A collection of short stories made by yours truly!

Welcome to Beach Read containing nine of Marie Force's single title contemporary romances, all of which have been reader favorites! Here you’ll find everything from steamy couples in Marfa, Texas, to an unlucky-in-love super model to a prominent doctor who falls in love with his best friend’s girlfriend to a woman putting her life back together after the death of her mother to a young couple separated by tragedy but brought back together by love. Each title offers a sizzling love story and a guaranteed happy ending. So get comfortable and be prepared to fall in love—nine times!

Beach Reads is created by Marie Force, an
eGlobal Creative Publishing Signed Author.

This is about a boy who gains power from everything he reads. He also has some other issues to deal with, like the chaos, but he is also part of the chaos. His abilities and powers will continue to grow and manifest, but which side will he stand on?

P.S. I am just in 8th grade so don't judge too much, but leave some suggestions or reviews so I can continue to grow as a writer and make the story better.

"Haa... Haa....." How did It come to this?

      "Lift your ass higher..."

      "Uhhn...." How did I get into this madness?

      When I lift my butt, I feel stinging pain like something is slapping one of my meat buns.
      
      "Unf!! Unf!!!!!??" I want to struggles but, both of my hands and leg are tied and spread to the bedpost. My mouth is gagged with a soft ball gag and my eyes are covered with an eye mask.
      
      I turn my head and let out a soft howl. 
      
      "Aww... Awww....." It hurts... Please stop hitting me... I beg in my head as I hope she understands me.
      
      "Do you want me to stop?" She asked.
      
      I quickly nod my head with tears in my eyes. 
      
      Suddenly, I feel a soft hand rubbing my meat buns down there. I flinch as her hands are getting lower and lower until it stops right before the entrance of my cave.

      " Annfff!!??" I struggle again when her hands start rubbing the soft entrance. Her hand moves slowly... Too slow... Very slow... Up and down...
      
      "Uunnnnnnnff....."  I can't help but groan as she keeps teasing me down there. My hand grabs the bedsheet tightly and my toes curl from the tension.
      
      "Too bad ... I was about to reward you.. but then, you want me to stop". The girl sigh as I feel her touch disappeared.
      
      "!!!!!" I stop struggling but my body can't stop shivering from her teasing.
      
      I bury my face inside the pillow as I let out another muffled groan.
      
      'How did everything turn into this?'
      
      I feel tired of all the teasing and can't help but fall asleep.
      
      In my dream, I recall the first time that everything starts to change. 
      
      Starting from my first meeting with a mysterious system.

      [6 months ago]

     "Miss Kindle, this is the list of the newcomers we got". 
     
     Cybelle reaches out for the file in the secretary's hand without any expression.  She opens the file and reads the newcomers' information calmly and after a few minutes, she smiles at the secretary.
     
     "Good, these newcomers will do for now".
     
     The secretary let out a soft sigh of relief before excusing herself.
     
     "If there's nothing, I will be on my way first". The secretary nods before walking towards the exit.
     
     Cybelle just nods before focusing on the headlines inside her computer.
     
     "THE NEW PRESIDENT OF STONES COMPANY TURNS OUT TO BE A WOMAN!!!"
     
     Cybelle scoff after she reads the headlines. 
     
     ' What's so shocking with being a woman president? If it was an alien then I don't see any problem having the news displayed for 1 year'.
     
     Despite Cybelle's calmness about the headlines, she is still interested in reading the news as she takes a sip of coffee.
     
     That is until she sees the familiar name inside the article— "POOOF!!!!"
     
     *Cough* cough* "What!!?" Her eyes become wide as she reads the article again from the top to check whether what she sees inside the article is true.

      "The president turns out to be an illegitimate daughter of the C.E.O, Mr. Stones, and her name is Seraphina Stones!"

       Cybelle stares at the familiar name before shaking her head a few times.
       
       "There's no way..." She chuckles before looking at the screen again.
       
       "... No harm in searching more, right?" Cybelle type the name inside her computer and click search.
       
       When Seraphina Stones' picture was shown in front of her, she can't help but feel shocked, excited, and irritated at the same time.
       
       "Again and again...." Cybelle mumble with gritted teeth.
       
       It's an understatement to say that Cybelle doesn't know her. They have been rivals since the first year of high school.
       
       At least, that's what Cybelle believes.
       
       In high school, Cybelle always got the second-best after Seraphina. Despite the rank of second best, the gap between the first and the second is really big.
       
       Every time the day of the exam results come out, the first name Cybelle will search for Seraphina's name. And whenever she found that she got the second-best, she will glare at Seraphina with gritted teeth before saying, " I will not lose next time!!!" Only to lose again and again.
       
