Amelia Hart, a bestselling but burned-out author, escapes the city to the quiet town of Maplebrook to find inspiration for her next novel. She rents a small cottage on the edge of town and discovers Caldwell's Books, a cozy bookstore run by the reserved yet intriguing Ethan Caldwell.
Amelia Hart breathed in the crisp, cool air as she stepped out of her car, the serene beauty of Maplebrook surrounding her. The town was small, nestled at the base of rolling hills that, in winter, would be blanketed in snow. But now, in early autumn, the trees were turning shades of amber and gold, the kind of picturesque landscape that seemed plucked straight from a postcard. It was exactly what she needed.
After years of writing bestsellers, Amelia had grown exhausted from the relentless pace of her career. Her latest novel had stalled for months, the words stuck somewhere between her mind and the page. Her publisher had been patient, but she knew that wouldn't last. She needed inspiration, and she needed it fast.
The small cottage she had rented on the outskirts of town was charming, with ivy climbing its stone walls and a porch that overlooked the woods. It was the perfect place to escape the noise of the city. Yet, even as she unpacked her things, she felt a strange restlessness. She had come here for solitude, but now that she had it, she wasn't sure it was enough.
That afternoon, she decided to explore the town. Maplebrook's main street was lined with small shops and cafés, each one exuding a quiet charm. But it was a quaint bookstore at the end of the street that caught her eye. Caldwell's Books, the sign read in faded letters. Something about it beckoned to her, and without a second thought, she pushed open the door.
A bell jingled softly as she stepped inside, the scent of old paper and polished wood wrapping around her like a warm blanket. The bookstore was small but filled with shelves that reached from floor to ceiling, each one crammed with books both new and old. It was the kind of place that felt timeless, where you could lose hours without realizing.
Behind the counter stood a man, his head bent over a book. He was tall, with dark hair that was just a little too long, and his clothes, while neat, had a rumpled, lived-in look. He glanced up as she entered, his deep blue eyes meeting hers for a fleeting moment before he looked away.
"Can I help you?" His voice was quiet, almost hesitant.
Amelia smiled, unsure why she felt so nervous. "Just browsing," she said, moving further into the store.
As she wandered through the aisles, running her fingers along the spines of books, she felt a sense of peace settle over her. This was what she had been missing-quiet moments, small places that felt like worlds of their own. And yet, her thoughts kept drifting back to the man behind the counter.
Ethan Caldwell. The name was simple, unremarkable, but there was something about him, something that intrigued her. He seemed reserved, almost guarded, but his bookstore was filled with stories-surely, he had his own to tell.
By the time she left the store, she hadn't bought a single book. But she knew she would be back. There was something in Maplebrook, in Ethan, that made her feel alive again. Maybe, just maybe, she would find the inspiration she was looking for.
Amelia's footsteps were soft on the cobblestone streets as she left the bookstore. The late afternoon sun bathed Maplebrook in a golden hue, and the crisp air carried the scent of pine and the faint sweetness of a nearby bakery. She found herself smiling, an unbidden warmth filling her chest.
The quiet bookstore, with its towering shelves and comforting atmosphere, had stirred something within her-something she hadn't felt in months. There had been an unspoken allure in its silence, a kind of magic hidden between the pages of forgotten books and in the quiet demeanor of the man behind the counter.
Ethan Caldwell.
His eyes had lingered on her for just a moment too long before he'd turned away, as though he wasn't used to visitors who made him feel seen. She couldn't shake the way his voice had sounded-soft, reserved, almost as though he was trying to remain a ghost within his own shop. But there was kindness in it, too. A softness that felt familiar, comforting.
Back at her cottage, Amelia sank into the old armchair by the window, staring out into the woods. Her laptop sat on the table beside her, untouched, its screen dark. She had come to Maplebrook seeking solitude, hoping that silence would bring clarity, that the quiet would coax the words back to her. Yet today had been different. The silence she'd found in Ethan's store hadn't felt lonely. It had felt... alive.
And so had she.
It was odd to think that one brief encounter could shift something inside her, but it had. It wasn't just the bookstore or the charm of the town. It was the idea of it all-the quiet life, the slowness of it, the warmth of a fire on a cold evening, the way Ethan had looked at her with those deep blue eyes that held stories of their own.
Amelia glanced at her laptop. Maybe the words weren't coming because she hadn't found the right story yet. Maybe her novel had been missing something-something real, something like what she had felt today.
Pulling the laptop onto her lap, she opened a new document. Her fingers hovered over the keys, and for the first time in what felt like forever, they didn't feel heavy. The blank page stared back at her, full of potential.
The door to Caldwell's Books. The smell of old paper and polished wood. A man with secrets behind his eyes and a voice soft enough to melt the ice in her heart.
