Cia

“I’m just the one they’re listening to. Your people have been working behind the scenes to stop the Kardoval for years.” Garjah stared down at the city streets. “Apparently little whispers joined by one big truth can create a wave not even the Kardoval can escape.” “What will the officers do to them?” I asked. My heart was still pounding, and I wasn’t sure if it was from all the running, the hill, or my fear that those people would get hurt because of something we’d done. “We can’t let them

Monday I featured CarlHoliday's story, and today it is my job to keep you interested with a tasty excerpt. Skinny dragon called Dreams Can Come True "tongue in cheek" which is an apt description for the novella-length tale. There are moments that make you snicker, some that make you aww, and others that may make you... well, read on to find out! Want to read more? Click here

Ah, November. The longest and shortest month... As far as seasonal changes go, the weather seems to settle in for a hearty change, and you're either stuck in rain, snow, or heat for days on end... yet that can suddenly change. Or maybe that's just my neck of the woods, world, whatever? The holidays are also coming but aren't here yet, but in a second they will be and you won't be prepared! Sometimes I feel like I'm endlessly chasing some goal or dream, wondering if I will ever get there, much like the character in @CarlHoliday story, Dreams Can Come True. Have you read it? Why not give it a try this month if you're in need of a break? Length: 18,007 Description: An unhappy dragon receives the unlikeliest of gifts and wishes the impossible dream. A powerful sorcerer wants more trouble than he needs, encounters a dragon, finds he’s stronger than he thought, and comes up with a solution to a couple of tricky problems. To complete the mix, we’ll throw in the shortest knight in the kingdom who desires to go on a quest for fame and fortune. A reader said: This was cute and clever and very tongue in cheek! ~ skinnydragon If you want to spread the word about CarlHoliday's story, download the graphic below and add it to your signature! Make sure you come back on Wednesday to see the excerpt I chose to share!

“And fear can do so much worse. As my bonded has said, and what you already saw, there is treason occurring at the highest reaches of the government. But I have not betrayed our people. What we have learned is that there is so much more we are all capable of. Our memories help us, yes, but if we start young we can train in other careers or find the memories hidden within for other paths. The Kardoval have hidden many secrets from the people to isolate our planet and remain in power because to le

What does that make the rest of us? LOL Then again, I did have a parent of one of my online 3rd grade students tell me there was no way I had children who were in high school, and I had to point out my older kiddo was actually working at my elementary school as a playground supervision paraeducator now to get her free online college degree through the union.

“The building that’s on fire,” Garjah broke in and said dryly. He wiped his face. “We didn’t see your mech, though.” “Oh.” Ases cleared his throat, paling. “Well, you got out so others probably did too, right? The damage probably isn’t that bad. My mech caught it on camera, so I sent him in, just in case, to make sure no one needed help.” I snorted. “And the Kardoval want to make you and me the bad guys.” “What?” Ases put on an outraged face and staggered back a few steps. His han

November and the months keep rolling by toward the end of 2022 already. Life is what happens when you're not really paying attention, and sometimes things change suddenly and then you have to try and make them work. Well, in this month's feature story we're going back in time and to the summer months to see how this newly single father handles all that life throws at him. I couldn't believe I hadn't already featured this story before, but now you can for this month's CSR. Don't forget to come back and share your thoughts at the end of the month! A Soldier's Guide to Single Parenting by @Dodger Length: 48,458 Description: After losing his wife to illness, a decorated war hero is determined to keep his family together, but his parenting skills are tested during the summer break by financial restraints, an increasing reliance on alcohol, and the discovery that his eldest son is gay. The story is set somewhere in North America in the not too distant past. Readers are invited to guess the exact year and place and there are subtle clues in each of the ten chapters. A reader said: Great story, well written. Emotional, eithical and moral isues raised and dealt with in a story with beautifully crafted characters in an engaging storyline. Highly recommended. ~ Canuk Don't forget to come back and share your thoughts on Monday, November 28th!

