One hundred perfect words. A thousand heartfelt emotions.
For Mother’s Day and all year-round, we at the Romance Café are shouting about this collection of perfect, bite-sized celebrations of moms, mums, mas, mothers and other caring figures in your life.
These 100 word stories celebrate the many different ways that carers show their love, from the everyday acts of kindness to the sacrifices they make for their children.
Warning: may cause a sniffle or three.
Authors:
Gabbi Powell Gabbi Black Trinity Wood Kaje Harper Tami Winbush L Mad Hildebrandt Hannah McKee Lisa Gwizdala-Cody Alexa Santi Cara north Sonja Flowers Michelle Mars Tori Fields Rhianon Ruby Elaine Reed Danika Bloom A. Boss Niki Brazen DL Gallie Mila Chase Debra Deasey Susan Horsnell USAT Bestselling Author Jeanna Louise Skinner Cecelia Conway Suki McMinn Annee Jones Gabbi Grey J.E. Feldman Kathleen Ryder Sarah Stein Angela Kady MacKade Heather Osborne Harper Michaels Sofia Aves Bonnie Poirier Ryleigh Sloan Niki Trento Yolanda Olson Sera Taíno Kat Long Katherine Moore Melissa Kendall LoLo Paige Aurelia Foxx Krithika Vanesa L. Perillo G.R. LeBlanc Jade Glas Brianna Malotke Tori Fields
USA Today Bestselling author Gabbi Grey lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black and Gabbi Powell.
Source: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
BOOK DESCRIPTION, FROM AMAZON
A hacker, a federal agent, and a crime boss. The time has come to fight. Computer technician Alan Harding is no saint, but his squeaky-clean image is unshakable in the eyes of his family and especially his young son. After he agrees to assist a drug lord-turned-snitch and hack into a criminal database, he’s faced with an impossible challenge—keeping his hands and heart away from his sexy as sin bodyguard, DEA Special Agent Hannah Adler. Hannah would rather go hand-to-hand with an assailant than go undercover as Alan’s girlfriend, but she’s determined to keep him safe and his illegal activities on the down-low. The handsome man and his adorable child, however, are more than she bargained for. Once their enemies learn the truth and retaliate by kidnapping Alan’s son, they’ll have to race against the clock to save the boy and bring a dangerous empire to its knees.
– Book 4 in the sexy romantic suspense series, Arresting Onyx. –All the books can be read as a standalone, but are part of an interconnected series. The series-wide arc comes to its conclusion in this book, so reading from the beginning may allow for better enjoyment. –Scenes of organized crime, drug use (discussed), abortion (discussed), kidnapping, and endangerment of a child may be uncomfortable for some readers. –No cheating and HEA guaranteed!
Available in the Arresting Onyx series Arresting Mason (book 1: Mason and Mia) Arresting Jeremiah (book 2: Jim and Calista) Ryan’s Temptation (book 2.5: Ryan and Chanel) Arresting Benjamin (book 3: Benji and Belle) Trevor’s Redemption (book 3.5: Trevor and Shea) Arresting Alan (book 4: Alan and Hannah)
MY THOUGHTS
Alan, a single father and friend to an Onxy crime boss found himself in a tough situation. Alan could work for his friend and crime boss or see his brother sit in jail. Alan was forced into hacking the computers and working with a DEA agent. The red headed hottie special agent Hannah Adler. Alan knew right away she could protect him and his son but could he keep this strictly business. His mind and body both wanted her. Hannah grew close with Danny, Alan’s son and Alan found himself not being able to resist her charms. I have enjoyed this series and and sad to see it go but glad that the author added all the characters from the series back into this book to wrap up the stories. We get a glimpse into the furnitures of the other characters and I really enjoyed that. A note from the author says we should expect a spin off series. A great read. I recommend that you read them in order and read them all.
The Breakfast Club start out by saying March 24, 1984. That’s 40 years ago today. Time sure is flying by. If you’re in a nostalgic mood, bust out your DVD or stream the movie on MAX. Were you a fan of the movie? What are some other movies from the 80’s that you enjoy? Happy movie day.
Welcome to the shadowed corners of intrigue and peril. Wicked Shadow Press presents “Femme Fatale Flashes”, a captivating anthology of flash fictions, each one casting the spotlight on the elusive femme fatale, a figure at once dangerously seductive and imbued with an undeniable strength.
