the upside of falling

War. War is all we know. War for peace, war to take, war to protect. War for resources. It is impossible to avoid war because your neighbors won’t. If you are perceived as weak, you will be targeted. Your land and wealth stolen, your people killed, sons enslaved and daughters raped. To survive in this world, more important than oxygen; is strength and a cold heart. The only source of strength are mana veins. He who owns mana veins has the right to live and the right to rule. He who owns mana veins better have the strength to keep it or long life is but a pipe dream. Xasha hated war. War had taken everything from him and gave nothing in return. He hated that all wars were over petty things like pride and pocket change. He always looked to the vast wilderness with longing. He wondered why all the warmongers hadn’t turned their spears there. Where vast lands and untapped wealth were. Once he became a father. Xasha, the naïve, knowledge-loving merchant, decided he did not want his child growing up in the same world he did. He decided to change the world, end all war and unite the abandoned region. How will he do it? By starting a war, a war that will end all wars. Not a war with his neighbors over pride or a few mana veins. No. He will rage against the wilderness and the world beyond.

Xander duduk, tersenyum samar memandangi tiap ruang pertemuan ini-markasnya-beserta semua orang-orang yang tidak akan bisa berkutik di bawah kuasanya. Dengan satu tarikan di pinggang, Crystal terduduk di pangkuan Xander. Menjadi mainannya. Crystal terbelalak, nyaris memekik ketika jemari dingin Xander menyusuri belahan pahanya lewat belahan gaunnya yang panjang. Terus naik. Lalu, mengelus pelan di sana. Sialan. Rencananya memang seperti ini, tapi tidak sampai seperti ini. "Duduklah. Mulai rapatnya." Xander berkata malas pada orang-orangnya yang masih berdiri kaku, menunggu perintah selanjutnya. "Aku ingin melakukannya dengan dia di pangkuanku." * * * Crystal Leonidas; the Perfect Princess! Hidupnya sempurna. Putri bungsu Billionaire nomor satu dunia, cantik, pintar, dengan Aiden Lucero; lelaki bak prince charming yang mencintainya. Melindunginya dari segala hal. Bersama Aiden, Crystal percaya ia tidak membutuhkan apa pun lagi. Hingga, tatapan Crystal bertemu dengan mata indah Xander William. Hangat tapi kelam. Menenangkan sekaligus menakutkan. Bukan rahasia lagi jika seketika itu Crystal terjatuh pada lelaki asing itu. Cepat, keras dan dalam. Percikan perasaan itu terasa menakutkan, berubah menjadi api, lalu menjelma menjadi rasa mendamba yang kuat. Terlarang, tapi memanggil-manggil untuk ia lewati. Ketika bibir Xander membakar tubuhnya dengan ciuman, Crystal tahu ia sudah melanggar batas. Batas berbahaya. Sayangnya, tidak ada jalan kembali. He is a Beast. A cruel beast who can kill you and throw your body in the east. So, what happened next when Crystal realizes that she already Falling For The Beast?

Shea Collins, an eighteen-year-old girl, pretty and intelligent, gets admitted at the University of Toronto on scholarship. Her only focus is getting good grades and maintaining her scholarship. Her whole life turned upside down when she goes to a freshmen's party and a bet was made on her by Ryker Lynn-a total playboy, handsome, tall and rich. Life is a game for Ryker, and he is always a winner in his game. But what will happen when things don't go as Ryker as planned? -- "Well, I accept it. I will make her fall in love with me." Ryker agreed. "But don't you ever fall for her." "I won't, this isn't the first time we are betting, anyways." He smirked.

One kiss with the bad boy was all it took for both of them to fall for eachother. When Lydia Hayes, Worthington's sweetheart joins a party and better yet gets to kiss her frenemy, Blake Parker, unwanted feelings start blooming in both their hearts. Sparks fly and happiness engulfs them with an astonishing amount of drama.

