Secret Library magazine - romance edition! by BooksGoSocial

Romance reading magazine Executive Editor/Editor-in-Chief - Laurence O’Bryan Associate Editor - Tanja Slijepčević Assistant Editor - Elisabeth Schaffalitzky Graphic Designer - Mirna Gilman

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Table of contents 04 Editor’s Letter 06 14

Stumbling Toward Valentine’s Day By Howard Petote Your Prince Charming Doesn’t Have to be Perfect by Jordan Elizabeth Betimes Books authors talk about love and romance in their novels Fifty Shades Freed, But Are Women? By Author Taylor Marsh

34 Spring Eternal Morning By V.R. Konner 40

Secrets We Keep By Maxwell Rudolf

46 Hometown Girl by Kirsten Fullmer

Hi, You are very welcome to our Romance magazine ‘18! Romance novels have always been one of the bestselling genres in literature. No wonder – who can resist a good love story? We have an eclectic mix of romance genres – from historical, sweet romance, to paranormal and erotica. If you look around our magazine, you’ll find romance recommendations for every sub-genre, and book giveaways with more than 80 books available for free download! Don’t miss this – it’s free for limited time only.

Fifty Shades Freed, but are Women? Taylor Marsh asks in her review of the world wide phenomenon, and its’ cultural reception. Don’t miss this on page 28. There are several excerpts and short stories – from sweet romances like Hometown Girl at Heart by Kirsten Fullmer to another take on a love story by Maxwell Rudolf in Secrets We Keep. Romance not your cup of tea? Not to worry – we have an interesting selection of books in different genre, starting at page 31. We hope you enjoy it! And if you have any ideas for articles or things you would like to see covered in our magazines, let me know. Laurence O’Bryan Editor in Chief Secret Library Magazine, Romance edition

Stumbling Toward

By Howar I once had a friend who was twelve years older. A med student, she was much smarter and more experienced at life than I was. As a former buyer for Sears, she once met Sir Edmund Hillary at their corporate tower in Chicago. She had lived in the mountains of New Mexico—in a tent, and once sold bags of seashells to lazy tourists on a Caribbean isle. We had fun together, bopping around Providence and Newport, but the time came when she had to move on. Sitting next to me in my truck—dropping her off at some house from where she was to leave the state—she started to cry. It was the last time I saw her. She was wise, and saw that moment clearly for what it was, whereas I did not. I was still naïve, and insensitive in many ways. With my first love, several years earlier, I was even more naïve about women, but definitely not ignorant, because things got hot. She walked up to me one day at our community college and introduced herself. She was Irish-American—said her parents “got off the potato boat”—and sitting next to me earlier in the library, enjoyed herself as I smashed the keys on my calculator, frustrated over some math problem. Our romance lasted a mere two months at most—a February and March—and I’ll never forget the cold that winter in New York. One night it was 26 below. I made her a silver star pendant for Valentine’s, and she made me a jacket for my birthday. With no extra money, we had to be crafty. But her sailor boy finally came home, and my heart was broken. Like I said, she was my first true love. I was always shy around girls, until I was maybe in my mid-twenties. Even then, more likely than not, they would pick me up, or try to, as I would often fail to register their hints, or seize the moment. When a blonde toting a tennis racket approaches you in the parking lot of the motel you are both staying at and laments how lonely it gets . . . well yes, it’s embarrassing to admit I spent the night alone, but in my defense I may have been high. A squandered moment—another reason to avoid drugs. There were a few more girlfriends and an ill-fated marriage before I met my current wife, Melanie. Now I’m pretty well domesticated, but still manage to barge into an insensitive remark now and again.

d Valentine’s Day

ard Petote So I’ve had my share of ups and downs in the world of romance, like most any guy, but what possessed me to write a novel that explores the mystery of love? A guy who likes to read non-fiction, build things, and hike in mountains? I realize women read many more novels than men, and that many titles featuring romance with female leads are written by women for women. But I found them sorely lacking—from my viewpoint only, of course, as they are popular. After writing several short stories involving everyday human drama—I decided to write the kind of novel I would enjoy reading. Cut the wordiness, the pretentious sophistication, and get to the point through action, emotion, and grit.

As I stumble toward Valentine’s Day and the publication of my novel, The Sins of Maggie Black, only time will tell if it finds an audience—I certainly hope so. In the meantime, I had better think of something special to do, or say, or give. As a jack-of-all-trades Petote designed and built his website, Tales of Misfits & Dreamers, at www.howardpetote.com. The site features his short stories, artwork and blog. As a writer he enjoys exploring forgotten towns and discarded dreams, searching for gold in the messy depths of human experience. He currently lives in Connecticut.

The Brooch by Renee Bramlet

Something inside of me is changing, I can feel it, like the oxygen in my lungs is lighter. The always-present tightness in my stomach is just, gone. I’m in the moment, present with this man, like I’ve never been before in my entire life. Was this trust? Love? Can he be real and is this the beginning of believing in Tim? My mind tells me I’m in lust. And lust has definitely played a strong role in our relationship so far. But we also have a surprising level of tenderness. Our strong connection after so short a time together is sending my mind into cartwheels. My hunger, my yearning for him to be inside of me, is strong. I ache in anticipation.... Inspired by my grandmother, who lived to be 104 years old. Although she would not have approved of the pre-marital sex and cursing. But her sense of humor was always there. Love you always Mammaw.

Seduction Series Box Set 1 by Emma Calin

A bargain box set containing the first 3 steamy suspense romance novels in Emma Calin’s best selling, award winning Seduction Series, PLUS a companion recipe book with live story links. Each tale introduces a new female cop facing new challenges and dangers. They all share the same determination to stamp out crime and deliver justice, as well as a healthy passion for the men they love. But what happens when duty and private lives combine? Read the romance, feel the passion, taste the love. “This is an enjoyable, dramatic, keep-you-on-your-toes, must-read set of books with plenty of romance.” “Action, adventure, hot female cops and men they fall in love with who are as hot as the women they end up with. This is a well written collection of books, well thought out and with well developed characters.”

Available on Amazon! 9

Contemporary romance

A List - Less Life by Darcy Delany Gina Trent thinks finding the perfect man is as simple as writing the perfect list. Her writing habits make her an internet sensation, but when she has to choose between hesitant Australian diplomat Sean Tate and proactive British entrepreneur Will Lockwood, Gina discovers that getting what’s on your list isn’t the same as getting what you need. Set in Papua New Guinea and Manchester, A List-Less Life is a heart-warming novel about the twists and turns on the path to true love.

Play it Again, Sam by Maryann Miller When her husband comes home from work one day to announce he’s moving out, Samantha Rutgers thinks it’s a joke. She hopes it’s a joke. It’s not. Left adrift, she fears she will never find love again. Then Frank comes into her life and asks her to trust him with her heart.

Unchained Melody by Cynthia Roberts Pamela Landers had it all, a senior partnership with a top law firm, expensive car, and a luxurious condo. What she desired most was a loving husband, children and a life filled with precious memories that would comfort her through her golden years. Funny how fate has a way of steering you down that path where dreams really can come true.

I, Submissive by Kari Nelson Alexis wanted more out of life, and when she finds herself down on her luck, she encounters more than she ever bargained for in a DOM named Dmitri. Suddenly, torn between two men that ignite separate flames inside of her, Alexis has to chose between love or lustful desire; or does she?

