UPDATE: The winner is…Cindy!
*~*~*

Thank you, Delilah, for hosting me today.  I want to share a bit of my journey into a subgenre I’d never considered writing!

The first MM romance I ever read was an Ava March historical novella.  I almost didn’t notice the main characters were both men — the lush setting, vibrant period, and brilliant story carried me away.  I was enchanted. Enthralled. I moved on to other authors as I discovered the joys of free e-books, but I often returned to pick up a new March story.

Fast forward a few years.  I’d hired a wonderful person to edit my stories and to whip them into shape so I could publish them. But I didn’t know what I was doing.  So she recommended I read authors who were better than myself.  She listed a number of her favorite authors, including Tara Lain and Kaje Harper.  Both of the authors had audiobooks, so I snapped them up and dove in.

My life changed forever.

Now…the transition was gradual.  I listened to the MM audios from these authors.  Then I listened to more.  Then I sought out blogs that discussed queer books.  Then I started writing reviews for one, and my immersion was complete — about eighty percent of what I listen to is queer fiction.

One book, though, has always stuck with me.

Kaje Harper is a talented writer — and someone I’m proud to call a friend.  Her book, Into Deep Waters, had a profound impact on me.  It is just a simple story about two sailors serving in the Navy in the Pacific Ocean during the Second World War.  Two men who struggled with their identities. Two men who earned a richly deserved happily ever after.

Now, I never saw myself writing historical stories.  Ava March, Kaje Haper, KJ Charles, and Joanna Chambers make it look easy. It isn’t.  Layered into the historical periods are the societal prejudices and outright illegality of being a homosexual.

Plus, you know, historical accuracy.  Apparently, that’s a thing.

All fine and good.  I wasn’t going to write a historical novel.  Just like I wasn’t going to write a paranormal gay romance (oh, wait, ghosts are paranormal…huh, yep blew that idea out of the water…).  The tipping point for me came from a charity anthology last year.  The premise was each story would be Jane Austen adjacent.  So my characters would either interact with an Austen character or in fact be an Austen character.

I checked with the anthology folks that gay romance was okay.  They said, sure.  They said representation mattered.  They said no light switches.

I figured even I couldn’t screw this up too badly.

I also secured a beta reader who is a former history professor since my editor doesn’t specialize in Regency England either.  Turns out I made a few mistakes — easily corrected.

In a short span of time, I had my short story. An Uncommon Gentleman is the tale of two sailors — onboard Captain Frederick Wentworth’s ship — whose lives are upended when one gets an unexpected inheritance.  It’s a simple short story. Just under 8k words.  I submitted it, and the charity anthology raised some money, for which I was thrilled.

The comment from several reviewers was the story ended abruptly.  Well, yeah, I had a word limit.

When the rights reverted to me, I added an epilogue, and then I had the audio recorded by the very talented Michael Ferraiuolo. I published the e-book and audiobook and sat back to enjoy my lovely story.

In 2024, I did another Austen charity anthology.  This time, instead of Persuasion, I chose Sense and Sensibility.  Those rights reverted back to me and Michael will be narrating the audio shortly.  Finally, this year, I’m doing another charity anthology.  This one won’t be specifically Austen, but I’m choosing to set my redeemed rake in the same period, and I’ll make him Austen-adjacent.

Man, I’ve had so much fun.

Outstanding beta readers, strong editors, tons of research…finally, historicals are (almost) within my grasp.

Moving from short stories to full-length books isn’t yet possible. I don’t think.  Never say never, though.

That’s how An Uncommon Gentleman came to be!  I would love to hear your thoughts — historicals? Love ’em or not for me?  Leave a comment and you might win either an e-book or audiobook copy of my story.  Or another book from my back catalogue.  Random will pick the winner.

An Uncommon Gentleman

John

I have served as a sailor in His Majesty’s Royal Navy for the past ten years and had no intention of changing that path. The death of my uncle means I must return to Blackthorne Estate to take up my position as Lord and Master. I’ll step up to do my duty. My dearest wish is that my beloved joins me. When he chooses to accompany me, I set my mind to making him mine—body and soul.

