once bitten twice shy

Ryker Hartley, a young man embroiled with a crime boss to claim a hidden treasure. Would fleeing be his only option in this uncertain journey? Or would he challenge his destiny against all odds? ********** A once easy-going boy turned the beastly version of himself, feared by all. With a past that has left a scar on his mind, the most cherished of all his memories has turned out to be an unfairly large grieving package for him. With an unchecked bitterness, and oblivious of an inescapable fate trapped in times, awaiting the moment to descend, he roamed, but with animosity and undue misanthropy. Ryker has closed himself off to the world, he's not one to forgive the most trivial atrocities against him, but when a frenemy manages to break through his defenses, Ryker's integrity is put to the test in ways he never thought possible. As secrets are exposed and alliances are formed, Ryker's life takes a dramatic turn as he becomes a celebrity. Will he rise to the challenge or crumble under the weight of his past? . . . . Find out in this action-packed and thrilling novel that takes a deep dive into the complexities of human nature. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PS: The image is not mine, I got it from Pinterest and then, do the editing. Owner >> Cody Garrett Hatcher

Book 2 of the Dragon Lord Series. (Can be read as standalones, but better yet read the first book so you can have a better understanding of the book’s storyline) Everything was taken away from me, my wife, my son, the few people I care about were all stripped away from my grip. I lost them all. I lost everything, my world was turned upside down. Yet my enemies lived, they doubled and craved nothing more than my downfall, my permanent demise. However, I promise to rise once again and regain my strength, assert my dominion and make them all pay. I will take and have back everything that I have lost. My name is Avon Barksdale. They’re going to come back for me, to usurp my dominance, and to cease the existence of my loved ones. I don’t plan on just giving them a hard time, I intend to give them their hardest time. Because, I’m going to protect what is mine, and mop the ground with those that seek to harm them.

After being heartbroken by his former partner, Clinton found himself in a state of despair, believing that his life was on the brink of collapse. Numerous individuals began treating him poorly, dehumanizing him and ensuring that he felt worthless. However, a sudden phone call would forever alter the course of his life. "I am pleased to inform you that I have transferred $100,000,000 to you. Congratulations, as your previously impoverished life has now come to an end." Clinton's now have all the money in the world! "All those who once trampled on me will regret!!"

May 14, 1945. Work carried out by the Third Reich was brought to light and made it possible to reveal a secret buried for too long: humanity was not alone on Earth. From this discovery were born protest movements against races that had just come out of the shadows. Fifteen years after the capitulation of Germany and its allies, the outbreak of World War III once again plunged the whole world into chaos. Twenty years later, the period that survivors renamed Dark Silence ended hostilities. In 1983, an agreement was established between human governments and nonhuman rulers. All beings endowed with intelligence created Cicerone, in order to maintain and guarantee interspecific peace. The future was assured, and in everyone was born the desire to move forward, forgetting the grudges of the past. Unfortunately, the bitterness never completely dies, and within the nascent rebellions reappears a prophecy, which can overthrow the powerful of this world. One of them wants more than anything to get his hands on this legend, before others seize it before him. He is capable of all madness to avoid his fall, even if it means pushing his prey to its last entrenchments, until it loses a part of her... and steals a piece of her soul.

Erland Beardsley, a demon in disguise and living in wizard territory. Erland uncovers the disappearance of high-level witches which is used as the summoning of the spirit of Juliana, the fairy who sealed Casey in Drake's hill. Casey, the demon who once destroyed the land of Monesta, after tricking and marrying Juliana. Erland is also involved in the battle with wizards, fairies and dragon groups to kill Casey who will soon emerge from the veil of broken magic. However, during the trip. Erland realized that many demons had fled from the territory and joined the other witches to live. They messed up the Monesta country, making Erland get rid of them without mercy. But, can Erland also get rid of Casey? A father who washed Erland as a baby before being sealed by Juliana, his wife. Cover free by Canva

Delaney Huang is about to embark on her greatest journey yet. Her mother has died and her uncle can no longer take care of her anymore, forcing her to leave and find her own path in life after seventeen years of depending on others. But her new life is more than she asked for… Thrown into the kingdom of the Faeries, Delaney learns that her missing father was once a friend to the king of these magical lands. Keeping his promise to his friend, Lucian Xanthias, keeps Delaney in his lands and away from the Half Blood hunters. But his heart is not all too pure when accepting Delaney into his court. Breaking Delaney’s lost father’s promise, Lucian places her in a match of death to prove to him and his court that she has what it takes to join the Crown. Will Delaney be able to conquer all the mind twists, betrayals, forbidden romances, walking nightmares, and trials set before her? Or will she crumble in the hands of a forgotten promise?