       Cybelle want to compete with Seraphina in the sport too, but Seraphina doesn't seem to be interested in sports, so Cybelle never involved herself despite one of her hobbies is working out.
       
       Too bad, Cybelle's parents died after high school which resulted in Cybelle become an orphan at the age of 18 and being the only one to manage her father's company and studying at the same time, she can't continue to compete with Seraphina.
       
       And that's how the only interaction Cybelle had with Seraphina ended.
       
       Cybelle smiles as she stares at her rival's face in the picture inside her computer and then compares the picture with the only one she had ever taken together with Seraphina.
       
       It's just a photo taken for the class. It's just a coincidence for them to be inside the same picture, but Cybelle still wants to treasure this only picture she has with her rival.
       
       They both had changed a lot. Especially her rival.
       
       Seraphina looks prettier more and more after 7 years. She is pretty in high school too, but the adult her is prettier. It seems like she didn't change her temperament at all...
       
       Cybelle supports her face as she stares at the picture of her and her rival on her working desk.
       
       She only ever sees Seraphina smiles only once during their high school life. 
       
       "It was what makes I'm attracted towards her in the first place— I mean rivalry!!! Rivalry!!! How can a person be so pretty!! I am prettier than her!! So this is also a rivalry!!!"
       
       Cybelle scoffs awkwardly as she realized that she's the only one inside her office and no one will see her.
       
       Anyway...
       
       " Now that it comes to this!!! I can finally continue to fight her again!!!" It's been a long time since she feels this excited.
       
       She smiles solemnly as she looks at the family picture on her desk. She stares at her parents' face before whispering.
       
       "Don't worry mom, dad... I will make her notice how great I am!!" Cybelle smiles widely before continuing her work.
       
       She needs to work 10 times harder if she wants to fight with Seraphina Stones again!!

       Not far from Cybelle's office, a ball of light is staring and scanning her without her realization.
       
       This ball of light cannot be seen if it doesn't want to be seen, so someone can't see it.
       
       "This person is suitable!"
       
       The ball of light shakes with excitement as it finished their scanning.
       
       "I will make you become my host!!"

        Cybelle who doesn't know that she was being targeted shivers from an unknown force.
        
        She looks left and right in confusion before focusing on her work again.

       Suddenly, a notification appears on her computer.
       
       Cybele frowns as this message notification is from an unknown person. She was about to ignore it when another notification appears.
       
       [Don't you dare ignore this]
       
       Cybelle stands up right away before looking left and right in suspicion.
       
       [Don't be scared].
       
       The message appears again.

       Cybelle then, after a few minutes of stuck in contemplation, decided to open the first email.
       
       ["Dear Cybelle Kindle,
       
       System 69 is near your area and wants you to become its' host!"]
       
       "What the fuck is this message sounds like the message a sex bot sent to someone on email?"
       
       Then another email to appear.
       
       [I am a sexbot who eat on people's passion,  fascination, and desire ]

      " ....."
       
       Cybelle stares at the message for a few seconds before rubbing her face in annoyance.
       
       "This virus is disgusting... I need to call repair it..."
       
       [I am not a virus]
       
       [I will come inside your office]
       
       [Wait!]

       After that, no new message prompt appears. Cybelle was about to call her secretary when suddenly, the computer let out a really bright light.
      
       "What!!!???"
       
        Cybelle was shocked and can't help but covers her eyes from the sudden turns of events.
        
        "Hello!! I am system 69!!! Nice to meet you!!!
        
        When she heard a small voice, Cybelle quickly opens her eyes and look left and right to search for the source of the voice.
        
        "I'm here!!!! I'm right here!!!!!" The small voice becomes louder and Cybelle finally saw the small flying creature in front of her with a dumbfounded look.
        
        'Huh?'
        
        "I am System 69!!!!  Nice to meet you!!!" The creature bounces up and down mid-air as it introduces itself again.
        
        "A flying rabbit? Am I crazy? " Cybelle mutters under her breath as she pinches the bridge of her nose.
        
        "No!! You are not crazy!!! I am a system!! And I am here to help you achieve your desire!!! In exchange, I will eat the desire that you have collected!!!" A puff of smoke can be seen appears on the flying rabbit's head.
        
        "Yeah, I am sure I have become crazy... Sorry, mom... Sorry, dad.... I've failed you..." Cybele sigh again as she slumped on her chair.
        
        "No!! I am a system!! A super-strong system!!! Look!! This is a contract!! Just sign this... And you will become my host!!!" The flying rabbit excitedly shoving a piece of paper towards who comes out of nowhere to Cybelle.
        
        Cybele frowns as she stares at the contract and then at the flying rabbit who is now sitting on her desk eating carrot!!?
        
       "Sign over there!! Yes lower... And... Yes yes!!! Over there!!" 
       
       Cybelle point at the place the rabbit point out excitedly.
       
