The Bride Julie Garwood Historical Romance

CONTENT WARNING: /This novel contains mature themes, explicit sexual content, strong language, and adult situations. Reader discretion is advised./ --- She ran from the devil who raised her… And married the one who wore a crown. After her parents’ tragic death, Lydia Andreyevna’s life became a nightmare. Stripped of her name, inheritance, and freedom by her uncle—Lord Alexander—she was treated like property and promised to a Count four times her age. Desperate to escape, she fled into the cold night… and straight into blood. A stranger. Wounded. Beautiful. Terrifying. She should’ve left him. But she didn’t. She touched him once—and fate branded her forever. Her uncle caught her the next morning. Her escape failed. But when she begged Queen Olga for protection, the Queen offered her a deadly bargain: Marry the masked Grand Duke of Zolotaria. The king’s hunting dog. The butcher of the East. The devil in a crown. The man feared by kings. The heir to the throne. The same man she once saved. Ivan Romanov. They say he bathes in blood. That he kills without blinking. That he conquered kingdoms with a smile behind a mask. That no one sees his face—and lives. Some call him the devil. Others call him Death’s favorite son. But behind the mask is the same man she found dying in the dark. The same voice that haunted her dreams. The same hands she once held. Now, he’s her husband. Her jailer. Her obsession. She doesn’t know if she’s his prisoner, or his weakness. Cold and untouchable, Ivan doesn’t share his bed. Doesn’t share his secrets. But she sees it—the hunger in his eyes. The pain in his silence. The way he looks at her like she’s the only thing keeping his demons at bay. She should fear him. She should hate him. But the moment she dares to take off his mask… it’s already too late. Because Ivan wants her—her fire, her body, her heart. And in his world, what he wants, he keeps. Even if it means burning down the kingdom. She thought she was running from hell. She ended up in his bed. And the most dangerous thing of all? She doesn’t want to leave. ___________________________________ Just a Heads-Up: The spicy stuff doesn't happen right away. It begins from chapter 28. This story takes its time setting the mood and building the connection first—trust the slow burn!

He was the cold and aloof King Mu of Hades who, as a rule, regarded women no more highly than dirt, yet he doted on her to the bone. At first, he was domineering and arrogant—“Even you belong to me!” Afterward, he gradually succumbed— “What’s mine is yours!” In the end, he obediently surrendered— “Ning Xiaofei, I am yours too!” [Ning Xiaofei, his little wife, whom he only wished to keep in the palm of his hand and pamper earnestly!]

For fourteen years, Kaida lived in the shadow of her arranged marriage to Lupus, the powerful Alpha of the Silver Fang pack. What began as a cold union soon becomes a bond tested by betrayal, prophecy, and a secret that could tear their world apart. When an ancient intruder breaks into their manor, awakening the cursed legacy buried under their home, Kaida discovers she is no ordinary bride, she is the last blood of the Moon Priestess, and her sacrifice may be the only thing that can save their pack. With her marriage bound by fate and her blood tied to power, can Kaida rewrite a destiny set in stone?

Michelle finds herself on a difficult dillemna she has to choose between a planned life and fated romance

"Why?? What did I do to deserve this??" "Kill her." Esther De Geire, princess of SilverCrest Empire was killed brutally by her own family. All memories of her life flashed through her eyes and she realised that the family she ran after, never cared for her. When she opened her eyes, she was lying on bed of unknown man. "Where am I? Am I reborn?" The answer was No. Then why is she in a strange man's room who is looking at her with eyes that was filled with happiness and relief. "I will take my revenge no matter what." "Let me help you wifey." The guy looked at Esther with a sinister smile. 'My wife is so innocent and sweet. How can she hurt a fly?' The guy was thinking. But what he didn't knew was that Innocent Esther was a lethal weapon. With a catastrophe that's coming soon, will they be able to stay alive to take revenge or the destruction will be inevitable?

Arabella Saint-James, a cold, reclusive New Orleans heiress, inherits her late husband Elias’s decaying estate and a beautiful, unsettling slave boy named Jonah who's mute, otherworldly, and tethered to the land by forces Arabella can’t yet see. As her suspicions mount, Arabella uncovers Elias’s dark obsession with voodoo and ritual possession. Jonah, it turns out, was never a boy but a vessel: crafted for a god Elias tried to summon. That god, Mal Lune, now lives inside Jonah dormant but awakening. Arabella must confront the horrors of her past, including her betrayal of Colette, Elias’s mistress and the first failed vessel. As the house itself turns against her, Arabella is forced to decide whether to complete the ritual or destroy it with Jonah. But her final act is neither. She rewrites the ritual at great cost,fracturing her own memory and choosing not death, but surrender. In saving Jonah, she loses the part of herself that belonged to Elias. Now alone but reborn, Arabella remains at the estate as a guardian not of the past, but of the silence that follows it.

