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Archive for 'short story'
Tuesday, July 30th, 2024
I have a special love for these collections! I started writing novels but quickly got bored of being pigeonholed in certain genres. When I saw a call for submissions for a short story, I thought, what better way to experiment and have a little fun? Soon, I was writing shorties and getting them published in various places. Then I submitted to Cleis Press with ideas for anthologies of my own, and I was on my way. I’ve tried to do one anthology a year and to interest author-friends to enjoy the ride with me.
This latest collection is filled with sexy stories across a multitude of genres—contemporary erotic romance, paranormal romance, Sci-Fi romance, romantic suspense, historical, and gay romance. Something for everyone! Think of this collection as something you can read like bedtime stories before you go to sleep or to inspire a little romance of your own!
I hope you’ll pick up a copy. It’s only $0.99!!! We offer it at that low price because these authors want to be read, and they want you to discover their work if you don’t already know about them.
Happy reading! ~DD
Twisted Page Inc • July 30, 2024
ISBN-13: TBA
Order Trade Paperback
Order eBook
Kindle | Nook | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play
Inside this volume, you’ll find stories by some of the hottest romance writers out there for readers who crave mysterious, enigmatic men and women who may not be who they claim to be. Whatever their secrets, intrigue and passion follow…
Table of Contents
Secret Garden by A.J. Harris – Hired by werewolf matriarchs to track down a bad-boy photographer, a private investigator discovers a deep connection with her past—and a secret garden of unspoken, sensual pleasures
What That Alien D Do by Ava Cuvay – A cosplayer at a popular Sci-Fi convention stalks her favorite MyFans content creator only to discover his alien “prosthetic enhancements” are real
Masquerade by Brent Archer – After accepting an invitation to a masquerade, a coffeeshop owner finds himself on the run from a mafia hitman with a handsome harlequin
Claimed by her Naga Bodyguard by Cameron Allie – Escaping her dorm for a night of fun with friends takes a turn for a witch-in-training when demons attack, and a mysterious creature comes to her rescue
Mayday by Cindy Tanner – A miscommunication isn’t the end of the world—unless it is the end of the world—and your “ride or die” might just be undead
Matsuri by D.S. Dehel – An American woman searching in Japan for the man haunting her dreams is chased by a wily kitsune into a magical place where she meets a samurai warrior
Most Wanted by Darah Lace – A bounty on the line, a hunter who bedded then betrayed her, and a strip club—she’ll bare it all to get her man
Sex, Spies, and Subterfuge by Elle James – Scottish UK SAS Agent on an undercover weekend assignment tangles with a beautiful Russian seductress and potential assassin.
Thought You Were the One by Gabbi Grey – He’s in for a surprise twist when he seeks a second chance to win the attention of his handsome, unrequited, high school crush
Baby, Take My Hand by M. Jayne – After surviving a bullet to the brain, a detective hunting a serial killer is drawn to a mysterious man
Her Heavenly Phantom by Michal Scott – Forced into a marriage of convenience neither wants, a mild-mannered banker with an intriguing secret discovers his reluctant bride has a secret, too
Perfect Stranger by N. J. Walters – An undercover DEA agent must keep his identity secret from the woman he’s falling for, a woman he’s also investigating
In the Dark by Reina Torres – During a blackout, an undercover NSA agent falls hard and fast for the military guy living across the hall with secrets of his own
Tagged: anthology, contemporary romance, erotic romance, historical romance, military romance, romantic suspense, Science Fiction Romance, short story Posted in New Release | 2 People Said | Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Deb Robinson - Delilah -
Friday, July 26th, 2024
UPDATE: The winner is…Paula J McGhee!
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Sources aren’t sure when Julia Collins was born, but a number of them place her birth in 1842, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. All sources believe her to have been freeborn and possibly the stepdaughter of Enoch Gilchrist a noted abolitionist, Underground railroad conductor, active member of the local African Methodist Episcopal Church, and ardent fighter for African Americans’ legal rights.
She married Stephen Collins, a barber, Civil War veteran and commander of a veterans’ organization for African American civil war soldiers in Williamsport. They had a daughter, Annie, and raised her with Stephen’s child from his first marriage, Sarah. Both are believed to have been under ten years of age when Julia died.
She was appointed a teacher for the African children in Williamsport and began teaching on April 11,1864.
