Leila has spent her entire life fighting against her family's rigid traditions, particularly their unspoken acceptance of inbreeding among distant cousins. So, when she's arranged to marry Andreas, a cousin she hasn't seen in years, she vehemently refuses, branding the custom as outdated insanity. But when Andreas arrives for the family's formal introduction, everything changes. No longer the boy she vaguely remembers, Andreas is a magnetic force-a six-foot-tall embodiment of charm and danger. His confident smirk, piercing eyes, and undeniable allure begin to unravel Leila's carefully constructed walls. Caught between her principles and the unexpected pull of forbidden desire, Leila is thrust into a whirlwind of passion, confusion, and guilt. As their undeniable chemistry ignites into a secret affair, the stakes rise. If their family discovers the truth, the fallout could destroy them both. In a story of temptation and tradition, Leila must confront her deepest fears, fight for her freedom, and decide whether love is worth risking everything-even her soul. A steamy tale of arranged romance, raw emotion, and the unrelenting power of love
Leila had always considered herself a rebel in a family steeped in tradition. Born into a tightly-knit clan that prided itself on preserving "purity of bloodlines," she had grown up listening to tales of great-grandparents who had married their first cousins and cousins who had married their seconds. These stories were told with reverence around the dinner table, but to Leila, they sounded more like cautionary tales than romantic epics. At twenty-three, Leila had made it abundantly clear she wanted no part in their archaic customs.
She'd moved to the city for college, built a life filled with new ideas, and carved a path far away from the insular world of her rural hometown. So when her mother called to tell her about the "arranged marriage proposal" with her distant cousin Andreas, Leila had laughed outright. "You're kidding," she had said, leaning against her kitchen counter as the smell of her half-burnt pasta filled the air. "It's tradition, Leila," her mother had replied, her tone laced with disappointment. "Andreas is a fine young man. Successful. Handsome.".. "And my cousin," Leila retorted, cutting her mother off. "Do you hear yourself? This isn't ancient Greece!" Her protestations fell on deaf ears, and within a week, Leila found herself begrudgingly driving back to her childhood home for the formal introduction. She promised herself this would be her final act of compliance before putting her foot down for good. The mere idea of being matched with a cousin-distant or not-was insanity, and she intended to make that crystal clear.
The day of the introduction arrived, and Leila stood in her room, tugging at the hem of her sundress, feeling like a lamb being led to slaughter. The entire family had gathered in the sprawling backyard for the occasion, laughter and chatter drifting in through her window. She sighed, squared her shoulders, and descended the stairs. As she stepped outside, her gaze swept across the crowd until it landed on a figure that made her stop in her tracks. Andreas. He stood near the pergola, dressed in a crisp white shirt that clung to his broad shoulders and dark slacks that emphasized his height. His wavy, jet-black hair gleamed under the sun, and his golden-brown skin had the kind of effortless glow she had only seen on magazine covers. His face was sharp and symmetrical, with a strong jawline, high cheekbones, and eyes the color of honey, warm and piercing all at once. Leila blinked, her mind scrambling for an appropriate reaction. She had been expecting some vaguely familiar face from childhood-a gangly boy with braces or a forgettable silhouette from a family reunion. Not this. Andreas turned and caught her staring. A slow smile spread across his face, revealing perfect teeth. He raised his hand in a casual wave, and Leila's stomach did a strange flip. Her mother's voice broke the spell. "Leila! Come, meet Andreas!" Summoning all her resolve, Leila crossed the yard, her sandals crunching against the gravel. Andreas extended his hand as she approached. "Leila," he said, his deep voice carrying an accent she hadn't anticipated. "It's been a while." His hand was warm, his grip firm. For a moment, she forgot to let go. "Yeah," she managed, her voice uncharacteristically soft. "It's been... a while."
