John Steinbeck National Award For

A forgotten kingdom. A sacred vow. A journey home across centuries. Centuries ago, the fate of a young Vietnamese noblewoman became entwined with the rise and fall of the Champa kingdom. Her name was Thanh Mai—a girl of silken grace and iron spirit, whose heart beat with forbidden love and a fierce loyalty to truth. Her story was nearly lost… until one man dared to follow its echo. In modern-day California, Kien Quoc—a quiet Vietnamese-American engineer—receives his father’s dying wish: return to Vietnam and uncover the roots of their family’s past. His journey leads him into the heart of central Vietnam, where sacred towers sleep beneath moss and myth, and where the memory of Champa lingers in song, stone, and silence. Guided by dreams and joined by Sari, a Balinese journalist equally devoted to Southeast Asia’s lost civilizations, Kien stumbles upon a revelation that challenges history, identity, and the very idea of nationhood. Along the way, they unearth a secret chamber beneath the holy valley of My Son—and within it, a truth that changes everything. Told in sweeping, poetic prose, Last Song of the Nation weaves together two timelines: the fall of Champa through the eyes of a young woman trapped between war and destiny, and a contemporary quest for heritage, love, and healing. At its core lies a question that haunts generations: What do we owe the past, and what can it still teach us today? This is a novel of memory and migration, of culture and compassion, of spirits that never die and songs that still carry across the wind.

How a man from modern Bangladesh goes to post-liberated Bangladesh and changes Bangladesh's history with his own hand

One mission. One daughter. Zero room for failure. When ex-FBI agent John Lockley is blackmailed into working for a ruthless cartel, the stakes couldn’t be higher—his daughter’s life hangs in the balance. Hunted by the very agency he once served and trapped in a world of blood and betrayal, Lockley must pull off one final run. This time, it’s not about justice—it’s personal. Hey Reader, This is the author of this book. This is my second book after Jack Mayors. There might be errors and stuff. So, if there's anything please let me know. Hope you enjoy it!!! Thank you.

He died a modern war hero. No medals. No parades. Just silence. When he opened his eyes, he found himself on a crumbling throne in a dying kingdom. Reincarnated as the last king of a collapsing nation, a hardened military commander faces a medieval world plagued by poverty, corruption, and the threat of extinction. The army is gone. The treasury is empty. The people have lost all hope. There are no cheats. No systems. No divine blessings. Only war, discipline, and the cold logic of survival. He will rebuild from the ground up. He will industrialize and weaponize the land. He will reform the army, crush the nobles, and impose order with steel and blood. The world itself is expanding, growing larger every second, though no one realizes it. He will. And he will use that secret to begin his conquest. They call him savior. He becomes something else. A king forged by war. A tyrant crowned by necessity. This is not a story of hope. This is a doctrine of power.

balls are week and sensitive, vaginas take a pound i NG, cuz they want to act like pussies so what would you do honey?!

Moe, a recent graduate from a prestigious university, is on the hunt for a job when fate takes an unexpected turn. After acing a crucial interview, he finds himself in a life-altering accident that transmigrated him into a Fantasy world. After transmigration, instead of gaining extraordinary powers, he awakens in the body of Arthur Jr., an incompetent king ruling over the small kingdom of Keldoria. In a realm where magic is commonplace, Arthur Jr. is unable to wield any magic abilities, leaving him at a significant disadvantage. However, armed with the authority of a king and the knowledge of modern society he will transform the small kingdom of Keldoria into a advance nation where technology and magic coexist. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----Disclaimer------- This is a pure kingdom-building story that emphasizes the economy and technological advancements of a nation rather than magic or the strength of a single individual. This is also a slow-progression story(Slow burn!!!), focusing on governance, development, and strategy. While the pacing may feel slow, I will ensure that each chapter remains engaging and immersive. Readers who prefer fast-paced stories with an overpowered protagonist from the start may find this novel different from their usual preferences. Expect a strong focus on macroeconomics rather than microeconomics, as this story revolves around building and managing an entire kingdom rather than running a single business. The protagonist will not possess overpowered abilities or cheats such as system, but will rely on his intelligence, knowledge, and authority as a ruler to shape his kingdom’s future. It is my first time ever to write a novel so to be honest, I use AI(GPT and Blackbox.io) to enhanced/rewrite my writing. However the idea, world building, concept and everything else is written by me and me alone. So reader who enjoy 100% Human work I am sorry to disappoint you, however I don't use AI by giving it idea prompt and copy pasting the result but I write on my own then I use AI to enhance my writing style and making it more enjoyable to read. Thus the writing may involved AI but it is 100% human idea and concept. Hope you enjoy!!!!