Dive into narratives where mystery and malice dance closely, as these women tread the fine line between morality and desire. From the straightforward journeys of beguiling yet sinister characters whose beginnings are as veiled as their intentions, to the intricate tales of those sculpted by the harshness of society, the sting of betrayal, or the tumultuous twists of love, this collection delves into the myriad hues of what it means to embody the femme fatale.
“Femme Fatale Flashes” beckons you to explore the complex realm of these mesmerising women through stories that are as concise as they are profound. Brace yourself to be captivated by the lethal allure of the femme fatale, in a collection that promises to enchant, entangle, and ultimately, redefine your perception of power, vengeance, and seduction.
This anthology features 56 stories, penned by 49 authors from around the world.
AUTHORS
FEATURED IN THIS COLLECTION: Albert Tucher, Angela Tang, Anna McHugh, Armand Rosamilia, Arun Hariharan, Barlow Crassmont, Bissme S, Chad Anctil, Christopher Ryan, Crystal Red, D.A. Cairns, Dale Parnell, Daniel DiQuinzio, David Rae,Dawn DeBraal, Destiny Eve Pifer, Emmanuel Maduabuchi Titus, Gabbi Grey, Grant Tracey, Hannah Marchildon, Ian Gielen, Ivy Wilde, James Dorr, JB Wocoski, Jeremy Gadd, Joshua Vise, Kevin Hopson, Kris Blackburn, Kylie Doyle, LaVern Spencer McCarthy, Linda M. Crate, Madhu Mehrotra, Nelly Shulman, Olivia Arieti, R.W. Hartshorn, Rachel Loertscher, Rina Palumbo, Robb T. White, Sarah Das Gupta, Sarah Mayo, Sharon Frame Gay, Shayde O. Brown, Sheldon Woodbury, Soter Lucio, Susan Temple, TC Phillips, Toshiya Kamei, Val Roberts, Warren Benedetto
USA Today Bestselling author Gabbi Grey lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black and Gabbi Powell.
Kat’s Claws by Gabbi Grey
Kat
I am a temptress, a seducer, and a lioness shifter. When my best friend, an owl shifter, is about to make a terrible mistake, I use my prowess to bring her relationship with a human to an end. That might make me a bitch, but I did it for the right reason. Or so I believe…
Excerpt
Kat
It’s not my fault men and women find me irresistible.
My sleek figure, gorgeous mane of blonde hair, long painted nails, and stunning dark-brown eyes make me alluring to all genders. And since I’m not particular about who I bring to my bed, I have no problem with leaving a trail of broken hearts in my wake.
C’est la vie.
Que será, será.
Or whatever that expression is.
So I need you to understand that I didn’t set out to break my best friend’s heart.
SOURCE- I won this book from Goodreads. All opinions are my own
BOOK DESCRIPTION, FROM AMAZON
Laurel Grant is playing house for the holidays—complete with a fake husband and kids—in this delightful, charming rom-com by Kerry Winfrey.
Laurel Grant works as the social media manager for Buckeye State of Mind, an Ohio tourism magazine and website. She most definitely does not run a farm . . . but one tiny misunderstanding leads her boss, Gilbert, to think she owns her twin sister Holly’s farm just outside of Columbus. Laurel only handles the social media for the farm, but she’s happy to keep her little white lie going if it means not getting fired—she cannot be jobless again.
And keep it going she must when Gilbert, recently dumped by his wife, invites himself over for the farm’s big Christmas Eve Eve dinner (as advertised on Meadow Rise Farm’s Instagram, thanks to Laurel herself). Laurel immediately goes into panic mode to figure out how she can trick Gilbert into thinking she’s basically the Martha Stewart of rural Ohio and keep her job in the process.
Laurel and Holly come up with the perfect plan—all Laurel has to do is pretend to own the farm for one dinner. But Laurel shows up at the farm to find an unwelcome guest is waiting: Max Beckett, her nemesis since Holly’s wedding. The annoyingly attractive man she hates will be posing as Laurel’s husband just for the evening, but when a snowstorm traps them all for the entire weekend, Laurel is going to have to figure out how to survive with her job and dignity intact. Whatever the case, this promises to be the most eventful Christmas in ages. . .
MY THOUGHTS
Laurel Grant, recently single and jobless, found herself at a job interview at what seems to be a dream situation. That is until her soon to be boss makes a mistake and thinks she lives on a farm. Laurel needing a new job and fast makes the decision not to correct him. laurels boss Gilbert freshly broken up is in need of a friend invites himself to Laurels house for the Christmas Eve Eve party she so fondly speaks about. The only problem is Holly, Laurels twin, is the happy homesteader. How will Laurel pull off this Christmas party without getting caught or worse fired. Laurel will soon find out the lie won’t be the only issue, a blast from her past, Max Beckett her nemesis will show up to throw a wrench in the plan and in her life.
