Help me name Ellie and Mac's romance!

What do we call this book?

I'd LOVE if you all would help me finalize the title for Ellie and Mac's romance.

My current working title is The Neighbor's Window to Love.

But I'm not 100% sold on it yet.

It's The Guy Next Door #3.

Previous books in the series are:

The Roommate’s Secret Crush (describes both characters)

The Best Friend’s Christmas Confession (describes both characters)

So this book also needs to fit the titling convention.

One suggestion has been - The Neighbor's Stolen Glances...

But what do you think?

Thanks in advance!

If there's a winning suggestion, you'll get thank you credit when the book releases, so get brainstorming.

May 13th is anniversary day!

It's Jacob and Beth's origin day!

Beth and Jacob were born on May 13th, 2007, the day I wrote the first scene ever. 

In the years since, I have celebrated this with special perks and releases.

First, you can now apply for an ARC of The Best Friend's Christmas Confession at StoryOrigin or Bookfunnel.

This book releases June 25th, so be prepared to post your review at as many sites as you can on that date!

Second, TBFCC can be purchased RIGHT NOW in my store.

Buy Now

Third, in case you missed the birth of a new series:

Shop these friends-to-lovers novellas here.

You can also read them - and all other stories - at my subscription page (which is now 2!).

The past week kicked my butt! Hope yours was better...

The cats had a medical issue

Well, over $1800 later, they're on the mend - though just as the younger ones were recovering, Mama got sick and needed the meds, too. The only thing all 5 of them had in common Friday to Friday was the crunchie treats, so that jar is toast.

Worst part, though? The vet lied to us about Milo and Lowen having fleas just to upsell us on a $63.99 flea med!

So we're still looking for an honest, affordable veterinarian in Orange County, CA. If you have a rec, please pass it on.

And Wednesday, my computer died - AGAIN!

Windows 10 didn't last 3 months and I do none of the sketchy things that break shit. I only got this thing May 17th.

Five days down this time.

Tech Guy didn't get me back online until Sunday afternoon!

For those counting, it was 11 days with no computer in November, 3 days in May, and now 5. Wanna place a bet on how long this one lasts? I'm SO behind on plans this year it's not funny.

Other news this month:

If you haven't popped in recently, here's a reminder to check out Vi Keeland's newest release, and these upcoming dates for Penelope Ward:

Excerpt Reveal - August 17
Release Day - August 21

Ream Stories Subscription

HERE IS THE LINK TO JOIN FOR FREE!

Five fans have joined my subscription since launch and I'm really grateful! My hope is to grow this page with you over time. 

1) Kissed and The Bassist are free reads for the public, no membership required now - a chance to sample the interface.

2) You can Follow me for free - and all it takes is making an account. Followers will receive exclusives now this feature is live.

August 14th - Followers can now click a Like heart on Community posts as well as leave comments!

3) I have exclusive Flash Fiction posted! 

The first 5 are Jacob and Beth and Bob and Celeste. Available with the Concert Ticket membership level, along with:

• Exclusive Community Access with early access to updates
• Early access to WIP sneak peeks and updates
• Behind the scenes exclusives
• The Roommate novella 

Why become a subscriber, though?

If you join at the Backstage Pass level, you get 1000 pages of stories for $5.

Become a Fan Club Member for $10 and gain access to 2000 pages!

My subscription page is the only place to get this kind of value.

Ready to try things out? How to download the Ream App

We want you to be able to read books like you want to read books. You can even comment on chapters as you browse them, because this is really about community. 

How commenting on stories works

By October, Ream will be adding even more new features! I'll update you as I get news. We really want to make this the best home for authors and readers it can be.

You are invited! SUBSCRIPTION LAUNCH DAY! #contemporaryromance #reamstoriesauthor #romancereaders #romancesubscription

Will you join me for exclusives?

I now have a subscription site that I love! I'm still using BMAC for my store, but not for posting story pages.

Why Ream?

Because Patreon and Buy Me A Coffee limit the kind of content creators can post - and Ream does not. Emilia Rose lost her Patreon because they deemed her too NSFW for them, and so the idea for Ream was born.

Have you tried to read stories on Patreon and been frustrated by the format?

None of that here!

We want you to be able to read books like you want to read books. You can even comment on chapters as you browse them, because this is really about community.

Unlike other subscription platforms, this site is built for authors and readers by authors.

The second reason? None of the issues of social media!

I want a lively community outside the control of mysterious algorithms, and I can't be the only person frustrated by not seeing what I want to see (looking at you, Facebook). Ream will never hide stuff from you, so you can see all the Community area posts available to subscribers like you.

So - want to try things out?

My stories Kissed and The Bassist are free reads right now today!

Signing up for Ream is free! <-Click here to go to my page

If you like the experience and want more, become a subscriber:
 

• For $3/month, you will get access to reading The Roommate as well as private updates I want to make to fans before they go public. Exclusives for subscribers include perks like behind-the-scenes content, bonus scenes, deleted scenes, WIP updates, and chapters of new stories before the books go to stores.
• 
  
• For $5/month, you'll get the the above plus Jacob and Beth's Rockstar Life series! Betrayed, Forgiven, Loved, and Completed will be yours to read immediately.
• 
  
• Want access to everything? For $10/month, get all the above PLUS full access to the West Coast Soulmates series! That's The Pianist, The Roommate, A Rockstar Christmas Wedding, and The Drummer available immediately for you.

But that's just me.

Ream already has lots of authors offering you all kinds of goodies, so explore and have fun. We're happy to have every passionate book lover!

If you have questions, please use the comment section below.

One Week to MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE's release! Here's a sexy excerpt #NSFW #contemporaryromance #romanceduet #comingsoon #romancereaders #excerptreveal

Make You Feel My Love Excerpt

Excerpt:

Ask Me Anything (well, almost anything) #AMA #askmeanything #romancereaders #romanceauthor #contemporaryromance

Have you heard of AMAs?

Otherwise known as Ask Me Anything?

Today, I want to try it. 

Reply with any question - respectfully, of course.

Do you have a question about a book?

A story question?

Background?

You can ask questions about me, too.

In case you're new - or forgot why you're here - I'm Carla Krae, 45, with a tech guy and 5 cats, all rescues. I write contemporary romance, starting with Jacob and Beth and his rockstar ambitions. I first published in 2011.

Reply to this post with your thoughts and I'll try to answer honestly! Cool?

Let's chat,

Carla

New Contemporary Romance Duet Coming Soon! #comingsoon #contemporaryromance #preorder #romancereaders #newbook #romanceduet #steamyromance

The Bittersweet Duet is coming soon!

We have titles and release dates!

When We Were Young - Bittersweet Duet #1 - Apple | Barnes and Noble |

Make You Feel My Love - Bittersweet Duet #2 - Apple | Barnes and Noble |

Book 1 releases March 1st and Book 2 releases April 3rd!


Pre-order now!

Then download the free prelude:

Bittersweet Duet Prelude - Grad Night - Eden Books | Smashwords | Amazon | Apple | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Scribd | Google Play |

Sam and Kate are best high-school friends crushing on each other but afraid to act on it. With high school ending, there’s one last night that might bring those feelings public.

Will they finally give in to that attraction?

This story is an exclusive sneak peek into a second-chance romance!

Bookbub

When finding your true love comes after a bit of heartbreak.

Flavors - like life - need balance. Nearly every cookie or cake recipe includes a pinch of salt. The finest dark chocolate rides the line between bitter and buttery sweetness.

So it is with The Bittersweet Series.

Win a BMAC membership and start reading THE DRUMMER today! #giveaway #contest #contemporaryromance #rockstarromance @buymeacoffee #buymeacoffee

Answer this question correctly

and win a free Buy Me A Coffee membership to read The Drummer!

