eight hundred grapes

The uprising killed the royal Cardinal family. The Cardinals were magic wielders and had ruled for over five hundred years with an iron fist. Eventually, the humans waged war against wielders and shifters. They overthrew the crown, branding all non-human beings as Unnaturals and leaving them to fend for themselves in a broken world. Ida has spent those last ten years since the uprising sold from one household to another, never able to repay her indenture. The situation, although not ideal, has offered her a second chance at life. A life in hiding was better than no life at all, and she did not wish to suffer the same fate as others of her kind. Sold into the services of Duke Kestrel, she meets a seductive yet mysterious Lord Alexander. Already in his thirties, Xander cares very little for his title and responsibilities. He should have been married years ago, but no woman appears to please him. Many assume he is simply difficult, but not all is what it seems. Xander carries the weight of being a shifter, unable to find his mate in this new kingdom. After a chance meeting between them, Ida becomes overwhelmed by Alexander's mixed signals. She dares not succumb to her inner feelings. Letting Xander in would mean opening up about what she truly is, and she is determined to keep her past hidden. Xander, however, has other plans. He intends to get his mate by whatever means necessary. When both their lives intertwine by fate, a new quest emerges fraught with danger as they encounter all walks of life trying to tear them apart. Can their love survive, or is there a more sinister plot afoot?

There are three types of apples that fell into this world. The one that hit my head was the forbidden one. ************ In which an English country girl goes from being a waitress, to being the wife of the richest billionaire in London. “It is simple, all you have to do is get my husband into a hotel room, and you’ll get a hundred thousand pounds” she said looking the innocent girl in the eye, their eyes met and the girl cowered as she looked at the woman, processing what she was saying and how much she was offering. “You want me to seduce your husband?” The girl asked looking at the woman who stood above her head, like a predator threatening her prey. “No, all I want you to do is get him into a hotel room, leave the rest on me” she said looking at the girl who was shocked, her heart racing as she thought of what that woman was asking her to do. “Why would you want a girl to get your husband into a hotel room? And more importantly, why me?” “I need to get a divorce, and you need to stay away from my son. See, it’s a win, win, darling”

Lord Xander was the ruler of the popular Xander community. He was fierce, cold evil and heartless - so many people believed. He was one of the most skillful in sword fights and Xander could fight a hundred men alone and come out victorious - that was just how powerful he was. If Xander wasn't in a battle field, he was in the training ground. If Xander wasn't killing someone, he was definitely watching a person get punished. That was his daily routine. That was the only pleasure he enjoyed. People feared and respected him so much. They worshipped the ground he stepped on. Even when he was wrong, nobody dared to correct him or say a word to him. Though, he wasn't a King but just a Master of a community, people felt he was more powerful than 10 Kings put together. He's been married to two ladies previously, but they all ended up dead - due to Unknown reasons. The community needed an heir and so, Xander had to get married to another wife - a third wife. And unfortunately, it turned out to be a stubborn princess who swore to do everything in her power to make sure he divorces her.

When Evan Sterling discovered Estera Roberts lurking in the shadows of his father's mansion in Charlestown he thought she was a trespasser and a thief. But not the kind he had feared… Drawn to the seventeen-year-old orphan who was the niece of their housekeeper, Evan tried to stay away from her to douse the simmering desire to possess the innocent who had unknowingly come to live in an opulent world of infidelity, wealth, and sinful indulgence. She was a minor and he was eight years older than her. He knew he must stay away from her – an easier concept than reality. The two formed a bond so strong it was almost impossible to break, but then life happens. Torn apart by deceit and marriage of convenience, Evan and Estera tried to live the life destiny dealt them. But when their paths crossed again, they had a glimpse of what a life together would look like. But then to attain their dreams, they must face hurting the ones in their lives, and risk death to expose a sinister plot designed to hide a damning secret at their expense, or accept that the saying 'love conquers all' is nothing but a cruel illusion.

