Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Healing Hearts by Aria Bliss
Monday, June 28, 2021
High Rise Love by Angelina Kerner
Lucas: This meeting’s way too boring. What are you up to, love?
Me: Do you like reindeer?
Lucas: Thanksgiving’s been over for days, so I guess it’s reindeer season.
Me: LOL, yeah it is. But do you like them?
Lucas: I always feel sad for Grandma.
Me: Are you talking about that reindeer song?
It’s not really an answer, hon.
Lucas: You called me hon. Okay, if you like reindeer, I like reindeer.
Me: Okay. You’re so not helpful.
“Miss? Are you ready to check out?” the cashier grabbed my attention.
“Sorry! Yes, please, thank you,” I replied fast and piled my items on the conveyor belt. “I would also like a bag. Thank you.”
“Not a problem,” she replied and started scanning. “Oh, I love the tie. I bought a similar one for my husband. It’s going to be a hit when the holiday parties start.”
“That’s good. I’ve been debating on getting it the whole line,” I admitted.
She gave me a cheeky look. “New boyfriend?”
I blushed. “Something like that. It's very new.”
“Congratulations, girlfriend. Reel him in with gifts and home-cooked meals. Men like that.”
I laughed. “Well, Mom did teach me how to cook well so I have that going for me. But, isn’t it supposed to be the opposite? The man showering the girl with gifts?”
The cashier winked. “Honey. No way. Men love gifts. They are like teddy bears. They may look hard on the outside, but inside they can cry at Ironman’s death, too.”
Friday, June 25, 2021
THE MAN IN GULL COTTAGE by Caroline Clemmons
THE MAN IN GULL COTTAGE
Sweet Contemporary Romance
Short Story
Fourteen authors from the Romance Gems blog contributed short stories to an anthology titled LAST CHANCE BEACH: SUMMER’S END. My contribution was THE MAN IN GULL COTTAGE. The stories varied from sweet to spicy. The anthology is no longer available, but most of the stories are offered individually.
About The Story
Zara Webb and her best friend have come to Last Chance Beach for two weeks to recharge. Zara has worked long hours to reach her professional level at Thoon Technology. She’s been given the time of her island vacation to reach a decision. Should she accept a major promotion which will mean a huge advance in pay, prestige, and demands on her time or remain in her current job? She’d be the youngest person ever to reach that position. If she passes it up, it will never be offered again. If she accepts it, she won’t have time for a husband or family. Why is she letting herself give important consideration to the opinion of a beach bum who owns Gull Cottage?
Carter Harte is a bestselling suspense/thriller author who writes as C. H. Logan. He’s managed to keep his identity secret here on the island where he lives and enjoys the anonymity. He is instantly attracted to the gorgeous blond who’s rented the next cottage. He can’t help blond-on-the-brain and wants to spend all his time with her. He intends to convince her she has another option—marry him and open her own consulting business.
What will Zara decide? When Zara learns Carter’s pseudonym, will it drive her into his arms or away from him?
THE MAN IN GULL COTTAGE is available for 99 cents.
Buy link is https://www.amzn.com/B093FV4QDH
Excerpt
He cleared his throat. “This part of the beach is private.”
She paused and stared at him. “What part?”
He jerked a thumb in the direction from which she’d come. “See the three round wooden pillars? That’s where my land starts.”
She turned and shielded her eyes with her hand. “Oh, I thought those were to keep people from driving their cars on the sand.”
“That, too, but one has a large sign that says Gull Cottage and Private Beach. That should have been a clue.”
She held up a kid’s plastic sand pail. “Are you saying I should return these shells I’ve collected for my niece?”
“I’m saying you’re on private property. I don’t care if you collect sea shells, but I’d appreciate you not disturbing anything else.”
“Like what? You think I’m coming up to rob your house? Wait, what if I took a clump of sea oats? Or a handful of your sand? Are you patrolling?”
He extended his hand palm out. “Don’t get mad at me when you’re the one trespassing. I meant collecting drift wood and sea glass or destroying sand dunes. I’m simply out here walking on my beach.”
She straightened her shoulders and looked at the barrier. “Well, see that you don’t walk on that side of those posts.”
“Ah, but I will, and I can do so legally.” He gestured broadly. “The beach where you’re staying is public. This part is private. See the difference?”
“No, I don’t see the difference. It’s the same sand.”
Romance Gems have a new blog post each day. Please drop by and get acquainted with our members, who include NYTimes and bestselling authors. We’d love to have you follow our blog. The url is https://romancegems.blogspot.com