HAPPY HOLIDAYS! PICTURE PROMPT WEEK - 12 WRITERS

Welcome! Thank you for stopping by. This will be our last post for 2012! Thank you to our readers and fans. You have made writing for this blog every week worthwhile. We are taking two weeks off and will be back on January 8th. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Come to our snowy cabin in the woods, have a cup of cheer and warm yourself by the fire. Our writers wrote stories of 300 words to this picture prompt. To go to a writer's blog, click on their name:

JEAN JOACHIM (Contemporary Romance)
Beck Langley’s feet and hands tingled from the frigid temperature. Frostbite?  
DAWNE PROCHILO (Contemporary Romance)

"The peaceful morning greeted her as usual, with the harsh reality being nothing was calm..."

KAREN CINO(Contemporary Romance)
Erika sat on the window seat with a mug of hot chocolate with mini marshmallows floating on top.
V. L. LOCEY (Romantic Comedy)
"The Silver Box"
I was seated in a cement pond envisioning my stone cabin surrounded with snow. 
LINDSAY DOWNS (Sensual Suspense)
The sound of barking dogs in the distance drove her forward through the knee deep snow. Her destination or so she prayed, a thin spiral of white smoke lazily drifting skyward.
IRIS BLOBEL (Aussie Romance)
Ty pulled away from her and searched her eyes wondering whether he had stepped too far. But she didn’t move, just returned his gaze for a moment in silence. 
ELIZABETH BLACK (Contemporary)
Linda stared out the car window as city lights gave way to pine trees. The temperature dropped a noticeable ten degrees the further from the city they drove, and her mood dropped just as much.
STEFAN ELLERY (Sci Fi)
Terresa held the bottle of wine and poured it’s leftover contents into her glass. They won’t find out, how could they.
DAVEE JONES (Y.A. Romance)
"Black Diamond Hearts Are the Most Difficult"
"Matthew’s sudden quiet manner puzzled Laurel once again.  His abrupt personality changes occurred more frequently these days."
KATHLEEN TIGHE BALL (Western Romance)
Foster O’Conner woke to total stillness, the silence of his world blanketed in snow and the electricity off.
SHERRY GLOAG (Contemporary Romance)

No babies! 

Alex had made it clear when he asked her to marry him, he didn’t want children. And at the time she’d agreed— she had a career to follow. But now?
MARIA C. FERRER (Contemporary Romance)
"Daddy Found"
The girls loved the cabin, the snow, the fireplace and the two weeks away from school. They were ecstatic, and having fun running around looking into rooms and closets with equal zeal.  The girls. His daughters.    

 

TUESDAY TALES - 11 WRITERS' STORIES WRITTEN TO THE WORD PROMPT "FUTURE"

WELCOME! Thanks for stopping by. The word prompt this week is "future". Click on the writer's name to go to their blog and read their story. Then come back to visit another blog. 
JEAN JOACHIM (Contemporary Romance)
"Out of My Dreams, Into My Heart"
 “Be good, squirt.” Mark hung up the phone. Even as a grown man, he missed his twin sister, Meg, especially now that he was in love. 
DAKOTA TRACE (Erotic Romance - Rated PG) 
Picking her way back across the crowded dining room, Thea tried to calm her racing heart. She was so pissed it wasn’t even funny.
KAREN CINO (Contemporary Romance)
Pia had called Larry asking him to meet her at Dai Noi, explaining she needed to discuss something with him.
V. L. LOCEY (Romantic Comedy)
"The Silver Box"
Riding through the waterfall was refreshing. 
IRIS BLOBEL (Aussie Romance)
Ty shook his head and chuckled as he held out his hand to help her carry some of the things. The future is one day at a time, his father had said once, and he was hoping dearly that there would be so many more days like this.
STEFAN ELLERY (Sci Fi) 
An older woman dressed in full black looked at them and observed them for a few minutes.
“The alien with the broken foot straightened up, his face coloured red.
LINDSAY DOWNS (Sensual Suspense) 
“Yeah, and that looks like the same woman he was talking to when we headed out for our cruise.”
DAVEE JONES (YA Romance)
Eyelashes Freeze in North Dakota, But Not Warm Hearts. 
"Hey, doc, you here for me?” One fairly large and muscled male specimen approached him, limping as he made his way toward Cody." 
KATHLEEN BALL (Western Romance)
His heart pounded in his chest from being so close to her. She looked like hell but she would always be beautiful to him.
CAROLYN GIBBS(Romantic Suspense)
The doors to the large ballroom were opened for the award ceremony, and the crowd rushed in. Claire walked in and searched for seats near the aisle, not that she expected to win.
TAINA VICARI (Fantasy/Sci Fi)
Katriana sat wondering if she could commit to a life she had never thought she would be involved in. She did not ask for any of it. Why then was she chosen? 