Astraea is banished from the underworld and sent to the human world after being falsely accused of murder. After being sent to live among humans, whom she loathes, she encounters a human who would turn out to be her saving grace in ways that she couldn't even begin to imagine. *** Zephyra has always had a hard life. Born to an abusive father and a weak mother, she has spent her entire life fighting for herself and believing that no one was going to save her, until one day, Astraea shows up, and Zephyra finally feels like she finally met her guardian angel. But what happens when the angel turns out to be a demon whose presence sucks out every last drop of her humanity and turns her into an empty vessel—literally? This book is rated 18+ with mature content such as: *Violence {lots of it} *Smut P.S: Characters might be mentally unstable sometimes. Enjoy!

Zelda Delacroix is no ordinary girl—raised in a world of affluence, power, and hidden secrets, she’s adopted into the prestigious Delacroix family, where appearances are everything and silence is survival. But beneath the surface of her new life lies a web of forbidden desire, fractured loyalties, and dangerous truths no one dares to speak. As Zelda tries to navigate university, dreams of becoming an architect, and the unrelenting expectations of the Delacroix household, she finds herself drawn to Lucien—the cold, enigmatic eldest son of the family who has always watched her from a distance. He’s off-limits, untouchable, and infuriatingly magnetic. Their connection simmers quietly, the tension growing more unbearable with each stolen glance and whispered word. But Lucien isn’t the only one watching her. The family’s secrets begin to unravel, and a forgotten brother erased from all records haunts the corners of Zelda’s life. As she digs deeper, she uncovers a dangerous conspiracy that could shatter the Delacroix name—and cost her everything. Meanwhile, rivals emerge. Marcella, a cunning girl from another elite family, pretends to befriend Zelda while scheming to steal Lucien. And Delphine Vale, a petite and seemingly harmless classmate, hides sinister intentions beneath her sweet smile. Every step Zelda takes forward is shadowed by betrayal. With her budding friendship with the genuine and free-spirited Ariyah, and the quiet support of her adoptive brothers Berrett and Ryan, Zelda tries to hold on to her sanity. But as the line between protector and possessor blurs in her relationship with Lucien, and long-buried feelings rise to the surface, Zelda must decide: Can she survive the weight of a love that was never meant to happen? And in a house built on secrets… who will burn first?

From being a sex slave to the mafia lord’s favourite, follow the story of Mina Angel, from being a sassy girl to the mafia lord princess. Aaron Vertercio, the mafia Lord took a liking to Mina, he’d do anything for Mina to be his sex slave, even if he had to make Mina and her sick mom homeless and suffer. “What, I woke up like this” Mina said. “ Go back and change princess!” Aaron growled “ Why?” Aaron walked towards her, the aura was enough to send a shiver down someone's spine Mina was slammed against the wall, and Aaron locked her in his arms “Remember this, you are mine and mine alone”. You can follow me on Discord; _Mckenzie_

NOT YOUR REGULAR MAFIA STORY! A story of obsession, danger, and the kind of love that demands everything. If you’re looking for soft kisses and fairy-tale promises, this isn’t it. *** “This is not a game,” Lucas growled, stepping in, his presence dark and overwhelming. “Don’t ever do that again. You have no idea what you mean to me.” Claire’s inhaled sharply and she couldn’t believe the next words that came out of her own mouth. “Then show me,” she whispered in a short breath. In one swift movement, his hand gripped the back of her neck. “You have no idea what you’re asking for,” he murmured, staring into her soul, his breath warm against her skin. But Claire didn’t flinch. She slid her hand down, brushing against the hard outline of him through his jeans, maintaining intense eye contact. “I do.” *** Claire was just another struggling actress until a mafia boss handed her a ring and asked her to act as his wife. “Just one year, and you’ll never hear from me again,” he said. Yeah, right. Let’s see how that goes. He’s dangerous. Obsessive. Powerful. And he doesn’t like to share.