In The Bassist, what is Jen missing - that her sister notices -  when she and Dylan go to her mom's New Year's Eve party?

Reply to carlakrae@willowickarts.com with the correct answer and win!

The Drummer is publishing exclusively at my Buy Me a Coffee page for only $1 a month. 6 chapters will be released in October alone and you don't want to miss that. The first three chapters are Public! But chapter four has to be Members Only because it is NSFW - and so is most of the rest of this book. Lincoln and Michaela are explosively hot!

Once you're a Member, you'll get notified the moment each chapter is published, and get to comment on every post. I may even use your feedback in the final version that hits stores next year.

BMAC (or in my case, chocolate) is like Patreon, only more flexible for you and me.

Lincoln Adams is only supposed to be a drunken mistake, the consequence of a little too much Christmas wedding eggnog. Once he’s asleep, I sneak out of his apartment expecting to never see the drummer again.

Except I left my guitar at his friend’s house.

And my earring on his floor.

An earring he uses to leverage me into a lunch date where he starts chipping away at the armor erected around my heart while heating up my body with a need I’ve never felt before. One last indulgence before making it clear I won’t do a relationship ever again.

Until a surprise mutual connection brings us together for a week of sharing and sensual delights.

What happens in Virginia can stay in Virginia—right?

This story is intended for readers 18 and over due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations.

Twenty Years #neverforget

Twenty Years...

I still remember 9/11 like it was yesterday. The tragedies and stories of inspiration. And bravery! How united we were on 9/12.

I was 24. Tech Guy would turn 22 that December. His friends were even younger. We were awakened Friend 1 on the answering machine saying, "We've been hit!" He was in the Army Reserve. They were all told to get in uniform and wait for orders to come.

Clearing the fog of sleep, I rushed out to turn on the TV and it showed the news. And the horror. I was glued to what was coming in until we had to go to work. We called in and our boss still wanted us to come.

At the time, we and Friend 2, also Army Reserve, worked phone sales for a gold club manufacturer. Most people didn't show up, and certainly not on time. We told Jim, our boss, that no one would want to get calls on the East Coast that day. They were waiting for news! Reluctantly, he accepted reality and we went home to return to the TV.

I was an opener, and for weeks it was rough to call anywhere close to where the planes struck on 9/11. It'd been standard practice to start the day on the East Coast and move West through our shifts. Of course they didn't want to talk about golf! Everyone was grieving.

My ex-fiance was away at Army Boot Camp when 9/11 happened. He eventually came back early over a bogus medical thing and I was relieved. Some people can handle war and come out more or less okay. Some will be forever changed. But, because he was sent home early and could reapply in the future, he was determined to go back - and this time as a medic. I knew in my gut it was a bad decision for him and tried to convince him, but he was young and stubborn.

He ended up in Iraq eventually, for a while, when one of our bases was bombed during chow time. He saw things he can't forget and had to work to save lives. His service eventually beat him up enough to leave him in chronic pain. On disability. Even in a wheelchair for a while. Took a really long time for him to get to a good place, even with gaining a wife and five kids. They met online at a time that that was still totally crazy and I'm still amazed it worked out.

Friend 2 eventually went full-time Army and is still in today. Met his now-ex-wife in the service, and has been saved from suicide twice in acts I can't call anything but divine intervention. He has a daughter and no kid needs that pain. Over the past 20 years, anytime I saw a report of servicemen dying in the Middle East, I've held my breath until we got the names. Or happened to hear from him the same day.

I didn't lose anyone personally on 9/11, but I always watch the ceremonies when broadcast. The reading of the names. The stories from families and survivors. It's important to not get numb about history. My grandparents lived through Pearl Harbor and WWII. My uncle served in Korea and Vietnam in the Navy, my dad in Vietnam in the Army. My mother was a history teacher. We must remember - not only to hopefully learn from the past, but honor the sacrifices big and small that bring us through painful times.

We move forward, but let us not move on.

