Every Tool S A Hammer

Evelyn Carter has always been the obedient daughter, sacrificing her dreams to keep her family afloat. But when her father strikes a desperate deal with the ruthless billionaire Adrian Blackwood, her life spirals out of her control. Trapped in an arranged marriage with a man as cold as the towering empire he rules, Evelyn must navigate a world of luxury, secrets, and hidden agendas. Adrian Blackwood has one goal: revenge. Marrying Evelyn is just a calculated move in his plan to destroy the man who ruined his family. Yet, Evelyn’s quiet strength and unyielding kindness begin to unravel the walls he’s spent years building. But Adrian isn’t the only one hiding secrets. As Evelyn digs into the past, she uncovers dangerous truths about her father, Adrian’s enemies, and a shadowy crime syndicate that threatens to destroy them both. Torn between duty and desire, betrayal and redemption, Evelyn and Adrian must decide if their fragile bond is worth risking everything—or if love is a luxury they can’t afford.

The night Enzo was made boss of the Moretti family, I gave him my virginity. He was the heir I'd been promised to since before I could speak. We kissed against the floor-to-ceiling windows, tangled in the humid, twilight heat... His rough, urgent hands hurt me, but I didn't pull away. Even the pain felt sacred, a sacrifice I was willing to make for love. Lost in the heat of the moment, he promised me a pair of the most beautiful crystal shoes, so I could dance the opening waltz with him at his coronation ceremony the next day. The first dance is always reserved for the new boss and his future bride. I cried with joy, believing my years of secret pining and patient waiting would finally culminate in a fairytale ending. But I was wrong. So terribly wrong. The next morning, I dragged my aching body out to get his favorite espresso, only to overhear the guys joking as I returned: "So you finally popped the family cherry, huh? How was Vivian on your first night as boss?" Enzo's voice was lazy, mocking. "Face of an angel, body of a devil. She's a hot little viper in bed." The room erupted in sleazy whistles. "So, you really gonna marry her, young boss?" "Are you kidding me?" Enzo scoffed. "Vivian's just a warm-up. Once I get some practice in, I'll go tame the Falcone ice princess. When I get bored, I can always circle back and put a ring on her." I stood frozen in the doorway, my vision blurring, the coffee cup trembling in my hand. Before the world faded to black, I sent a coded message to the Don: "Uncle Romano, for the promotion in three days, get me a transfer. As far away from Enzo as possible."

Alexandria Rivers is the daughter to the Beta of the Green Wood pack. Her mate, Mason Jackson, was the future Alpha of the pack. She goes to visit her Aunt in another pack, The Demoncrest Pack, and comes face to face with the unexpected.

It happened on Thanksgiving Day. I was on my way to my girlfriend's house when a car slammed straight into mine. The road was deserted, not a single person was around. The doors were jammed shut from the impact, and flames were licking toward the engine. I fumbled for the safety hammer, only to find that someone had replaced it with a toy hammer shaped like a cartoon bear. Panicking, I called my girlfriend. But before she could even pick up, her ringtone started playing from the car that had just hit me. Luna Hill stepped out, hand in hand with her childhood sweetheart, Julian Ford. Julian put on a show of alarm. "Oh no, I'm such an idiot! My first time driving, and I already hit a car." When Luna saw that it was me in the crushed car, she quickly tried to calm him down. "It's fine. He probably did it on purpose." I pounded on the window, shouting for her. "Luna, the safety hammer's been switched out! Please, help me get out!" Julian burst into a grin. "Sebastian, that was me! The little bear hammer's adorable, isn't it?" Luna's face twisted in disgust. "You're fine. Stop being dramatic. Figure it out yourself." Thick smoke was billowing inside the car, and it was about to explode. I begged her to get me out. Julian chuckled. "Sebastian, are you cooking in there or what? That smoke's killing me!" He patted his stomach and said with a laugh, "Man, I'm starving. Luna, let's go home and eat." Luna hooked her arm through his and tossed a parting line over her shoulder. "Enough already. My parents are waiting for us to start dinner." Just as I was about to pass out from the smoke, I slammed my hand on the car's emergency button.

"So.... what would you like tonight to be?" Jasmine asked. Collins paused to consider. His eyes beamed a speculative challenge as he answered, "Whatever two strangers want to make of it." "Without a tomorrow." "Tomorrow I'm gone." Well, that was laying it on the line! "Then I'll just take this one-night experience with the man behind the name," she countered, pride insisting that his schedule did not affect her expectations from this blind date, which had been zero before she met him anyway. Sexual invitation simmered back at her. "I wonder if you will." ______ It was passion at first sight... Jasmine's blind date with Collins Templeton, a notoriously charming  tycoon, was the last thing she needed And more than a one-night stand... The second they met, Jasmine recognized sexual challenge in Collins eyes. Their date led to one unforgettable night - with consequences that would change their lives forever...

So . . . what am I told? A familiar small town. A wrathful, metamorphic killer with supernatural abilities. A young girl whose time has come—angel of life, and death—is the only one who can stop his unspeakable deeds. Katie Franklin has turned twenty-one at last, and been released from the Ransom Sanitarium. And hell has been released with her. Now it’s back to the Val, where monsters are real . . . Something evil is stalking the shadows of Blackwater Val, and it wants lifeblood and flesh. What she finds waiting in the unhallowed darkness there will forever haunt her—and you. Return with her if you dare. To see the dead children. Feel their torment. To face the old terror. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing