TUESDAY TALES - FREE READS FROM 11 AUTHORS, PROMPT "AIRPORT"

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by. This week our writers wrote their stories to the word prompt "airport". Please click on the name of the writer to go to their blog and read their story. We hope you'll join us every week.

LEE ANN SONTHEIMER MURPHY (Contemporary romance)
"Terminal Love"
Her heels tapped out a rapid rhythm over the polished floors of the Tulsa International Airport as Tina hurried toward the gate where Nick should soon arrive.  She dressed up for the occasion, wanting to look beautiful for him although she wouldn’t care if he got off the plane in dirty khaki and worn boots.

SHERRY GLOAG (Contemporary Romance)
 The low-slung morning sun cast its faded glow over the frosted boughs of the surrounding trees.  Rosie couldn’t believe it.  The previous day the temperature soared into the high teens, and now, the following morning, she’d woken to winter in the middle of summer.

MORGEN BAILEY (Fiction)
"Cocoon"
It’s the one place you dread. Psyche yourself up so much that you feel sick before you get on the plane. If you liked alcohol more you’d get drunk but then you know that would make things worse.

MICHAEL CHARTON (Fiction)
Several weeks ago, a Pilot needed a Pilot, when he had a meltdown and the Jet Blue plane had to land in Amarillo, instead of Vegas.

LINDSAY DOWNS (Sensual mystery)“He’s on the move,” Ice Queen whispered into her cell phone.
“We’re all set at this end. He’ll be bagged and tagged before he knows what hits him,” Jeff answered back.

RAWIYAS (M/M Erotic Romance)
“Yeah I know what you’re saying…I’m crazy!” Still at the airport, I stared out the window, starry eyed, wishing I was back in Hawaii.  

STEFAN ELLERY (Sci Fi)
The crabs stripped Paul of his Earth made clothing and and sprayed him with scented steam. Another ran fine toothed claws through his hair straightening it out.

KAREN CINO  (Contemporary Romance)

Alexandra went into surgery and Billy was escorted into the waiting area where the two officers were sitting, having a cup of coffee waiting for him.  With everything going on, he had totally forgot about the interrogation squad waiting for him.

 

DAKOTA TRACE (Erotic Romance)

Balancing the slightly tarnished silver serving tray, Kaleb took a deep breath before heading into the living room. “Here you go, sweetheart.”  Setting the tray down on the coffee table, he poured 

her a cup of tea.

 KATHLEEN TIGHE BALL (Modern Cowboy Romance)
"Summer's Desire"
"What is going on around here?" Stone glared at Clare and then at Summer. 

"When a child's safety is involved you can't take chances."
He took a step toward Summer, shocked that she had left Rachael alone.  

SELAH JANEL (Urban Fantasy)
The open air stung a bit as it pushed over Cassandra’s tender scales. While her wings took some getting used to, she found that flying wasn’t as intimidating as she’d assumed.  

TUESDAY TALES - FREE READS FROM 12 AUTHORS, PROMPT CHEST

JEAN JOACHIM (Contemporary Military Romance)

 Tara closed the door to her room. Her palms were a little sweaty. She looked at the beads of moisture there and laughed at her own nervousness.

MORGEN BAILEY(General Fiction)
Siesta 
You can’t help staring at his chest. Only a mammoth has more hair than Eddie. It’s the only thing you dislike about his body so you close your eyes and think of proverbial England… the country of your birth… the country you miss, despite everything you have here.

KAREN CINO (Contemporary Romance)

  You could hear the ambulance and police sirens in the distance.  This wasn’t part of the plan.  There was blood all over the place.

LINDSAY DOWNS (Sensual Mystery)

A soft, almost unperceivable except to the astute listener, knock sounded on her door. With ease she swung the door open and came face to chest with him.

LEE ANN SONTHEIMER MURPHY (Romance)

Chest of Gold

  As each day passed, solitary and slow, Tina waited.  She re-read Nick’s letter until the paper wore thin and the ink blurred.

IRIS BLOBEL (Contemporary Romance)

Sophie slouched back into the cushions. “My education stinks. Not to say it’s nearly non-existent.” 

STEFAN ELLERY (Sci Fi)

The ship made a clanking sound and he could hear the pressure of air being released. The lid to his compartment opened up with a hiss and one of the metallic crabs reached in with it’s over sized claw and pulled him out.

CHRISTINA COLE (Contemporary Romance)

Love Spells 

“It wasn’t nearly as bad as it looked,” Ellie explained to Miranda the following morning. The two friends had taken their coffee out onto the balcony and were relaxing in deck chairs. “It scared the wits out of me, I’ll admit, but --

RAWIYA (Erotic M/M Contemporary Romance, "R")

You’re a fool, Peter. What makes you think he’d give you the time of day? 

