the gilded tongues and barbed smiles

"You will suffice." That's what something whispered in Raizen's mind before a Nyx dissolved into shining ashes at his feet — right after it slaughtered everyone he ever had. He doesn't know what he's "sufficient" for, what spoke to him, or why it led him to an unconscious girl with no memory. He only knows his world is gone, and the only place that'll take him now is the Underworks — a rusty undercity beneath Neoshima's walls, where survival is never guaranteed. His only way out: the Lotus Academy, where he can learn about Nyxes, the ruined world's dark history, and how to wield Eon. Train hard enough, and he might become a Vanguard — the elite that hunts down humanity's worst nightmares. ...But the voice hasn't spoken since. And the higher Raizen climbs, the clearer a dark truth becomes: the thing that saved him, and the darkness that has haunted humanity for centuries... Might just be the same thing.

Tyler Grant lost everything. He was falsely convicted and jailed by his girlfriend's billionaire stalker... He returned home after three years with supernatural abilities he awakened within prison walls.... In Tyler's absence, the Grant family fell to ruins. The mother was crippled, the father worked for scraps, while the sister was sold off as a slave. His girlfriend was about to marry the very man who sent him to prison. With his newfound martial and magical arts, Tyler will exact his vengeance, fight evil, and rise to the pinnacle of the world! Read about the journey of an ordinary young man blessed with almighty powers to fulfill an ancient prophecy! *Also search and read my other novels: 1. The Peerless Man With A Thousand Gifts, set in the same universe (son-in-law, god of war, revenge, low-key harem, billionaire intrigue). 2. Eve of a Thousand Wakes, set in the same universe. (rebirth, second chance, revenge, magic, witch) cultivation superpowers romance thestrongactingweak harem overpowered faceslapping magic urban gods fantasy action adventure **Will reply to comments and reviews from another account (KaiserKen)

After Martina Martinez and Benjamin Walker's breakup, paparazzi captured photos of the business tycoon entering the Walker family mansion with a mysterious woman late at night. This caused a stir, and this wealthy family was bombarded by various media outlets. During a phone interview, the gossip reporter asked, "Miss Martinez, how do you feel now that Mr. Walker has a new girlfriend?" Martina held her painful forehead and looked towards Benjamin, who was adjusting his suit by the floor-to-ceiling window. He gestured for her to come over and help him with his tie. Holding her phone, Martina responded, "It's... complicated!" The reporter's heart leaped with joy and asked, "Is it heartbroken?!" Martina was about to nod, but Benjamin raised his eyebrows and took her phone away. His deep and alluring voice was heard on the other end of the line, "New girlfriend? Whose?"

Elara has it all: a doting husband, a beautiful daughter, and a life of luxury free from worries. From the outside, her existence is flawless—like a pristine string of pearls. A beautiful gilded cage. But the foundation of her perfect life shatters at a charity gala. There, she comes face to face with Kael, her passionate ex-lover from the past who left an unfinished story between them. Their reunion is fraught with awkwardness and unspoken tension. They are both married, building an invisible wall between them. Yet, the real shock comes when David, Elara's husband, arrives to pick her up. And the loyal man waiting for her at home is, in fact, Kael's best friend. Kael has known all along. He knew Elara was his best friend's wife. And Elara realizes she never truly forgot the man from her past. With fate orchestrating more chance encounters, their forbidden connection becomes inevitable. Every meeting is a whisper from the past, a temptation of a life she could have had. Standing at the crossroads of duty and desire, of a safe life and an intoxicating love, what choice will Elara make? Will she remain in her comfortable gilded cage, or will she find the courage to pick up the shattered pieces of her life and chase her true happiness? A steamy, emotional forbidden romance about second chances, secrets, and the courage to choose yourself.

Insomnia, depression and what's worse, he had absolutely no appetite. Things couldn't get any worse for him. Yet when life had already made him hit rock-bottom, there was nothing left to lose anymore. Thrown into such situation, a young man who wasn't in the best mental condition, suddenly got nicknamed Midnight and found himself visiting the same girl over and over again every night in her backyard. The girl being the same one he had had a crush on years ago. The problem is... This girl has no idea who he is, nor did he have any intention to let her know. In such situation a question arises: How do I make her like me back?

Synopsis: When twin sisters are exact opposite but somehow gets entangled with the same guy. Michael Louis was a twelve year old young CEO who after the death of his mother lost interest in this world. He was tired of living hence attempted suicide. Claudia Larabee, the opposite twin of Clara Larabee, had suffered much unfairness by her family. For the twelve years of her life, her sister had been a thorn in her flesh. Amidst the wickedness her sister had shown her was forcing a nurse to suck blood from her as donation to some young heir. The consequence of that action, Claudia didn’t really recover from. Claudia, unknown to her, had become a reason a young boy had to live. Yearning to meet her for once in his life, Michael stumbles upon her wrong twin, Clara. Years later, he returns to find her again. The journey he makes to establish a lasting relationship proves dangerous to Claudia, as her wicked twin gets a rich and dangerous friend. Would Michael realize he’s falling for the wrong twin? Or would fate forever give Claudia painful smiles?

