Once
Upon A Summer
Upon A Summer
A
Contemporary Romance Anthology
Contemporary Romance Anthology
With
Stories By:
Stories By:
Brooke
Moss, Liz Ashlee, Clara Winter, Tammy Mannersly, Sarah Vance
Tompkins, Kitsy Clare, Mark Love, Melissa Kay Clarke
Moss, Liz Ashlee, Clara Winter, Tammy Mannersly, Sarah Vance
Tompkins, Kitsy Clare, Mark Love, Melissa Kay Clarke
Beaches,
boyfriends and danger…summer is certainly hot! Grab a hold tight as
these eight authors wow you with stories from sweet to sizzling!
After all, every day can have some summer fun!
boyfriends and danger…summer is certainly hot! Grab a hold tight as
these eight authors wow you with stories from sweet to sizzling!
After all, every day can have some summer fun!
Breaking
Girl Code by Brooke Moss
Girl Code by Brooke Moss
Aubrey
is having the perfect evening out, with the perfect guy, on a perfect
summer night. The problem is… Preston’s not her date. His real
date is her B.F.F., and she’s passed out in the backseat.
is having the perfect evening out, with the perfect guy, on a perfect
summer night. The problem is… Preston’s not her date. His real
date is her B.F.F., and she’s passed out in the backseat.
Wishing
on Water by Liz Ashlee
on Water by Liz Ashlee
After
watching everyone’s else’s lives hit huge milestones, all Hope
wants is to escape to her boring, unchanging, single life. So,
where’s the one logical place to escape to? A retirement home.
watching everyone’s else’s lives hit huge milestones, all Hope
wants is to escape to her boring, unchanging, single life. So,
where’s the one logical place to escape to? A retirement home.
Art
with a Pulse by Clara Winter
with a Pulse by Clara Winter
Artist
Alice finds herself rescuing a seal on the sands of Laguna Beach with
screenwriter Elijah. Can Alice put her past behind her and give
Elijah the chance he deserves?
Alice finds herself rescuing a seal on the sands of Laguna Beach with
screenwriter Elijah. Can Alice put her past behind her and give
Elijah the chance he deserves?
A
Natural Passion by Tammy Mannersly
Natural Passion by Tammy Mannersly
How
will marine biologist, Dylan O'Day, solve the illegal poaching
problem threatening the ecosystem he loves and protects when the
gorgeous, new intern, Kyra Shine, is occupying his every thought?
will marine biologist, Dylan O'Day, solve the illegal poaching
problem threatening the ecosystem he loves and protects when the
gorgeous, new intern, Kyra Shine, is occupying his every thought?
You
Had Me at Aloha by Sarah Vance Tompkins
Had Me at Aloha by Sarah Vance Tompkins
Social
media guru Vivienne Parker's dream trip to Hawaii turns into a
nightmare when her roommate in the luxurious surf shack is the hot
Olympic athlete who just got her fired.
media guru Vivienne Parker's dream trip to Hawaii turns into a
nightmare when her roommate in the luxurious surf shack is the hot
Olympic athlete who just got her fired.
More
Than Puppy Love by Kitsy Clare
Than Puppy Love by Kitsy Clare
Fireworks
spark when Arianna, a city girl with an elite pet portrait business
is in a wreck and asks Dave a country auto mechanic for help, but can
these two beagle owners from different worlds see eye to eye?
spark when Arianna, a city girl with an elite pet portrait business
is in a wreck and asks Dave a country auto mechanic for help, but can
these two beagle owners from different worlds see eye to eye?
Excerpt:
More than Puppy Love Excerpt
“Could you ever see yourself living in a rural area? Fitting in?” Dave's eyes are still fixed on me as he sips his daiquiri.
“I don’t know. It’s beautiful with all of the trees, nature. Bart sure likes it. But…”
“But what?”
“I’m not sure I’d be able to sustain a pet portrait business in the country. You heard Gail. She was wary of the prices I’d charge without even hearing what they were. Would enough people be able to afford my photos? If they had extra cash wouldn’t they prefer to spend hard-earned dollars on family photos, and not pet photos?”
