JadedElegance

After two decades of success, best-selling mystery author Vivian Caldwell is having a difficult year. Her 50th birthday is rapidly approaching, her last two novels were widely hailed as "disappointing", and she's channeled JD Salinger to plan her social calendar. When Vivian's publisher gives her an ultimatum, she takes refuge in a desert retreat, determined to restore her reputation. Unfortunately, her laptop is cursed and her characters have plans of their own. Her tragic hero wants to be the leading man in a romance novel, her damsel-in-distress is angry about her fate, and the handsome barista at her local coffee shop keeps finding his way into the story. Truth may be stranger than fiction, but as Vivian struggles to put the pieces of her life and career back together, the fiction spirals out of control. Ultimately, she's forced to rediscover what drew her to craft stories in the first place, and what she's willing to sacrifice in the name of success. ****Thanks to @carolannewrites for the cover images!This story is written for the 2025 ONC, and based on the following prompt. 99. Imagine you're a cursed author where every word you write changes reality itself. It's thrilling, until your characters rebel. One complains about his "overly tragic backstory", while another demands endless twists and turns your narrative into pure chaos. Can you finish your story without losing your mind, or your control?…

JadedElegance

Born into the lap of luxury and a time of turmoil, Duchesse Eleonore Vigneron experiences her coming of age in the Court of Louis XVI . Embroiled in the chaos that surrounds Versailles, Eleni uses her unique blend of wit, charm, and beauty to ensure her survival. Proud and elegant even in the face of death, she escapes the guillotine only to become a powerful immortal with abilities she herself does not yet understand. The former glory of Versailles becomes both her greatest tragedy and the birth of a triumphant future.Nearly 250 years later, Eleni is a wealthy and alluring immortal who finds solace in her own power, but can never forget the past In mourning for her 15th mate, she seeks refuge from scandal in a small town on the Louisiana bayou. With a constant population of 8,999 souls and rumoured to be a haunted town able to disappear at will, Aubrey Parish is a place of rebirth and second chances. Eleni learns to rebuild her life in a world where everyone and everything carries its own secrets, existing together under the veil of two powerful delusions: magic is a parlour trick, and everyone is human.In a world of dark fantasy and elegantly woven webs of deception, the truth may be the most powerful enemy. When will it be unearthed, and what price will Eleni pay?******************This is a completed first draft. Edits and changes will be made on a consistent basis."Immortally Beloved" is the first book in an epic saga chronicling the life, death, and rebirth of an utterly seductive immortal and a mysterious small town. Both will capture your heart. Eleni's story holds a world of Gothic elegance and forbidden secrets that will often bring tears to your eyes.Endless appreciation to @TheTigerWriter, who did this hauntingly lovely cover--the 24th and final one. ;) All that stuff where you brag about your book is in the book. ;)**********…

JadedElegance

Sixteen-year-old Evienne de Roussel has dreamed of one thing since she was a little girl. More than anything, she wants to be a part of the glittering court of Versailles, flirt, dance, and wear beautiful clothing like her idol, Madame Pompadour.Time goes on, and on the day of her sixteenth birthday, Evienne learns something shocking about herself that will change her life forever. When family shame and tragedy bring her a new name, a new husband, and a place in Versailles, she quickly learns every dream has a dark side. Evienne meets Pierre de Ailiot, a widower with piercing blue eyes, a dimpled smile, and the most macabre job at Court. Monsieur de Ailiot paints those who are condemned to die, finding beauty and humanity in their final moments. He tries to mitigate the difficulties of his work and his broken heart with his other passion: painting beautiful women. When the two are swept together during the tumultuous demise of one of history's most opulent eras, intrigue and scandal make them both legendary--and works of art some wish to see destroyed.Cover by @TheTigerWriter, also known as ModernFox! Check out her beautiful selection of covers that will inspire you!…

