636 Book(s) Related to best stuart woods book

In an empire ruled by fear, the Emperor is both its greatest hope… and its most dangerous curse.
Darius Alkov, the Beast King, was born with a sealed monster inside his bloodline—an ancient force that devours his mind whenever his emotions slip. When it awakens, entire battlefields fall silent, and even his own soldiers fear standing too close. To keep the empire from collapsing under his rage, the royal court created a forbidden system hidden from history: the Rite Women.

Chosen from noble families and conquered tribes, these women are taken to the imperial palace under the false belief that they are sacred offerings meant to “bless” the Emperor. In truth, they are something far darker.

They are used to stabilize the Beast.

And most of them do not survive it.

Seris Lonell never expected to be one of them. Born into a noble house that never valued her, she was quietly offered as a tribute when her family chose wealth and reputation over her life. She is taken to the imperial capital like the others—silent, discarded, and forgotten.

But Seris is not powerless.

She has been hiding a secret all her life: a forbidden healing gift that allows her to take away pain through touch. A power she was taught never to reveal, because the world only consumes what it cannot understand.

Inside the cold walls of the palace, Seris expects death.

Instead, she awakens something impossible.

For the first time in ten years, Darius Alkov feels something other than torment.

And in a palace built on sacrifice, politics, and blood, a dangerous connection begins to form between a cursed Emperor and the girl everyone underestimated.

But in the empire’s shadows, secrets are never harmless… and some bonds are powerful enough to destroy kingdoms.

“Do it again.”
“Be more specific, baby.” I heard a smile in his words. He was enjoying this and wanted me to beg.
“Fuck you. You know what I mean.” I grunted in frustration.
“I actually don’t.” He stopped again. His rough hand remained between my thighs.
“Stop playing games, or I will stroke myself until I come.” I wiggled my ass, seeking a quick relief from the throbbing in my core.
Breathing raggedly, he said, “No one is playing games here, baby. I just want to know what you want.”
“You really make me do this, don’t you?” My voice was a combination of frustration and irritation. He was enjoying this too much, probably punishing me for giving him blue balls twice.
“You were complaining earlier, so, yes. I don’t want another broken nose.”
“Spank my ass, Califf. Then touch me and fuck me with your finger. I wanna come. Do you think you can do that?”


All Shadow ever wanted was to live in peace with their pack, but as a royal Lycan and the daughter of a witch, it came at a price.

When a faceless enemy targeted her, she did not only lose her wolf but also her healing gift, leaving her powerless and vulnerable.

Now that the bond is gone and her happy ending is not guaranteed, she has nothing left to offer. She doubts whether she’s still worthy of her mate and Luna of their pack.

Alpha Califf becomes a formidable Alpha after defeating a sinister enemy. He should be invincible with allied packs everywhere and witches at his disposal, but Shadow becomes a liability.

Despite what happened to his mate, he’s willing to leave the pack and live with her away from threats, but their enemy is two steps ahead of them, and Shadow becomes cold and distant, leaving him nothing but agony he’d never felt before.

Will Shadow get her revenge and find a way to get her wolf and gift back? Will they uncover the ugly truth behind their enemy? Or their foe is just right under their noses all along.

“I refuse to stay here with you.” Analina said with anger. “I don’t care you are my wife now, so accept your fate this is your destiny.” Draven said to her confidently. As he told her about his feelings on the matter he went up to her grabbing by the waist and throwing her onto the bed. Getting on top of her he rips of her dress and panties as he does the same with his clothes. “You are my wife, and we are going to consummate our marriage every morning, day and night. Wherever I want and any time I want.” He told her. “NO DON’T TOUCH ME!!!” “I would stop fighting it if I were you, it will be a lot worst if you do.” “I AM NOT YOUR WIFE, THIS IS ILLEGAL, YOU FORCCED ME.”.
Flashback To That Night
“Let us get started, shall we? Do you Draven Chavez take Analina Stratton to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love to hold through good times and bad, sickness and in health and to cherish till death you part?” “I do.” Analina, do you take Draven Chavez to be your lawfully wedded husband to love and hold through good times and bad, sickness and health and cherish her till death do you part?” “N…OOO.” Something metal shoved into my back, and it could only be one thing. “Y…...S…...I…...O…” I studder out scared to death of what may happen if I don’t. “I now pronounce you husband and wife you may kiss the bride. “Finally.” Draven says as he pulls me to him and kisses me on the lips with passion that I didn’t know that he had.

She's Died for Love. She Just Can't Recall.

Blackthorn Academy, ancient and sentient, holds secrets. Anil, a scar - marked transfer with no magic, arrives. Two boys, Cael (light, obedient) and Lucien (shadow, defiant), enemies and brothers, look at her like a shared, tragic tale.

They claim she's lived a hundred lives, always torn between them. Her choice tips the balance of heaven and shadow. They warn that if she remembers, the world will end.

But Anil won't be a pawn. She craves answers and freedom, ready to break the endless loop, even if it shatters them all.

In this gothic academy, a love older than memory ensnares her soul. This time, it's not about falling in love; she's rewriting fate.

“Has all the ingredients for an instant success: plots, counterplots, mystery, valiant knights, and blossoming relationships replete with broken hearts, deception and betrayal. It will keep you entertained for hours, and will satisfy all ages. Recommended for the permanent library of all fantasy readers.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re The Sorcerer’s Ring)“The beginnings of something remarkable are there.” --San Francisco Book Review (re A Quest of Heroes)From #1 bestseller Morgan Rice, author of A Quest of Heroes (over 1,300 five star reviews) comes a startlingly new fantasy series. In BORN OF DRAGONS (Age of the Sorcerers—Book Three) Lenore is safely returned to the North—but not without a price. Her bother Rodry is dead and her father, King Godwin, lies in a coma. With the rulership of the North in question, her treacherous brother Vars may just find an opening to rule.But Vars is a coward, and King Ravin, smarting from defeat, mobilizes the entire South to invade. The northern capital, never defeated, lies protected by tides and canals—but Ravin can happily lose scores of men.The most epic battle, it seems, is yet to come.Devin must quest to learn his true identity and forge the Unfinished Sword—yet he is distracted, realizing he has fallen in love with Lenore. Lenore, though, is stuck in a hateful marriage, one which may endanger her very life.Renard, with his brazen act of theft, is on the run from the Hooded Folk, all of them anxious to retrieve the amulet that can control dragons.And Nerra wakes to find herself transformed into something else—something beautiful, monstrous, powerful and unknowable. Will she be the one to lead the dragon race?AGE OF THE SORCERERS weaves an epic sage of love, of passion, of sibling rivalry; of rogues and hidden treasure; of monks and warriors; of honor and glory, and of betrayal, fate and destiny. It is a tale you will not put down until the early hours, one that will transport you to another world and have you fall in in love with characters you will never forget. It appeals to all ages and genders. Book #4 will be available soon.“A spirited fantasy ….Only the beginning of what promises to be an epic young adult series.” --Midwest Book Review (re A Quest of Heroes)“Action-packed …. Rice's writing is solid and the premise intriguing.” --Publishers Weekly (re A Quest of Heroes)