TUESDAY TALES - 11 WRITERS WRITING TO THE WORD PROMPT, SILENCE

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! Please click on the name of the writer to go to his or her blog and read their story. You'll find a link there to return hear and read more stories. Thanks for coming we hope you enjoy our writing.
JEAN JOACHIM (Contemporary Romance)
"Out of My Dreams, Into My Heart"
“When I want your opinion, I’ll give it to you,” Darvin spit back.
KAREN CINO (Contemporary Romance)
Pia stood on her porch, with her arms folded watching Lorenzo’s convertible pull down the street.
DAKOTA TRACE(Erotic Romance - PG-13)
“Excuse me but I don’t see how this is your concern.” Adam kept his voice even but the stillness around him made her think on animal getting ready to pounce.
V. L. LOCEY (Romantic Comedy)
I in no way condone violence against animals. I`m an animal lover that even goes so far as to embrace Minotaur`s, although they`re technically only half-animal.
STEFAN ELLERY  (Sci Fi)
Time passed quickly while he sat on the sled, soon they were at the base of the mountain that held the covenant and the princess. He could not see any way up.
LINDSAY DOWNS (Sensual Suspense)
 “Again, what’s your name, damit?”

From the corner of her vision she caught movement on the deck and inwardly smile.

ELIZABETH BLACK(Erotic Romance, Naughty Fairy Tale)

"The Little Mermaid" 

"What are you doing, Mizu? Leave her alone."

"So this is what you want in my place? You can't do better?" 


IRIS BLOBEL (Aussie  Romance)
He couldn’t get enough of that smile on her face. And her eyes. 
DAVEE JONES (Ya, Paranormal Thriller) 
"Blue Ink: The Skin Stalker" 
"Colin sat silent. He had no response, except he needed to know
about Hannah so he could protect Joelle."   
KATHLEEN BALL (Western Romance) 
“Just so you know, I don’t keep alcohol or anything stronger than
an asprin around here.” His green eyes flashed and his mouth
formed a grim line. 
SHERRY GLOAG (Romance)
Lilly never really thought about it before, but now, as she listened
to the silence, the song title slid into her mind.  The Sound of
Silence.  It described the atmosphere in the house to a ‘T’.

TUESDAY TALES, 12 WRITERS WRITING TO THE PROMPT "WINE"

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by. To read our writers' stories, just click on the writer's name.
JEAN JOACHIM (Contemporary Romance - Rated R)
“I’d better get laid tonight, Reid,” Darvin Sweetwater, star quarterback for the Nevada Gamblers called to his teammate, Tom Reid.
KAREN CINO (Contemporary Romance)
Pia took a sip of her wine before setting her long blue stem glass down on the frosted glass coasters on her cocktail table.
V. L. LOCEY (Romantic Comedy)

Ares has two war horses - Fear and Dread – that pull his golden chariot.

