bubble gum shoes

[#lovesosweet] [WARNING: Mature content 18+] [WPC #AUG2023Entry] « Is it not enough that I have been 'sold off' as a catalogue bride but also have to compete with a dead woman for favour? » Shelby looks like she has it all. The perfect family and all the perks that come with it. But she must go through a 'forced contract marriage' and also compete for the attention of the man she had been unwillingly tied to... Ian lost the love of his life so suddenly that his mind still refuses to accept that reality. He gave up everything and secluded himself until his mother found him a bride. His one task was to give the family an heir but how can Ian do this when the air he breathes all revolves around the one woman he can never have. However, he finds himself in a predicament and dilema when the new contracted bride is thrust into his life unwittingly... especially, when he finds out that she is more than meets the eye. Image: Image generated from starryai.com, cover completed by me. This is an original story of mine. Copyright Loctovia 2023 Completed, September 2025

At Nightingale Academy, where heroes are forged based on the destructive power of their abilities, Troy stands at the bottom of the hierarchy. His gift? Bubbles, harmless, fragile, and utterly unremarkable in a world where strength defines worth. Mocked by peers and ignored by the system, he struggles to prove that power isn’t just about destruction. But when a single night shatters his perception of what it means to be a hero, Troy is forced to confront the dark truth behind the heroes he once admired. In a world where justice is painted in shades of gray, he must carve his own path, one where power is redefined, and saving lives means more than just winning battles. Even if it means standing alone.

The screech of brakes tore through the rainy night as Zoe Xu, twenty-nine, drew her last breath in a fatal car crash. The final image seared into her mind was Hugh Pei holding another woman, Lila Wei, in his arms—a sight that, combined with the news of her family's bankruptcy, became the cruelest epitaph for her short life. The marriage that began as a business alliance had ended with her tragic death, paving the way for him and his "one true love." But at the moment of her death, fate hit the reset button. Zoe awakens in her bedroom, three months into her marriage with Hugh. The crystal chandelier still sparkles, but the woman in the mirror has not yet been worn down by his emotional neglect. A glimmer of foolish hope for their marriage still lingers in her eyes. This time, the proud heiress of A-City is done being subservient. She is determined to tear down the "perfect couple" charade. She watches his cold detachment with indifference and, this time, is the first to serve the divorce papers. The love and hate of her past life have burned to ashes; all she wants is to reclaim what her family lost and live for herself. But then, things begin to go off the rails. Hugh, who once treated their home like a hotel, starts coming home on time. The man who never spared a thought for her feelings now brings her hot coffee when she works late. His strange behavior sends ripples across the calm surface of Zoe's heart. Is this the butterfly effect of her rebirth, or is he plotting something new? A chance encounter at "Encounter Café" brings an even bigger surprise. Lila Wei, the girl Hugh cherished, is there, bustling between tables in an apron, her smile as bright as the rumors say. But looking into her eyes, Zoe sees an innocence that startles her. Perhaps this "one true love" never knew she was a weapon destined to shatter another woman's life. As Hugh and Lila meet and fall in love again, just as they did in the past, Zoe stands at a crossroads, questioning for the first time: is revenge the only answer? From quiet endurance to sharp brilliance, Zoe reclaims her family's honor in the world of business while navigating an emotional tug-of-war that reveals the truth of the heart. Hugh's belated affection, Lila's innocent gaze, and the growing pains of her own rediscovery weave a complex web. She finally understands that rebirth isn't about repeating hatred, but about the chance to choose: to drown in the pain of the past, or to walk towards a future that is truly her own. This is a story of female awakening—a battle fought when the illusion of marriage is stripped away and the halo of a "perfect rival" shatters. It’s a story where two evolving souls collide and spark amidst the city's neon lights. You'll find an emotional chess game of sweetness and angst, the satisfying thrill of a comeback against all odds, and the courage of a woman rebuilding herself from the ruins. This urban romance—a blend of second chances, powerful protagonists, and real-world questions—will pull you in. After all, life offers no true do-overs, but we always have the power to rewrite our ending.

Bubbles… Soft, fragile, and fleeting. They drift without purpose, bursting at the slightest touch. They aren’t weapons. They aren’t threats. Just harmless playthings, forgotten the moment they vanish. But what if bubbles weren’t so innocent? What if, in a world of Hunters—where magic shatters mountains and fists split seas—someone awakened a Skill based entirely on bubbles? A joke. A death sentence. Goblins would laugh. The weak would pity him. The strong wouldn’t even bother to look twice. But powers can hide secrets. And some truths are buried in plain sight. When a nameless F-Rank awakens the “Bubble Skill,” no one expects him to survive. Let alone rise. However, the indomitable spirit of River Faelan refused to die. Step by step, he climbed to the top—shattering every limit placed on a “mere” Bubble Mage. He proved them all wrong. And he’ll do it again, Even if it means starting from the very bottom… for one more time. .... What to expect from this Novel: - Dungeons/Portals - Time Travel to the Past - Overpowered Protagonist - Creative use of Abilities/Skills/Powers - System/LitRPG - And more! Please send Power Stones/Golden Tickets/Gifts to support this Novel!