SOLD to the highest bidder. Her body. Her freedom. Her future. Lena Lynx Grey never imagined her life would be reduced to a number on a ruthless auction block. Shackled by a debt she never owed and haunted by a past filled with pain, she’s thrust into the hands of the most dangerous man in the room—Leonardo Castelli, a cold, powerful Mafia lord with secrets buried as deep as his scars. He offers her one way out: a contract marriage. Protection in exchange for obedience. Safety in exchange for silence. Freedom… for a price. But surviving Leo’s world comes with its own kind of torment. She was his bargain, now she's his obsession. In this deadly game of lust and power, love might be the most dangerous deal of all.

Juliana never expected to land a scholarship to the most elite high school in the country—Diamond College, a place ruled by billionaires, legacy students, and one queen bee who doesn’t like competition. Armed with talent, grit, and her two best friends—Julius and Juliet—Juliana is determined to prove they belong, no matter what secrets or rivals wait in the shadows. But being the first-ever recipient of the “Exceptional Talent Scholarship” comes with attention… especially from two of the most powerful boys at Diamond: Desmond—the cold and mysterious heir with a hidden past—and Raymond—his charming rival with secrets of his own. As friendships are tested, feelings surface, family drama and dark truths unravel, Juliana must fight for more than just her place at Diamond—she must fight for herself. > Three friends. One school. A thousand secrets. Welcome to Diamond College.

The Ashbourne Bride A darkly seductive gothic romance set in a world of power, secrets, and forbidden longing. When Adele is wed into the prestigious Ashbourne family, she steps into a gilded world where appearances are everything—and love is a dangerous illusion. Trapped in a life chosen for her, she must navigate the sharp edges of high society, whispered betrayals, and a passion that refuses to stay buried. But behind the grand estate and flawless smiles lie secrets that could ruin everything. And as desire and defiance ignite, Adele must decide how much she’s willing to risk for freedom—and for a love that was never supposed to exist.

Born into a cruel werewolf family, she’s endured endless abuse—beaten and broken by a merciless Step Family who sees her as nothing more than a weak human. On a desperate quest to find medicine for her wounds, she ventures out on Mating Day, unaware of the horrors lurking in the shadows. Captured by savage wolves, she is left vulnerable, on the brink of unspeakable violation—until a cold, ruthless Alpha intervenes, saving her from a fate worse than death. But safety is an illusion. Betrayed by those she thought were allies, she is sold into a brutal slave auction, her fate sealed beneath the cold eyes of her mysterious rescuer. In a world ruled by savage laws and dark desires, she is marked not just as property, but as the forbidden prize of an Alpha whose icy heart hides a dangerous obsession. Will she survive the cruelty of the pack — and claim a place beside the beast who owns her?

Kim Soyeon, a reckless 20-year-old heiress to a Dubai real estate empire, lives for luxury and parties, ignoring her late father's will that demands she marry to claim her fortune. When her mother schemes to pair her with Park Jungwoo, a Stoic 32-year-old businessman who fought his way out of poverty, sparks fly between two opposites. Soyeon thinks Jungwoo is dull and arrogant; he sees her as a spoiled child. But amidst Dubai's dazzling nights, from Burj Khalifa to Palm Jumeirah, love begins to bloom through hilarious mishaps and dramatic misunderstandings. With a charming rival stirring trouble and family pressures mounting, can Soyeon grow up and find true love? And will Jungwoo open his heart to a world he's never dared to explore? VIP Romance is an emotional rollercoaster packed with laughter, tears, and swoon-worthy romance, where two worlds collide in the heart of the city of dreams!

“You wore red” he murmured, eyes dragging her over like a threat. The silk clung to her body like a dare. She didn’t speak. She didn’t need to. His lips crashed into hers, hungry, rough, devastating. It wasn’t a kiss; it was a warning. His hands slid beneath her dress, cupping her ass. He spanks her, HARD. She lets out a throaty moan. “You like that huh ? be a bad girl for daddy” He says. His hard-on, throbbing as brutal as ever, poking her dangerously as the longing kiss continues. “I'll break you” He whispers against her skin. “And when you shatter, I'll keep every piece.” And God help her… She wanted to fall. ********** Sapphire Blake thought her life was hers to live, until a long buried debt ripped that freedom away. Forced into a marriage with Mason Peterson, the cold, arrogant heir to a dangerous empire, Sapphire finds herself caught in a life she never chose. What begins as silence and rejection soon unravels into tension, obsession, and something far more consuming. But, in a world ruled by power, betrayal runs deep and love comes with a price. She was given away like a pawn, but she might be the one who flips the entire game.