       She raises one of her brows before asking, "what benefit and none benefit can I get from this contract?" She asked suspiciously. In her mind she thought, maybe if she plays along, this creature will leave her?
       
    The rabbit's eyes become bigger when it heard Cybelle's question.

Participant of WFP 27- Female Lead - System


 Cybelle is the ruthless C.E.O of a small entertainment company that is on a rise.

She is a very talented person as she was able to save the company at the edge of bankruptcy and bring back incomes by bounds and leaps!!!

But, she doesn't want to stop there! Cybelle wants more!!! She wants to dominate her rival on her way to the top of the food chain!!

But, Cybelle's company is like a mouse compared to a dragon when trying to fight her rival.

But, the light of hope appears when a system comes at her with a contract and two choices.

" In exchange for your wish, I will eat the human's desire that you collect! Now, Choose!!! M or S??"

Cybelle smiles evilly as she stares at the ball of light in front of her.

"I will choose M!! I will become the master and my servant, Seraphina Stones, will be my servant!!!"

"...... stupid " The system mumbled.

"Did you say something?"

"Nothing!! Ehem!! Anyway, you are now bound to the system 69, You choose the role of Masochist, and your Sadist target is Seraphina Stones. This contract cannot be cancelled, refusing to do the task will receive the punishment of the system".

" Happy cooperation!" 

"Huh?"

"Huuuh!!??"

"Huuuhhhhhhhh!!!!!???"

.........

And that's how Cybelle is left to seduce the stone-faced President Seraphina, her rival!

I was arranging the new books on the shelves when my phone beeped. 

Hey baby, just arrived at my office. Miss you already. (Nate)

I was smiling wide and replied to him right away.

Hey you! Miss U too. I'm at Novelty, it's a slow day. Boring. (Marissa)

It was boring, and without him to look forward to at the end of the day, I would be back to my routine. At least I got time to catch up on my romance novels. I had finished arranging the books, so I started reading on my Kindle while waiting on the store.

Then another text came in.

Boring is good. I'll call you tonight baby. Wear something sexy. (Nate)

I replied that same moment.

Sexy for sure. Boring is not good. I miss u! #pouting (Marissa)

I smile seeing his name calling me. 

"Baby, I'll be seeing you tonight, it's just for a couple of days. Stop being a brat, or are you doing this on purpose for your punishment? mmh?..."

"Nate...maybe, but I do miss you. Would you call me this afternoon after work? I don't have anyone to hangout with after work. Except maybe Matt, but..."

"I would really like you not to hangout with him. Though it's not my place yet, but I will definately reward you if you didn't. I will try and make time to call you after work just before my other meeting okay?"

"Okay, I guess I'll be catching up on my reads then. See you later...." We hangup after we said our goodbyes.

The afternoon passed by excruciatingly slow. I was mostly day dreaming while holding on to my Kindle.

Then the lady from the cake store entered. "Afternoon, oh my...this is a very nice place. I'm Alicia Griffin from Sugar. I had an appointment with Archibald Michaels?" She gave me her sweetest smile. 

"Hi Mrs. Griffin. I'm Marissa. Let me give him a call. Would you like some tea while you wait?" I asked her, while ushering her to a seating area. 

"Call me Alice dear, and Griffin is my maiden name.. I'm single by choice. you've been to the shop already right? sorry about the penises." She laughed as I was blushing at her. 

My god this woman. 

I smiled back at her and was about to call Archie, but he was already at the door, pacing his steps quickly. "Marissa, the lady from the cake shop....oh hey there. Sorry I'm a bit late. I'm Archibald Michaels, call me Archie.... They introduced each other as I went to the back and prepared them some tea.

I came back minutes later, and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw them flirting with each other. 

What happen to the ten minutes after introduction? They sure as hell move fast. Archie was holding her hand as she furiously gave him some sexy winks and smirks. 

Damn! I was definately behind her in flirting lessons.

She should teach me some moves, all I could do was blush. I walked to their direction and coughed intentionally letting them know of my arrival. 

"Ah Marissa come sit here kid, now...Alice, this lovely young woman here was the one that shoved the idea into my head. She told me she love your cake and we should negotiate on pricing." Archie was looking proud at me, again all I could do was blush a deeper shade of red. 

Damn! 

I smiled awkwardly at her. "Sorry, I'm not used to being called on."

"Ah...Archie, you have a shy one here. But I thought I saw you with your dashing young man the other day. You can't be that shy then. Come, sit with us. I'll let you pitch your ideas. And see what we could do with the pricing and the type of menu you intend on serving here." She patted the chair next to her. 

I sat down and blurted out my ideas. My notes were given out to be evaluated, it was like talking to my teachers. They were full on listening to me babbling about the menu and pricing. I did my research, well I just Googled it actually but they were gulping down my ideas enthusiastically, I was feeling proud of myself. 

