"Tantalizing Tidbits" by Ceci Giltenan and others

GUEST POST and EXCERPT

Tantalizing Tidbits:
21 short stories to make you sigh, shiver or blush

by Ceci Giltenan, Tarah Scott, Sue-Ellen Welfonder, Victoria Barbour, Natasha Blackthorne, Ria Cantrell, Stephanie Joyce Cole, Kimberly K. Comeau, Kathryn Lynn Davis, Ted Grosch, Brenda Margriet, Mary McCall, Kate Robbins, John Robin, HD Smith, KyAnn Waters, and Victoria Zak

Tantalizing Tidbits is currently on tour with Bewitching Book Tours. The tour stops here today for a guest post by one of the authors and an excerpt from one of the stories. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.

Description

A collection of short stories written by bestselling authors, representing an eclectic mix of styles and genres. In a word, this book is a smorgasbord; an opportunity to try a bit of everything.

In the spirit of the smorgasbord, the collection is presented as a menu and authors have shared recipes which accompany each story - some fitting, some funny, some simply old favorites.

Ranging from ultra-short but spine tingling, to meatier tales that are nearly novellas there is a little something for every appetite including comedy, tragedy, fantasy, werewolves, at least one ghost, life, death, and of course love.

Dig in. We hope you find at least one tidbit you enjoy.

Appetizers

Savory fare for smaller appetites - short stories from a wide range of styles and genres.

"The Motorcycle" by Tarah Scott
Paranormal fiction
3074 words
No man can ever fully master memory. But maybe, just maybe, he can learn to live with it. Even be glad for it. Even if that means reaching across space, time...and the grave.

"Ida and the Nor’easter" by Victoria Barbour
Contemporary fiction
8014 words
Is there such a thing as a curse? With a storm looming on the horizon, 98-year-old Ida Walsh fears a repeat of the terrible events of her childhood. Will her indomitable wit and resilience be enough to save the day?

"Gardens" by Stephanie Joyce Cole
Literary fiction
4225 words
Anne begins to question the rigid limitations of her new marriage as she spies on a mysterious neighbor.

"One Who Waits" by John Robin
Epic Fantasy
6538 words
Contains moderate violence
Al'a will die at his father's hands, unless he can master a forbidden magic.
Al'a Solaris, born into the Sun Priesthood, only wanted to prove his worth to his father when he delved into forbidden magic. Now, he must die at his father's hands, to restore honor to his bloodline. But the blade his father wields is also his final hope -- if only Al’a can discover its secret and master the fire within.

"The Hole" by Ted Grosch
Literary fiction
Just exactly why is Bernie digging that hole?

"The Spirit Bottle" by Ted Grosch
Literary fiction
A bushman's duty is his legacy for the tribe.

"The Summons" by Ria Cantrell
Paranormal romance
5477 words
Contains mildly explicit sexual scenes
A magical journey where love knows no boundaries, the Summons combines romantic and ethereal love in a mystical setting.

Main Courses

Hearty fare to satisfy larger literary appetites.

"The Seventh Sister" by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
Paranormal romance
12,439 words
A story of love, legend, and magic.
Down-on-her-luck American artist Maggie Gleason returns to Ireland, hoping to put old hurts behind her. Instead, revisiting the fishing village that enchanted her twelve years before only reopens wounds – until the unexpected appearance of roguish pub owner Conall Flanagan proves that the Ancient Isle is a magical place where anything can happen and true love always stands the test of time.

"Falling in Time" by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
Time travel romance
11,090 words
When love calls across the ages…
Aspiring writer Lindy Lovejoy knows all about happy endings. But when she travels to Scotland to research Celtic myth and lore, she never expected a chance to live her own storybook romance, until a stop at mystical Smoo Cave whisks her back in time and into the arms of Rogan MacGraith, a Highland hero who’d burn up the pages of the steamiest Scottish romance novel.

"Clouds Across the Moon" by Kathryn Lynn Davis
Historical Women’s Fiction
17,151 words
In the 19th century Scottish Highlands, young Morna struggles with new motherhood, her child’s illness, and her inability to compete with her husband's idealized vision of her. Will she have faith in the magic of her dreams, and thus find the strength to save her child’s life - and her own - as she begins to recognize the truth and depth of the woman she really is?

"The Lady’s Portrait" by Kate Robbins
Contemporary Romance
17,332 words
Contains mild to moderate sexually explicit scenes
When Gillian Beaton meets the captivating Ciaran MacLeod, she’s immediately attracted, but is she ready to trust again? Have her demons followed her to Scotland and can new love grow out of old heartbreak?