And never forget.

Come follow me on Buy Me a Coffee! @buymeacoffee #romanceauthor #contemporaryromance #romancenovels #romancereaders

 What is Buy Me a Coffee?

I'm excited to announce I'm now publishing content on Buy Me a Coffee! Check out my page here. 

Buy Me a Coffee makes supporting creators fun and easy. There are three ways to support:

First, you can follow my page. Click on the Follow option under my cover image, enter your email address, and verify. If you already have an account, you simply log in to follow.

In a couple of taps, fans can also "buy me a coffee" and leave a message as a Supporter. You don’t have to create an account and your support can even be anonymous! 

Then, if you choose to become a Member, you'll get exclusives I'll be announcing soon for only $1/month.

Supporters and Members FAQ

Give me a Follow and let's build a community - see you soon!

Fourth #TuesdayTeaser for The Drummer #NSFW #rockstarromance #holidayromance #contemporaryromance #teasertuesday #romancereaders #romancereads

The Drummer Teaser 4

Lincoln and Michaela were introduced in A Rockstar Christmas Wedding.

Pre-order: Apple | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Eden Books |

TBR: Goodreads

Teaser 1 | Teaser 2 | Teaser 3 |

Lincoln Adams is only supposed to be a drunken mistake, the consequence of a little too much Christmas wedding eggnog. Once he’s asleep, I sneak out of his apartment expecting to never see the drummer again.

Except I left my guitar at his friend’s house. And my earring on his floor.

An earring he uses to leverage me into a lunch date where he starts chipping away at the armor erected around my heart while heating up my body with a need I’ve never felt before. I indulge in his body one last time.

Until a surprise mutual connection brings us together for a week of sharing and sensual delights.

What happens in Virginia can stay in Virginia—right?

This story is intended for readers 18 and over due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations.

~This teaser is NSFW for language.

#TuesdayTeaser - another excerpt from The Drummer #rockstarromance #bookboyfriends #contemporaryromance #romancenovel #romancereaders #comingsoon #teasertuesday

THE DRUMMER Teaser Tuesday

Pre-order: Apple | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Eden Books |  

TBR: Goodreads

Lincoln and Michaela were introduced in A Rockstar Christmas Wedding.

Lincoln Adams is only supposed to be a drunken mistake, the consequence of a little too much Christmas wedding eggnog. Once he’s asleep, I sneak out of his apartment expecting to never see the drummer again.

Except I left my guitar at his friend’s house. And my earring on his floor.

An earring he uses to leverage me into a lunch date where he starts chipping away at the armor erected around my heart while heating up my body with a need I’ve never felt before. I indulge in his body one last time.

Until a surprise mutual connection brings us together for a week of sharing and sensual delights.

What happens in Virginia can stay in Virginia—right?

This story is intended for readers 18 and over due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations.

Michaela

December 26^th

#TuesdayTeaser - The Drummer excerpt #contemporaryromance #rockstarromance #excerptreveal #romancereaders #romanceauthor

THE DRUMMER Tuesday Teaser

“Yes, you understand a music career, but it’s not that.”  Somehow my hand was in his.  “I can be myself, Michaela, because you expect nothing. I’m not Linc the drummer. I’m not Professor Martin Adam’s son. You don’t care if I impress you, so I don’t have to try, and that’s liberating. The rockstar ego you tease me about? Not happening around you because I don’t need any masks. Don’t you like the honesty between us?”

I pulled my hand back.  “Are you this persistent with all women who reject you?”

He grinned.  “You’re the only one.”

“Who you keep chasing?”

“To reject me.”

I frowned.  “So it is an ego thing. Your interest is that you hate to lose.”

“You’re funny. No, Michaela Simon, you’re the only woman who likes me and hasn’t wanted to admit it. The only woman who gave off sparks on day one. The only one to make me cry when you sang. The only girl to bust my balls at any opportunity. And definitely the best sex I’ve ever had. I’m persistent because you’re one of a kind and I’d be a fool to let you walk away without exploring us as far as I can.”