Something That Simple by Kari Nelson Shaken innocence drives Avery into the arms of the one man she should stay away from, her step-brother, Matthew Carter, Jr. He’s rich and egotistical, yet the way he cares so deeply for her, keeps Avery coming back to his bed. But these two star-crossed lovers don’t have a chance once their love is uncovered. There are huge consequences to a love this strong, and nothing is as simple... as love.

The Friendship Pact by Tara Taylor Quinn From #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Debbie Macomber on The Friendship Pact... This is a story for every woman who’s been in love. Danny Brown is the only man Kora’s ever wanted, ever loved, and her marriage seems as flawless as everything else in her life. Bailey, however, doesn’t want a husband. She does want a baby--but only by IVF. And the perfect donor, the perfect biological father, would be a man like...Danny. What happens when love and friendship collide?

From An Office Window by Jeannie Sharpe The word ‘why’ tormented Chloe Livingston relentlessly since her husband Jake disappeared on that snowy night two years ago. Did he die on that mountain? Life turned miserable until Mitchell Terrison, the new detective of Knox County, walked into her life.

Secret Desires by JL Regen Nothing in Margo Simmons’s life comes easy. She can’t claim her inheritance until she is gainfully employed, she meets a great guy who is still emotionally tied to his deceased wife. With great difficulty, she becomes a foster parent to an orphaned child. Margo evolves from an insecure, newbie teacher into a woman determined to fulfill the secret desires locked in her heart. My story speaks to anyone who has suffered a loss and had to start over. 11

Contemporary romance

Twisted Fate by Mel Eversgerd Good ole country girl new to city looking for lasting love with an intelligent, intriguing and unpredictable woman. Vampires DO NOT apply. What is love at first sight? Racing hearts? Bated breath? The beginning of happily ever after? That’s what we all want and for the two women in this story, love comes with a steep price. A price each must pay to stay together.

Desert Skies, Rebel Souls by M.P. Tonnesen A journey into the unknown. A tale of adventure. A love against all odds. A young woman travels to the Middle East to discover herself and finds a world of passion and history, war and peace. A whirlwind romance takes a dramatic turn, leaving Olivia caught between countries, belonging nowhere, and with the love of her life in danger far away. A love story to be enjoyed by adventurous globetrotters and readers longing to escape.

No Way Back by Kelly Florentia When two eligible and attractive men are vying for your heart, it should be the perfect dilemma...but Audrey Fox soon realises it’s the people that we love who can hurt us the most.

A Good Game by D.D. Shaw Charlotte believes she is destined for a dull life as a wealthy man’s wife, but Trent’s mysterious appearance in the middle of the night proves she is meant for bigger things outside of her control. Trent loathes his servitude to Vision and will go to any length to set her free. But is it too late when he realizes she prefers her gilded cage?

Ever After: A Fairy Tale Love Story by H M Irwing Cindy Marshall is Cinderella. Born into a rich family her life turns topsy turvy when her mother is diagnosed with cancer. Abandoned by her father, Cindy’s disillusionment is complete when her mother dies. No longer believing in love, marriage and happily ever after, broke and jobless. Cindy gets a job in the elite nightclub, The Monks. And who turns out to be The Monk himself? Who but Prince Charming! Only his name is Julian St John and he is anything but living a fairy tale.

Touch of Ice by Mary Auclair He is as cold as ice. She is the salvation that will melt his heart. When Endora is faced with her daughter’s terminal illness, she takes the only chance she’s got. She braves the potential risks and signs a mating contract with the Delradon Draekon Lords, intent on using the payment to buy the aliens’ cure to save her daughter’s life. Lord Aldric Darragon rules over his land with an iron fist until one day the only woman who is genetically compatible with him agrees to his offer of mating. As his all-consuming passion for Endora explodes, an ancient threat looms heavy over humans and Delradons alike.

Legacy of Danger by Patricia A. Guthrie Inheriting a castle, Elena Dkany travels to Romania, a land dipped in Myths, Folklore, and as legend has it, the Walking Dead. From the onset of her arrival, hearing a local proverb: “Do not speak badly of the Devil, because you cannot know to whom you will belong,” she soon understands the importance of adhering to this warning in this mysterious land.

The Stationmaster’s Cottage by Phillipa Nefri Clark Christie Ryan inherits a dilapidated cottage in a seaside town she’s never heard of. The brief visit for her grandmother’s funeral extends when she discovers fiftyyear-old love letters from a young man she suspects painted a damaged seascape left behind in the cottage. Determined to solve the mystery behind the letters, Christie seeks help from reclusive artist Martin Blake, but he has reasons to protect the past. 13

Your Prince Charming Doesn’t Have to be Perfect by Jordan Elizabeth

The feedback I received on my first young adult romance novel was to make my male protagonist pretty. I blinked at that email. I frowned and scratched my chin, and questioned everything I knew about guys. My male protagonist, Archer, was based after a man I had a huge crush on. We’ll call him Smith. Smith wasn’t your typical quarterback/millionaire hottie. He had a few bumps on his cheeks and he struggled to grow a beard, but he was kind. He listened to my problems, we enjoyed the same foods, and we hung out together in a way that made me feel special. We made out a few times too. Smith wasn’t the best kisser in the world and he was more scrawny than thin, but again, he made me feel special. I made Archer scrawny and poor, with a few pimples, and he was irresistible to the main female protagonist, Sarah, because of his kindness. He cared about his family and he told her straight up when she was acting selfish. According to my editor, readers don’t want a guy like that. Archer had to be muscular and rich. Instead of treating Sarah with kindness, he should give her attitude so she can feel like she tamed him at the end. I rewrote my novel based on that feedback, but I couldn’t feel Archer anymore. He wasn’t the same guy I’d first fallen in love with. While I understand that type can be the hero of a romance novel, it wasn’t who I wanted for mine. “Readers will stop once they read he has pimples,” my editor wrote. I ended up setting the story aside to write something new, and I made my hero in that story everything the editor wanted. I loved that hero, but I still couldn’t get Archer out of my head, and I ended up returning to that first manuscript and transforming Archer back 14

into my Smith. Readers told me he seemed real to them, that they could relate Archer to someone they knew in real life. Teenage girls can fantasize about buff, rich heroes all they want, but when it comes down to it, the hero you need might actually be that kind, pimple-ridden guy who is happy just to get Chinese takeout with you. He can still be your rock even if his muscles don’t strain against his T-shirt. When Jordan Elizabeth’s not creating art or searching for lost history in the woods, she’s updating her blog. Jordan roams Central New York, but she loves to travel. See Jordan’s books here.

2017 NC SIR WALTER RALEIGH AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION

"This novel is sure to join the rich canon of Southern literature." -Anna Jean Mayhew, author of The Dry Grass of August"

*2017 NYC Big Book Award Winner, Thriller Category; First Place in the 2018 Feathered Quill Book Awards Program, Romance Category; First Place in the 2018 Bestsellers World Award for Best Romance

historical romance

Forgiven by Geoff Lawson 1899 - Rachel is young, charming and troubled; a social outcast, until she meets Richard and things dramatically improve. Then, Richard errs when he volunteers to fight in South Africa and leaves her under a cloud. There, he soon learns about hunger and hardship until captured, and falls into the depths of despair. Waiting at home, Rachel has a frightening experience of her own and her family is under stress to get her back.

