APRIL SONG PROMPT

Hello! The below piece was inspired by a Death Cab for Cutie song called “I Will Possess Your Heart.” If your interested in hearing and seeing the video here it is:

Now onto my piece. Oh and yes, this is the beginning of what will become a book. The entire scene came to me out of nowhere and I had to type it out before I forgot. I hope you enjoy.

“I only need a thousand.”

Cara stared at her younger sister silently. How many times had she heard a sentence starting with those three words? A lot. She’d heard it a lot, the amount of money varied with each ask, but her sister still asked and she always gave. And still, it just wasn’t enough. The girl couldn’t get her life together. Hell, she didn’t try to get her life together, not when she had Cara to act as a money machine.

“Cara, are you listening to me?”

Cara looked at the twenty-two year old woman in front of her with her pink and blue hair, neck tattoos, and rows of piercings around both ears. If she continued to give her money, she’d never grow up. She needed to grow up. Get a job. Get a life. One that wasn’t spent wasting her life.

“Here’s what’s going to happen,” Cara finally spoke, “and you will listen. I will give you two hundred dollars. No more.”

“What?” Deena gaped at her. “I need a thousand dollars. Two hundred won’t work.”

Cara shook her head. “No, no more, Deena. Do you know how much money I’ve given to you over the last five years? Probably close to ten thousand dollars. Ten thousand, Deena, that’s a lot of money that’s just gone. I can’t get it back. I might have been in my own home now instead of still living in this apartment. Instead, I chose to invest in your future, but you didn’t do anything with it.”

Deena rolled her eyes. “Really? I’m getting a lecture?”

“Yes,” Cara said, her voice cool, “because obviously you can’t get your shit together. So, here’s the deal. I give you two hundred and that’s it. You need to go out and get a job. I will not give you any more money. I just don’t have it to give.”

“What the fuck’s going on?”

Cara looked toward the man standing in doorway of the kitchen. She’d forgotten Deena had brought her latest boyfriend with her. The man was too old for her sister, probably in his mid-thirties, but at this point she didn’t care anymore. She was tired of caring. Deena didn’t care, obviously, and Cara was tired of carrying the load.

“Nothing that concerns you,” Cara said. “My sister and I are talking.”

“She won’t give us the money,” Deena said, turning to him.

“I already told you, I’ll give you two hundred. That’s all I have.”

He nodded. “Are you sure?”

“What?” Cara asked. “Am I sure? Yes, I’m sure. Not that any of this is your business.”

In a split second, he pulled a knife and thrust it into Cara’s body. She staggered back, gasping, as she dropped to the floor. Pain. Such pain.

“I’ll take her body out and dump it,” the man said.

“Deena,” Cara whispered, “help me.”

Her sister leaned over her, shaking her head. “You should have just given us the money.”

Cara opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Darkness swam in her vision and she didn’t want to die. Not like this. Not now. Too much to do. She hadn’t really lived yet. 


If you have comments please leave them down below. Now, run over and check out the other April song pieces.

Jessica
Bronwyn
Kris
Jessica D

See you on Wednesday! — Gwen

5 WORDS OR LESS – MY BLOG, MY FICTION, MY CREATIVE PROCESS

Happy Gwensday! So, today is another 5 words or less, which is really tough for me. I like to chat and share . . . a lot. Oh, first manly hotness.


Now here are the words I came up with each of the categories. This was tough since this whole post revolves around writing. I know, sad huh? 


My Blog: Thoughtful, Scheduled, Creative, Fun, Tough



My Fiction: Dreams, Paranormal, Action, Hot, Fun



My Creative Process: Messy, Scattered, Confusing, Driven, All-consuming

Now run over and check out what the other ladies have to say about things.

Jessica
Bronwyn
Kris
Jessica D
Kellie
Kayleigh

See you all next week!! — Gwen

A LOVE LETTER TO . . . MY LAPTOP!

Hello! And welcome once again to the crazy randomness of Wednesday. Today we are writing thank you/love letters to something we couldn’t live without. Before, I jump in let me share hotness with you, since that’s what you probably show up for.


Dearest Laptop,

I know, I probably don’t say it enough, but I am filled with hearts and flowers for you. 