JadedElegance

Born to a life of privilege in the glory days of 18th-century Versailles, Duchesse Eleonore de Vigneron finds her world quickly turned into one of bitterness and loss during the Reign Of Terror. Charming, vengeful, and immortal, she leads an extraordinary life chronicled by her best friend and faithful companion---her beloved journal. Nearly two hundred and fifty years later, Eleni finds herself in the mysterious bayou town of Aubrey Parish. Rumoured to be a haven for misfits, criminals, and supernatural beings, the Parish provides second chances to those who need them the most. When the Parish's skeletons begin to rise to the surface, nothing will ever be the same. In this sequel to the intricate and evocative "Immortally Beloved", Eleni searches for happiness within the pieces of a chaotic and fractured life. However, the town's web of deceit traps even the most independent of souls, creating a world where no one truly leaves. Will the enticing but tormented vampire find a long-forgotten peace within the haunted town, or is her very existence fated to destroy the fragile fabric that weaves Aubrey Parish together?The exquisite cover design is courtesy of @Avadel (Laine and Aria Nichols).…

JadedElegance

When gentle, idealistic Frenchwoman Violette Marnier finds herself on the wrong side of a fierce English Queen, she understands her fate is no longer her own. Her crime one of love, or something like it, her only consolation lies in hidden messages relayed to her through scandalous tales of lust and romance. As the days grow longer and darker, so do the messages underlined in the texts she reads. Her only contact being with an old Catholic priest and a servant who claims to know what others don't, Violette is tethered to reality by her mysterious admirer. Or is she?*******This short story explores the power of words, the unforgiving side of jealousy, and the blurred line between fantasy and romance.(An entry for Short Dreams 2021, using prompt #31) Lovely cover created by @Avadel. I've been waiting to use this forever, and glad I had occasion to do it justice!…

JadedElegance

When inspiration strikes, she's deadly...A poetic journey that explores the emotional side of learning maturity is something not measured in birthdays, "Ophelia's Wayward Muse" encompasses the hopes, fears, and dreams that accompany what it truly means to "grow up". It combines autobiographical experiences, thoughts about society and culture, and references some of the greatest muses, inspirations, and characters from mythology to modern-day literature. This book is not about Hamlet's Ophelia, or any other specific character, but about her journey into what she would become. It is the story of every lovesick teenager who became a self-rescuing princess and every angry, brooding young adult who learned to forgive and find a place in the world. It is the story of the lovers, dreamers, poets, ad artists who didn't see their place in the world, so made one. These poems are about every person who once longed to be the beloved inspirational muse, only to learn it is better to be the rule-breaking visionary.Cover credit to the wonderful @sourwolphe! Thank you so much. *******First published in 2012, this version of "Ophelia" features some of the original works, but also newer creations from the perspective of an older, hopefully wiser, slightly less wayward muse.…

JadedElegance

As nights grow longer and the moon shines colder, a writer's words flow a bit more freely. The scent of candles and twinkling of lights mix with cups of hot cocoa, all wrapped up in fleece blankets to create a beautiful composition devoted to the season. This is a collection of short stories composed during the Winter months of 2019. While it may not take long to read, sometimes the smallest moments are the sweetest. "Winter's Nocturne" is a collection of short fiction that encompasses every genre and creates memorable characters that linger long after the story is read. This was created as an anthology of short stories for The Great Wattpad Write-Off, a prompt-based competition where 40 talented writers were challenged to compose touching and well-written short fiction that covers all genres. Done in Survivor-style elimination rounds, the goal was to create something strong enough to survive from week to week. "Winter's Nocturne" was the winner of this competition, taking first place in 6 out of 12 rounds--and finally claiming the title of MasterAuthor. Hosted by @thereadingcafe_ and with a beautiful cover by the incomparable @DeannaHellerErskin, this is a feeble attempt at inspiration and versatility. Please enjoy!…