When a Duke Pursues a Lady by Tabetha Waite An innocent woman. A loyal agent to the Crown. A path of deception that tests the bonds of love. After three years trapped in an abusive and loveless marriage, Lyra Coventry has been arrested for the murder of her husband, the Earl of Weston. Although she’s innocent of the crime, she has no one to turn to for help, until Alister Ayles, the Duke of Albright, comes forward to offer his aid. The handsome duke takes her into his custody, saving her from a jail cell. But Lyra doesn’t suspect Alister’s ulterior motive—to prove her guilty of treason— as she slowly loses her heart to a man who is far more than he seems...

A Call Through Time by Tricia McGill No woman but the lover who has haunted his dreams will ever offer him the satisfaction he craves. But to find her he must travel back through time, to a world where enemies abound. To a time when he must fight enemies to save both their lives.

A Rip in the Veil by Anna Belfrage On a muggy August day in 2002, Alexandra Lind falls through time and lands in 1658, at Matthew Graham’s feet. That’s all it takes: a rip in the sheer veil of time, and two people who should never have met end up face to face. Love. Drama. This is the story of a man and a woman fated for each other since before they were born.

In the Shadow of the Storm by Anna Belfrage England in 1321 is a dangerous place. Ask Adam de Guirande, bound by his honour to follow his lord as he rebels against the king. The rebellion fails and a painful and extended death stares our medieval knight in the face. Fortunately, our heroic knight has a heroic damsel to ride to his aid. Assuming she makes it in time.

Loving the Bitter Baron by Arietta Richmond A Baron left embittered by war, a Lady who sees the man he once was, a madman bent on revenge, a daring rescue, a love stronger than fear.

Garden of Lilies by Lorraine Margaret Can one funny, idealistic, loving little princess really negotiate a relationship with a wild, highly sexual alpha male from the slums? Garden of Lilies is a uniquely sensual fantasy romance that follows the struggles of Princess Irisa as she desperately attempts to forge a lasting love with Johnny, the leader of her peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest enemies.

Love, Lust, and Betrayal by Ray Ross Reynolds The erotic adventures of a young, newly married couple and the courtroom battle that followed group sex, bisexuality, and seduction. Follow their sensual journey from their first meeting on a college campus through college sex games to a highly wanton sailing on the Atlantic Ocean. Watch as they take this titillating journey through life together, experiencing new situations and new people.

Betimes Books authors about love and romance in their novels Ladies first ! Hadley Colt, author of The Red-Handed League, about Sherlock in love When I set out to write a contemporary spin on Sherlock Holmes, I determined it would have not just an undercurrent of eroticism, but be an overtly erotic love story. While Holmes is traditionally depicted as asexual—in BBC’s Sherlock, he’s snarkily referred to as “The Virgin”—I always sensed something sexier lay thinly buried in Mr. Holmes. In Doyle’s stories, only Irene Adler, “The Woman,” seems to reach Sherlock’s heart, and, perhaps, other parts. But their relationship remains unrequited, or, at least, unconsummated. My own take on Holmes was to attempt not to invalidate that sense of The Great Detective, but to explore a young and passionate Holmes not yet afraid to indulge in the physical aspects of love. Surely, Holmes was capable of tremendous physicality and sensuality in original form: he’s an athlete, a boxer and a student of martial arts. He’s also, infamously, an addictive personality—an abuser of opiates and nicotine, both of which he embraces in fallow work times like deadly lovers. Surely, Holmes is also proven a sensualist by his love of music and his violin. On that note, I confess I was further emboldened in erotic directions by current Holmes actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who once theorized to Elle about how Holmes might approach sex. Doing so, and sort of in character, BC theorized Sherlock would engage in a kind of scientist’s bout of preparatory passionate research. And then? BC ventured: “I would be devastating I’d know exactly how to please a woman. I’d know exactly where to put my fingers, where to put my tongue, where to put my — his I should say — his fingers, his tongue. Think about violinists, think about what they can do with their fingers… He knows bodies very well.” 20

Patricia Ketola about a reignited love story in the heart of her novel Dirty Pictures My novel Dirty Pictures features a man and a woman, Hendrik Van der Saar and Elizabeth Martel, who were lovers in their youth. They meet again in middle age, both cynical and battle scarred versions of their former selves. The attraction is irresistible and they resume a passionate affair that ends in an unlikely, but ultimately fulfilling marriage. The setting is a romanticized version of Amsterdam and the entire novel is studded with elements that contribute to an overall feeling of sensuality, luxury, and voluptuousness. As an author I’m not one to shy away from intimate sex scenes, and in this novel I tried to concentrate on the physical and emotional bonding of two people caught up in ecstatic acts that are both primal and sublime. I found myself exploring the animalistic aspects of the sex act and often combined this funkiness with a higher experience of divine bliss. That said, my lovers are often playful, imaginative, and always dedicated to one another. How we chose our mates is of great interest to me, in my experience it has always seemed to be a combination of the biological and the magical, and I’ve tried to convey this in the novel. I realize that most individuals don’t have a wide range of choice in the matter and that many people marry for reasons other than love, but the idea of finding a perfect mate seems to be buried deep in the human psyche, and perhaps that’s why we still celebrate St. Valentine’s Day.

Fionnuala Brennan, author of The Painterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Women: Goya in Light and Shade, about the loves of Francisco Goya The 18th century Spanish painter, Francisco Goya, the focus of my novel, was a full-blooded man by all accounts. He loved women, probably including his wife, Josefa, with whom he had six children. Goya loved painting and drawing women, beautiful and otherwise: actresses, wives of wealthy merchants, washerwomen, peasants, duchesses. His wife may well have suspected that he had more than a professional interest in some of the women who sat for portraits in his studio. Among his most important patrons one of the wealthiest aristocrats in Spain, the famously beautiful and capricious Duchess of Alba. There has been much speculation about Goyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relationship with the Duchess of Alba with whom he spent a number of months in her secluded estate in Andalusia shortly after her husband died. In my novel I develop that relationship into something quite deep and meaningful to them both. After his wife Josefa died, a young woman of twenty-five called Leocadia Zorilla left her husband and moved into the Goya household, ostensibly as his housekeeper. She soon became the mistress of Goya who was forty-three years older than her. She lived with him and their daughter Rosario for the rest of his life. Goya, while he never formally recognised Rosario as his own treated her as his daughter and was proud of her artistic talent. One of his last paintings, The Milkmaid of Bordeaux, is thought to be a portrait of his beloved Rosario.