I’m Kim Ji-Hoon, a 20-year-old nobody—college dropout, shut-in, and family punching bag. After losing my beloved grandparents, the only people who cared for me, my greedy parents took everything they left behind. Rock bottom didn’t even begin to describe my life. That is, until a mysterious blue screen appeared before my eyes. “Hello, my great-great-great-great-great-grandson! I’m your ancestor—and I’m here to save your sorry life!” Just like that, my world flipped upside down. I was thrown into a mystical realm by my ancient ancestor—who insulted me just as much as he trained me. Grueling physical training, running from wild beasts, and mind-breaking challenges… all to prepare my body for what came next. The Talent System. With this unique ability, I can visit sacred shrines of national heroes around the world—absorbing their talents and mastering legendary skills from every culture and country. Swordsmanship from Japan. Marksmanship from America. Strategy from ancient Chinese generals. Even spiritual arts from forgotten tribes. But there’s a catch—I must be strong enough to inherit their talents. And with each trial, powerful forces begin to take notice… From bullied loser to global anomaly, my journey begins now. Watch out, world—Kim Ji-Hoon II is coming, and I’m stealing every last talent you've got!

Fourteen years of war nearly destroyed the world. Seven years of peace have barely held it together. The Seven Nation Army, forged from the ashes of World War III, stopped the bloodshed and vowed to protect the fragile balance. But peace has a price—and not everyone is willing to pay it. A shadow looms over the fractured world. The New World Order, a ruthless organization born of chaos, plots to tear apart the fragile ceasefire. Their vision? Burn the old world to the ground and rebuild it on their terms. At the forefront of this conflict, Bravo Squad stands as humanity's shield. Led by Captain Sohel Choudhury, callsign "Ghost," this elite unit faces a daunting task: unravel the NWO's plans before the world is plunged into World War IV. But trust is scarce, alliances are fickle, and the battlefield is no longer confined to nations—it’s everywhere. Victory isn’t guaranteed, but failure means the end of everything. — “If taking one life can save a thousand, we have to pull the trigger. If that one life is at the end of your barrel, and you won't be able to take the shot, leave this room right now. Because if you don't take the shot, your enemy will. And he won't hesitate. I assembled you here to win a war, not to turn all of you into cannon fodder.” Sohel took a deep breath and looked out over his squad. “Now, let me ask again, does anybody want to leave? Does anyone here think that he'd not be able to pull the trigger?” The room buzzed with one synchronized sound, “No, sir.”

In a country shattered by corruption, military brutality, and unbearable cost of living, the people suffer in silence—until one man decides to scream loud enough for the world to hear. His name is Very Dark Man, known across TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram as VDM—the fearless voice of the oppressed. Through massive protests and powerful online messages, he becomes the face of a movement. Millions believe in him. The youth adore him. The government fears him. But behind every revolution lies a shadow… When VDM makes a shocking decision that shakes the entire nation, the line between hero and traitor begins to blur. Is he the people’s last hope—or their greatest betrayal? This is not just a fight for justice. It’s a war for the soul of a dying nation.

Reborn into a world ruled by professions, Su Xue Qing awakens a mysterious hidden class—Frostveil Monarch. Cold, calm, and carrying memories from another life, she rises in a land where strength defines fate. As monsters prowl and evils scheme, her path begins—not to conquer the world, but to master herself. The Monarch walks alone... until the world can catch up.

Aurora Sage, known in the underworld by the code name Aura, is a legend and a five-star assassin who never misses her target. Cold, calculating, and mysterious, she's feared by all in the underworld. Her motto is simple: finish the job, get paid, and disappear. Logan Mason, is the national heartthrob, a top model and actor, with the face that melts the heart and a reputation for being untouchable. Arrogant yet irresistibly charming, Logan has the world at his feet and is used to being adored by everyone until he crosses paths with the wrong woman, the younger sister of a notorious mafia lord. Her bruised ego leads to Ethan's abduction, and the celebrity finds himself in an unexpected situation. When Aura is hired to eliminate the mafia lord, she doesn't expect to find the nation's golden boy, chained and battered in a basement. Against her better judgment, she rescues him because a girl in her she knows his fan. But the mission takes a sharp turn when Logan gets interested in her and gets entangled in her world. Aura tried her best to shake him off but it only made him more obsessed and clingy. But the shadows Aura works in are darker than what Logan can imagine. The enemies she made won't let her go unscathed and to protect the clingy Logan who won't leave her alone, she must confront her past and risk her future because falling for Logan might just be her deadliest mission yet.