“Morgan Rice has come up with what promises to be another brilliant series, immersing us in a fantasy of valor, honor, courage, magic and faith in your destiny. Morgan has managed again to produce a strong set of characters that make us cheer for them on every page.…Recommended for the permanent library of all readers that love a well-written fantasy.”--Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (regarding Rise of the Dragons)From #1 Bestselling author Morgan Rice comes a sweeping new fantasy series. 17 year old Ceres, a beautiful, poor girl in the Empire city of Delos, lives the harsh and unforgiving life of a commoner. By day she delivers her father’s forged weapons to the palace training grounds, and by night she secretly trains with them, yearning to be a warrior in a land where girls are forbidden to fight. With her pending sale to slavehood, she is desperate.18 year old Prince Thanos despises everything his royal family stands for. He abhors their harsh treatment of the masses, especially the brutal competition—The Killings—that lies at the heart of the city. He yearns to break free from the restraints of his upbringing, yet he, a fine warrior, sees no way out.When Ceres stuns the court with her hidden powers, she finds herself wrongfully imprisoned, doomed to an even worse life than she could imagine. Thanos, smitten, must choose if he will risk it all for her. Yet, thrust into a world of duplicity and deadly secrets, Ceres quickly learns there are those who rule, and those who are their pawns. And that sometimes, being chosen is the worst that can happen.SLAVE, WARRIOR, QUEEN tells an epic tale of tragic love, vengeance, betrayal, ambition, and destiny. Filled with unforgettable characters and heart-pounding action, it transports us into a world we will never forget, and makes us fall in love with fantasy all over again.Book #2 in OF CROWNS AND GLORY will be released soon!

Witty, self made Aurora Russet experiences a sudden life changing encounter when she wakes up one morning, surprised to find herself in a hospital bed.

To make matters worse, she gets a shocking revelation when she finds out that she was heavily pregnant, and this is odd because all she could remember is going on a trip months ago in a bid to escape the pain of catching her ex fiancé cheating on her with her best friend months ago.

Aurora is stupefied, and is even more alarmed when a beautiful dark and mysterious stranger, whose wealth and charms manage to sweep her off her feet all the time claims ownership of her pregnancy.

One chaos leads to another and so she’s therefore plunged into his world of darkness, the world of war and of blood but in the midst of it all, she finds that one thing her soul has always craved for… love.

Does it matter now that the love she wanted was being showered upon her by a creature she always feared and despised?

And what happens when Aurora finds out that she wasn’t so different from these monsters after all?

Read to find out!

Book 1- Roman
Roman has everything an alpha werewolf could want- everything except his mate.
He knows who she is, he just doesn’t know where she is.
When a chance encounter, fifteen years later, brings Aurora Jones back into his life, there's only one problem. she doesn't recognise him.
Vowing to make her his mate is easy, he just needs to make her fall in love with him again.
Keeping her safe though?
That might be a challenge

Book 2- Reaper

Reaper lost his mate the moment his second died, but he never forgot her. How could he when he was tied to her without ever having laid a finger on her? The rose inked onto his skin was a constant reminder of his mate and what he had lost.

Until single mum Bethany came crashing into his life.

One accidental meeting and Reaper gets the second chance he has always dreamed of.

But can he make it work this time? Or will the mistakes of the past come back to haunt him?

Book 3- Requiem

Requiems mate was dead.
So why does the young hacker Mae, who betrayed them all make his Dragon go crazy with the need to claim her.
Why does she smell and sound so much like his lost love?
Mae might be the only person who can help them find out who is trying to kill them but Requiem might have to risk so much more than his life to get the answers he needs. He might have to risk his already broken Heart.

EXCERPT:

"Rayne stood looking at her reflection in the mirror. Her a pale green ballgown clung to her curves and left little to the imagination. Her jet-black curls are swept up and pinned to her head, leaving her neck exposed. Tonight was the night that most of the unmated wolves in all the North American packs would hopefully find their mates. She was sure all of them were just oozing with excitement.

She was not.

She didn’t want a mate. She didn’t need a mate...."

“...but the sudden scent of jasmine and vanilla hit her nose from somewhere close. That meant only one thing. Her mate was near..."


Rayne met her mate at the Moonlight Ball when she was eighteen, her mate that she never wanted to find, that she never wanted in her life. He showed up out of nowhere. His actions that night unknowingly set her free. She took the freedom he gave her, ran away, and never once looked back.

Now five years later he shows back up in her life after rejecting her five years ago, demanding that she take up her rightful place by his side. He walked away from her after calling her weak. No way was she going to just let him back into her life as if he belonged there. Rayne never wanted a mate, would he being here now change that? Her body and soul beg for him to claim her, yet her heart belongs to another.

Can her mate convince her to give him a chance? Will her lover convince her to stay with him? The Moon Goddess paired her with someone not of her choice, all Rayne has ever wanted was the chance to choose for herself. Who will win? Rayne or the fate that the moon set for her?

For mature readers 18+
Warning for abusive past trauma
Her Returned Mate is Book 1 in the Gathering Shadows Series. Book 2 His Redemption is also available for reading now on Anystories.

