“oh shit it's shit”
― Stephen King, Different Seasons

“Because that was the problem with society. It cared too much about who you fell in love with but never about why. The why matters.”
― L.J. Shen, Defy

“I'm not the same person I was before, and I am deathly afraid I will never be her again...”
― Jodi LaPalm, Still Life

“History is not a nightmare from which I am trying to awaken, but rather, a glorious tale which I wish to be cast in.”
― Pietros Maneos, The Italian Pleasures of Gabriele Paterkallos

“I almost forget that she still hates me, despite how hard I’ve fallen for her.
And I’ve fallen.
So hard.
I’ve hit the ground. Gone right through it. Never in my life have I felt this. Nothing like this. I’ve felt shame and cowardice, weakness and strength. I’ve known terror and indifference, self-hate and general disgust. I’ve seen things that cannot be unseen.
And yet I’ve known nothing like this terrible, horrible, paralyzing feeling. I feel crippled. Desperate and out of control. And it keeps getting worse. Every day I feel sick. Empty and somehow aching.
Love is a heartless bastard.
I’m driving myself insane.”
― Tahereh Mafi, Destroy Me

“One couldn’t be selective when remembering the past. Ignore the turmoil, chaos and pain – and the truly great memories would not shine with such luster.”
― Karen Fowler, Memories For Sale

“Every girl should have at least one wild fling on her resumé.”
― Donna Cummings, Summer Lovin'

“Just calm down and think, sir. Think. Where is your wife?”
― Stefania Mattana, Into the Killer Sphere

“The only person in my head is me.
Tibe is not the same. The crown has changed him, as you feared it would.
The fire is in him, the fire that will burn all the world.
And it is in your son, in the prince who will never change his blood and will never sit a throne.
The only person in my head is me.
The only person who has not changed is you. You are still the little girl in a dusty room, forgotten, unwanted, out of place. You are the queen of everything, mother to a beautiful son, wife to a king who loves you, and still you cannot find it in yourself to smile.
Still you make nothing.
Still you are empty.
The only person in your head is you.
And she is no one of any importance.
She is nothing”
― Victoria Aveyard, Cruel Crown

“Coming home seemed to have started the healing process. No longer vivid and garish, the memories seemed to be covered in gossemer, fading behind a curtain of time and forgiveness.”
― Karen Fowler, Memories For Sale

“Chase rushed after her in pursuit. The woman lost one of her high-heeled shoes and Chase took advantage of her lack of balance to tackle her. They crashed to the ground.
“Why are you running from the ball, Cinderella?” he asked.”
― Stefania Mattana, Into the Killer Sphere

“He pulled me toward him, and all I could do was stand there with arms at my sides and head against his chest. Broken, I feared even the slightest movement would cause pieces of me to snap off and fall to the gritty pavement.”
― Jodi LaPalm, Still Life

“Chase stooped to inspect it. Angelo handed him a latex glove, which took Chase three attempts to pull on before tearing it. He had never had a good relationship with latex. He tried two more, tearing each one of those too.”
― Stefania Mattana, Into the Killer Sphere

“What was the point of starting a new life if she did everything the same as her old one?”
― Donna Cummings, Summer Lovin'

“Help me out,” I pleaded. “You’ve left me alone to deal with this situation, and now we’re being dealt the consequences.”

I swore I heard Tom growl. I actually pulled the phone from my ear to stare at it to make sure it hadn’t turned into a tiny lion.”
― Laura Kreitzer, Keepers

“I’m not your boyfriend!” I snapped, trying to gently move her hands away from my body.

“How can you say that?” Sara asked in horror.

“It’s shockingly effortless,” I replied. “My vocal chords vibrate, and my mouth and tongue articulate. I can even do it without thinking.” I had to remind myself to stay calm, and sarcasm was the best way to do that.

“When are you going to give me a key to your house so I don’t have to knock like some guest?” Sara asked, coming at me again.

I backed away. “How about never? Is never good for you?”