“Go, go.” One of the rebels stopped and then turned to face the crowd of people in the room. “I’ll hold them off.” The hiss of weapons fire shocked me into motion, and I took off. Garjah stayed at my side, never straying more than a single step away. Without any idea of where I was going, I started down the first corridor after Bouncer’s rapidly retreating form. It seemed like he knew which way he wanted to go, and that direction was better than nothing. There was a loud thump, the bui

“We’ve already given away the element of surprise,” Garjah said. “They will expect me to try to flee the city, so they’ll be on the lookout for anywhere I might go, like my house or the port.” “Which is why you won’t do that,” Ases said. “We’re going to get my mech. You’re staying here to distract the Kardoval.” Garjah raised his eyebrows, the skin on his forehead wrinkling around the ridges pushing back from his forehead and curling around his skull. He looked skeptical. “How exactly

“So I’m good at keeping them safe.” “You are, but it’s more than that.” Rubbing Garjah’s shoulders, I tried to put all the conviction I had into my voice, because until he believed, it didn’t matter what I said. “But let’s talk about what we need to do in order to stop the Kardoval. I’m thinking about using your strengths. Your ability to plan, to think of all the different angles and contingencies, and know what the potential risks and benefits may be. All the skills you used when we craft

Okay, I bet you're wondering what part of the story I could possibly feature that would make you want to read one of CJames' stories. We all know what he's famous for... cliffhangers. Would I be so evil as to share one of those dastardly plot devices here? 😈 Read more here

Sometimes it feels like life is just a grind, with no way things will change, much less for the better. This time of year can feel that way, right? Before the holidays really hit it off, when we're all feeling the drag of our routines... just like Brandon before he got an unexpected turn in his journey. I admit, looking for a good visual inspiration sucked me back into this story and I couldn't stop reading until late, or early, depending on how you look at it. CJames never disappoints, so give it a try! Length: 291,939 Description: Brandon's dreams had been crushed far too often for him to ever believe, especially in himself. Follow along as he experiences some massive changes in his life, along with a few bumps in the road, and a few high-pressure situations. A reader said: A perfect epilogue for this exciting story. So many wonderful young people and some pretty impressive adults. Your royal cliffhanger title is still intact, BUT in my opinion, Circumnavigation is your crowning achievement thus far. Thanks for the great read and I am glad there is a sequel. ~ stanollie If you want to spread the word about CJames's story, download the graphic below and add it to your signature! Make sure you come back on Wednesday to see the excerpt I chose to share!

OMG, what a timely reminder! Sorry for the long turnaround, Carlos. Life has been... crazy. Still, no excuse, just like not knowing the rules is not an excuse for breaking them. LOL That was so my educator voice. It does help that I work with elementary students, and they are introduced to general grammar rules (gerunds, anyone?) so I repeat a lot of information annually. I do have the CMoS book as well, so I don't have to memorize it... but I do know what section each rule generally is if I need to quote it to a new author. My biggest pet peeve isn't simply breaking grammar rules, it's breaking them willy-nilly without consistency. I can bend if an author has a reason for their stylistic choice, commits to it, and it's not a total trainwreck for the reader.

“Are you all right?” I stopped and stared at Garjah. He sat on the edge of the bed in our quarters, and I was pacing in front of him. “You’re asking me that?” He still had that look in his eyes at times when he wasn’t talking to someone. It was like the world grew still around him, and he froze. I tried to always be close when that happened, and touch him gently, pulling Garjah back to reality in a way that would soothe him and keep those around us safe. Deep dents marred one wall