He's the cold-hearted billionaire I despise, my brother's best friend, and completely off-limits. But when he needs a fake girlfriend, he makes me an offer I can’t resist... For ten years, Michael Bonell was my secret obsession. The charming troublemaker who was my total opposite. Until one dreadful night made me vow to never speak to him again. When his fiancée hires me to photograph their wedding, it feels like a cruel twist of fate. But the wedding is canceled at the last minute. And instead of the refund I can't afford to give, Michael demands something else. A date. To his ex-fiancée’s wedding. Pretending to love the man I loathe is easier than I expected. Michael kisses me like he means it and protects me like I've always been his. Until I start to question if he's ever hated me at all. But one thing hasn’t changed — we can never be together, or I risk losing everything that matters. One week with the man I can't forget. One bed. One rule — don’t fall in love. But what if I already have?

Ruby Barlow reconnects with her high school crush on a dating site. After their first date went downhill, she decided never to contact him again. Things go crazy for her when she finds out he is the CEO of the company she always dreamed to work in.

What if you are invited in a falling game? Where your heart is in contingency. You need to act like a real couple in one whole month with activities you need to do together. What's the percentage of you not falling in love? Can you distinguish if he/she shows genuine gesture or is it a trap to make you fall? The prices are immersive, hard to nod off. Will you chose money or love? Or are you dictate your heart for the sake of money? Are you going to fall for uncertain love and vague love? Putting your heart at stake? Or you will play smartly, making your partner fall and ensure your winning place. This is the falling game and everything is fake. Once you fall, you lose. Good day Oxians! You are one of a lucky student to participate in the FALLING GAME. Golden rule: ONCE YOU FALL, YOU LOSE. 1. Exclusive for students of Oxford International School only. Any transferee or exchange students need to sign contracts to avoid problems. 2. Don't kill other participants. You are allowed to harm everyone in the game but killing is a crime. 3. No to inactive. Two absents mean a punishment plus removing to the game. 4. Can do activities and attendances. Failure to comply means a punishment. 5. Act like a real couple. Play your cards well and don't let your heart dictates your mind. We have eyes everywhere. If you are interested, please see us in FG house anytime. For further information and knowledge regarding this game, you may send an email to FGhouse@gmail.com

When Sakura once again meets the gorgeous brothers, Sebastian and Darcy Princeton, forbidden feelings are awakened and old flame ignites. As an orphan, Sakura is accustomed to being bullied and unloved. When she is taken in by the wealthy Princetons, she works hard to earn the family’s trust and love. Her endeavor, however, ultimately leads to a series of unfortunate incidents. Now years later, the twenty-three-year-old beauty dreads the moment she once again has to meet the seven gorgeous Princeton brothers, due to arrive for their cousin’s wedding. Dodging their very presence is next to impossible since the brothers are attracted to her like moths to a flame and thwart her escapes at every turn. This leads to tempting situations, awakens forbidden feelings, and ignites old flames that have been suppressed and lying dormant for many years. When she finds them vying for her, she is torn between Sebastian, the brother who loves her and watches over her from a distance, and Darcy, the brother who was once her best friend and now secretly yearns for her forgiveness and her love once again. Will Sakura choose one over the other, or accept them both as her heart’s desire? Falling for Sakura is a slow-burn ménage romance and has a happy ending.

SEQUEL TO MY LITTLE SUNSHINE On the same day I got married, I learned a heartbreaking truth; I was merely a substitute; a stand-in bride for my husband's beloved. My dreams and feelings didn't matter to anyone but me. In the eyes of the public, I was his wife but at home, I had to live as a furniture and a prisoner. Refusing to live such a miserable life, I ran, faster than I had ever done in my entire life, but then, I found myself walking on thin ice. I was on the brink of a precipice when someone reached out his hand and gave me a lifeline. He was Reign Fletcher, and he became my everything.~~~~CORA She bumped into my life unexpectedly, and suddenly, what started out as an accident became the most important moment of my life. I never understood what it felt like to love someone else more than I do myself until I met Cora Gilbert.~~~~REIGN *THIS BOOK CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE*

In the bustling heart of the city, Aaliyah Winston's life is a whirlwind of bright lights and endless possibilities. But when she crosses paths with Nicholas Walsh, the notorious mafia boss with a heart shrouded in darkness, her world takes an unexpected turn. As passion ignites and danger lurks in every shadow, Aaliyah and Nicholas find themselves caught in a web of intrigue and desire. With rival gangs closing in and secrets threatening to tear them apart, will their love survive the ultimate test?