The Christian Recorder, a newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, published six essays by Julia from 1864 to 1865. The essays titled “Mental Improvement”, “School Teaching”, “Intelligent Women”, “A Letter from Oswego: Originality of Ideas”, “Life is Earnest”, and “Memory and Imagination” dealt with racial uplift and empowerment. Because Julia references the works of writers like Shakespeare, Longfellow and Tennyson in her essays many assume she belonged to a highly educated middle or upper middle-class family.
In 1865, The Christian Recorder serialized Julia’s novel, The Curse of Caste, or The Slave Bride, every week for eight months. The story focused on the trials and tribulations suffered by a mother and daughter due to the issues of racial identity and interracial marriage. Julia died of tuberculosis in November 1865, leaving incomplete one of the first novels ever written by an African American woman. Doing research on a different topic, two scholars, William Andrews and Mitch Kachun, learned of Julia and her works. They had her novel published with the Oxford University Press in 2007.
A Pennsylvania State Historical Marker honoring her in Williamsport celebrates her for three firsts: the first marker in Lycoming County to honor a woman, an African American and someone in the arts. The marker was dedicated on June 19, 2010 and unveiled on Williamsport’s River Walk near where Collins’ home and school are believed to have been located. Julia’s descendants were present for the unveiling. One of them as well as a picture of the full marker can be seen here: https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/feature-articles/discovering-julia-collins. The marker’s citation begins, “Essayist, teacher, and author, her work, The Curse of Caste, is considered to be among the first published novels by an African American woman.”
As I learned about Julia, I couldn’t help but think of these words penned by John Greenleaf Whittier in his poem Maud Muller:
“For of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been!'”
If tuberculosis hadn’t cut short her life, who knows what other works Julia may have produced. For a chance at a $10 Amazon gift card, share your thoughts about Julia or any “it might have beens!” that you’re aware of.
“Her Heavenly Phantom” by Michal Scott
from Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology #8
Forced into a marriage of convenience neither wants, a mild-mannered banker with an intriguing secret discovers his reluctant bride has a secret, too
Excerpt from “Her Heavenly Phantom”…
Prim, proper, and modest.
Not at all the adjectives Harold Broadman would have used to describe his dream bride. But then the woman standing to his right here in his mother’s parlor, saying “I do” was not his dream bride.
Relaxed, seductive, and flashy.
Those adjectives described his dream bride. His lady of the balcony. What circumstances could have made that dream woman his intended?
The minister harrumphed. Harold shook himself out of his thoughts and answered, “I do.”
His father and father-in-law exchanged hearty congratulations.
“Welcome to the Hampton family, William,” Emily’s father said. “I see great things in our future.”
Unwed and pregnant, Emily Hampton needed a husband. Newly freed and hungry for a foothold among the ranks of the Black elite in 1880s Brooklyn, William Broadman had the answer.
His son Harold.
The warmth shared between the two men stood in stark contrast to the cold chaste kiss Harold and his bride shared. Their coolness continued as they walked up the aisle. Guests, oblivious to their shared contempt, showered them with hugs and handshakes. Harold shivered even more as his father and father-in-law back-patted themselves and toasted the couple’s future happiness at the wedding reception. No doubt the arctic chill between the couple would extend to their first lay as man and wife, too.
Preorder buylink: rb.gy/vv3268
Tagged: African-American, anthology, Guest Blogger, historical, historical romance, short story Posted in Contests!, General | 12 People Said | Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Mary Preston - BN - Paula J McGhee - flchen - Delilah -
Wednesday, July 24th, 2024
Summer is here! It’s time to get out there and enjoy every second of it. Here’s my foolproof plan for enjoying a summer’s day at home.
Step #1
Get an adult beverage. Wine is always an excellent choice but here’s one that’s been a family favorite for years. Mix it up, put it in the freezer, and it’s a cool, refreshing drink whenever you want one.
Summer Slush
Ingredients:
1 – 12 oz can of frozen orange juice
1 – 12 oz can of frozen lemonade
¾ cup of sugar
5 cups of water
2 cups of vodka
In large freezer proof container, mix in order given and freeze.
Serve ½ glass of slush with 7 up or ginger ale.
Step #2
Snacks. There should always be snacks. Unlike winter, when I admit to going heavy on the sweets, this time of year I crave the fresh fruits of summer—apricots, cherries, watermelon, grapes. These are not always easy to get where I live. Some cheese and crackers, maybe some hummus. For dessert—because there should always be dessert—some excellent dark chocolate. These backyard picnic-style snack foods are also a great way to avoid having to cook.
