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Two years after that devastating diagnosis ripped her away from her senior year, Lydia-Marie Prescott has finally found her new normal. After graduation, she was able to enroll in UNMC to pursue a degree in nursing. Along with overseeing a letter-writing program between hospital patients, her days have become full again. She was lucky enough to procure an off-campus apartment with James as her housemate. His days have become full as well; he is hard at work alongside Dia, trying to earn his certification in clinical research coordination. Although their days as patients are long behind both of them, memories still haunt every inch of the hospital. From IVs to saline drips, cancer is their unspoken companion, each and every day. Between demanding supervisors, rigid trial protocols, and the chaos of navigating full-time jobs, Dia and James are running on caffeine, determination, and whatever precious hours of sleep they can squeeze into their already chaotic schedules. Together, they're learning how to balance their careers without letting the memories hidden in the bones of the hospital consume them. Will they be able to treat patients with the disease that completely changed their outlook on life? Or will their past health struggles become their new normal? Read to find out.…

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Lydia-Marie Prescott is like any other 17-year-old senior in high school: she's cramming for finals, staying up late finishing homework (often at the last minute) while still finding time to work on a novel. There's one key difference between her and the average senior, however: three weeks into the school year, she finds herself stuck in the hospital after being diagnosed with leukemia. Going from seeing friends almost every day at school to daily phone calls instead of face-to-face interaction becomes a substantial roadblock in her routine. After getting an intriguing letter from a boy in the hospital room across from her delivered with her meal, she begins to have hope (however crazy it sounds) that her days will become a little brighter. Will she eventually meet him face-to-face, or will their interactions be forever restricted to communication via letters? Read to find out.…

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Imagine a book of fairy tales that allowed you to jump into whichever story you chose with almost no time passing in the real world. Sounds fantastic, right? Well, for Malia Abbott, that's her reality. After finding an old book of fairy tales, she discovers the book itself is magical. With a simple snap of her fingers, she can indeed jump into whichever story she chooses. Juggling her senior year and her part-time job as a photographer for a local modeling studio leaves her with little downtime. One night after coming home from work, she ventures into the attic in search of a camera, but instead finds an old book titled 'Unknown Paradise'. After she takes the risk and jumps in, will she be able to tear herself away from paradise and go back to reality? Or will the lines between reality and fantasy blur, causing Malia to question everything? Read to find out.…

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(TW: self-harm)(Underwater Murder Series spin-off; Book 10 in the Family Ties Series)In the wake of a harrowing confrontation with an old enemy, Ryan Mercer finds himself teetering on the brink of death. This life-altering encounter compels him to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and transformation, forcing him to reshape his very identity and confront the demons of his past. It leaves him not only mentally and physically scarred, but emotionally as well. As he and his family work to put the pieces back together and regain a sense of normalcy, they learn that not everything is as they left it. A new and formidable enemy has surfaced, bringing up some of Ryan's past that he's tried very hard to forget. Along with his family-all of whom are fighting similar battles-he's faced with a brutal outcome, one that ends up forcing him to confront the darkest and most shameful parts of himself. After everything that Ryan has survived in his life (losing both his biological sisters, being forced to witness the murder of his biological father, and being mentally and psychologically tortured for two years), this reinvention of himself will be the hardest thing he has had to endure. Will he be able to put his past behind him while still maintaining the ruse for which he gave up his old life? Or will he eventually break under the pressure? Read to find out.…

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(Underwater Murder Series spin-off; Book 9 in The Family Ties Series) (TW: self-harm) Drew Mercer is no stranger to tragedy. The loss of both his biological sisters and father hardened him, transforming him from the lighthearted and carefree merman of his childhood to the cynical and tense merman he is now. Discovering that his biological mother had been alive for nearly two decades shook him to his core. After making a heartbreaking discovery, an old enemy returns, giving Drew an ultimatum: go with her and leave his family unharmed, or stay and watch everyone he loves die because of him. The catch? He is locked in a room nearly 24/7, trapped in the throes of a terrible poison. Despite having few memories of his family and loved ones, he manages to hold on to a single image: a mermaid with grey eyes and blonde hair. He doesn't know who she is or why he keeps remembering her, but he is determined to return to her no matter the cost. Is he strong enough to fight against the poison, or will he ultimately succumb to the agony he faces nearly every minute of every day? Read to find out.…

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(Underwater Murder Series spin-off; Book 8 in the Family Ties Series)At just 25 years old, Drew Mercer has learned the hard way that letting someone in is the quickest way to get them taken away from you. Following his younger sister Faye's murder, his grief made him adrift and hollow, scared of letting anyone else in lest they leave just as his birth family had. After the attempted assassination of his wife Ani and the brutal murder of Nepptheas' queen, the truth emerges. Queen Nerissa's sister and her husband (who were exiled from Aegrem decades ago for the alleged murder of the queen and king of Nepptheas) were responsible. Not only that but Naia's thirst for revenge is revealed: more vigorous than ever and even more dangerous. Seeing the respect and love Aegrem's citizens bear Nerissa and Jay (and vice versa) fills her with jealousy and greed. Desperate, Naia and Brandon meet with Ani's estranged sister and mother to get Ani out of the picture. When an attack on Beltmare's palace leaves Izzy, Ani, and Elle gravely injured, Nerissa and Jay must unite with Drew, David, Bella, and Marlin to bring the perpetrators to justice. When past wounds reopen, Drew has to make a difficult choice. Does he get revenge on those who have taken so much from their family, or does he push all the hatred, anger, and pain down to give Marlin, Jay, Nerissa, and his parents the closure they deserve? Read to find out.…

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(TW: self-harm) (Underwater Murder Series spin-off; Book 7 in the Family Ties Series) Since the death of his youngest sister (and his last living connection to his birth family), Drew Mercer has been trying to pick up the pieces of his grieving family. Ani has been his rock: always being there to listen and able to comfort him when he jerks awake in the middle of the night from nightmares of Faye's death. They have both settled into somewhat of a routine: after school and work, they go to the Bronze Mermaid and have dinner, sometimes just the two of them, or sometimes with his parents. After one such dinner, they're heading back to the palace when a merman dressed all in black appears, handing Drew a note. Before either he or Ani can respond, the merman is gone. Written on the note are only eight sentences, each more bone-chilling than the former: 'I know what your family was. And I know what you are, Drew Ryan Mercer. The son of a murderer. I am the only one with this information, but I can do much damage with it if prompted. Imagine what would happen if Ani were to find out. She would leave you. And you would be all alone. Just as you should have been all along.' Will Drew figure out who is behind the threatening and cryptic note before it's too late? Read to find out.…

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(Book 6 in the Family Ties Series) Since being adopted by the Solomon's, life has changed drastically for Faye Mercer. Not only has she discovered and gained a new family she hadn't known existed; she also learned something about herself that has changed how she views her life. She is a Siren, an ancient group of mermaids blessed with enchanting voices. Each mermaid comes from a unique background (they are either orphans or only have one parent), and they have felt ostracized or alone in their upbringing. For most of them, their 'Sisters' are the only family they have. In Faye's case, she's lucky to have her brother and adopted parents, but others weren't so lucky. Waverly Marshal, Faye's frenemy, only has her mother since her father murdered her half-sister. He was then killed by Faye in order to save the life of someone she loved. After being dealt a horrible ultimatum and a shocking revelation, Faye must decide what's more important: her sanity and morality, or friendship. Will she be able to make the decision, therefore keeping her sanity and morality, or will she fall prey to what everyone who has wielded the Lost Soul Pendant has in the past: power? Read to find out.…