I don’t know how I can even begin to share with you the ways you enrich my life. I mean, really, you connect me to the entire world. Through you I can collect amazing hot man pics, watch kitty videos, shop for whatever I want, find awesome knitting patterns, keep in contact with friends, play games, do research, and write. 

That’s just a tiny list of all that you do. I know, sometimes, I ignore you, but only for a day–never ever more than that. You are the first thing I pack when I head on vacation. You’ve gone with me everywhere. When you had amazing battery life, I even toted you to the doctor, hospital, and work. Now . . . not so much, but that’s okay. You are still my lovey, snuggly, cuddle lump and this song’s for you.


I can even read when we’re together and for that I’m grateful. I know I run you hard. Hell, we’re together all day long, but that’s because I NEED you. Plus, writing . . . writing takes time. Sometimes, I’m in the middle of something and realize I need to do research and you are right there for me. You handle multi-tasking like a champ and for that I give you a high-five and a fist bump. 

hugs and furry, purry kisses,

Gwen

Now, run over and check out what the other Blogger Girlz are so thankful for. Additionally, if you want to tell me what you love and can’t live without, drop me a comment below.

Jessica
Bronwyn
Kris
Kellie
Jessica D.
Paige

See you all next week! — Gwen

APRIL FLASH FICTION


The young woman, barely grown, lurked in the bushes waiting. He told her he’d be waiting, but she couldn’t see him. Dang, Danny anyway, asking her to sneak out. If her mama and daddy found out, she’d be grounded for a thousand years. She’d wanted to see him so bad though, now, here she was, sneaking around practically in the middle of the night.
A small light flickered across the dark road and she quickly fumbled with her own flashlight. She flicked it on three times in a row and smile as Danny burst out of woods. She hurried out to meet him and they stood a moment just smiling like loons at each other.
“Jacey, I’m so glad you came,” he said taking her hand.
“Me too, but I can’t stay long.”
“Believe me, I know. If my mom and dad find out I’m not in the house they will destroy me.”
Before she could respond, a bright light appeared overhead, illuminating the stretch of road. Everything lit up, bathed in an eerie blue-white glow. Danny grabbed her hand as a low humming began, more something that was felt in the bones than heard. Jacey instinctively backed away from whatever was coming toward them. Could it be a helicopter? It wasn’t a plane. She might live in the country, but she wasn’t stupid. Or, maybe she was, since she’d snuck out of her house and no one knew where she was.
The one light separated into four and began to swirl around in a circle, like a wheel at the carnival. Then, the wheel of lights moved toward the ground and Jacey saw it wasn’t attached to a helicopter.  No, the vehicle with the lights was disc shaped and large…really large. The trees, on either side of the road, slowly began to bend away from the vehicle, but from what she could see, nothing was causing the movement. She couldn’t feel any wind at all, but the trees still moved as the saucer began to lower towards the road.
“Aliens?” Danny said, hoarsely. “There’s no such thing. What’s going on?”
Jacey shook her head, too scared to reply. This couldn’t be happening to them. All they wanted was to meet and hang out, maybe share some kisses. They hadn’t wanted trouble. And, they certainly, hadn’t wanted to run into anything weird. Nothing ever happened in the small town they lived in. Of course, Johnny Tilder and his friends had sworn they’d seen Bigfoot while they were camping, but everyone knew Johnny and his friends took drugs. Besides, there weren’t such a thing as Bigfoot or aliens. And yet, there wasn’t any other explanation for the thing currently coming toward them.
When the craft hovered about fifteen feet above the road, an opening appeared and a long ramp slid out. A mechanical voice began to speak and it took a moment for Jacey to understand what it said.
“Attention Earthlings. Please come up the ramp and prepare to be probed.”
Danny let loose with a high-pitched shriek and began dragging Jacey behind him. The two teens ran down the road until they found the path she’d taken earlier to meet up with him. They ran like all the hounds of Hell were on their trail and they didn’t stop until they were finally back at Jacey’s house.
Grejak closed the door of their ship and, fell against it, laughing. The two humans had run so fast, it was as if their feet hadn’t even touched the ground. Chartex came through the doorway from the main bridge and he too was laughing.
“You must come and see the holo-images of the event,” Chartex said. “I’m so glad we invested in the new equipment. It caught everything, including the high squealing cry the male made.”