Looking for inspiration for a Halloween costume? How's about you put on some chaps, a button up, a hat and swagger your way down to the watering can for... a good ole fashioned gunslinger western romance novella by Headstall that spike382 gives two spurs up in his review below. Read on to find out more! Boundaries: An Old West Tale by Headstall Reviewer: spike382 Status: Complete Word Count: 16,640 One thing that I love about being a longer-term member of this community is seeing certain writers evolve and improve over time. One writer in particular that I’ve followed for a long time is Headstall. His earliest offerings on the site were all good, but as time has passed and he’s written more and more, it amazes me how much he has evolved as a writer in the last seven or eight years. Nowhere is this more apparent than in his latest story on the site, Boundaries: An Old West Tale. In Boundaries, we meet wandering gun fighter, Virgil Pruitt, a lonely man headed for greener pastures. His journey takes him to a troubled Texas town, very close to the Mexican border. It’s been just a few years since the Mexican-American war, and the tensions remain. When he visits the local saloon, Virgil is immediately held with suspicion and prejudice, forcing him to show off those gun fighter skills previously mentioned. Luckily, Virgil’s a little more Shane, and a little less Man with No Name. If you don’t get those references, go watch some classic westerns when you’re done reading this story. Anyway, Virgil soon encounters a local outcast Wyatt Burnham, a young man with his own dark past. The two share an instant connection, and the story takes off from there. As the synopsis says, a lot can happen in one day. This is a short but sweet tale packed full of themes and conflicts facing the characters. It touches on sexual assault, prejudice, tragedy, love, and self-acceptance. It’s all handled masterfully and again it’s amazing how much Headstall can pack into such a short story. This easily could have been spun out into a much longer entry, and yet it has a perfect stopping point. I can’t recommend this story enough, if you haven’t had the privilege yet, go check Boundaries out! Category: Anthology 2022 - Anniversary Genres: Western, General Fiction, Romance, Historical Sub-genres: Drama, General Romance, Historical Romance, Romantic Western, Western, Western Romance Tags: adult, gay, north america, serious, abuse Rating: Mature

My mistake, of course. Sorry @astone2292 and @Yeoldebard and thanks for Myr for fixing it!!

Wowsers, did you see the numbers of stories and comments posted in September? I bet a lot of that had to do with all the great stories posted by our Anniversary anthology authors, and all the amazing readers who took the time to read, react, and comment. So thank you to everyone! If you missed a story, or you just want a single shop stop to find links to every story in the Anthology, this Wrap Up is for you. to 2022 Anniversary Anthology Team for all their hard work making things happen this year!! Anthology Coordinator Valkyrie Tech Support Myr Cia Proof Team Rec Parker Owens Cia Anthology Banner Creation Cia

“Bringing in the Galactic is the last resort,” I said. I frowned at Ases. “You should be the one saying this, not me.” After all, he was the ambassador, and the one who was supposed to be well-versed in politics and creating positive relationships between new species and the Galactic in the first place. “Maybe.” He shrugged one shoulder. “But I’ve never been forced to flee underground in tunnels carved out by giant bugs, either.” He made a face. I should have known that was at the heart of

Happy October, readers, and another start of the CSR Can't Stop Reading story feature so you can hopefully find another gem you missed or return to a story you enjoyed in the past. Which will Remijay's story There Once Was Love be for you? There Once Was Love by Remijay Length: 62,597 Description: This story is about a teen that has everything a boy his age wants. Except a few necessary things. Read along as his story unfolds. A Reader Said: A very realistic ending that thankfully ended on a happy note. ~NimirRaj Don't forget to come back and share your thoughts on Monday, October 31st!

Well, here it is, the last week of GA's Anniversary month and the last of our anthology entries. We've had some amazing entries, but we have more for you to read! Keep up the energy and don't forget to like, comment, and review these stories. We'll feature all the stories next week in one place for readers in case you missed one or you want to save the list to go back to your favorites! Authors, keep your eye on the Anthology Club soon for a chance to share your feedback on this year's anthology, your thoughts for next year's anthology(ies), and start thinking themes!! 😲 Happy Anniversary Reading!

