“
In the shadow my father has cast over my entire life, you are the only light I can see anymore. And, whatever the cost, I refuse to let that light be extinguished
”
”
Morgan Rhodes (Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms, #3))
“
She was his princess. No. She was his goddess. With her golden skin and golden hair. She was his light. His life. His everything.
He loved her more than anything else in this world.
”
”
Morgan Rhodes (Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms, #4))
“
Magnus had come to a horrible realization. One that he knew would cause him nothing but pain and suffering from that day forward.
But there was no changing the truth of it.
He had fallen in love with her.
”
”
Morgan Rhodes (Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms, #3))
“
He looks at the bathtub, where I’m lounging like Cleo-fucking-patra.
”
”
Elle Kennedy (The Score (Off-Campus, #3))
“
I love you, Cleo," he said, the words finally coming to him, with no effort at all because of how true they were. "I love you so much it hurts."
Her eyes widened. "What did you just say?"
Magnus almost laughed. "I think you heard me right.
”
”
Morgan Rhodes (Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms, #4))
“
The hole is loneliness,' said Cleo quietly.
'Why's that?' said Audrey,
'You can't stand above someone and tell them to get out of it,' she said. 'Or teach or preach it out of them. You have to be in it with them.
”
”
Coco Mellors (Cleopatra and Frankenstein)
“
Follow you heart wherever it leads. Appreciate life, Cleo. It's a gift that can be stolen at any time.
”
”
Morgan Rhodes (Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms, #1))
“
Her cerulean eyes widened.
"You dream about me?"
His gaze snapped back to hers.
"Nightmares only
”
”
Morgan Rhodes (Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms, #3))
“
Hatred is like fire. It burns the one who harnesses it. It's also extremely hard to see more helpful truths through its flames.
”
”
Morgan Rhodes (Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms, #3))
“
Yo no te considero de mi propiedad, yo te considero una extensión de mi alma, Cleo.
”
”
Lena Valenti (Amos y mazmorras: Segunda parte (Amos y mazmorras, #2))
“
This was the boy who now kissed her without reservation, as if he were dying and she was air itself.
”
”
Morgan Rhodes (Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms, #3))
“
Fear and intimidation are tactics that work very well on those who allow themselves to be afraid and intimidated.
”
”
Morgan Rhodes (Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms, #3))
“
surprised his head doesn’t spin and his eyeballs don’t bug out. “Um.” His gaze bounces around the bathroom like a rubber ball. He looks at the towel rack, where his cargo pants are hanging. He looks at the bathtub, where I’m lounging like Cleo-fucking-patra. He looks at the bubbles surrounding my body like a fluffy white cloud. And then he looks at Winston. “Dude,” I blurt out. “It’s not what it looks like.” “Nope, nope, nope, I don’t want to know!
”
”
Elle Kennedy (The Score (Off-Campus, #3))
“
But she didn't fall. Someone was there, reaching an arm around her waist to steady her. She looked up expecting to see Nic, but it was Magnus.
His dark brows were drawn tightly together. "Problem, princess?
”
”
Morgan Rhodes (Rebel Spring (Falling Kingdoms, #2))
“
Cleo and Frank could not make each other happy, no matter how hard they’d tried.
”
”
Coco Mellors (Cleopatra and Frankenstein)
“
Ser Cleos looked like a weasel, fought like a goose, and had the courage of an especially brave ewe.
”
”
George R.R. Martin (A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, #3))
“
There are lots of different kinds of bows and Cleo loves them all.
”
”
Sybrina Durant (Cleo Can Tie A Bow: A Rabbit and Fox Story)
“
Cleo’s like a cat,” said Frank. “She can touch you, but you can’t touch her. That’s her thing.
”
”
Coco Mellors (Cleopatra and Frankenstein)
“
Kurtis came to see me earlier," Magnus said, before Cleo could reply. "Do you know why?"
"To tell you I've quit archery?"
"No, but it's adorable that you think I'd care about something so trivial.
