haven and hearth

[My WSA 2024 Entry novel! Please vote] Sanctuary—a word that conjures visions of peace, protection, and unyielding safety. But what truly defines a place as a sanctuary? Can any refuge withstand the relentless forces of destruction, or does it take something more—a spirit of defiance and hope? For Ruseigner and Mae Yakane, renowned wildlife conservationists and environmentalists, the word became their life's mission. As the march of human progress devoured the natural world, the Yakanes spearheaded a monumental effort to carve out a haven for the threatened wildlife and ecosystems they cherished. With global support, they set out to create a sanctuary—a symbol of hope in a world teetering on the brink of environmental collapse. But fate is a cruel architect. Just as their dream took shape, tragedy struck. Ruseigner and Mae were lost, leaving their vision unfinished. Their son, Froja Yakane, inherited not just their legacy but the weight of their unfulfilled promise. At just 19, Froja’s life was stolen by an assassin’s hand. In his final breath, he vowed to seize any chance at redemption—to be stronger, bolder, and more relentless in pursuing his parents’ dream. And fate, for once, showed mercy. Reborn in a parallel world, Froja becomes Canna—a young man with a second chance to build the sanctuary his parents envisioned. But this world is far from welcoming. As Canna traverses lands filled with strange races and uncharted territories, he faces challenges that test his resolve and his belief in the very concept of sanctuary. Enemies, both seen and unseen, conspire to crush his efforts, but in the darkest of moments, Canna finds allies in the most unexpected places. Through trials of strength, cunning, and heart, Canna learns that a true sanctuary isn’t just a place—it’s a beacon of hope, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a defiance against the forces of chaos. Will Canna succeed in creating the sanctuary his parents dreamed of, or will he be consumed by the perils of this new world? In a tale of courage, transformation, and unwavering determination, Canna’s journey will reveal the true meaning of sanctuary—and the price one must pay to protect it.

Yin Xinya’s death was such a cosmic joke that he got a second chance to do it again. In the past, his life and death were a tragic mess, but he swears this time everything will change. Watch as Xinya becomes the most coveted person in Haven Online. [Why are you learning cooking? It's a waste of skill points.] [Your learning potions?! Are you daft? There's no point in doing that.] [Why did you pick that trash class? You will never make it in this game.] Xinya ignored everyone. With a knowing smile, he paid them no mind because he knew they would eat their words soon.

She died once at the end of the world. This time, she'll own it before it even begins. Evelyn Shen has lived through hell twice. In her first life, she survived eight brutal years of the apocalypse—building a sanctuary from nothing, leading hundreds through starvation and endless waves of the undead, only to be betrayed by the people she loved most. Her husband sold her out. Her cousin orchestrated her death. And as a Zombie Lord tore through her walls, Evelyn made one final, impossible choice: she activated a forbidden System protocol and rewound time itself. Now, she's back. Seventy-three days before the Descent Mist—the mysterious global phenomenon that will shatter civilization, awaken terrifying powers in humanity, and birth legions of the undead—Evelyn opens her eyes in her old apartment, surrounded by a family that has no idea what's coming. But she does. She remembers every mutation. Every betrayal. Every mile of scorched earth. And this time, she won't wait for the world to burn. Armed with fragmented memories, a multi-dimensional Survival System that offers quests, growth mechanics, and access to other worlds, and the cold determination of someone who's already lost everything, Evelyn begins her preparation in secret. She buys remote land in the countryside. She stockpiles resources. She reaches out to the allies—and rivals—she once knew, planting seeds of influence before the chaos begins. She will build Last Light Valley, a fortress in the wilderness where her family and chosen few can survive what's coming. She will awaken her powers early: Plant Manipulation to grow food in poisoned soil, Spatial Compression to store the unstoppable, and Temporal Echo to see death before it strikes. And when the Mist finally descends, she will not be a victim scrambling for safety. She will be a queen ready to rule the ashes. But the apocalypse is not a script to be rewritten so easily. Her cousin Claire—ambitious, charming, and ruthless—awakens a terrifying ability to siphon energy from the living and the dead, building her own empire in the ruins of the city. The Zombie Lords, intelligent undead with powers that rival gods, are evolving faster than before. And her husband Alex, the man who once betrayed her, is still the man she loves—for now. Evelyn must navigate impossible choices: Who to save, and who to leave behind. How much of her future knowledge to reveal without sounding insane. Whether the System guiding her is salvation—or something far more dangerous. And whether she can prevent the betrayals of her first life, or if tragedy is woven into the people she loves. As she builds her base, recruits specialists, trades with other apocalyptic worlds through the System's Multiverse Module, and trains her children to survive in a world gone feral, one truth becomes clear: The apocalypse is inevitable. But who rules it is not. Evelyn Shen died a victim once. This time, she will be the architect of humanity's last hope—or its most dangerous warlord. Because in a world where the dead rise and the Mist rewrites the rules of reality, the only way to protect the ones you love is to make sure no one—living, dead, or worse—ever dares to take them from you again.

After years of yearning, Ain awakens his innate talent during the Spirit Awakening Ceremony. Moreover, amidst his celebration, his innate talent mysteriously mutates! Follow Ain’s fascinating journey alongside his spirit pets as they delve into the captivating world of spirit tamers, where they’ll encounter fierce spirit beasts, discover extraordinary resources, obtain wondrous skills and spells, and uncover the world’s profound secrets. Will Ain reign supreme over all realms and be crowned Sovereign? You have the chance to find out! Forsaken Haven has been discontinued and rebooted as Epoch of the Wisdom King. (Only on Royal Road and Scribble Hub)

Hikaru wants to propose to his classmate Akari, but in the country of Chipon things are not as they seem, strange disappearances are happening in the country which will turbulently affect the relationships of these two young people.