Grejak followed his best friend back to the bridge as their ship began to leave the small planet’s atmosphere. With the new footage, they were sure to win the top spot in the Zoinked competition. How could they not? Tricking humans always made the crowd laugh and the young human’s screams would finally put them in the winner’s spot.



I hope you enjoyed! I was in the mood to write something just a bit funny and different. Now, run over the check out what the other ladies did with the image. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Jessica
Bronwyn
Kris
Jessica D
Kayleigh
Paige

See you all on Wednesday!! — Gwen

FAVE THINGS: SEASON

As always, before we leap into the randomness of Wednesday, let me give you male hotness

So, today our topic is all about our favorite season. Right this very instant, I’d say spring since I am so tired of winter. We’ve had a few warm days here and there and it just makes me want it more. I’m tired of my sweaters, coats, and sitting under blankets. I long for warm breezes and pretty flowers. 

I took this pic in Charlotte last year during AAD
In reality though, my very favorite season is Fall. I love when the leaves change and air becomes crisp with just a hint of chill. 
I love how blue the sky looks against the perfect colors.

It’s the time to wear long sleeved shirts and hoodies. Bonfires are held and I can sit out without freezing my ass off or getting eaten by bugs. My sister and I usually go to the Smokey Mountains during this time and it’s just so perfect.
We can throw open the windows in the house and not have to worry about heat or air. Thankfully, lawn mowers can finally go away and all types of pumpkin goodness comes out. Yum!!

Fall also heralds the holidays! And my very favorite is Halloween. Part of it, of course, has to do with me being pagan. So, Halloween is the Witch’s New Year and it’s a wonderful sacred holiday. Yeah, yeah, but really it’s just damn fun. I love to decorate!

I have like 3 tubs of decorations that I put up. Plus, I always go out looking for more. I’m a more is more kind of girl when it comes to decorating. And, I can finally wear all my cute Halloween tee shirts too! 


This is also the time of year Yankee Candle brings out all their fall fragrances so I go crazy and usually buy 4 huge jar candles. Hey, they send me coupons what am I going to do?? The house always smells so good. Our favorites last year were Apple Pumpkin and Spiced Pumpkin. Do you noticed the theme??


Ultimately, Fall, to me, is a magical time of year. It’s filled with fun and friends and possibilities. Everyone seems so upbeat and it’s probably due to all the coming holidays and the fact that the kids are back in school and now everyone is back on a real schedule. 

If you want, tell me what your favorite season is in the comments below. Now run over and check out the other Blogger Girlz and see what they have to say. 

Jessica
Bronwyn
Kris
Jessica D.
Paige

See you all next week! — Gwen

HOW WRITING AFFECTS MY LIFE & VICE VERSA

Hey! Welcome to the randomness that is Wednesday. First, let me share with you the awesome male hotness


Today, our subject is all about how writing affects my life and how my life affects my writing. Wow, this took some thought since I’ve always written. I’ve never NOT been a writer.

And, perhaps, that’s one of the affects. I don’t know what it means not to write. Not to look at the world and see stories. Not to dream wild dreams filled with vampires or wolves and wake up thinking, “Damn, that would make a good book.” Not to live half the life in my head having conversations with people that don’t exist on this plane. 

Does this make me crazy?? I don’t know. 

All I do know is this is the way I function as a writer. Or, maybe, half function. I know that if I’m deeply plotting a book I can go through most of a day and not even realize the time is passing. I can have conversations, watch TV, or read and really not participate in any of these things. It’s sort of like my body’s on auto-pilot, doing what it needs to do, but my brain is otherwise occupied with all the tenants that live in my imagination.



I get cranky if someone interrupts me when I’m writing, especially if it’s going really well. I will sometimes forget to eat or go to the bathroom. If I need to talk to someone I might tap one of my author friends before anyone else, because they understand. 


When the writing is going well then I am totally pumped and I can type like the wind. It’s like the words are pouring out of my fingers and onto the screen. Weeeeee!!! 



Then, of course, there are the times when it’s like pulling teeth. Every word is a chore and they all suck eggs. LOL!

No matter where I go, I take my laptop. There’s no such thing as “vacation” when you write. Because writing is a compulsion. If you’re a WRITER then you MUST write. So, the laptop must travel with me, no matter what. If I’m away from the story too long, I start to get . . . itchy. I need to be back to the keyboard letting the story out. Thankfully, my friends and sister understand this. I can disappear into whatever room, put on my headphones, and ignore them all. So, yeah, sometimes, I’m not very good company. 

Unfortunately, life will intrude. When that happens, I have to pull myself away from the story and be a real, grownup adult person. I hate that!! I have to wash my hair, fix it, wash my face, put makeup on, get dressed in real clothes (not sweatshirts and yoga pants), and leave the house. *sob* Sometimes, this is a good thing. It’s for a fun activity that doesn’t take forever. Or, I really needed to get out of the house because I’ve been by myself for way too long. 


When I start looking at the kitty adoption websites and picking out ALL the cats I could bring home, I close the laptop and take a drive. Usually, I hit Starbucks for a drink, get some fresh air, and talk to real people that others can see. 

So, yeah, if all of this sounds soooo appealing you are probably already a writer . . . or, should be one. Anyway, if you have thoughts or questions tag me in the comments below. Now run and check out what the other Blogger Girlz have to say on the topic.

Bronwyn
Jessica
Kris
Jessica D
Kellie

See you all next week! — Gwen

MARCH SONG PROMPT

Hello!! The song this month is by Nickelback and it’s called The Hammer’s Coming Down. I hope you enjoy!!

Cash eased into the darkness, gun gripped tight. The whole Op had gone to shit from the moment they’d entered the town. No, wrong, it had gone to shit when their bosses had said it was simple. In and out, they’d been told, no big deal. He knew better than to listen to the pencil pushers who didn’t have fucking clue one about what the job entailed. Now, his partner was missing, and he was skulking through the darkness hoping like hell he didn’t get his ass shot off.
A small noise brought his progress to a halt. Raising his gun, he leaned out just enough to see the empty street. The town they’d found themselves in was small in size, but large in area. Truly, it looked as if the population had tossed rocks as far as they could, then said, “Yep, I’ll build there.” Made it easy to move around, but not so easy trying to find someone.
Cursing to himself, he pressed his back against a dilapidated house and inched out farther. Wind moved through the trees, causing the leaves to flutter and flail, but no other movements met his gaze. Where the fuck were they keeping her? He’d be the first to admit he was royally pissed off when they stuck him with a female partner, but now, after nearly two years, they were a solid team. They complemented one another; they’d die for one another. He’d burn the fucking place down if anything happened to her.
The shattering of glass drew him down the street toward a small house set back from road. Cash ran, knowing in his gut, the sounds involved Zoe. As he ran into the yard, a loud crash accompanied a man flying out the main front window, glass and wood following behind. The unknown man rolled slowly to his knees and attempted to get up as Zoe jumped out the hole left by the window. Running forward, she kicked the man in the side. He screamed and tried to roll away from her, but she kicked him again.
The front door was pulled open and another man stepped out on to the porch, rifle in hand. He raised it and aimed at Zoe. Cash stepped out and calmly put a bullet through him. Zoe looked up, her lip bloody and swollen, a long cut running down her cheek and tried to smile.
“Fucking awful day,” she said, giving the guy on the ground one last kick.
Cash grabbed her hand as the two of them sprinted to where he’d stashed the car. 


And that was my piece inspired by Nickelback. If you have thoughts or questions just tuck them down in the comments. Now run over and check out what my fellow Blogger Girlz came up with. I know you won’t be disappointed.

Jessica
Bronwyn
Kris
Kellie
Jessica D.
Paige
Kayleigh


See you all on Wednesday for total randomness! –Gwen

A-Z LIST: THING THAT INSPIRE ME

Hey, and welcome back to the randomness of Wednesday. This week we’re chatting about the things that inspire us. I think, first of all, this man certainly does. Am I right?


Okay, so here are the list of things that inspire me in one way or the other.

