City Of Thorns

Fire and plague. Certainly no strangers to London Town.But when legions of living dead rise from the Thames’ fetid waters to feast upon the living, the city teeters on the brink of antihalation. And while floaters seek blood, another army takes advantage of the chaos. Boiling out of their rookeries of crime, marauders swarm through London’s affluent neighborhoods looting and burning.©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

Ethan Mathews has just landed the opportunity of a lifetime: assisting the world renowned architect Dante Hart on a city defining project. But what begins as professional admiration soon becomes something far more dangerous. Late nights filled with whispered critiques, shared sketches, and stolen glances spark an undeniable attraction but the world is ready to judge. Colleagues whisper that Ethan is exploiting Dante, while Dante’s past heartbreak makes him wary of love. When a former partner resurfaces, determined to ruin Dante’s career, Ethan is forced to question whether their passion is worth the risk. A rival firm offers Ethan a tempting position, pushing him to choose between ambition and the man who has become his anchor. As rumors spiral and city officials threaten to remove Dante from the project, the two must navigate jealousy, sabotage, and the ever present scrutiny of a world that refuses to understand their love. Can they prove that their bond is built on trust, talent, and true desire, not just convenience and scandal? Or will ambition, fear, and envy tear them apart before their hearts and their masterpiece are complete?

“I reject you, Aurora, daughter of Lord Cornelius felta. Accept it or die!!”, his cold voice echoed. ************** In the world of Pine City, where strength and power determine one's worth, Aurora at the king's ball failed to transform into her wolf. As a result, she was rejected and called a forsaken by her once-sweetheart, Alpha Lucent, and was sent to the remote village of Greenfalls to live in shame. Aurora is caught in a vicious struggle between three rival Alpha local packs. Her life spirals into chaos when Vincent Donvan, the feared Alpha of a mysterious pack, stakes his claim on her. Vincent, together with Aurora, uncovered dangerous secrets that threatened not only their lives but the very existence of their world. Aurora, believed to be wolfless, holds a power no one could have imagined, one that makes her the key to an ancient prophecy. She is caught in a crossroad between the dark charms of mysterious alpha, the dark plans of Lucent, her former mate, and the fate of the pine city on the brink of destruction. Will she rise to claim her power? or will she be consumed by the forces seeking to control her?

Amaya Rosario - Moving to New York was supposed to be all about independence—college, city life, making my own way. But then there was Alan Chambers: quiet, kind, and impossible to read. And then there was his dog, Rufio, who seemed determined to make us happen. I didn’t mean to fall for the guy who doesn’t talk about himself. I just wanted to help out and do something meaningful. But now, between dog walks, city strolls, and a park worth fighting for, I can’t stop wondering if there’s more to Alan than he lets anyone see—and if maybe that something more could include me. Alan Chambers - I’ve built a quiet life in the city—just me, my dog, and the kind of peace that comes from staying in your own lane. I don’t talk about my past. I don’t let people get too close. And I certainly didn’t plan on Amaya Rosario. She’s bright, bold, and keeps showing up in places I never expected. I should keep my distance. I’ve got too many reasons to stay in the shadows. But something about her makes me want to step into the light—for the first time in a long time. Book 7 in the Ravenwood Series. It can be read as a standalone. However, to learn about the characters and past events that may be referenced, you should check out the rest of the series. Book 1 - The Princes of Ravenwood Book 2 - Chasing Kitsune Book 3 - Expect the Unexpected Book 4 - Out of My League Book 5 - Man's Best Wingman (starring Amaya's sister Xenia and introduced Alan and Amaya as side characters) Book 6 - Troubled Heart (Alan appears as a cameo)

Vivienne Crane was a billionaire and vampire queen looking for a way to make synthetic blood for vampires in the Imperial Colony which had been once an old city where vampires fed on humans for blood. She reversed the state so the city became naturally kind for the humans to live. Love was never in her mind as she was so sure that being a vampire queen meant legal for her to be alone forever, until she met Dr. Lazlo Howard who would help her formulate the synthetic blood for the vampires. A constant temptation was all about him. There was something ancient about the scientist that Vivienne's crystal ball couldn't see what behind his genius brain and drop-dead gorgeous feature was. Curiosity could kill you. But it wouldn't matter if you were the vampire queen. Especially when you found out he was also an incubus, the perfect lover for a vampire queen. Will Vivienne be able to resist falling for her handsome colleague? Or she'll be wondering forever after their one night stand?

