TUESDAY TALES - PIC PROMPT!!

Welcome! Thank you for coming. Here is the picture our 13 writers are creating 300-word stories around this week. Click on the name of the writer to go to their blog and read their story.

JEAN JOACHIM (Contemporary Romance)
"If I Loved You"

“Do you know the stone arch in the ramble in Central Park?”

“I try to stay out of the ramble, I always get lost there,” Megan confessed. 
MICHAEL CHARTON (Drama)

New York City Homicide Detective Rosalie Grimaldi took a walk in Central Park to clear her head from what had been going on with some of her cases.  She kept hearing crime was down in New York, but you wouldn’t know it from the files on her desk. 

SELAH JANEL (Fantasy/Supernatural Romance)

"Beyond the Arch"

One did not go past the Guardian Arch. It was a simple enough rule. 

MORGEN BAILEY (Crime)

"A Bad Feeling" 

He had a bad feeling about this one. 'Body under bridge' never brought about a good one but tonight...

LINDSAY DOWNS (Sensual Mystery)

She smiled as the archway came into view. She noticed the way the artisans had positioned the stones reminded her of a similar bridge near her chateau in Saintes-Maries-de-le-Mer.

STEFAN ELLERY (Sci Fi)

It had been so many years that Trop had a decent meal. When he first came to the bridge it felt like home, it kept him dry and managed to keep out the cold.

DAKOTA TRACE (Erotic Paranormal - Rated R)

With a pounding heart, Alyssa approached the arch. It was as if her feet were possessed. 

CAROLYN GIBBS (Romantic Suspense)

Claire felt the fallen leaves crunch under her sneakers as she and Sam hiked through the Ramble in Central Park. They were taking a break from planning their novel, and also doing research, since the park was prominently featured in their story.

LEE ANN SONTHEIMER MURPHY (Historical Fiction)

"Running for a Reason"

Running hard and fast, her breath caught but Elizabeth knew the gate must be near.  As familiar with Central Park as with the streets of her neighborhood she’d find it.  And when she did, she’d be home free with the rich woman’s purse in hand.

KATHLEEN TIGHE BALL (Romance)

James strode down the park path until he saw the archway, their archway. He stopped short warring with himself. He needed to see her, yet something held him back. 

KAREN CINO (Contemporary Romance)

Drake leaned against the wall in the arched stone walkway.  Living across the street from Central Park had always been one of his dreams since he was a young lad growing up in Liverpool, London.

TAINA VICARI (Sweet fiction)

She didn't notice him watching her as he stood a distance before the archway. He just wanted to take a moment so he could remember this scene of her beauty surrounded by nature. He swallowed the lump in his throat and took a breath in.

SHERRY GLOAG (Romantic Suspense)

"Darkness and Light"

A bit like her life really, Sharon thought, as she approached the narrow aperture. Shadow and sunlight bathed the bridge in stark contrasts...

 

 

TUEDAY TALES, STORIES BY 14 WRITERS

Welcome! Thanks for coming. Today we have 13 writers writing short pieces to the word prompt "finger". Click on the author's name to go to the story on their blog. Enjoy the first few sentences to see which story you want to read first.

JEAN JOACHIM (Contemporary Romance)

Megan refreshed her lipstick and straightened her skirt. When she looked up, there he was standing in her doorway.

DAKOTA TRACE (Erotic Romance)

Sitting around the huge dining room table, Kaleb could feel the tension building in the room.  He wondered for the hundredth time if this was wise. 
CATHY GREENFEDER (Paranormal)
"Moonlight Becomes Him"
  Janssen clasped her hands. The touch electrified her fingertips. She jumped back.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” he said. “I guess it’s a bit of static.” 

SELAH JANEL (Urban Fantasy)

Angel craned her neck up and swallowed hard against the acrid smoke taste and the blood that flowed from where she’d bit into her cheek when her car went over the guardrail. Her stomach churned and her legs didn’t feel quite right at all, but those were the least of her problems. 

IRIS BLOBEL (Contemporary Romance)

He had listened intently to her story, only asking questions when necessary. His eyes never left hers, even though her gaze was distant.

KAREN CINO (Contemporary Romance)

Billy slid the card back into the envelope.  Within seconds, he stood at her side.  Alexandra opened and closed her eyes.

LINDSAY DOWNS (Sensual Mystery)

Once advisories, now friends, the two women returned to the hotel. An uneasy truce, at least on her part, existed between them.

MICHAEL CHARTON (Drama)

“Officers, you have the warrant to search the place.  In fifteen minutes come in, unless I shout or fire my service weapon, then of course you come in sooner.

MORGEN BAILEY(Fiction)

Beginning: Using the height of the moon as a guide, Tom headed in its direction, the only other company the bare trees of the Australian outback.

