recent pulitzer prize winners fiction

To escape a poisonous snake, Milo Hartley must beg a lion to save him. “Milo, crawl here. Show him who you belong to!” _Nero Hartley “Well, stay still. Be a big boy, for once. Tell him who you will choose.” _Salvatore Portello, looking at Milo, who sat on his lap, his large hand gripping Milo’s hip possessively. *** Milo is cursed. Since he was seven years old, he has seen the exact day people will die. After his family died in an accident he predicted, he was sold to the Hartley family as an omen of bad luck. For thirteen years, he lived as a toy for the sadistic Nero Hartley, enduring constant humiliation. Now, Nero is trading him to Salvatore Portello, a ruthless Mafia boss who just killed his own uncle to take the throne. To escape Nero’s obsession, Milo risks everything. He kneels before Salvatore and begs for protection. Milo doesn’t know which is more dangerous: the snake or the lion. But now, both have claimed him. One with a dark obsession, the other with a lethal protection. ⚠️ Warning ⚠️ What to expect: -R18+ -Graphic violence and humiliation in the early chapters and recur throughout the story. -Sweet and dark romance between our leads. -Kink: BDSM play mostly consensual. -Smut, explicit adult content that is part to the plot.

[Mature Content] Pollyanna, haunted by her father's mysterious suicide and the rumors of a family curse, faces strange encounter in Dunecliff city. After a disillusioning relationship, she doubts true love exists, until mysterious messages and near-death experiences disrupt her life. When her ex-fiance is murdered, Pollyanna seeks solace in her hometown, Aleyska, only to uncover her father's hidden secrets. As she grapples with her newfound identity as part of a "pack" and the enigmatic title of "Luna," it was confirmed that she indeed has no Luna wolf. In the midst of making the public announcement, Pollyanna is confronted by a stranger with a chilling claim. "Get her bags," a commanding voice pierces the air, freezing Pollyanna in shock. "I'm here to collect my mate." Mate? Pollyanna's world spins as she faces the unsettling prospect of multiple Alphas vying for her allegiance. How did her life spiral into such uncertainty?

Luna, the daughter of the most prideful king in the entire empire, is the ideal woman, the beautiful decoration that all noble women should strive to be. And secretly, she is also the perfect man, devoted completely to the sword and the defense of her kingdom, masquerading as the king's only son so that she can learn the masculine arts, when in fact she has no siblings. However, her entire life is upended when the emperor's son finds his way to their little corner of the world, and she ends up lost in an entirely new political scene that makes what was in her hometown considered the epitome of manners look like a crude imitation. With wolves surrounding her, both literally and figuratively, Luna must either fight to the top or sink to obscurity. And it all depends on the whims of one single man. That is, until she begins to discover her true purpose...

The MTV Video Music Awards 2024 are set to take center stage in New York City, and the anticipation is palpable. With music industry heavyweights and fresh faces alike competing for glory, the night promises high drama and unforgettable moments. Lila Monroe is a burgeoning pop star with her eyes set on winning Best New Artist. Having spent years honing her craft, this is her chance to break into the mainstream spotlight. As she navigates the excitement of her first major award show, she faces the pressures of her own expectations and the fierce competition from her rival, Aurora Vale, a charismatic performer with a controversial past. Jackson Rivers, an acclaimed music producer, is nominated in several categories for his innovative work with various artists. While he enjoys the recognition, he also grapples with the challenges of maintaining his reputation amidst fierce industry competition and an old feud with a once-close colleague who’s now vying for the same accolades. Zoe Kim, a respected music journalist, is on assignment to cover the event. As she interviews stars and reports on the night’s happenings, she begins to notice inconsistencies and whispers of controversy surrounding the awards. Her investigative instincts lead her to uncover a subplot of potential misconduct that could undermine the night’s festivities. When a key envelope goes missing—one containing the winner’s name for Best New Artist—the event takes an unexpected turn. Amid the chaos, Lila’s dreams hang in the balance, Jackson faces scrutiny, and Zoe’s pursuit of the truth could alter the outcome of the awards. VMA Winners 2024 offers an inside look into the high-stakes world of music awards, exploring the complexities behind the glitz and glamour. Through personal ambitions, industry rivalries, and the pursuit of truth, this novel delves into the real stories behind the headlines, showing that the path to success is often as tumultuous as it is rewarding.