“I just gave you pleasure,” Valen skited like it was a great achievement to boast about. He felt no guilt for his earlier sin.
“I did not ask you to.” I retaliated. It was wrong of me to fall victim to his allure. It was purely Zeus’ fault. His wolf was nicer.
“You like it though.” His voice was low and throaty with a triumphant grin. Damn his ego! “You didn’t want me to stop before.”
Blood rushed to my face and I blushed in shame as he stared at me. I stretched for a pillow and sailed it at him. He caught it with a devious chuckle.

Alpha Prince Valen, the next in-line to be Alpha King, has been Raina's crush since childhood. For years she yearned for the attention that he never gave. She was ecstatic when Valen turned out to be her mate. He was hers.

Sadly, something’s wrong with the mate bond. The old books refer to them as unfortunate soulmates. This implied that the bond would never last.

Forced to reject her and sever the bond, the painful separation exposed Raina to numerous challenges and dangers. A glimpse of the future has left her torn between the desire for her mate and the doom of their fate.

Will Raina and Valen have their happy ending or did the moon goddess have something else in store for them? Should she fight for her mate or let the course of destiny unfold? - Find out as Raina embarks on a journey filled with heartache, revelation, and an uncertain future.
^-^
This is Book 2 from the Mates series. Can be read as a standalone, however, to understand the characters, you might want to read Book 1 - Mates: Regrets and Redemption
© All rights reserved.

This story is about a young girl trying to find her way out from under her mothers roof and away from her pimp. She is still a high school student who is just trying to survive under the same roof as her mother and her mothers pimp. All she was is to continue to be invisible, but her body and her mothers pimp are determined to break her every step of the way.

Everyone says love is the strongest feeling in the world. That you can do anything for the ones you love.

I don't agree with them.

There is no emotion stronger than betrayal. It is a powerful weapon that can make you do anything, be anything.

Especially when that betrayal comes from the people you put above everything else.
.
.
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Locked away her entire life, Eloise only craved one thing, freedom to run around in her shifted form like other werewolves. But when her 18th birthday came, she was told she was going to get married. The news triggered her wolf and she began to shift. She was taken by surprise when her family used their witch magic to lock her wolf inside her. The magic pushed into her was too much that she blacked out.

When Eloise regained consciousness, she couldn't feel her wolf inside her anymore. But that became the least of her problems as she realized she was no longer among her kind, she was in the midst of dragons. Creatures who hunt her kind for fun.

She was given one choice to escape execution. She must learn how to use her unstable magic to heal the dragon shifters of a terrible plague.

Betrayed by her family and left with no other options, Eloise enrolled in Drakmor College, where she must survive deadly trials and hatred of the students surrounding her.

A werewolf in the midst of her mortal enemies. Will she survive and return safely to her kind, or will she succumb to the horrors of Varethin?

“You will not sleep until you are finished with AGENT ZERO. The author did a superb job creating a set of characters who are fully developed and very much enjoyable. The description of the action scenes transport us into a reality that is almost like sitting in a movie theater with surround sound and 3D (it would make an incredible Hollywood movie). I can hardly wait for the sequel.”--Roberto Mattos, Books and Movie ReviewsIn this much-anticipated debut of an epic spy thriller series by #1 bestseller Jack Mars, readers are taken on an action thriller across Europe as presumed-CIA operative Kent Steele, hunted by terrorists, by the CIA, and by his own identity, must solve the mystery of who is after him, of the terrorists’ pending target—and of the beautiful woman he keeps seeing in his mind.Kent Steele, 38, a brilliant professor of European History at Columbia University, lives a quiet life in a New York suburb with his two teenage daughters. All that changes when late one night he gets a knock on his door and is abducted by three terrorists—and finds himself flown across the ocean to be interrogated in a basement in Paris.They are convinced that Kent is the most lethal spy the CIA has ever known. He is convinced they have the wrong man.Do they?With a conspiracy around him, adversaries as smart as he is, and an assassin on his tail, the wild game of cat and mouse leads Kent on a perilous road—one that may lead back to Langley—and to a shocking discovery of his own identity.AGENT ZERO is an espionage thriller that will keep you turning pages late into the night.“One of the best thrillers I have read this year.”--Books and Movie Reviews (re Any Means Necessary )Also available is Jack Mars’ #1 bestselling LUKE STONE THRILLER series (7 books), which begins with Any Means Necessary (Book #1), a free download with over 800 five star reviews!

“You seem to have forgotten that you’re not marrying a commoner, Alina. You’re marrying the prince of all vampires, so look alive and get me some coffee.”
Alina Deluca lives a normal life up in the Californian north. At least that’s what she makes the world believe. Locked within her hypnotizing emerald eyes are horrors she could never speak of, even if it killed her.
Erick Stayton, the vampire prince, is her nightmare. To her, he was no more than a cold, savage predator that lusted for her blood and took away everything she had during that one traumatizing night four years ago. Problem is, she is bound to be his bride.
Mustering every strength to set things right in her awry life, she gets embroiled in an ages-old feud and a struggle for power of mind-boggling proportions. Strangely enough, she finds herself connecting with Erick in ways she never knew she could. Suddenly, everything is not what it seems.
Is Erick the heartless monster Alina makes him out to be? Will a vampire law made eons ago be the undoing of the whole vampire race? Will heated passion bloom in these bloodiest of times?

“When you think that life cannot get better, Blake Pierce comes up with another masterpiece of thriller and mystery! This book is full of twists and the end brings a surprising revelation. I strongly recommend this book to the permanent library of any reader that enjoys a very well written thriller.”--Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Almost Gone) LEFT TO DIE is book #1 in a new FBI thriller series by USA Today bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose #1 bestseller Once Gone (Book #1) (a free download) has received over 1,000 five star reviews. FBI special agent Adele Sharp is a German-and-French raised American with triple citizenship—and an invaluable asset in bringing criminals to justice as they cross American and European borders.When a serial killer case spanning three U.S. states goes cold, Adele returns to San Francisco and to the man she hopes to marry. But after a shocking twist, a new lead surfaces and Adele is dispatched to Paris, to lead an international manhunt.Adele returns to the Europe of her childhood, where familiar Parisian streets, old friends from the DGSI and her estranged father reignite her dormant obsession with solving her own mother’s murder. All the while she must hunt down the diabolical killer, must enter the dark canals of his psychotic mind to know where he will strike next—and save the next victim before it’s too late.An action-packed mystery series of international intrigue and riveting suspense, LEFT TO DIE will have you turning pages late into the night.Books #2 and #3 in the series – LEFT TO RUN and LEFT TO HIDE – are also available for preorder!