”
”
Morgan Rhodes (Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms, #4))
“
Just breathe, Cleo," Zoe said. "I won't leave you. I won't go anywhere. You're safe." Cleo smiled into Zoe's gold-flecked eyes. Everything she had ever wanted to hear from a man was hers from the mouth of a girl.
”
”
Coco Mellors (Cleopatra and Frankenstein)
“
You seem rather obsessed with Magnus. Perhaps next time I should try to arrange a meeting between the two of you instead.
”
”
Morgan Rhodes (Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms, #3))
“
Great Job! Now you have a bow just like Cleo.
”
”
Sybrina Durant (Cleo Can Tie A Bow: A Rabbit and Fox Story)
“
A KISS! A KISS!" the crowd chanted.
(...)
"I dont know," Cleo began, sickened by the thought of it. How far was she willing to go to appear agreeable? "Quite honestly, it seems like a bad--"
Magnus took a tight hold of her arm and turned her around. Before she could say another word, he put his hand behind her neck, drew her closer to him, and kissed her.
Every muscle in her body stiffened. It was the sensation of being a bird caught in a hinter's trap. Her wings screamed out for her to fly away as fast and as far as possible. But he held her firmly in place, his mouth against hers, soft but demanding a response.
She gripped the front of his shirt. It was all too much--she wasn't sure if she was pushing him away or pulling him closer. Much like diving into deep water, she had no idea which way would find her air to breathe or which way would drag her down deeper into the depths where she would surely drown.
And for a moment, just a moment, she found it didn't seem to matter.
The warmth of his body against hers on such a cold day, his now-familiar scent of sandalwood, the heat of his mouth against hers...it all made her head spin, and logic fell away.
”
”
Morgan Rhodes (Rebel Spring (Falling Kingdoms, #2))
“
The bunny was thrilled that her ears no longer dragged on the ground. They would stay nice and clean.
”
”
Sybrina Durant (Cleo Can Tie A Bow: A Rabbit and Fox Story)
“
Finally, the fox gently pulled both ear loops outward at the same time to make a pretty bow on top of the bunny’s head. The tips of her ears, hung just at her cheek bones.
”
”
Sybrina Durant (Cleo Can Tie A Bow: A Rabbit and Fox Story)
“
Don’t be afraid,” the fox said, “I would never hurt you.” She smiled sweetly but the bunny was still a little scared.
”
”
Sybrina Durant (Cleo Can Tie A Bow: A Rabbit and Fox Story)
“
Because whipping an atlas at Jackson's head while he was flirt-touching that Frankie girl in geography would have been very satisfying. And beating him with the Eiffel Tower snowglobe while he kissed Cleo in French would have been tres cathartic. But she hadn't. Instead she'd been egg-like: a hard shell on the outside, and a runny mess on the inside.
”
”
Lisi Harrison (Monster High (Monster High, #1))
“
What is a wedding, Cleo wondered, if not a private dream made public?
”
”
Coco Mellors (Cleopatra and Frankenstein)
“
Don’t wait on anyone to tell you what you are worth. You have to be the first person who knows what you are worth and can say what you are worth.
”
”
Cleo Wade (Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life)
“
I'm not a stranger," I said, and pointed to his book. "I read the same authors you do.
”
”
Lemony Snicket (When Did You See Her Last? (All the Wrong Questions, #2))
“
Here’s a story that helps her tie the “bunny ear bow” exactly the same way every time.
”
”
Sybrina Durant (Cleo Can Tie A Bow: A Rabbit and Fox Story)
“
I’m not afraid of these ghosts, Cleo. I have enough of my own to keep me company.
”
”
Makiia Lucier (A Death-Struck Year)
“
Birdy sang out, “It’s true. She’s a friendly fox.” The deer chimed in, “She’s helped us all in some way.
”
”
Sybrina Durant (Cleo Can Tie A Bow: A Rabbit and Fox Story)
“
Albert and I would spend hours and hours looking at them. Cleo had this big magnifying glass on his desk, and we'd find centipedes and grasshoppers and beetles and potato bugs, ants . . . and put them in a jar and look at them. They have the sweetest little faces and the cutest expressions. After we'd looked at them all we wanted to, we'd put them in the yard and let them go on about their business.