A – Autumn colors (my favorite time of year)



B – Books (I love to read)
C – Cats (I love mine and miss them terribly)
D – Dreams (I get some of my best ideas from my dreams)
E – Essential Oils
F – Friends (I have amazing ones and I love them tons)
G  – Goddess and Gods



H – Holidays (Halloween is my very favorite)



I – Ice Cream (Graeter’s is my favorite)

J – Jessie J songs (love Bang, Bang and Burnin’ Up)
K – Knitting (so relaxing and soothing)
L – Laptop (couldn’t do without it)
M – Music (I always have my MP3 player going)
N – Nook (I couldn’t do without it)
O – Outlook (couldn’t live without my email program)
P – Projects (i love doing crafting projects with my sister, right now                        we’re working on a fairy house)
Q – Questions (I love what if . . . that creates a story in my head                                    faster than anything)
R – Road Trips!!!



S – Sister (My sister is the best ever and I can’t imagine life without                   her)
T – Texting (the best way to keep my friends close :-)!)
U – UPS & USPS (i love getting packages in the mail)
V – Viggo Mortenson (swoon)



W – Water (I love to listen to it and it helps me think)
X – XOXO (hugs and kisses)
Y – Yarn (I love to knit)
Z – Zone (the place I love to be when I write so the words flow)

And that’s it! If you have something that inspires you, leave a comment below and let me know. Now run and check out what inspires the other Blogger Girlz! Oh, and give our newest blogger, Paige, a friendly welcome!

See you all next week!! –Gwen

Bronwyn
Jessica
Kris
Jessica D.
Kellie
Kayleigh
Paige

COVER REVEAL: BAD BOY NEXT DOOR!!

 

 

Bad Boys Next Door Box Set — Available March 16, 2015

 

There’s just something about a bad boy… It could be that neighbor you’ve had the hots for forever. Or maybe the guy in the cabin or office next door. It might even be a guy you meet on vacation or one you’ve known since you were a kid.

 

Twelve prolific authors, including New York Times Bestseller and USA Today Bestseller, Selena Kitt, and USA Today Bestseller, Jenny Trout writing as Abigail Barnette, present a sizzling collection of erotic romance sure to bring you to your knees and make you believe in love again – or, at least, lust at first sight!

 

Set also includes: Gwendolyn Cease, Bronwyn Green, Tilly Greene, Elise Hepner, Jessica Jarman, Sommer Marsden, Kris Norris, Paige Prince, Charlotte Stein, and Alison Tyler.

 

Abigail Barnette (Jenny Trout) – Bad Boy, Good Man

 

Newly independent real-life adult Ellie McCormack loves everything about her first apartment…except her neighbor. His bi-weekly sex fests keep her up at night in more ways than one as she wonders about the man who’s making all the noise—and what he’s doing to make his women so damn loud.

 

But even her wildest fantasies couldn’t conjure up a man like Antony DeLuca. When she works up the nerve to confront him, she’s expecting a player, but there’s more to Antony than his carefree sexual escapades. One hot night with him helps Ellie see through the man who drives women wild, to the good guy beneath it all. A guy that she just might be able to fall for…

 

Gwendolyn Cease – No Strings

 

All Kaitlin O’Neal wants to do is fix her sink. She’s intelligent and resourceful. Plus, she’s got her own tools. How hard could it be? Apparently, extremely hard, since her attempt left the sink in an unusable condition. When her next-door neighbor, Cameron Sinclair, offers to help her fix the mess and renovate the rest of the kitchen, she jumps at the chance. She’d be a fool not to, right? Cameron, though, is hotter than hot and makes her an offer she can’t refuse.

 

Cameron has wanted Kaitlin since she moved next door. So what if she’s older than him? She’s beautiful, sexy, and he wants to get to know her better. He offers her a no strings affair—one he hopes will keep her coming back to his bed. Between home improvements and steamy sex, Cameron realizes that their no strings fling will never be enough, but can he convince Kaitlin he’s worth the risk?

 

Bronwyn Green – Drawn That Way

 

Tristan Weaver, accountant for a successful video game company, is in way over her head. Honestly answering a company-wide survey and criticizing the sexist stereotypes used in the company’s games was enough to catch her boss’ attention. But speculating on his sex life within his earshot has unexpected consequences when her hot, but nerdy, boss invites her to model for him.