“Morgan Rice did it again! Building a strong set of characters, the author delivers another magical world. ONLY THE WORTHY is filled with intrigue, betrayals, unexpected friendship and all the good ingredients that will make you savor every turn of the pages. Packed with action, you will read this book on the edge of your seat.”--Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto MattosFrom Morgan Rice, #1 Bestselling author of THE QUEST OF HEROES (a free download with over 1,000 five star reviews), comes a riveting new fantasy series.In ONLY THE BOLD, the epic finale to the Way of Steel, Royce finds him transformed after looking into the magic mirror. Has he gained the ultimate wisdom? Or has he gone mad?The mirror reveals many secrets, and Royce finds himself heading towards his father’s hiding place. Will he meet his father for the first time?Genevieve and Royce’s tragic romance finally comes to a head, culminating in a surprise twist that will change both of their lives forever.And amidst all of this comes the epic battle with the king’s armies, one that will determine the fate of the land—and the kingship—once and for all.ONLY THE BOLD weaves an epic tale of friends and lovers, of knights and honor, of betrayal, destiny and love. A tale of valor, it draws us into a fantasy world we will fall in love with, and appeals to all ages and genders. Please visit www.morganricebooks.com for updates about the release of Morgan’s forthcoming fantasy series.

“A MASTERPIECE OF THRILLER AND MYSTERY. Blake Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone) CITY OF PREY (An Ava Gold Mystery—Book 1) is the debut novel in a long-anticipated new series by #1 bestseller and USA Today bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose bestseller Once Gone (a free download) has received over 1,000 five star reviews. In the rough streets of 1920s New York City, 34 year-old Ava Gold, a widower and single mom, claws her way up to become the first female homicide detective in her NYPD precinct. She is as tough as they come, and willing to hold her own in a man’s world.But when a psychotic serial killer unleashes a rampage, murdering young women across the city, Ava will have to search the dark canals of the twisted killer’s mind if she has any hope of hunting him down. With psychological profiling still in its infancy, and mocked by most, Ava will be even more alone as she follows her instinct, and hunts him down in a dangerous game of cat and mouse.Just when it seems the stakes couldn’t be higher, Ava comes to an awful realization: she herself may be the next target.Amidst the speakeasies, jazz clubs, mafia-run prohibition rings, horrific mental asylums and dangerous back alleys of the city, can Ava achieve what all the men cannot: enter the sick mind of a killer, and stop him before more women die?A heart-pounding suspense thriller filled with shocking twists, the authentic and atmospheric AVA GOLD MYSTERY SERIES is a riveting page-turner, endearing us to a strong and brilliant character that will capture your heart and keep you reading late into the night.Books #2 and #3 in the series—CITY OF FEAR and CITY OF BONES—are now also available.

“A dynamic story line that grips from the first chapter and doesn't let go.” --Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Once Gone) From #1 bestselling author Blake Pierce comes a new masterpiece of psychological suspense: CAUSE TO FEAR (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 4).When a body turns up floating beneath the frozen Charles River, the Boston Police summons its most brilliant and controversial homicide detective—Avery Black—to close the case. It doesn’t take Avery long, however, to realize that this is no isolated murder: it is the work of a serial killer.Other bodies begin to turn up, all of them sharing one thing in common: all are trapped in ice. Is it all a coincidence—or the signature of a particularly deranged killer?As the media converges and Avery suffers pressure from her bosses, she struggles to crack the inexplicable case, too bizarre even for her brilliant mind. At the same time she tries to keep her own depression at bay, as her personal life spirals to a new low. And she does it all while trying to enter the mind of a psychotic and elusive killer.What she will find will shock even her, and make her realizes that nothing is what it seems—and that the worst darkness may sometimes be closest to us.A psychological thriller with heart-pounding suspense, CAUSE TO FEAR is book #4 in a riveting new series—with a beloved new character—that will leave you turning pages late into the night. Book #5 in the Avery Black series will be available soon. “A masterpiece of thriller and mystery. Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side, so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. The plot is very intelligent and will keep you entertained throughout the book. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)

“A dynamic story line that grips from the first chapter and doesn't let go.” --Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Once Gone) From #1 bestselling mystery author Blake Pierce comes a new masterpiece of psychological suspense.Homicide Detective Avery Black has been through hell. Once a top criminal defense attorney, she fell from grace when she managed to get a brilliant Harvard professor off—only to watch him kill again. She lost her husband and her daughter, and her life fell apart around her.Trying to redeem herself, Avery has turned to the other side of the law. Working her way up the ranks, she has reached Homicide Detective, to the scorn of her fellow officers, who still remember what she did, and who will always hate her.Yet even they cannot deny Avery’s brilliant mind, and when a disturbing serial killer strikes fear into the heart of Boston, killing girls from elite colleges, it is Avery that they turn to. It is Avery’s chance to prove herself, to finally find the redemption she craves. And yet, as she is soon to find out, Avery has come up against a killer as brilliant and daring as she.In this game of psychological cat and mouse, women are dying with mysterious clues, and the stakes could not be higher. A frantic race against time leads Avery through a series of shocking and unexpected twists—culminating in climax that even Avery could not imagine. A dark psychological thriller with heart-pounding suspense, CAUSE TO KILL marks the debut of a riveting new series—and a beloved new character—that will leave you turning pages late into the night. Book #2 in the Avery Black series will be available soon.“A masterpiece of thriller and mystery. Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side, so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. The plot is very intelligent and will keep you entertained throughout the book. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)