Philip

I have been a sailor for nearly thirty years and never planned to retire until my captain orders it. When my beloved is called to attend to his family’s estate, he asks me to accompany him as a valet. I’m happy to do so as it keeps me close to him. He wants to grow the affection between the two of us, but I feel the need to hold myself apart. In the end, though, I suspect he will win this argument.

An Uncommon Gentleman is an 8k Regency gay romance short story.  The story was previously available in Austen Tea Party: A Historical Romance Collection for Charity Inspired by Jane Austen. This version has been expanded.

Links:
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/AnUcommonGentleman
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Uncommon-Gentleman-Regency-Romance-Short-ebook/dp/B0CLKZDW9H
Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201840113-an-uncommon-gentleman

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author Gabbi Grey lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black and Gabbi Powell.

I’m sorry I’m posting this late! We had a power outage this morning! Please welcome Karenna! ~DD

*~*~*

Delilah, thanks for allowing me to come here and talk about my new book, Bring on the Broccoli! This is book 7 of my Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat series…and the series has definitely been a ride.

It all started in 2010 with a 1000-word scene I dashed off to answer the question posed by a writer friend: “How could a werewolf be vegan?” I had an answer.

And then I had another scene with the vegan werewolf, Kyle Slidell, and his mate, Tobias Rogan, the Alpha who prefers letting someone else be in charge in the bedroom.

And then I had a novel. And then a five-book series, originally published between 2011-2014 and pulled off the market in 2016.

In 2021, I dug out the books and said, “I really like these. I should make them available again.” I started revising and re-editing the books, including bringing their setting from 2015, when they originally took place, to an undefined “present day” and updating some language and technology references accordingly. During that process, I started thinking maybe Kyle and Tobias’s story was longer than five books.

So I wrote book six, Take Some Tahini, which was released in summer 2024. However, there was a small problem with that book and future ones.

The original series included books that took place in Boston—where Kyle and Tobias’s tiny pack lives in a cluster of buildings on the East Boston waterfront—and in Pennsylvania and California. As of the end of book 5, Tobias and Kyle are living in California.

The problem being that I live near Boston. And I’ve never been to California.

When I wrote Take Some Tahini, I knew keeping Tobias and Kyle in California wouldn’t be sustainable. I planted the seeds for them to move back to Boston, though they’re no longer part of that tiny pack on the East Boston waterfront.

By the beginning of Bring on the Broccoli, Kyle and Tobias have fully relocated back to the city where their story began. And I’m not sure who’s happier about it, Kyle or me. I’ve always loved Boston; I grew up in Maine but had family in the Boston area, so I spent a fair bit of time here as a teen. And Kyle loves it because it’s where his chosen family, the pack he first belonged to when he became a werewolf, is located.

As Kyle said in Chapter One of Bring on the Broccoli, “We were home.”

As the author, I’m glad they are. I was starting to feel a little homesick writing the books that took place elsewhere.

Bring On the Broccoli (Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat 7)

Finally back in Massachusetts, vegan werewolf Kyle Slidell hopes for a peaceful life with his mate, Anax Tobias Rogan. But the pressure of ruling all werewolves in the United States is getting to Tobias. Kyle worries that the gentle, compassionate man he fell in love with is becoming like the previous Anax: a power-mad ruler who is all too eager to kill.

An old friend comes to Tobias for help in rescuing his mate from an abusive Alpha. As the extent of the Alpha’s crimes comes to light and the Alpha flees, Tobias sentences him to death. And he seems all too eager to carry out the sentence.

As they and their guards search for the fugitive Alpha, Kyle will do anything to ensure that the power within Tobias doesn’t take control—including becoming the Anax’s enforcer.

This book includes an on-page death in a werewolf attack, the on-page execution of a werewolf, discussions of abuse and assault, and depictions of PTSD.

 Bring On the Broccoli is available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback. Amazon (US) link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DM9H4VZN

About the Author

Karenna Colcroft lives just north of Boston, Massachusetts, and has been in love with the city since childhood. To the best of her knowledge, she has yet to encounter any werewolves or other paranormal beings here.

Karenna is a polyamorous, nonbinary human. She lives with her husband and has two adult children and three “bonus” kids, four grandchildren, and three cats, who aren’t at all pleased that Karenna writes about werewolves.

Find out more about Karenna online at http://www.karennacolcroft.com or https://www.facebook.com/KarennaColcroft , or join her Home for Wayward Werewolves at https://www.facebook.com/groups/karennacolcroftshomeforwaywardwerewolves

Receive a free story and get updates and sneak peeks at Karenna’s upcoming books at https://karennacolcroft.com/get-your-free-story/

UPDATE: The winner is…flchen!
*~*~*

Hello Delilah!  Thank you so much for inviting me here today to discuss my latest release. Didn’t See You Coming is an LGBTQ young adult paranormal ghost story romance novel.

Phew.

That’s a lot to cram into a description, but I want to make certain to hit all the high points – gay teenagers, ghosts, a touch of romance.

I’ve never written a young adult novel before.  I’ll be frank — I don’t read a ton of them either.  But some have crossed my path, and I’ve snapped them up — several that were LGBTQ. I still wouldn’t have felt remotely qualified to write one.

Yet you’re thinking…but Gabbi, you did write one.

This all started back in April.  My publisher, The Wild Rose Press, held an open chat where they discussed their new YA series. I almost didn’t attend the chat, but something said do it!  So I went with my gut and attended the chat.  When the concept of Pinedale High School in North Carolina was introduced, I was mildly interested.  As the chat continued, though, I was hit with a thunderbolt.  I needed to write a book.  A book for the series.  A book with LGBTQ characters.  I hoped other authors would include gay kids in their books, but I realized we needed a book where the queer kids were the protagonists.  My gut had directed me to that chat. That same gut said I had to write a book.

Since 2024 was the year of hell yes! I asked in the chat if they would be interested in a sweet LGBTQ story.  I got an enthusiastic hell yes.  At the same time, I was talking to Plot Whisperer in DMs who was waking up on the other side of the world.  I started talking to her and she suggested a naked ghost.

I was like…huh?

Still, the publisher chat ended with a request we submit proposals.  I spent a week working the details out in my mind and, through my editor, submitted a proposal.

And then I didn’t hear back.

I didn’t worry because I was literally up to my neck in a different book.

Then I got the proverbial “call.”  The one all writers wait for.

Well, not quite.  The president of the publisher, who is also the senior editor for the young adult line, emailed me and said, “How fast can you write this?”

I was like, “Fast…” (Because in the year of hell yes we agree to everything.)  She said, “Do it.”  She also placed a virtually impossible deadline before me.

But she saw, I believe, what I saw — the chance for authentic representation.  The chance to show queer kids in a positive light.

A couple of weeks later, I was ready to write.  I had my gay couple, my lesbian couple, my ghosts…and no effing clue what I was doing.

No worries, Plot Whisperer to the rescue.  I gave her what I had — which was actually a lot more than I usually have — and together we crafted a solid plot.  The problem? I had six point of view characters.  Now, most authors will tell you that’s Herculean. Some would say impossible.  Hell, some said to me that it wasn’t possible.  I believed in this book, though, so I wrote it the way it was begging to be written.  With six equal characters.

50k words in 17 days.  While I was working. Just…insane.

Then came the brutal beta readers.  I don’t normally have so many, but I needed honest opinions.  And I got them.  One suggested cutting a character entirely and said the epilogue didn’t work.  One found certain aspects confusing.  Brutal beta reader sort of took it apart and then helped me put it back together. Sensitivity reader taught me more about my blind spots.  I write interracial romances, and I will always have someone read my work to ensure I’m getting it as right as I can.

Finally, I had my teenage beta reader.  They got the final draft.  I will say, when I approached their mom, a good friend, I didn’t know beta reader’s circumstances.  That they’d changed their name and their pronouns. That they sort of identified as nonbinary.  To say I felt privileged they were willing to help would be an understatement.  But they were honest with me and made the book so much better.  With their critical stamp of approval, I sent the book to my editor.

I also was required to send a synopsis.  I begged my editor, for just this one time (okay, second, but who’s counting?) to not read the synopsis and to read the book cold.  She didn’t know about the six POV characters.  If she didn’t get the book, I knew massive edits would be required.  She had veto power over the book — if it didn’t work, it wasn’t going to get published.

I’ll never forget I submitted it on July 4^th.  My editor is American, so I had no expectations.  She answered my email that she had it and would get back to me within a week.

Thus began the wait.

Four hours later, her glowing email arrived.  She loved it.  Edits, to be sure, but she loved it.

Now, I will confide I had to fight to keep every F-bomb.  And the book, aside from language, is genuinely sweet.  It’s also the book of my heart.  I wanted full representation — and I got it.  Gay, bi, lesbian, and naked ghost.  A multicultural story.

Naturally, I’m hoping readers love the book.  My nonbinary beta reader asked me when I was going to write the next book for them.  (Spoiler alert — possibly sooner than anyone expected.)  This is a book I’m proud to share with people.  This is a book I’m encouraging people to ask their library to order.  I want this book in the hands of as many teenagers as possible.  So kids won’t feel alone. So they’ll know they’re seen. That their stories matter.

Okay!  That was a lot.  From the book I never thought I’d write to today was an intense eight-month journey.  That’s short in the world of traditional publishing.  An entire team worked their asses off to make certain we would be the third book in this series and that I could bring representation.  In the end, I’m grateful to have been given this opportunity.  To the publisher, to my beta readers, to my editor — to everyone.

I also managed to get the book recorded on audio by the wonderful narrator Michael Ferraiuolo.  He did such an amazing job and I’m hoping listeners get a real taste of my story.

Thank you, Delilah, for inviting me here today.  I’m so grateful, as always, that you provide me with this opportunity to share my work.  As a thank you, I’d like to award one lucky commenter with a prize. For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, please let me know if you’ve read any young adult novels that stuck with you.  Or what was your favorite book you read as you were growing up?  Judy Blume was a favorite of mine (yes, I’m dating myself). Random will pick the winner.  Thank you and good luck!

Didn’t See You Coming

Pinedale High—where every shade of love stands a ghost of a chance.

Holden and Peyton don’t expect much from senior year. He probably won’t manage to date any guys. She’ll still pine over Juliette, the beautiful and unattainable cheerleader. But when they step between class bullies and Oliver, a super-hot transfer student, their year starts to go off the rails.

As a star football player, Oliver hadn’t anticipated trouble. Turns out Pinedale High not only comes with bullies, but with new friends, plus the ghost of a Civil War soldier, and a shy naked guy in the library. Between the living and the dead, senior year is about to get interesting.

Links:
Universal Link:  https://books2read.com/Didnt
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D4MWFN3S
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/didnt-see-you-coming-gabbi-grey/1146433159
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/didnt-see-you-coming/id6737234908
Add it to Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220663889-didn-t-see-you-coming

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author Gabbi Grey lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black and Gabbi Powell.

Personal links:
Website: https://gabbigrey.com/
Newsletter sign-up:  https://sendfox.com/gabbigrey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgabbigrey/
Facebook (page): https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGabbiGrey
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/gabbi-grey
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15456297.Gabbi_Grey

UPDATE: The winner is…Angela Carter!
*~*~*

Hello Delilah!  Thank you for inviting me to visit you today.  I’m always grateful for the invite, but even more so today as I’m anxious to share my new release.

Yorkie to My Heart is the sixth book in the multi-author Friends of Gaynor Beach Animal Rescue series.  I’ve written several of the books, sharing the space with some amazing authors.  We’ve had iguanas, Pomeranians, performing cats, French Bulldogs, and huskies.  Now, with this book, I’m adding a Yorkie to the mix.

I had two motivators to finish this book.  To give you an idea of how dedicated I was, I started writing the book November 3rd and the formatted book was ready to be uploaded to Amazon on December 22nd.  I’ve never done anything like this.  My beta reader, editor, proofreader, and formatter all worked their butts off to help me achieve my dream.

The dream?

A Christmas Day release.

Now, I had no idea what sales might be like on Christmas Day.  I knew I’d send out a newsletter to my subscribers and put out some social media, but I didn’t have any idea of what reach I might have.  That didn’t matter.  The specific day did.

Twenty years ago, on Christmas Day, my best friend died.  She hadn’t been sick very long, and I didn’t even have a chance to say goodbye.  She was just…gone.  I didn’t have a great affinity for Christmas anyway (the year my dad divorced my mom, our Christmas tree fell over, breaking many of the ornaments — I took that as a bad sign).  Losing Heather kind of broke me.  To top it off, my family celebrates Christmas on Boxing Day due to scheduling conflicts.  The consistency is great.  Being alone every Christmas Day isn’t so much.  I console myself by writing, drinking eggnog, and messaging with friends who generously take time during their celebrations to keep me company.

As the twentieth anniversary of my friend’s death neared, I realized I wanted a good Christmas memory.

Heather was always supportive of my writing, and I know she would’ve been so proud of all I’d accomplished — both in life and in my writing journey.  I decided if I could release a book on Christmas Day, that I could celebrate that accomplishment every year going forward.  As I said, it took a dedicated team to make that happen — but we pulled it off.

The second reason was this book was at the request of a friend.  We were talking about my books, and she said that although she loved my Love in Mission City series, that she really wanted another animal rescue book.  She’s never asked me for a book before — despite being my editor for nearly ten years.

So, I wrote this book in part for her.

As for the actual book?  I found an image of a guy holding a Yorkie on a stock photo site.  I loved it, but my cover designer said she couldn’t make that work.  But she showed me one that she could — the one we wound up using.  That’s Jeremy holding Wally.  I knew I had one hero and my rescue.

I didn’t have much else.

As always, Plot Whisperer stepped up and helped me work out a simple plot.  A feel-good story.  Life was perfect.

Except, as I was preparing to write the story, a friend started sharing some of her journey as the mother of an autistic child.  I’d long suspected that would be a tough life, and her candid offerings confirmed it was.  As I started to write Yorkie, I realized Jeremy had a free spirit nibblet.  Nibblet is the non-gender specific term I use for niece and nephew.  Raphael, although young, is very certain they are neither boy nor girl.  They are also a free spirit.  Likely on the autistic scale, but I didn’t want a formal diagnosis to take away from the heart of the story.  An uncle doing everything to support his nibblets and his sister.  A man who didn’t go looking for love…but found it anyway.

My friend beta read the story and provided invaluable insight.  I believe she’s happy with the result.  The book is dedicated to her and her son.

Phillip, my other hero, is a bit of a wounded soul.  He’s struggling after leaving a bad relationship. He’s struggling with his weight.  He’s struggling in a new town where he doesn’t know anyone.

And then he meets Jeremy.

I really like this simple love story with characters I hope are relatable and the most adorable dog.  Wally, like Phillip, is overweight.  They both need to get healthy, and they embark on that journey together.  Of course, there’s a Gabbi Grey happy ending as well as cameos from many other characters in the Gaynor Beach world.

Anyway, that’s my story!  Thanks for having me visit today!  I would love to give away either an ebook or an audio book of one of my previous Gaynor Beach books (Love Furever, Hugh, Xavier, or Anthony).  To win, help me name the cat in my forthcoming book.  She’s a black stray who has taken up residence in a rugby player’s home.  What would you name her?  Random will select the commentor.  Good luck!

Yorkie to My Heart 

Phillip

Devastated at being dumped by the guy I loved, I’m struggling to put my life back together. My social worker suggested a new start in an LGBTQ-friendly town where I might make friends and meet people like myself. A new town doesn’t mean I suddenly become great with people, but Wally, an overweight Yorkie in need of love, prances into my life, like a dog version of me. Taking care of him is healing, and I want to forge a new future for us. Who needs men anyway?