What an enjoyable read. All while reading this book I was seeing it in my mind picturing the cozy home and surroundings. You could hear music over a fresh fire and feel the joy of Christmas. I kept thinking I want to watch this. This needs to be a movie. While reading it the write explains a favorite movie in detail that I never thought of before and it’s just interesting to read this book. So I recommend grab a cup of cocoa and put the fireplace on or a screen saver of a fire and sit back and enjoy. A highly recommended book.
USA Today Bestselling author Gabbi Grey lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black and Gabbi Powell.
Being rejected by family hurt like hell, but I kept my head high, left my toxic relatives behind, and moved across the country to Gaynor Beach, CA. Luckily, I have great furry company. My French bulldog puppy, Widget, was dumped on me for not meeting my parents’ ridiculously high standards either, so we’re comforting each other. With a nice rental house and a new job, Widget and I were ready for a fresh start—until I got a devastating diagnosis. I can’t take care of Widget properly while trying to save my own life, and I expect a long, hard road. I’ll have to break both our hearts and put her up for adoption, for her sake. Right?
James
I’ve wanted a pet forever, but my family circumstances didn’t allow it. Now I’m away from my masses of relatives and on my own, and I’m ready to take on a furry companion. My friend, a guy who never says no to an animal in need, introduces me to Colin and his beautiful puppy Widget. I’m horrified Colin feels he needs to give her up just because he’s sick, but I’m happy to take Widget as a temporary foster. I’m also happy to offer support to the new guy in town who is so very alone during a time of crisis. Helping someone in need comes naturally to me. But what if that temporary help turns into me wanting a forever relationship?
This is a gay romance slow-burn novel about new beginnings, found family, unconditional love, and a puppy named Widget. This middle-angst story has a guaranteed happily ever after.
I sat in my new home, across from my best friend Arthur, vibrating with excitement. With a grin, I flung my arms wide. “Mine. All mine.” I wanted to add exclamation points, but I didn’t need to. He knew. He knew what having a place of my own meant. Of finally, after twenty-seven years, moving out of my parents’ home.
And about damn time.
Arthur gave me the smile I found so endearing. He was a bit older than me—but not by much. He was shyer than me—by a lot.
And he was adorable, though I’d never use the word to his face. Kind, sweet, a big teddy bear. I’d had a crush on him for a millisecond when we first met, but there was no chemistry. He was just my best friend, and the person I wanted to help christen my new home, since sadly, I wasn’t feeling chemistry with anyone else right now, either.
He glanced around my place. “You’ve done okay for yourself.”
“I know, right?” I stroked my black, faux-leather sofa. “I mean, Mama got to hold onto me for nine years past my high school graduation, but that meant I could save enough for a down payment on my own house.” A little house in Riverdale, one of the middle-class suburbs of Gaynor Beach. SoCal living all the way—just steps from the beach, the boardwalk, the pier, and the ocean. Oh, and also one of the friendliest LGBTQ towns around. And, best of all, my family was in Huntington Beach. An hour away— close enough to visit, far enough to have a little privacy at last. And hopefully they’d stay there.
“Mama would’ve kept you in her nest forever.” This time, Arthur’s grin consumed his entire face. “Although you’re the middle child, she treats you like the youngest. All the spoiling—”
“Hey.” Said only half in admonition. Because he had Mama nailed.
It’s Fat Tuesday and I already made my Fastnachts. It’s a yearly tradition. Check out my recipe list on top of page and get the recipe there. Happy Mardi Gras.
Is love better the second time around or are we just repeating past mistakes? How do you know if you are falling back into bad habits or falling into your happily ever after?
Find out in this spicy collection containing enticing stories from USA Today best-selling and award-winning romance authors curated by The New Romance Cafe, with ALL proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Authors:
Sofia Aves Rachel Abugov MacKade Melissa Kendall Jane Suen Niki Brazen Sharon Michalove Keighley Bradford Kat Long Laura M. Baird Stacy-Deanne Chelle Pimblott C.M. Youngren J.E. Parker Katina J Rose Tasha Blythe JK Lycke Bella Paige Poppy Parkes Amy Stephens Kathleen Ryder Marissa Frosch Wynter Ryan Katherine Moore Dawn Patricia Bolton Rachel Radner Niki Trento AK Landow Annee Jones Gabbi Grey
Gabbi Powell
The anthology will only be available for a limited time.