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(Book 5 in the Family Ties series) All Faye Mercer has ever wanted was to belong. To have a family and friends she could count on, who would never leave nor forsake her. After a treacherous enemy gives her a heartbreaking ultimatum that forces her to give in to her darker instincts, she closes herself off from her family and friends. Falls so deep into depression and self-loathing that it would take nothing short of a miracle to pull her out. Though she tells herself it was to save the life of someone she loves dearly, the heartbreaking truth is something she'll have to face sooner than she thinks. When her oldest friend suffers a near-fatal wound during an ambush on the palace, Faye will have to make a life-changing decision. Will she give in to her darker instincts yet again, or will the strength of her family and friends be enough to pull her back from the edge? Read to find out…

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(Underwater Murder Series spin-off; Book 4 in The Family Ties series) Trust is something that has never come easy to Faye Mercer. After losing her birth mother and sister at barely a year old, she learned that life is precious. As she got older, however, she realized that absolute, lasting trust comes at a steep price. After being adopted by the Solomons, she finally felt able to let her guard down and reassured that she would never be abandoned again. Right after her 17th birthday, she started having strange dreams of being surrounded by mermaids begging her to come home. Now, five years later, she has reluctantly settled into her role as a Siren, though her past actions still haunt her. She's tried so hard to distance herself from them at her peril. The only good thing she can say that has come out of it is that she met a caring, kind merman who swore he'd never leave her. After her oldest friend is dealt a heartbreaking realization, Faye reevaluates her morals. When the reappearance of the Lost Soul Pendant threatens the lives of everyone she loves and cares about, Faye will have to decide where her trust lies: with the family who'd gratefully accepted her or the so-called family that she'd been thrust into? Read to find out.…

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A collection of mental health poems focusing primarily on depression and anxiety.…

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(Book #3 in the Family Ties Series) Faye was finally starting to feel happy again. With her family and friends safe and the merman she'd grown to love by her side, she'd slipped back into her routine of school, work, and being with her family. Even her depression had begun to level out, bringing a sense of peace and comfort she hadn't felt in a long time. Her reputation as a Siren was no longer a novelty; she could finally return to being under the radar. Or so she thought. After an enemy reveals a heartbreaking family secret (one that could threaten every Siren and their families), Faye will have to work with someone she never thought she could trust to uncover the truth. Will she be able to push past prejudice and history to save every Siren and prevent the destruction of everything and everyone she loves? Read to find out.…

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(Sequel to The King's Mistress) Lauren Michaelson has just gotten her fairy-tale ending. After years of torment (which left her with anxiety and PTSD), she met a handsome prince from the neighbouring kingdom, and they fell in love. More than anything, Lauren wants to believe that her past is behind her. Her husband has been a lifesaver-giving her space when she needs it but making sure she knows he's available if she needs him. As for her mother and sisters, they are still adjusting to palace life. Everything's going well-until Lauren gets a mysterious letter hand-delivered to her with disturbing contents. Things that only people inside her family know-about her past, her present, and possibly her future. One person comes to mind-her father, whom she hasn't seen since the last rebel attack three years ago. Is her past coming back to haunt her? Or will she finally be able to make peace with her past and focus on her present and future? Read to find out.…

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(Underwater Murder Series spin-off; Book 2 in the Family Ties Series)"Some days, I feel everything at once. Other days, I feel nothing at all. I don't know what's worse: drowning beneath the waves, or dying of thirst."At this point in her life, the above quote basically sums up Faye Mercer. After being diagnosed with depression two years ago, it's all she can do to keep a smile on her face, keep being positive and happy. The demons of her past have kept her beneath the waves for months now, hardly allowing her to breathe. From nightmares to insomnia, she can't seem to catch a break. Her reputation as a Siren has thrust her into a spotlight for which she wasn't prepared; to say nothing of her PTSD associated with said reputation. Her parents and brother are doing their best to carry on as normal as possible, but even they have tough days. If it wasn't for Waverly, she probably wouldn't be able to get out of bed. It all comes to a head one day when she receives a letter inviting her to a special 'for Sirens only' concert. She hasn't used her voice in years, hasn't even allowed herself to even entertain the thought. Will she be able to keep her head above water, or will she find herself flailing, drowning all over again? Read to find out.…