"His Harlot" by Natasha Blackthorne
Historical Erotic Romance
23,018 words
Contains extremely explicit sexual scenes that some readers may find offensive
Late one night, in the midst of a summer’s hot spell, Thomas spies Rosalind in the woods, clad only in her shift, dancing in the moonlight. It’s really more than a man celibate for three years can bear. Thomas is in danger of falling into a sin so powerful it threatens to challenge everything he thinks he knows about himself and life…

"Sneak Peek at Highland Legacy: King Arthur Strikes Back" by Mary McCall
Medieval Highland Romance
12,494 word
Please note, this is NOT a short story, it is an extended preview of Mary’s next novel, book III in her Sisters by Choice series due for release soon. It is a taste of things to come and while it does not end on a cliff-hanger, it is not a complete story.
Michael wed Christina when he was nine and she was three, then promptly went about his life and tried to forget about her. Now the pair must unite to thwart the Beast, return the Power of God that was stolen by their ancestors, and save the world in an epic battle between the forces of good and evil.

Desserts

Looking for something lighter or perhaps a happy ending? The stories in this section won’t disappoint you. They are shorter and mostly romantic, or funny, or both.

"Onyx" by H.D. Smith
Paranormal fiction
7099 words
Contains mild violence and a frustrating lack of S’mores
For those that like it short and sweet.
Madison Monroe thinks she has everything in life figured out, until one ill-fated camping trip has her running for her life through the woods being chased by two wolves - both eager to claim her.

"The Life She Had Before" by Brenda Margriet
Contemporary Romance
5429 words
A woman is torn between bitter revenge and the sweetness of a second chance.

"Hi. My Name is Harold" by Kimberly K. Comeau
Humor
3778 words
Is there light at the bottom of an empty peanut butter jar?
For Harold, giving up peanuts for medical reasons means the end of life's greatest pleasure…until his wife introduces him to all-natural peanut butter. But his addictive personality isn't satisfied with an occasional indulgence.

"The Jewel of Grim Fortress" by Victoria Zak
Paranormal historical romance
7105 words
Eradicating wayward supernaturals has its consequences.
The hereafter may be closer than Carson Kincaid thinks when he is charged to discover what ails Laird Maclean’s mind. Can Kincaid conquer his inner demons while battling the armies of evil?
Paisley Shaw, a powerful druid, has endured her share of hardened times starting the moment Laird Maclean stormed into her life. Now, she must find a way to stop him from taking her powers before it’s too late.

"Beautiful Storm" by KyAnn Waters
Erotic romance
7073 words
Contains extremely explicit sexual scenes that some readers may find offensive
Adrian Beck lost everything, including his passion for designing beautiful buildings, after 9/11.
Isabelle Clemet, of Clemet Hotels, is ready to rebuild after Katrina. She wants the Adrian.
Can an erotic late-night encounter on a secluded beach help a lonely architect rediscover his lost passion?

"When a Rose Blooms" by Tarah Scott
Historical romance
4353 words
On the anniversary eve of his wife's death, Nathaniel kneels at her grave asking questions he fears were answered the night she died. Despite cold solitude, desire flares when he learns the woman who now haunts his dreams awaits him in the great hall. By morning’s light, she will meet him on the battlefield he has built around himself, and force him to choose between the living and the dead

"Sorry for Your Trouble" by Ceci Giltenan
Vignette
1913 words
Ceci shares poignant but sometimes funny memories of the first funeral she attended in Ireland.

"The Personal Ad" by Ceci Giltenan
Contemporary sweet romance
4211 words
Always the best friend and never the leading lady, will Nina find love when she answers a quirky, sweet personal ad?

Excerpt from "The Summons" by Ria Cantrell

By the time he could return to the comfortable flat he was renting, it would be late in the night, or rather; early in the morning and he would fall blissfully into bed with no energy left for dreams that left him aching and troubled. At least, that was his hope. He had to concentrate and stop his foolish reverie of something that was not real; that would never be reality--only--somehow, despite his rationalization of it, deep down he knew she was as real as he was. He shook his head again as if the movement of it would actually clear it and he thought to himself that he hadn’t even been drinking or for that matter, smoking anything to make the fantasy take on such a life of its own. He had to stop it. He was a grown man. He felt rather silly for putting so much onto a woman that was not even real.

***

She had seen him again. She did not know what it meant, but she knew that somehow, he was seeking her, too. He was not of her time; that she was certain, although the way he wore his hair was similar to the men she knew in her village. He was tall and handsome, but his eyes held a deep emptiness that she, herself understood all too well. The time for her to have been mated to a man had long passed as she had been called to care for her dying father. There was no room for courting in her world where her responsibilities pressed upon her like the weight of the standing stones.

