Marian Tee's Blog, page 3

It Started with a Secret 01.02

Hong Kong Central Library, which we shall from here on imagine as what "Building B" looks like. :P (Copyright Marian Pinera 2016) ​Aya listened somewhat numbly to the rumors going on around her, with every word spoken stabbing her heart like a knife. Minato…had a crush? Ever since her first day in the Academy, she had heard of countless girls crushing on him. But it was never the other way around.
Until now.
“But this is good news,” Raven insisted over lunch.
“How is this good news?” Aya nearly wailed.
Raven rolled her eyes. “His crush is from Building B! Our building, Aya! Our building!”
“So? You want me to be happy because it will take fewer minutes to get to my rival’s classroom? Is that it?”
“How can you not get it?” Raven heaved an impatient sigh. “It could be you, Aya!” Her friend only stared at her in perplexed silence, and Raven grabbed Aya’s shoulders to give it a good hard shake. “It. Could. Be. You. Minato’s crush!”
The words finally started sinking in, and Aya immediately shook her head. “It’s impossible. There’s Cissy. Toni. Darla.” She could easily go on and on. There were so many cute girls here in Building B, but she definitely wasn’t one of them.
“You’re not thinking clearly about this,” Raven snapped. “If it were any of those girls, don’t you think we’d have heard of it ages ago?”
“I don’t get it---”
“Those girls have a way of finding out about these things, trust me, and since we haven’t heard them say a thing about Minato liking them?” Raven’s tone turned triumphant. “That means they’re just as clueless as everyone.” She paused. “Well, clueless as almost everyone is – except me, of course.”
Her friend’s logic totally escaped her, but…Aya couldn’t feel help feeling hopeful. “You really think it’s possible that…” Oh gosh, she couldn’t even say the words out loud. It felt so…blasphemous to think that someone like Minato could be crushing on her.
And yet when Raven nodded emphatically to her question, Aya’s heart simply soared even higher. “If anyone can see past the superficial and realize just how perfect you are, it would be none other than Minato.”
“The superficial?” Aya echoed blankly.
Raven thought about listing the things that Aya could do to make herself prettier – comb her hair for one thing, learn how to do her own makeup, pull up her school skirt to make it a little shorter…
“Raven?”
Her mouth opened and closed. “Forget what I said,” she said finally. If Aya were to do any of those things, Aya wouldn’t be Aya anymore. Her friend was perfect just the way she was, and she was hoping that Minato was smart enough to appreciate that, too.
 
****
 
Later that evening
 
“I heard a lot of things about you today,” a slender woman teased, her back turned to the young handsome boy chopping vegetables on the kitchen counter behind her.
The boy simply grunted, and she smiled at this, thinking ruefully that was more than his usual way of responding to her questions – a nod, a smile, a shrug or basically anything that didn’t require him to make any sound.
After switching the cooker off, she took the frying pan and turned around to place it on the counter. Its aroma filled the small kitchen with a nice, savory scent, and she sniffed appreciatively. “Smell that?”
“Yeah.”
“Give it a taste.” She took a spoonful of her casserole and fed it to him. “How was it?”
“Good.”
“Good enough for you to spill the beans on your secret crush from Building B, you think?”
Minato choked.
“So is it true?”
Minato shrugged, but the faint flush coloring his cheeks had her eyes twinkling.
“Is it at least someone I know?”
Minato started coughing, and her eyes widened.
“Oh my! So I do know her!” She worked at the Academy’s library, which meant that most of her interactions were limited to the bookish girls of Minato’s school.
“Who is it?” Karin asked excitedly.
“I’d rather not say.”
“Or at least give me a clue so I can check her out for you, find out if she likes you back---”
“Karin.”
Minato’s warning glare had her throwing her hands up in quick surrender. “Alright, alright, no more butting in your business until you’re ready to tell me who it is that has your heart going doki-doki---”
A smile tugged at the corner of Minato’s lips even as shook his head in exasperation. “You’re not supposed to say stuff like that. You’re an adult. Have you forgotten that?”
“And you’re supposed to be a healthy, immature eighteen-year-old boy,” she retorted, “and yet here you are, acting like an octogenarian trapped in a teenager’s body. Honestly, I’m just relieved that you’re crushing on a girl your age. You worry me a lot, you know. It’s not healthy to have relationships with women twice your age---”
“You’re exaggerating,” Minato interrupted mildly.
“But you know what I mean, right?”
Minato only gave her a noncommittal smile, which Karin knew was the boy’s polite way of telling her to please mind of her own business.
“Okay, fine, I’m done being nosy. Let’s talk about something else, like…oh.” Karin perked up. “My favorite student dropped by the library again, and really Minato, I wish you’d come by more often, too---”
“It would look suspicious if I do.”
“Tsk.” Karin dismissed his concerns with a wave of her hand. “You’re the most popular boy in school. Nothing you do will look suspicious in anyone’s eyes, and I really want you to meet this girl. Her name is Aya, and she’s in your year. Do you know her?”
 
****
 
The next day
 
“What’s wrong, dear? You seem so down.”
Aya hastily wiped her tears away when she saw the librarian gazing down at her with a concerned frown. “It’s, umm, nothing.” The rumors about Minato and his crush had gotten just a bit more intense today, and it…hurt. She knew it shouldn’t – they had never even spoken to each other – but it really just…hurt.
The thing about Minato was how his silence over the rumors likely meant they were true. If there were one imperfect thing about him, then most people would probably point to his unfailing bluntness. While Minato was never cruel, he was also the type to call a spade a spade, regardless of how much it would hurt.
“It’s this boy I like,” Aya finally revealed. In the past few months, she and the older woman had gotten rather chummy with all the time she spent in the library, and it just felt right to confess her heart troubles to the librarian.
“And?”
“He likes someone else.”
“You’re certain of that?”
“About ninety-percent.”
“Then there you go,” Karen said with a smile. “Ten percent is still ten percent, dear. You still have hope. My…umm…a boy I know taught me that.”
“You’re not saying that just to cheer me up?” Aya asked suspiciously.
“Absolutely not.” Karin hastily swallowed back a laugh at instant effect of her words on Aya. The girl was beaming now, and it was just so cute.
“That’s what my friend thinks so, too.”
“I’m glad to hear that. So no more moping, okay?”
“No more moping,” Aya agreed. “Thanks, Ms. Grant.”
“Just come to me for love advice anytime.” Karin took a peek at Aya’s notes. “Remedial lessons?”
Aya immediately became glum again, and the older woman was fascinated. Aya’s face was so amazingly expressive!
“I just don’t get science,” Aya revealed miserably.
“How far have you progressed?”
“Just a page.”
An idea occurred to Karin, and she said cheerfully, “It’s your lucky day then. It just so happens that I know a student who’d be nice enough to tutor you.”
But Aya only shook her head. “Please don’t do anything on my account, Ms. Grant. Nobody, and I seriously mean nobody can teach me science. Even my own teacher gave up on me---”
Karin struggled not to laugh. “Come on, there’s no harm in trying.”
Aya let out a sigh. “I suppose.”
Ten minutes later, and she heard the librarian’s heels clicking against the floor. “Aya, here’s the student I was telling you about.”
She glanced up and saw a tall guy standing behind the librarian. He was on the phone, with his back turned to her, but even so, she couldn’t help thinking how so very familiar he looked. He reminded her of –
The guy turned, his jade-green eyes immediately capturing hers.
Oh my gosh.
“Hi.” His voice was deep and clear. “I’m Minato.”
“I’m Aya.” Or at least that was what she hoped she had said. It was hard to tell. Her heart was making so much noise, and she was having a hard time breathing, too. Minato was gazing at her with so much intensity that she felt she was in danger of melting any moment.
She turned to the librarian desperately, stammering, “This isn’t really necessary. He must be busy---”
“No, really, he’s glad to help you. He has to stay behind anyway.”
“I just don’t want to be a bother.”
“You’re not,” Karin assured the younger girl right away.
“I---”
“Think it would be better if you two stopped speaking like I’m not here,” Minato finished.
Oops.
Karin burst into laughter at Minato’s mildly voiced interruption. “Sorry about that.” She glanced at Aya, who seemed so intimidated by Minato that she could barely make herself smile. Her lips had stretched just the tiniest bit – like Pennywise smirking, and the thought almost had her laughing again.
“I’ll be glad to help you,” Minato murmured. “It’s like…Ms. Grant said. I do have to stay behind today, and I’d rather do something productive with my time.”
“I s-see.” But actually, she didn’t. Why was it that Minato had to stay behind and was he really going to tutor her today?
“I’ll leave you two then. Good luck, you guys!”
Minato slid into the seat next to her, and Aya’s stomach started cramping. It wasn’t exactly painful, but it did make her feel extremely odd and restless. Like she was about to sweat…even though the library’s air conditioning was in full blast. The scent of his aftershave teased her, and it was so hard not to inhale all of it into her system so she could take it home with her.