From #1 bestselling author Blake Pierce comes a heart-pounding new mystery series.In the cornfields of Nebraska a woman is found murdered, strung up on a pole, the victim of a deranged killer. It doesn’t take long for the police to realize a serial killer is on the loose—and that his spree has just begun.Detective Mackenzie White, young, tough, smarter than the aging, chauvinistic men on her local force, finds herself called in grudgingly to help solve it. As much as the other officers hate to admit it, they need her young, brilliant mind, which has already helped crack cold cases that had left them stumped. Yet even for Mackenzie this new case proves an impossible riddle, something the likes of which she—and the local force—have ever seen.With the FBI called in, together, an intense manhunt ensues. Mackenzie, reeling from her own dark past, her failed relationships, and her undeniable attraction to the new FBI agent, finds herself battling her own demons as her hunt for the killer takes her to the darkest places of her mind. As she delves into the killer’s mind, obsessing over his twisted psychology, she finds that evil truly does exist. She only hopes it will not be too late to extricate herself from it, as her entire life collapses around her.As more bodies turn up dead and a frantic race against time ensues, there is no way out but to find him before he kills again.A dark psychological thriller with heart-pounding suspense, BEFORE HE KILLS marks the debut of a riveting new series—and a beloved new character—that will leave you turning pages late into the night. Book #2 in the Mackenzie White Mystery series will be available soon. Also available by Blake Pierce is ONCE GONE (A Riley Paige mystery—Book #1), a #1 bestseller!

“A masterpiece of thriller and mystery. Blake Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone) HOMECOMING (A Chloe Fine Mystery) is book #5 in a new psychological suspense series by bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose #1 bestseller Once Gone (Book #1) (a free download) has over 1,000 five-star reviews. When two husbands, best friends, turn up dead in a wealthy suburban town, FBI VICAP Special Agent Chloe Fine, 27, is called in to unmask the lies in this small town and to find the killer. Chloe will have to penetrate this town’s perfect façade, to get past its public appearances to understand the truth of who these men were, and who may have wanted them dead. And in a town that thrives on its exclusivity, that won’t be easy to do.What secrets were these husbands hiding?An emotionally wrought psychological suspense with layered characters, small-town ambiance and heart-pounding suspense, HOMECOMING is book #5 in a riveting new series that will leave you turning pages late into the night. Book #6 in the Chloe Fine series will also be available soon.

“A dynamic story line that grips from the first chapter and doesn't let go.” --Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Once Gone) From #1 bestselling author Blake Pierce comes a new masterpiece of psychological suspense—the AVERY BLACK SERIES—which continues here with CAUSE TO DREAD (Book #6), also a standalone novel. The series begins with CAUSE TO KILL (Book #1)—a free download with over 200 five star reviews!A woman turns up dead in her own apartment, locked in her closet, her body crawling with poisonous spiders, and the Boston police are stumped. As all of their leads collapse, they are dreading the killer will strike again. Desperate, the police have no choice but to turn to Boston’s most brilliant and controversial homicide detective—Avery Black. Now retired, Avery, in a low point in her own life, reluctantly agrees to help with the case. But when other bodies start turning up, murdered in grotesque and unusual ways, Avery can’t help but wonder: is there a serial killer on the loose?With the intense media pressure and the stress of having a new, inexperienced partner, Avery is pushed to her limit as she struggles to crack the bizarre cases—and to keep herself from falling into the abyss. Avery finds herself falling deeper and deeper into the twisted mind of the killer, who holds more secrets than Avery could imagine.The most riveting and shocking book of the series, a psychological thriller with heart-pounding suspense, CAUSE TO DREAD will leave you turning pages late into the night. “A masterpiece of thriller and mystery. Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side, so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. The plot is very intelligent and will keep you entertained throughout the book. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)

“A masterpiece of thriller and mystery. Blake Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone) IF SHE KNEW (A Kate Wise Mystery) is book #1 in a new psychological thriller series by bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose #1 bestseller Once Gone (Book #1) (a free download) has received over 1,000 five star reviews. 55 year old empty nester—and freshly retired FBI agent—Kate Wise finds herself drawn out of her quiet suburban life when her friend’s daughter is murdered in a home invasion—and she is implored to help.Kate thought she left the FBI behind after 30 years as their top agent, respected for her brilliant mind, tough street skills and her uncanny ability to hunt down serial killers. Yet Kate, bored with the quiet town, at a crossroads in life, is summoned by a friend she can’t turn down.As Kate hunts the killer, she soon finds herself at the forefront of a manhunt, as more bodies turn up—all suburban moms in perfect marriages—and it becomes apparent there is a serial killer stalking this quiet town. She unearths secrets from her neighbors she wishes she never knew, discovering that all is not what it seems in this picture of model streets and neighbors. Affairs and lying are rampant, and Kate must sift through the town’s underbelly if she will stop the killer from striking again.But this killer is one step ahead of her, and it may end up being Kate who is in danger.An action-packed thriller with heart-pounding suspense, IF SHE KNEW is book #1 in a riveting new series that will leave you turning pages late into the night. Book #2 in the KATE WISE MYSTERY series is coming soon!

“Has all the ingredients for an instant success: plots, counterplots, mystery, valiant knights, and blossoming relationships replete with broken hearts, deception and betrayal. It will keep you entertained for hours, and will satisfy all ages. Recommended for the permanent library of all fantasy readers.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re The Sorcerer’s Ring)“The beginnings of something remarkable are there.” --San Francisco Book Review (re A Quest of Heroes)From #1 bestseller Morgan Rice, author of A Quest of Heroes (over 1,300 five star reviews) comes a startlingly new fantasy series. In THRONE OF DRAGONS (Age of the Sorcerers—Book Two) King Godwin mobilizes his army to cross the great bridge and invade the South to rescue his 17 year old daughter, Lenore. But Lenore is imprisoned deep in the South, under the watchful and hateful eye of King Ravin, and she may have to learn to escape herself first if she has any chance of escape.Her brother Rodry, though, is way ahead of the King’s men, deep in hostile territory, alone on a mission to save his sister—while her other brother, Vars, offers a lesson in cowardice and betrayal.Devin follows Gray, eager to learn more about how to harness his powers and about who he is.Greave travels to remote regions to find the house of scholars and to try to save his sister, Nerra.But Nerra, sickened by the scale sickness, is dying on a remote isle once touched by dragons. And her only chance of survival may just compel her to risk it all.And all of this will culminate in an epic battle that may just determine the fate of the two kingdoms.AGE OF THE SORCERERS weaves an epic sage of love, of passion, of sibling rivalry; of rogues and hidden treasure; of monks and warriors; of honor and glory, and of betrayal, fate and destiny. It is a tale you will not put down until the early hours, one that will transport you to another world and have you fall in in love with characters you will never forget. It appeals to all ages and genders. Book #3 (BORN OF DRAGONS) is now available for pre-order.“A spirited fantasy ….Only the beginning of what promises to be an epic young adult series.” --Midwest Book Review (re A Quest of Heroes)“Action-packed …. Rice's writing is solid and the premise intriguing.” --Publishers Weekly (re A Quest of Heroes)