Amelia smiled to herself, and as her fingers began to move, she whispered under her breath, "Maybe this is the story I've been waiting for."The words came slowly at first, like drops of water finding their way down a leaf after a long rain. But once they started.
*"Attracted" - A Sizzling Tale of Forbidden Desire* In the glittering world of high finance, 24-year-old Mia Thompson never expected to find herself *irresistibly drawn* to her enigmatic billionaire boss, Alexander Blackwood. Their passionate one-night stand was meant to be just that - one night of forbidden pleasure. But fate has other plans. As Mia navigates the cutthroat corporate world as Alexander's new secretary, she discovers that their *explosive chemistry* is more than just physical. There's an *otherworldly connection* between them that defies explanation, hinting at *secrets* neither fully understands. With a *7year age gap* and a *power dynamic* that threatens to tear them apart, Mia and Alexander must confront their deepest fears and desires. But as *dark forces* from Alexander's past resurface, they find themselves entangled in a *web of danger and intrigue* that could destroy everything they've built. Can their *burning attraction* overcome the obstacles that stand in their way? Or will the *price of their passion* prove too high in a world where *power, magic, and desire* collide?
A romantic novel typically revolves around the emotional and passionate connection between two characters as they navigate obstacles to be together. Themes of love, desire, and personal growth are central, with the story often focusing on the characters' journey toward a meaningful relationship. Along the way, they may face challenges like misunderstandings, external conflicts, or personal struggles, but the novel generally emphasizes the power of love and the possibility of a happy or hopeful resolution.
Trigger warning!!! Intended for mature readers who enjoy morally complex, slow-burn, poseesive, forbidden, dark romance that pushes boundaries. ***EXCERPT*** Blood everywhere. Trembling hands. "No!" My eyes blurred. His lifeless eyes stared back at me, his blood pooling at my feet. The man I loved-dead. Killed by the one person I could never escape - my stepbrother. *** Kasmine's life was never hers to begin with. Kester, her stepbrother, controlled and monitored her every move. At first, it was all sweet and brotherly until it began to turn into an obsession. Kester was the Alpha, and his word was law. No close friends. No boyfriends. No freedom. The only consolation Kasmine had was her twenty-first birthday, which was supposed to change everything. She dreamt of finding her mate, escaping the sickening control of Kester, and finally claiming her own life. But fate had other plans for her. On the night of her birthday, not only was she disappointed that she wasn't mated to the love of her life, but she found out that her mate was none other than him - Her tormentor. Her stepbrother. She'd rather die than be mated to a man whom she had known as her big brother all her life. A man who would do just anything to make sure she was his. But when love turns to obsession, and obsession turns to blood, how far can one girl run before she realizes there is nowhere else to run to?
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
He told her to call him Daddy. Not because he earned it, but because he fucking owned her. The moment she signed that contract, she stopped being a woman with dignity and became his filthy little plaything. His holes to use. His mess to ruin. He didn't just fuck her, he rewired her. Stripped her clean of boundaries and filled her with sin. Every punishment made her scream. Every game dragged her deeper into his twisted world. And the way he praised her... Good girl. She should've run the first time he said it. But Daddy doesn't let his toys leave. He breaks them until they beg to stay. ** Mia's life changed the night she let a stranger ruin her. One night. She never expected to see him again. Until she walked into her new job... and her boss turned around. Ace.Her one-night sin in a thousand-dollar suit. Only this time, he wasn't asking her to be his assistant. She was to be his wife.
Life was a bed of roses for Debra, the daughter of Alpha. That was until she had a one-night stand with Caleb. She was sure he was her mate as determined by Moon Goddess. But this hateful man refused to accept her. Weeks passed before Debra discovered that she was pregnant. Her pregnancy brought shame to her and everyone she loved. Not only was she driven out, but her father was also hunted down by usurpers. Fortunately, she survived with the help of the mysterious Thorn Edge Pack. Five years passed and Debra didn't hear anything from Caleb. One day, their paths crossed again. They were both on the same mission—carrying out secret investigations in the dangerous Roz Town for the safety and posterity of their respective packs. Caleb was still cold toward her. But as time went on, he fell head over heels in love with her. He tried to make up for abandoning her, but Debra wasn't having any of it. She was hell-bent on hiding her daughter from him and also making a clean break. What did the future hold for the two as they journeyed in Roz Town? What kind of secrets would they find? Would Caleb win Debra's heart and get to know his lovely daughter? Find out!
"You're my wife in name only, on paper only. My heart and love will never be yours." Edward made it clear to Daisy that she was nothing to him. They were both victims of family greed -- the marriage was arranged for them. Six years passed. She remained quiet, gaining a reputation in the army as a tough-as-nails colonel. When she walked into his life again, Edward fell in love with this woman, unlike any he had known. She surprised and delighted him. But will Daisy take him back? Can their son keep them together? Can the rift between them be healed? Pick this one up and find out!