Oh gosh, was this really happening?
“So…” Minato’s arm brushed against hers as he reached for her notebook. It was like being struck by lightning, and she had to bite her lip hard to keep herself from gasping. His touch was electric, his heat consuming her so quickly that it left her feeling literally dazed for a few seconds.
Minato! Was! Next! To! Her!
She watched his long fingers flip the pages of her notebooks and tried so very hard not to imagine how those fingers would feel grazing her skin. One of the things she loved most about Minato was how he could make his strength look so beautiful and elegant at the same time. Most tall, big guys she saw in school tended to be clumsy and oafish when they weren’t playing sports. Minato, however, was different. His six-foot-three fame was sinewy strength displayed in fluid, graceful motion –
“Aya? Are you listening?”
And she had just revealed herself to be an idiot.
Aya hastily cleared her throat. “S-Sorry.” The word came out a little shrill, and Aya wanted to die. “What w-was that again?”
“I asked if it was okay if we started from scratch instead.”
She could only nod, no longer trusting herself to speak.
It was all business after that, and science suddenly became something Aya excelled in. Well…sort of. It usually took her friends and even her own science teacher to teach her the same thing ten times to get it, but with Minato, it took only (drum roll) three attempts!
“You’re not so bad,” Minato commented at the end of their lesson. When he saw Aya’s doubtful look, he then asked with a grin, “Was that too much?”
She could only nod, still trusting herself not to speak.
“Let me rephrase then. You’re not a lost cause,” he amended. “Is that better?”
She nodded again.
“I could teach you twice a week if you want.”
Aya’s eyes went wide. Was he for real?
Minato’s lips curved into an amused smile. “I feel like I’m talking to myself with you, but at the same time, I only need to look at your face and I can practically hear you in my mind. And yes, to answer your question – I wasn’t joking or anything.”
Aya still had a hard time believing what was happening. Was Minato really offering to tutor her twice a week? What did this mean? Did he pity her – or could it be that what Raven said was true? Could she be…oh my gosh, could she really be his crush?
“If it’s any help, you’re also doing me a favor.” She saw Minato’s glance slant towards the librarian, and as if sensing his regard, the older woman looked up, and the two exchanged the kind of smile that made Aya’s stomach start hurting again. But this time, it didn’t hurt in a nice way at all.
Minato liked Ms. Grant.
Everything suddenly made sense, and Aya’s hopes crumbled into ashes. The library was in Building B, and Minato had always acted a lot older and more mature for his age. Aya could’ve kicked herself. You’re such an idiot. How could you even think Minato would like someone like you when he could have someone like Karin Grant?
Age was just a number anyway, and Ms. Grant was beautiful and smart. The two of them made the perfect couple. A perfect, somewhat illegal couple, Aya couldn’t help thinking, which was probably why Minato had never uttered a word about the rumors.
Aya squared her shoulders. Oh well. At least she got to spend more time with Minato. And it was better this way, really. If by some miracle she and Minato were to start dating, it would only be a matter of time before he tired of her and dump her, and she didn’t think she could quite possibly survive having someone like Minato break her heart.
So yes, this was better, Aya told herself. She got to be with her crush, but Ms. Grant would also be there to serve as a constant reminder that Minato Wyndham could never be hers.
Aya cleared her throat. “If you’re sure I’m not imposing---”
“You’re not.”
“Then yes,” she said with a shy smile. “Please tutor me, Minato-sensei.” She could’ve sworn something deliciously forbidden flickered in Minato’s green gaze at her words, but it was gone so quickly that it might have been her imagination.
It had been almost like…lust.
But…
Nah.
Not possible.
Minato had Ms. Grant, after all.