“Sophie Love's ability to impart magic to her readers is exquisitely wrought in powerfully evocative phrases and descriptions….This is the perfect romance or beach read, with a difference: its enthusiasm and beautiful descriptions offer an unexpected attention to the complexity of not just evolving love, but evolving psyches. It's a delightful recommendation for romance readers looking for a touch more complexity from their romance reads.”--Midwest Book Review (Diane Donovan re For Now and Forever) CHRISTMAS FOREVER is book #8—and the finale—in the #1 bestselling romance series THE INN AT SUNSET HARBOR, which begins with For Now and Forever (book #1)—a free download!Winter is coming in Sunset Harbor, and Emily Mitchell is nearing her third trimester. While they continue to develop their new private island, a new opportunity arises—one Emily had never anticipated, and which could change everything.Roy’s time left to live is running out fast, and as Christmas looms and all are busy preparing, Emily knows that this will be the most meaningful one of her life. It will be a holiday season that changes all of their lives forever.CHRISTMAS FOREVER is book #8 in a dazzling new romance series that will make you laugh, cry, keep you turning pages late into the night—and make you fall in love with romance all over again.Sophie’s new romance series, LOVE LIKE THIS, is now also available!“A very well written novel, describing the struggle of a woman (Emily) to find her true identity. The author did an amazing job with the creation of the characters and her description of the environment. The romance is there, but not overdosed. Kudos to the author for this amazing start of a series that promises to be very entertaining.”--Books and Movies Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re For Now and Forever)

I never meant to want him. Gianni Rossetti—tattooed, dangerous, twice my age, and my best friend’s father.

He was supposed to be off-limits. Untouchable. The kind of man you only fantasize about when you’re alone in the dark with your hand between your thighs.

But the night I caught him eating another woman alive by the pool, I couldn’t look away.
And he knew it.
The moment his dark eyes locked on mine through the glass, I became prey. His filthy smirk promised one thing—he saw me touching myself to him, and he wasn’t about to let me forget it.

Now, every time I’m in his house, I can’t breathe without thinking of his mouth between my legs.
I left my cheating boyfriend behind, only to fall into something even more dangerous:
a man who could ruin me, break me, and make me beg for his cock while his own daughter sleeps in the next room.

He’s too old. Too powerful. Too forbidden.
But Gianni doesn’t ask—he takes.
And I don’t want him to stop.

Marrying her best friend was a dream come true for Kelly, but everything truly has a limitation.
Pierce is Kelly’s first love, but as his best friend, she knew well there was always another woman deep in his heart.
Lexi Gilbert. The woman Pierce could never forget even if he had already been arranged to marry Kelly.


Kelly finally realized their happy marriage of the last three years was just a beautiful dream when Pierce asked for a divorce just because Lexi returned.
She could only be his best friend even if she was carrying his baby.


Since their friendship had become a cage, Kelly chose to set him free, as well as the miserable herself.
But why then, it was Pierce who became the one who refused to move on?
To make matters worse, her devil stepbrother also domineeringly stepped in at the same time, asking her to be his.


Her Prince Charming vs. Her Devil Stepbrother?
How could Kelly save her heart in this battle of love and hate?

Vanessa, an omega in the Blood Moon Pack, suffered a devastating blow when the Alpha's son spurned her in favor of another. Seeking solace elsewhere, she eventually returns to her pack, only to be greeted by tragedy: the untimely passing of the beloved Luna, the woman who raised her.
In the midst of grief and upheaval, Vanessa’s world is further rocked when she discovers she's been chosen as the Alpha's second chance mate. Alpha Alexander, grappling with unexpected emotions and the significant age gap between them, struggles to come to terms with this twist of fate—especially considering Vanessa was once rejected by his own son.
As tensions rise and emotions run high, Alpha Alexander’s conflicted feelings lead him to make a rash decision: to punish Vanessa for a drunken mistake made in the heat of the moment. But as the lines blur between duty, desire, and resentment, both Vanessa and Alpha Alexander find themselves on a collision course with destiny.

Human Outcast Heiress VS Tyrant Alpha King
"Your hatred means nothing, little bride."
"The moment you begged for me that night, you sealed your fate as mine. Forever."


The night before her wedding, her best friend drugged Georgina with an aphrodisiac and hired an "escort." The man was tall and handsome, with silver eyes that glowed in the dark. As the drug took effect, she could only collapse into his arms, begging for his touching and loving.
After that night, her life fell apart. Her friend spread rumors, her fiancé publicly called off the engagement, and her father disowned her. The Upper East Side heiress found herself homeless overnight.
But that "escort" kept appearing when she needed him most. When she had nowhere to go, he became her landlord. When she was kidnapped, he saved her like a guardian angel.
"Why are you helping me" she asked.
"I'm tired of being mistaken for an escort," Klaus trapped her against the wall. "Congratulations, you accidentally mated with the next Alpha King.
As an Alpha Prince competing for the throne, marrying a human could cost him the crown. But she is his destined mate. When Klaus must choose between the throne and love, which will he sacrifice?

Five years into our relationship, a floating panel appeared just above Julian’s head, visible only to me: the [Life Priority Meter].
For the longest time, my name securely held the number one spot. That is, until recently, when it plummeted to second place.
The person who knocked me down to claim first? Harper—my best friend of over a decade.
Staring at the stack of wedding invitations on the table, bearing both our names, I knew it was time to wake up from this five-year long dream.

We'd agreed to spend summer break in the Hamptons. Right before break started, my boyfriend suggested we hit the water park out in the suburbs first, just to blow off some steam.

I thought it was a date. Just the two of us. But when I get to the gate, my best friend Sienna is standing there in a string bikini.

I tell her that's not safe to swim in. Her face goes cold and she tells me to mind my own business.

