Read Virtually Screwed by Isla Olsen #MMRomance #AgeGap #RomCom

  

Virtually Screwed

Love & Luck Series Book 2

Key Words: 

MM Romance, Rom-Com, Age Gap, Brothers Best Friend, HEA, Online Meet Cute

Synopsis:

Blake
At 43 I’m supposed to have everything figured out, and if you’d asked me six months ago I’d have said I did: head of my own tech company, beautiful fiancée, amazing future all planned out...life was perfect. Or, at least, I thought it was…

So now I’m in New York after selling my company and fleeing San Jose, and for the first time in as long as I can remember I have nothing to fill my day—no meetings, no reports, no tests, no launch parties—and that’s how I manage to get hooked on Warpath 4 and somehow find myself sexting with a guy almost twenty years younger than me.

Say what?

Okay, here’s the thing: it didn’t start out dirty. It was all completely tame. Mild. Conversational. But then conversation turned to flirting, and flirting turned to dirty talk. And, well…let’s just say things escalated from there…

But it’s just a bit of fun. Right? It’s not like anything would ever work in real life. I’m too old, he’s still closeted. And let’s not get started on how I’m supposedly straight. It’s just way too messy. Definitely best if we never actually meet each other...

But what if we already have?

Turns out my virtual f*ck buddy is actually Owen Kelly, my best friend’s kid brother. Which leaves me pretty much screwed…

Get It Now:

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Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085VGSCF1

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More in the Series

  

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Who am I?

Isla is a cocktail-loving, history-obsessed Aussie who writes low-angst, high-heat queer romantic comedy.

She is best known for the Love & Luck series and P.S. I Loathe You.

Some of Isla's favorite tropes include: Friends to lovers, queer-awakening, age gap, enemies to lovers, best friend's/sibling's ex, secret fling...and many more!

Fun Facts about Isla:

If she had a time machine she'd go to London on July 13, 1985, to see Live Aid.

She's travelled to 44 different countries 

If she could re-live any year of her life it would be 2000

Her all-time favourite books are Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunters world

Her all-time favorite movie is Gladiator

Her all-time favorite TV show is Friends

Her all-time favorite song is "Live Forever" by Oasis, and she has the title tattooed on her forearm

The five people she'd invite to a dinner party are Neil Patrick Harris, JFK, Courtney Act, Miranda Hart, and Freddie Mercury

Stalk Me

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Lughnasa Magic

The sultry month of August is the perfect time to celebrate a sun god and the harvest and that's what the ancient Celts did each year around August 1st.  Sunshine nurtures the oats, barley, and wheat to ripen. Then it’s reaped, prepared, and baked as fresh bread. In the ancient Celtic belief system, Lugh (Lleu in Welsh) transmitted his power of the sun into the grain, and with the harvesting of the grain, he was sacrificed.

The ancient Celts were self-sustainable and fully green. They also loved tattoos, crazy dancing,  loud music, and freedom. And believed in treating women equally. They were a lot like us. 

Which is why I love to write romance books about them. Each novella of my Druidry and the Beast Lughnasa, which is pronounced (LOO-nuss-uh) takes place in August, to celebrate the first Harvest and to honor me, god Lleu. Food is more abundant at this festival than any other, due to the harvest, so there is a great feast. It is often a time when many couples get married. One Lughnasa tradition is to pick ripe bilberries and string them into a bracelet for your lover. 

The British Celts would also fashion a wheel of the year, set it aflame, and the druid, using an iron rod, would roll it down a hill, chanting something like, God of the sun, the wheel has turned, the yearly end of your reign has come. The sun begins its journey, winter nears. The season turns, sun and earth, life to death. Lughnasa, Lughnasa. 

 wrote a romance set in Wales, 1st AD during Lunhnasa. 

The Lynx and the Druidess i

And it's free for July at Smashwords.

Loving a god has its advantages

Lleu, the radiant sun god, crosses between worlds to the Silures village for the fierce and stunning druidess, Wendolyn —a woman worth battling for. He longs to celebrate Lughnasa, the festival that honors him, with her.

Wendolyn is captivated by the striking stranger the moment he wanders into her village. Furthermore, she wants him with a fervor, burning her from within. However, he’s hiding his true identity. When he vows to save her tribe from the Romans marching toward them, everyone, including her dead father in a dream, says he is a coward who has run off.