We talked more for another hour until Archie told me to head on home, that he would close up the store later. But I had a feeling he wanted some alone time with Alice. 

Damn he's smooth...

So, I head on back to my place, and took a quick stop to buy some groceries on the way back. It was still four in the afternoon the air was nice and warm, so I decided to put on my bikini, then bring my coffee and Kindle, and towels to relax on the beach while catching the afternoon air.

I decided to teased Nate and took a sexy selfie and send it to him. Then I put the phone on mute and ignored him for awhile as I was finishing off on my sexy book.

The sun was setting when I decided to go back to the cottage and took a shower. I was putting all my things on the kitchen counter when I remembered about my phone that was muted. I was so relaxed and drifted away in my book that I completely forgot about Nate. 

I smiled and opened my phone. There were six messages and four missed calls. Then a call came through. It was Nate, I was grinning when I picked it up.

"Marissa? Where are you?! Are you okay?! Why aren't you replying to your text and picking up your phone. Did you know how worried I am?!!" His voice was elevated and firm at the end. It made me instantly wet. 

What the fuck is wrong with me? 

"Baby? Answer me?" He asked again, softly this time. 

"Em...yeah, I'm back at the cottage. Sorry, I muted the phone I was reading my book." My voice sounded croaked, I was horny and was trying to hide it from him. But my breathing was heavy, he could definately hear it.

"Marissa? Are you actually horny hearing how I was truly worried about you? Baby...answer me!"

"Ye...yeah, I think there's something wrong with me Nate. I don't think it's normal for a virgin to feel like this. I should definitely Google this." I could hear him chuckled on the other line. 

"Tell me little one, what are you feeling right now? Honestly baby..." He asked me with his deep sexy voice making me moaned, and he definately heard that one.

"Well...ermm I'm horny, I think I'm wet from all your harsh and demanding questions earlier." I answered meekly to him.

"I really need to know if you're really wet Marissa, slid your fingers under your bikini baby. And snap a picture and send it to me. Now little one. I'll be waiting." Then he hung up on me. I did as he tells me to do. Then he called me again seconds after I sent him my proof of arousal. 

"Damn it baby, you are so fucking perfect. I would like to lick you right now. But first I want you to play with yourself in the bathroom just before you take a shower, I want you to edge yourself and not let yourself come. Can you do that for me baby? I want to see you come tonight on our video call. I have another meeting in fifteen minutes and I'm already half stiff. I really need to calm myself down before the meeting. But I want you to have a little fun. I will see you at eight tonight okay?"

"Okay..." That was all I managed to say. My breath was hitched and he was definitely hearing it as he groaned on the other line.

"Don't make me spread your legs roughly little one. Keep them open for me, you want this right? Tell me if you want to stop okay?" He asked with his sexy voice, I was nodding my reply. 

******

Marissa was a true Cinderella story, where her mother died and her father remarried and she had two annoying ugly hearted sisters. 

Her father was lost in his work. Never care for her, she was no longer daddy's little girl.

She finally moved out of the house, out of the toxic environment. And leave her dearest dad behind. She had given up on him, as she was no longer someone he hold dear. 

She found her self living small seaside town to find peace and love and her happy ever after. She was a hopeless romantic, who reads to many romance novels. 

******

Nate was mending his broken heart at his brother's beach house. He always love the little sleepy coastal town. 

All until one day he met a suicidal young woman. She constantly bothered his mind, with her sexy images over and over again. 

She was too young for him, she was just barely legal. And she turned out to be a hopeless romantic. He needed to stay away from her. But obviously couldn't, as they constantly wanting each other's company. 


*****


*Warning! R-Rated for 18+ due to strong, explicit language. sexual content*

"Yes. Don't be so judgmental. Just because I have wonderful muscles on display and enough background knowledge to kill a man at least five different ways before they even notice doesn't mean I don't like to read."

Hudson stands, walking to where his bag of clothes sits in my closet. I'm pretty sure he's underestimating the ways to kill a man number.

"It's more than wanting to read it. You have to be able to sit quietly and do it when someone else is in the room," I yell after him. It's a process. One I couldn't do if my brother Alex were still here, but thankfully he headed on his way south again the next morning. Hudson, however, hasn't made it back to sleeping on the couch. I don't plan to complain.

When he ducks out of the bedroom, there's a smile written across his face as he holds up a thick James Patterson novel. Of course it's a James Patterson.

"I didn't take you for Patterson man." I lean back on the couch readjusting myself and opening my Kindle again. This could work. A girl must always keep hope.

Hudson shrugs, sitting back in the chair. He tosses his feet up on my coffee table and gets comfy. "Some of his plot points aren't so far-fetched. Now shhhh," he shooshes me with one finger across his lips. "I got into a good part on the plane."