Colton frowns too and dumps his phone, a towel, and Sienna's makeup bag into my arms. "Vivienne, do you have to kill the mood? Sienna's scared to go alone. What's the big deal if I keep her company?"

In the wave pool, he holds her against his chest and the two of them roll around in the spray, laughing.

When they come out, Sienna takes the ice water I haven't even opened and takes a big swig, then hands it to Colton, and he drinks half the bottle right from where her lips were.

I stand there feeling like the hired help.

Two years of killing myself to be the understanding, easygoing girlfriend, and all it got me was a boyfriend who walks all over me without thinking twice.

If he's that close with my best friend, he can't blame me for calling up his best friend since they were kids.

"Julian, can you come get me?"

With only three days left until the apocalyptic fungal outbreak, my ordinarily strict father unexpectedly took out a million-dollar loan from a loan shark, transferred it to my account, and issued an absolute order: "Buy supplies, build a fortress, and even if you die, do not open that door!"

Staring at the seven-figure balance, I grabbed a liquor bottle, shattered the nose of the school bully who used to torment me, and instantly kicked off a frantic hoarding spree. I bought out a penthouse on the 50th floor, welded on a bank-vault-grade blast door, and stockpiled an endless supply of Tomahawk steaks and a massive arsenal of weapons.

When the disaster finally struck, the once-arrogant rich kids downstairs were reduced to bloody fodder for the monsters. The starving school bully knelt outside my door, tearing into his own companions just for a leftover bone. Meanwhile, separated by bulletproof glass, I sipped an ice-cold cola and coldly enjoyed the show.

Just as a massive horde of the infected surrounded the building, my parents unexpectedly arrived in a Unimog heavy armored vehicle armed to the teeth, crushing through the sea of corpses in a dominant rescue. With our family reunited and packing heavy firepower, we violently tore open our own path of rampage across this scorched wasteland!

An enchanted castle full of secrets, a rite of passage she cannot avoid, an arranged marriage she’ll do anything to get out of. Bexley isn’t like ordinary girls. She’d rather be studying animals than flirting with men. It’s too bad her stepfather insists she pay attention to Garth, a meathead who only wants her to make babies and clean his house. On her twenty-first birthday, like all women in her village, she’s ordered to the castle to meet with the Alpha King. For someone who didn’t even know wolf shifters existed, it’s all a shock, especially when she sees the twisted body of King Canaan. Canaan is used to keeping secrets, so it’s not difficult for him to keep them from Bexley—like the fact that she’s his mate, so she can never leave. But the king has enemies. Not only is the witch that cursed him still out there, when Garth shows up leading a band of villagers who want to kill him, he’ll have to fight against his own people. Unless Bexley can find a way to stop them. It might help if she knew the truth about herself. When she discovers her true identity, nothing in the kingdom will ever be the same. If you enjoy fairy tale retelling with a wolf shifter twist, you’ll love this new series!

"I said... come closer, don't keep me waiting."
When I reached the location where I saw a man in silhouette, correctly he was looking like a beast, with long claws, and furs around his skin. It was the raging Beast that people have talked about for years now, I took a deep breath, as my body trembled in fear.
I attempted to run, but my feet felt so weak to even think of doing that, that's when I felt my hand being roughly pulled, and I was able to see his face, even more, his golden hue eyes were looking right at me.

Roseline was brought up from a small town, she was molested in the pack because, her mother died while giving birth to her.
For that she was given to the alpha beast, people expected her dead, but not knowing she would receive protection from the alpha beast himself.

The first time I met him, I saved his life.
The second time, my mother announced we were moving into his pack.
I didn't know his name then.
Now everyone does.
Kael Ashthorn.
Future Alpha.
Captain of the hockey team and the academy's combat team.
The boy every girl dreams about.
The one boy who looks at me like I'm already dangerous.
At first, I thought he hated me because my mother married his father.
Then I overheard a conversation I was never meant to hear.
Now Kael is determined to keep me silent.
The problem?
The more he tries to push me away, the more certain I become that someone in his pack is hiding a secret worth killing for.
And when the truth finally comes out...
I discovered the monster I've been hunting isn't the one I should fear.

Faith never expected her quiet life as an obedient omega to change. Born at the bottom of the pack hierarchy, she was raised to serve, to submit, and to stay invisible. Her only hope for something more was her promised mate the gentle younger brother of the Alpha. A union arranged by the elders safe, simple, and expected.

Until David, the brutal Alpha of the Rainfall Pack, laid eyes on her.

Possessive. Cold. Dangerous. His presence alone silenced entire rooms. The beast within him, barely contained, saw something in Faith no one else did. And in a single reckless moment, he did the unthinkable he marked her as his.

Now claimed by the very Alpha who was never meant to be hers, Faith is thrust into a world of dominance, primal desire, and forbidden bonds. Every glance from him burns. Every touch devours. But while David’s cruelty rules the pack, his tenderness toward her awakens something far more terrifying than fear longing.

Yet not everyone accepts an omega as Luna. Especially not Divine the vicious she-wolf chosen to be David’s mate since childhood. With betrayal brewing and war at the pack’s borders, Faith must decide: submit to the role forced upon her, or rise to claim the power hidden in her blood.

She was meant to belong to another.
But the beast within the Alpha has made his choice.
And he will never let her go.

He is fearless and makes everyone shake at the sight of him, of admiration or fear.

He is a beast! He is ruthless and overpowering but all that changes when a debt is paid with a young, innocent virgin.

Blurb
On the day Mia finally decides to come out to her parents, her carefully laid plans shatter when she catches her girlfriend betraying her. Heartbroken and desperate for a distraction, she impulsively gives a charming stranger she meets at a club a chance. But what should have been a reckless one-night stand turns into her worst nightmare.

Mia wakes up in a cage surrounded by terrified girls—many half her age. She's been captured for an auction, a horrifying trade where humans, witches, and monsters bid for lives like hers.

“Pray a monster doesn’t buy you,” one girl whispers before being dragged away, screaming.

When the hammer falls, Mia is sold to the most feared creature in the realm—the ruthless King of the Beasts. In a world where escape is impossible and death isn't an option, she’s given a chilling purpose:

“To give the king an heir.”

