/0/38989/coverbig.jpg?v=e7ba99ef2ea644b4de365280dc4acb5a)
CHAN After the death of her grandmother, Chandra Chandler, known affectionately as Chan, and her two sisters move to Australia to escape their past and build a better life. When a fortune-teller reveals to Chan she will fall in love with a man who is as bright as the sun, she dismisses the very idea as hocus pocus. But when gorgeous Sam Harrington and his daughter waltz into her life, Chan's world turns upside down. Sam draws her to him like a moth to a flame with his good looks, charismatic personality, and kindness. Most of all, his warm gaze and gentle touches tempt her with the promise of seduction-a dangerous territory she is afraid to enter, yet longs to experience. SAM After the death of his wife in a freak accident, multibillionaire Sam Harrington is sick of women throwing themselves at his feet simply because they are attracted to his enormous bank account and good looks. When he bumps into Chan, he knows instantly she is different. He's attracted to her and wants her. When he discovers this strong, beautiful woman is broken inside and in danger of losing herself, he vows to protect and love her unconditionally.
The delicate china felt warm in her palms. Tea. She was being served green tea. In this very hot weather? It was so like Grandma Su to serve her guests hot drinks, no matter the weather.
Chandra Chandler stared long and hard at the light steam rising from the cup toward her face, fascinated by it. It wasn't long, though, before she lost herself in her own thoughts again. Instantly, she felt that dull pain piercing deep within her heart and the absence and loneliness after losing her beloved Grandma Lin.
It will get better, she reminded herself. It will.
"Chan, dear?"
Chandra jolted back to reality when she heard the soft, gentle voice calling her the name Grandma Lin had given her. Chan, which was a shortened version of Chandra, Grandma Lin had told her when she'd been a child meant "the moon" in Cambodian. The old woman said it was perfect for her, as she'd been born during the full moon at midnight.
"I'm sorry?" she queried the elderly woman sitting across from her.
Grandma Su glanced up, her dark eyes-full of wisdom and enlightenment-boring deep into Chan's own light-brown ones.
"You've just lost another loved one," she said.
Chan gave Grandma Su a slight smile, her hands gripping tightly to the cup of tea.
Yes, she'd just lost another loved one. It was her grandmother from her mother's side of the family, who she fondly called Grandma Lin. The kind, gentle ninety-year-old woman had passed on only three months prior from old age.
There were only the three of them now: Chan and her two younger sisters, Dara and Soriya, who happened to be named according to the time of their births as well. The second sister Dara's name meant the star, because she'd been born in the early dawn when the star of Venus was shining bright amongst the dark sky. The youngest sister Soriya's meant the sun, because she'd been born during midafternoon when the sun had been at its warmest and most brilliant.
To be frank, the girls had been orphaned since both their parents had died many years before Grandma Lin. Their mom passed away from cancer when Chan was eleven and dad from a bunch of teenage drunk drivers when she was seventeen.
"I'm so sorry to have turned up without informing you first, Grandma Su," Chan said politely to the old lady who was her grandmother's best friend. "She asked me to come and see you. She was quite persistent." She chuckled a little at the reminder of Grandma Lin's stubbornness. She took another sip of the green tea. The warm, mild liquid soothed her, and she sighed pleasantly.
"It must be very hard for you and your sisters," Grandma Su said. "Lin was my best friend. And now she has left me." She sighed. "But for you, my dear, it is best you move on." She placed her hand gently on top of Chan's, a gesture of comfort.
"It's hard," Chan said, bowing her head. "But I am determined to move on."
"Lin would be proud of you," Grandma Su said. Then she placed her fingers under Chan's chin, which surprised her, and urged the young woman's face up slightly so she could look at her properly.
Chan wondered why Grandma Su was examining her face so intensely. The old woman was staring at her smooth, round forehead, slanted eyes, straight nose, plump lips, and chin.
"A beautiful face," she said. "You've bloomed late, Chan."
Chan had to chuckle at Grandma Su's remark, since she had no idea what the woman was talking about. She knew for certain she didn't have a beautiful face, nor had she ever bloomed. She didn't think she would ever bloom at all if she were a flower.
"A mix of yellow and white," Grandma Su said. "A lovely cherry blossom."
At this point, Chan couldn't really help herself and had to ask, "What are you talking about?"
"Hush, dear, I am reading your face," Grandma Su said. "Ah, phoenix eyes and a beautiful nose."
Chan chuckled. "Thanks, I think," she said. She didn't think her nose was ever beautiful.
"You're entering a new phase in your life," Grandma Su said with a note of concern. "It seems there will be challenges."
"Challenges?" Chan asked, her heart skipping a few beats.
"Lin was concerned," Grandma Su said. "She asked me to read your fortune two years ago. That is why she insisted you come to see me."
"But why?"
"Like I said, dear, she was concerned about you."
"That I won't move on?"
"That and many other things. She worried about your future, Chan, about your career, your health, but especially about your future soul mate."
"But why?"