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(Underwater Murder Series spin-off; Book 1 in the Family Ties Series) Ever since she and her brother were adopted by the Solomons, Faye and Drew have been trying to get back to their normal lives. They love their adoptive parents and wouldn't trade them for anything. Of course, the memories of their late biological mother and sister would always live on in their hearts. Drew has been busying himself with school and cometball, while Faye is working tirelessly to keep up with school and her job as a waitress at the Bronze Mermaid. Their biological father has made a concentrated effort to be more involved in their lives, but it's taken years for them to even get to that point. One day after school, Faye is finishing up a shift when she gets a mysterious note containing only one word: Siren. What does it mean? Does it have something to do with her biological mother? If so, why show it to her now? Read to find out.…

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(Book 10 in the Underwater Murder Series) When Nerissa set off for work that particular day years ago, she never expected the events that were to follow. Meeting the merman who would eventually become her boyfriend and husband, coming across a murder scene, eventually finding out the murderer's identity. Even now, years later, her PTSD makes it difficult to function on a daily basis. Her daughter, Isadora, has her own struggles. Alongside her anxiety and depression, she also struggles with PTSD. She deals with it as best she can, but some days it's all she can do to stay in the present. For both mother and daughter, memories of the past have their way of sneaking up and invading a meal, a leisurely swim, or a class. Their husbands have been doing whatever they can to help them, but there's only so much they can do. Nerissa and Izzy both still have days where the nightmares make it impossible to get out of bed the following day. When an old enemy resurfaces, bringing with him unwanted memories, will Nerissa and Izzy be able to push past them and work with him? Or will they both succumb to the truth-that some memories stay with you forever? Read to find out.…

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(Book #9 in the Underwater Murder Series) Have you ever bottled up your emotions? Pushed them down so deep that they couldn't touch you? Grief, anger, sadness, anxiety... It can get overwhelming at times. Isadora Singh is no stranger to this. In order to survive countless betrayals and heartbreak over the years, she's had to lock up all emotions in the very back of her heart, put her kingdom ahead of herself. But when the identity of her aunt and uncle's kidnapper surfaces, will she continue to suppress her emotions? Or will she allow them to come to the surface, bringing with them hard truths that she may or may not be ready to face? Read to find out.…

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(Book #8 in the Underwater Murder Series)Living with both anxiety and depression can make it next to impossible to get out of bed in the morning. Having unseen illnesses are struggles in and of themselves. Add them to your daily struggles, like work and taking care of yourself? It makes you feel like you're drowning. That is exactly how Isadora Singh feels on a daily basis. It has become her curse. Between the negative thoughts and feelings that plague her every day and her mom having just woken up from a coma, she's already stretched way too thin. When she gets an ominous letter from an old enemy, will she be able to protect her family and her people? Or will she crumble under the anxiety and depression that's slowly eating at her? Read to find out.…

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(Book 7 in the Underwater Murder Series)After hearing countless stories about how her parents fell in love, Isadora 'Izzy' Singh has dreamed about when she'd finally meet 'the one'. Well, she just might get her chance. After tumultuous months of managing her anxiety and depression (and barely leaving her bed), her parents announced their annual Midnight Masquerade ball. Excited to have something fun to focus on, Izzy eagerly starts looking for a dress and mask. When mysterious notes start showing up in her room, along with drawings of a grey pendant, Isadora worries that her parents' past might be catching up with her. Will she be able to enjoy the ball, or will unwanted guests show up, ruining what was supposed to be the perfect night? Read to find out.…

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(Book 6 in the Underwater Murder series) Isadora Meri Singh has a great life. A wonderful job, great family, and good friends. But her life hasn't been without its challenges. Her parents, Queen Nerissa and King Jay of Aegrem, are constantly travelling to the surrounding kingdoms to settle this dispute or that disagreement. Which means she's normally on her own most days. Between volunteering at the school and managing her late aunt's sign language classes, she's got enough on her plate. What happens when she meets a merman connected to her family's past? How will they react? Read to find out.…