Jeremy

When I nearly trip over my solitary new neighbor and his adorable dog, I’m smitten. But getting past his guarded aloofness won’t be easy. Phillip could clearly use some friends, and I’m always happy to open my circle here in my hometown of Gaynor Beach. No one should be that alone. The guy’s rescue of Wally the Yorkie makes my heart melt, and the more time I spend with the two of them, the more I find myself falling for the shy man. Will I be able to break through Phillip’s walls, or are we destined to only remain friends?

Yorkie to My Heart is a slow-burn, age-gap, opposites attract, gay romance between a shy man with a heart of gold and the gregarious, outgoing man who might just love him.

CW: mention of previous suicide attempt.

Links:
Amazon US:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRDHWF91
Universal Book Link:  https://books2read.com/Yorkie
KOBO:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/yorkie-to-my-heart
Apple Books:  https://books.apple.com/us/book/yorkie-to-my-heart/id6739855371
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/yorkie-to-my-heart-gabbi-grey/1146750717
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Gabbi_Grey_Yorkie_to_My_Heart?id=bHg6EQAAQBAJ&gl=US
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1668772
Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222944782-yorkie-to-my-heart

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author Gabbi Grey lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black and Gabbi Powell.

Personal links:
Website: https://gabbigrey.com/
Newsletter sign-up:  https://sendfox.com/gabbigrey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgabbigrey/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/gabbi-grey
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15456297.Gabbi_Grey
Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/Gabbi-Grey/e/B07SJVFX1M
Audible Profile:  https://www.audible.com/author/Gabbi-Grey/B07SJVFX1M
Facebook (page): https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGabbiGrey

Do you like YA contemporary novels with second chance romances, soap stars, college basketball players, strong female friendships, cinnamon roll heroes, and cute banter? Plus, there’s the added high stakes of a soap opera star up for an award and her first love, Davis, playing in a college basketball tournament. If this sounds like your kind of book, then pick up Stars in the City for free from December 28^th-29^th on Amazon.

Check out the blurb here:

Valeria Joseph seems to have it all: career as actress on the soap opera, Charmed Lives, and everyone wants to be her. Her so-star, Cecily Taylor, fixes her up with a rising pop star named Dex Doyle and suddenly Valeria has a bigger spotlight on her.

Then, on the busy streets of New York City, she runs into her first love, Davis, who she never got over. Davis is a college basketball player who is dealing with high pressure stressors of his own and they find themselves supporting one another and falling back in love.
​            But, just like being on a daytime soap is full of drama—so is the publicity that surrounds Valeria. Throw in a pop star who’s crazy about her, an award show event that trends on social media for all the wrong reasons, and tons of swoony moments. Can Valeria find true love in the big city?

Read an excerpt here:

Davis was sweating and not having his best game, but he managed to put up twenty points.

“The other team is not letting up.” Paige clutched one of my throw pillows.

“I’m sweating.” Cecily pulled her shirt away from her body. “I don’t even follow the sport

much, but I’m dripping like I’m on the court right now.”

I nodded. “I have so much adrenaline going through my body that I think I could play. Put me in, coach.” They cracked up.

“Yeah, I feel I could go in right now and take the game-winning shot. Somebody stop me

before I try out for basketball down at the university.” Paige shook her head as she reached for

the popcorn.

I put my hand up. “Do not put popcorn in your mouth right now because you keep shrieking each time somebody does something. You’re going to choke on that popcorn, and I’m sorry, but I need to watch this game, so I can’t be calling for help or performing CPR or the Heimlich maneuver, which I don’t even know how to do. I’d probably end up breaking all your ribs anyways because I’m so pent-up with adrenaline and nervous energy.”

She put the popcorn bowl down as we continued to watch.

Cecily bounced up and down on the coach. “Why am I more nervous for this than I was my first audition?”

Paige started yelling then. “That guy pushed Rashad.” She stood up and yelled at the screen. “Get in there and rip his head off and bring me his skull to use as a ladle.”

I laughed and threw a pillow at her. “Didn’t Walker write a song about you called, ‘The

Sweetest Whispers?’”

She laughed. “Shh, no talking about Walker in front of Rashad. I don’t want to distract him.”

The rest of the game flew by.