Alice Heathrow is pushed from the third balcony of the Montgomery Mansion on the night of her wedding to Lord Alan Montgomery. Her death is written off as a mere suicide as it was a well known fact through the town that Alice did not wish to marry. However, this case takes the curious mind of a particular detective called phantom. A man who is neither dead or alive. One only the dead go to seek justice. When detective Landon Felton, sees a woman in a white dress sitting in his office, he instantly recognizes her. "I was murdered. They said you could help me" Alice Heathrow said. With time running out for the both of them, as mad spirits start to roam free and a family bent on covering up the murder. Alice must find her missing husband but as the story unravels, She discovers that the elusive Phantom might be more connected to her death than she imagines. What will Landon do when he must go back to the only place he remembers from his past life to save the woman he loves?

Zoe Hawkins lost everything in one night — her parents murdered, her twin sister, Chloe, dead, and her home slipping through her fingers. Alone and desperate, she assumes her sister's identity in a high-stakes competition, determined to win the prize money and reclaim her life. But living as Chloe comes with complications — especially when two mysterious brothers stir emotions she’s never known. One offers solace. The other? Heartache and betrayal. Yet her heart refuses to let go of either. As secrets buried in the house begin to surface, Zoe must face the truth: her sister’s death wasn’t just a tragedy — it was the beginning of something much darker.

She's a photography genius. However, she finds herself bullied by her stepmother and stepsister, and thus, isn't able to showcase her talent. He's the young master of Sharp Edge Group, cold and ruthless. However, he fancies her. With a marriage certificate, he forces her to marry him. She goes from a fallen Cinderella to an enviable Young Madam Lu. He supports her as she soars freely in the world of photography. Oppression and anti-oppression, hunting and fleeing. They are destined to be entangled for a lifetime.

--- She was meant to be just a pawn, now she's the queen he'll live and die for. When the country’s most elusive billionaire dollar heir announces a once-in-a-lifetime invitation, Maeve finds herself swept into a marriage she didn’t choose, wearing a dress she didn’t pick, beside a man who barely looks at her. He needed a wife to claim his inheritance. She was just... there. Unwanted by the family that took her in, unnoticed by the man who now owns her last name. Left to navigate a world of silent dinners, cold stares, and luxury that feels like punishment, Maeve buries herself in quiet solitude. What begins as indifference turns into curiosity, and curiosity into possession. And when the truth of her past surfaces—of a tragedy that was never just an accident—he realizes he’s married to something far more dangerous than he ever expected: A quiet storm he never saw coming. In a world where loyalty is bought, betrayal is currency, and love is weakness... Can a quiet girl with secrets tame a king born in blood? --- Book cover mine so please don't use.

In a realm where magic is law and nobility masks rot, Marcelia Ravenswood — bard, healer, and daughter of a house bound to justice — finds herself accidentally engaged to Rayner, a fae exile with horns like branches and trauma buried deep beneath moonlit smiles. One accidental name exchange later, she’s swept into a conflict older than kingdoms and more dangerous than any spell. Her stepbrother Julius, a reclusive scholar of magic, has unknowingly become the vessel for a sealed fae entity — last of the Ceaith-ysyr, an ancient race once vital to the stability of the Fae Wilds. Twisted by betrayal, the Ceaith-ysyr were nearly exterminated by the Magic Magistrate after a failed attempt to turn them into living weapons. Now unsealed, this Ceaith-ysyr hunger for justice — not for themselves, but for Julius, the one who freed them— threatens to ignite a war that could consume the mortal realm. Now tangled in the lies of those who were meant to protect them, Marcelia and Rayner must race to find Julius before the Magistrate finds them all —and finishes what they started. A story of love, loss, and legacies rewritten in blood, this is the beginning of a tale where even the broken can shift the balance between ruin and rebirth.

Bound

"You signed the contract. That means you're mine — in public, in private, and everywhere in between." Emilia Hart never planned to become a bride, especially not to Damien Cross — the cold, calculating billionaire who destroyed her family’s company with a single signature. But when a brutal scandal threatens to ruin what’s left of her name, Damien offers her an impossible deal: marry him for one year, live by his rules, and walk away with enough power to crush her enemies. The only catch? She must become the perfect wife to a man who doesn’t believe in love... and who might just be the devil in disguise. As the cameras roll and the world watches, Emilia plays the part of the doting bride. But behind closed doors, sparks fly, secrets unravel, and the line between revenge and desire begins to blur. He wants control. She wants justice. But neither of them is ready for the one thing they didn’t plan: falling dangerously in love.