Peter stared at the young man’s chest, fully tanned, his perky nipples looked so good he wished he could ask for a taste.

 

KATHLEEN TIGHE BALL (Modern Cowboy Romance)

Summer shivered in the cold. Maybe taking a walk wasn't the smartest thing, but her longing for Stone and her hate for Clare ate at her.

TAINA VICARI  (Fantasy)

"Will she be okay?" Sabrina asked Henry nervously. It had been 3 days since Katriana had spoken, eaten or even moved. Had it not been for the rise and fall of her chest Sabrina would have thought her to be dead.

PATRICIA LOGAN (M/M romance, rated "R", explicit)

Jake rolled over and spooned in behind his husband, listening to the tempo of Cade’s breathing increase. Married for two years, Jake was just as turned on by Cade today as he was the very first time they’d kissed.

DAKOTA TRACE (Erotic Romance, "R")

When Paisley pulled free of his embrace, Kaleb wanted to scream, to yell, or even pound his chest at the interruption.  He’d been given  a glimpse of heaven to only have it ripped away by a nosy doctor. Mumbling a cuss word or two under his breath, he turned and unlocked the door, determined to brazen it out.  

 

 

TUESDAY TALES - FREE READS FROM 19 AUTHORS, PROMPT "NIGHT"

 JEAN JOACHIM (Military Romance) 
"Love, Lost & Found"

She took the last bite of her food and smiled. It was delicious...as delicious as the soft evening air...as delicious as the dark blue night sky and as delicious as the handsome man smiling across the table at her.

   

DAWNE PROCHILO (Contemporary Romance, PG-13)
Chad wondered out onto his parent's deck, staring up at the star-filled sky. The peaceful night made him smile. In the distance he could hear crickets chirping, a dog barking a few blocks over and a car's engine motoring down a lonely street.

DAKOTA TRACE (Erotic Romance - "R")
Clinging to the warm strength of Kaleb’s body, Paisley knew she shouldn’t give – to play the fool once again but she’d been so lonely for so long.  Ostracized by friends and colleagues alike, you’d have thought that she was still in the nineteen-fifties instead of 2012.

 STEFAN ELLERY (Sci Fi)
Paul spent hours in the simulator, it allowed him to pass the days and nights with ease. He loved space, but the one thing he should've thought about was how space was was full of darkness with points of light that from distance stars creating any contrast.

IRIS BLOBEL (Contemporary)

“Tell me another story about mum.” Mia’s hand on her shoulder startled her and she turned.

KAREN CINO (Contemporary Romance)

Day turned into night as Billy and Alexandra spent most of the afternoon unpacking, washing and putting the ceramic plates, silverware and coffee mugs in its place.  Alexandra was pleased in how everything looked.

RAWIYA (M/M Romance)

Bright stars filled the night sky, the subtle waves of the ocean moved slowly. The gentle breezes caused the palm trees overhead to sway back and forth much like the dancers at the luau, all in perfect unison. 

LEE ANN SONTHEIMER MURPHY (Contempory Romance)

"Dark of Night"

   Each tick of the clock jarred Tina’s nerves through the long nights.  She waited for the telephone to jangle or for the front door to open so Nick could walk through it. 

MORGEN BAILEY (General Fiction)

"Date Night"

Date night has become a weekly tradition you look forward to. Thursdays. When others go out with the lads… the girls… it’s just you and Evelyn. Your French Fancy. You think it’s corny but she finds it funny – even after all these years.

LINDSAY DOWNS (Sensuous Mystery)

Ice Queen was glad the day hadn’t been a total waste, which was a relief considering how it had begun. Both the Frenchman and Italian had deposited the down payment, non-refundable, in the numbered Cayman account as instructed.

LINNA DREHMEL (Sci Fi)

"Source - Part Four"

“Symon,” TynLexa said as she walked up behind him putting her arms around his shoulders. “I’m sorry please come back. We need your help.”

CHRISTINA COLE (Sweet Contemporary Romance)

"Ellie! Ellie!"

She heard someone calling her name but couldn't identify the voice. 

KATHLEEN TIGHE BALL (Modern Cowboy Romance)

"Summer's Desire"

Clare swept everything off the mantle, leaving a trail of boughs and ribbon behind her.She reached into one of her bags from her shopping spree and pulled out prelit garland.

TAINA VICARI (Fantasy)

It had been a month since Katriana had met Sabrina the Nephilim. She spent each night with Sabrina, learning of a world that had existed within hers. Yet, she remained human till she requested Sabrina to change her....