And here is what three gentlemen writers have to say about the importance of love in their novels: Donald Finnaeus Mayo, the author of The Insider’s Guide to Betrayal, about a troubled romance The Insider’s Guide to Betrayal asks just how much we can demand of our intimate relationships. It takes as its premise EM Forster’s famous quote “If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying my friend, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country.” Easier said than done, and certainly the protagonists in this novel find it is so. Allyson is an IRA sleeper - an undercover volunteer living on mainland Britain, going in to a dull job in a university library, leading a blameless life in anticipation of the call that may or may not ever come. Until she meets a sensitive, handsome PhD student. Unbeknown to her, Simon is actually an undercover army officer, and his mission is to discover hers and put a stop to it. His orders are to get as close to her as possible. It’s the worst form of betrayal, made more complicated by the fact that the more intimate they become, the more intense his feelings grow. Just as Allyson is ready to call time on her political activities and embrace a life with Simon, she receives a call. She knows innocent people will almost certainly die as a result of her actions, but she can’t tell anyone anything. Simon, meanwhile, is desperate to stop her before it is too late but is required by duty to stand by and watch her destroy herself. Both are placed in an impossible predicament… The passion Simon and Allyson feel for each other entwines itself around every aspect of the story. What does it mean to love someone, if everything you thought you knew about them turns out to be a lie? And how do you live with yourself knowing you have experienced true love once, only to betray it in the most devastating manner?

Craig McDonald, author of the Hector Lassiter series, about romance in Paris An amorous axiom: Paris = passion. And those words: There’s a reason they call French a “Romance Language.” One True Sentence is, chronologically, the first novel featuring on Hector Lassiter, a 20th century novelist notorious for “living what he writes and writing what he lives.” From book to book, Hector is also confronted by formidable women who leave sometimes dark but always lasting marks on his psyche and soul. My aim in One True Sentence was to depict the romantic figure in Hector’s storied life. I aimed to portray the woman who most profoundly shaped Hector Lassiter as a lover, as writer and as the shades-of-gray heroic figure readers come to know across the Lassiter series. So, Hector meets the enticing and mysterious mystery writer Brinke Devlin, a dark-haired, dark-eyed lusty enigma who rocks Hector’s world across the balance of his life. One True Sentence is a thriller, but one about romantic passion and two darkly creative people trying to establish meaningful intimacy and abiding ties in the midst of the booze-fueled, citywide orgy that was 1920s Paris.

David Hogan about love and grace in The Last Island “As the note of a thousand crickets droned on, I remained in the doorway thinking that life may be no more than a celebration of difference, difference in anatomies, in sensations and perception and that perhaps, just perhaps, the greater the discrepancies fused the greater the possibilities. It was about connecting to something beyond yourself, extending your embrace to take in as much as possible -- that was the greater plan for all of us, and, within that, as much meaning and validation as I could ever hope to find.” In my novel The Last Island a Boston fireman, seeking redemption, relocates to a small and isolated Greek island. Haunted by his history of insincerity, unfaithfulness, and fatal betrayals, he believes that he’s unworthy of anyone’s affection. Though he realizes the way in which meaning and validation can be found, he’s incapable of acting on it. So even when he meets a mysterious animal rights activist whose warmth, beauty, and uncorrupted nature would seem to be just what he is looking for, he resists. He’s seeking deliverance, not attachment, and looking for redemption, not love, never realizing until it’s almost too late that…“I’d been seeking grace like an object to be found, a place to be discovered. But I now understood that grace can’t be earned, nor is it bestowed on desperate pilgrims like manna from heaven. It isn’t that difficult. Grace is, in fact, our birthright, there in the warmth of the sun, the blue of the sky, and the dirt beneath our feet, in every heartbeat.” As this lonely fireman subsequently learns, it’s this abiding grace that opens the door to love.

My Spectacular Bid by Steve L. Werder Have you ever been sitting on the hood of a car, on a dark gravel road when heat lightning can be seen high in the late night sky. And, at the same time the Whippoorwill birds begin to sound off and the lightning bugs light up all around you, so many of them that you can see your friends face. All of that, while you listen to an eight track tape of some good rock and roll music. So, this is how two teenaged boys, named Dunny and SL spend their weekends as they live in a small town and grow up in Callaway County Missouri in the 1970’s.

them at the finish line.

The raw and energetic teenagers have to run and be free. They can be compared to the free and raw spirit of the champion thoroughbred “Spectacular Bid” who loves to run hard and fast. And so, run is what they do, but not one of them can see what is waiting for

I invite you to read my story, but really, what mean to say is listen to my story through my written words and in the end you just might say “ and it sounded good.” “Being from the 70’s era I found this very enjoyable. I also live in the area.... Good story, interesting people ‘nuff said.“ – Victoria, Amazon reviewer

Relentless Alien Eyes by Nina Hann A romantic story set in the background of extraterrestrial visitations. Margaux and Byron fall in love but are forced by aliens to live separate lives without knowing the other existed. Years later, the star crossed couple reconcile, but soon find they are haunted by dark secrets from their past. The couple encounter a band of friends and together they all take off on a wildly bizarre journey that will ultimately transform their lives. “Really fun fast gripping read.This book is perfect for any ADD reader who loves science fiction or paranormal stories.“ “Great read filled with suspense and plot twist surprises. Captivating love story with extraterrestrial and supernatural elements. Page turner.“ “I absolutely love your imagination and the fantasy world you have created in this story. You have woven a plot that includes adventures, imaginative scenes, and surprises! “ Kathryn Johnson, Author “A Gentleman Poet”.

I KNOW ALL A

BOUT HER TY PE. DIRT POOR. C HECK. GOLD DIGGER . CHECK. CHE CK.

Fifty Shades Freed, But Are Women? By Author Taylor Marsh ANTICIPATING Fifty Shades of Freed on Valentine’s Day 2018, the last film in E. L. James’s trilogy, the trailer teases what’s coming. I’m never surprised by how people react to salacious sensuality in our culture, because there remains an embedded prejudice, and penchant, to apologize for a woman’s insatiable desires and curiosity, as if they’re an anomaly. There has also developed an anti-Fifty Shades campaign rooted in the storyline itself and the non-traditional sex. Now, this isn’t a movie review. What I want to ask is what happens next? When Fifty Shades of Grey became a worldwide phenomenon, a study published in the Journal of Women’s Health in August 2014 took up the dangers for women of such a decadent storyline. The Independent covered the findings. An excerpt from the study: “Fiction or not, millions of women are consuming messages in Fifty Shades that normalize and glamorize violence against women, under the guise of romance and eroticism. A pressing question remains: What is the empirical correlation, if any, between health risks and reading popular fiction depicting violence against women?” To associate the story of Fifty Shades of Grey with “violence against women” is to say consensual exploration meant to test the limits of a person’s pleasure threshold is tantamount to a crime. It’s preposterous, but what’s worse is that it continues to infantilize women as individuals incapable of curiosity and the sense to protect themselves when adventuring into the boundless arena of pleasure. When the online sex, and dating worlds opened for public consumption, I was in the thick of it. I’ve seen victimization and have written about it in my novels, books, and my advice column when I was with the LA Weekly, the most popular alternative newsweekly at the time. 28

