Personal stories make a difference
In early July, I spent a wonderful week in London with my sons. We had a great time touring the usual suspects: Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, British Museum and the Old Globe Theater. Also we visited Churchill's war room and "stood in the center of time" at the Observatory in Greenwich. Toward the end of our stay, we did an excursion to see the white cliffs of Dover, Dover Castle and Canterbury Cathedral. At times, it truly felt like we'd been transported back in time to the age of King Henry II.
Our Dover/Canterbury tour guide was a chatty fellow who knew how to make every stop special. Our time at the white cliffs was less than ideal. The rain was so fierce I could barely hold onto my umbrella, and the white cliffs against a gray/white sky didn't particularly impress. But our tour guide—John—asked us to picture what it must have been like when RAF pilots in WWII were returning after a day of fighting the Luftwaffe and the white cliffs finally came into view and they knew they were home. With that image in my head, the place suddenly came alive.
I have a funny story about my first trip to London almost 30 years ago: I was carrying my then nine month old in one of those front baby carriers and walking around an almost-empty Westminster Abbey. I got pushed in one of the corridors and almost fell to my knees. I was more than shaken, and a very kind docent helped me to a chair. The docent, an elderly man with the most perfect British accent, told me story after story about the history of the Abbey. Then he pointed to an old, beaten-up looking chair and said with a sigh, "The schoolboys next door snuck in and etched their names onto that chair." My mouth dropped open. Children broke into Westminster Abbey and defaced a chair? OMG! Then he added: "The schoolboys next door 300 years ago." And it turns out the chair was the coronation chair used by British monarchs since 1308.
I've never forgotten that story or that chair.
Craving My Roommate anthology release date is ALMOST here: July 23
Preorder: https://books2read.com/u/bx6oJq
Looking for a great summer read?
Close quarters? Ugh! She can't get him out of her head.
My story is Sharing a Bed with Someone Like Him. In it, Rachel and Matt accidentally get stuck—overnight—in a 1960s bomb shelter. And there's only ONE bed. Here's an excerpt:
Rachel’s heart pounded as she entered the bedroom. Matt was already in bed, his back against a stack of pillows covering the headboard. Suddenly the king-size didn’t seem so king-sized anymore. “I’ve never shared a bed with anyone but my ex before.”
He nodded, understanding emanating from his warm dark eyes. “I had a pretty wild first year at college, but then I met Cheryl my sophomore year. And that was it.”
Rachel pressed her lips together. And that was it. She knew that feeling—so content, so perfect—and then it was yanked away.
Trusting someone that much was truly a bad idea.
“Thankfully, they’ve replaced the bedding over the years. I don’t think this is a 1960 mattress.” Matt pulled back the covers to what would be her side of the bed. “It’s comfortable.”
“That’s good.” She continued to stand feet away from the bed.
“I’m wearing the tee shirt and my boxers. If you want, we can put a wall of pillows between us.” His eyes glimmered as he teased her. “I saw that in a movie once.”
She grinned, enjoying his playful expression, and her heart stopped racing. Nothing about Matt set off her safety radar, and he’d already been vetted by Fantasy. “No, not necessary.” She darted to her side of the bed and slipped in, pulling the covers to her waist. “I used to imagine what it would be like to stay here and sleep in this bed.”
“Does it meet your expectations?”
“It does.” She sat up and turned to him. “Thanks for making this so much less weird than it could be.”
“We get to sleep in the governor’s suite. That’s not a bad deal. What you’ve done here, what you’re doing … it’s impressive.”
“We’re a part of history.” Her chest puffed up.
“It’s good, really good.”
She blushed. How wonderful to hear those words. “Are you disappointed you’re not at Fantasy tonight?” she asked, her throat a little tight.
“Not really.”
“I wonder if Stephanie or any of the staff at Fantasy are wondering about us.”
“I’m sure they’ve tried to contact us. It’s a well-run organization.”
“You know a lot about it?”
“No.” He rolled his eyes and laughed. “I have a friend who said the weekend retreat would help me get back in the saddle again.”
“The saddle?”
He rolled his eyes once more. “What he really meant was stop pretending I’m now a monk.”
“And a sex resort is the best place to do that?”
“I don’t know. When I spoke to Stephanie, I got the feeling it could be whatever I needed it to be.”
Rachel pulled the blanket a little closer and smoothed down the sheets covering her lap. Yes, she’d gotten the same feeling.
Months ago, she’d learned about Fantasy from her good friend Anna Wakefield. Anna had met the love of her life at Fantasy, the uber private sex club specializing in safe, consensual and anonymous fun. The organization had clubs in several major cities as well as beach resorts for week-long stays and mountain retreats for weekend getaways. She and Matt had been headed to one of the newest weekend retreats abutting the Greenbrier Mountains. To participate in any Fantasy experience, guests had to be thoroughly vetted. On top of that, women had to be using contraceptive implants, and all had to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases.
He was safe and so was she.
“I’ve enjoyed our evening together so far.” Rachel’s voice thickened.
“Me too.”
She closed her eyes and blurted out the only thought on her mind. “You know, if we’d made it to Fantasy, we might be together in a bed like this right now.”
“We might.”
“Um ….”
“Do you want to imagine we’re at Fantasy?”
Rachel released her tight grip on the bedding and slowly turned to face him. She tipped her chin down. “I’d like that.”
Matt leaned toward her and murmured, “Me too.”
She released the breath she’d been holding. That was good. They were on the same page.
Thank God.
Preorder: https://books2read.com/u/bx6oJq
Have you checked out THAT ONE SUMMER yet?
Order now: https://books2read.com/ThatOneSummerAnthology
Sizzling summer reading!
Whether you crave the excitement of the big-city romance, the charm of a small-town affair, or the allure of an island getaway, these stories push the boundaries of passion. Embark on a journey where friends become lovers, enemies discover surprising attractions and strangers find themselves entangled in a magnetic pull they never saw coming. From a sultry beachfront rendezvous to nights of sinful pleasure, these tales promise to awaken your deepest desires and leave you breathless for more. Will sparks fly? Can a summer fling turn into a love that lasts all seasons? Order now and let the summer of seduction begin!
Look for my story: Stuck in the Jungle with Someone Like Him
Order now: https://books2read.com/ThatOneSummerAnthology
It's 100F today..What a great time to think about Winter Wishes and Holiday Kisses
Anything can happen during the holidays…
Get ready to be swept off your feet by the flames of desire in the Winter Wishes and Holiday Kisses anthology. This exclusive anthology celebrates the winter holidays with contemporary romances that will thaw even the coldest of hearts.
From snowy landscapes to festive celebrations, these stories capture the essence of the season in all its splendor. From friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, and more, these authors invite you to experience the magic and steaminess of the holidays.
Don't miss your chance to experience the ultimate holiday romance. Order your copy today and (imagine) melting away the winter chill.
Look for my story: A Holiday Miracle with Someone Like Him
Preorder: https://books2read.com/wwhk
Beyond Starlight landing (on Earth) soon
Preorder: https://books2read.com/beyondstarlight
Get ready for the Beyond Starlight anthology (and MY story Captive Heat)
Fated mates happen once in a lifetime, but will their bond be strong enough to stay together until the end? Find out by reading this limited edition box set filled with space, adventure, and fated mates between species never seen before on Earth.
Recommended Reads!
Desperate Omega by Lizzy Bequin
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1CVVHJT
ZOD by Jennifer Julie Miller
https://www.amazon.com/ZoD-Darverius-House.../dp/B0D2C7J194
I love to hear from readers. Please contact me at [email protected].
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