But surviving the king’s brutal world is only half the battle. The king has two tails, monstrous instincts, and a dark secret—his kind is incapable of love. Trapped in a nightmare, Mia must summon every ounce of strength to endure, adapt, and maybe, just maybe, find a way to change her fate.

Will Mia succumb to the horrors of her new reality, or will she discover a power within that even monsters fear?

Synopsis:

Emma, a brilliant physicist, dedicates her life to pushing the boundaries of technology in her laboratory, striving to create robots that emulate human emotions and behaviors. Her world is turned upside down when an inexplicable event causes two of her robots to take on the essence of shooting stars. Unbeknownst to Emma, one of these celestial entities is intertwined with her fate—it's the reincarnation of her true love, Charlie.

As Emma navigates this surreal occurrence, she uncovers a gateway to an alternate reality where she can experiment with creating life. In this new world, she discovers Charlie, who has chosen to return to Earth as a robot, longing for the love he has cherished through countless reincarnations.

Together, Emma and Charlie embark on a journey filled with passion, adventure, and self-discovery, fighting against the challenges posed by their drastically different existences. As they battle to unite the digital and real worlds, Emma must confront the question: Can love transcend the boundaries of form and function? In their quest for true love, they will discover the depths of connection, the power of choice, and the eternal bond that has already bound them across time and space.

When the stars begin to awaken, Aurelia discovers she is tied to an ancient force hidden since the birth of creation. Hunted by a ruthless commander sent to capture her, she is thrust into a living universe filled with war, dangerous secrets, and forgotten creatures. But the man sent to destroy her may be the only one who can save her. As love grows between enemies and buried truths rise, Aurelia must decide whether to save the universe… or let it burn.

Elena was never meant to fall for Lucian...the Beta with a quiet stare and a haunted past. But when a forbidden touch sparks memories of a forgotten childhood bond, everything begins to unravel.
A hidden power awakens in her blood. Her sister is the one who betrayed her. And the Alpha she's meant to serve will do anything to control her… even kill the father of her unborn child.
Torn between fate and freedom, Elena must choose: obey tradition...or burn it all down.

Alex is born in a continent where power is respected. His mother dies during his birth. His father then marries another wife with whom he gets two sons. Alex fails to awaken his powers thus his mother treats him badly while his father turns a blind eye to his son's predicament.

Alex is fed up with the treatment he receives thus he decides to leave his home and try to find how fate has planned for him. After leaving home, he awakens after receiving a skill book named the system awakening skill book.

Let's join Alex in his adventure in a journey full of thorns where he rises from grass to grace.

I am sitting on a small purple love seat, tucked into a nook beside a fake fireplace at Alexander's, an upscale club/hotel in Manhattan. I’m dressed in a tight black mini-dress and Italian leather heels. And I am watching my husband flirt with another woman…
And… I want him to do this... I think.

I had picked her out myself...

“Her,” I said to Zane. She was sitting alone at the bar, high cheekbones, wavy hair with a shoulder-length blunt-cut, smooth golden skin, and striking brown eyes with a cat-eye look to them… She wore a tiny black micro-mini skirt and cream cropped top, showing off smooth, toned abs.

He had followed my gaze to her and smiled.

“Honey, you have good taste in women,” he said. He looked at me again, and I nodded. And then he had stood and walked to the bar, without looking back....


Natalie and Zane had been married for eight years. And… though Natalie deeply desired her man, pretty girls had always made her a bit... disarmed. Once Zane discovered Natalie's fantasy, he was only too eager to help her fulfill it… As long as he could watch.

But, will Natalie and Zane's relationship withstand another woman? Enter Sophia and the world of Alexander Accardi fashions, and Alexander's Members Only sex club...
Natalie and Zane's fears and desires collide as they enter into a world they never expected and explore secrets, fantasies, and the boundaries of their relationship...

A soccer star and a kind-hearted artist find themselves on the same team, but love is a game they never planned on playing.Lucy Martin left her small hometown behind after her divorce. Now she's back, caring for her soccer-crazed nephew while his parents are deployed. She'd do anything to make him happy—including approaching her high school crush and current soccer superstar, Ryker James, for a favor.Nursing an injury, Ryker is laying low at his parents' house until he can rejoin his club and prove he has reformed his bad boy ways. When the sister of an old friend asks him to coach her nephew's soccer team, he should decline. But Lucy intrigues him, and he finds himself unable to disappoint her.Coaching forces them together and sparks fly—on and off the field. Lucy is wary of romance, and Ryker can’t afford a distraction. Before the final whistle blows, will they take a shot at love or forfeit the match?

I kissed him again in order to distract him as I loosened his belt and pulled down his pants and boxer at the same time.
I pulled away and I couldn't believe my eyes...I mean I knew he was huge but not this huge and I'm pretty sure he noticed that I was shocked.
"What's the matter doll....did I frighten you?" He smiled, locking eyes with me. I replied by tilting my head and smiling at him.
"You know I didn't expect you to do this, I just wanted to...." He stopped speaking when I wrapped my hands around his cock as I swirled my tongue around his mushroom before taking him into my mouth.
"Fuck!!" He groaned.


Dahlia Thompson's life takes a different turn after she returns from a two week trip to see her parents and walks in on her boyfriend, Scott Miller cheating on her with highschool best friend Emma Jones.
Angered and devastated, she decides to go back home but changes her mind and chooses to party hard with a stranger.
She gets herself drunk and ends up surrendering her body to this stranger Jason Smith who turns out to be her soon to be boss and her brother's best friend.

Five years in captivity. They said Nora would be free after five years of working for the mafia king but they lied. Now Nora is forced to work permanently for the dangerous mafia king, executing dangerous cons with Noah, her only ally and her most dangerous temptation. The one man who makes her feel human again. But in a world built on lies, trust can be deadlier than betrayal.

Two weeks before my due date, my husband Ethan is racing out the door into a stormy night.

All because his childhood friend Scarlett's apartment lost power, and she says her claustrophobia is kicking in.

I'm clutching my belly, telling him my water broke, begging him to look at the blood on the floor.

"You pulling this again? Last week wasn't enough? Scarlett's actually in danger."

He shakes off my hand. The door slams shut.

I'm standing in a pool of blood, watching his taillights disappear into the rain.

My baby won't have a father anymore.