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of polite conversation and carefully curated smiles. Andreas charmed everyone effortlessly-his wit sharp, his laughter contagious. Leila, on the other hand, found herself retreating into her thoughts, grappling with an unexpected wave of conflicting emotions. She had spent weeks railing against this introduction, confident in her disdain for the very notion of marrying a cousin. But now, faced with Andreas and his godlike presence, her convictions felt suddenly flimsy. As the sun set and the gathering dispersed, Andreas caught up to her as she lingered by the old oak tree at the edge of the yard. "So," he said, leaning against the trunk, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "What do you think of all this?" Leila hesitated, unsure whether to voice her true thoughts. Finally, she settled on the safest response. "It's... overwhelming." Andreas laughed, a low, melodic sound. "I'll take that as a compliment." She frowned. "Don't." His expression softened. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to, Leila. Just because our families think it's a good idea doesn't mean we have to agree." For a moment, she felt a spark of relief-until he added, "But I have to admit, it's nice to see you again. You've... grown up." His gaze lingered a moment too long, and Leila's heart betrayed her, skipping a beat. She tore her eyes away, muttering something about needing to help her mother before retreating toward the house. As she walked away, she felt Andreas's gaze on her back and knew with a sinking certainty that her carefully constructed world was about to get a lot more complicated.
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
It's true what they say about marriage: one partner's always happier than the other. ~~~ Julie's world is shattered when her husband, Ryan, reveals that he wants an open marriage. His reason: he needs a child as they've been unable to have one. Julie reluctantly agrees to save her marriage. The next day, Ryan returns home with his secretary, confirming Julie's long-held suspicion that their affair was taking place behind her back. Julie, heartbroken and enraged, seeks solace in a bar, where she meets a fascinating stranger named Luke, who changes the game. Julie confides in Luke over drinks, and he proposes a risky plan: he will act as her "boyfriend" to turn the tables on Ryan. Julie agrees, setting off a chain of events that will challenge everything she thought she knew about love, loyalty, and herself.
After a painful breakup with her boyfriend of two years who coldly told her to her face that he couldn't keep dating her because she was too uptight--In a moment of anger and defiance, Anna decided to throw caution to the wind for one reckless night. She headed to the wildest club in Texas, determined to lose herself in the chaos. But fate had other plans. To her shock, she ran into her ex-boyfriend at the club. Desperate to save face, she made a split-second decision and approached a stranger, pretending he was her new boyfriend. What she never anticipated was the magnetic pull she would feel towards him or the fact that she'd end up going home with this mystery man. Soon enough, the real surprise hit her--this stranger wasn't just anyone; he was her new boss. What begins as a night of rebellion spirals into a whirlwind of forbidden attraction, societal pressure and hidden affairs. And now there are so many things at stake. Find out how this story unfolds.
"Mr. Evans, please maintain some dignity. Don't forget I'm your brother's wife!" Having caught her husband and best friend together in the bed, Elena wanted nothing more than to exact revenge on the people she once called family. She refused to be a pitiful divorcee and vowed to make everyone who had once looked down on her beg for forgiveness. And to start with her newfound freedom, Elena indulges in a one-night stand with a stranger. However, what was meant to be a fleeting escape turns into a nightmare when she learns that the stranger is none other than her husband's older brother! Would Elena be free from the shackles of her marriage? Or would the mysterious stranger make her life a living hell since he seemed to have a personal vendetta against his family? [The story is 18+ and involves mature content.]
In the previous life, Maggie Johnson was so cowardly, gullible and stupid that she was coaxed by her fiance and stepsister and then broke her legs and lost everything including her fortune, love and even life. However, she was so lucky that she was reborn in the year before everything happened. Since her life restarted, how could she repeat a previous tragedy? Therefore, in this life, she took the opportunity to improve herself and take revenge on the ones who had ever insulted her. Facing the people who had humiliated her previously, she became smart and experienced to break their frames and tricks that had caused her to hurt in the previous life. Finally, no one could stop her pace to amaze the world any more.