I was finally leaving one of these black companies who would exploit their workers. Because I had found another better company. My life was about to change when suddenly, a car hit me. I woke up but not the world I knew. I was in the world of the game [Nations Rise]. Now stuck as the Emperor of the Antares Empire. I must adapt to this new world.

It’s just about a pig that even the author hates.

What happens when two people find each other and learn they have a much shorter time together, will they keep feeling remorse over the shorter time or will they try to make it memorable?

° [BASED ON TRUE EVENTS] ° Sarah lived a simple life with strict parents and few friends. But she had strange dreams where she saw real people who lived years ago. Sometimes, she couldn't wake up from these dreams until she saw everything that was meant to happen. She looked into the people from her dreams and found out they were real, living in the past. This made her wonder if she was somehow connected to them. Strange memories, like she was there with them, started popping into her head. It felt like she had lived before. Her dreams weren't just dreams; they felt like pieces of her own past that she was only now starting to remember. ° [This story is based on the real life incident happened with someone and all the characters used in the story are based on the character of her past life... But hey, don't take it very seriously, nothing like that is gonna happen with you...] ° [So stay light hearted and enjoy the reading... Good luck...] °

Warning! Mature Content Hernia is his to care for and he doesn’t care what the world thinks of that. >>>>>>> “We could date instead,” Hermia suggested, her voice laced with uncertainty. “I don’t date,” Niklaus replied coldly, his piercing gaze unwavering. Hermia blinked, caught off guard. “So it has to be marriage?” she asked, her tone laced with disbelief. “Yes,” he deadpanned, not a hint of hesitation in his voice. Her frustration bubbled over. “But we don’t even know each other!” she whined, throwing her hands up in exasperation. Niklaus leaned forward, his dark eyes gleaming. “I don’t need to know you, Mia,” he said, his voice dipping into a deep, dangerous tone. “When I can feel you… that’s enough for me.” She inhaled sharply, her heart hammering in her chest. “That’s not enough for me,” she countered, her voice firm but trembling slightly. His expression softened, and his next words wrapped around her like a promise. “I would forever cherish you, adore you, and treat you like the rarest gem. I would never let you shed a single tear of pain.” Her resolve wavered, but she shook her head and pushed back. “We’re not getting married, Shark. Just go.” But instead of leaving, he smirked, leaning back with a confidence that rattled her. “I’ll be waiting.” Hermia groaned, exasperated. “Nik, you’re hardly doing any waiting. You’re all over me! We live together, work together, eat together—you’re always here!” Niklaus’s voice dropped to a whisper, raw and pleading. “Then just keep me forever, Mia.” She froze, his honest, vulnerable eyes piercing through every defense she had built. Her heart quivered as she felt the weight of his words sink in. She didn’t know what to do. >>>>>>>> To the world, Niklaus Hathaway is ruthless—a man who takes what he wants, no matter the cost. But for Hermia, the girl who’s lost everything, he’s something else entirely: her unlikely savior whom she couldn’t blindly trust. He’s ruthless to everyone—except her. Niklaus Hathaway doesn’t date. He doesn’t waste time. He only wants what’s his. When Hermia steps into his life, he makes one thing clear: if she won’t marry him, she’ll work for him. Keeping her close is his only goal, and no amount of gossip, jealousy, or family betrayal will change that. But Hermia’s life isn’t as simple as working for the powerful CEO who’s claimed her as his. With an evil stepsister and manipulative parents determined to ruin her happiness, Hermia must fight for her place in a world that seems determined to push her out. Niklaus declared her his from the beginning—and he’ll stop at nothing to protect her, no matter the cost Love has never been this dangerous.

In a world riddled with endless greed, pain, and destruction, a once hated king Nai Soari is raised from the dead - a peaceful place that he wishes to return to. His sole task is the killing the Demon who's one step away from annihilating the planet. Gifted with the Blessing of the Sun, Nai is the world's lone savior. Nai - all the whilst regaining his powers that have slowly drained over time - must join forces with a cunning doctor, a mute orphan child, and Luan, a secretive, dangerous, yet charming man who has given naught but his name and age to restore the mortal world to what it once was.

