what is a picaresque

I grew up with a plan. I already knew from the very beginning that my whole life would revolve around reclaiming the territory that rightfully belonged to my father's name. I wouldn't stop until I got it back, even if that meant playing a game of seduction with Alpha Maddox, the ruthless Alpha of the Dark Forest Pack, to get my way in. But what I didn't see coming was Xander Trevino — Alpha Maddox's brother and his new Beta. Xander was cold, dismissive, and my fated mate. His being distant and unbothered by me should have made it easier for me to put my game into action, but it didn't. Because every time we collide, sparks fly and I am left weak to my core. Being weak was not part of the game. ***** This book is a spin-off novel from the Alpha Blood Circle Series but can be read as a standalone.  ***** Follow me on my I G and F B for updates and teasers - author.cassa.m

Suga tak menampik bahwasanya monster merupakan wujud lain dari dirinya, atas kekejaman yang ia lakukan sebagai seorang ketua mafia. Namun di khalayak umum, Suga dikenal sebagai seorang geeky CEO, tetapi begitu dingin. Oleh sebab itu, sosok Suga tak cukup digemari.Ketika Ratih tiba-tiba terlibat pertengkaran dengan Suga, wajah Suga yang tampan diketahui oleh wanita tersebut. Demi melindungi identitasnya, Suga terpaksa mengawasi gerak-gerik Ratih yang merupakan bawahannya, sekaligus pembenci dirinya. Ia merekrut wanita itu sebagai sekretaris pribadi.Tak mudah bagi Ratih menjalani kehidupan di di samping Suga dengan tenang. Ia merasa pasang mata selalu mengawasinya. Kebenciannya pada Suga pun semakin membuncah. Namun di sisi lain, Ratih justru tertarik dengan misteri di balik topeng culun milik Suga. Diam-diam ia melakukan pengamatan. Lambat laun Ratih mulai mengetahui keanehan atas diri Suga melalui insiden-insiden mengerikan. Belum lagi perasaannya terus dibuat berdesir oleh paras pria itu. Lantas, apakah Ratih bisa menguak identitas Suga yang sebenarnya? Dan respon apa yang akan Ratih terapkan setelahnya, ketika hati sudah mencintai Suga?

Pernikahan yang dulunya sangat tidak Elgan harapkan, perlahan berubah menjadi sebuah harapan besar. Perasaan benci perlahan berganti menjadi cinta. Perasaan ingin menyakiti perlahan berganti menjadi rasa ingin melindungi. Perasaan Elgan telah berubah menjadi lebih baik, menjadi seperti yang diharapkan oleh Cia. Namun, rumah tangga mana yang tidak diterpa masalah? Baik Elgan maupun Cia, mampukah mereka melewati segala permasalahan dalam rumah tangga?

Adeline Monteiro, An humble, Smart, Beautiful yet extremely broke lady. Living in a worn-out crabby-looking one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan and on the verge of being kicked out, Fed up and tired of her life, She goes to a club and drink her sorrow away. She ends up having too much to drink as she spends the night with The one and only Alexander McGuire. Imagine her surprise when she finds out that her one-night stand is her boss? The President of the Ashford group of companies Is she fucked? No, she’s doomed! Alexander wants Adeline by all means and he won’t be giving up so easily.

Blurb Isabella Dante lost her perfect life the night she slept with a stranger and got pregnant. Her Father disowns her, and she leaves La Nostra Terra. Five years later, she returns for a business contract, and she's with the most beautiful five-year-old daughter, Sofia. Rich and a successful single mother, Isabella is living a life of luxury again. They run into a stranger, and Sofia strongly believes he's her father, leaving Isabella shocked and confused. "He's not your father, baby." Isabella tries to convince her. "But he is, Mummy. Look, we both have the same eyes." Sofia turns to the stranger and asks. "What's your name, handsome mister?" "Enzo. Enzo Ferrari." Isabella freezes. It can't be. She tries to pull her daughter away from the clutches of the most dangerous man on the planet—the capo dei capi of the Italian 'Fratelli' Mafia family. "Stay away from him." Isabella cautions. "But I can't. He's my Daddy!" "No, baby. He's not. He's a dangerous man. And he's going to hurt us if we don't stay away from him…."