LINDSAY DOWNS (Sensual Suspense)
As they drove away from the marina Jessica kept her eyes focused on the yacht, now ownerless. I wonder how I can buy it.
STEFAN ELLERY (Sci Fi)
Paul fell behind the party, his legs had become cramped. Silf and Stan were engaged in conversation so they did not notice.
DAKOTA TRACE (/Erotic Romance - Rated PG)
Taking a deep breath, Thea clenched her purse in her hand. The deep scarlet sundress she’d purchased on whim now seemed rather dowdy compared to the flamboyant and somewhat brazen off the shoulder peasant blouses and long flowing multi-hued skirts of other guests.
CATHERINE GREENFEDER  c (Time Travel Romance)
"Mistress of Pendragon" 
 Emboldened she took a sip of the honey wine, meade he called it, and eyed him warily over the rim of the goblet. The golden liquid warmed her parched throat.
IRIS BLOBEL (Aussie Romance)
Ty noticed that his step was faster than usual. Not that it bothered him. He was fit.
SHERRY GLOAG (Contemporary Romance)
She cursed when her opponent’s foil whipped past her face. She pushed her thoughts away, but along with the next clash of blades they came right back again.
CAROLYN GIBBS (Romance Suspense)
On the last night of the conference, after missing most of the activities, Claire and Nancy decided to make an appearance at the cocktail party.
KATHLEEN TIGHE BALL (Western Romance)
When she opened her eyes there stood Doc Owens, Hunter, Cindy and Jake all staring at her. Immediately she struggled to get up. “I’m fine really.”
SONIA HIGHTOWER (Contemporary Erotica, Rated PG-13)

“Six wineries, a fancy lunch, two nights in a four-star hotel.  I. Am. So. There.”

300-WORD STORIES WRITTEN TO THIS PICTURE PROMPT BY 11 WRITERS

Happy Thanksgiving! Thank  you for stopping by. Today our writers have written 300-word stories to this picture prompt, in honor of the holiday. To read a story, click on the writer's name. I hope you enjoy the stories and leave a comment. Have a great holiday!

JEAN JOACHIM (Contemporary Romance)
Giselle Davenport couldn’t stop the tears clouding her eyes as she walked into the dining room.
KAREN CINO (Contemporary Romance)
Everyone sat around the beautifully decorated table, dressed with their family heirloom dishes and knick-knacks to celebrate Thanksgiving.  
V. L. LOCEY(Romantic Comedy)
“What of the feasting and football?!” 
LINDSAY DOWNS (Thanksgiving)
This week in honor of Thanksgiving I’m doing something a little different. The following isn’t from Red Queen who will be back next week for its final scene.
STEFAN ELLERY
Sue sat across from her fiance. The vast amount of food separated them echoing their current predicament.
CATHERINE GREENFEDER (YA Paranormal Romance)
"Kiss Out of Time"
Georgina studied Jake from across the dinner table. He’d changed so much in the year he’d been away at college. When had he become so dreamy? 
MICHAEL CHARTON (Thanksgiving Americana)
This is making me nostalgic.  I remember many formal Thanksgiving settings and all sorts of people coming.
SIOBHAN KINCADE (Sweet Romance)
"The Empty Table"
The table was set, laid out with a beautiful spread interspersed with decorations that exploded with color. Tall, pillar candles flickered in even intervals down the length of the display, bringing warmth and comfort.
DAVEE JONES (Young Adult)
"Eyelashes Freeze in North Dakota, but not Warm Hearts"
Adelaide washed her face, brushed her teeth, and braided her hair, wondering how many other people thought about their movements and actions as much as she did. 
PAMELA MASON (Contemporary Romance)

"Thanksgiving Miracle"
From the clanging in my head, I figured the college students next door were filming a YouTube video of themselves cooking turkey – gangnum style. I stumbled out of bed. Hunh… jeans still on… and my …shirt.  
CAROLYN GIBBS (Women's Fiction) 
The house smelled marvelous as the aroma from the roasting turkey and stuffing permeated the air. Ellie walked into the dining room.
  

TUESDAY TALES - 11 WRITERS WRITING TO THE WORD PROMPT "SEXY"

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by. To read each story, just click on the writer's name. We love comments! 
JEAN JOACHIM (Contemporary romance)
At six o’clock, Mindy awoke from her nap with a start as the kitchen timer buzzed loudly.
KAREN CINO (Contemporary Romance)
Pia loved seeing the joy on Lorenzo’s face as fans stopped by the table asking for an autograph or just wanting to shake his hand.  

TARA CHEVRESTT (Women's Fiction)

Will he still love me? was her first thought when she looked in the mirror, naked, for the first time since her surgery. 
IRIS BLOBEL (Contemporary Romance)
Katie stared after him, still wondering whether she had imagined the conversation with Tyson. With one final hiccup sob she picked up her jacket from the sand and headed towards the streets as well 
MICHAEL CHARTON (Philosophy)
I need to go into Naughty Philosopher mode here.  Is beauty and brains better than beauty and NO brains.  

STEFAN ELLERY (Sci Fi) 

The group walked through the storm, which had lessened to gale force winds and wet snow that stung Paul's face. Only one member had the luxury of sitting on the sled being pulled by the large dog, he of course could not walk in his condition.  
LINDSAY DOWNS (Sensual Suspense) 
“With everything that’s happened, getting the new shipment and Mr. Boris calling, there’s two people we still haven’t heard from. Ronny, John what did you find out when you politely asked Michaud to see the box again?” 
KATHLEEN TIGHE BALL (Western Romance)
How could he have grown into a strong sexy man in three short years? Probably the same way she’d turned into a skittish punching bag.  
CAROLYN GIBBS (Romantic Suspense)
Sam took the last of the stone steps two at a time. When he reached the bottom, the landing curved and he lost sight of Claire.

SHERRY GLOAG  (Contemporary Romance)

As sexy and handsome as ever, she noted, when the man walked into the room. The last ten years had treated him well. He’d broadened out, of course, but his eyes… 
V. L. LOCEY (Romantic Comedy)

There are times I imagine how nice it would be to have my man`s mother stop by and drop off freshly baked cookies, not bombs about trying to locate a mythical box. 

 
 

 

TUESDAY TALES - SHORT STORIES WRITTEN BY 11 WRITERS TO THE WORD PROMPT "GHOST"

KAREN CINO (Contemporary Romance)
Lorenzo pulled into the small lot on the side of the café.  Despite the chill in the air, it had turned out to be a perfect night.  
 V. L. LOCEY (Romantic Comedy) 
"The Foggy Creek Hellhound"
'I paused at the tree line, listening….'
TAINA VICARI (Fantasy/Sci FI)

Sitting on the throne with Ishmael at her side, Sabrina felt empty. She had done things that as a child she would not imagine possible. So much death and destruction.

SHERRY GLOAG (Romance) 
She was good, better than good, she was excellent.  It didn’t take him long to get her measure, and yet— instinctively he knew something deeper lurked beneath her concentration, fueled it. LINDSAY DOWNS (Sensual Suspense) 
“Sorry boss, I wasn’t able to trace the call. Seems our Mr. Boris is smarter than we might have thought,” John said.
“I don’t follow. It should have been a simple trace either to a landline or a cell phone,” Jessica countered.
MICHAEL CHARTON (History)
In October 1999, I entered Poland on a train from Prague.  It was the middle of the night, with an open window in the train corridor staring into the black, flat night.  
STEFAN ELLERY (Sci Fi)
Sven, stood in the hollowed out pit of the cemetery, a cemetery that once housed the bones of many families through its two centuries of life. He chuckled at the thought even though what he saw before him was not funny, it was a sin in the making.


CHRISTINA COLE (Historical Romance - Adult Content) 
"The Gift" 
A good night’s sleep would set the world to rights again. Exhausted from the journey home to New Orleans, all Marissa wanted to do now was shut the door of her bedchamber, blow out the lamps, and fall into a deep, dreamless slumber. 
KATHLEEN TIGHE BALL (Western Romance) 
Hunter couldn’t be Cindy’s dad. The girl must be between eight and eleven years old. She never could gage a person’s age. She’d lost one job for selling beer to minors 
DAVEE JONES (Demonic Paranormal Thriller) 
“What the hell?” Sascha’s mate uttered fearfully.
“It’s just the wind, Maria. Go back to sleep.” Sascha urged as she rubbed her lover’s shoulders.  
PAMELA MASON(Contemporary Romance)
Nothing was the way Maddie had arranged it before she’d left for work that morning. Everything in the living room was back in their old places - even the broken old lamp, though Maddie could’ve sworn she’d set it outside for tomorrow’s garbage pickup.