John Hurd boards the ship, Griffin, in 1634 with his boss and mentor, William Hutchinson to the New England Colonies. He is 22 years old, single and had 4 more years of serving until he was free. He has no financial ties and decides to come with William to start a new life, find a girl to marry, start his own tailor shop, and live without religious persecution. He experiences a lot to get these goals and meets his match! Join them as they bravely embark on the journey of a lifetime.

What if everything India was told about its past was a lie? In 2025, Aarav Sen, a rebellious teen with a troubled past, stumbles upon a forgotten clue that leads to a buried secret—Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose never died. As he dives deeper, he uncovers “Operation Ashwamedh”, a classified mission, secret military factions, traitors in high positions, and a truth so explosive that it could collapse the nation’s very foundation. From high-speed chases to deadly betrayals, and from forbidden chambers to encrypted war messages—Aarav is thrust into a real-life war across India’s past and present. Alongside brave allies like Meera, Major Aryan, and others, he must rise beyond fear, fight the hidden enemies, and bring to light the biggest cover-up in Indian history. But how far will they go to bury the truth? And how far will he go to uncover it? This isn’t just a rebellion. It’s a revolution.

John was an exorcist who tries to help innocent people from the grasps of ghosts and other evil entities. He believes that he is helping those people in need, but is that true? Did he really help those people? He didn't want to believe the other way, those who raised him taught that. He has a secret that even he himself doesn't know. What would happen is that those in the opposite faction take advantage of this and try to manipulate everything. The powers that he has will end those innocent people's lives? Did he finally get corrupted according to the enemies? Let's dive into the story of Jauary John and find the answers.

Falsely accused of murder, Adi is rescued by a mysterious assassin and joins a secret society of assassins, Niziari. He undergoes rigorous training, becoming a deadly warrior with heightened senses. Adi fights to protect his society and earns his place as a true assassin, ready to face the darkness ahead.

ozone a middle schooler meets an untimely end—thanks to a divine mishap involving... chopsticks?! God grants him a single wish as an apology and sends him to a whole new world. His dream? To build a nation of his own. Reborn in a strange land, armed with nothing but ambition and that one-granted wish, he begins his journey to create the ideal country from scratch.

all for hurt is a novel that depict and shows how revenge and love coupled together

Rhonin Winter never planned to get involved. Broke, drowning in debt, and sleeping in his car, he took the job out of desperation. Impregnate three omegas, get paid, get out. Simple, right?  Wrong.  Because the three omegas assigned to him? They’re about to turn his world upside down. _ Orion Veltis: "If you're here to waste my time, leave."  Orion built a multi-billion-dollar empire from the ground up. Cold, untouchable, and completely unbothered by love, he sees relationships as nothing but a liability. But an heir? A legacy? That’s non-negotiable. _ Elian Muro: "I just… I don’t want to be owned." Elian grew up in a golden cage, raised to be the perfect omega. His parents tried to force him into an arranged marriage with a powerful but cruel alpha—so he ran.  Alone, hiding, desperate to escape a future he never wanted. If he has a pup, his family can’t force him to marry.  _ Vail Everette: "Relax, sweetheart. It’s just sex—unless you want it to be more?"  Vail used to be a superstar. Adored. Worshiped. Until a scandal ruined him. Betrayed by his ex, backstabbed by his own industry, he lost everything.  Now? He refuses to crawl back to the world that destroyed him. But if he has a pup? That love will be real. Unconditional. His. _ Rhonin just wanted to pay off his debt and move on. Instead, he’s caught between three extraordinary omegas—each with their own reasons, their own struggles, their own secrets.

Kilala bilang palaban na babae si Cassie Rhielle Smith, kahit anong away ay wala itong inuurungan. Sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon ay pinagkasundo siya ng kanyang mga magulang. Hindi akalain ni Cassie na sa lalaking kinaiinisan niya pa. Kean Mike Salvador, ang lalaking ubod ng sungit, akala mo ay may buwanang dalaw ito araw-araw. A total opposite of her. She is talkative. He is silent type. She is had-headed. He is cold-hearted. Isa lang yata ang pagkakapareho nila, iyon ay ang 'ayaw nila sa isa't isa'. Paano pa kaya kung magsama sila isang bahay? Ano na lang ang mangyayari sa kanilang dalawa? Mauwi na lang kaya ito sa walang humpay na away? Or, could it turn into something they didn't think could happen — a thing called Love.