What if a pacifist needed to work for mobsters ? Yoh Song-ho dreams about dancing in the Opera of Paris but living in North Korea doesn't help. After travelling illegaly to France, he must pay the trup by assassinating people for his boss. Here where it stinks ; his target is a political influence, and he sweared to kill Song-ho's mother if anything were to happen to him. And if he doesn't do the work, our aspiring prima ballerina will be the one assassinated.

Pepper writes stories that span the gamut from humorous to heartfelt, however the common theme is crossing boundaries. Pepper's unique stories often tackle taboo topics such as mental illness and homelessness. Readers will find themselves questioning their own sense of right and wrong, attraction and desire. In addition to writing, the author is also an artist, an introverted recluse, a self proclaimed empath and a foodie. Pepper Pace can be contacted at: pepperpace.author@yahoo.com Kenya Daniels has led a life filled with missed opportunities. Now at the age of fifty-one she’s a lonely woman with two adult children who don’t need her, a mother who needs her too much, and a job that doesn’t give her the credit she deserves. When a mysterious envelope turns up on her desk, things take a turn towards the impossible and Kenya finds herself transported back to 1982 as a sixteen year old. Kenya must navigate through the 80s--again, with the knowledge and experience of a fifty-year old woman, while trying to find the way back to her original time. This Pepper Pace novel mixes humor, family, heartache and love with the twists and turns that Pepper Pace does so well. Everyone loves the 80s…unless you have to relive them.

50 years ago the world was destroyed through climate change. To escape total eradication through viruses and calamities, humanity built gigantic Islands, who float in the sea. But this wasn't the only change that happened 50 years ago. The humans themselves changed and managed to awaken abilities. These ability users live hidden in the world. Some of them are using their powers for the good of humanity and some only seek might and destruction. In this world, where not everything is black or white, a man appeared, who has no real connections to all this. He was just at the wrong time in the wrong place. He manages to awaken his own power and tries to get revenge for his dead friend. But what should he do with this power that tries to make him a hero? Is he really one? Can he risk his life for others? Follow me on Instagram for more Information @storytelling_hero or search for "Storytelling Hero"

Zhou Yu Jun did not expect that on the day of her coming of age celebration, her family would tell her the biggest secret they had been keeping about her. What response do you expect from a 15 year old girl, when informed of the calamity that would befall her in the next few days? Prepare yourselves? but what kind of preparation is right when you suddenly wake up in different universe, where this high school girl who living in this modern world suddenly find themselves in a universe when humans can fly (not fall by force or jump) and animals and plants can talk. Your basic science about physic, biology and technology will be nonsense here. So how the new girl will be fit in, in this new type of environment.

Soft, sweet, and charming, like candy that melts away on a hot day. But is it really just sugar that coats the day? How can one be sure it's all just a small piece of candy? Beneath the saccharine facade of that sweetness lies a darker truth. The sweetness hides pain, and the charming smiles conceal bitterness. Cracks begin to show, and the carefully constructed illusion starts to unravel, revealing what truly lies beneath.

Qin Yao opens her eyes and finds herself transmigrated from a post-apocalyptic world into the body of an ancient peasant woman. Her family consists of four stepchildren needing care. A good-for-nothing husband, who has nothing but looks, is causing a ruckus. They live in a thatched hut, without a grain of rice, the family is emaciated like refugees. If that wasn't enough, someone even comes to collect debts! Anger rises in Qin Yao's heart, and she kicks the wretched husband out, "Debt collector, feel free to just beat him to death!" The four stepchildren: !!! With the world quieted, Qin Yao rolls up her sleeves to revive the family. Hunting, carrying bags, fighting bandits, she's an expert in all. But facing the fields, with her back to the sky, and her face to the earth, even a top-tier fighter from the post-apocalyptic world waves her hand: Can't take it! Really can't take it! Qin Yao scratches her head: In the ancient times where agricultural taxes are extremely high, how can I avoid farming? At this moment, the lazy husband who was sent away to die (twisting and crawling) (struggling to stand up) (screaming and roaring): My dear! I think I can be saved!