I advised women on relationships for years, talked to men about pornography, and interviewed women in the adult industry. The Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy depicts two unlike people drawn to one another through physical chemistry. The man is the abused one, and the woman risks everything to heal him by meeting him on his sexual playground. She discovers she has a hedonistic itch too, which she explores with him. Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey excavate sex that opens into love. The author created a tied in a bow fantasy ending, which is as unnecessary as it is contrived but amid the sexual exploration it’s more comfortable when you know the people are committed. So many times in American filmmaking, a woman with a voracious sexual appetite and persona to match pay a fateful price for craving sex that male characters never pay. Tyler Perry’s Temptation comes to mind but there are many others. One would hope in the second decade of the 21st century people could separate consensual exploration from violence against women. Fifty Shades of Freed turns one long tease — a perfect fit for the American psyche — into a happily ever after celebration. But not before the romantic storyline swerves into thriller territory. The rescue of a woman from a bad guy is the quintessential romantic swoon. Let’s hope the E. L. James trilogy has disabused overwrought academics, and cultural critics, conservatives and feminists alike, that women have a lot more in our sexual playbook than the average American male or husband has been willing to discover. Romance in fiction opens a gateway to character development that a story without a relationship connection between the characters can’t match. When romance works in a novel it’s physically intimate. Once is rarely enough for a woman, which seems to still shock our cultural senses, when it involves pushing puritanical prejudices out of bed and making room for more daring indulgences. The good news of the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy trip through Hollywood is the entire series made it into theatrical release and it was a smashing success, regardless of the critics. Enter the #MeToo movement, which Hollywood has repurposed in #TimesUp, and just in time for the release of Fifty Shades Freed. Women talking back and joining together has galvanized a generation of women actors, writers, directors, producers, and filmgoers. 29

From the Hollywood Reporter in January 2018 “When Universal releases Fifty Shades Freed on Feb. 9, it will close the final chapter on the S&M trilogy that already has earned nearly $1 billion worldwide. The third installment marks a happily-ever-after ending for kinky couple Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey. But it also may prove to be the finale for studio-financed sex-fueled films.” As Hollywood begins to navigate the #MeToo landscape, one of the first casualties appears to be big-screen erotica. In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, studios are steering clear of sex. Don’t believe it. #MeToo has nothing to do with consensual sex, and neither does #TimesUp. According to the Hollywood Reporter, All the Money in the World’s David Scarpa plans an “old-school bacchanal” in his upcoming remake of Cleopatra that is, “Dirty, bloody, lots of people swearing and having sex and all of that.” Sounds like date night at the movies to me. Taylor Marsh writes smart, arousing psychological thrillers while deciphering world events. Find out more about her here: http://www.taylormarsh.com

FREE BOOKS!

Steamy Romances Giveaway 15th January - 28th February 2018

Elanore X by A.J. Caras Elanore is a single self-made millionaire, struggling to find love, among the money corrupted men within her wealthy circle. Frustrated, she escapes the lavish lifestyle to gather her thoughts, where an unexpected turn of events, gives her a second chance in life. With her highly sexual and intimate nature laying dormant for many years, she stumbles upon a blue-collar welder, where a love blossoms deeper than she has ever experienced. Aside from him being a great catch, his desire to please releases a level of intimacy and sexual drive beyond her past experiences to a new level of excitement. Filled with detailed intimate and erotic encounters, Elanore moves through the rating of a single X to a XXX, sharing her encounters in great detail as it happens through her eyes.

Life on the Porcelain Edge by C.E. Hilbert Tessa Tarrington’s life is swirling out of control. No job. No apartment. Sick Dad...And she’s back in high school! Teaching at her alma mater would be tolerable, except she’s sharing purgatory with her mortal enemy, Ryland Jessup. But eight years posthigh-school, and after tragedies she can barely understand, Ryland no longer fits her mental image of the over-sized bully he once was. In fact, he’s finding his way into her heart. After the sudden death of his wife, Ryland hung up his professional shoulder pads and picked up a whistle. Now he’s focused on coaching the high school football team and raising his daughter. The return of his childhood crush, Tessa Tarrington, has reawakened long-ago feelings. But if God’s giving him a second chance to impress Tessa, the Man Upstairs has a funny way of showing it. Will the always-irresistible Joey Taylor stifle any hope Ryland has to ignite the dream of a relationship with Tessa? “Life on the Porcelain Edge is the perfect example of great comic timing, amazing romance and superior writing skills.“

other genres

WORD SALAD – and Other Challenges of Dementia by J.E. Cook A quick guide to practical advice for daily situations in caregiving. This book helps you successfully navigate the troubled waters of caring for someone with dementia. ACTIONABLE ADVICE you can use right away. Learn ways to successfully manage situations that might otherwise be overwhelming. Organizational charts, graphs, and lists are included.

Sedahlia by Cynthia D Toliver Sedahlia explores the human cords that bind and the racial lines that divide two families, the Masters and the Lindseys. Three generations live and love in this post-Civil War family saga where personal needs and mores collide, rumbling through the families and the communities in which they live.

30th Century: Escape by Mark Kingston Levin After years in deep cover as an agent in 30th century, she is elected leader because she discovered the Syndos’ plot to exterminate humans. Amid an intense attack by the genetically modified humanoids that dominate earth in the 30th century, Jennifer leads her team to the past to correct the error, which will cause human extinction... If not fixed.

Light’s Rise by Yvette Bostic Darian was a young scout in the Imperial Austrian Army when Napoleon Bonaparte started his campaign across Europe. It isn’t until Darian’s hometown is threatened that he discovers an insidious evil lurking behind enemy lines; taking advantage of the chaos of war. A mysterious man named Raphael provides two choices: stay and fight against the French, or join the Council of Light in the struggle to save Europe from an evil mastermind intent on conquering humanity with his army of demons.

Spring Eternal Morning By V.R. Konner “We always meet like this, don’t we?” Jennifer asked, walking through the door. I sat at the table, doing a crossword puzzle. My son was playing with a jigsaw puzzle across from me, but I think it might have been too hard for him. His face scrunched up in concentration, he occasionally nibbled on a puzzle piece. I smiled at Jennifer, her hazel eyes caught the sunlight from the window and flecks of gold shone in them. The light danced through her hair, making her an angel for but a moment. “Yep, we always do. How are you doing?” I asked her, getting a chair and bringing it over for her to sit. “As good as ever. And how’s little Simon?” She rubbed my son’s hair, distracting him. He smiled up to her. “I’m good! This puzzle sucks though.” “Hey, language,” I admonished him. He went back to sucking on a puzzle piece and trying to find where to put it. I turned back to Jennifer and held my hand out to her. “Care to go for a walk?” She smiled at me and took my hand. My God, what a smile. Not that she was perfect. She was a coffee drinker, black, so her teeth weren’t the whitest. There was a scar on her chin, and she refused to wear sunglasses because one ear was lower than the other. But she had a beauty that radiated beyond the sum of her parts. She had simple mousy brown hair, freckles on her nose. But that didn’t matter, because when she smiled at you, it was heaven. Suddenly none of my problems existed or mattered. Because here she was. With me. Holding my hand. Her skin was so soft and smooth. I wanted to rub my cheek against her hand, but that would’ve been a little too weird. “Sure, where to?” “Agh, just around the building. I’m sure Simon will be okay.” I reached over and took the puzzle piece out of his mouth. “Don’t chew on the toys, Simon.” “Fine!” He put the piece to the side to dry off as he picked up another, continue his search. “If you get too frustrated, you can always go by the coloring books.” He nodded. Jennifer and I stood and made our way through the roomful of children. Two of them were watching TV, some others listened to the radio. Others were on the brightly colored floor, rolling around. One was staring out the window, the other was staring