STEFAN ELLERY(Sci Fi)

Silf pulled out a can from a bag that hung at her waist. It looked
very much like a can of spray paint, she pressed the top with her
finger and sprayed him.

SHERRY GLOAG  (Romantic Suspense)

Something was off. Sacha couldn’t put his finger on it, but his personal alert system had gone haywire. 

LEE ANN SONTHEIMER MURPHY (Sweet romance)

"Arrival"

Her toes in the too tight buttoned up shoes ached by the time she walked the distance from the train depot out to the Pythian House on the northern edge of Springfield.   Katie wished she hadn’t chosen the shoes but her worn out boots with holes in the soles looked ridiculous with the new black on black striped suit with the pleated skirt. 

 KATHLEEN BALL (Modern Cowboy Romance)
"Summer's Desire"
Summer opened her eyes and looked at the clock. She wished she go could back to sleep. She’d spent a restless night hoping that Clare wouldn’t ruin Rachael’s Christmas.

CAROLYN GIBBS  (Romantic Suspense)

Nancy reached out and grabbed the bed post. She felt light headed and needed to sit. Claire looked over and saw her friend’s reaction, and stopped talking to Sam.

 

TUESDAY TALES - STORIES FROM 12 WRITERS

Thank you for stopping by! This week we let every writer pick the flowers they wanted to write about. Daffodils was an idea but no one was restricted to that. Here are this week's stories. Click on the writer's name to go to their story on their blog.

JEAN JOACHIM (Contemporary romance)

Tuesday night, Megan kept Andy, they worked until nine o’clock to get the plan perfect for Chaz the next day. She dragged herself home, exhausted

DAKOTA TRACE (Erotic romance)

Glancing at the address Kaleb had scrawled on a slip of paper before leaving yesterday morning, Paisley checked the house number one more time. While she wasn’t totally familiar with this area of New York, the directions he’d given her were easy enough to follow.

LEE ANN SONTHEIMER MURPHY (Contemporary romance)

"White Roses and Red Poppies"

  Tina chose the name Jeton for her son.  She knew the child within would be a boy, a strong child who would grow up into a warrior like his father.

 LINDSAY DOWNS  (Sensual mystery)Ice Queen cocked her head sideways only to perceive a knowing smile on her capture. 

Oh crap, my cover’s blown, Ice Queen not only thought but knew.

TAINA VICARI (Fantasy)

It had been several days since the incident that left Katriana in a state of catatonia. Junior had read romance novels to her while she lay in bed. He spent as much time with Katriana as possible.

KAREN CINO (Contemporary romance)

Billy never left the hospital.  He spent the evening in the small waiting room down the hall from Alexandra’s room.  Leaving the hospital wasn’t an option.  God forbid anything happened to Alexandra, he wanted to make certain he was only seconds away.

MORGEN BAILEY (General fiction)

"Daffodils, Eddie! Mum's favourites are daffodils. What are these?"

"Gerberas, my love," Eddie replied, deflated. "It's all the shop had left."

RUTH CASIE (Romance)

Her eyes fluttered open. She stood at the lodge door. He emerged out of the low heavy mist and stepped toward her. His stride was sure and strong. His gray eyes sparkled like lightning.

STEFAN ELLERY (Sci Fi)

Paul continued with his false pleasantries, the host of the party and his captor seemed thrilled at his feigned acceptance. He could not say that the party was uninteresting to him.

 

KATHLEEN TIGHE BALL (Modern cowboy)

"Summer's Desire"

The night didn’t play out as he expected. He tried everything to get a moment alone with Summer. She was quite adept at avoiding him.

CHRISTINA COLE (Sweet contemporary romance)

As I strolled through Grandma's garden, stopping to touch a tender bloom or to pluck away the weeds, memories warmed my heart.  

Zinnias meant friendship, sunflowers were wishes, and the gray-green moss symbolized charity.  

CAROLYN GIBBS (Romantic Suspense)

She prided herself for being in good shape, but nothing could prepare her for the strenuous rowing expedition she just pulled off. She worked harder than the brief time she had a fitness trainer yelling at her, another get-in-shape-fast scheme that didn’t fare well

 

TUESDAY TALES - FREE READS FROM 14 AUTHORS, PROMPT "CAR"

Thank you for coming! To read the stories, simply click on the author's name and you will be taken to their blog. Enjoy!

JEAN JOACHIM (Contemporary Romance)

"If I Loved You"

 She saw color creep up his neck for the first time and it made her smile.