USA Today Bestselling author Gabbi Grey lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black and Gabbi Powell.
Returning to You by Gabbi Grey
Gil
I loved Cullen with all my heart, but eight years ago, I wasn’t ready to come out of the closet. His ultimatum broke us. Now I’m running my family’s law firm, and I came out on my own terms as a gay man in a small town. When Cullen crosses my path, regret hits me hard. Can I let go of my resentments and be open to a future with him?
Cullen
I was madly in love with Gil when we were at university. When I forced him to choose between me and his family, he walked away. I married and started a family, only to have my heart broken again when my wife died. Now I’ve tracked Gil down so I can apologize for being a prick. Will he give me a second chance, or will he send me away again?
This is a 5k gay second-chance romance short story with a single dad and a successful-but-lonely lawyer who find their way home.
Gabbi Powell
Gabbi Powell has been a lover of romance since she first put pen to paper in the eighth grade to write her first romance. She writes her novels while living in Beautiful British Columbia with her trusty ChinPoo dog a as companion. She also writes gay romances as Gabbi Grey and contemporary dark erotic BDSM novels as Gabbi Black.
Josette and the Count by Gabbi Powell
An interior decorating job in a genuine ancient Romanian castle was supposed to be the opportunity of Josette Fogal’s life. Instead, she wound up pregnant, dumped, and running home to Mission City to stay with her brother while she sorts out the mess of her life. As the birth of the baby nears, Anton Deva, her baby daddy, shows up at her doorstep—asking for a second chance. Josette has a lot of big decisions to make, and not much time to get them right. Anton’s handsome and he’s saying all the right things, but can she ever trust him again?
Exclusive Excerpt – Josette and the Count
As Josette attempted to stare down her therapist, the futility of the action hit her. She’d been seeing Dr. Kennedy Dixon every other week for seven months, and nothing had changed.
Life still sucked.
A miracle hadn’t happened.
She was still pregnant.
Admittedly, she’d gone from flat belly to beach ball in the intervening months. Somehow, though, things hadn’t changed at all. She was still living in the spare room at her brother’s house. Said brother was still married to Josette’s best friend—the man she’d been promised to about twenty-five years ago.
Long story. Not worth rehashing.
She didn’t regret not marrying Felix. Although not one hundred percent certain he was gay when she’d suggested he consider dating her brother, she’d been secure in the knowledge she didn’t love him and she couldn’t make him happy.
And vice versa.
“Josette?” Kennedy’s husky voice pulled her from her reverie.
She shook her head. “I don’t know, Kennedy. You’d think after all this time I would know…but I don’t.”
Kennedy placed her notepad and pen on the coffee table. The bright-yellow walls of her office meant to soothe. And, perhaps, in the late summer light, they did.
The baby kicked.
Josette oofed and rubbed her belly.
Kennedy smiled.
Many times, Josette’d wanted to ask her therapist about why the woman was single. Why she’d never married. Why she didn’t have kids of her own. She never would, of course. Aside from such inquiries being incredibly intrusive, Kennedy’s reserve didn’t invite many questions. Josette leaned over and petted Rex, Healing Horse Ranch’s unofficial therapy dog.
Tiffany, the official therapy dog, was in with Dr. Denise Lang and one of her young patients. All of five years old and dealing with some kind of trauma.
Which made Josette feel silly for attending these sessions and taking up Kennedy’s time. But Felix, Josette’s best friend, and Jacob, her brother, insisted.
She snagged a tissue, sensing the waterworks about to begin. “I told him I was pregnant, he told me to get rid of it, I told him to go to hell, and he basically showed me the door, and here I am.”
Kennedy stilled.
Probably should’ve shared this about six months ago… But she hadn’t. She hadn’t spoken any of these words aloud to anyone—not even Felix and Jacob.
She sniffed. “He used to call me his Jo. He claimed that one of his favorite books was Little Women.” She offered a watery smile. “I never knew whether to call bullshit on that or not. I mean, he couldn’t have known the book was my favorite, right? Or how I longed to be independent. Make my own way in the world.” She pressed her fingers to her forehead. “My friend Felix and I were born mere days apart. Our mothers are best friends. They decided, of course, that Felix and I would marry.”
“Well, that’s an interesting idea.” Kennedy’s voice held no censure. Maybe a small touch of humor.
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