In a distant realm, the once glorious kingdom of Plenaria has fallen into oblivion, leaving behind only legends and murky history. No one remembers its splendor, its treasures, or its noble rulers. However, a young historian named Arwen believes that there is more to Plenaria than meets the eye. Driven by her insatiable curiosity and a passion for uncovering hidden truths, Arwen embarks on a perilous journey to unveil the secrets of the forgotten kingdom. Armed with sketchbooks, faded maps, and inspiring stories from ancient texts, she sets off on a quest to find any remnants of Plenaria that may still exist. As Arwen delves deeper into her investigation, she encounters a group of rebels who call themselves the Guardians of Plenaria. These rebels are determined to restore the kingdom to its former glory and protect its legacy from being forever lost. Seeing the determination and potential in Arwen, they take her under their wing and guide her through treacherous terrains and forbidden territories. Together, Arwen and the Guardians embark on a breathtaking adventure filled with hidden passageways, magical creatures, and ancient relics. However, their journey is not without challenges. A formidable enemy, the ruthless Lord Aldric, seeks to extinguish any remnants of Plenaria's existence. With his dark forces closing in, Arwen and the Guardians must race against time to unlock the kingdom's ultimate secret—a secret that might just hold the key to restoring Plenaria and saving it from eternal oblivion. "The Forgotten Kingdom" weaves a captivating tapestry of adventure, self-discovery, and the power of remembering. With each step closer to unlocking Plenaria's secrets, Arwen not only learns about the kingdom's past but also discovers her own strength and resilience. Alongside her newfound allies, she must strive to restore her kingdom

The year **** civilization has been reformed in a way to maximize economic production. It was called the Golden Civilization. However that was just the front, the world was divided into two areas, the Destitutes and Humans, and the humans had class, splitting into various factions bearing code numbers that were assigned to them once they were born, a world where everyone knew their limits and can never cross a boundary beyond their ability, promotions, and housing is only possible if you have a breakthrough. On the other hand, the Destitutes were an unwelcome species that inhabited the earth, looked like humans, and yet fed on humans. The government saw this as a problem and decided to train men and women to fight for their planet, hence ALAB was founded. Academic Labyrinth for Ability Beat (ALAB) University is a school where humans are trained to maximize their abilities. Behind its prestige lies the dark brink that was accidentally unveiled. Annually, the students compete, not only academically but also in performance level, to replace any of the Elite Five. This year, Ande has gotten to the age to enroll in ALAB, unaware of what lies beneath, however, he is unlucky because a new course has begun, the current Elite Five's nightmare is just about to start as the ALAB University forces them to become experimental subjects of "The Elite Game." Can the Elite Five succeed in escaping from the dark brink of ALAB University or will no one among the five of them survive?

The world witnessed a groundbreaking invention that shattered the boundaries of gaming as they knew it. The "DivePod X," a marvel innovation from ISRI, promised an unparalleled level of immersion. It was the pinnacle of technology, capable of transporting players into the Hyper Virtual Reality MMORPG known as Titan's Advent. For Luca Angeles, a former professional Esports player turned office worker, gaming had become a distant memory. The competitive world he once dominated had faded into the background of his life. But when a life-changing opportunity came knocking on his door, he found himself drawn back into the realm he had once thrived. The allure of a second reality, where the line between the tangible and the virtual blurred. In this land of ethereal magic, untold mysteries, thrilling adventures, and lurking dangers, players could become anything they desired. Humans, orcs, fairies, gnomes, and countless other races coexisted on a planet blessed by the supernatural. With powers beyond his wildest dreams, Luca embarked on a journey that surpassed their wildest imaginations. The lush landscapes of Ethoria unfolded before him. Towering mountains, shimmering lakes, and dense forests beckoned with their secrets, waiting to be discovered. However, as Luca delved deeper into this fantastical world, he soon realized that darkness lurked beneath the surface. Luca must defy the odds, his determination burning like a flame in his chest, refusing to let his lack of magical abilities define him. With unwavering resolve, Luca set out to prove that he could rise to the top of Titan's Advent, even without the gift of magic.

A few reporters gathered at the carnival of a newly formed kingdom. They started asking the citizens a few questions about their new King. Reporter: What do you think about your new King? Person A: He is a crazy man. Person B: He is a... maniac. Person C: He is a family man. At once everyone around them looked at the Person C as if he had gone crazy. Person C cleared his throat: Well, what I heard is that he wouldn't go crazy until no one speaks a word against his babies. He loves them so much. Everyone thought for a whole two seconds and nodded their heads. Reporter: So, your King has babies? Can you tell us about them? What about your Queen? Person A: They are weird. She is too. Person B: They are... monsters. She is a... Tree. Person C: They are cute and adorable. She is too. Once again everyone around looked at the Person C as if he had gone crazy. He once again cleared his throat: Well, if you want to survive in this kingdom, even if you know what they are, you have to say that they are cute and adorable. Once again everyone nodded their heads after thinking for two seconds. The reporters are confused by their answers. A human and a tree gave birth to monsters? What are they talking about? After asking around for a while, they got the answer: The hate in their King's heart makes the Monster tree grow. At the end of the Carnival the reporters got another news. Person A and B were killed by their King while Person C got a reward from him. Reporters: He really is a Manic tyrant.