"August, 1865 The War is over and as America is trying to recover, Nicholas Gregson is trying to get used to his civilian life. But the deep scar on the side of his face will always remind him of the most violent war in America. One windy day, Nicholas gets a visit from his former General with a rare proposition: He wants him to marry one of his daughters. Although Mary is beautiful and well brought up, he hesitates. He doesn't know if he can love her and he is certain she won't ever be able to surpass his war scar. Olivia Clark is happy for her twin sister, marrying a man their father respected dearly was bound to be a good marriage. But she worries. Scars of her own remind her that men can not be trusted. Will Olivia let her guard down and allow love to enter her life? Will Nicholas give himself a chance to be happy with a woman that won't even look at his face?"
August
None of it was supposed to happen like this. As Nicholas looked out his bedroom window, he dreaded the arrival of the carriage that would take him and his family to an unknown town, to a stranger's house. Even though she was not really a stranger, now was she? They were now engaged, he couldn't possibly still think of her as someone he did not know.
Her name was Mary Clark. A woman of three and twenty. She lived in a small town in Boston. Her mother deceased, her father, a farmer. He was a general in the Civil War, Nicholas served under his command when he joined the California 100. When Mr. Clark returned to his town in Boston, he was greatly respected man for he was one of the few that made it back from the Battle of Gettysburg. He came back from the war to his daughters, with an amputated leg, but he got himself around just fine, as far as Nicholas could see.
General Clark came to visit Nicholas one windy day to see a loyal friend. They kept in contact after the war through long letters, each expressing their struggles to adjust to their daily life routine after the long violent war. They discussed their nightmares, and thus finding support in each other regardless of the three thousand miles between them. General Clark arrived with one of his daughters, Mary.
Mary was tall, fair skinned, and a very dashing woman. How was she still unmarried, he did not know. General Clark adored his daughters, he spoke so well of them in his letters that Nicholas looked forward on meeting them. They arrived to his childhood home, as he was in the yard helping his mother with her rose garden. Their arrival brought back some terrible memories, but some great ones as well.
Mary pushed her father in his wheelchair and Nicholas felt sorry for him. A strong, brave man, trapped in a wheelchair, if that wasn't unfair, he did not know what was. Though the visit was unexpected, it was very well welcomed. Nicholas mother, Mrs. Gregson, knew exactly who General Clark was and she treated him with courtesy and respect. They stayed over for dinner and they discussed everything and anything. Nicholas's sisters, Jane of twelve years old and Josie of fifteen, admired Miss Clark's beauty. She let them braid her long dark hair, which made his sisters smile all day.
After dinner, the conversation between General Clark and Nicholas took an unexpected turn. He wanted Nicholas to marry his daughter.
Nicholas stood there unable to process his proposal. Nicholas was twenty seven years of age, unmarried, and at one point, he was very handsome. But the war did not leave him unscarred. During the Battle of Cedar Creek, a confederate soldier swung his sword towards Nicholas and it got him on the right side of his face. It slashed his lips and it took a piece of his cheek right off. Now a dark, scar reminded him of that horrible war.
"Please, " General Clark said. "I don't mean to meddle but I do believe you make a beautiful couple. Mary is so very fond of you already."
Nicholas turned to him not believing a single word. Mary was unable to look at him in the face ever since she arrived. "I don't understand why you want me to marry into your family, " he admitted quietly.
"I just want my daughters in good hands. What better hands than yours."
As Nicholas discussed the matter to his mother later that night, his mother shook her head sadly. "It was bound to happen sooner or later."
He knelt before her and held her hands tenderly. "I won't leave you."
"Oh but you must, " she replied rapidly. "Since your father's death, you haven't been able to enjoy your own life."
"Of course I have. I enjoy being here with you and my sisters."
"You need to make a living for yourself, " she replied gently. "You need to find a girl and get married, make me a grandmother before I get too old."
"What about father's business?" he asked referring to the sale of farming equipment that his father had left behind.