Lleu is determined to win the love of druidess Wendolyn even if it means fighting the Roman army single-handed by shapeshifting into in his lynx body.

Will her tribe survive the Romans? And, can Wendolyn and Lleu’s relationship survive her tribe’s mistrust of him?

Excerpt:

With her heart hammering, Wyndolen stared with wonder at Lleu’s luscious nude body. She only glanced away long enough to pull a white robe, speckled with gold, out of the chest in the corner. She tugged it on, then fastened a plaid cloak over it with a round silver broach and latched her gaze onto Lleu again while he slipped his clothes back on.

They left the roundhouse and walked hand in hand to Cynfor’s home.

She called out to the woodmaker, “It is time.”

 Cynfor stepped out, clutching an iron rod and the wheel of the year coated with gooey tar.  As the three walked together to the center of the village, men, women, and children gathered around the druidess, muttering, “Lleu,” and “coward.”

Scanning the angry faces in the crowd, Wyndolen sighed. If only they knew the truth about him. But she couldn’t blame them; she was as guilty as they were. She hadn’t recognized he was a god, even after he’d told her. No, he had to show her his magic spear and reveal his dazzling aura. Now the others needed to learn the truth.  Tonight, at his festival, she would announce who he really was. But first, she had to prepare her tribesmen for the news, to lessen their shock.

She held her palm upward toward the crowd and cleared her throat. “Hear me, I have a surprise for all of you. The presence of the god Lleu is here. You do not see him as he is in the guise of one of us. So, take care of how you treat each other, lest you offend the deity.”

Their expressions shifted from anger to shame as they were now all on their best behavior.

With graceful steps, she led all her tribesmen, her chief, and Lleu to a cliff. Their chief proudly carried a blazing firebrand, and Cynfor held the sacred wheel with reverent hands. Everyone grew quiet and gazed down the mountain slope.

Wyndolen announced, “We have gathered this Lughnasa to observe the Wheel of the Year as it turns.” She raised her arms to the sky and smiled at Lleu as she chanted, “The sun burns, yet winter nears. The season turns. Summer comes to an end. Sun and earth, life to death the wheel turns, Lughnasa, Lughnasa.”

She took the torque from Corio, handed it to Lleu, and he lit the wheel of year aflame. Cynfor handed Wyndolen the iron rod. Then, the sun god, Lleu, ran beside her, on the other side of the flaming wheel, as she used the rod to roll it down that part of the mountain slope.

She chanted, “God of the sun, the wheel has turned, the yearly end of your reign has come.”

Smoke rose, as flames ate the wood. The wheel reached its end at the foot of the slope and crumbled into ash and burning fragments. The crowd stopped in their tracks and circled the symbol of the dying Lleu.

And Before August 1, by July 30th drop by Smashwords for thier huge July Sale. All my books are 75% off, meaning most of my novella are free for the entire month of July

Including — The Lynx and the Drruiddes—my Shape Shifter, Historical, Fantasy Romance set during Lughnassah

Click Here 

Erotic scenes and humor – An excerpt from A Bodyguard in Jail

 

 

In my books, I always look for opportunities to insert humor, even in the most stressful situations. Sometimes, you just need some classic comic relief to lighten the mood. Other times, it's necessary to make a scene more interesting and entertaining. Describing sex or innuendo can be challenging. Sometimes the writing comes easily; other times, I make four or more attempts to get one paragraph right. If I'm too frustrated, I switch to another scene, leave a marker, and come back to it when I have the right idea. Usually, I just need to have a conversation with my muse. She's the one with the witty comebacks, quips, and funny ideas.

Ryan Griffith wants to have an uneventful vacation with friends in La Paz. He meets Sara, his friend's sister. Since they are both divers, she rents a boat, and they spend time on the sea together.

What he doesn’t know is that Sara has had a crush on him ever since he arrived at the family home…

 

Excerpt

Sara’s hand traveled across his shoulder beyond his collarbone. Smiling tentatively, she bit her lower lip. “Hmm, I noticed you shave your chest.”

Ryan, smiling lopsidedly, told her with a glance it was quite a change of subject. “Yes, I do. I read that most South American men consider this... strange and would never do it.”