Hope you're enjoying the story so far. I'm personally excited as well since I also have no way of knowing how things will change as I rewrite each chapter. Is it bad that I can't help but feel impatient as to when things can get a little more exciting and steamy between Minato and Aya??? > . <

It Started with a Secret 01.01

​Sacred Heart Academy’s bell rang at exactly ten-fifteen in the morning. It was finally recess, and although the break only lasted for fifteen minutes, Aya never tired of racing down four flights of stairs – and dragging her friends with her if possible – just to get to the cafeteria so she could…
“Don’t look now, but I just saw your Prince Charming heading this way,” Raven whispered with a naughty wink.
Aaaaaaaah. Aya’s inner sigh, if she could ever find the courage to let it out, would’ve scored her a fortune from any of the soda companies. It was so hard not to swoon whenever he was nearby, and it was even harder not to let all the other girls that she, ordinary Aya, was actually crushing on the Academy’s most popular heartthrob.
Aya had liked Minato since her first day in school. Just one look, and her heart hadn’t stopped going doki-doki whenever he was around. Love at first sight wasn’t real. Or so most people thought. But for Aya, it was real, and it had been what she felt for Minato ever since she first saw him. However, she also knew that hers was fated to be eternally one-sided. He was totally out of her league, and all the other girls wanted him. The most she could hope for was all these stolen, cherished glimpses –
In the corner of her eye, Aya saw Minato buy a can of soda from the vendo before heading out of the cafeteria. Most of the other girls actually sighed as he left, and Aya sighed with them – silently, of course.
“You’re so hopelessly in love with him,” Raven teased.
“Keep your tone down,” Aya hissed, looking around fearfully.
Her best friend simply shook her head. “You’re too paranoid.”
“I’m just being practical,” Aya argued.
“What you are is someone who needs more amour de soi and less amour propre.”
“Err…” Aya gave her friend a sheepish look. “English, please?”
“I’m saying you’re insecure because you pay too much attention to silly people’s opinions.”
Oh. Okay. “I get what you’re saying, but…I still think he’s way out of my league. Also---” Aya flashed Raven a grin. “How long do you think would it take for the whole school to realize that you’re the bigger nerd between us?” Aya only looked the part, unfortunately, but Raven was actually the brainy one between them.
“Mm…” Raven pretended to mull it over. “Maybe as long as it would take Minato to notice you?”
“Raven!” Aya nervously started looking over her shoulder again.
Raven rolled her eyes. “Oh for God’s sake, relax. No one’s going to know your little secret, okay?”
I hope so, Aya thought. Because things were going to be seriously bad if anyone else in school found out that a nerd like her would be foolish enough to like someone like Minato.
 
****
 
One hour later, and Aya’s head was literally buzzing with pain. Any subject that had to do with science always had that effect on her, and the pounding on her head only worsened as she stared down at her notes. How was it that she had written so much without understanding a single word of it?
The noise level inside the classroom picked up as soon as their science teacher stepped out. In this sense, the Academy operated differently from most other American schools, with each class of students occupying a single room for the duration of the year.
Raven peeked at Aya’s hastily written notes and burst out laughing. “Is that Arabic?”
“Might as well be,” Aya mumbled. How in the world was she going to pass Thursday’s quiz when she couldn’t understand her own notes?
While waiting for their teacher for the next period to arrive, Aya absently turned her gaze towards the windows, which faced the other half of the school. Sacred Heart Academy was divided into two buildings. “Regular” students were housed in Building B (which was where she was) while Advance students were in Building A.
If only I had super vision, Aya thought wistfully. She’d be able to see Minato then, which was what she so badly needed right now. One look at Minato, and she was pretty sure all her worries would fly away –
Raven’s elbow nudging into her side broke Aya out of her reveries. “Stop daydreaming about him.”
“I’m not,” Aya automatically denied even as her cheeks turned red.
“Yes, you are, and you need to stop it.” Raven pointed at her friend’s notebook. “You need to figure out how to pass Thursday’s quiz if you don’t want to get extra classes.” And just to be sure her friend understood what that meant, Raven added emphatically, “Extra classes mean you’ll get to see even less of Minato. You don’t want that, do you?”
A slightly shrill voice interrupted them before Aya could answer. “Raaaaaven!”
Cissy came up to them with a big smile. She was the typical mean girl: rich, pretty, cruel – and proud of it. “I have a party this Saturday.” She handed Raven a crisp white envelope like it was an invitation to Buckingham Palace. “I hope you can come.”
“Thanks for the invite, but I’m afraid Aya and I have plans that day.”
Cissy reluctantly turned to Aya. “You could both come.”
“That’s sooooo generous of you---” Raven’s voice was sweet and icy cold at the same time. “But like I said, we have plans.”
Raven pointedly turned her back on the other girl after that, and Aya tried not to wince as Cissy let out a forced giggle. “You’re so mean!”
Raven noticed the look on Aya’s face. “It’s her fault,” she grumbled defensively as soon as Cissy was out of earshot.
“She’s never going to be in the running for sainthood,” Aya allowed, “but you have to admit – she’s been nothing but nice to you.”
“Mi casa, tu casa, your enemy, my enemy,” Raven dismissed. “Now, enough about whatever-her-name-is---”
Aya choked back a laugh.
“---and let’s talk about where we’re going after school.”
 
