cactus bloom

Throughout the Ming Kingdom, Jun Hua was famous for being a useless girl without any talent worthy of praise. Everyone mocked her, belittling her for latching onto her brilliant brother Jun Min, the young and peerless general admired as the most talented prodigy for his talent and his ability to change the fate of the declining Jun Family. Never in their wildest dreams would they have suspected that Jun Hua is the young general who is leading the army on the frontline, Jun Min! "She has no talent as a girl, but has the brilliance of a great general!" Her journey towards revenge is something she has to do on her own. And yet, on that path she will gain allies, friends, and possibly even...... a romance? This is Jun Hua's story, a story that shall be carved into history as the legend of "the flower who blooms from the battlefields". .... Story set in fictional world with culture similar to ancient Chinese Word count: 900-1500 words/chapter Thank you for the help of the readers in the discord to make the synopsis The cover picture credit goes to the Webnovel team. Edited chapter count: 75 Link to Discord: https://discord.gg/pBy2wGB ... Other novels: - Under the Veil of Night [complete] - 7 Path of the Lilies [on long hiatus] - 1 Year of Beginning [complete] - Villain Lady [complete] - Science and Fantasy [complete] - 2 Years of Restarting [complete] - Forgotten Legend of the Bloodied Flower [on going] - The Quiet Empress [on going] ... follow me on IG: @sora100518

Silver Winner WPC #225 In the Acerradia kingdom, women were stronger and more powerful than men. This was due to a specific gene in their bodies that men couldn't possess. It gave each woman different ability and strength. Hence they ruled the kingdom. Men's duties were mainly to stay at home and look after the family. Come of age and find marry into a good family. They were to be seen but not heard, felt but noticed. This was the way until Princess Ariadne met a man who dared to look her in the eye and talk back at her. The man was not just foolish to challenge her but even went ahead to call her names. She was not going to stand for it. She made him her husband was determined to break him. Princess Ariadne; bent on making Draxan bow to her. Draxan; wants to prove that men are equal to women and anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool. Will the princess succeed in forging Draxan to be like other men or will Draxan win and show that men too are capable. Will their hatred for each other's opinion let their relationship remain merely as strangers or will they grow to love one another? *Cover is not mine and the credit goes to the owner. If he/she wishes to then I will remove it. *

(+18 content.) His life takes a turn for the better. Prologue Could it be that he knows, and that's why he...?" The life of secrets, betrayal, and firm In the midst of being lonely some days, Karalana takes a turn in life for the better. Karalana's mind was a swirling tempest of memories.The weight of his mother's death hung heavy on his shoulders—a tragedy that had shattered his world. Though the accident had been beyond his control, the blame was inescapable. One fateful evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the mountains, he met Sharisha. Her presence was a gentle breeze that momentarily calmed the storm in his heart. The two shared a secret beneath their imaginations, their whispered words forming an unbreakable bond. As time passed, Karalana couldn't deny the growing connection between them. In Sharisha, he saw not just a refuge from his past but the promise of a brighter future. And so he made a decision to be by her side: he would keep his mother's death a secret from her; it was a lie born out of love. In the glittering city of Smokey Valley and with unfamiliar faces, Karalana's trust issues deepened like a chasm in his soul. Surrounded by the wealthy elite, he felt like an outsider, a mere spectator in a world where people wore masks of politeness and privilege. When every smile seemed to have hidden agendas. He couldn't help but wonder if, in this world of opulence, genuine connections were a rarity. The memories of his cousin's past betrayal and the weight of his tormenting memory only fueled his suspicion of everyone he met. Yet, amid this sea of unfamiliarity,Sharisha remained his anchor. Her unwavering support and genuine affection were the glimmers of light in his darkening world. With her, he dared to believe that trust could be rekindled, even in a city where wealth and facades seemed to rule. The unexpected marriage of Karalana and Sharisha sent shockwaves through Sanka and Abisai's circle of friends.

"Why are you doing this?..." her usual domineering tone turned extraordinarily soft in a heartbeat as her rosy red lips quivered softly. Her breathing hitched as she felt a cold hand on her nape pulling her head closer. She looked up and a pair of sterling silver eyes caught her gaze. His silver locks fell on his forehead covering it entirely as he looked down at her to acknowledge her question. "You are the reason I do everything Kiaraa..." _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ A war between fire and ice, the outcome could never be estimated. Their lives were so close yet it felt so far at the same time. He wanted her despite the dispute surrounding them but what could Lee Kiaraa possibly possess to make Adrian Kim go to the end of the world just for her? She was short tempered, strong, witty and independent. Her words alone held fire in them and every action of hers had indecisive reasons. She was a trouble magnet but she couldn't care less about her problems as she had a powerful family to back her up. But even with the power she held, her troubles still caught up to her and she had no other choice but to depend on him for help. Not knowing him too well, she trusted him blindly and he helped her with silent reasons, guiding her with utmost care like she was a fragile egg. His actions held many questions but she couldn't say a word but rather masked her curiosity with her mischievous acts. Blinded by her problems, she wondered if he was really her ally or her enemy. His reasons finally came to light when she realized that he was the root of all her problems. A glimpse of her vague memory from childhood gradually unfolds. The situation seemed deeper than she comprehended but it seemed to late for her, she had fallen... Would she accept him when she eventually knows the truth?