at the wall. In the corner, one girl was giving a speech to a bunch of dolls. I don’t know what she was going on about, but she was a hell of a public speaker! We went outside into the bright sunlight. April was my favorite month. Everything springing up through the ground. Winter’s grip forgotten, its death throes of March behind us. Life springs forth once again, the green of the trees and the grass. Bees buzzing around, collecting their pollen and honey. “How are your classes going?” I asked her. “Fantastic! We’re learning about the effects of psychological trauma.” “Wow. I bet you’re reading about all kinds of nut cases then.” I shouldn’t have said that. She stopped and looked at me. Before she could say anything, I held up my hands to her. “I’m sorry, it slipped out. I don’t mean to be insensitive.” She nodded. “I know you don’t mean to, but its still upsetting.” “I know. And I’m very sorry. I know it’s personal for you.” She nodded again, and I put my arm around her shoulder. She leaned against me. “I wish there was a way to help him,” she said. “Well, he’s got the best doctors, or so your family keeps claiming.” We walked to the garden. I rested my head against hers and breathed in her scent. Her shampoo dominated, but under it, I could smell her. Her skin. He put an arm around my waist, and I rubbed my hand on her hair. We went to our usual spot, sitting in the gazebo. The tulip leaves were poking out of the ground, but still no flowers yet. Dandelions and clover were of course growing quite well, but when don’t they? A light breeze blew her hair into my face. I didn’t mind. She giggled, the sound like glass bells to me, and tucked her hair behind her ear. I leaned over and kissed her ear. And then she did it again. She smiled at me. That beautiful smile. “Why can’t we leave this place?” I asked her. “Get out of this damn town and run away. Go live in the mountains, forget about our problems. A nice forest, with a nearby lake we can fish in. I’ll have a rowboat. We can have lunch on a lake.” “You know why we can’t leave, but yeah... that would be wonderful. Just the four of us.” I ran my fingers through her silky hair and softly rubbed the back of her neck. She turned her back to me and I massaged her shoulders. My fingers rubbing into her muscles, kneading her skin. Her soft, smooth skin. I moved her hair and gently kissed her shoulder. Then her neck. She leaned back against me, and I draped my arms over her shoulders. She put her hands over mine, and we stayed like that, my cheek pressed on hers. “I love you, Jennifer.” She sighed. “I know.” “Do you love me?” “I do.” “Then why can’t we be together?” “We are now. Lets just be happy for that.” I sighed, a lump forming in my throat. She was here, and yet I missed her. I longed for her. I wanted to be hers, and hers mine. I wanted to hold her every morning, day, and night. 35

I wanted her to be there for me and I be there for her. To watch movies together, and picnic together. To go shopping together and do our laundry together. To swim in that lake of our dreams together. To have each other, to love and to hold, so that even death wouldn’t break us apart. Life never played fair though. There was always something. Some thing that would get in the way. Something to hold us back, to make us wait one more day, one more week, one more year. To make us want to get a good job first, to graduate school first, to get a divorce first, to get that promotion first. Always something that stopped us from taking that blind jump into your lover’s arms and have faith in them, to trust they will hold you as you hold them. To believe in yourselves that together, you can reach heaven. Always something to make you hesitate until something happens. And then it doesn’t matter. Because it’s too late now. You can’t make that jump anymore. I sighed and hugged her tighter. God, I loved her. I missed her. I couldn’t stop myself, and I cried on her shoulder. Again. She didn’t get upset. She understood and reached up to caress my cheek. I sniffled and wiped the tears off my cheek. “Maybe we should go back.” she said. I didn’t want to. I never wanted to. But what choice did I have? We stood, and with my arm around her shoulder, with her leaning against me, we walked in each other’s arms back to the building. We could hear the children crying and playing. Toys smashing together. One boy was running around naked. I’m sure it was the same boy from last week. My boy, Simon, was still by the table, his head down in his folded arms. He seemed to have given up on the puzzle. I couldn’t blame him. Life was a hard enough puzzle to begin with, and I’ll be damned if I could figure it out, let alone a young kid. I stopped by the window. The sun was behind her, and her hair lit up in a halo once more. I gazed so longingly into her gorgeous eyes. “Will I see you tomorrow?” “You see me every day.” She smiled. My heart stopped. “I know. I just want to be sure.” “Yes, you will see me tomorrow. I promise.” I leaned forward, and so did she. We closed our eyes and kissed. Her velvet soft lips against mine. I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight. Not wanting her to leave. 36

“Simon! SIMON!” Tears rolled down my eyes again. It was too soon. Not now. Not yet. “Simon! Time for your morning meds, stop making out with your puzzle and come here!” I stood from the table. The jigsaw puzzle was soaked in my tears. I walked over to the nurse, past the other patients. John was running around naked again. Kimberley was in the corner, giving her 46th dissertation on why the cheesecake was government issued poison to the catatonic patients. The nurse behind the desk handed over my pills in a small paper cup, and another paper cup of water. I put the pills in my mouth. I drank the water. I opened my mouth for her took. I walked back to my jigsaw puzzle. I’ll see you tomorrow, Jennifer. V.R. Konner is an aspiring Sci-Fi author, with one book being edited called Oryan’s Pact, the first of a series. And he likes brownies. Find out more about him here.

15th January - 28th February 2018

Romance novels by Anna Belle Rose

"I found myself drawn into the characterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world and unable to close the book until I reached the end." Laura S. AVAILABLE ON AMAZON! 38

Anna Simmons is a broken soul searching for meaning in her life. Shattered by a number of people she trusted, she was almost on the brink of utter despair when her savior came from an unlikely source.

Secrets We Keep by Maxwell Rudolf “How is your neo-pork?” Nancy asked, picking around her plate of cheese infused berry beans. A full plate of the best Sharply’s on Bentson had to offer in Londun. “It is the absolute best I have had to be honest. Amazing flavors.” He took another bite and smiled at his wife sitting across from him. “You know, I have always wanted to come here. It is almost like you read my mind or something.” “Or something.” “I have been thinking a lot about your work over at Pilly’s Peak. Funny thing. My mates over at the factory say it is one of those places people should not talk about.” “Dearest, my work is what I do. We have talked about this before...” He sipped a glass of Queen’s Red, a good vintage when the weather wasn’t as harsh, and the gene-modded grapes were able to grow under the sun without much aid. “I know it is. I know how important your work is. Look, it is not your fault you cannot bear children.” He collected a full fork of velvet pasta. “It is not like you wanted to contract the American Blue disease.” “No,” she said. She’d had this conversation with him three times in the past three months, all with the same hurt feelings between both of them. If he wanted to talk more about it, he’d have to go at it alone. “You know I love you, right? You are my everything.” “Yes, I know. I love you, too. Always have since the day we met in school. You wore this horrible little plaid vest you used to wear every day. Remember?” “My mother. She bought it for me for my birthday, and if I did not wear it enough, she would give me a look.” “But you looked so adorable in that thing. Charming. You are being charming now with those green eyes you have. Hey, I was thinking. After we get done here, let us go for a walk around Cabbage Park?” “At this time of night? You know who goes there now. The place is filled with the lowest of low.” He poured both of them more wine and wiped his mouth. “We can go for a movie. ‘The Battle of Labor’s Park’ is showing. I checked the reviews. Five stars,” he said. “No interest. Besides, you will protect me in the park.” Nancy smiled. “You are not afraid or anything, are you, big man?” “Please do not try and goad me on our anniversary. Really,” he said. “Okay. Fine. If you want to go for a stroll through one of the most dangerous parks in Londun at this time of night, I guess we will go. I like adventure.” “Me, too. Hurry up and finish so we can go.”