Praise for the Book

"I was lucky enough to read this and it is a fabulous read whilst lazing on the beach or in the garden, most of the authors are well known to me and it was great to meet a couple who weren't. The stories are unique and some are in genre's I don't normally read, but enjoyed all the same. So if you are looking for short stories to while away the hours then look no further, and like me you may find new authors to read." ~ Fanni Ann

"21 tantalizing short stories from some awesome authors. This collection definitely has something for every reader. Fast paced, well thought, with tantalizing characters and sumptuous storylines. If you read one collection this summer, do pick up this collection, you won't be disappointed. I absolutely loved this collection and look forward to more these amazing storytellers. A keeper and a must read!" ~ April Renn

"Excellent collection of shorts from my favorite authors! Lovely idea!" ~ Amazon Customer

"A great collection of stories. This is a collection of short stories written in different genres and I enjoyed the addition of the different recipes too." ~ Leah Weller

Guest Post by John Robin, author of the fantasy short story "One Who Waits"

5 Facts About My Story that Might Surprise You

1. Al’a, the boy in "One Who Waits" is one of the most important characters in the epic fantasy arc of stories I plan to write. When I wrote this story, I was about a third of the way into Blood Dawn, my debut novel-in-progress, and decided when asked to write a story for the anthology that I would write something that directly related to the novel so that I didn’t get too far off track. It turns that writing this story helped me solidify the motives of the man who Al’a becomes in Blood Dawn – and who he will become in my plans for future books.

2. "One Who Waits" is actually a prelude story to Blood Dawn. Although it can stand alone, when read before reading Blood Dawn it sets the stage for the events of the novel and resonates with several themes and plotlines therein. Alternatively, it can be excluded from Blood Dawn, so it is not a prologue per se – rather, it is a companion story. It was my hope in writing this story that I might introduce readers to the larger epic I am working on and thus gain some interest in the novel.

3. My cat is my muse. I have a cat named Wizard, who enjoys jumping in my lap and splaying out on the keyboard. This makes writing difficult, but often he jumps up and decides that it’s cuddle time when I need some time to think. Often, his hypnotizing purr is all it takes to connect with what I need to write next.

4. The world of "One Who Waits" is not round. Though it might come across as a dystopic empire set in a world on the brink of collapse, I was heavily influenced by C.S. Lewis’ Narnia when I conceptualized the world I wanted to set my stories in. Although there are charted waters, the edges of those waters are perilous and lead to other mysteries, whole other worlds waiting to be explored. What I enjoy about this is it allows me to define a cogent world – much like our modern day – all with the possibility that this reality will soon be discovered to be part of something much greater (think of what might happen if one day we discover we are surrounded by aliens or beings from another dimension).

5. I was highly inspired by romance author Ceci Giltenan when deciding how I wanted to tell my stories. What I enjoyed about Ceci’s work was how she could zoom into different castles and time periods and tell the stories therein. I thought this would be an excellent way to explore epic fantasy, so with this in mind, I’ve stepped out of what would be a strictly linear narrative and look forward to exploring the tapestry of a time period full of stories that beg to be told, much like how our own history is full of the tales of unique people and the courses of action they took to define their mark on the world.

Brief biography

Inspired by the great fantasy epics and many episodes of Star Trek, John Robin’s stories use magic, complex cultures, vivid world building, and deep character conflicts to explore modern day issues. John has been writing stories for more than twenty years, and presently he makes his living as a freelance editor while preparing what he intends to be his debut novel, Blood Dawn.

If you enjoyed "One Who Waits", you’ll be happy to know that it is the prelude to John’s much larger epic fantasy novel in progress, Blood Dawn.

John is part of an exciting crowd-funding publishing model provided by Inkshares Press. Think of it as Kickstarter, but for books. Authors include Gary Whitta, writer of the screenplay for the new Star Wars movie.

If you like epic fantasy with magic, flare, and strong female characters, then check out John’s Inkshares page for Blood Dawn, where you can read more about the book and support John by pre-ordering a copy..

If you’d like to read the opening thirteen chapters, and follow his progress, you can do so by signing up for his monthly newsletter.

The Authors

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"Through the Glass" by Lisa J. Hobman

ON SALE for $0.99

Through the Glass

by Lisa J. Hobman

Lisa J. Hobman's Through the Glass is currently ON SALE for only $0.99 in anticipation of the release of her new book, The Girl Before Eve, on 30 January. Lisa is also the author of Bridge Over the Atlantic, which was nominated for a Novel Grounds Literary Award for Best Romance.

Description

A broken heart can never be a blank canvas…

You meet someone, fall in love, and live happily ever after…right?

That’s what Jim MacDuff thought, but after years of being blissfully happy, everything he holds dear comes crashing spectacularly down thanks to his interfering mother-in-law. Felicity “Flick” Johnston-Hart is passionate about painting what she sees through the glass. Just like the subjects of her paintings, she’s viewed her life as an observer instead of really living. Although she adores her first love, Jim, more than life, her mother’s expectations eventually chip away at her, making her believe that painting and Jim are simply not enough.