Loktah dragged of the officers over to the door panel and opened it with their palm. I rushed into the room. “Garjah!” He rolled on the bed, and I gasped. There wasn’t a mark on him that wasn’t natural, but he looked horrible. I could identify the signs of shock. His skin was pale, his markings standing out in sharp relief. His eyes were dull, and his mouth was parted as he breathed in a short, harsh breaths. “What did they do to you?” I hesitated to touch him, crouching in front of th

Well, how has your September gone? Do you feel like you need a vacation? I do! If you do too, I hope that you took it and enjoyed a bit of a sidetale with James Carnarvon's La Bella Vacanza! Make sure you share your thoughts in a comment below this interview. Do you eat your fruits and vegetables? Yes! I especially like Mediterranean vegetables like aubergines, courgettes and tomatoes… which should surprise exactly no-one… What do you like to do when you’re not writing? I love listening to music, which also really helped me to find my way into my first Ravello story. I enjoy reading, but I have little time for that when I’m writing. I also like to explore interesting places, much as my fictional characters tend to do. What’s something personal about you people might be surprised to know? I have an adopted teenage son who has read some of my work. What's your favorite room in your home? Do you plot or write there? The living room, which is also my writing room. It’s more cluttered than I’d like, but it’s where I work. I do most of my plotting and writing late at night when I’m on my own. What brought you to GA? I forget exactly! I imagine I was looking for somewhere to publish The Summer of the Firefly, and GA was the site I found. I still think it was the right choice – the community here has been an enormous source of encouragement and support. Have you personally been to Ravello or is the setting based on research? Ravello is an inspiration – without it there’d be no stories! I’ve been there several times, albeit my writing is also supported by a lot of desk-based research. Over the years I have explored Ravello extensively, although there’s always more to discover in the mountainous hinterland. La Bella Vacanza is based directly on my first visit when I was a teenager – albeit without the exciting poolside encounter, sadly! What is your favorite part of Italian living/culture to write about? I think the thing that fascinated me about the place, which ultimately led me to write The Summer of the Firefly, was the wonderfully friendly, welcoming and family-centric culture, which conceals a strongly conservative streak that could be problematic for LGBTQ+ people. In a quiet, safe place like Ravello (I can’t speak for the big cities so much), children in particular seemed to live a free, idyllic sort of life that I admired and envied – but I could see potential trouble ahead for the queer ones. The other things I love about the place – the food, the scenery and all the other sights, sounds, smells and colours – they were just a bonus! La Bella Vacanza is a story somewhat set apart from your series. What prompted this plot? Having read and absolutely loved Comicality’s hilarious but touching unfinished story Jesse-101, I wanted to have a go at writing something more comedic. The best and freshest way to do this seemed to be by bringing in an outside perspective (Reza) and telling the story in a deliberately lightweight and frothy sort of way (a summer holiday). The decision to set the story back in time and bring Reza into contact with the main characters from The Summer of the Firefly when they were still young had a double rationale: Gianni and Angelo seemed like the natural choice of characters for Reza to meet and banter with, and I also – just possibly – may have longer term plans for Reza as a character that necessitated this temporary time-shift. Is there a favorite line or section of this story you love the most? Probably any scene where Gianni and Angelo are laughing together (free of angst for once) and teasing Reza about his friendship with Otto. It may be a little overdone and repetitive, but what can I say – unlike my other work, La Bella Vacanza was a speed-writing project! Can you share anything about your current or upcoming work with readers? My work at GA is on hold for the moment while I have a second go at writing a children’s novel. However, I do have some ideas for a possible follow-up to Lanterns in the Dark. The story would probably be set during the following spring or summer. There’s a lot still to decide – I don’t even know yet who the main point-of-view character will be, whether it will be one of my teenage characters as usual, an adult for a change or maybe a bit of both. Stay tuned!

I used to call my children chilblains all the time. No one ever got it.

Who's ready for week 3 of the Anniversary Anthology story releases? Last week we celebrated GA's 20th Anniversary, and we're not done yet! We've had 2 weeks of great stories, and we have 2 more to go! It's been awesome to see the participation from our readers and authors, so thank you to everyone! I hope you will all continue to enjoy the stories shared by our great authors on the theme of "Anniversary".

Maybe I might have peeked at a profile. 😇😁