”
”
Fannie Flagg (Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe)
“
Guilt isn't in cat vocabulary. They never suffer remorse for eating too much, sleeping too long or hogging the warmest cushion in the house. They welcome every pleasurable moment as it unravels and savour it to the full until a butterfly or falling leaf diverts their attention. They don't waste energy counting the number of calories they've consumed or the hours they've frittered away sunbathing.
Cats don't beat themselves up about not working hard enough. They don't get up and go, they sit down and stay. For them, lethargy is an art form. From their vantage points on top of fences and window ledges, they see the treadmills of human obligations for what they are - a meaningless waste of nap time.
”
”
Helen Brown (Cleo: How an Uppity Cat Helped Heal a Family)
“
He looks at the bathtub,
where I'm lounging like Cleo-fuck-ing-patra.
He looks at the bubbles surrounding my body
like a fluffy white clod. And then he looks at Winston.
"Dude," I blurt out. "It's not what it looks like!"
"Nope, nope, nope, I don't want to know!"
Snatches his pants off the rack. Continues backing away.
His eyes again focus on the pink dildo two inches from my hand.
I try again. "I promise you, it's not --"
"I don't want to know.
”
”
Elle Kennedy (The Score (Off-Campus, #3))
“
Love yourself enough to walk into only the rooms and situations that show care and love for you. Love yourself enough to walk out of the rooms that harm you in any way. Love yourself enough to hold the people who harm you accountable for their words and actions. Love yourself enough to express your wants, your needs, and your desires. Love yourself enough to tell the truth. Love yourself enough to keep yourself safe. Love yourself enough to say enough is enough when enough has become enough.
”
”
Cleo Wade (Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life)
“
It is good to see people happy with one another. It is a glimpse of a world in which everyone is that way. A happy world might be boring, I told myself, but watching Jake grin at Cleo grinning at Jake grinning at Cleo and back again, I thought it was worth the risk.
”
”
Lemony Snicket (Shouldn't You Be in School? (All the Wrong Questions, #3))
“
Comparison and extreme competition run on insecurities and the belief in scarcity, which inevitably isolates us from one another.
”
”
Cleo Wade (Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life)
“
That was the thing about New York, Cleo thought as they walked toward the buses. It never knew what you wanted, so it offered you everything.
”
”
Coco Mellors (Cleopatra and Frankenstein)
“
Being weird is when you love yourself enough to liberate yourself from the burden of trying to be normal. It is also when you are smart enough to know that there is no such thing as normal.
”
”
Cleo Wade (Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life)
“
You’ll see that I was right and your heart beats for me. Mine, yours—they chime to the same beat. Wherever we end up in the world, whatever you do or whoever you decide to tie your life to, we’ll never be whole unless we’re one.
”
”
Pepper Winters (Ruin & Rule (Pure Corruption MC, #1))
“
Follow along at home to tie a bow just like the fox. Go find a scarf or ribbon that will fit around your waist or try these moves with your shoe laces.
”
”
Sybrina Durant (Cleo Can Tie A Bow: A Rabbit and Fox Story)
“
But I want you to know," Cleo continued, "that there is hope. And that I am living proof of that hope. Because, even though I was forced into this marriage against my will, I have come to know Prince Magnus Lukas Damora very well these last months. And one thing I've learned is that Prince Magnus is nothing like his father. Prince Magnus is brave and compassionate, and he truly wants what's just and best for this kingdom. Kindness is what makes a good king who will put the needs and rights of his people before his own desires.
”
”
Morgan Rhodes (Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms, #4))
“
May our broken hearts fuel us to fix our world.
”
”
Cleo Wade
“
Your heart has stolen mine; two souls beating in time.
Yet you push me away-rejection a cruel slay.
I beg you to kiss me. Take me. Claim me.
Make me yours and put my fears at bay.
”
”
Pepper Winters (Ruin & Rule (Pure Corruption MC, #1))
“
Great joy doesn't obliterate grief. Both can be encompassed at the same time.
”
”
Helen Brown (Cleo: How an Uppity Cat Helped Heal a Family)
“
It's that happy-sad feeling, that intense homesick ache. It makes me think of my semester abroad. Not the old cobbled streets or tiny pubs overstuffed with drunk university students, but Sabrina and Cleo FaceTiming me at midnight to sing me "Happy Birthday." The feeling of being so grateful to have something worth missing.
”
”
Emily Henry (Happy Place)
“
O Hathor,” Cleo began, “why bless me with an abundance of gorgeousness and then deprive me of people to envy it? Especially on a Saturday night?
”
”
Lisi Harrison (The Ghoul Next Door (Monster High, #2))
“
I’m not sure the prince was ever taught the polite way to speak to people,” Cleo replied. “And yet,” Magnus said, “you’re still following me, aren’t you?” “For now. But you should remember that charm opens far more doors than harsh words do.” “And a sharp ax will open every door.” The
”
”
Morgan Rhodes (Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms, #4))
“
I dunno." She sat on the bench and hugged the robe like a pillow. "I still think that Brett guy is cute."
"Good luck getting him away from Bekka." Cleo gathered her silky black hair into a high pony and pink-dabbed Smith's Rosebud Salve on her lips. "She's got more grip than Crazy Glue."
"More cling than Saran Wrap," Lala added.
"More hold than Final Net." Cleo giggled.
"More possession than The Exorcist," Lala managed.
"More clench than butt cheeks," Blue chimed in.
"More competition than American Idol," Frankie stuck out her chest and showed them her diva booty roll.
The girls burst out laughing.
"Nice!" Blue lifted her purple gloved hand.
Frankie slapped it without a single spark.
"I hate to be a downer..." Claudine shuffled back into the conversation wearing her slippers and robe. "But that girl will destroy you if she catches you with Brett."
"I'm not worried," Frankie tossed her hair back. "I've seen all the teen movies, and the nice girl gets the boy in the end.
”
”
Lisi Harrison (Monster High (Monster High, #1))
“
What's your name?"
"Cleo," said Cleo.
He nodded. "Approriate."
"How so?"
"Cleopatra, the original undoer of men."
"But I am just Cleo. What's your name?"
"Frank," said Frank.
"Short for?"
"Short for nothing. What of earth would Frank be short for?"
"I don't know," Cleo smiled. "Frankfurter, frankincense, Frankenstein...."
"Frankenstein sounds about right. Creator of monsters."
"You make monsters?"
"Sort of," said Frank. "I make ads.
”
”
Coco Mellors (Cleopatra and Frankenstein)
“
There comes an age in life when you realize that blaming and regretting are a waste of precious time.
”
”
Cleo Coyle (Murder Most Frothy (Coffeehouse Mystery, #4))
“
It didn't seem to matter whether the previous day had been good or bad; the sun would always rise the next morning.
”
”
Morgan Rhodes
“
And for a split second Cleo saw the value in living openly. Liberation was Windex for the soul. It let the light shine through. But why dwell? Nothing was ever going to change.
”
”
Lisi Harrison (The Ghoul Next Door (Monster High, #2))
“
A boy makes his girl jealous of other women. A man makes other women jealous of his girl. -How to be a man Cleo
”
”
Lani Lynn Vale (Life To My Flight (The Heroes of The Dixie Wardens MC, #5))
“
Cleo's motto seemed to be: Life's tough and that's okay, because life is also fantastic. Love it, live it - but don't be fooled into thinking it's not harsh sometimes. Those who've survived periods of bleakness are often better at savoring good times and wise enough to understand that good times are actually GREAT.
”
”
Helen Brown (Cleo: How an Uppity Cat Helped Heal a Family)
“
The perfectly measured burr of a dispassionate detective had suddenly changed into the explosive boom of a take-no-shit street cop.
Suffice it to say, I froze.
”
”
Cleo Coyle (On What Grounds (Coffeehouse Mystery, #1))
“
Mantra for anxiety:
This is not you. This is something moving through you. It can leave out of the same door it came in.
”
”
Cleo Wade
“
I gave him everything that I was. I gave him all my troubles and dreams and flashbacks. I let him save me. And at the same time saved him.
”
”
Pepper Winters (Ruin & Rule (Pure Corruption MC, #1))
“
Do not ignore your intuition. There is an infinite intelligence within you; let it be your guiding light.
”
”
Cleo Wade (Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life)
“
I believe with all my heart, that Magnus is a worthy and superior successor to your current king. Therefore, I ask today that you reject Gaius Damora as your leader and take Prince Magnus as your new king. He will right the wrongs that have overtaken Mytica. And he will make Gaius Damora pay for all he has destroyed.
”
”
Morgan Rhodes (Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms, #4))
“
it was time
so i said yes
i said yes to living
i said yes to loving
i said yes to being
my...
self
illuminated
and unafraid
”
”
Cleo Wade (Heart Talk Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life and Inward 2 Books Collection Set)
“
Survive everything. And do it with style.
”
”
Cleo Coyle (Murder by Mocha (Coffeehouse Mystery, #10))
“
Oh God." I lost the ability to speak under such glorious torture. "He won't help you, Cleo. Might as well implore my name instead.
”
”
Pepper Winters (Ruin & Rule (Pure Corruption MC, #1))
“
On the back of the bike, the world softened and smeared. She stretched her arms out either side of her and grabbed palms full of solid air. The night was a thousand black butterfly wings beating against her skin. Cleo understood why bikes were so often described as freedom; not for their ability to take you elsewhere, but for the way they transformed the place you already were.
”
”
Coco Mellors (Cleopatra and Frankenstein)
“
You won't believe me, no matter what I say. Clearly there's nothing I can do or say that will change your opinion of me."
"You want everything, take all that you can get, but you give nothing back in return," Magnus snarled through clenched teeth. "Leave me.
”
”
Morgan Rhodes (Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms, #4))
“
I shrugged. “Actually, I didn’t tell her much of anything. She must’ve put two and two together all on her own and come up with you being a jerk face.”
His gaze slid back to me and he grinned. “Ouch, shortie.”
“Yeah, like that really bothered you.” I glanced back through the small window in the door that led to bio. Mr. Tucker was already at his desk—was Mrs. Cleo ever coming back?—and we only had a minute, tops, before the tardy bell rang. “What did you want?”
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a thin slip of yellow paper, waving it in my face. “Guess what I found?”
“Obviously not a better personality,” I remarked.
“Ha. Funny.” He brushed the edge of the paper across my nose and smiled when I smacked it away.
”
”
Jennifer L. Armentrout (Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements, #2))
“
Real gold doesn't start its journey in a display window at Tiffany. It's dug out of the dirty earth. Sometimes true gold doesn't glitter. It may need a little polishing, but don't let that bit of needed patience or effort trick you into discarding what could be the greatest treasure of your life.
”
”
Cleo Coyle (Billionaire Blend (Coffeehouse Mystery, #13))
“
Well, that was quite a romantic sight, wasn't it? The rebel and the princess, together again in their mutual admiration."
"And now I'm imagining his voice," she whispered. His jealous, angry voice. "I'll let it be your choice entirely, princess. Shall I kill him slowly or quickly?" Now Cleo frowned. He sounded so real - far more real than any fantasy. Cleo turned around slowly to see the tall, broad-shouldered figment of her imagination standing no more than three paces away from her. Scowling.
”
”
Morgan Rhodes (Immortal Reign (Falling Kingdoms, #6))
“
Ser Cleos raised a shout. When Jaime looked up, Brienne was lumbering along the clifftop well ahead of them, having cut across a finger of land while they were following the bend in the river. She threw herself off the rock, and looked almost graceful as she folded into a dive. It would have been ungracious to hope that she would smash her head on a stone.
”
”
George R.R. Martin (A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, #3))
“
don’t need to know you to love you.
”
”
Cleo Wade (Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life)
“
He captured my chin, holding me firm. “You are me. And I am you. We might have separate thoughts and minds, Buttercup, but we have the same heart and soul.
”
”
Pepper Winters (Sin & Suffer (Pure Corruption MC, #2))
“
The past five years had informed me about human sorrow. While no two griefs are the same, nobody understands suffering like those who've been there.
”
”
Helen Brown (Cleo: How an Uppity Cat Helped Heal a Family)
“
I speak out because I know the pain of staying silent.
”
”
Cleo Wade (Where to Begin: A Small Book About Your Power to Create Big Change)
“
He looks at the bathtub, where I’m lounging like Cleo-fucking-patra. He looks at the bubbles surrounding my body like a fluffy white cloud. And then he looks at Winston.
“Dude,” I blurt out. “It’s not what it looks like.”
“Nope, nope, nope, I don’t want to know!” Logan throws his hands in the air and starts backing toward the door as if he accidentally walked into a lion’s den. He halts. Snatches his pants off the rack. Continues backing away. His eyes once again focus on the pink dildo two inches from my hand. I try again. “I promise you, it’s not—” “I don’t want to know.
”
”
Elle Kennedy (The Score (Off-Campus, #3))
“
People persuade themselves they deserve easy lives, that being human makes us somehow exempt from pain. The theory works fine until we face the inevitable challenges. Our conditioning of denial in no way equips us to deal with the difficult times that not one of us escapes.
Cleo's motto seemed to be: Life's tough and that's okay, because life is also fantastic. Love it, live it - but don't be fooled into thinking it's not harsh sometimes. Those who've survived periods of bleakness are often better at savoring good times and wise enough to understand that good times are actually great.
”
”
Helen Brown (Cleo: How an Uppity Cat Helped Heal a Family)
“
We were on the patio, Tristan grilling us burgers, as we watched the kids playing in the their park of a backyard.
… I pointed a Nikolaj, huddled together with Imogen. “No fucking way,” I told Tristan. “That right there is not happening.”
He curled his lip at me, waving a hand at Cleo and Duncan. They were holding hands. They were only six, but that wasn’t the point. “What about that right there? What the ever-loving fuck is up with that? I’ll tell you right now I won’t stand for it.
”
”
R.K. Lilley (Mr. Beautiful (Up in the Air, #4))
“
Have you ever considered how many living things there are on earth?" Cleo asked. "People. Animals. Birds. Fish. Trees. It makes you wonder how anyone could feel lonely. Yet humans do. It's a shame."
She looked to the sky, now a deep shade of purple. "We fear loneliness, Annie, but loneliness itself does not exist. It has no form. it is merely a shadow that falls over us. And just as shadows die when light changes, that sad feeling can depart once we see the truth."
"What's the truth?" Annie asked.
"That the end of loneliness is when someone needs you." The old woman smiled. "And the world is so full of need.
”
”
Mitch Albom (The Next Person You Meet in Heaven)
“
The only way we can make the most of our lives is to make the most of our moments. Today, wherever you are, decide to stay. We can know the gifts that lie in the present only if we stay in it long enough to receive them.
”
”
Cleo Wade (Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life)
“
He took everything and I let him.
Demanding.
Feral.
Consuming.
Arthur was everywhere at once.
In my mind.
My heart.
My soul.
His taste.
His scent.
His heat.
”
”
Pepper Winters (Sin & Suffer (Pure Corruption MC, #2))
“
The more time I spent in his arms, the more whole I felt. I could live in the moment.
Right here.
Right now.
I’m home.
”
”
Pepper Winters (Sin & Suffer (Pure Corruption MC, #2))
“
Annabelle, I'm going to kill you!" I cried, frowning at the mess. Then I glanced down the stairway and gasped.
It looked like someone had beaten me to it.
”
”
Cleo Coyle
“
Keep your inner world loving and hopeful and your outside world will begin to reflect exactly that.
”
”
Cleo Wade (Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life)
“
Take risks with faith, not fear.
”
”
Cleo Wade (Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life)
“
I don’t need you to stay the same, Cleo,” I say. “And it’s not ‘having things in common’ that makes me love you. We’re so different, Clee. All of us. And I wouldn’t change anything about you. Like I said, you are a missing piece of my heart, and Sabrina is too. If your schedule has to change, or you start singing Barney songs to yourself, or become one of those people who post about their kids’ diaper blowouts on social media—” “You’ll put me out of my misery?” she asks quietly. “God, yes. I’ll take your phone and feed it to the sea. But I’ll also still love you. You’re family to me. You and Sab both.
”
”
Emily Henry (Happy Place)
“
There was a fine line of making love and fucking but this was love-fucking. This was cruel but sweet. Angry but happy. It was a thousand words in one timeless action—righting the wrongs of our past and hopefully repairing a future we both didn’t think we’d ever find.
”
”
Pepper Winters (Ruin & Rule (Pure Corruption MC, #1))
“
List of everyday acts of bravery:
1. Being a woman
2. Giving a damn
”
”
Cleo Wade
“
A cat chooses its owner, not the other way around.
”
”
Helen Brown (Cleo: How an Uppity Cat Helped Heal a Family)
“
Coffee makes a sad man cheerful, a languorous man active, a cold man warm, a warm man glowing. It awakens mental powers thought to be dead, and when left in a sick room, it fills the room with a fragrance…. The very smell of coffee terrorizes death.
”
”
Cleo Coyle (On What Grounds (Coffeehouse Mystery, #1))
“
But before she could speak another word, he crushed his mouth against hers.
It was so unexpected that she hadn't the chance to even think of pushing him away. His body pressed her firmly against the rough cave wall. His hands slid down to her waist to pull her closer to him.
And just like that, with his proximity, with his kiss, he managed to fill her every sense. He was smoke from the campfire, he was leaves and moss and the night itself.
There was nothing gentle in the rebel's kiss, nothing sweet or kind. It was like nothing she'd ever experience before, and so very dangerous—every bit as deadly as the kiss of an arrow.
Finally, he pulled back just a little, his dark eyes glazed as if half drunk.
"Princess..." He cupped her face between his hands, his breath ragged.
Her lips felt bruised. "I suppose that's how Paelsians show their anger and frustration?
”
”
Morgan Rhodes (Rebel Spring (Falling Kingdoms, #2))
“
Then there was the realisation that I didn't actually feel that much better when I was thin(ner). In fact the 'thin' version felt worse because I lived with hunger clawing at my stomach all the time, and in fear that I was going to get fat again. After years of neuroticism I'd finally understood those who loved me would continue to put up with me fat or thin, and those who didn't ignored me. As a middle-aged woman I was pretty much invisible anyway. To pass unnoticed through an image-obsessed society is surprisingly liberating.
”
”
Helen Brown (After Cleo)
“
Forgive yourself. Forgive yourself for who you were last week, last month, or last year. Forgive yourself for when you were exhausted and snapped at the people you love. Forgive yourself for not being able to do it all. Forgive yourself for your fears. Forgive yourself for your mistakes. Forgive yourself for eating one cookie too many. Forgive yourself for not being perfect. We often look at forgiveness as an intellectual act, but forgiveness is very spiritual. It is one of the most spiritual things we can do. When we forgive, we acknowledge that we are far bigger and greater than one individual moment. When we forgive, we are saying to the universe: I will not imprison myself or anyone else with anger, shame, judgment, or resentment. Gift yourself this freedom.
”
”
Cleo Wade (Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life)
“
He squeezed into one of the pews and knelt. It had been a long time since he had been here. What should he say? Phrases from his childhood came to him, dusty and inchoate. Out of habit, he began reciting the Lord’s prayer, but the real thoughts, his actual prayers, interrupted before he finished. He asked for his grandmother to rest in eternal peace. He asked for God to watch over his parents. He prayed that Cleo not be in pain. He prayed for her and Frank to be happy again. He asked for mercy for Anders. He prayed that Lila be allowed to dance, wherever she was. His grandmother had always told him not to pray for himself, but at the very end he did. He prayed for the courage to talk to Dominique. He asked for love to come to him again. Finally, he humbly asked God for the strength to bear his hungry heart , the heaviest weight of all to bear.
”
”
Coco Mellors (Cleopatra and Frankenstein)
“
Are you jealous of them looking? Doesn’t it turn you on knowing you’re the only one who gets to see what’s under my suit? That you’re the only one who holds this.” Stealing my hand, he placed my fingers over his heart. He brushed his lips against my ear. “Because I get hard seeing the way men look at you, knowing you belong to me and only me.
”
”
Pepper Winters (Sin & Suffer (Pure Corruption MC, #2))
“
While Photoplay mused that “Strangely enough, women outrank men as continuity writers,” it wasn’t strange to them. Women had always found sanctuary in writing; it was accomplished in private and provided a creative vent when little was expected or accepted of a woman other than to be a good wife and mother. For Frances and her friends, a virtue was derived from oppression; with so little expected of them, they were free to accomplish much. They were drawn to a business that, for a time, not only allowed, but welcomed women. And Cleo Madison, Gene Gauntier, Lois Weber, Ruth Ann Baldwin, Dorothy Arzner, Margaret Booth, Blanche Sewall, Anne Bauchens, and hundreds of other women flocked to Hollywood, where they could flourish, not just as actresses or writers, but also as directors, producers, and editors. With few taking moviemaking seriously as a business, the doors were wide open to women.
”
”
Cari Beauchamp (Without Lying Down: Frances Marion and the Powerful Women of Early Hollywood)
“
One of the many ways in which cats are superior to humans is their mastery of time. By making no attempt to dissect years into months, days into hours and minutes into seconds, cats avoid much misery. Free from the slavery of measuring every moment, worrying whether they are late or early, young or old, or if Christmas is six weeks away, felines appreciate the present in all its multidimensional glory. They never worry about endings or beginnings. From their paradoxical viewpoint an ending is often a beginning. The joy of basking on a window ledge can seem eternal, though if measured in human time it's diminished to a paltry eighteen minutes.
If humans could program themselves to forget time, they would savor a string of pleasures and possibilities. Regrets about the past would dissolve, alongside anxieties for the future. We'd notice the color of the sky and be liberated to seize the wonder of being alive in this moment. If we could be more like cats our lives would seem eternal.
”
”
Helen Brown (Cleo: How an Uppity Cat Helped Heal a Family)
“
I, Cleo Wilder, do take myself, Cleo Wilder, to be my strongest advocate and my most loyal friend, my loudest cheerleader, and my most trusted confidante.” I pause and gaze out to sea, my palms resting on my knees, my hair swirling around my shoulders in the wind. I acknowledge I haven’t always been my own best friend, and I certainly haven’t always been my own strongest advocate. I’ve lingered too long in toxic relationships, and I’ve told myself to put up with things I’d tell a friend not to tolerate. “I promise to listen to myself, to take the time to hear the voice in my gut, because I know myself better than anyone and I always have my own best interests at heart. I’m wise enough to know when someone is disingenuous, and I know when enough is enough. I also know that I am enough, and I’m brave, and I will succeed. I won’t judge myself too harshly when I get things wrong, because everyone gets things wrong sometimes, but I won’t let myself off the hook without learning lessons either.
”
”
Josie Silver (One Night on the Island)
“
I used to wish I had an easier life," he mused. "Some families sail through years with nothing touching them. They have no tragedies. They go on about how lucky they are. Yet sometimes it seems to me they're half alive. When something goes wrong for them, and it does for everyone sooner or later, their trauma is much worse. They've had nothing bad happen to them before. In the meantime, they think little problems, like losing a wallet, are big deals. They think it's ruined their day. They have no idea what a hard day's like. It's going to be incredibly tough for them when they find out."
He'd also developed his own version of making the most of every minute. "Through Sam I found out how quickly things can change. Because of him I've learned to appreciate each moment and try not to hold on to things. Life's more exciting and intense that way. It's like the yogurt that goes off after three days. It tastes so much better than the stuff that lasts three weeks.
”
”
Helen Brown (Cleo: How an Uppity Cat Helped Heal a Family)