SHERRY GLOAG (Sweet Contemporary Romance)

The starlit sky drew Julian’s attention.

Destiny?  Did it exist?  Even as a child, Deborah caught his attention.  

KAY SPRINGSTEEN  (Contemporary Romance)
“No! Absolutely not!” She popped open the dishwasher in progress. The rush of steam made her eyes water. It wasn’t tears. It just couldn’t be more tears.

 SIOBHAN KINCADE (Contemporary Cowboy Romance)

"Picture Perfect"

The sun hung low in the sky – low enough that it could no longer be seen above the tree line along the edge of the ranch.   Anna’s rear end ached, but not in an unpleasant way. 

S.H. RODDEY (Steampunk Horror)

"Crippled Playthings"

Henry watched the dim haze of the hamlets slide past, each one acknowledged only by flickering streetlamps as the world slept below the dirigible.  The girl still refused to speak to him, but he could only assume she was on this journey for the same reason at him: to walk.

LENA HART (Romantic Suspense)

Amber stared back at the midnight dark eyes that bore into her as she reached for the phone. She should have been used to the detective’s piercing gaze by now but tonight it was different. More predatory.

TUESDAY TALES - FREE READS FROM 16 AUTHORS, PROMPT SKY

Thank you for stopping by! This week our writers are creating stories to the word prompt "sky". Click on the name of the writer to view the story.


JEAN JOACHIM (Contemporary romance)
“You’re going to be the financial advisor to Duncan Charles…Duncan Charles the movie star?” Penny put her crochet project down and raised her eyebrows.

DAKOTA TRACE (Erotic romance - PG-13)

Continuing to kneel, Kaleb held his breath while savoring the feel of the warm swollen mound against his cheek. Above him, he could feel the weight of her stare on him.

RAWIYAS (Contemporary romance, M/M)

A commercial plane flew in the blue sky overhead and all I could think about was how many flights I’d canceled to stay in paradise with my new lover. Time and time again, I called the reservations agents, moving it for a week, then another, and another until finally I didn’t feel as if I needed to do it anymore.

KAREN CINO (Contemporary Romance)

Over the course of the next few weeks, Billy an Alexandria continued to work on the interior of the café.  The day the UPS driver brought in over two dozen boxes containing the dishes, glasses and different shaped coffee cups, reality set in that the café would be up and running soon.

LINDSAY DOWNS (Sensual Mystery)

She threw back the curtains to let the sun in. It wasn’t until she saw a few stares come her way did it dawn on her the satin babydoll outfit barely covered her.

MORGEN BAILEY (General Fiction)

"The Consolation Prize"

As you lie on your back, looking up at the cloudless sky, you wish that life could always be this easy.The answer isn’t 42, as Douglas Adams would have had you believe… unless you could work out what the question really was.

LEE ANN SONTHEIMER MURPHY (Contemporary romance)

 In the capital city of Pristina, everything seemed  modern, somehow strange after spending so long in the rugged mountains in a rudimentary camp.  Tina preferred not to remember the difficult journey made in slow stages to reach Pristina and the sole international airport in Kosovo. 

LINNA DREHMEL (Sci Fi)
"Source - Part Three"

“I am sorry Symon please don’t leave like that. You know I love the HEART, and I will do my best to serve her.” TynLexa apologized

CHRISTINA COLE (Sweet Contemporary Romance)

"Love Spells - Chapter Four" 

"Not what you were expecting, is it?" Stefan asked. Amusement danced in his sky-blue eyes.

TAINA VICARI (Fantasy)

Katriana kneeled and prayed silently at St. James Cathedral for this was her daily ritual for the past five years. Praying for the pain to leave her. Praying for a way to forget. Praying.

KATHLEEN TIGHE BALL (Contemporary Cowboy Romance)
"Summer's Desire"

Rachael silently walked out of the kitchen. Summer headed toward Clare only to have Stone catch her around the waist, restraining her. "She deserves it.

 SHERRY GLOAG (Sweet Historical Romance)

“Are all your locks so well oiled?”
“No of course not, why should they be?”

S.H. RODDEY (Steampunk Horror, PG)

"Crippled Playthings"

Assisted living is bullshit, Georgia thought as she stared out the window.  Two weeks now, day in and day out, nothing but the same monotony.  

SIOBHAN KINCADE (Contemporary Cowboy Romance)

“Wesley,” she called out, raising her arm to him when he turned at the sound of his name.  One corner of his mouth curled up into a half-smile, still heart-stopping, and he pushed his sunglasses up to the top of his head.