Psft. Like he thinks I'm going to be the one to interrupt our reading time. The only sound between us for the next twenty to thirty minutes is the noise every time he flips the page on his old-school paperback. He doesn't even laugh at a funny part. Are there funny parts in a Patterson book?

I've never read a Patterson book. I'm not sure if it has any funny parts, but it's still the same. He doesn't make any facial expressions. Who reads a book and doesn't make any facial expressions?

I spend the next five minutes staring at Hudson while he reads, wondering what's going on in his big head. His nice to look at big head.

Too nice.

So nice I could imagine us doing this every weekend. Like a couple.

But we aren't a couple.

I half close the lid of my cover and set it on my lap.

That draws Hudson's attention. For a man who watches my every move normally, give him a book and hasn't looked my way once.

"Why are you looking at me with that expression?" he questions, not closing his book even a smidge.

I shake my head but I have no idea what he's talking about. "I wasn't."

"Yes, you were. You've watched me for the last few minutes without reading."

"Have not." I'm so busted. How does he do that? "You've been reading. How do you know if I haven't been?"

This time Hudson closes his book, making sure to put the cheap paper bookmark on the page to keep his spot. Who uses bookmarks? You're supposed to find the nearest scrap of paper to keep your page.

"Amanda," his head shakes back and forth in disbelief. "I'm always watching you."

"Yeah, because it's your job, right?"

"No, because I can't take my eyes off you."

"Me?"

Hudson chuckles in a quiet fashion like he can't believe I'm so behind on what's going on.

It's not far from the truth. I am pretty far behind. "What do you think of me?" I finally get the nerves to ask.

"Woman, I told you this already. I think you're amazing and beautiful and nice and kind. You put up with those friends of yours, so you obviously have patience," he says the last with a smile and it makes me laugh.

Hudson drops his book on my coffee table and pushes my feet to the side, taking up a spot on the other end of my sofa.

Like we are two magnets, drawn to one another on the couch — and yes, I get how ridiculous it sounds, but I can't stop my heart from experiencing it. I position my body closer to his. "You really think that?"

Hudson breathes deeply, shaking his head twice and leaning closer. He lightly kisses me on the lips. "Absolutely. New Year's Eve was one of the best nights of my life, but the next morning when you went back to acting as if everything was normal, I figured I should run with it. While it was my greatest memory ever, it was also not something normally allowed in my position. I don't want to believe I used my authority over you to influence how you feel."

I smile. "Your authority over me?" Now who's the delusional one?

"Regardless of whether you think you're in danger," he says rolling his eyes, "I don't want to abuse what we have between us."

I sneak my arm around his neck and press my lips against his.

Hudson pulls back a fraction. "I don't want to do anything to hurt you, Amanda."

"I trust you won't," I say before kissing him again.

Our bodies line up and I tumble backward taking Hudson with me. The weight of his body threatens to be too much, but he holds himself up with an arm braced on the back of the couch. There's an excitement that mingles between us as our kisses grow in ferocity. At this moment I want more. More of Hudson, more of this, more of what is sure to come.

I stopped things between us New Year's Eve before they went too far, but it's not something I plan to do today.

Hudson nibbles on my neck and the space behind my ear and I arch my body closer. So much closer. Anything to make sure every piece of us is touching.

Neither of us speaks until I grab at his shirt, doing my best to twist and pull it above his head.

"Are you sure?" he asks between short sweet kisses against my collarbone.

"Absolutely," I answer as easily as he did earlier in our conversation. There's nothing in the world I want more. Him. Me. Us.

He takes off his shirt, allowing it to fall to the floor beside the couch, and I suck in a breath. I've seen his naked chest before, but in the dark of the room on New Year's Eve, I missed the long scar that runs perpendicular to his left shoulder. I trace a finger against the raised skin, but quickly forget what I've been attempting to do when he undoes the top button of my jeans.

"You have a condom?" I ask because I don't. There haven't been many men in my apartment and even less naked ones.

He sucks in a breath, finishing with my zipper. "I'll get one, but not yet," he says as his hand works its way into the space between my jeans and skin. His fingers contact my pubic bone and my entire body jolts in pleasure.



A contemporary romance series full of hot nerds from USA TODAY Bestselling Author Megan Matthews. 
San Francisco is heating up this summer.

With grad school under my belt I’m ready to start the next chapter of my life. San Francisco is a brand-new city. I have an amazing apartment, a new job, family, and friends to keep me occupied. Life in the city will be easy. Or at least it would if I could figure out why my heart skips a beat every time I see my hot neighbor.