JadedElegance

Life's most exquisite moments remain locked in the darkness..Until now. This is a collection of short stories and flash fiction, typically around 500-750 words each. Nothing too unusual, except they are crafted by an author known for her 8K word chapters and rich, evocative descriptions. Words are not limitless, and each one means something. Flash fiction forces an author to prove the theory true.Some of these stories are written in first person and autobiographical in many ways. Others are responses to writing prompts, challenges, contests, and other assorted things to flex the creative muscle and move from the realm of dark fantasy, epic sagas, and intense emotion to a place more realistic. Some will likely make you blush deeply, and that's alright too.A few chapters are longer pieces: character development exercises, deleted chapters, or are stories told by pre-existing characters--so if you read my stories, beware of spoilers.My work tends to walk on the dark side, so there will likely be mature content. It's rebellious and doesn't listen well. It likes sex, drugs, rock n' roll, blood, and demonic possession. It thinks it's succeeded if it breaks your heart. Art is a cruel mistress. This is not anything written to win awards, recognition, or impress anyone. It is simply a diary left unlocked, understated musings of a writer with a dark but beautiful mind.All that's needed now is a quill, a jar of ink, and the romance of candlelight..and you.The haunting and lovely cover is made by @TheTigerWriter, also known as ModernFox. Thank you for your always inspiring work! :D…

JadedElegance

In 1984, 6-year-old Alexander Sedona walks into an old-fashioned schoolhouse in the quaint rural town of Oaksbury, Pennsylvania, situated in the heart of the Old Amish Country. In one of the country's safest places, the small boy never leaves the old schoolhouse. An inexplicable phenomenon, his disappearance rocks the community to the core. Believing the boy's disappearance to be the result of witchcraft, devil worship, or even worse, the town of Oaksbury quickly deteriorates. Three decades pass, and as the memory of Alexander Sedona's disappearance fades, so does what is left of the once-beautiful town. Those who remain live simple, quiet lives. Little disturbs the peace until Rosalie Andrews, the former apprentice in charge of the children that haunted night, comes across a body. The corpse is that of a stunning young woman, lying beneath the azaleas that still bloom in the yard of the abandoned school house. A black cat anxiously circles her body, a mysterious note tucked in his collar. The young woman's body is pristine, except for one perplexing fact. The crime lab discovers she is covered in the blood of Alexander Sedona, the schoolboy who disappeared before she was even born. Determined to put a lifetime of guilt behind her and lay the ghosts of her childhood to rest, Rosalie makes it her mission to find justice for Alexander Sedona--and the angelic young woman who tells his secrets from beyond the grave.Cover credit to @TheTigerWriter and her Magic Fox. They've done a number of my covers, and have an intuitive gift of understanding my personal aesthetic. Thank you!…

JadedElegance

On the streets of New Orleans, there sits a pretty little flower shop. Inside, the equally lovely and unassuming owner spends her days with her head in the clouds and her nose in the flowers. Pretty, delicate, and the epitome of the old-fashioned Southern Belle, Lisette Cardin charms almost everyone she meets with her optimism and youthful femininity. Everything changes the night that the practical, no-nonsense Evie-Marie Vigneron comes into the shop. Bereaved and agitated, the optimism of the shop and its owner seem to mock the woman, who has come to find the perfect flowers for her mother's funeral. It takes something as simple as a beautiful bouquet to change the course of three lives irrevocably. This story was created as a cover-prompt short story entry for the talented ladies of @avadel. So many of their covers speak to me and inspire me, so winning this particular contest (and cover) is a great delight! Please visit them and adopt a beautiful cover. <3…

JadedElegance

Many here on Wattpad enjoy roleplay as a way to make friends and stimulate the character-creating portion of the mind. Though most do not know this, I am no exception! My characters have been populating pretend universes for more than half of my life. This book is a compilation of insights from a writer and actress who is also a lifelong devotee of roleplay. It also includes "character sheets" for original characters created for RP here on Wattpad, as well as on other platforms. As time goes on, look for this book to hold some tips on character development, writing believable dialogue, and how to create the kind of characters that will make your readers cry. For now, just expect it is a self-indulgent journal of things I've done and people I've woven into fictional universes. ;) This cover was created by @Avadel for a novella that never came to life, and because their covers are always pretty, I'm glad I had opportunity to bring this one out of the inventory. :)…