In Meridian City, life moves fast and ambition drives the elite. At the top of the corporate food chain is Adrian Langston, a charismatic yet ruthless CEO of a multinational tech company. His success and wealth are unrivaled, and he is accustomed to getting what he wants—until he meets Isabella "Bella" Martinez, a fiercely independent freelance graphic designer. Bella is focused on her career and family, with a vibrant personality that is both charming and down-to-earth. She navigates the hectic city life with a sense of humor and a strong moral compass. Despite her attraction to Adrian's charisma, she's determined not to be swept into his world of power plays and high-stakes business. Adrian, on the other hand, is intrigued by Bella's resistance to his usual charm. He's used to closing deals and winning over people with ease, but Bella proves to be a challenge. What starts as a simple business proposition soon turns into a complex game of cat-and-mouse, with Adrian trying to earn Bella's trust and Bella questioning whether she can believe his intentions.

In the southern land of Clandestine Empire lies the city of lawlessness where the thirteen-year-old Dio is satisfied with his life. A warm home despite the chaotic city, a loving grandfather, and a humble living are all he needs in his life. However, everything changed when his grandfather died in a fire. He lost everything-- his family, his purpose, and his will to live. At a young age, he was lost with no hope for the future. “How about I help you find meaning in your life again?” It was an offer that he doesn’t even need to consider but because he wants to uphold his grandfather’s dying wish, Dio held the hand that was offered to him. It wasn’t salvation, just a temporary solution to push him to move forward. Little did he know that the hand that he took would lead him to know the reason why his grandfather had to die and how it was all connected to him. Will he be able to continue moving forward and face the future or give up on life and focus on revenge?

Rejected. Alone. Guilty. Drax Freling is the rightful alpha of the Lunar dusk pack. His father who was the former Alpha of the pack, died. Leaving the pack to the leadership of his younger brother, Damian. Drax is supposed to be proclaimed Alpha when he turns 20. But the elders of the pack thinks that might be a bad idea, because Drax's Wolf has a history of being too wild and uncontrollable. Their insecurity is confirmed when Drax's Wolf springs out while having sex with his mate and murders nearly half of his family including his mate. When he shifted back to his human form, he realized the tragedy he had caused. His family members where killed because of him. Or so he thought. The guilt and trauma of the tragedy causes Drax to flee to a new city where he starts a new life away from his pack. While in the city, he coincidentally discovers the truth about his past. He was set-up. Will he return to take revenge on his contenders?

A decade of planning culminates in a nearly bloodless coup in the Kingdom of Aleghor. King Benedict takes the throne with the intention of eradicating the corruption which was synonymous with the rule and name of his predecessor, King Atomas. It is a task that proves to be harder than overthrowing the kingdom itself and while Benedict sometimes compromises his values while acting with the best intentions, his actions will take their toll on himself and those who support him. When loyalties start to fall into question and control starts to slip away from Benedict, how far will he go to ensure the survival of his dream to eradicate the corruption and bring peace to all men in the kingdom? How far and long will the loyalty and love of his supporters last? This fantasy is set in a city against the backdrop of a city similar to Pompeii and the volcano, Vesuvius. A character similar to Samson in the bible helps to create an epic fantasy story including romance and tragedy. With the events similar to the life of Samson described in this novel, do not expect this story to be religious. It isn't. It is also only one part of the overall story. It is also not a retelling of the end of Pompeii.

Samantha was one of those who got fired from her job by her Chinese boss who liked employees wearing crop tops, so she decided to accept her neighbor's offer to travel to the city and try her luck as a maid. Will she be able to endure staying if the employer she ended up with is the notoriously grumpy billionaire?