Oh.  We’d waded into serious territory again and I felt a little breathless. 

His eyes dilated with desire, he pulled me over to seat me on his leg and kissed me, fingers burrowing into my hair.  I moaned and wrapped my arms around him.  He tasted savory, salty, and sweet, and I forgot where we were until someone passing loudly cleared their throat.

Lincoln leaned his forehead on mine.  “Ever parked?”

“Huh?”

“Made out in the car. You know, parking.”

“Let’s go.”

He left money on the table and we hurried out to the modern Charger.

Pre-order: Apple | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Eden Books | 

TBR: Goodreads

Lincoln and Michaela were introduced in A Rockstar Christmas Wedding.

Lincoln Adams is only supposed to be a drunken mistake, the consequence of a little too much Christmas wedding eggnog. Once he’s asleep, I sneak out of his apartment expecting to never see the drummer again.

Except I left my guitar at his friend’s house. And my earring on his floor.

An earring he uses to leverage me into a lunch date where he starts chipping away at the armor erected around my heart while heating up my body with a need I’ve never felt before. I indulge in his body one last time.

Until a surprise mutual connection brings us together for a week of sharing and sensual delights.

What happens in Virginia can stay in Virginia—right?

This story is intended for readers 18 and over due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations.

Read a chapter of THE DRUMMER now! #excerptreveal #contemporaryromance #rockstarromance #comingsoon #romancereaders

THE DRUMMER excerpt

Michaela Simon

Once upon a time, I loved a boy who promised me forever.

Pre-order THE DRUMMER! West Coast Soulmates 4 arrives soon! #contemporaryromance #rockstarromance #romanceauthor #romancenovel

 Pre-Order The Drummer Today!

The Drummer (West Coast Soulmates #4)

Apple | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Eden Books |

TBR: Goodreads

Lincoln and Michaela were introduced in A Rockstar Christmas Wedding.

Lincoln Adams is only supposed to be a drunken mistake, the consequence of a little too much Christmas wedding eggnog. Once he’s asleep, I sneak out of his apartment expecting to never see the drummer again.

Except I left my guitar at his friend’s house. And my earring on his floor.

An earring he uses to leverage me into a lunch date where he starts chipping away at the armor erected around my heart while heating up my body with a need I’ve never felt before. I indulge in his body one last time.

Until a surprise mutual connection brings us together for a week of sharing and sensual delights.

What happens in Virginia can stay in Virginia—right?

This story is intended for readers 18 and over due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations.

A ROCKSTAR CHRISTMAS WEDDING cover and blurb reveal! #rockstarromance #christmasromance #holidayromance #steamyromance #romanceauthor

A ROCKSTAR CHRISTMAS WEDDING 

cover and blurb reveal!

Apple | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Booksprout | Goodreads | Smashwords | 

FINAL BLURB!

Organizing a Christmas Day wedding in two weeks is insane.

Dylan proposed the week of Thanksgiving and suggested a Christmas wedding. We met on Christmas Eve, but he means this year. It’s a private argument I’m winning—until he tells his rockstar friends and their wives who are my best gals. Now everyone’s excited!

Complicating things? I took a pregnancy test the day before that proposal, Dylan lives in L.A., and I live in Big Bear. That baby’s coming in six-ish months, so we need a house, which I have on the mountain—we met in a snowstorm—but he doesn’t want the two-hour commute.

It’s the first big test of our relationship and it scares me.

Which will win—my practical side or the magic of the season?

This story is intended for readers 18 and over due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations. Picks up where The Keyboardist ended and is a sequel to The Bassist.

A ROCKSTAR CHRISTMAS WEDDING is coming SOON! #nanowrimo #christmasromance #contemporaryromance #rockstarromance #romanceauthor

 A Rockstar Christmas Wedding

Did you love Dylan and Jen's story? 

