meredith needs. But how soon is "too soon" to start dating again? For Meredith and for Jude? Does she really want this serious, complicated man in her life, or is she just desperate not to be alone?

John Thornton and Margaret Hale are happily in love and going to get married. But an accident leaves John with partial memory loss and what he has forgotten is his life and love for his bride to be. Margaret's whole world seems to come crashing down around her. This modern story is based upon and inspired by E. Gaskell's classic novel North & South.

*Wattpad Featured Story* A year before MI5 spy Lucas North ends up in Russian prison for 8 years, there is Alexa George, a woman he rescues as a favor to his boss, Harry Pearce. But when Lucas gains his freedom as part of a prisoner exchange, his return to London sets off a series of events that threaten to reveal the truth behind the people who aren't exactly who they appear to be - including Lucas and Alexa. This story takes place between Season 7, episodes 1 - 2 for Chapter 1 - 2 of the BBC series Spooks/MI5; and between episodes 2 and 3 for the rest of the chapters. All events happen before episode 3 when Ben Kaplan goes undercover for a radical Muslim group. There will be references made to events that do occur towards the end of Season 7. If you're a fan of Season 1, you'll also discover an old face - Jools Siviter, one of my favorite recurring characters who always kept Harry on his toes! Played to perfection by none other than Hugh Laurie, Siviter is a juicy character indeed! Just like the series this story is based on (Spooks/MI5) "Broken - MI5/Lucas North" contains scenes that depict violence as well as some mature content. Please take this in consideration before reading. Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of Kudos and BBC. The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this story. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No copyright infringement is intended.

He was coming back. It had been more than one hundred years since the holocaust at Erebor, more than one hundred years since she had spoken his name aloud. "Thorin," she whispered to the wind. She looked westward, able to just make out the stark pillar that was the Lonely Mountain. Did he really believe the portends? Could he possibly think he would find the legendary riches of Erebor unprotected? After all these years, would he listen to any warning? Though unsure he would even recall her name, she knew she would find no rest until she, at least, tried to tell him. One last time to the Lonely Mountain, this time not to charm the prince but to try and save a king.

A woman alone with a child in a time when little was held sacred, can they survive?

London 1816 East Ender, Flash Billy, is a gutter rat who has fought his way up to crime lord by the power of his own mettle, a villainous reprobate to whom violence and trickery are second nature. When he is pickpocketed by a brassy orange seller with a fierce temper and light fingers, his interest is immediately snared. After unwittingly using her skills on the wrong man, Meg Turner finds that relying solely on herself for survival, might no longer be her choice. Marine Police Inspector, Freddy Scriven is on the hunt and closing in on his prey. He plans to hang the scurrilous Billy, but can he resist the lure of a fiery thieving vixen?

** A Wattpad Featured Story** What's worse than a pedantic, impatient, bad-tempered, condescending boss? Answer? A boss who is pedantic, impatient, bad-tempered, condescending and devilishly handsome. What's worse than a P.A. with poor time-keeping, terrible spelling and a lack of respect for authority? Answer? A P.A. who has poor time-keeping, terrible spelling, a lack of respect for authority and an array of short pencil skirts and tight blouses. Mattie hates Rafe and Rafe hates Mattie, but they want each other, too. Sometimes, hating someone is more delicious - and much more fun! - than loving them.