Six years ago, she was framed by her wicked sister and was abandoned by her then husband while she was pregnant.Six years later, she started anew with a different identity. Oddly, the same man who abandoned her in the past had not stopped pestering her at her front door.“Miss Gibson, what’s your relationship with Mister Lynch?”She smiled and answered nonchalantly, “I don’t know him.”“But sources say that you were once married.”She answered as she tucked her hair, “Those are rumors. I’m not blind, you see.”That day, she was pinned on the wall the moment she stepped in her door.Her three babies cheered, “Daddy said mommy’s eyes are bad! Daddy says he’ll fix it for mommy!”She wailed, “Please let me go, darling!”

Brix Jose was a famous, but extremely arrogant actor and a movie director. He is very prominent in their country due to his extraordinarily handsome face, magnetic looks, and powerful aura, that every woman dreamed of being with. He never expected that there is still someone who never knew of his existence. This discovery brings out the beast in him. That's why he promised himself that the woman must become his wife. He will pursue her and leave her soon with a broken heart. But what if he is the one who fell in love? Pick this one and find out!

The dominant, ruthless billionaire and a bold yet innocent girl, the opposite poles, are forced into a contract marriage of 1 year. There is only one mutual feeling between them i.e HATRED.What happens when these incompatible souls have to pretend to the outer world that they deeply love each other? Whether the love bloom or the hatred will take its toll? Whether they will realize that they are made for each other or just walk away after the contract ends? That's for you to find out :-) ---------Blurb--------- "If you want me to stay away from other men then you also have to stay away from other girls" the girl declares trying to set herself free from his iron grip. "Ok" she was a little taken aback by his agreement "But" the side of his lip twitched a bit "you have to fulfill all the duties of a wife" She gasps which catch his attention. The hand that was holding her throat moves up and his thumb starts stroking her lips, gently. "BE MINE" he avowed "Completely and dutifully" His words held power and firmness which tremble the girl lying under him, under his mercy. "Every night I want someone to f**k. If not other women then for the coming year, it is going to be you" there was no tint of humor in his voice "Shall we start from tonight? Wifey!" ---------------------------- (Story features Mature)

Irene Dante's life takes an unexpected turn when she has a night out with friends and wakes up to the shocking news of her pregnancy. Disowned by her powerful father and with no memory of the father of her child, Irene is determined to rebuild her life and prove her worth. Years later, as a successful businesswoman and single mother, Irene crosses paths with Benjamin Ferrari, the menacing Capo Dei capi of the Italian Mafia. Drawn to her and her daughter Sofia, Benjamin finds himself torn between his responsibilities to the mafia and his growing love for Irene. But when the truth of their past connection is revealed, it threatens to tear them apart. Will Benjamin denounce his life of crime and fight for the family he never knew he wanted, or will their love be lost forever in the shadows of a dangerous world? In this gripping billionaire romance, Irene and Benjamin must navigate a high-stakes game of love, loyalty, and redemption in order to find their happily ever after.

WARNING ‼️ SPG ALERT! May content violence and abusing and more k*lling! If you are 18 years old below don’t read this, please hindi po ito pambata. And if you are old enough, please be responsible.And don’t copy my story maging patas tayo! Plagiarism is a crime! - “ The secret of changes is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but not building the new.” - Ava Olivia Lleva Mikhail Levesque. A.K.A Ciara Savannah Corpuz. ~ Due to the death of Ciara or Ava's parents, she was able to pretend or have two personalities. To find the real culprit in the death of her parents. - Hayah! I’m back again! Sana po magustuhan niyo po si Ciara o Ava.This is an another Mafia Collaboration story with Miss Linnea Dreame, pwede niyo po siya isearch sa Dreame!Salamat po at sana suportahan niyo po ako, Love y’all !!