Once Bitten Twice Shy

Book 2 of the Dragon Lord Series. (Can be read as standalones, but better yet read the first book so you can have a better understanding of the book’s storyline) Everything was taken away from me, my wife, my son, the few people I care about were all stripped away from my grip. I lost them all. I lost everything, my world was turned upside down. Yet my enemies lived, they doubled and craved nothing more than my downfall, my permanent demise. However, I promise to rise once again and regain my strength, assert my dominion and make them all pay. I will take and have back everything that I have lost. My name is Avon Barksdale. They’re going to come back for me, to usurp my dominance, and to cease the existence of my loved ones. I don’t plan on just giving them a hard time, I intend to give them their hardest time. Because, I’m going to protect what is mine, and mop the ground with those that seek to harm them.

After living a honorable life as a military captain, Alexander Bennett's life took a devastating turn when his most trusted ally turned against him, resulting in the tragic loss of his entire team on a fateful rainy day. Left for dead, he was rescued by an elderly stranger, but only on the condition that he would marry one of his granddaughters. Bennett agreed, and in doing so, he wed Cassie, the lovely and treasured member of the Williams family, all in an effort to conceal his true identity until he was ready to exact revenge on those who had wronged him. As a live-in son-in-law, Alex found himself at the mercy of his wife's family, who bullied and belittled him at every turn. Yet, he remained resolute in his vow to make his enemies pay for their treachery against him and his fallen comrades one day. A man once devoid of love and compassion, Alexander's path to vengeance was fraught with uncertainty. How would he defeat those who had wronged him? Will he be able to have his revenge? To uncover the story of Alexander Bennett, the former captain of the Falcon Team, read on...

Arditian, who had just died, opened his eyes and woke up in the body of Myru, a noble child of the Marquess family. But being an adopted child is not that great. More importantly, the original Myru has a nasty personality that is despised by many and famous as a troublemaker. Ignoring that, Myru intends to live peacefully and enjoy the wealth belonging to his adoptive family. At least until he knew that he would soon die at the beginning of the story of the novel Journey to Defeat the Demon King, where he currently lives. Myru was the first person interacted with by the main character Colim and ended up dying tragically at the beginning of the chapter. "I just wanted to live in peace. But it seems like God hates me" This place will be wiped out at the beginning of the chapter due to the appearance of mystical creatures. Unfortunately, the hero will arrive when things are too late, and everything is burnt to the ground. There is only one year, before the mystical creature loses control and destroys his home. In that time, Myru needs to build a good relationship with the main character Colim! But... on the way, he falls to the bottom of the eternal abyss during a bandit attack. Seriously? Hey god, can you please just make my life easier for once?!

He was once nothing, a lowly staff member in the Hart family company. Framed by the ruthless Hart patriarch, betrayed by his colleagues, and thrown into prison, he never made it out alive. But fate gave him a second chance. Reborn years earlier, he awakens determined to avenge his death. To everyone else, he’s still the poor, insignificant son-in-law who married into the Hart family only to be despised, mocked, and eventually divorced by their youngest granddaughter, who traded him for a man from a powerful family. But beneath the disguise lies the truth, he is the heir of the most powerful family in the nation. And this time, he’s not alone. With a trusted friend who knows his secret, a loyal vice president managing his empire in the shadows, and the skills of an undercover detective, he begins his silent war. The Harts humiliated him once. Now he will tear their empire apart, piece by piece even if it means facing the woman who scorned him and discovering she’s tangled in the city’s darkest crimes. “Rebirth of the Hidden Heir” is a modern-day rebirth revenge thriller filled with betrayal, fast-paced suspense, and explosive romance, where every alliance is a risk and every family dinner could end in blood.

Emily Ashton, once a warm and caring soul, has transformed into someone unapproachable and cold. Her powerful business family doesn't understand her change, but only Emily knows the reason she like this. The truth they were never there when she needed them most. Her frustration increased when her father hires a new driver, Adrian Vaughn, after she fired the last one. Emily, who was determined to keep men away from her, because of what she experienced in the past, plans to make Adrian quit. But Adrian in the other hand is hiding a secret that keeps him going, no matter how hard Emily pushes him away, he refuse to give up on his job. Despite her harsh treatment, Adrian's calmness being to breakthrough the wall Emily's have build around her, and her though exterior. Caught between her painful past and the possibility of starting all over again , Emily faces a crucial decision. Can she trust Adrian and let him into her life, or will her fears destroy any chance they have? When she finally get to know the secret Adrian is hiding would it bring them together or tear them apart?