JOHN HANSEN (Fiction)

The girl sat on the edge of the building, thirty stories above the ground. A cool breeze rustled her hair. She smiled, feet dangling off the side.

SELAH JANEL(Urban Fantasy)

Cassie had tried to ignore the feeling for weeks, but being cooped up in the house was killing her. Truth be told she had enough to deal with.

TUESDAY TALES - FREE READS FROM 18 AUTHORS, PROMPT LEGS

Thanks for stopping by. The prompt for this week's stories is "legs" (or "leg"). Click on the author's name to go to their blog and read their story. 

JEAN JOACHIM (Contemporary romance)

“I always said, he’s got the looks, the charm and she’s got the brains.” Mary Davis’ voice carried beyond the master bedroom.

“Shhh, she’ll hear you.” Her father shut the door.

DAKOTA TRACE (Erotic Romance/Chicklit PG-13) 

Watching as a woman was helped out of the neighboring chair by her husband, Paisley sighed with longing.  More than anything she wished she had a strong hand to cling too, to have her lover listen in awe at the sound of their child’s heartbeat.

CHRISTINA COLE (Sweet Historical Romance) 
"The Wrong Woman"

Will could not remember ever hearing a sigh quite like the one Abigail emitted. Long, weary, tremulous, and somehow filled with a range of emotion that made him want to pull the confusing woman into his arms and promise her the sun, the moon, the stars, or whatever else it would take to make her stop hurting.

LINDSAY DOWNS (Sensuous Mystery)

With one eye on Ashleigh, the other on her gentleman guests the Ice Queen settled onto the glove soft leather chair. Secluded in soft dark shadows, with a subtle wave of her hand, she positioned the men so to block the, soon to be dead, woman’s view of her.

SHARITA LIRA  (M/M/ Contemporary Romance) 
I stared at my man, turned over on his stomach, and sleeping soundly. Not a single item of clothing on that taut body. In reality to make him wear them would be a crime!

STEFAN ELLERY (Sci fi/Fantasy)
Paul wandered through the ship. he had a need to be alone with his thoughts.

MORGEN BAILEY (Crime) 

It was the legs that the old man saw first. He couldn’t be sure, thinking them part of a tree, but then his dog started barking.

LEE ANN SONTHEIMER MURPHY (Contemporary Romance)
"Eight Legs of Fate"

On first glance she thought it must be a scrap of leaf, carried in on one of Nick’s boots and when she looked again Tina decided it might be a water stain on the tent.  When it moved with speed in her direction she identified it as a spider, a big one and screamed. 

CATHERINE GREENFEDER (Time Travel Romance)

"Mistress of the Pendragon"

 It seemed too easy, her surrender. When she extended her hand to him, he lifted her up and easily put her upon the horse. He wrapped the blanket about her shoulders and legs to keep the chill out. 

IRIS BLOBEL (Sweet Romance) 

He cleared his throat. “So what are the suitcases all about?”

He saw her image in the reflection in the mirror.

 

LINNA DREMEL(Sci Fi)

"Source, Part Two"  

"Ambassador Symon,” Called Nathan as he approached them.He had once been, Second Councilor Nathan before Ambassador Tatiana died. 

KATHLEEN BALL (Contemporary Cowboy Romance)

"Summer's Desire - Chapter 31"

A sleepless night. Summer crawled out of bed wishing she were anywhere but at the ranch. It flummoxed her that Clare showed up on Stone's front door.

TAINA VICARI (Fantasy) 

Sabrina followed Katriana for a couple of weeks. Masked with the talent of invisibility there was no way for Katriana to suspect Sabrina was watching her every step. Being studied so closely, Sabrina even slept next to Katriana at night.

SHERRY GLOAG (Contemporary Romance)

He raced for the house, dove through the aperture and rolled beneath the solid pine table in the centre of the room.

LENA HART (Romantic Suspense)
Marc sat in the only chair in the small motel room. Amber, now fully clad in jeans and a simple top, sat on the bed with her leg tucked underneath her.

KAY SPRINGSTEEN (Contemporary Romance)
At the corner of the house, Garrett stepped into the cover of a large evergreen bush. As far as he could tell, no one had moved through the snow in the front or side yards.

SIOBHAN KINCADE (Paranormal -Rated "R")
The first things Russell saw when he looked up from his routine were her legs; long, shapely pillars of pale, soft skin that almost distracted him from his anger. Almost.
 
S. H. RODDEY (Steampunk/Horror)
You want to walk again? I can make you walk.
The words echoed in Trina's head long after the mysterious man behind the curtain left the room.