“I haven’t seen it before. Most men like that mass of hair as if it makes them more... manly. Stress their heritage or their male accessories. I don’t see it that way. A man shouldn’t be judged by his hair... or lack of it.” Sara giggled. “May I?”

“Touch my chest? Do you think you need permission after we’ve already played in the water?”

Sara smiled and gently reached out to touch him with her fingertips.

Ryan cocked his head, lowering his chin to give her an inviting grin. “Now, that was kinda shy. May I ask you again—will you touch me? And put a little feeling into it?”

Sara flicked her tongue across her lips, brows arched. “Are you... shaven someplace else? Beyond your face?”

Ryan hesitated, evading her glance once again. “Yes.”

She put her hand over her mouth, holding back her words, but with a sparkle of curiosity asked, “Why?”

Again, Ryan hesitated.

“Too personal, hmm?” Sara flinched. “Sorry. Sometimes my mouth is faster than my brain.”

“It’s just a good feeling,” Ryan said quietly. “I like it that way.”

Sara nodded, inching closer to put both hands on his chest, gently caressing him up to his shoulders. In slow motion, she sat on his lap in a way that sped up his pulse immediately. His mouth was dry.

“Would you mind me...” She stopped, searching his face.

Ryan swallowed, putting down the bottle. The tension had been building, and still a part of him didn’t want to follow the feeling. His voice was breathy. “You want permission to have a look? Or more?”

“I’d go for more.” A smile curled the corner of her lips sans lipstick. He found her lovely just the way she was. “And I bet I won’t be disappointed.”

Ryan placed his hands on her shoulder blades, searching for words for his mixed emotions of how the morning had evolved.

She stopped his attempt with a finger on his lips. “I’m not talking about from here to eternity, Ryan. We’re both grown-up, right? And we’re both free of any obligations.”

Her skin was soft and warm to the touch, and all he wanted was to hold and touch her some more. “But your family—”

“I’m not going to tell my family. This is between us.” She replaced her finger with her lips and kissed him tenderly. “Hmm, I can feel your hesitation. Am I doing this too fast?”

He pulled her close. “You can never be too fast for a man.”

“Are you showing off?” she asked after another, more intimate kiss.

“Are you challenging a guy with my assets?”

Sara touched her brow to his as he caressed her back. “Assets?”

He searched her eyes, trying to determine whether she was serious about her intentions. “What I’ve got in my pants.”

“Ah! Yes, I want to challenge you. I want to see you with all you have. Without pants. For starters.”

He stood, supporting her weight on his hips. “When you ask so nicely, how could I resist?” Close to the door to the lower compartment, he stopped. “Or do you want me to show more resistance? Struggle?” He pretended to throw her overboard, and she clung to him, giggling. “Chase you through the waves once more?”

Sara pulled up and dropped her shoulders. He could tell she read between the lines and chose not to take the exit he offered.

“No, we can dance with the waves later.”

* * *

 

Find my books at extasybooks.com and other online bookstores. Paperbacks are available for many books on Amazon.

Or via my website: annraina.com

Follow me on Instagram: ann_raina_author

 

Be obsessed with Obsession - New Release #eroticromance #sexclub

 Are you ready to be obsessed? 

Obsession releases on July 23 and I can't wait to bring you the story of Ellie and Rourke. Take a sneak peek below for an excerpt from Obsession. It's available for preorder now!

Ellie Taylor lives her erotic dreams by masquerading herself as Ariana and visiting the Black Phantom. In this club where anything goes, she plans to perform onstage before an audience, building her sexual excitement to a fever pitch before selecting her man.

But Ariana is distracted by a tall, blond masked maitre-d. He captivates her and all thoughts of performing vanish. He's every bit as domineering as Ariana and tests her sexual limit.

Their true identities concealed, they set out to use each other for pleasure--no risk of entanglement or commitment...but that may prove easier said than done.

Content Warning: Explicit sex/language, domination, light bondage and kink.

Pre-order Link

Obsession Sneak Peek

Ellie

A little over a week ago through underground channels, word reached Ellie Taylor that the Black Phantom’s Lost in Fantasy Affair was tonight.

Ellie knew she would be drawn out for some naughty fun masquerading herself as Ariana, her bolder alter ego. For a week Ellie, a highly paid and respected Senior Vice President of Beauty for an international department store chain, moved through her day job in a high state of erotic anticipation.

She felt like a child waiting for Christmas morning. The time seemed to crawl by and focusing on her tasks became a chore, but being a professional, she survived the wait on a knife edge of arousal. Her daytime persona paid the bills. A life which satisfied her for the most part and gave her a normalcy she craved. But no matter how hard Ellie tried to keep Ariana at bay, her mysterious night side craved to come out and play.

Thinking about what she might do as Ariana this evening at the Affair made her breath hitch a little more rapidly and her heart tango in her chest.

Finally, tonight is here.

Ellie sat before the mirror with an array of powders, blushes, lipsticks and brushes and Ariana slowly emerged under Ellie’s creative fingers. Ellie took a moment to sit back and gaze at her masterpiece. She watched her lips as they rested against the edge of the crystal goblet and sipped the delicious red wine. Creating the right mood for Ariana’s materialization was critical, and the ruby liquid along with the scented candles and dimmed lighting in her dressing room accomplished an ambience fitting for Ariana’s arrival.

Rourke

The maitre’d held his hand for her and Ariana placed her gloved one in his. She glanced at him, surprised by the strength in his fingers and how they curled around her own rather than lay flat as she expected they should. Normally she paid no mind to those working here but he caught her attention with that simple move. 

From behind her lowered hood she assessed him. He was masked, as most were when here. Taller than her and very blond, she wondered if it was his natural color. The mask covered his eyes and nose so his features were obscured from her view with the exception of his mouth. His muscles strained the fabric of the well-fitting tuxedo. A shimmer of excitement shivered through Ariana.

His dark gaze caught hers. The smile that curved her own lips couldn’t have caught her more by surprise than if he’d tipped her back into a deep kiss. Her brief hesitation allowed her to regain her composure but not before he smiled in return, which showed lovely even white teeth below the mask. For the first time since she began coming to the Black Phantom this past year, her curiosity was piqued by another person. She would have to keep an eye on this fellow tonight.

He held her hand out before them and steered her across the highly polished oak floor, skirting the lower tables and their occupants. He ushered her up another bank of stairs to the middle level, moving a step behind as they mounted the stairway and his other hand fell to her waist. It pressed lightly over the organza cape, barely touching her, but close enough she felt his heat.

This man succeeded in distracting Ariana in a short period of time.

Shana Gray copyright 2025

Pre-order Link

The Importance of Writing Down Conversations

 

I’ve been working on a memoir and I’m immensely thankful that, over decades, I faithfully wrote down many rather unusual conversations while they were fresh in my mind. Unfortunately, I haven’t kept up this writer’s quirk in recent years, and I know that’s something I’m bound to regret. Therefore, I’ve decided to, once more, always have a notebook and pen handy.

And just yesterday I was given the opportunity to write down a perfect example of brilliant repartee. With a few friends, I had gone to see an art show in the outbuildings of a château in this area. But I soon tired of wandering from place to place and seeing artwork that was decidedly uninspiring. Instead, I sat myself down on the edge of an ancient well and listened to the wind, to the birds, and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Not twenty minutes later, five people arrived. They looked at the well (not at me) and this was the exciting conversation that followed.

First person: “Oh look, there’s a well.

Second person: “Oh, a well.”

First person: “Is there water in it?” (She peeked into the well). “Yes, there’s water in it.”

Second person: “Oh, there’s water in it.

Third person. “Oh, that’s a well.”

Fourth person. “Yes, it’s a well.”

First person. “There’s water in it.”

Fifth person. “Look. That’s a well.

Second person: “Yes, and there’s water in it.”

Fourth person: “And there’s water in it.”

Fifth person: “Yes, there’s water.”

With that, they moved off, and taking out paper and pencil, I hastily jotted down these words of wisdom. Ah, the pleasure of writing.

J. Arlene Culiner

Romance with delicious heroes, unconventional heroines, and offbeat settings

http://www.j-arleneculiner.com 

http://j-arleneculiner.over-blog.com 

https://linktr.ee/j.arleneculiner 

On procrastinating better

Okay, so I’m sitting down to write this post instead of working on the novella I’m supposed to finish by the end of this month. Procrastination or legitimate writing break?

I guess it depends on you. Are you procrastinating on something, or taking a legitimate break?

Today’s world has plenty of distractions you can easily shut out on a good day. But when your energy is low, even a single unrelated blip from your phone can upend your entire day.

My question today is whether there’s a way to procrastinate better. When we don’t have the luxury of putting life on hold so we can get waylaid, how can we get the benefit of procrastination’s self-soothing effects while getting shit down without stressing the hell out?

A few years ago, I chatted about this with a professional PA, Karisma Carpenter. Here’s what she advised:

A dedicated workspace to avoid psychological contamination

“Well for starters try to give yourself a designated space to get your work done that’s away from distractions like the TV and snack cabinets.”

At least then you’ll have your work within reach while you’re being distracted. This lines up with James Clear’s tips in his bestselling productivity book, Atomic Habits, to get back on track quickly when you slip.

A clear, easily reference-able organisation system

“Set up something visual like a large calendar. This way you can put due dates and any other things you have going on in one central place. Try breaking up your task into sections so it’s easier to manage and not so daunting.”

A great tip to alleviate the kind of procrastination that comes from low self-efficacy, ie. the feeling that you’re not up to the task. When I can’t make the 2,500 words a day my fellow author makes, I aim for 250, which has often gone a long way to me finishing a manuscript during months too hectic for long writing sessions.

Social accountability

“Share your progress. Tell a friend or even post on Social Media what you plan to accomplish, so that you have someone or somewhere to check back in with about your progress.”

If the “social” part of social accountability isn’t your jam, it can also help to use word counts and progress bars to track your efforts. Some writers I know have one or two accountability buddies they swap work with regularly. Others keep beautiful notebooks of handwritten word counts. Even if emailing and logging numbers can come with distractions of their own, it’s worth it to keep you going.

Hacking your brain’s reward circuits

“Reward yourself! Everyone deserves rewards for doing things they need to, even you. However make sure you rewards are comparable, for example for 20 minutes of productive work give yourself 5 minutes to relax or do something fun.”

Certain kinds of procrastination stem from the mental exhaustion of dealing with a hard task, especially when it’s not immediately rewarding – like filing your taxes or squaring your accounts. Sometimes you just need a break, a way to get your energy back, so you can find flow again amidst a sea of distraction.

Mindful and deliberate self-care

“Know when to call it quits! I know, I know, we’re talking about being productive here but, if you have been putting true effort into getting work done and nothing productive is coming out it’s time to take a time out. Trying to struggle through it will only make you frustrated and make your task at hand suffer. So do something relaxing like take a 10 minute walk, or grab a bite to eat and come back to your task. Sometimes being distractible means you need a break, so remember to look after yourself too.”

There are whole frameworks built around how to approach self-care in service of high performance. My personal favourite is “Full Engagement” by Tony Schwarz and Jim Loehr, a system of flexibility that includes what you might call ‘indulgence’ if your work tends to give you tunnel vision. In reality, it’s just about acknowledging what you as a human being need in order to thrive while being productive.

Okay, enough “legitimate writing break” for now. My WIP isn’t going to write itself. Until next time!

More of my nonsense in Dot Club

If you liked this post, you’ll love my email newsletter, Dot Club. I’ve been writing it 2017, and it’s my favourite (and right now only) way to keep in touch with my readers.

For more of my writerly thoughts, weird stuff I come across in my research, and news about my books and stories, come join the club.

Let’s have a pondersome time together 💌

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JL Peridot writes love letters to the future on devices from the past. Visit jlperidot.com for the full catalogue of her work or subscribe to Dot Club for a collection of her tiny stories.

Unreliable Narrative Storytelling Tool

For my vampire thriller, I decided to write it in first person, and I am using a writing tool I've never considered before--the Unreliable Narrator.

This is a tool often used in suspense and mystery novels to deliberately or unintentionally mislead readers, creating suspense, depth, and complexity.

Examples of Unreliable Narrator are:

Deliberate Liars: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Both lead characters have their own version of events and hidden agendas.

Mentally Disturbed or Confused: American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis. The main character may or may not be a serial killer. His unreliable narration is fueled by mental instability.

Naive or Biased: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. The young boy Huck often misinterprets the actions and motivations of the adults around him, creating dramatic irony for the reader.

In my story, the main character's thoughts are twisted by magic, and he doesn't remember events as they actually happened, creating suspense and surprises for readers.

The Unreliable Narrator can be a powerful storytelling tool.

Enter a world of enchantment and passion.

www.kelleyheckart.com

Return to Ecstasy - Erotica Paranormal Romance - Reincarnation - BDSM - Bondage - Punishment - Lovers Throughout Time - Tina Donahue Monthly News Magazine #Erotica #ParanormalRomance #BDSM #TinaDonahueMonthlyNewsMagazine #Giveaways #EyeCandy

AMAZON

Return to Ecstasy

Book One - Her Master's Pleasure

Erotica Paranormal Romance

Reincarnation

BDSM - Bondage - Punishment

Lovers Throughout Time

A willing slave to possession, punishment, pleasure...

Dreams of a manor where submission and dominance once ruled draws Faith   to   hypnotherapist  Colin  Danes.  Potently  virile,  he’s  instantly  recognizable as her  most  cherished  master  from  a  past life. The only man she’s ever loved. Desire smolders in his eyes, proving he’s never forgotten her.

Their carnal dance continues in the present and leads to their past when she was known as Eve. Through hypnotherapy, Colin brings her back to the Victorian era, a hidden estate where she eagerly submits to whatever he and her other noble masters crave. The exquisite discipline of the strap. Being bid on and mounted each night. Displayed and used for the enjoyment of all.

Most will take her.  One  will try to imprison her. Only he will be her true master and beloved in that life and this.

 

TEASERS

PRAISE FOR RETURN TO ECSTASY

FIVE STARS 

This was a hot read…

This is the story of Faith Montgomery "Eve' and Dr. Colin Danes "Nicholas". Their story goes through time from around the Victorian time period until the present day. This was just a very hot story line that for me I couldn't put down. Loved it!

Sissy - Amazon Review 

FOUR STARS

This book is the first in an interesting unique series. Even though it really takes place present day, Colin sends Faith back to the Victorian age where they find what they both were missing. This unique twist of the BDSM genre is easy to fall into and it is a really quick read.

M. Schaub - Amazon Review 

FOUR STARS 

Hot and intense…

This was an interesting story about past lives and whether people are reincarnated and can find love again. The passion and intensity between Faith and Colin during both periods of time was totally hot. They definitely had chemistry! Great read and totally hot!

Rebecca A. - Amazon Review

 

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Yes, just like the Hallmark Channel…

 As Anne Krist, I teamed up with award-winning author Jan Selbourne for these two novellas dealing with Christmas and war. And oh yes, miracles. So please join us as we “channel” Hallmark (see what I did there?) and celebrate Christmas in July!

Finding a Christmas Miracle

Blurb:
Jan Selbourne lends her award-winning writing talent to A Miracle in the Outback. Nick Saunders is in a hurry to escape a family argument and also to return to his Army base in Wagga Wagga. He doesn’t need another complication. Rachel Garth is a woman with a broken-down car, a small girl, a deadly snake, and a baby on the way. She needs Nick’s help. He doesn’t know it, but he needs hers, too.

In award-winning author Anne Krist’s The Miracle of Coming Home, Army PFC Tom Stabler wins a trip to his parents’ Nebraska farm for Christmas. He needs the time away from the war. Lately, he’s been feeling lost and too alone. Trouble is, being home is almost as bad. Then Susan Swensen arrives, just as sweet and pretty as he remembers. Can Susan help him find himself again, or will it take a miracle?

 Buy links:
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Christmas-Miracle-historical-novellas-ebook/dp/B09MR8PKYT/

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/finding-a-christmas-miracle-jan-selbourne/1140676059

Excerpt:

It's getting cold down under! 

Miracle in the Outback

Noelle’s face turned red as she let out another loud wail.

          Ellie pointed to the crib. “Mum, Noelle’s crying.”

          “I know, I know.” Rachel closed the sliding glass doors and pushed the hair out of her eyes.

          Another louder squeal.

          “Mummy, Noelle.”

          “I can hear her, Ellie,” Rachel snapped, and went to the sink to wash her hands. “The whole bloody street can hear her.” She picked up the little noise machine and felt the wet clothing. Pulling off the soaked nappy, she reached for a clean one to wrap around the squirming baby.