****
 
Meanwhile at Building A…
 
“It’s a girl, isn’t it?”
Minato glanced away from the window, startled. “Excuse me?”
“You think I never notice you staring all the time at Building B?” Darren smirked. “And like I said - it's a girl. Right?”
Minato’s face became expressionless. “Of course not.”
“Ha! That poker face says everything, dude.” And before Minato could say another word, Darren turned away to address the rest of the class, yelling, “Listen up, everyone. Minato’s got a crush at someone from Building B. Any guesses?”

Hiya! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of Aya and Minato's story. I wrote (and finished) their three-book series back in 2007 (I was 25 years old then), which means you won't have to worry about loooooong waiting periods.
This book is similar to Drawn, Love You Again, and My Celebrity Boss in the sense that it's heavily influenced by my love for shoujo manga and all things Japanese.
Secondly, I wrote this back when I had ZERO experience writing steamy. Let's see if I can properly "tweak" the story in that sense. (P.S. All characters here are 18 and above)
Thirdly, I'm sharing this as a THANK YOU for staying with me all this time. Seriously - thank you!!! Next chapter out tomorrow. ;)
And that's it - feel free to comment your thoughts below. I love hearing from you guys!

SECRETS: MELODY ANNE'S BILLIONAIRE UNIVERSE NOVEL (KINDLE WORLDS)

New priorities have forced Vivian to spend significant time away from Italian billionaire Luca Valencia, but it doesn’t seem like Vivian’s powerful, gorgeous husband even notices her absence. Even worse, Luca’s beautiful ex-wife has suddenly returned to the picture and makes no effort to hide her intentions: Maria wants her family back – and she believes she has what it takes to be a better wife and mother than Vivian can ever be.
Pride forces Vivian to pretend she’s not hurting while love forces her to face the toughest question: is it right to fight for her marriage – even if she’s no longer sure that she’s what Luca and his little girl need to be happy? START READING TODAY.
​Please note that due to terms and conditions set by Kindle Worlds, this book will only be available in Amazon's US store. Please consider temporarily switching your non-US account to the US store in order to download the book. Thank you so much for your understanding!

MY RUSSIAN BEAST is now live!

Professionally accomplished but socially awkward, Fredericka Spears can’t ask for anything else in her life except for one thing – to know the pleasure of a man’s possession. The truth is, she’s tired of being a virgin. She’s tired of pleasuring herself while fantasizing about a man she can never have. 
A man who’s beautiful, powerful, and, well, six years younger--- 
Like she says: he’s a man she can’t ever have. 
To put an end to her agony and stupid fantasies, Fredericka decides to take a lover, but guess who volunteers for the job? 
The beautiful, powerful, and younger Russian billionaire Sergei Grachyov – also known as that man she can’t ever have. 

Start reading today.

Bookish gifts and giveaways

So, I prepared a little video that features some of my bookish gift ideas which I hope you'll find useful. If you watch it until the end, you'll also find out what I intend to give away as a THANK YOU GIFT to THE MOST AWESOME READERS EVER. 
That's you of course!
Anyway, without further ado...here's the video. ;) More info about the giveaway on my next newsletter, which should be out on the release day of My Russian Beast. :) If you haven't subscribed yet, you can still do so now by clicking this link. :) Until then!

Book Spotlight: Crushingly Close by Stella Torres

Hiya! My fellow romance author Stella Torres has an upcoming release, and I thought you guys might be interested in preordering it. Blurb At twenty-four years old, Agnes Escueta has risen from the ranks to become a producer for Sports Tonight. No one can touch her, it seems—not even crush-worthy anchorman Daniel Ferrer, who she gets to work with every single day. When a road trip to Indonesia throws Agnes and Daniel together, they find themselves working in close quarters. It doesn’t take long before Agnes finds herself being charmed by Daniel, and her defenses start to melt with his touch. With deadlines looming and a big game coming, Agnes must figure out how to let Daniel into her life without risking her professional reputation—and without breaking her own heart. Excerpt “Anything you want with your coffee?” Daniel said. “Cream?Sugar?”
My gaze fell on the containers of sugar and creamer that Daniel had taken out of the cupboard. “I thought you took your coffee black?”
“I thought I’d take them out for you.”
I may not swoon at the feet of Daniel Ferrer on command, but I wouldn’t deny that he was handsome. His hair was short enough to keep the emphasis on his almond eyes and sharp cheekbones. His skin had the kind of glow that came from running at the break of dawn, which he always talked about as part of his regular-day workout routine. And while he cut an impressive figure whenever he showed up in his suit and tie on-screen, the jeans and polo shirts that he wore to work showed off his lean muscles, especially in his arms and chest.
And his abs.
And his butt.
There, I’ve said it. Daniel Ferrer had a hot bod. But his body was beside the point. First and foremost, he was a co-worker, and co-workers weren’t supposed to think of each other that way.
Right? Right.
He smiled like he knew how his presence would affect me. “You look like you’ve got a lot of things on your mind.”
Of course I had a lot of things on my mind. We had a show to produce tonight, and a meeting in two hours about our trip to Jakarta for the football friendly between the Philippines and Indonesia. Not to mention the text messages that I wasn’t getting from my mother and brother…
“You make this face whenever you’re worried,” Daniel said.
“What face?”
He pointed to my mouth. “See that? Your lips curve downward when you press them together.”
“No, they don’t.”
“You’re making that face again.” He cocked his head to the side and leaned forward. “See? Your lips press hard, and your eyebrows scrunch in the middle of your forehead. Then your eyes go blank, like you’re spacing out.”
“I don’t space out.”
“Really? Then why haven’t you stirred any cream and sugar into your coffee?”
I looked down into my cup, and—just as Daniel said—my coffee was still black.
“It’s getting cold,” he said. “Here, have a spoon.”
Preorder Today.
​About the Author Stella Torres is the author of Save the Cake and the short story “Be Creative” from Kids These Days: Stories from Luna East Arts Academy (Vol. 1)). She has a bachelor’s degree in English literature and worked briefly in public relations, but has chosen to pursue her post-graduate studies in the field of education. She loves dark chocolate, hates flyaways, and is constantly in search of comfortable shoes.
Connect with the author:
Blog: http://thegreatbigjump.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/StellaTorresAuthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheStellaTorres
Instagram: http://instagram.com/stella_meimei

Because there's still hope.