"You've spent all your time taking care of the family, but now it is time to take care of you. You'll meet him. There will be challenges, like I said, but every relationship needs work, dear, so you must trust yourself. You must trust your heart. Your fate does not define your future. It is you and your actions that define your future. Remember that, Chan.
"Of course, I cannot tell you who he is, but I can tell you he is out there, very bright, just like the sun. Yes, he is like the sun, a warm person who many adore and depend on."
Grandma Su turned her eyes to Chan again and cocked her head to one side, just like a small bird would, scrutinizing the young woman. "Ah, you will be a tiny thing standing next to him. He is a big man, Chan, this sun man of yours."
"I'm not exactly sure I understand what you're talking about."
Grandma Su laughed. "Ah, I see I have captured your interest. Do you want to know about your love life, Chan?"
Chan frowned. No. Not really. She glanced down, blushing a little.
Grandma Su must have noticed the blush. She chuckled and patted Chan's hand.
"Like I said, I cannot tell you who he is, for I do not know myself. Of course, you will understand, dear, once you've met him. And very soon, too. Now then, come along. I will show you my vegetable garden." She dismissed the subject with a wave of her hand and headed out the door.
Chan got up and followed the elderly woman, her thoughts still on the challenges ahead of her Grandma Su had mentioned. And, of course, this future soul mate of hers. Then again, she'd already made up her mind to never marry or enter a relationship. It was just too toxic. Relationships were toxic. Love was toxic. And sex? Yes, that was toxic, too. The worst, come to think of it, and instantly, she felt her stomach knot with dread, that fear she'd always felt.
She felt herself shaking uncontrollably. He's not here, she told herself. You're as far away from him as you can possibly be.
She calmed down and stepped into the beautiful sunshine outside.
"It's good that you take time for yourself," the woman said, nodding her head. "It will be a life-changing move. I assure you."
Grandma Su must have been referring to Chan and her sisters moving to Australia. After all, there was nothing left for them in New Zealand now since their grandmother had died. Well, there were still Amie, their dad's second wife, their stepmother, and of course Lisa, their stepsister. Perhaps, Chan thought, she should stop thinking of Amie as a stepmother. After all, their dad had already passed away years ago. Right now, she didn't want to think about Amie and Lisa at all.
Then of course, there was Dave, Lisa's husband, the one Chan feared and hated most. The one who had whispered empty words of love to her, lies, words that made her feel sick.
She felt dizzy again thinking about him. She reminded herself, You are far, far away from him now. He won't hurt you anymore. He can't.
She said, "I know, Grandma Su. I've known for a long time now that it was time to get out."
Grandma Su turned to look at Chan then, as if she understood the meaning of Chan's words. In a way, Chan knew the woman knew because she was so wise, just like Grandma Lin, who'd known for a long time the torment of her granddaughter's secret. She'd done her best to help her keep the people responsible at bay and, of course, to bring her out from her lonely darkness.
Chan stayed with Grandma Su for another hour, enjoying the sound of the woman's light chatter as she was led about the large garden. Once Grandma Su had given her some of her precious vegetables, mainly water spinach, cucumbers, and peppers, Chan kissed her goodbye.
On her way home on the bus, her mind was on Grandma Su's words. She didn't really believe in things like fortune-telling. More importantly, she didn't believe she had a soul mate. But then, why did she have the sudden feeling it was time? That she was ready? For what? She didn't know and flicked her mind away from that subject as she watched the scenery pass her by.
Eighteen-year-old Haru Ono has been in love with Aiden Davis since he was in middle school. Trying to keep his feelings under wraps is annoyingly hard when they’re living under the same roof, more so since Aiden is so caring and selflessly showers him with kindness. Haru knows family is important to Aiden, who has been shouldering the burden of raising five younger siblings, and it’s best Haru never reveals his feelings to Aiden. Then again, an eighteen-year-old boy with raging hormones can only bottle up so much until everything starts to burst. Haru's Love is a steamy stepbrothers bl/yaoi/gay harem romance. The uke (main character) will end up with multiple semes (male leads) as the story progresses. Expect lots of steamy scenes and lots of love. Update Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
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 (MFM) and has a happy ending.
Dark. Powerful. Dangerous. James Maxwell is one of the billionaire elites who rules Las Vegas City with an iron fist. You’re definitely worth two million, Mia. Think about it. Two million. Five years. Your brother will go free. It’s a contract. Those are the words of the gorgeous billionaire James Maxwell, the man who makes my heart race and my body tremble with longing. I want to refuse his proposal, but how can I? My brother owes him two million, and as dirt poor as we are, there’s no way we can find that much money to repay him. What’s worse, I think I’m falling in love with the man who thinks I’m just his mistress. My name is Mia Donovan, a twenty-two-year-old small-town girl working as a kitchen hand to make ends meet. My world is changing—both for the better and worse. James Maxwell, a gorgeous billionaire with beautiful Prussian-blue eyes, is the man behind this. He makes my heart flutter and my knees shake. When he kisses me, my world melts into a pool of exotic sensation. But his world is dark and dangerous, and being with him is a risk both to my life and my sanity. This is our story.
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”