The meal was perfection, a delectable array of some of the freshest fruits and vegetables in season. He paid the seventy-five Edwards, and left a twenty Edward tip for the digital waiter. Outside, the wind blew freeze, the ice leeching the warmth from anyone without proper protection against it. They huddled close, hailed a cab, and after twenty minutes, arrived a block away. The surrounding buildings were brown, black, and ash, a blending of melted plastic and shattered concrete. Even the digi-signs had been hacked. Burnt-out ground cars lined the deserted road, and everything had been picked clean down to the bone. Several neo-rats climbed atop an orange delivery truck, stared at them for a second, signed something vulgar to them, and scurried off into the black. “Alright, let us go. Park should be up around the corner if it is still there,” he said. He brought up the brown high collar around his jacket and brought Nancy’s gloved hand into his. “Ten years with you. Ten wonderful years. I love you so much.” “I know. Keep looking around. Even if there is no one here, it will be fun to pretend there are. Oh, protect me from the bad guys, Elliot!” she said. “Shh,” he said. “Keep your voice down.” He reached inside his jacket and pulled out his 11mm hand cannon. He checked the digi display, and stuffed it into his pocket, the handle still sticking out. Nancy’s eyes darted around the fragments of what once was, but the ruins around them were lifeless and silent. The park’s entrance was a hole large enough to fit a grav tank, and the surrounding bio walls were barbed with neurotoxin poisons. They entered through the hole and slipped their card through the wall-mounted E-reader at the entrance. The ground inside radiated warmth and glowed slightly, enough to illuminate the Plasstien statues of the heroes of old who stood guard at numerous points along the path. “Looks empty,” he said. “Weird. You would think gangsters would take up residence and use this place for something.” “It does seem deserted. Hmm.” She gripped his hand hard, leading him to where she felt like going. They would be here soon. Being late wasn’t an option. “What is this? Looks like some kind of plaque.” He let go and rubbed the snow off. “Dedicated to Sir William Wallace Hensworth, commander of the 9th Dragoons. Although he faced overwhelming odds against the American 1st Armored Division during the battle of Atlanta, Sir Hensworth’s valor and bravery resulted in their annihilation. This plaque was paid for by the Remembrance Veterans.” He stepped back. “There is something to be said for loyalty.” “Yes, there is.” She shuffled behind him and held him tight, pinning his arms to his side in a loving embrace. “You are loyal, right? To me?” 41

“What?” “When you went through my E-reader in my office at home.” He tried to turn, but as he did, she shifted with him. She planted her feet, legs wide, and tried to hold him in place. “What are you talking about? I never went through your reader. I never even go in your office. Let go of me.” “Sometimes, love for one’s nation comes first, even before the love of another human being. Even before the love of the only person you’ve ever loved in your entire life. I am sorry.” Two shadows emerged from the night, each carrying a stun baton and a Remi pistol. Before he could move, they smashed him over the head, blood oozing out of the top. He plummeted down to the ground, and she let go of the only man in her life she ever had anything in common with. She’d thought of a thousand things she wanted to say, but the poison in the neo-pork wouldn’t give her much time. Nancy reached in her pocket, pulled out two wads of Edwards, and handed it over to the men. Without a whisper, they vanished into the icy hedges in the park. She let down her guard and slipped into using contractions. At this point, it wouldn’t matter. “Right now, you’ll have a hard time speaking. Don’t.” She gently pushed the hair over his face and cuddled over him, holding him. “I’ll never forget the way we met. It was a shock to me, seeing how gorgeous you were to me. We were only kids, but I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my days with you. The poison in your food makes it impossible for you to talk, so please stop trying.” He coughed, blood rising into his mouth and pouring out like a stream of red ink. His eyes were becoming red, and his neck was contracting. “I love you. I always will. Sometimes, we have to choose between those we love and those things which are greater than us as individuals. I couldn’t risk you talking to anyone even if you promised to keep the secrets of what you read. I’m sure you thought a lot about what you read or what you think you read. No, Captain John Edward Rex isn’t my lover. I’ve never cheated on you. I truly love you. Shh. It’s going to be okay.” His eyes pleaded to her, and she steeled herself against this onslaught of emotional distress. She’d cried already, envisioning this scene a thousand times already. And now that it was here, it was all dust. “I’m sorry, my love. I truly am. Don’t fight it anymore. Let go. You don’t have to suffer.” Although the poison had paralyzed him, he shot a glance to his pocket before coughing up more blood. “I can’t. Too loud. It’s going to be okay.” As he slipped away into nothingness, she failed to hold back her tears. They fell like droplets of guilty rain on his face, splashing over crimson poison coming from his mouth. She took her husband’s wallet, snatched his pistol, and never regretted it. Maxwell Rudolf is a full-time author and editor and currently reside in the southern part of the United States. His first book, the Arkhe Principle, has been a success, and the sequel is coming out later this year. 42

other genres

The Coven: Book One of The Crystal Coast Series by Chrissy Lessey Newly single mother Stevie Lewis divides her time between raising Charlie, running a store with her best friend, and avoiding the meetings of her mother’s Beaufort Historic Society. Although her life has its challenges, it’s altogether average. Just the way she likes it. When Vanessa, a ruthless dark witch, launches an attack against young Charlie, Stevie’s simple life derails, and her long-dormant powers awaken. A 300-year-old secret is exposed, revealing her destiny to one day rule the clandestine community of witches who hide in plain sight.Now she must master her own magical powers before it’s too late.

The Warramunga’s War by Greg Kater As the desert war escalates to the west of Cairo, the MI6 team confuses the enemy with misleading radio messages using German codes and using local entertainers as undercover agents. On one of his day leaves, Jacko meets a beautiful young Syrian-French girl and a strong romantic bond forms between the two during his time in Cairo. Following the end of the desert war, Jamie and Jacko are assigned to wartime intelligence work in Southeast Asia. After the end of the Pacific war, they initiate the Darwin operations of the CIS, the Commonwealth Investigation Service. On the trail of two suspected wartime German agents, they discover the agents have formed a dangerous criminal gang with an individual they had known during their time in Cairo.

Fighting Back by John F. Harrison A simple act of chivalry unleashes a torrent of trouble in the life of a flawed hero. A violent encounter pits him against vengeful enemies and alienates former friends. At once earthy and spiritual, this tale of crime in the suburbs and conflict in the church will appeal even to those who generally don’t like Christian fiction.

Death by the Jaguar by James Ruby A Vietnam veteran, wounded and returning home, was not looking forward to spending the rest of his life tied to some wheel chair. He had planned to make this homecoming the beginning of a new life with the woman he was to marry. A barrage of mortar shells had changed all that, now nothing would ever be right again! What he hadn’t realized was the strength and tenacity of this beautiful person who would bring him back from despair to begin a new life, have his Son, and enjoy life to the fullest. His world is to be forever changed when his treasured wife, and son are taken from him violently, in the river they so loved. 43

other genres

The Snowman by Yolanda Renee It takes a true artist to pursue his victims in the art of seduction, and Stowy Jenkins is no exception. While art may be his passion, the taste for blood is his obsession, and multiple murders, the result. Rookie, Detective Steven Quaid, is no fan of the Snowman’s murderous exhibitions. A twisted and deadly relationship bond the two men.