It's been a pretty challenging month so far. A couple of weeks ago, a relative of mine (Filipino and Chinese families here in PH are typically close-knit, meaning uncles and aunts typically stand as your 'second parents' because you see them every day and they love their nephews and nieces like they were their own children) was diagnosed of cancer, and I took it pretty hard. I cried in the shower, and when I was asked to read the Responsorial Psalm during mass, I cried over the lines. With God's grace, the operation was successful, but it's still Stage 3 and my relative's to start chemotherapy anytime soon. We're hoping and praying that once treatment is completed, my relative will be declared cured or NED (no evidence of disease).
Today, I learned that my grandfather (he's actually the brother-in-law of my maternal grandmother, but like I said we're close knit, so we grew up with him) has also passed away.
Those are my personal tests, but even my work hasn't been spared from challenges. For several months now, I've been struggling with a 70% drop in sales, and it's something that other and even hugely popular authors are experiencing. I believe a lot of things contributes to this, but in the end I also know there's no point blaming anything or anyone for this. It is what it is, and I need to figure out a way to make it work. However, even knowing this, it hasn't stopped me from doubting myself and my "right" to continue doing what I love. It hasn't stopped me from feeling hopeless and afraid. What do I do if I can no longer "afford" to continue writing?  AND THEN THERE'S THE WORLD. The things that break my heart sometimes keep me up at night - what I worry the most is how I can still keep my loved ones happy, what more can I do to help others feel better - but I also know that what I'm facing is nothing compared to the challenges other people are facing.
Can you imagine how it feels to be born in Syria? It's like waking up every morning, knowing it can be your last, and feel this crippling helplessness because you know there's nothing you can do. You're powerless, no matter what.
Let's think about that.
Honestly, when I think about that, I feel ashamed for worrying over the little things. I feel like I should cry with joy instead, knowing that at least for now - despite the simmering tension between China and the Philippines - I live in a place that's safe from war. NOW,  MY EPIPHANY. Last Saturday (July 23), we attended mass (anticipated) so our gospel was actually for Sunday. I was tasked to read the First Reading, Genesis 18: 20-32. It's quite long, but bear with me, and please take the time to read it if you can.

20 Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous 21 that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.”
22 The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord.[a] 23 Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare[b] the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
26 The Lord said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”
27 Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, 28 what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five people?”
“If I find forty-five there,” he said, “I will not destroy it.”
29 Once again he spoke to him, “What if only forty are found there?”
He said, “For the sake of forty, I will not do it.”
30 Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?”
He answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
31 Abraham said, “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?”
He said, “For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.”
32 Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more.What if only ten can be found there?”
He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.”

Father Nick (the celebrator of our mass that time) says that this is the first and definite example of the power of intercessory prayer. 
Abraham interceding on behalf of the people of Sodom, and God listening to him neither should you allow yourself to believe that you are powerless. You are not. We are not. There's power in prayer, so pray for yourself, and don't feel ashamed to ask other people to pray for you and your loved ones.
If you have no one to pray for you, you can always ask your local pastor or priest to do this. Find a local church to join. You can also search online for prayer chain websites. I use this myself, and I sincerely believe it's one of the reasons why I am blessed with what I have.
I know this is totally out of the blue, but I also thought this was such an important epiphany I feel I should share it with all of you. I'll keep you guys in my prayers, and if you can, please keep me in your prayers, too. Let's pray for the world. Let's pray for all of us.
Because there's still hope.

PRINCE OF DARKNESS PART 2 IS NOW LIVE!

Forbidden. Foolish. Forever. 
These were the first words that came to Fawn Cornwall’s mind when she thought of the prince’s offer to become her lover behind her boyfriend’s back. 
Her boyfriend, who she had caught cheating on her. 
But if she said yes to the Prince of Darkness--- 
Fawn knew she would never be the same again. 
It would be everything or nothing at all. 
He would either love her…or break her. 
And one day…he did just that.

Now available at a limited-time introductory price of $2.99.  Regular price is $3.99.

the skeleton key series

Skeleton Key Book Series

One Skeleton Key. Endless Adventures.

https://skeletonkeybookseries.com

One magical key.

The turn of a lock.

An adventure of a lifetime.

The Skeleton Key finds those who are brave enough. Curious enough. Crazy enough. It only needs an unsuspecting hand and inconspicuous door. Magic uncoils and where the door leads, no one knows. The one way to discover the truth is to step through into a world of the exotic and untold.

If you dare to dream the impossible…

Prepare yourself.

Unlock the Skeleton Key adventures.