Step #3
A good book. Reading is the way I relax and let go of all my worries. I live in an apartment, so I love to take my book out on my balcony, relax in my lawn chair, and enjoy a refreshing beverage—iced tea or something with a little more zip. (See Step #1)
And if you’re looking for something to read, you might want to check out the Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology. The great thing about an anthology is the stories are shorter and you can sample a variety of authors—perfect for a relaxing afternoon in the sun
Inside Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology, you’ll find stories by some of the hottest romance writers out there for readers who crave mysterious, enigmatic men and women who may not be who they claim to be. Perhaps they’re the new next-door neighbor with a secret mission, an alien from a far-away galaxy looking for his fated mate, or a spy trying to catch a foreign agent. Whatever their secrets, intrigue and passion follow…
My contribution is “Perfect Stranger” – An undercover DEA agent must keep his identity secret from the woman he’s falling for, a woman he’s also investigating.
Coming July 30th. Preorder your copy today.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D5SQ4P2P/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/secret-identities-delilah-devlin/1145674531
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/secret-identities-8
About the Author
N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, assassins, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.
Visit her at:
Website: https://www.njwalters.com
Blog: https://www.njwalters.blogspot.com
Newsletter Sign Up: https://eepurl.com/gdblg5
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/N.J.WaltersAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/njwaltersauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/NJWalters
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/njwalters
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/n-j-walters
Tagged: anthology, erotic romance, Guest Blogger, recipe, romantic suspense, short story Posted in General | Someone Said | Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Mary Dellenbusch -
Monday, July 8th, 2024
UPDATE: The winner is…Deb Brown!
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What indeed? If you’ve visited this blog during the past couple of weeks, you know that there’s something fun happening over at another website I run, Delilah’s Collections. It only gets active for a few months a year, but when it does, it’s like a firehose of activities!
We’re running a little campaign now through the release of our latest collection, Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology, which will drop on July 30th. It’s a fun getting to know the authors activity, filled with interesting tidbits about them and multiple opportunities to win prizes or pick up some freebies.
Now back to those images… They represent the first four posts from the authors who are eager to meet you!
For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, let me know whether you’ve been over to the Collections website to “meet” our new authors!
Tagged: anthology, Bad Boys, erotic romance, short story Posted in Contests!, General | 12 People Said | Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Ann Ivey - Mary McCoy - Beckie - flchen - Delilah -
Saturday, June 29th, 2024
UPDATE: The winner is…Katherine Anderson!
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Before we get to the puzzle, I’d like to say a word about something that’s starting on Monday and will continue through the release of Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology on July 30th! There are 14 authors who have contributed stories to the book, and I can’t wait for you to meet them all! To introduce them, we’ll be starting a “Getting to Know [insert author name]” campaign, where you’ll learn fun things about these authors and compete for prizes! So, if you don’t want to miss any of the fun, be sure to head to the website and subscribe to get the posts sent to your email inbox. Here’s where you can go to sign up: Delilah’s Collections. We’ll see you there next week!
Saturday Puzzle-Contest
Orange you glad you stopped by? Sorry for the cringey pun! I couldn’t help myself. When I think of summer, I remember my summers spent in Florida, the roadside orange stands that weren’t far from my house, and driving past the fragrant orange groves. The scent of oranges is my favorite of all things. (Maybe I shouldn’t post these things before breakfast!)
For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle, and then tell me what your favorite fruit-scent is + tell me whether you’re planning to join us next week on the Collections site!
Tagged: anthology, erotic romance, game, jigsaw, puzzle, short story Posted in Contests! | 16 People Said | Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Debra Guyette - cindy - Pansy Petal - Beverly - Katherine Anderson -
Wednesday, June 5th, 2024
UPDATE: The winner is…Pamela Reveal!
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If you didn’t already know, the next Boys Behaving Badly Anthology will release on July 30th! It’s filled with intriguing stories. So, I thought it would be fun to use the themes for the stories inside this upcoming volume for our puzzle today. And if you haven’t pre-ordered your copy, remember, it’s only $0.99 for 14 sexy stories you won’t want to miss! Here’s the link: Secret Identities
In the meantime, here’s a little contest! For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle, then tell me which of the themes intrigues you most!