When the young Duke of Ravenscroft returns to Eldora, whispers sweep through salons and ballrooms. Admired by many yet bound by none, Lady Everleigh must choose whether her heart belongs to a loyal friend, a watchful rival or to no one at all but herself.

In addition to writing books, Sebastian Badarau also acts and directs for stage and film. Most recently he has worked with film director Graham Baker (Alien Nation) adapting the novel A State of Denmark for a 2021 release. His latest project is radio-drama ¨The Uncertainty Principle¨ which he wrote and directed himself and was broadcast by Radio Iasi, last year. It tells the story of three scientists who are on the verge of a major breakthrough in quantum mechanics but find themselves in conflict over what the discovery actually is. ¨TONGUES OF FIRE¨ is about this extraordinary take on the theme of alien body invasion that I hadn't seen before in books nor movies. It is also the one that resonates with me the most, on a more personal level. Not that I, personally, have been invaded by aliens but I find it empowering and also deeply humane. It is also quite simple and logical if you spend a bit of time meditating on the world, Space and our role in the Universe. I think there is good literature out there, but you got to know where to find it. We may also have very different definitions of what a good book really is. My definition is somewhere in the essence of writing, which is tone and style, and not necessarily story. It is the art of story-telling more than the art of owning a good narrative. 'Brothers Karamazov' by Dostoyevski is a pretty mundane book, in terms of narrative, but the style is spectacular. Same for Hemingway, Dickens, Camus or Boris Vian. If it were simply for the story, Boris Vian would not pass the test. I also love science, particularly physics and mathematics. And also love art about science. You may wonder what theatre or performance has in common with science. But I think the answer is quite obvious. Both physics and art are direct pathways to investigating phenomena, whether it's the natural world or human behavior. Science asks the biggest questions: ¨who are we?¨, ¨where do we come from?¨ ¨what's the final goal?¨ Anyone who has worked in arts, know that artists are preoccupied by the exact same questions. I believe anyone who will delve a little bit deeper into both worlds may come to a comforting answer sooner than those who like to keep the two separated at arm's length.¨ Rick Sarpaulis is a young mathematician who returns to the fictional town of Fayhill, after a very long absence, and takes up a job as a substitute teacher at the local school. Both his previous relationship and his job as an assistant researcher at the Department of Non-Euclidean Geometry at Courant have ended in failure. He's dreading the prospect of facing the locals, who've known him since he was a kid and whom he views as racists, non-inclusive and ready only to spread gossip about the return of the prodigal son. He attributes the failure to sustain any relationship and build a career on his chronic depression and inability to function properly in society. In Fayhill, he falls in love with Audrey, a young woman he describes as having a ¨downcast glow to her face, immobile; like that of a wild child being raised by wolves, while her eyes perpetually strip any potential partner for signs of passion and vulnerability.

Spring has sprung, and with it, smiley faces. When yellow crocuses bloom all over town in the shape of an emoji during April’s first warm days, reporter Nero Storm is sent out to discover their meaning and origin.<br><br>Nero has little to smile about himself, what with dysfunctional family drama and a tragic love life. The previous fall, it seemed as if he might have finally met the man of his dreams in dog daddy, ride share operator, and charity organizer Z. Though the two spent but ten morning and evening car rides together, sparks flew. Unfortunately, at the end of that time, Nero witnessed a crime, and Z disappeared.<br><br>Now, as the rest of the world looks forward to a new beginning promised by spring, Nero is left to wonder. Are the smiley face flowers a message for him, and will he ever see Z’s smile again for real?

In her previous life, she took the wrong "white lotus" script, causing her to die a miserable death. Heaven has let her live again, so she shouldn't have to suffer the hardships of her past life once more! Feng Moxi sheds her weakness from her previous life. Making a new choice, she must fight! There are monsters! Kill them! There are scumbags! Eliminate them! With her meager strength, she picks up a Heavy Sword and forges a difficult path forward. Unexpectedly, that arrogant and reckless person who caused her no small amount of trouble along the way eventually becomes a comrade-in-arms to whom she can entrust her back, a companion for life. The sky fills with darkness, the Demon People emerge! The Heavenly Dao returns. One day, Feng Moxi is leisurely roasting beast meat by the river. Chaoyang, having just finished fighting a demon beast, sees the crumbs on her lips and immediately leans in. "Want some?" Chaoyang dazedly nodded his head. Suddenly, a piece of burnt beast meat is stuffed into his mouth. Chaoyang pulls Feng Moxi into his embrace, gently brushes the corner of her lips with his hand, and says, "You're mine!" Apocalypse + Cultivation + Doting Boyfriend