 

Owner, artist and lead developer of Brecken Games, Rory Brecken, has a strict no fraternizing with employees rule. However, when he overhears Tristan’s conversation with her friend about his rumored kinks and begins to suspect her curiosity in the submissive side of sex, he’s more than a little tempted. When her interest is undeniably confirmed, he suggests a onetime only, colleagues with benefits hook-up.

 

Though neither want a relationship, once isn’t enough for either one of them. As their encounters become more intense, Rory makes a huge mistake that may cost him the woman he’s coming to love.

 

Tilly Greene – Her Wicked Ride

 

Mike Mulligan co-owns a garage and fixes cars. He rides a Harley, is covered in tattoos and has spent time in jail. Since being released he’s tried to live a clean life, but he’s a bad boy with women, very bad and terribly sexy. Bondage, domination, and so much more, are his preferences when playing with the ladies, and there have been a variety until the last one.

 

For the first time, he had to work for a yes. All summer, they’ve had fabulously wild no-holds-barred sex, but one morning everything changes. With chaos in the garage, a cup of coffee in hand, and a half-naked Sherry Gonzales in his lap, his eyes are opened to wanting more than sex with her. Mike’s solution is to go on a date, their first date.

 

The night starts out fine. But things get wicked on the back of his bike before taking a turn, but for the good or bad?

 

Elise Hepner – A Marriage of Inconvenience

 

When Izzy Thorton’s mother falls ill and is given a terminal diagnosis the last thing Izzy anticipates is a proposal from her best friend, Sebastian Leery, to fulfill her mother’s dying wish. Only one snafu keeps Izzy from saying yes—she’s in love with him. But before she can say much of anything to his proposal, Bash takes the reins by telling her mother the good news.

 

Unable to fight her undeniable attraction to her playboy best friend—Izzy goes through with the best and worst mistake of her life. No sooner are the rings exchanged when they both realize their friendship can only bridge so many gaps. Sebastian has no hope of keeping his skeletons in the closet and Izzy doesn’t know how much longer she can keep her heart out of the equation.

 

Together they fumble through the darkness of their past to a future that might just be a little more clear–if they can fight their chemistry long enough to talk.

 

Jessica Jarman – London Bound

 

After losing her husband six years ago, Meg Stevens has focused on the day-to-day and being a mother, not sparing a thought for anything beyond—no dates, no excitement, no life other than what she already had. A six-week vacation to London, all but forced on her by her two children, changes all of that. Meg meets the man of her dreams—gorgeous, dominant, and completely on board with a short-term fling—despite the fact he’s far too young for her.

 

Nathan Harris is more than a bit curious about the beautiful woman renting the upstairs flat, and once he talks to her, curiosity is quickly replaced by arousal and desire. It doesn’t take long before it’s clear she longs to experience sexual submission, and Nathan finds himself desperate to be the one she submits to.

 

Her days spent exploring the city, her nights exploring Nathan and the pleasure submitting to him brings, Meg discovers the trip she’d taken out of obligation has turned into something she doesn’t want to walk away from. However, the life she left behind beckons, and there’s no room there for dreaming of something she can never have.

 

Selena Kitt – Working for the Weigands

 

Lloyd “Boone” Goodhart has been working for the Weigands since he was in high school, mowing their ornamental lawn, shoveling their long, winding driveway and skimming their enormous in-ground pool for extra cash, much of which he gives to his mom, a single-mother who has worked in the Wal-Mart bakery for twenty years. Boone, more apathetic cynic than true slacker, is also attending community college, bagging groceries at a local supermarket, and rebuilding his dead-beat dad’s old Harley.

 

His second summer after high school graduation starts out just as mundane and routine as the first, but Boone’s world turns upside down when Mrs. Weigand tells him her husband has left her, and her daughter has returned from boarding school in Europe, where Danielle “Ellie” Weigand has spent the past five years.

 

Before he knows which way is up, Mrs. Weigand starts requesting extra services of Boone—in more ways than one—while her daughter, Ellie, teases him mercilessly, just like she did in junior high. He soon finds himself immersed in a desperate, passionate affair, with not just one woman, but two.