Ryker Hartley, a young man embroiled with a crime boss to claim a hidden treasure. Would fleeing be his only option in this uncertain journey? Or would he challenge his destiny against all odds? ********** A once easy-going boy turned the beastly version of himself, feared by all. With a past that has left a scar on his mind, the most cherished of all his memories has turned out to be an unfairly large grieving package for him. With an unchecked bitterness, and oblivious of an inescapable fate trapped in times, awaiting the moment to descend, he roamed, but with animosity and undue misanthropy. Ryker has closed himself off to the world, he's not one to forgive the most trivial atrocities against him, but when a frenemy manages to break through his defenses, Ryker's integrity is put to the test in ways he never thought possible. As secrets are exposed and alliances are formed, Ryker's life takes a dramatic turn as he becomes a celebrity. Will he rise to the challenge or crumble under the weight of his past? . . . . Find out in this action-packed and thrilling novel that takes a deep dive into the complexities of human nature. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PS: The image is not mine, I got it from Pinterest and then, do the editing. Owner >> Cody Garrett Hatcher

Artis Hardy felt a sharp, searing pain on his cheek as his wife slapped him hard. Sophia, his loving wife, screamed at him in fury. "You beggar! I don't know I had mercy on you and married a scum like you! A man who can't even pay for his daughter's hospital is good for nothing, just like a worm of a gutter." At this moment, their three-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Eva, was lying on the hospital bed, suffering from a rare illness that ravaged her tiny body. They had spent all their savings and gone into debt, investing in her medical care while doctors tried and failed to find a cure for her. Artis walked out of the hospital and smiled bitterly. He had once dreamed of supporting his family and his love, but life had slapped him hard in the face. He lifted his head and took two deep breaths as if he had made up his mind. He took out his phone and scrolled down to a certain contact. After hesitating for a while, he tapped the call button and said, “Lend me some money.” “Sure, no problem. Just sign the papers, and I’ll send you everything you need.”

In a world filled with gods and mythical creatures, Dracula, the most fearsome vampire of all, is captured by a group of powerful gods. Recognizing the immense danger he poses to their existence, they come up with a plan to capture him. Combining their divine energy, they trap Dracula's soul in a small orb and banish him to a distant realm, believing he will never escape. Meanwhile, in another realm, a young elf named Alex is reincarnated. Once the terrifying vampire, he now finds himself in the body of a fragile elf infant—a race known for their peaceful nature and magical abilities. Filled with rage towards the gods who imprisoned him, Alex vows to seek revenge. Despite his small and seemingly delicate form, he is determined to become a force to be reckoned with. Join Alex, the once-feeble baby elf, on an incredible journey of transformation and vengeance. As he grows stronger, he sets out to confront the self-centered gods and prove that even the seemingly powerless can rise against them. ============================ Tags: Powerful protagonist, Harem, Romance, Everyday life, Divine interference, Mythical creatures, Epic battles, Shapeshifters, Adventure, Unique relationships, Intimacy, Magic Academy, Exciting journey, Netori, Gods, Demons, Dragons, Gore, Ecchi, Demi-humans, Familiars.

"If he cannot survive in this Realm and ascend to the Higher Realms, then he is not worthy of being my son!” *** Xiao Tian, the child abandoned by his own parents. He once lived a happy life as the crown prince of the Wang Kingdom. But a great tragedy struck his family—his beloved uncle staged a coup, killing his mother, father, and all those loyal to them. However, the death of his parents was a lie. It was merely a scheme—to leave him behind in the Tianwu Realm, the lowest realm in the Universe. Alone, he rose. Step by step, he walked a path filled with hardship. When he discovered that his parents were still alive, anger filled his heart. But it was not blind rage—it became the fire that forged his resolve to become stronger. With unwavering spirit, he climbed from the lowest realm, ascending through each realm—until he surpassed even his father and became the ruler of the entire Universe! “I, Xiao Tian, swear to overturn this injustice. I will reach immortality and create true peace—so that no one will ever be oppressed again across the Universe. Strength shall no longer be the only measure of justice. And if strength is the key—then I shall become the strongest and be the one who defines justice for all of existence!”

“Look here everyone! This poor wretched man brought his disabled sister here to beg for some money, come on let's contribute for these poor freaks” Tyler shouted attracting the customers as they all laughed and started taking pictures of Ava. “No matter what you do, she'll never be as normal as other kids, that's just a curse running through your bloodline.” “You made my sister cry!” Dexter's expression darkened. This was the one thing Dexter would never tolerate, insulting his sister. He looked at Ava's once happy face now filled with tears and sadness. “Who cares. I…” Dexter punched the grin out of Tyler's face. shutting him up from uttering more nonsense. Immediately Tyler felt his bone structure around his face cracked. *** Dexter Pembroke, a poor and a weakling, an orphan. He was the weakest Mage in existence, betrayed by his girlfriend, bullied by his colleagues and almost beaten to death. But then when he thought he would die, he activated the GOD-KIND SYSTEM which gave him the ability to keep LEVELING till INFINITY. Now all he cares about was to be at the top and protect his crippled sister at all cost!