“Hard to make a blanket statement.”
I pause to drink my daiquiri and to check out Dave’s reaction. He’s handsome inside and out with his dark curls framing his kind face and his patient way of just letting the words sink in before he says a definitive yes or no. “What about you?” I ask him. “Could you see yourself living in Philadelphia? In any big city?” Now it’s my turn to study him. It’s not an inquisition, but it seems inevitable if we are going to admit we like each other, and visualize being a couple.
He shrugs. “I like to visit big cities—Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia. I’ve had good times in Philly—seeing Independence Hall, hiking in Fairmount Park. Lunch in Reading Terminal Market at the Amish booth was cool, too. I love their shoe-fly pie, sweet and sour cabbage and freshly made sausages.”
“Mm, yeah, eating lunch at Reading Terminal Market is a blast.”
“But my auto body business is up here.” He looks down at his drink and rubs his forehead. “I’m not sure I’d be able to afford the commercial rents in a place like Philly.”
“There’s always the suburbs.”
“True. Honestly though, I’d love to get out of the car biz and fully into dog breeding.”
“Like me and teaching. I love it, but I love photography even more. It’s time to follow my passion. You too.”
Dave looks up and nods. “I want to do it all, but I also want to be realistic. Kennel equipment isn’t cheap. Dogs need tons of space, to run, to board, to breed.”
With the word breed, he flushes and I feel my neck heat up. I take this moment to pour us one more round.
“Nothing’s impossible,” he says after he’s gotten his drink refreshed and taken another gulp.
“Yeah. Never say never.”
He puts his big hand back on mine. It’s warmer than before, and I really like having it there. “By the way, your car is all done,” he says, giving my hand an extra pat.
“Great! When should I come get it?”
“At some point tomorrow? I’ll let you know.”
“Okay, sounds good.”
He slides his hand further up, to my wrist and then along my arm. And then he leans even closer and brushes my hair back.
And then he kisses me.
Stealing
Haven by Mark Love
Haven by Mark Love
Sand,
sun, romance and a mystery to solve. Sounds like a perfect vacation
for Jamie.
sun, romance and a mystery to solve. Sounds like a perfect vacation
for Jamie.
Harmony
in the Key of Murder by Melissa Kay Clarke
in the Key of Murder by Melissa Kay Clarke
Summer
in the South can mean a different type of heat when a newly appointed
investigator and a mechanical genius cross paths leading to murder
and love.
in the South can mean a different type of heat when a newly appointed
investigator and a mechanical genius cross paths leading to murder
and love.
"I
write because if I don't...my head will explode, and ruin the
drapes." ♥
write because if I don't...my head will explode, and ruin the
drapes." ♥
Brooke
Moss
writes complex, character-driven stories about kismet, reunited
lovers, first love, and the kind of romance that we should all have
the chance at finding. She prefers her stories laced with some humor
just for fun, and enough drama to keep her readers flipping the
pages, and begging for more!
Moss
writes complex, character-driven stories about kismet, reunited
lovers, first love, and the kind of romance that we should all have
the chance at finding. She prefers her stories laced with some humor
just for fun, and enough drama to keep her readers flipping the
pages, and begging for more!
When
Brooke isn't spinning tales, she spends her time drawing/cartooning,
reading, watching movies then comparing them to books, and, of
course, wrangling five kids, mugging on her hubby she lovingly refers
to as her "nerd", and attempting to conquer the Mount
Everest of laundry that is the bane of her existence.
Brooke isn't spinning tales, she spends her time drawing/cartooning,
reading, watching movies then comparing them to books, and, of
course, wrangling five kids, mugging on her hubby she lovingly refers
to as her "nerd", and attempting to conquer the Mount
Everest of laundry that is the bane of her existence.
Liz
Ashlee
is a romance novelist who recently graduated from Northern Kentucky
University her B.A. in English and B.S. in Library Informatics. She
has been published in Loch
Norse Magazine and The
Pentangle, and
has won the Miller Award for Outstanding Fiction Writing. She
currently lives in Independence, Kentucky, with her family and
dog-daughter, Hero
Ashlee
is a romance novelist who recently graduated from Northern Kentucky
University her B.A. in English and B.S. in Library Informatics. She
has been published in Loch
Norse Magazine and The
Pentangle, and
has won the Miller Award for Outstanding Fiction Writing. She
currently lives in Independence, Kentucky, with her family and
dog-daughter, Hero
Clara
Winter is the writing name of Amy Rugg.
Winter is the writing name of Amy Rugg.
Amy
Rugg grew up reading Anne of Green Gables, The Secret Garden, and
Alice in Wonderland, while watching Buck Rogers, Star Trek, and
Doctor Who. Writing her own stories naturally ensued. She is a wife,
mother, and former school counselor, with a Master’s Degree in
Counseling. Amy is from Colorado Springs, Co and currently resides in
Mission Viejo, Ca.
Rugg grew up reading Anne of Green Gables, The Secret Garden, and
Alice in Wonderland, while watching Buck Rogers, Star Trek, and
Doctor Who. Writing her own stories naturally ensued. She is a wife,
mother, and former school counselor, with a Master’s Degree in
Counseling. Amy is from Colorado Springs, Co and currently resides in
Mission Viejo, Ca.
Tammy
Mannersly is an Australian author based in Brisbane, Queensland.
She loves writing romance, has a fondness for animals, is crazy about
movies and enjoys a great Happily Ever After. Her passion for writing
started from a very young age and led her to complete a Bachelor
Degree in Creative Industries majoring in Creative Writing at
Queensland University of Technology.
Mannersly is an Australian author based in Brisbane, Queensland.
She loves writing romance, has a fondness for animals, is crazy about
movies and enjoys a great Happily Ever After. Her passion for writing
started from a very young age and led her to complete a Bachelor
Degree in Creative Industries majoring in Creative Writing at
Queensland University of Technology.
Sarah
Vance-Tompkins was born in a small town in northern Michigan. She
spent every summer exploring the sugar sand beaches near Sleeping
Bear National Park. She left her heart behind when she moved to Los
Angeles to attend the University of Southern California. She received
an MFA in Film Production and went on to work in feature film
development in Hollywood. She has worked as a reporter for a weekly
entertainment trade publication, and been paid to write obituaries,
press releases, the directions for use on personal lubricant bottles,
and breathless descriptions of engagement rings for an online jewelry
store. She lives in a small town north of Los Angeles with her
husband and three cats.
Vance-Tompkins was born in a small town in northern Michigan. She
spent every summer exploring the sugar sand beaches near Sleeping
Bear National Park. She left her heart behind when she moved to Los
Angeles to attend the University of Southern California. She received
an MFA in Film Production and went on to work in feature film
development in Hollywood. She has worked as a reporter for a weekly
entertainment trade publication, and been paid to write obituaries,
press releases, the directions for use on personal lubricant bottles,
and breathless descriptions of engagement rings for an online jewelry
store. She lives in a small town north of Los Angeles with her
husband and three cats.
Kitsy
Clare hails from Philadelphia and lives in New York. A romantic
at heart, she loves to write about the sexy intrigue of the city, and
particularly of the art world. She knows it well, having shown her
paintings here before turning to writing. Model Position, her new
adult novella is about artist Sienna and her friends. Living in a
Bookworld says: “Beautifully written! We get to learn things about
art & painting, which is refreshing. A colorful story from a
promising new adult author.” The next in her Art of Love series,
Private Internship launches in September with Inkspell.
Clare hails from Philadelphia and lives in New York. A romantic
at heart, she loves to write about the sexy intrigue of the city, and
particularly of the art world. She knows it well, having shown her
paintings here before turning to writing. Model Position, her new
adult novella is about artist Sienna and her friends. Living in a
Bookworld says: “Beautifully written! We get to learn things about
art & painting, which is refreshing. A colorful story from a
promising new adult author.” The next in her Art of Love series,
Private Internship launches in September with Inkspell.
Kitsy
loves to travel, draw, read romance, speculative fiction and teach
writing workshops. She also writes YA as Catherine Stine. Her
futuristic thriller, Ruby’s Fire was a YA finalist in the Next
Generation Indie book awards. Fireseed One, its companion novel, was
a finalist in YA and Sci-Fi in the USA News International Book
Awards, and an Indie Reader notable. Her YA horror, Dorianna,
launches fall 2014 with Evernight Teen. She’s a member of SFWA, RWA
and SCBWI.
loves to travel, draw, read romance, speculative fiction and teach
writing workshops. She also writes YA as Catherine Stine. Her
futuristic thriller, Ruby’s Fire was a YA finalist in the Next
Generation Indie book awards. Fireseed One, its companion novel, was
a finalist in YA and Sci-Fi in the USA News International Book
Awards, and an Indie Reader notable. Her YA horror, Dorianna,
launches fall 2014 with Evernight Teen. She’s a member of SFWA, RWA
and SCBWI.
Mark
Love
Love
I
am a Michigan native, who up until recently lived in the Metro
Detroit area, where crime and corruption always seem to be at the top
of everyone's news. So there's always the chance to find something
that can trigger a story idea and enough interesting characters to
jump start your imagination.
am a Michigan native, who up until recently lived in the Metro
Detroit area, where crime and corruption always seem to be at the top
of everyone's news. So there's always the chance to find something
that can trigger a story idea and enough interesting characters to
jump start your imagination.
While
I have worked in many industries and career paths over the years, one
of my passions has always been writing. I was even able to parlay
that passion for a while, working as a freelance reporter for a
couple of newspapers in the Detroit area. Writing features and hard
news helped me hone my talents. But while newspaper work was
interesting and paid a few bills, it was a far cry from the fiction
writing that I enjoy the most.
I have worked in many industries and career paths over the years, one
of my passions has always been writing. I was even able to parlay
that passion for a while, working as a freelance reporter for a
couple of newspapers in the Detroit area. Writing features and hard
news helped me hone my talents. But while newspaper work was
interesting and paid a few bills, it was a far cry from the fiction
writing that I enjoy the most.
I've
always been drawn to mysteries and thrillers, the kind of stories
that have a fast pace, that keep you moving and keep you guessing as
to what's going to take place next. Mix those in with some elements
of crime, perhaps a glimpse of the seedier side and you've got me. So
it's always been one of my goals to write stories like
that.
always been drawn to mysteries and thrillers, the kind of stories
that have a fast pace, that keep you moving and keep you guessing as
to what's going to take place next. Mix those in with some elements
of crime, perhaps a glimpse of the seedier side and you've got me. So
it's always been one of my goals to write stories like
that.
Melissa
Kay Clarke
was born in Tupelo, Mississippi and raised in Houlka, a small rural
town forty-five minutes southwest down the famous Natchez Trace. She
found a love of reading very early and quickly devoured everything
she could. Told repeatedly that she had a wonderful imagination, she
turned to scribbling her musings and wrote her first novel while in
college. It was never published and has since vanished. The death of
a close friend who aspired to become an author reawakened her own
desire resulting in penning her first book, Shattered Dreams,
published in 2013.
Kay Clarke
was born in Tupelo, Mississippi and raised in Houlka, a small rural
town forty-five minutes southwest down the famous Natchez Trace. She
found a love of reading very early and quickly devoured everything
she could. Told repeatedly that she had a wonderful imagination, she
turned to scribbling her musings and wrote her first novel while in
college. It was never published and has since vanished. The death of
a close friend who aspired to become an author reawakened her own
desire resulting in penning her first book, Shattered Dreams,
published in 2013.
Melissa
now resides in Meridian, Mississippi with her supportive family –
husband, Robert and daughter Rebecca, two cats, and two dogs. When
she isn't writing, she spends way too much time with her online
friends and feeding her ravenous appetite for the written word.
now resides in Meridian, Mississippi with her supportive family –
husband, Robert and daughter Rebecca, two cats, and two dogs. When
she isn't writing, she spends way too much time with her online
friends and feeding her ravenous appetite for the written word.
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