Agatha made a vow on her mother’s deathbed—she would never marry. After witnessing the heartbreak and suffering love brought her mother, she swore to never walk the same path. But fate had other plans. Tricked by her father and aunt, she unknowingly signed a marriage contract. The shocking truth hit her like a storm when she was introduced at the world’s most prestigious fundraising gala as Mrs. Christian Stone—the wife of the infamous, ruthless billionaire known as The Beast. At first, Agatha believed it was a terrible mistake. Then reality set in. Every attempt to escape ended in failure, leaving her with no choice but to stay. But if she had to be trapped in this marriage, she would make her husband’s life a living hell. Yet, as time passed, she uncovered a side of Christian that no one else saw—a broken man, scarred by a painful past, yearning for love yet too damaged to embrace it. The ruthless billionaire who struck fear in others found solace in her. And against all odds, Agatha found herself falling for the man she once despised. Just when happiness seemed within reach, a dark secret from Christian’s past shatters their fragile love. Devastated, Agatha is ready to walk away for good. But then, his desperate plea stops her. "You can’t leave me, Agatha. My world will crumble without you. You made me love you, and now you want to leave? For the sake of our unborn child, please… stay." For the first time, she sees the mighty Christian Stone beg. Now, standing at the crossroads of love and freedom, Agatha must make a choice. Will she walk away and reclaim the life she always wanted? Or will she stay and fight for the man who has finally captured her heart?

In the shadowed heart of the kingdom of Arvenhall, where noble blood hides monstrous secrets, Anna becomes the second wife to a man from the most powerful noble house in the land—the Evans family. Though they are not royalty, the Evanses are close enough to it, holding a grip over the court that rivals even the King’s. To the public, they serve the crown. But in private, they may be the ones ruling it. From the moment Anna arrives at the Evans’ manor, she knows something is deeply wrong. Perfection isn’t just expected—it’s enforced. Every word, every smile, every silence feels staged. Lord and Lady Evan, regal and cold, are revered and feared across the kingdom, their influence stretching far beyond their estate. No one crosses them. Not even the King. And the King... he is distant, untouchable, watching. A man whose tragic past should have broken him—but didn’t. Rumors whisper he’s just a figurehead now, but others say he’s simply waiting, biding his time. The truth? No one knows. Except perhaps the Evans. Or perhaps he knows more than he lets on. They are each other’s shadows—caught in a silent war of power and secrets, with Anna now in the middle. Then there’s her husband—the man who chose her. Too quickly. Too deliberately. His devotion is obsessive, his gaze lingering, his touch possessive. He claims to love her. But is it really love? Or is Anna something else to him—a vessel, a key, or a pawn in a darker scheme? As Anna begins to pull at the threads of her new life, she finds herself trapped in a gilded cage of manipulation, madness, and supernatural ties far older than the kingdom itself. In a house where nothing is as it seems, being the second wife might mean she was never meant to leave. Because in Arvenhall, some women are chosen not to be loved—but to be kept.

In the heart of a city that never quite sleeps, Estella moves quietly through life—an orphan with a dreamer's heart and calloused hands. Working as a wedding decorator, she paints others' fairytales with roses and ribbons, even though her own life is stitched together with simplicity and solitude. One day, a peculiar yet lavish contract arrives. The groom, a man of mystery named Cedric, offers a fortune for her services—enough to change everything. Blinded by hope and unaware of the storm that lies ahead, Estella accepts. As chandeliers glisten and violins hum on the day of the grand wedding, fate rewrites its script. The bride—Stella—disappears. In the chaos, Cedric makes a chillingly calm decision. With a cold yet pleading gaze, he drapes the bridal veil over Estella. The ceremony proceeds. Under the gaze of a stunned crowd and ancient vows, Estella is wedded—forcedly—to a man cloaked not just in a tuxedo, but in the shadows of the underworld. Cedric, a mafia king with blood on his hands and softness in his eyes, doesn’t hide his affection. He claims he has loved Estella long before destiny brought her to him. She resists. She mourns her stolen choice. Yet, over time, something unspoken grows between them—not love, not yet—but pity, warmth, confusion... something fragile. Then, one stormy evening, the real bride returns. And the world stops. Stella and Estella—two women, one face. Mirror images. Doppelgängers born of different worlds. And in that moment, questions bloom like night flowers. Who is the imposter? Who was truly meant for Cedric? And is love bound by bloodlines, or by the choices we never intended to make? As secrets unravel and destinies collide, Estella must decide if a forced beginning can ever become a chosen forever.