[Mature Content] ||| It wasn't supposed to happen. But it happened so naturally none of them could have even realized they were falling, they just did. All because of an email with a typo when they were young, which made them become pen pals in secret. Maybe it was the magic of never meeting in person, maybe it was the charm of the unknown, but they fell, and they fell hard through the years. But were they really strangers in real life as they believed while keeping their identities a secret? ||| It's a fast paced age gap romance, there will be smut, the initial stage of the story is focused on them being pen pals, each chapter is an email in the first part. So, they will be quick paced and short in the beginning, and when they meet in person it'll get longer. It won't be a long story, the romance when it happens physically, will be fast paced. English is not my first language. It's original by me.

Rajat Narula: I work for the World Bank as a lead financial management specialist. My first novel, The Jasmine Bloom, was published in 2017. Azalea Heights is my second novel. The Jasmine Bloom has been accepted by Fairfax County Library. Besides, The Jasmine Bloom, I have published several poems and two series of articles. I have lived in India, Indonesia and USA. Sameer Chadha is in a mid-life crisis, unhappy with everything around him, even his name. His corporate career is languishing and he is increasingly alienated from his family. His wife Kavita, a part-time poet and a full-time mother, lives more in the past than the present. When their lives collide with that of Ritu, a younger woman coping with an abusive husband and an autistic son, a chain of events gets triggered that puts all their lives into a tailspin. The Jasmine Bloom is a story of love, lust, ruin and resurrection. It is a commentary on the fragility of modern family life; of terrible secrets and shocking choices. However, at its core, it is the tale of a man learning to be happy in the here and now.

*** Strictly prohibited for kiddos below 18 **** A never-ending fierce battle between the Heaven Realm and Demon God, have made them expand their forces into the mortal world. Heavenly Realm collaborated with Olena, a kind-hearted human being. Demon God collaborated with Aliyah, a cruel human being. The battles developed an entangled relationship between Aliyah and Olena. They get involved in a cycle of reincarnation, mother and daughter relationship.

Young Caleb lives a frivolous life of chasing girls until he's called to fight a war in some place he's never heard of. He learns the meaning of respect, of loyalty, friendship, love, and the true meaning of evil.

PREVIOUSLY NAMED 'THE BATTLE OF VEURSIR.'. Warning - This book does deal with the themes of war and loss. Viewer discretion is advised. She went from working in her family's bar to helping those out on the battlefield. Young Claire Emerson received a letter that changed her life forever. She received an invitation from the military only weeks after a war had broken out. Her country needed her and she knew that, yet she accepted the call for a reason totally personal to her. Join Claire on a journey of pain, heartbreak, sadness and maybe, just maybe, love, as she found herself, combating the war alongside the one man who stood up for her. *extract from the book* From her hands, she gazed up at her brother. "Do you really have to go back?" she asked him. The lump that formed in her throat was the only culprit, the cause of her voice, that held her words, to be so soft. From looking in the distance, her words caused him to lower his gaze and look down into the dirt. Not too long passed when he glanced at Meghan, who had her eyes on them both, she too was looking for the answer to Claire's question. Finally, Garrett looked at his sister, a small smile of reassurance appeared on his lips. "But I will be back..." A pause. "I will be back before you know it!". Claire tried to react to his words, she attempted to smile but failed in doing so. She wasn't in the mood to give him a fake smile, to fake her contentment. Garrett took in another breath. "I-I have to go. I have to go, Claire. They need me there. But I think it'll be everything like it was thus far, it'll be nothing serious. Remember when dad, too, was a soldier? He spent less than a year in the army and then came back.". "Y-yeah, but this is different, Garrett...". A very brief pause followed Claire's words. "Didn't you hear about another war brewing up? It was all in the papers, Garrett.". Gently, Garrett shook his head in disapproval. "They are just rumours, Claire. You cannot believe something like that. What more, you cannot trust those kinds of people. The kind who earn money from scaring others.". Claire was about to say something, she was about to retort, but she choked up on her own words. In the end, she said nothing. "You don't have to worry about me. I'll be back, Claire.". A pause. "Just like father... I'll be back before you know it.".

In Bloom Amid Ruins, Ruyi finds herself ensnared in a harsh world born from her nemesis's imagination, fated to be nothing more than expendable cannon fodder. But Ruyi defies this bleak destiny with fierce resilience and sharp wit, navigating an apocalyptic society torn apart by treachery and rivalry. As she faces down deadly enemies and forms perilous alliances, Ruyi evolves from a mere survivor into an unstoppable force, shattering the expectations of those around her—and even her own. This story of defiance, survival, and inner strength is perfect for readers drawn to high-stakes drama and an indomitable protagonist who dares to reshape her fate.