Healthy Wealthy and Wise by Daniel J. Mount As the frantic little old man moves fast to escape the clutches of the greedy King he must hide somewhere that the King and the witch can not find him and his magic flute.

The Jewelled Egg Murders by Virginia Winters Anne McPhail returns to Culver’s Mills to spend Christmas with her lover Thomas and his family. But she finds a body in her friend Erin’s antique store and then Erin is taken and the kidnapper is demanding an Egg. What Egg? Where is it and can Anne find it in time to save Erin? Anne finds another body and the killer closes in on her.

Reconciliation ~Heaven and Earth ~ by Diane de Simone Martha Mathewson, a professor of psychology, was sure she knew what she believed in. For years she belittled her ex-husband, a revered astrophysicist, over his passion for little green men and the stars they come from. But when Don Mathewson suddenly dies, when she finds out he was murdered, and she’s in danger, life as she’s known it is upended. Though a tale of intrigue, at bottom it’s a gathering of love stories...

The Long, Lost Exit Home by Chris Roberts The reader encounters pulse pounding, unspeakable razor slashing horror in this terrifying dark fantasy thriller about forbidden love and an alien invasion of ferocious giant creatures that leaves you with a hair raising twist ending of delicious surprise!

Invisible by Allie Harrison After facing a masked gunman, Ellie hopes she and her son are safe. But there are worse things to fear. As danger threatens, she has to trust FBI Agent Gil Trent to keep her safe from the monster bent on killing her. Can Ellie put her life in Gil’s hands? Or will his secrets get them both killed?

European Memories: Travels and Adventures Through 15 countries by Ndeye Labadens If these questions cross your mind: What happened on the road? Where to go in Europe? How to plan your vacation or Business trip?Why choose one European country over another? What is the best spot you must visit? And Memories of the author.

And Then I Met Margaret by Rob White “And Then I Met Margaret” is a memoir containing twenty-one short, entertaining and insightful stories that can change your life. Life itself urges you on, and blesses and applauds your action. Reading this book will open you to moments of transformation. Every tear, every smile is worth your attention.

Hometown Girl at Heart – excerpt by Kirsten Fullmer Justin whistled through his teeth to get the crew’s attention. When all eyes were on him, he glanced down at his clipboard. “Okay guys, looks like we’ve got our work cut out for us. To meet the delivery schedule for concrete, we need to gut this entire house today, if possible, and tomorrow we need to start on the barn.” Heads nodded in understanding. “I want to leave the floors in this room for last, so we can haul out the garbage without stepping on nails—” “This floor?” Tara interrupted. Thrown off his groove, he turned to her. “Yes, this floor last, so we can haul stuff out through the front door.” “None of the floors are going to be torn out.” She stated the fact with some concern over the misunderstanding. His clipboard dropped to his side. “What are you talking about? This whole house is getting new floors to match the additions.” She glanced from Justin to the crew and back. “Oh, okay, just take them out carefully then and I’ll haul them away tonight.” She smiled. His hand plopped on his hip. “We don’t have time to take up each board with kid gloves, Tara. This demo has to be done today.” The color drained from her face. “You don’t mean you plan to hack them up and yank them out—” “That’s exactly what I mean. Can we talk about this after the meeting please?” She nodded blankly.

He cleared his throat and lifted the clipboard. “Okay, let’s see here, floors...” He pointed at three men. “You three will tear out everything in the kitchen and—” “Everything?”  All heads turned to Tara. She raised her hands in question. Justin glared at her. “Yes everything.” His expression clearly conveyed that she’d better not say another word. She shrunk visibly under his glare but couldn’t help herself. “The cabinets are good—” “Stop!” The crew’s heads swung back to Justin.  She glanced from the crew to Justin. “You can’t tear up perfectly good cabinets. I’ll—” The crews heads bobbed back to Tara.  “Can I continue my meeting please?” Justin huffed, getting the guy’s attention once again. Tara tossed her hands in the air, extended her arm out, palm up, to indicate he had the floor, and then folded her arms. He tossed her a dirty look and raised his clipboard. “Bob and Steve, I want you guys to start on the windows. I need them all torn out before—” “Not the windows too!” Once again, the crew turned back to Tara. With his jaw clenched, Justin pointed toward the kitchen. “Can I talk to you for a moment please?” He stomped in that direction, not waiting for her answer. Tara shrugged toward the guys, and followed him. He paced to the far end of the room and waited for her. His teeth clenched, he raised his index finger. “How dare you question me like that in front of my crew?” Her head jerked back. “Your crew? Most of those guys have worked for me for years!” “That’s beside the point, you have wasted twenty minutes of our time already with your tantrums.” Her mouth fell open. “Tantrums? Tantrums!” He continued his rant; his voice raising. “We have a very tight schedule and I can’t waste time pulling each nail, one at a time, so you can save every damn board.” Tara snapped. Both hands on his chest, she gave him a push toward the corner. “I did not throw a tantrum!”

He opened his mouth to reply and she pushed him again. “You may think I’m a trashy, no-good, piece of crap now that you know where I came from, but I’d like to remind you that I have run a successful remodel business with those guys...” she pointed over her shoulder, “for years, before you came to town.” The color drained from his face and he reached for her but she pushed him one more time; his back to the corner. “And if you don’t want to take a day to salvage the items on this property, then I will charge you for every damn piece we use from my supplies!” Stunned by the comment that he thought she was trash, he couldn’t even assimilate the announcement that his profit margin had just dropped by thousands. She leaned into his face to continue. “You may not want me any more but you are stuck with me for the duration of this project, so you’re going to have to find a way to work with me!” Her final retort tore him to the quick. He stared at her as she glared into his eyes. His breath hitched in his throat. Finally he choked out a reply. “Is that what you think of me?” Shocked to see the fire back in Justin’s eyes, regardless of his words, her mouth popped open and closed like a fish. Her voice was soft, almost indiscernible. “You’ve made it perfectly clear that your opinion of me has changed. I just want to make as much profit as possible on this project.” His mouth still open, he stared at her, wordless, as her eyes filled with tears. She turned to run and he grabbed her arm, and pulled her to his chest. “God you make me crazy...” She realized he was going to kiss her just before his lips touched hers. This time she didn’t stiffen in his arms or try to pull away – she wanted to touch him, feel him against her. She hesitated for a fraction of a second, then melted into his arms. Warmth flowed from him and into her like a waterfall, releasing an overwhelming but tender fluttering in her chest.

With his hands on her upper arms, he tore his mouth from hers and pushed her to arms’ length. Both their chests heaved as their eyes met. Her eyes were soft and dreamy with an emotion he’d never seen there before. He touched her cheek with the back of his finger, his eyes dark and miserable. “This isn’t right, I can’t do this to you. Sorry Tara, I’m so sorry.” He gazed one last moment into her shocked eyes, then released her to lean limply against the counter as he stomped back to the living room.

Kirsten Fullmer’s charming romance novels have spent the last three years rising to the top of the Amazon best seller’s list in 12 countries. Find out more about Kirsten here.

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