“Scream, feed, and pee,” she muttered as she opened her blouse. Like an alarm clock, every three and half hours, day and night. So different from quiet, placid Ellie and she was so tired. As soon as the little piranha finished feeding, she’d give Ellie colouring pencils and toys and try to snatch an hour’s sleep.

          Rachel rested her head against the back of the sofa and reached over to Ellie. “You are such a good girl, come sit next to me. When we go shopping tomorrow, I’ll buy you a present for helping me with this noisy baby.”

Twice a week, she pushed the pram, with Ellie sitting on the toddler’s seat, to the shopping centre. Always early to avoid the heat and between feeds so Noelle would, hopefully, sleep. Then wash the pile of baby clothes and nappies. She’d take a few more dollars from her stash and buy more disposables.

          Fifteen minutes later, Noelle had fallen asleep against her breast. She gently laid her in the crib, turned on the fan, and lay on the sofa.

          A shrill noise jerked her awake. Blinking, she sat up and rubbed her eyes as the front doorbell shrilled again. No way was she climbing the stairs to see who it is. They can come back later when her mother was home. Probably the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Last week it was the Mormons and she’d told them where to go in very blunt language.

She lay back down and felt herself drifting off when footsteps on the side path made her sit up. Two men in suits were walking towards the sliding glass doors. They looked around the back garden before knocking.

          Now alarmed, Rachel hesitated before opening the door a couple of inches. The two men produced ID badges.

          “Rachel Garth?” The tall man with piercing eyes asked.

          “Yes.”

          “Detective Thomas and”—his hand flicked to the man beside him—“Detective Jones. Sydney City Police. We’d like to talk to you.”

 

Enjoy at the beach this "July Christmas" or poolside

The Miracle of Coming Home

Susan Swensen flew into the small three-bedroom house she shared with Carol Buley and Mildred Hammersmith. “I won!” she shouted. “I won, I won, I won!!”

Carol stepped out of her bedroom and into the hallway, brushing her hair and already In her blue flannel pajamas. “Won what?”

Susan dropped an envelope on the scarred coffee table and threw off her wool cape, tossing it onto the used couch dressed up in a winter slipcover. A Christmas tree displayed prominently over the center cushion. Brightly wrapped gifts beneath a midnight-blue sky scattered with stars filled out the rest of the space. This was the second year the women had used it to hide the worn arms and cushions of the sofa, and it saddened Susan somewhat that it would be the last. The three would graduate from nursing school in June and go their separate ways.

She reached to remove the pins that secured her white cap to her blonde curls and then slid the bobby pins onto the edge of the cap before placing it carefully on the table. Then she picked up the envelope and removed the letter she’d read three times already.

“Susan Swensen. This is to inform you that your submission to the Home for Christmas contest sponsored by WCHI Radio Chicago has won one of seven prizes. WCHI has confirmed that PFC Thomas J. Stabler will be transferred from Saigon, South Vietnam to Norfolk, Nebraska (via Omaha, Nebraska) on or about December 16, 1970 until December 27, 1970. The Department of Defense is relaying this information to PFC Stabler’s commanding officers and to him. WCHI is happy to be a part of this Christmas homecoming. Thank you for your heartfelt submission. Merry Christmas! John Marbury, President, WCHI Radio.”

Susan looked up at Carol with a smile that felt like it might split her face. “Tom is going to be able to come home for Christmas.”

Reviews:

“Kudos to both ladies for their exemplary stories! 5-stars”

“Heart wrenching and poignant, this novella set is a must-read.” 5 stars

“Well done, both ladies. 5 stars”

“I enjoyed every turn of the pages. 5 stars”

A little about me:
A few years ago, Dee S. Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex.

 After a while, Dee split her personality into thirds. She writes as Anne Krist for sweeter romances, and Jenna Stewart for ménage and shifter stories. All three of her personas are found on the Nomad Authors website. And all three offer some of the best romance you can find! Also, once a month, look for Dee’s Charity Sunday blog posts, where your comment can support a selected charity. 

 Author links:

Website: https://nomadauthors.com

Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeeSKnight

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeeSKnight2018

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/265222.Dee_S_Knight

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079BGZNDN

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/dee-s-knight-0500749

Sweet ‘n Sassy Divas: http://bit.ly/1ChWN3K