“You guys, this is it. We’re almost out of time.” Paige jumped up from the couch. She put her hands over her mouth. “Oh my goodness, Rashad, you can do this. You can do this, baby. I love you so much right now, Rashad. I know I’ve never met you, but right now you’re my very best friend in the whole wide world, and I think you might be my boyfriend.”

Time was running out, and it all came down to one time-out. Davis got ready for the tip-off. He took a big, deep breath in and exhaled slowly, and I knew he was doing the breathing exercise I showed him. I watched as he slowed down his breathing and focused. I clasped my hands together and continued praying. I prayed that he’d know he did his best no matter what happened. That he’d have the strength to carry on feeling good about what he did and how he supported his teammates. Then I prayed he wouldn’t get hurt, and that he’d come out of this a stronger person who was able to be more compassionate to his teammates.

The referee blew the whistle and threw the ball up. I saw Rashad go up in the air and come down hard. He started to fall, but he tossed the ball to Davis. Davis tore down the court, and I saw him pass the ball. It went whizzing so fast I didn’t know how the other guy even saw it, but he caught it. The next thing I knew it went sailing toward the basket just as the buzzer went off. Paige sucked in her breath as we watched the ball like it was going in slow motion toward the basket.

What readers are saying: “Amazing YA Romance. This is a fast-paced story, that will have you on edge with your feelings. Great story line and the characters are on point. This one has it all drama, love and friendships, that will engage you to the end. I recommend for all readers young and old, who likes all the drama.”

“Sweet, charming YA romance perfect for summer. A lovely, sweet book about missed and second chances! Valeria has everything a girl could want, except the one that got away…

Written with a strong voice in the very popular first person, this book is a breezy, easy read with a sense of humor that keeps the pages turning. You care quickly about this cast of characters. I wanted the entire group to find happiness, including the antagonist. I would’ve loved this series in my late teens – it has all the gilded drama of Sweet Valley High without falling on too-adult themes. It’s a simple story of a second meet-cute that actually lasts.”

Get it here FREE Dec 28-29th:

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Stars-City-Krysten-Lindsay-Hager-ebook/dp/B0C19THWX3
Amazon CAN: https://www.amazon.ca/Stars-City-Krysten-Lindsay-Hager-ebook/dp/B0C19THWX3
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stars-City-Krysten-Lindsay-Hager-ebook/dp/B0C19THWX3
Amazon AUS: https://www.amazon.com.au/Stars-City-Krysten-Lindsay-Hager-ebook/dp/B0C19THWX3

About the Author

Krysten Lindsay Hager is a bestselling author of YA and contemporary romance. She writes romance because she loves bringing people swoony moments and hope-filled happily ever afters. She writes about falling in love, fame, fitting in, frenemies, first loves, and finding your way in the world. She loves reading, watching movies, and lipstick.

Website: https://www.krystenlindsay.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krystenlindsay/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/krystenlindsay/

When I pastored in Brooklyn, visiting members at the Susan Smith McKinney Rehabilitation Center and Nursing Home was a regular part of my week. I never gave much thought to the woman for whom the care center was named. This month, I make up for that oversight.

Susan Smith McKinney Steward was born in the black Brooklyn town of Weeksville in 1847. Her father was a prosperous pig farmer and fierce abolitionist. Her eldest sister, Sarah J. Garnet, who I blogged about in December 2023, became the first African American female public school principal in New York City.

In 1870, Susan graduated valedictorian from medical school and became the first African American woman doctor in New York State and only the third African American female doctor in the country. From 1870 to 1895, she practiced medicine in Brooklyn serving patients of all races. She co-founded the Brooklyn Women’s Homeopathic Hospital and Dispensary. She served at as well as helped establish other hospitals for African Americans and the aged. She continued her medical education, becoming the only woman in the 1887-1888 post-graduate class at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn. She focused on homeopathic medicine and gained a reputation for her work treating malnourished children. She was elected into the New York Homeopathic Medical Society in 1896.

In 1871, she married Reverend William G. McKinney and had two children. Four years after his death, she married Theophilus Gould Steward, chaplain of the 25th U.S. Colored Infantry. She continued to practice wherever he was stationed. In 1898, Wilberforce University hired Dr. Steward as a resident physician. She taught health and nutrition there until her death in 1918.