Tagged: anthology, Bad Boys, game, puzzle, short story Posted in Contests! | 18 People Said | Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Sharon Landry - Sandra Marlow - Beverly - Mary McCoy - Pamela Reveal -
Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024
UPDATE: The winner is…BN!
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Hello Delilah! Thank you for letting me visit today. I’m here to share another charity anthology (big surprise), but this is not like my other ones. Deity Bound: A God and Goddesses Paranormal Anthology is about, well, gods and goddesses. Norse, Greek, Indian…gay, straight, lesbian…we’ve got it all! And proceeds for Breast Cancer Research, no less.
When I signed up, I had no idea what I was going to write. Often, I don’t. Another writer was contemplating doing a Native American god, so I knocked the Canadian version off my list. I have an Aussie friend and I asked about their Aboriginal gods. My friend, though, had a different idea. She asked me for a trait that could be either a negative or a positive. I was like…? Uh, stubbornness. I related it back to myself. I’m stubborn in that I never give up with my writing. Okay, sounds great—I never abandon a story—I finish everything. Except, sometimes, there are projects that should be abandoned. They’re not working. They’re taking up too much brain space for little or no reward. While I was contemplating this, she took to Googling.
Enter Pertinacia—the goddess of, essentially, stubbornness. Daughter of Nix, Granddaughter of Chaos, sister to Chronos and a bunch of other gods. Nix really got around (good for her!). Anyway, my Aussie friend and I (I call her the plot whisperer) came up with a story set in North Vancouver, Canada, and involved Pertinacia being knocked out of time by Chronos and sent to a park on Earth in 2024.
From there, I flew with writing my story. I had Dani, a woman who’d just had her heart broken by her long-term girlfriend. I had Pertinacia the demigoddess. And, for fun, Pertinacia’s family came to visit. I didn’t know it at the time, but this was the closest to a rom-com that I’d ever written. My beta readers and editor love it. I’m hoping readers will as well. All that from stubbornness. Who knew!?!?
As a gift, I’d like to give one commenter a $5 Amazon Gift Card. Is there a God or Goddess whose story you’d like to see? Or a favorite movie? I saw Hercules as a child and Medusa still gives me nightmares. Comment and you might randomly win! Thanks again, Delilah!
Deity Bound
Eternity breaks the smallest souls, but a god will never be ruined…except perhaps by the one who holds their heart.
The one who can rip at their soul or soothe it because it was always theirs.
But after an eternity alone, can a god give back the love given them, or wreak havoc upon a mortal’s soul?
Read the best USA Today best-selling and award-winning romance authors in a spicy gods and goddesses collection for charity curated by The New Romance Cafe, with all proceeds going to the fight against Multiple Sclerosis.
Authors:
Chele MacCabe
Francis Black
Lily Kindall
V.V. Strange
Katey Tattrie
Niki Brazen
TL Hamilton
Emmy Dee
Cecelia Conway
Jane Poller
Kataya Moon
Alexa Santi
Nicole Sondelle
Cameron J Quinn
Serafina Jax
Michaela Brent
Mikayla Rand
Tati B. Alvarez
Raven Hush
Kathleen Ryder
Niki Trento
Sonja Flowers
Ariel Dawn
Kathia Iblis
Christine Ashworth
Annee Jones
Gabbi Grey
Glori Medina
The anthology will only be available for a limited time.
Links:
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/TNRC2024DeityBound
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Deity-Bound-Goddesses-Paranormal-Collection-ebook/dp/B0C7NXZWCP
Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176294379-deity-bound
Deity Bound features my story, My Fair Goddess.
In the ominous light of the coming storm, the disheveled petite woman I rescued seemed helpless and in need of protection. Big miscalculation. Tina’s a demigoddess—a pint-sized powerhouse stranded in the twenty-first century—but far from a damsel in distress. Still, first impressions linger, and I can’t be in awe of someone I taught to use a toaster and to make microwave popcorn. I’m falling hard for her when her grandfather, the god of chaos, demands her return. Can our love and courage stand up to the old gods, or will we lose each other to an ancient land and powers I can barely understand?
About Gabbi Grey
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.
Tagged: anthology, Greek mythology, Guest Blogger, paranormal, short story Posted in Contests!, General | 7 People Said | Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Mary Preston - Diane Sallans - flchen - BN - Delilah -
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