If you haven't read it, yet, The Bassist is free EVERYWHERE. (see below)

Their sequel, A Rockstar Christmas Wedding, is at over 25,000 words and counting. I'm writing every day for National Novel Writing Month. 

This will release by Christmas Day!

Dylan and Jen started their romance on Christmas Eve in The Bassist. A year later, are they ready to seal the deal? Or is this rockstar moving too fast?

This story is intended for readers 18 and over due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations. Picks up where The Keyboardist ended.

Pre-order: Apple | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Add to your TBR list here.

Final blurb and cover coming very soon. You don't have to read The Keyboardist before this story, but your experience will be enriched if you do.

The Bassist (West Coast Soulmates #1)

Free story. $5.99 paperback.

Amazon | Smashwords | Apple | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Google Play |

Dylan is the bassist for Jake Lindsey's band, but not when he's in his hometown. It's Christmas Eve and a sudden, strong blizzard has left the mountain submerged in snow, wrecking his plan to drive back to Los Angeles in time to attend Jake and Beth's party Christmas Day.

Jennifer's family was coming to spend the holiday at her cabin, but the storm is keeping them off the mountain. Resigned to entertaining herself for the night, she's startled by someone pounding on her front door--a handsome man needing shelter from the storm. Dylan is sweet, funny, and so damn hot she can't resist learning what he has to offer.

Was this a single night of passion, or the beginning of lasting love?

This story is intended for readers over the age of 18 due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations. 

My Once and Future Love Revisited series stand-alone story. Takes place after Beth and Jacob's final book. Minor spoilers.  

Grad Night (The Bittersweet Duet Prelude) is available now! #contemporaryromance #romanceshort #newrelease #newstory #newbook

 Grad Night is here!

This sneak peek into Kate and Sam's romance is available here for free.

Sam and Kate are best high-school friends crushing on each other but afraid to act on it. With high school ending, there’s one last night that might bring those feelings public.

Will they finally give in to that attraction?

This story is an exclusive sneak peek into a second-chance romance. 

Add it to Goodreads. For more about Bittersweet Duet, click here.

Eden Books | Smashwords | Google Play | Bookbub | Goodreads | Apple | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Scribd | Amazon |

A little update on me

A Personal Update

Tech Guy has a new job starting 2/17 working from home. Remote manager of a dept. for a tech firm. Big step up in his career, yada yada, but not so convenient for me. At least there's a raise!

We weren't sure at first whether this job would require a move. When you're in your 40s, those aren't easy to make. We were both raised in CA and all his family is still here. It'd be SO much easier to afford a home of our own in just about any other state, but his father is experiencing a slow mental decline and retiring some time this year.

Tech Guy is an only child, so the aging parent burden is all his. I do a lot of helping with his father's memory like putting important bills where he can't miss them and making sure the stove is off. At some point, he definitely won't be able to live alone, and those are never easy conversations. We all cherish our independence. But who knows when that date is? Dementia is still unpredictable.

Anyway, the flexibility of the new job and increased salary will allow Tech Guy to return to the gym and continue rehab on his bad knee. He still needs a crutch for walking longer distances. He looks forward to shoving those in the back of a closet.

Carla Krae's 2020 romance projects #cockyheroclub #amwriting #writingromance #contemporaryromance #romanceauthor #romance

2020 Projects

My Cocky Hero Club contribution is due in June, so that's first priority.


Original WIPs:

A Rockstar Christmas Wedding - West Coast Soulmates #4

Picks up where The Keyboardist ended. Jen and Dylan are engaged...and expecting. He wants to get married on Christmas since they met on Christmas Eve a year ago, but they haven't even decided where they're going to live, yet. Which will win - Jen's practical side or the magic of the season?

This story is intended for readers 18 and over due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations.

The Drummer - West Coast Soulmates #5

Lincoln Adams is the new drummer for Jake's band at the end of The Keyboardist. He falls for Michaela, an aspiring singer with a tragic past.