No surprise Susan had talents that extended beyond medicine. Early on, she was organist and choir director at two prominent black Brooklyn churches, Siloam Presbyterian and Bridge Street AME. In politics, she was active in the Equal Suffrage League of Brooklyn, and as a member of the Women’s Loyal Union, she lobbied Congress from 1894-1895 to investigate lynching. In social reform, she served as president of her local chapter of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. In the 1880s, she published two papers, one on a pregnant woman’s incorrect diagnosis and the next on childhood diseases. In 1911, at the Universal Race Congress in London, she presented a paper on famous African American women, and in 1914, she gave a speech to the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs on the history of women in medicine from Biblical times to 1914.

Dr. Susan McKinney Steward died aged 71 in Ohio on March 7, 1918. Her body was returned to Brooklyn and buried in the famous Green-Wood Cemetery. Hallie Quinn Brown, the subject of my February 2024 and October 2023 D.D. blogposts, delivered the eulogy.

Writing this blogpost has taken me back to the streets of Brooklyn where I, like she, served as a community leader. I hope I left a legacy of work as impactful as hers. For a chance at a $10 Amazon gift card leave a comment about Susan or another woman you’ve found inspiring.

“The Patience of Unanswered Prayer” by Michal Scott
from Cowboys

Kidnapped and destined to be another victim of Reconstruction-era violence, a feisty shop owner is rescued by a trail boss whose dark secret might save them both

Excerpt:

The sounds of horse hooves clopping, drunken laughter, and saloon music had faded long ago. Only chirruping crickets, croaking bullfrogs, and Sheriff Radcliffe’s lies penetrated Eleanor’s covering. Where were they taking her?

The wagon wheels creaked with every rut they hit. Eleanor wheezed, desperate for fresh air. Nausea roiled at the base of her throat. Would she die choking on her own vomit? Fear squeezed her chest as yes flitted through her mind like a lightning bug.

The wagon lurched to the right. Her nausea intensified.

“Mind how you go there, boy. We don’t want to be accused of mistreating the prisoner.”

Being arrested on false charges didn’t count as mistreatment? How about being abducted by ones sworn to uphold the law? Eleanor’s agony mirrored that of Christ’s on the cross.

My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?

She moaned, her spirit smothered by despair. The pressure at the small of her back eased only to be followed by a sharp jab to her spine.

“Shut up, damn you,” Radcliffe snapped. “Your days of troubling me will soon be over.”

“What was that you said, Sheriff?”

“Thank God this trouble’ll soon be over. We’ll have delivered her safe and sound to the county seat tomorrow.”

“Safe and sound,” Deputy Jim Flyte said. “Thank the good Lord.”

His tone, full of innocence and ignorance, penetrated Eleanor’s cloth prison and killed all hope that he’d be of any help. She stifled a groan lest her tormentor kicked her again. Flyte was too young to know that safe and sound to Sheriff Hobart Radcliffe meant only one thing: Eleanor’s death.

Buylink:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zfDpo2

UPDATE: The winner is…Beckie!
*~*~*

Christmas decorations are still up, but it’s time to make some plans for the New Year!

Is this something you like to do? Do you set resolutions? Plan to join Weight Watchers? Sign up for yoga classes at the local rec center? Set a budget to improve your finances? Maybe plan a trip or two?

Every year, always, I set plans in motion. Some goals I achieve, some I lose interest in working on by mid-January, but others, are a constant work in progress. I love the process of planning for a new year—and it always begins with my writing goals. Seeing as I abandoned writing in August due to my diagnosis, I’m a bit wary of setting goals too far in the future, and I have tons of self-doubt about whether I can ever achieve my former productivity, but I am going to set some goals anyway as something to shoot for. And I’ll go for pie-in-the-sky because I’m an optimist, and if I have to adjust later, ah well. I have to have goals and starting points to remain motivated.

So, for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle to keep that gray matter functioning, then tell me whether you have any goals for the new year, big or small.