Handsome, funny, and always around right when I need him, Finnegan McRyan is my own personal knight in shining armor. The tousled hair and sexy glasses don’t hurt his appeal either. Finn acts like the perfect man, but there’s something about him that has me questioning if it’s too good to be true.
Can I count on him when it really matters or is Finn using his good guy image to hide the truth?
#explicit content
#Age 18+
The Boys of RDA is created by Megan Matthews, an eGlobal Creative Publishing Signed Author

"Huff...Huff..Huff… Why now?, Of all things" I'm bolting through the forest, or what seems to be one but the darkness covers almost every thing in sight, continuing  to run and run from whatever was chasing me all I hear is the sound of thumping...wingbeats? Whatever it was was just above the trees and my gut feeling is telling me to run and not look back, after what seems like ages the trees break into a open meadow as my foot catches a tree root on the way out as I felt my body hit the grass quickly sitting up before a large black shadow drops into the meadow right infront of my shaky vision all I can make of it was something big. And it said something to me just as I drifted back awake "Its almost time young wing.." everything else it might've said blanked out as my alarm took over it. I sighed softy and rubbed my face in disbelief before opening my eyes as the sun peered in through the window into my room."Morning already...ugh what was up with that dream?." Sitting up  and hanging my feet of the bed waiting a moment to wake up more before gathering some clean clothes and walking to the bathroom to get ready for the day. Tossing my light purple hair back into a ponytail and washing off my face with some cold water before looking into the mirror and seeing baby blues pop back at me but this time something was off the left had a shine of yellow?.. maybe a honey tone looking as if it was fighting the blue for control. I didn't feel any different. Maybe it was just sleep still lingering. After making sure everything looked okay and presentable for the day, walking out of the bathroom I nearly get taken to the ground by a giant floof dog.." Havoooocc!! Why must you jump on me every day" sighs softly and pets behind his ear and let's out a small chuckle when he starts whimpering as if he was talking back,or is knowing him. Once I gained my balance back from the shepherd pounce of the morning, I made my way to the kitchen and opening the fridge and digging through all the misplaced snacks I've tossed in and out. I should probably organize this at some point maybe later havoc will have a good meal of leftovers thats for sure, after grabbing a energy drink and a few vanilla yogurt cups from the fridge. Breakfast of champions I guess until I get some more money for another security job, hopefully the boss gets a new one soon im living on scraps, I sit back and look down at havoc who's now under my chair looking up at me with his tongue hanging out of his mouth waiting for me to drop something at any moment which isn't surprising since I tend to drop a lotta stuff always carried a bad habit of being clumsy since i was young, whether it be faceplanting from tripping on thin air or running into random walls or doorways, I've always taken it as a bad luck part on me so I got used to it, and thanks to it havoc has had probably way to many meals than I've had. Anyways I finnished off a majority of my yogurts before giving havoc the last couple bites and throwing the empty packets away and sitting back down to see if there's any new books in the Kindle that my mom constantly adds. "Mhmm.. a new shifter book?. Must be a continuation to another series". I scrolled through the list looking through what I've already read or haven't and sighed. A lot of these I've already read and others they get taken and removed by the day with how quick mom reads unless I let her know what ones I want to read, I finally picked one out that caught my eye and let it download before I heard a knock at my door and got up to check while havoc was already waiting at the door to be big bad guard licking dog. I opened the door and saw a familiar face… but couldn't quite tell who it was?

Ever since that day. everything seemed to slowly find a place.

I Let Out A Tired Sigh. I quickly remove all of my clothes, down the remaining coffee in the mug and jump into the shower. I wash the frustration out of my hair and calm my body for a while. Once I'm sure all the warm water is done for, I dry myself and put on some fresh and crispy pair of pyjamas and comfortable baggy t-shirt and jump onto the couch. I open my silver laptop and as if all the weight is back again.

I've been trying to prepare the cover for my new chapbook, "Sea Full Of Stars" for the past three days now. I'm not a visual artist and hiring one costs too much and I'm too broke to spend bills on softwares. It's never easy being a writer. Writing itself can be such a lonely process, although it is my first home. But then I have to design a cover that is not only catchy, mysterious and unique but also conversely uninhibited. Great. I spend hours trying to find the right website that'll let me make one for free.

For a minute there, I sit back tired and almost defeated. What if books didn't have covers, I think to myself. I could've saved all this hassle and been sleeping on my lonely bed in peace. I'd be "Netflix and Chilling" on my phone. I'd probably have been writing something new.

But what about all the books I've read? I confess that I've also once trusted the image more than the not-so-convincing texts. The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald with it's original art work is a stunning masterpiece. The eyes, the blue and the glam packed in it's dressing is an unbelievable turn on for any reader. But then again it wasn't designed by Fitzgerald himself. It was illustrated by Francis Cugat, a little known artist back then. It was the Gatsby that made me realise that it is an art to cover the book with a cape.