Sara, undeterred, said, “You’re the reason I go to therapy on Fridays.”

“The plot thickens!” Gabby exclaimed for comedic relief.”
― Laura Kreitzer, Keepers

“How ya doing?” Gabby’s face came into view, and she grinned down at me. She’d stopped doing her healing thing, and the pain rushed in.

“I’m just peachy,” I quipped, throat scratchy. “Only hurts when I breathe or blink or exist, if I’m being honest.”
― Laura Kreitzer, Keepers

“Ah yes, now you’re beginning to feel it. It’s so satisfying to see my best efforts coming to fruition. Undoubtedly one of the most gratifying rewards of my profession. It would warm my heart—if I had one.”
― Jaye Frances, The Beach

“Oh, I don’t mean to infer that you’re not a great guy. I’m sure you’re the exception to the rule.”
― Jaye Frances, The Cruise - All That Glitters

“I am the Captain of my own life.”
― Lexis De Rothschild, The Cat Letters: A Tale of Longing, Adventure and True Love

“I had this guy’s file pulled this morning, along with the rest of your neighbors. His name is Desperado.”

Pause. A few seconds passed. He was waiting for my reaction.

“Did you say Desperado?” I couldn’t stop the snort of laughter that bubbled to the surface.

“Yeah,” the Director confirmed. “He changed his name when he turned eighteen. It was Melvin.”

I was still laughing. “’Cause Desperado is so much better than Melvin.”
― Laura Kreitzer, Keepers

“Jules lips quivered, and I feared she was about to cry. Then she asked, “He bit off more than he could chew, didn’t he?” She made a motion as if she was biting into a tough piece of steak.

Gabriella’s lips sealed shut as she tried to hide her grin, though she failed at it when Andrew asked, “Was he eating?” He turned desperately to Gabriella, confused.

Jules wasn’t about to cry, she was trying not to laugh! She giggled then, the sound tinkling and odd in the outlandish setting.

Andrew straightened and shook his head at Gabriella. “Did you see him eat?”
― Laura Kreitzer, Keepers

“We all have the beast in us Bill, and it is up to us to control it.”
― Leslie W.P. Garland, The Little Dog

“I unlocked the deadbolt and flung the door open, stepping back for Gabby to see exactly who it was. “Hello, Sara,” I greeted.

A bubble of laughter escaped Gabby before she could contain it. “Yes, hello ex-girlfriend Sara. And might I add: law-breaker? Who let you out of your cage? Don’t you know Joseph has a restraining order against you?”
― Laura Kreitzer, Keepers

“It’s complicated,” I said in defense, hands going up to show surrender.

“Talk slowly,” Jenna retorted derisively.

“Okay, I deserved that,” I admitted.”
― Laura Kreitzer, Keepers

“Awe! Leaving so soon?” Gabby said sweetly, holding the door open. “I was just about to pull out the gun for you to play single-player Russian Roulette.”
― Laura Kreitzer, Keepers

“Well, the only reason we’re friends is because you can rock a tweed suit,” she informed, tone mock serious. “So if you want to keep me around, I expect more tweed.”
― Laura Kreitzer, Keepers

“Shut the front door!” Jenna exclaimed.

Andrew disappeared into the foyer, and when he returned, his eyebrows were furrowed in confusion. “The door is shut?”
― Laura Kreitzer, Keepers

“Joseph, you’re out of clean towels.” Lucia poked her head into the living room, the rest of her hidden behind the wall. Her red hair dripped water onto my wooden floors.

“She’s in the buff.” Jenna guffawed. Gabriella rolled her eyes, beaming.

I rose. “Go back to the bathroom. I’ll bring you a towel,” I ordered Lucia. She disappeared down the hall.

“You have naked angels running around your house,” Jenna continued through her laughter. Gabby laughed louder.”
― Laura Kreitzer, Keepers

“.. that language could but extol, not reproduce, the beauties of the sense.”
― Thomas Mann