Erus has royal blood, but his own father treats him like a monster. To the King, Erus is just a savage creature who needs to be controlled. The people also branded him Tyrant. Growing up hated and alone, Erus only wanted one thing, a place where he truly belonged. ​To prove himself, he entered a deadly trial where the winner earns a title and a spot serving the King. He was even desperate enough to try making a deal with the God of Death just to win. But then Cana showed up and completely changed his path. Instead of a dark pact with the underworld, an accidental "Master-Slave" contract bound them together. Erus is the Master and Cana is the servant, but their connection is way deeper than a simple spell. ​As they fight through the trial, Erus realizes he isn't the only one with terrifying power—Cana’s abilities might actually be stronger than his. They share a bond that goes back to a past someone tried desperately to bury. Now, they have to survive a trial designed to kill them while facing enemies who are just hiding behind their own fear. ​In the end, what’s more important: the title that was stripped away, or the memories that were erased to keep the truth hidden?

It was common knowledge that the Ci family was full of useless individuals. Mr. Ci had taken over the family business, but he did not even have an heir that he could pass the business down to. The young masters of the Ci family expressed repeatedly, "We don't want to take over the family business. We just want to eat, enjoy ourselves, and live out the rest of our days." The only daughter of the family, "Dad, as long as I use the company as my dowry, my Prince Charming will marry me!" Mr. Ci's unfilial children almost exasperated him to death. Until one day, all his children straightened themselves out and saw the error of their ways— The eldest son became a business elite, the second son became a popular live streamer with countless followers, the third son aspired to be a master chef, and the youngest son became obsessed with learning, unable to extricate himself. The youngest daughter, who used have eyes only for her male idol, suddenly changed. Not only did she stop pursuing her Prince Charming, but her four brothers also doted on her. The youngest daughter said, "Dating is meaningless. As long as my brothers treat me well, that's good enough." A certain elegant man lightly tugged at the corner of her shirt. "Suisui, come with me. They don't treat you as well as I will…"

Sick of the city life, Qi Fan returns to his hometown island and ends up with an Island Management System. He starts with a special prize that helps him not only to have underwater night vision and breathing, but he also attracts ocean life. In the day, he takes a boat out to catch lobsters and fish marlins. At night, he dives into the deep sea to search for mysterious treasures. On the weekend, he takes a fishing boat far out to tease the turtles and look for blue whales. Once he’s earned enough, he’ll make his hometown rich by developing a holiday resort city. The beaches would be full of tourists enjoying the sun, sand, and bikinis…

Ava Sinclair has won a prize. She is to be escorted across the known half of the world by a ranger, a rover, and an inspector of the Department of Lost and Found. What should have been an ecological survey meant to broaden her understanding instead exposes the systems that decide what is protected, what is exploited, and what is quietly erased. In a world governed by resonance, authority is enforced by paperwork as often as violence — and survival depends on knowing which rules matter, and who enforces them. The first two rules of resonant ecology are simple: Watch your step. Watch who is watching your step. A bureaucratic / institutional fantasy focused on character, consequence, and slow-burn revelation. New chapters every Thursday. This story can also be found on ScribbleHub, SpaceBattles, and SufficientVelocity.

--- # IN RECENT TIMES ## Synopsis Three powerful rulers once governed three realms in peace — until one accidentally released Inferath, a demon dragon sealed away for three hundred years. Inferath conquered all three realms and appointed Zakirir as his Demon King. When Princess Havilah rose against them, she was defeated — but with her last breath she delivered a prophecy: *"Await my return. In recent times."* Thirty years later, an ordinary college student named Avery is drawn into this broken world through a magical book by her librarian Mrs. Helena. Posing as a palace maid, she catches the attention of Prince Harris — Zakirir's own son, who secretly despises everything his father represents. With Harris quietly helping her from the inside, Avery frees three of Havilah's former councillors from the palace dungeon, discovers she carries Havilah's power within her, and escapes the palace before Zakirir can stop her. Guided north to Brightwater — Havilah's realm, which was hidden rather than destroyed — Avery finds Havilah's sword waiting for her and the realm's people emerging from thirty years of hiding. But Zakirir sends a skilled hunter named Soren to stop her from reaching the second realm. Soren finds her — and chooses her side instead. With Havilah's sword, a growing power she is still learning to control, three loyal elders, a conflicted prince, and a reformed hunter beside her, Avery must restore all three realms, defeat Zakirir, and fulfill a prophecy thirty years in the making. ---

Katelyn has always been a proud and pampered princess. She grew up sheltered and doted on by her parents, never knowing the dangers that existed her small family life. In a twist of fate, she finds herself faced with an intimidating yet attractive man and path wrought with hardships she never could have prepared herself for. Will she fight for her freedom or will she fall under his rule and learn sometimes love can find you even in the darkest and most unsuspecting places? You can expect from this novel: mature content, possible violence, explicit language. ___________________________ temporarily putting this on pause as my time is currently allowing me to only work on one novel. I will return to this once my other is finished so please continue to watch for updates. Panda