The same cannot be said for all the other books in my collection. Interpreter Of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri or Pablo Neruda's Love don't have the most convincing covers. I bought those books for the rave reviews I'd heard of them.

I do know that Rupi Kaur illustrated her own books. I get up and bring out all the poetry books that I own and try to fathom the making of their book art. The simplicity in Rupi's artwork is really appealing, but on the other hand Atticus's books look way too fancy. But the one thing they had in common is that their book covers were exactly what their book title said.

I too want my cover to reflect the idea and spirit of my book. But I don't know anyone who can design a book cover. Or who understands or reads my book or my art. I don't have my Francis Cugat.

I turn back to my computer, reducing it's brightness first because outside it's turning dark and I don't want to turn the light on just yet. I make a mental conversation with myself that if it doesn't work this time, I'll just use a template by Kindle Direct Publishing.

This time I go to YouTube and type 'how to make a paperback book cover for free' and hit Enter. The first video is of a middle-aged white man on the thumbnail, his hair slightly brown and a straight face. I click on it. The video starts demonstrating the process of making an easy to go book cover on this website called Canva.

I've used this app on my phone before but I never knew it could be used for making a paperback dress. I go to the site and follow all the instructions. I choose the image very mindfully, edit it, use the right fonts and change the colors. I do the same with the back cover and add a piece of poetry there. Then I keep following the instructions and after failing countless times, I make the perfect book cover for my latest collection.

I wipe the tears of joy slipping down my cheeks. I know I haven't made the best or make-you-pick-the-book-up kind of cover, but I'm happy.

I realise that I'm more happy because I could finally do something that fits the rules of the modern mass publishing world. I did something that will make people want to give me a look.

If it was upto me, I'd have the cover completely black or yellow and only bare my name and the name of the book. But that's not the case. I just smile with the fact that I made something that reflects the imagery or mood of my book. And I know that even with the exhausting role my cover will play, it won't ever gain the respect it deserves.

I go to bed hungry and drift off.

In these short stories, through personal episodes, the author talks about the complex idea of book covers being more commercial rather than artistic in the perspective of a reader as well as a writer.

You've probably heard it before. ATS's webnovel continues to be on hiatus, but as of some months ago, WN/RR postings were suspended. And here's why.
-First, let's talk about how ATS first operated, before the Brand became a thing. It technically made its debut on Webnovel, then a day or two later, Royalroad. Not much for an audience, hardly any comments or reactions. But the posts continued to come. I'd amp it up to 3-5 chapters a day. 
One day I decided on a whim to split these into volumes. Do light novel format.  I did my search on word count. Saw that they were typically 20-50k words. I set mine for 60k per book.
I only published it on a whim, just to give it a home and alternate place of publishing. Also helped proved the series was mine by doing it early. This turned out to be one of the best decisions I've made.
-flash forward, ATS continued to grow, but REALLY did when it the Amazon scene. It was becoming a small brand and cut out its very tiny corner on the vast LitRPG map.
--At first, I intended to keep the business model of free optional buy going (which by the way is completely stupid for the long term). I eventually turned this into a full-time career.
I began to see more posts (not too too many and not just me) about ATS's availability on RR/WN. Free reading. This was fine with me since I intentionally put it that way. Surely everything would continue going as normal. 
Then sales dramatically dropped by 60%.  Holy shit. The KU reads were always high and KU itself being a ticking time bomb or a rug ready to be pulled from beneath my feet, I found myself in a pickle.
---1 pickle:  Amazon's bot. Multiple flaggings every time I published. It's nothing short of a miracle that Amazon hadn't punched me in the dick just for existing. But when you're making them money, they treat you okay. Until you inconvenience them haha.
---2nd pickle: People taking my work and posting them on other websites without my permission. Illegally translating it and CHARGING MONEY for the translations. This is wrong for everybody, not just me. Media, other authors, etc. I didn't even care about this at first, it's fucking normal. I got over it. But for the love of god, don't charge people. It was free.
3rd pickle: The Brand, the LLC, and me as an independent creator has grown. Since I'm in charge of everything pertaining to ATS, forcing myself to continue the same business model I did a year ago as a naïve, unknown urban fantasy writer turned light novel author, wouldn't work.
I've been talking and debating with people for a long coming, before deciding to pull the web novel plug. The ******* is there to continue posting chapters, but as you can see with the low number of Patreons, it does not factor into the reason of pulling the plug. Every drop of *******'s funds goes back into ATS.
Ultimately, RR/WN are best for strictly web novel writers with giant active followings such as Wandering Inn, Mother of Learning, etc etc. 
At the time: ATS only recently achieve its 50th rating, its rankings weren't great and really, like 5 or 6 of the 1100 followers of RR were ever active. RR converted into basic 0% reviews in which could've helped it struggle better against Amazon's algorithm.
WN wasn't much better, with very few commenters, few reviews to keep it "free," nothing. A dead web novel basically. [Although today, we look at the 3 million views and wonder, wow.]
The lack of interaction made it absolutely pointless for me to keep risking my livelihood with Amazon's bot. 
 