GAME MASTER by Scarlett Dawn"Forbidden love will change the rules." Amazon WARRIOR QUEEN by Shona Husk"To break the siege, he’ll break a law." Amazon Barnes&Noble iBooks Kobo SHADOW WINGS by JC Andrijeski"In a time of great darkness, can Ilana help an angel regain his wings?" Amazon Barnes&Noble iBooks Kobo ROYAL ENCHANTMENT by Lia Davis"A skeleton key unlocks a passage to a world of fae, mythical creatures, and a dark elfin King who will do anything to claim his bride." Amazon Barnes&Noble iBooks Kobo MECHANICAL HEARTS by Nicole Blanchard"Life and love are on the line and time is running out. Tick tock." Amazon ELFHAME by Anthea Sharp"A prince, a prophecy, and the young woman who holds the fate of a world in her hands." Amazon Barnes&Noble iBooks Kobo PRINCESS OF THE DAMNED by Wendy Knight"What do you do when the face in the mirror isn’t yours?" Amazon Barnes&Noble iBooks Kobo

THE AZURE KINGDOM by Michelle Dare"One key, one door, one man, one leap." Amazon Barnes&Noble iBooks Kobo

EUNICA by J. Rose Alexander"Her destiny was not in the shadow of death, but in the light of another life." Amazon Barnes&Noble iBooks Kobo

WHERE SLEEPING DRAGONS LIE by Cristina Rayne"Some doors can only be unlocked by the right hand..." Amazon Barnes&Noble iBooks Kobo

CURSE OF THE UNDEAD DRAGON KING by Konstanz Silverbow"A curse so powerful, not even true love’s kiss can break it." Amazon FATE OF ELEMENTS by M. Stratton"She was the key to uniting their world." Amazon THE ASSASSIN'S MARK by Sarah Mäkelä and Tavin Soren"An assassin becomes a protector as he enters a magical world…all for the woman in his dreams." Amazon SPELL SLINGER by K.N. Lee"An immortal dictator will soon meet his match, in a time-traveling sorceress with revenge in her soul." Amazon DARK FAE by Lillian Cartier"The most breathtaking love she's ever found may also bring her ultimate ruin and death." Amazon Barnes&Noble iBooks Kobo

HIS IMMORTAL KISS by Liliana Rhodes"He’s waited centuries for her." Amazon WITCHMATE by Renee George"When thief Emma Watson stumbles into an alternative world full of warring witches and werewolves, it sets her on a dangerous path that may lose her the only man she's ever wanted to love." Amazon INTO ELURIEN by Kate Sparkes"Sometimes you need to step into a fairy tale to find something real." Amazon Barnes&Noble iBooks Kobo MATE OF A DRAGON VILLAIN by Mandy Rosko"She wasn't supposed to fall for the bad guy..." Amazon Barnes&Noble iBooks Kobo STONEBOUND by Elle Thorne"One key, one man, one choice." Amazon Barnes&Noble iBooks Kobo MAGICAL ACTS by Michele Bardsley"Otherworldly to-do list: 1. Save mage. 2. Fall in love. 3. Avoid certain death." Amazon THE DEATH SEER by Tanis Kaige"Caught between life and death, her salvation can only be found in the boy who went missing twenty years ago." Amazon THIEF OF SANGUARDIA by Cherie Marks"One twist of the key will lead to her destiny." Amazon Barnes&Noble iBooks Kobo LOVE IN FANTASY by Elle Christensen"Twelve nights, twelve fantasies, twelve stories of true love. Or…is it only eleven?" Amazon ARMY OF THE WINTER COURT by Ali Winters"The heart and blood of life will give rise to the final army." Amazon ETERNAL NIGHT by Marian Tee"Will you come away with the Prince of Darkness if he asks you to?" Amazon UNLOCKING ADELINE by J.D. Hollyfield"She dreams of her happily ever after. He plans to destroy it." Amazon THE HAUNTED SULTAN by Gillian Zane"One night in New Orleans, a ghost tour, a handsome stranger, and the spirit of a Sultan long dead." Amazon Barnes&Noble iBooks Kobo

WHEN I LOVE (VASSI & SERI 3: RUSSIAN STEPBROTHER ROMANCE)

When I start to care, I stop thinking about myself. 
When I start to feel, I stop thinking about what’s right or wrong. 
But when I love, oh when I really love--- 
I give it my all, even if it means destroying myself in the process. 
And that’s what I exactly ended up doing for him. 
Vassi. 
The gorgeous Russian celebrity who’s also my steprother--- 
And now, he’s also the man who can’t bear the sight of me, the man who thinks I would sleep with anyone just for money. 
When I love, I will do everything for that person--- 
And I expect nothing in return.

START READING TODAY.
This book will be available on Barnes & Noble today but for a limited time only.