KHARISMA RHAYNE (Contemporary Military Erotic Romance)
"Military Measures"
It seemed like forever while I stood with my hands just resting on his body. I heard a car zoom down the street and screech to a stop, likely forgetting the stop sign that was newly placed there. 
LEE ANN SONTHEIMER MURPHY (Contemporary Romance) 
"Something Borrowed, Something Blue"
Without a sheer, gossamer veil edged with lace or a long white gown, Tina’s wedding day arrived on schedule. The sun peeked over the eastern horizon into a soft blue sky with just a few puffs of cloud and rose into glory to shine over a green landscape blooming with flowers.
KAREN CINO (Contemporary Romance) 
The police car pulled away from the front entrance of the emergency room.  Billy took a deep breath, grateful that he wasn’t taken out of the hospital in handcuffs. 

STEFAN ELLERY (Sci Fi) 

Paul was led out into the audience and under instructions he held a tray of orderves for the guests to pluck. Of course they were not as interested in the moving food as they were in him. 

LINDSAY DOWNS (Sensual Mystery)  

From the table inside the coffee bar Ice Queen had a clear view of the hotel’s front entrance. The abduction of Ashleigh’s partner, if that’s what he was, had been so smooth no one had raised any alarms. 

E.A. IRWIN (Crime) 

Sally exited the mini mart sucking a cherry-flavored Slurpee that matched her painted lips, and headed toward the gas pumps to fill her car. 

IRIS BLOBEL (Romance) 

On her way back to the house she had quickly stopped at the little grocery store for a few fresh items for Mia’s lunch box and dinner that night. 
CHRISTINA COLE (Sweet Contemporary Romance) 
"In the Driver's Seat"

Margaret Beaumont opened the door of the old Buick roadster and slid inside. She stared at the bewildering array of levers, knobs, and gauges spread out before her 
MORGEN BAILEY (Fiction) 
"Appearances Can Be Deceptive"
Sitting outside the bank isn’t your idea of fun. They said they wouldn’t be long but whenever Ernie’s involved you know his clock works differently to everyone else’s.

SHERRY GLOAG (Contemporary Romance) 

The cultured voice fairly thrummed with satisfaction. “He’s heading North.”

“North you say? Are ye sure?”

CAROLYN GIBBS  (Romance) 

Claire stood behind the lush tropical trees, held her breath and watched the bridegroom as he finally walked away in the opposite direction. Great, Claire thought. 

DAKOTA TRACE (Erotic Romance, PG-13) 

Shock rolled through Paisley.  She hadn’t expected his revelation.

TAINA VICARI (Thriller/suspense) 

The day was just as dismal as the couple before. Johnny had sat for hours watching the door of the house on Clyde Street. No movement, nothing but an occasional bird or squirrel on the front lawn.

TUESDAY TALES - FREE READS SHORT STORIES WRITTEN TO ONE OF THESE PIX PROMPTS

 This week, for a change of pace, our writer are writing 300-words stories to one of these pictures. Come back tomorrow to connect to the stories. For today, enjoy the pix!

 

Click on the writer's name to go to their blog and see the rest of the story:
JEAN JOACHIM - (Contemporary romance)

“That’s the surprise?” Caroline turned her gaze toward the four men on the dune.

“I won them at the auction...a group date with the Farrell brothers.”

DAKOTA TRACE (Erotic Romance)

Hooking my leg over the post, I watched – no correct that - I stared as my BFF’s brothers, all four of them were washing off in the horse trough, their torsos bare, but looking sexier than sin in jeans and hats. Did they notice me – not likely! 

 LEE ANN SONTHEIMER MURPHY  (Contemporary romance)
"The Manning Brothers on the Flying A Ranch"
  Bare skin glistened in the summer sunlight and heat radiated off four male torsos.  Elise braked the car and stared at the luscious sight, the best thing she’d seen all day.   

STEFAN ELLERY (Contemporary)

He was set up, the last thing Pete wanted was to have a confrontation with anyone. He didn’t care how skinny or tough they were. 

SELAH JANEL (Fantasy)

"The Jinn's Daughters" 

They were formed from nothing. The lithe bodies, the long limbs, the come-hither poses were not and then they simply were. 

RAWIYA (m/f/mmm, PG/Snarky)

“Damn!” Lydia licked her lips and ogled the four hot men sent to greet her. “This will be a lot harder of a job than I thought. 

 MORGEN BAILEY  (Fiction)

Knowing she wanted to be an actress, her flatmate Tim had sold it to her as an opportunity to get in front of the camera, but neglected to tell her the camera wouldn’t be shooting at the time.

TAINA VICARI  (Contemporary)

Janice had no idea how hot it would be the day of the photo shoot.  She had protested from the start, although she needed the money. She was a landscape photographer and now because of funds she was taking pictures of half-naked cowboys for a new record label. 

KATHLEEN TIGHE BALL  (Modern Cowboy Romance)

Spring Fitzgerald eyed each shirtless cowboy before her. Something wasn’t right. She was supposed to be the Resident in Charge of these grown men? 

 

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.