 

Will the attention of both mother and daughter be more than he can handle, or will his growing feelings for them be more than he can bear?

 

Sommer Marsden – The Anniversary Party

 

Kylie Walker is cracking under the stress of hosting a thirtieth anniversary party for her parents and trying to keep up with her freelance writing deadlines. With a new house, a well-meaning but useless sister, and roughly forty people about to descend on her home, she doesn’t think it can get much worse. Until her mother’s friend, Mrs. Sinclair, calls to ask if they might bring one more person. Her son, Wade. The man who up and left Kylie eight years before.

 

Wade Sinclair has come back to town with one hope—to make things right with his high school sweetheart. Still hopelessly in love with Kylie, Wade knows he must come clean about why he left her all those years ago so he can finally set about reclaiming what he never should have let go of in the first place—her love.

 

Can they put their past behind them and look toward the future? Or will the anniversary party be the end of them altogether?

 

Kris Norris – Force of Nature

 

Love—an unparalleled force of nature.

 

Conservation Officer, Finley McKay, isn’t a stranger to criticism. Taking risks to protect delicate ecosystems doesn’t impress most people—including the doctor renting the cabin beside hers. The man’s arrogant, opinionated and far too sexy in his faded jeans and tees. She already knows he’s an ass—she just wished it mattered enough to make her keep her distance.

 

Dr. Coen Brady isn’t looking to fit in. Having recently retired from the military, he’s hoping to spend a few months hiding from the world in a small, out-of-the-way town in northern Washington.

 

But just his luck, he has the misfortune of running into his next-door neighbor. A girl who seems determined to get herself killed before his time there is up. She’s reckless, stubborn and slowly driving him insane.

 

When anger morphs into angry sex, Coen knows taking her to bed is a calculated risk—one he might regret when her investigation turns deadly, leaving Finley’s life hanging in the balance. Breaking a few rules to keep her in the game doesn’t seem that dangerous, until it becomes painfully obvious she won’t stop until justice is served—even if the price is her life.

 

Paige Prince – Lost Treasure

 

Danielle Almasi-Epperson’s parents were killed in a tragic car accident when she was eight years old, leaving her world famous, Egyptologist grandfather to raise her in their stead. While she had the pleasure of growing up on archaeological digs, he never believed that the field was a woman’s place. All she’s ever dreamed of is adventure and the kind of love her parents had.

 

Jareth Riley was the boy in the tent next door to Danielle’s at every dig she could remember while growing up. Her grandfather and his father labeled him a troublemaker from day one. So, when Danielle and Jareth fall in love and lose their virginity to each other, it takes no time at all for her grandfather to ship her off to Harvard.

 

Ten years later, she’s working as a curator at a museum and he’s a treasure hunter. When he shows up on her doorstep asking for help to find a lost artifact with supposed mystical powers, she can’t help but say yes. In no time at all, they’re on the run from mad men with guns and rekindling the romance that had never quite died. Will they be able to restore the lost treasure to the rightful owners, or will they destroy their chance at happiness or lose their lives in the attempt?

 

Charlotte Stein – Curveball

 

When Judy Myers is offered a relaxing vacation to get away from her latest heartbreak, she can’t say no. A cruise on her brother’s yacht sounds like heaven…until she realizes her brother’s best friend has been invited along for the ride.

 

Steven Stark is big, he’s loud, and he’s obviously not interested in the plump, plain little sister he used to tease unmercifully. In fact, he’s still quite happy to tease her – until she turns the tables on him. Now, Steven can’t seem to keep his thoughts, or his hands, to himself. And worse, Judy’s not sure she can resist the attraction she’s kept buried for so many years.

 

Being trapped on a boat isn’t the best place to be, when you’re suddenly thrown a hunky curveball.

 

Alison Tyler – The Spanking House

 

The Spanking House is a fantastical tale of a writer struggling against the beast known as “writer’s block.” Mia Rogers rents a cozy cottage in a small town in hopes of jumpstarting the novel she can’t seem to finish. When she meets Tripp Johnson, she becomes motivated in ways she previously hadn’t thought possible.