A Saga of Steel, Survival, and Uninhibited Passion. ​The Vow: Elena Solis is a woman of iron will and golden warmth. Tired of the rot and restrictions of the civilized south, she has claimed a ruined manor in the savage Aethelgard North. Her goal is simple: build a kingdom from the dirt, stone by stone, and live a life where she answers to no one. But the frontier is a cruel master, and a woman alone is a target. ​The Shield: Kaelen Vance was a legendary Captain of the Guard until he chose his soul over his King. Now a disgraced knight with no land and no honor, he wanders the North with a heavy sword and a dark past. When he finds Elena, he doesn't find a damsel in distress—he finds a goddess of the earth who needs a shield. He vows to defend her hearth, but his true hunger is to claim the woman who owns it. ​The Fire: As the walls of the manor rise, so does an undeniable, primal heat. Elena is a woman of vast, uninhibited needs, and Kaelen is a man built to satisfy them. From the heavy labor of the day to the graphic, sweat-slicked nights by the fire, their bond is forged in the rawest of pleasures. But with a dangerous merchant queen like Isolde watching from the shadows and the King’s vengeance looming on the horizon, the sanctuary they’ve built may be tested by blood and fire. ​What to Expect: ​A Powerhouse Heroine: Strong, fit, and unapologetically bisexual. ​The Ultimate Protector: A massive, scarred, and possessive Knight. ​Hardcore World-Building: Watch the manor grow from ruins to a fortress. ​Extreme Heat: Very graphic, explicit, and uninhibited sex scenes with raw language and intense 18+ content. ​A Long-Term Saga: A massive story designed for growth, legacy, and passion. ​"I didn't want a man's hearth. I wanted my own. And I found the man strong enough to help me burn it down."

Once hailed as the greatest adventurer, you vanquished the world’s ultimate evil and stood at the pinnacle of glory. Yet, without a greater challenge, life felt hollow. Upon returning to the orphanage that once nurtured you, you found it in shambles, on the brink of destruction. Determined to give the next generation a chance you almost never had, you chose a new path—not one of battle, but of guidance and legacy. The orphanage you saved didn’t just survive—it became the foundation for the Elysium Academy, a beacon of hope that groomed the next generation of leaders, adventurers, and scholars. Along the way, you faced countless trials: rival factions, political schemes, and even the doubts of the very children you swore to help. But through patience, resilience, and selfless action, you earned their trust and inspired a movement that reshaped the world.

Laurel Eldergrove, the unassuming herbalist of Willowmere, spends her days gathering enchanted herbs and brewing sleepytime teas. Surrounded by gnarled willows and misty meadows, she tends to her village’s needs with gentle magic and good humor. Each morning brings a new, low-stakes mystery — a talking cat with a toothache, a garden that swapped its flowers overnight, or a friendly ghost seeking advice on houseplants. With cozy charm and a dash of whimsy, Laurel discovers that even the smallest spells can bring warmth and laughter to the mundane.

Cursed by God and then by a vengeful witch, Damien Dark, a 2,000-year-old vampire, walks the earth with a soul that torments him with endless sorrow and isolation. Once a Roman centurion, his act of piercing Jesus on the cross condemned him to immortality, only for a second curse to bind a soul to his undead form, forcing him to protect humanity while being hunted by those he loves. Now, in 2026, as the head of a global security empire, Damien uses his ancient powers to stalk the shadows of New York City, a silent guardian against the wicked. But with every act of protection, the witch's curse ensures he remains a pariah, forever caught between his monstrous nature and his yearning for redemption. Can a soul forged in damnation ever find peace, or is Damien destined to be eternally hunted by the very people he saves?

Before the world burned, there were three... The King of Slayers The Child of War And The Savior Who Never Was. History called them killers. Tyrants. Monsters. The ones who brought the end. But what if history lied? King of Slayers: “I am Victor Zefar, King of the Slayers. I come to you as judge and executioner. Eleven years ago, I met the woman you called queen. I helped her while knowing why you sent her.” She had been sold to me as a slave, sent as an assassin, but my truth set her free. When she realized I knew her mission, she never begged for herself. No… she begged for you. “She begged me to spare you disgusting savages — traitors — demons in human flesh! How did you repay her? How did you reward her loyalty? Tell me, people of Oma… how did your queen die?” Child of War: “I hid in the den of snakes, awaiting the monster who killed Father. He had waged war on my people and won. He loved to claim all that lived. He especially wanted Mother. Only death freed her from his grasp. Now he was after me. I had one mission: kill the monster, or die trying.” Savior Who Never Was: “I lived among the Immortals for a millennia. I was told tales of humanity’s salvation but watched them destroy each other every century. One tyrant in particular was granted blessing and power from the Heavens themselves. I watched him end a race and walk away with their prince,  a mere child — as his trophy. I dared to defy Paradise to get to Earth. I had to end that tyrant’s reign even if my home and people: Haven and the Immortals, were against interfering. What would happen if I left without their consent? Would they fight me? Could they stop me? Well… only the Spirit behind Adam's eyes knows the truth. Was I ever home, or in prison?”