This message isn't an excuse. It is simply explaining what led up to the removal. 
You could say By the Order of Amazon, ATS must be removed (to the allowed 10%) or face expulsion from the KDP and its Kindle Unlimited program.
 
I appreciate your understanding. I figured lack of engagement from the audience, lack of reviews on the platform that mattered (amazon), multiple KDP bot flaggings could eventually lead to this point.
But it's better to remove than to lose my career.
-
Adding more to this, 28th of July 2020, which is months (maybe almost a year later), I still get people every now and then entering the discord.
They hadn't a clue a discord existed or that the work was still going. They don't know about the manga in progress, the new manga artist replacement, the platforms, how far the series has gotten, and who's got the rings and babies.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/syr456/ 
Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/ATSteamstone/    
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Alvin_Atwater        
*******: https://www.*******.com/syr456 
ATS website:  https://animetropesystem.net/manga 
DISCORD SERVER (BEST WAY TO CONTACT ME): https://discord.gg/t2qVaAR  OR cQMPSJG
 
ATS novels (universal link): mybook.to/AnimeTropeSystem  
US link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JD761GH
Audiobooks: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Anime-Trope-System-Stone-vs-Viper-Book-1-Audiobook/B07M9Z9C4M
 
I will do my best to answer all of your questions!
I would like to thank everyone that stuck with the series before it was devoured by corporate nonsense.  I truly appreciate you for understanding. 

ATS is currently about to publish volume 18.  It has 1 spinoff, The Fallen Throne, Half-blood Rising volume 1.

--- Extra tags: Satire, Adult/Mature, Monster girl(Monster girl Encyclopedia kind), Fiction/Satire/comedy (I.E. Not to be taken seriously).

By the will of unknown deities, Clyde is swiped from Earth and tossed into an anime world. He’s the declared the Stone aka main character. One day, he must kill the Viper, the antagonist. Too bad things aren’t exactly as black and white as that. The Stone is something much more…
This world and its inhabitants are real. It’s another dimension with a lot to explore.

This is the story of a young man’s evolution from college boy of Earth to godhood and beyond. The challenges stand ahead of him:  demons, monster girls, crazy yanderes, even a girl with maxed charisma. He never thought he’d ever see a magical girl…

A story of comedy, action, and going from weak to completely unstoppable. He is the system disruptor…

In a world where tropes are present, anime girls falling in love so easily, and city-wide issues intertwining with the main mission, Clyde must level up power and his mentality, RPG-style. He can no longer be that earthling. He will learn… whether he likes it or not.

Someone who breaks systems…Feared by the gods…




~A lover of character development lover! 


Warning:
 Episode 7 and beyond contains and ramps a lot up on sexual content, including scenes. You have been warned.  This is not for the faintest of hearts! There are also monster girl quest references in here too. Once again, fair warning. Think about that before entering.
You now know what you're getting into...
[Recommended for those who know of the Monster Girl Encyclopedia] 
--Heads up: this develops into a Harem (and eventually they'll end up as his wives. If that's not your thing, this is your head's up.) 
 -----------------------------------------------
Written and edited by me with Persona as my inspiration!
*He goes from cautious to embracing! 
*Don't just stop somewhere in volume 1 (because we know the beginning doesn't count for a judgment). Binge it! Binge it! Binge it! 
***Author note: get in now before you're left behind. I'm planning to be around for a while xD.***
-------------------------------------------------
* Morning of Nov 25th 2018: 1 million views reached! 
-----------------------------------------------
NOTICE AS OF FEB 2019: Web novel hiatus indefinitely due to Amazon, people translating my shit and charging money for it, posting this on other sites without my permission. Please join discord and/or Facebook page for updates. Patreon will continue to get chapters as normal.

Thank you truly for understanding! This is my livelihood and I don't want to lose it. 
Please see discord's announcements for information on the Web novel's suspension.
------------------------------------------------
Volumes 1-14+ ongoing available on Amazon. Audible too!
ATS has found an editor as of Aug 26th. Be expecting the ebook versions to be fixed even more. See discord for more info. 
Volume 15 in session...
----------------------------------------------
*Advanced chapters and special bonuses:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/syr456 
--------------------------------------------------
My website is https://www.alvinJatwater.com
https://www.animetropesystem.net
--------------------------------------------------
**Discord channel:   [If you have questions or concerns, this is the best place to reach me]
https://discord.gg/t2qVaAR

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