the rise and triumph of the modern self

Bella French is a peculiar girl. That is what everyone says about her. She would rather have her nose in a book, forgetting the world around her, than to actually live her life. She has an odd father who likes to tinker in the shed and her mother is dead. The way he locks himself in the building and claims to be helping the FBI, people around the town find him crazy, but Bella knows that he isn't. At school she had no friends, because she prefers to be alone. Yet that does not stop Gus Stone from bothering her. For some reason, despite girls throwing themselves at him, he only wants Bella. She dreams of getting out of the small town that they just moved to. They live on the edge of town, next to the 'Forbidden Forest' as the town calls it. She had heard the town legends and lore about entering these woods. Especially not at night. But circumstances lead her there; Where she finds a beast. Adam Prince is King of the Wolves. He is the Alpha and he has even been called a beast. He is so jaded from life that he is angry at the world and he takes it out on anyone stupid enough to be around him. Especially Bella. The way that he finds himself drawn to her infuriates him. Yet, he can not stay away from her, even as he finds himself changing to please her. Can he really be falling in love with her? Is she the one that can break his curse and end his misery?

This is a real life account of one Dillon Vera, a highschool student who struggles to deal with the challenges of life, school, and dealing with his growing attraction to a yet unknown face. The kicker is that the attraction he has is for a man, and he is scared of the reactions of the people he loves. Watch Dillon's story unfold over the course of eight years with this special someone, as he discovers that life has a lot of unexpected surprises, both happy and sad alike. This is a real account of Dillon and his friend's life, their love, and how they grew as people and traversed their wonderful, but problematic, world.

From dodging airborne slot machines to an unplanned swim in the fountain of a luxury hotel, it's safe to say that a trip to Las Vegas doesn't go as Carrie Blair had planned it to. A part-time teacher by day and an artist by night, Carrie thought that a fun, relaxing weekend in Vegas with her best friend was exactly what the two of them needed to unwind. Instead, her presence in the city of lights attracts the attention of a rival Alpha. Luca Ronan thunders into Carrie's life with plenty of demands and expectations of his new mate. Unfortunately for him, Carrie isn't one to fold under pressure-even when it's applied by the most intimidating Alpha in the country. Stubborn and determined, Carrie puts as much space between her and Luca as she can. But how long can she remain ill-willed against the charm and passion that comes with the formidable Alpha she has been destined to love?

After getting drunk at a wedding party, Summer Hart had spent a night with a man. She then found herself pregnant after that. She wanted to keep the child, but the man had other plans. She tried to run away but was caught. "If you want to keep the child, marry me. We'll divorce after two years, and meanwhile, don't touch me—not even holding hands," the man said, backing her into a corner. She found the man utterly shameless. 'Holding hands? Dream on.' After the marriage, the man said, "I know you are scared. Let's sleep together tonight." "I'm not scared." "I saw you in a dream and heard you say you're scared and want to sleep with me." "Have you no shame, Mark Valentine?" "Shame? What is shame?"

Shea’s past has left her feeling detached and exposed. Even years later, the echo of old pain still drifts around her. When Her best friend's brother randomly rescues her at a party and takes her home, she can’t help but wonder if this beautiful boy may be able to quiet her fears. Luke hasn’t been able to take his mind off of the troubled quiet girl with a spotty reputation. After a few confusing run-ins and a lot of mixed signals he finally gets to shoot his shot with her. When it matters most can Luke speak louder than her fears? Can Shea be brave enough to face her troubled past, and allow someone else into her life after abuse?

Do you ever wish a secret billionaire would sweep you away to a tropical island? Do you ever wish that you could be like Cinderella and find your happily ever after with the prince? From New York Times bestselling author Krista Lakes, comes a sweet but spicy Billionaire Romance Series that will have you believing in happily ever after! Each story in this series is a stand-alone one. But with all the stories happen in one world, characters will reappear in other stories. ****** The First Set: Saltwater Kisses– An accidental marriage between Jack and Emma. Rainwater Kisses– Falling in love, and finding how they fit together with Owen and Kaylee. Freshwater Kisses– Finding love in childhood friends with Robbie and Sam. BONUS: Kisses From Jack: The first half of Saltwater Kisses, but from Jack's perspective! Timeless Love Stories: Champagne Kisses– A story of long lost love and second chances with Dean and Rachel. The Second Set: Sandcastle Kisses– Finding love in all the wrong places with Noah and Izzy Hurricane Kisses– Surviving the storm together with Logan and Olivia Barefoot Kisses– A Cinderella story with Aiden and Lena The Third Set: Sunrise Kisses– Ava and Bastian discovering true beauty Waterfall Kisses– Leo finally succumbing to Charlotte's charms Island Kisses: Gabe finally meets his match in Harper!

Adea isn’t interested in dating or finding her Goddess-chosen mate. She’s determined to ignore the nightmares that plague her sleep, keep her job at Half Moon pack, and live a peaceful life. When her best friend, Mavy begs her to go with her to Desert Moon to find her mate, she can’t say no.What does Adea do when she’s the one to find her mate at the Crescent Moon Ball? Will she piece together what her dreams mean in time or is history fated to repeat itself? !! Mature content 18+ !! Contains violence, physical emotional, and sexual abuse, rape, sex, and death. May be triggering to survivors.

Mary and Maria are sisters. They share a lot of things. Mary is the eldest while Maria was a youngest. Until they grow up into fine ladies. Hindi lubos akalain ni Maria na pati sa isang lalaki parehas sila ng taste. Hanggang sa nagkasakitan na silang dalawang magkapatid. At dahil paboritong anak si Mary mula noon walang nagawa si Maria kundi mag give way sa ate niya lalo na't nabuntis ng kan'yang bf ang ate nito. Labis na dinamdam ni Maria ang lahat. Maging ang pamilya niya ay galit sa kan'ya, dahil napag bintangan siyang nagnakaw ng pera sa kanilang kumpanya. Maria left out on their Mansion and she didn't show up again. After 5 years muli siyang babalik para maghiganti sa mga taong yumurak ng kan'yang pagkatao... May puwang pa ba sa puso niya ang salitang pagpapatawad?

Piper gave up her dream and served as waitress to raise her sister's abandoned baby.,She bumped into her prince EX, Nicholas, in the crazy Luna choosing game.Nicholas: How could you hide my little girl?!Piper: EXM? She's not yours!Nicholas: You had a child with someone else right after we broke up?!

At ten years old, Violet stumbled into the Cedar Grove Pack covered in wounds and malnourished from walking for four days. With her memory shattered, she’s taken in and raised by the pack doctor. Nine years later fate takes Violet across the country, to the wealthiest pack in the world. Soon the walls she constructed around herself, and that harrowing night will be threatened. A face from her past set’s things in motion, his smoky eyes risk sending her to her knees. Flashbacks, blackouts, and secrets steeped in lies, prove to Violet that the past always comes back to haunt you.