"We can handle it. Just because we're women, it doesn't mean we don't know how business is done."
Nicholas chuckled knowing very well what a great business woman his mother was. "You think I should try then?"
"Of course! You won't lose anything by trying and who knows, maybe Miss Clark will be a great wife to you."
Nicholas nodded. With his face looking the way it did, he doubted he would get any more offers.
"When Adam and Ana Marie meet is love at first sight. But what Ana Marie knows is that Adam is a private investigator from London, what she doesn't know is that Adam is on the hunt of a criminal that turned out to be her distant father. The plans to capture this man goes awry and it forces him to fake his own death leaving Ana Marie devastated. After five years, the criminal reappears and Adam wants to finish what he started. Will Ana Marie find out about the lie and of his father's affairs? Will Ana Marie and Adam get a second chance at happiness?"
"Life for cowboy Mack Rosenberry was nothing but peaceful in the small town of Texas. But an encounter with mysterious guests threatens the tranquility as they seem to have secrets that endanger the town. As Mack aims to discover the purpose of their visit, he finds there is more to the father-daughter duo than they lead on. Join Mack as he discovers the new world with flying machines and clockwork men. This is my first Steampunk themed story. It takes place post the Mexican-American War, I hope you guys enjoy it!"
"Hi my name is David, and you might've already figured this out but I have a crush. Crush, you say, what's a crush when you are seventeen going on eighteen boy, invisible but sadly, over achiever in high school, who has only two friends and a twin sister that is a snobby bitch? I will tell you in this, my tale of what ifs, could haves and should haves. So sit back and enjoy the ride. "
In the small town of Lakewood in the nineteenth century, the future of Adam Lancaster and Sophia Willis has been set through an arrange marriage, but Sophia is in love with the son of the richest man in town and Adam has never considered marriage as part of his life. Will they give each other a chance or are they destined to live unhappily ever after?
Compelled by her dad's dilemma and the looming fate of their business, Irene agreed to become Braydon's lover. To outsiders, Braydon seemed invulnerable, yet only Irene was privy to the tempestuous passions he unleashed behind closed doors. Gradually, Irene found herself tangled in the intricate emotional snare Braydon had woven, her heart craving more, only to be shattered by the revelation of his engagement. Devastated, she left and soon encountered Braydon's archrival. It was then that the formidable Braydon confronted the esteemed surgeon Dr. Mitchell, all in a fierce struggle over Irene.
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
“Drive this woman out!” "Throw this woman into the sea!” When he doesn’t know Debbie Nelson’s true identity, Carlos Hilton cold-shoulders her. “Mr. Hilton, she is your wife,” Carlos’ secretary reminded him. Hearing that, Carlos gives him a cold stare and complained, “why didn’t you tell me earlier?” From then on, Carlos spoils her rotten. Little did everyone expect that they would get a divorce.
Lindsey's fiancé was the devil's first son. Not only did he lie to her but he also slept with her stepmother, conspired to take away her family fortune, and then set her up to have sex with a total stranger. To get her lick back, Lindsey decided to find a man to disrupt her engagement party and humiliate the cheating bastard. Never did she imagine that she would bump into a strikingly handsome stranger who was all that she was currently looking for. At the engagement party, he boldly declared that she was his woman. Lindsey thought he was just a broke man who wanted to leech off her. But once they began their fake relationship, she realized that good luck kept coming her way. She thought they would part ways after the engagement party, but this man kept to her side. "We gotta stick together, Lindsey. Remember, I'm now your fiancé. " "Domenic, you're with me because of my money, aren't you?" Lindsey asked, narrowing her eyes at him. Domenic was taken aback by that accusation. How could he, the heir of the Walsh family and CEO of Vitality Group, be with her for money? He controlled more than half of the city's economy. Money wasn't a problem for him! The two got closer and closer. One day, Lindsey finally realized that Domenic was actually the stranger she had slept with months ago. Would this realization change things between them? For the better or worse?
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."