The sound of footsteps fell on her ears, forcing her to turn around. Dhruv stood a few inches away, a white towel wrapped around his waist. Water dripped from his hair as he ran a hand through it. When his eyes landed on her, they raked up and down her body and his eyebrow lifted while his lips formed a tiny frown. "What are you wearing?" He said tilting his head. He did not look pleased. "Your t-shirt," said Shanaya and rolled her eyes. "And who gave you the permission to wear it?" "You did yourself when you tore my dress into two pieces." His lips curved in delight at her words but returned back to normal soon enough. "Did I? I don't remember it." He shook his head. "Hmm, blame your rusty mind. What was your intent anyway? To have me walking naked around your house?" He pressed his lips together, attempting but failing to keep the amusement out of his voice. "Maybe. That'd be a nice sight, I must admit." *** Shanaya Arora has lived her life peacefully without any drama, that is until Dhruv Kapoor, her ex decides to make a return after eight years, bringing along with him a storm of desire and a promise of companionship for a lonely soul like hers. Burdened with the weight of her past, Shanaya tries to avoid him, denying Dhruv another chance at breaking her heart. But fate has other plans.

Kristen Lambert has always been different from everyone else in the way she thought. She had long accepted that until she met him a High school teacher who was like her. He had some of the answers she needed. Gregor Bridger knew exactly what he was. He knew what she was as well the first time he saw her. While forging a friendship together they find even more about themselves out. A new life with a friend who after a long time becomes a lover and the love of each others lives they build a new future. One that it took over a hundred thousand years to make.

Emily, the biological daughter of the Wilsons was kidnapped at age eight and returned ten years later to live with her family and her adopted sister, Brenda. On her supposed engagement day to her boyfriend of three years, Oliver Jones, he proposed to Brenda instead. Emily was disgraced, disrespected and devastated. To cure her heartbreak, she went to the bar where she got drunk and had a one-night stand with Christopher Moore; a famous business tycoon, the man in every woman’s dream. When Emily goes to TRANSCORP for a job interview the following day, she makes a shocking discovery; her would-be boss is none other than her one-night-stand partner who seemed to not recognize her. But unknown to Emily and Christopher, their path had since crossed several years back. As Emily and Christopher become familiar with each other, the latter learns that there is more to the former than meets the eye for example, how does a mere secretary know how to hack into a national server?

After the night castle, home to the vampires is attacked by angry humans, Alyssa is forced to flee from her home. Daylight burns her skin, but upon remembering the angel she saved, she makes it to his castle, hoping he will provide her with a roof above her head. It's dangerous living with an angel—falling in love with one will kill you if the feelings aren't mutual; Alyssa is willing to take that risk. She becomes his slave, determined to survive; her work turns into her everything. But what happens when the angel Azrael finds his mate and Alyssa stays alive despite being in love with him? Follow Alyssa as she tries to survive in a world that wants her dead. She is hunted for her species, wanted for her blood—Alyssa's life is anything but easy, and falling in love with an angel is about to make it a hundred times more complicated.

---- Contains some triggering scenes like brutal punishments, steamy scenes, killings, but no rape. ---- "Please," Olivia moaned, gripping the strong forearms that wrapped around her tightly. "More..." "You want more," Titan murmured hoarsely, sliding his hands across her pebbled nipples, his eyes glowing as he watched her writhe with pleasure. "I can give you that. I will give you so much so that every werewolf within a hundred miles radius will hear you scream my name. Feast on your addicting nectar until I tire out... and then," he reached for her face, tilting it upward. The wicked glint in his eyes made her shudder. "-and then I will break you into a million pieces." *** All her life, Olivia Carter had felt unwanted. Being treated like a slave by her stepmom and step-sister, she had longed and hoped for a day she would be truly desired for who she was. A wofless pup. Lycan King Titan Black, rumored to be a ruthless, volatile monster who killed his mate, needed a Luna and sought out a bride. When his betrothed, Olivia's sister runs away in fear, Olivia is chosen as the substitute bride, sent to 'die' in her stead. However, the sizzling attraction between them stuns them both and sends them into a spiral of hate, love, and anger. What happens when an exposed secret that changes everything Titan and Olivia ever knew, is thrown into the mix? Their love may either be their very doom or salvation.

What do twelve years of captivity make of one? What lines behind the new Laurel Brown?Laurel Brown was only eight when she was snatched.Twelve years passed and the Browns had long moved on when Laurel Brown returns with the truth as well as secrets.