The Bittersweet Series

Book #1 - Adrienne and Kelly's story. Expanded version of The Holiday. Smashwords | Apple | Barnes and Noble | Goodreads |

A friends-to-lovers story.

This story is intended for readers 18 and over due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations.


Book #2 - Rae and Shane's story. Smashwords | Barnes and Noble | Apple | Goodreads |

How does a small-town boy win the heart of a Bel Air princess?

This story is intended for readers 18 and over due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations.


Book #3 - Lucy and Wes' story. Smashwords | Barnes and Noble | Apple | Goodreads |

You'll meet Lucinda and Wes in Rae and Shane's book.

This story is intended for readers 18 and over due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations.

Duet #1 - 

Kate

Once upon a time, I wanted Sam to be my first everything. Coming into my life as my piano teacher’s son, he was my ally, buddy, best friend, and unrequited crush.

I kept silent on that last part. Our friendship was precious to me.

I thought it was important to him, too.

Going to separate universities proved me wrong.

Then I became my newly-paralyzed little brother’s guardian at twenty while burying our father and little sister and romantic notions were set aside. We had to survive. I had to be practical. I needed to give my little brother the best life possible.

Sam

Losing touch with Kate was my one regret in life. Most kids think they’ll have their high school friends forever. In reality, you might keep one past your college years. Life moves on.

I married sensibly—so I thought—and had two kids. Mandy and I had been in an awkward phase since our son’s birth, but I thought it was natural. The adjustment of bringing a second child into the home, or maybe post-partum depression. Then she told me she was leaving me for our pediatrician and had filed for legal separation.

That was ten weeks ago.

I’ve been working out the divorce details and our last act as man and wife will be attending my twentieth high-school reunion. Mandy values public opinion, so I’ve given her privacy in exchange for full custody of our kids, but I’m not looking forward to the charade. I don’t know how I’ll stomach smiling through small talk with her hand on my arm.

Until seeing Kate again rouses feelings long buried. She makes me feel alive for the first time in months, I’ve missed our closeness from the past, and Mom loves her like a daughter. My kids even like her instantly, and I start dreaming again for the first time in years. I want her no matter how much it complicates the weekend.

Kate Carson will finally be mine.

This story is intended for readers 18 and over due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations.

Duet #2 -

Kate

Sleeping with Sam the second time might’ve been the stupidest thing I’ve done in thirty-eight years. Everyone knows long-distance relationships don’t work and I went home after Christmas thinking I’d done the right thing.

Then he shows up at my door with my favorite pizza and wine and says he loves me.

Sam

I’ve never been a quitter, so when Kate ran, I left the kids with Mom and followed. I have until my plane leaves January 1 to convince her to act on our connection and take a chance on me, distance be damned. She slipped away from me twice before. I won’t let it happen again.

Kate

Sam offers me things no other man ever has, but long-distance terrifies me, especially when he wants me there with him now. His patience won’t last forever and it feels like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. Then he pushes for more at the same time my world is turned upside-down and it’s too much.

If I’m already losing everything, why not him, too?

Our timing has always sucked.

Then fate puts me back in California again.

And this time, I know I love him back.

This story is intended for readers 18 and over due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations.

Mr. Perfect

Shy and socially-anxious Kimmie's father gets a job transfer during her last college year, forcing her to go with him or stay in the only town she’s ever known, and she’s not ready to be alone.

Kimmie’s best friend Erin insists she move in, putting her down the hall from her crush Justin.  He’s been Mr. Perfect since he and Kimmie met at age twelve, excelling at everything including kindness.  A Christmas party kiss might move them out of the friend zone, but she doesn’t trust it as genuine romance. The surprise affection has Erin’s meddling written all over it.

Can Justin bring Kimmie out of her shell and prove his feelings for her are the real thing, or will first love die before it begins?

This story is intended for readers over the age of 18 due to adult language, sexual content, and adult situations.