After settling back into life as a single man in the stunning Scottish Highlands, Jim is graced with an unexpected and unwanted visitor bringing painful news that he would rather not hear. A letter from beyond the grave leads him to do something he never imagined and takes him on a journey to try to help Flick rekindle her passion for painting…and maybe win her love again in the process.

Can Jim and Flick make things right before it’s too late, or will events leave them heartbroken and alone forever?

Excerpt

Chapter 1

February 2009 - The break up

“So, that’s it then, Flick?” Jim raised his arms in exasperation. “You’re leaving? You’ve completely given up?” He was past trying to convince Flick that they could make a go of it; work things out; get through this and come out the other side stronger. The past few months had been one argument after another and Flick had spent less and less time at home.

“It’s for the best, James. And please don’t call me Flick.” She sighed, “It’s not my name. Not anymore. I grew up. It’s good in the adult world you should visit sometime, you might like it,” she snorted derisively.

Jim shook his head; sadness oozing from every pore. “Aye, well you’ll always be Flick to me. And I’ll always be Jim. What’s with all this ‘Felicity and James’ bollocks anyway?” His accent always became stronger when he was angry. This was one of those occasions when the true Scotsman came out fighting. His chest heaved as he tried to calm the storm raging beneath his skin.

He almost didn’t recognise the woman standing before him in their bedroom; her fitted designer clothes complete with pearls and a shoulder length smooth sleek hairstyle. Such a contrast to the girl he fell in love with. Back then it was all flowing blonde waves and long, floating skirts. She was softer then; in every way.

“Well, as I said James, Felicity is my name…Flick was left behind at university. She was doe-eyed, foolish and rash…look, there’s no point us going over old ground.” She pulled the handle up on her wheeled suitcase. “I’ll be staying with Polly and Matt for a while whilst I figure out my next move.”

Matt had once been Jim’s closest friend but that friendship had somehow fizzled as his relationship with Polly had intensified. That saddened Jim.

Felicity went on, “Nilsson-Perkins have offered to help find me a new place near the city centre so I can be closer to the main gallery.” She wandered over to him and placed her hand on his arm. “It’s for the best, James. I think you know that deep down.”

He looked, pleadingly, into her eyes, his chest still rising and falling at a rapid rate. “For whom? For me?. I don’t think so.” His voice cracked as he shook his head; he stared intently and for several moments she seemed caught in his eyes. He thought he saw her shield begin to melt but she shook her head and looked away.

Turning back to him she shrugged her shoulders. “It was inevitable when you think about it. We’re from two different worlds…we want completely different things, James.” Her voice softened as she squeezed his arm. Her blue eyes, however, that were once full of love, were ice cold.

She wheeled her case toward the bedroom door and turned back to face him one last time. Her eyes were glassy with unshed tears now and Jim was relieved to see some, albeit small, expression of human emotion from the woman he had witnessed, slowly, becoming some kind of hard, Siberian robot.

“For what’s it’s worth…James…I do love you. You were my first love and so I probably always will. I just feel like…” She paused, clenching her eyes closed as if to find the strength to carry on speaking, a tear escaped. “Like maybe we’re not good for each other. We’ve grown apart. I’m ambitious and you…you want babies and the white picket fence thing…I’m just not ready…I’m not sure I ever will be. In a way I’m doing you a favour.” A sob escaped her throat as she spoke. “This way at least you get to meet someone new and have children and do all the family things that I’m just not capable of.” She sounded to Jim as though she was trying to convince herself.

Jim’s lower lip began to tremble. “I don’t want anyone else…it’s you. It’s always been you.” He clenched his jaw. “What I don’t get, Felicity, is that you wanted those things too. We were both on the same page. I don’t understand how we changed.”

“We didn’t change. I did. Like I said, I grew up.” She shook her head. “I know that you haven’t changed,” she snorted. “Sorry, Jim but it’s true. In all these years you’ve kept the same hairstyle, the same clothing and the same laid back attitude. You still work in the same second hand book store, you still drive that ancient Land Rover and you still take that bloody dog everywhere you go! You’re not a student anymore, James. Maybe I want more, huh? Maybe I want someone who makes an effort!” Her voice gained an octave as her emotions began to get the better of her.

Jim widened his eyes in horror. “Whoa! Now just hang on there, lassie!” He held up his hands and his stomach knotted at her stabbing words as they sliced at his heart.

He stepped toward her. “You can’t say that I don’t make effort. Just because I’m in no way materialistic doesn’t mean I don’t care. I love you. I always have. You are my world! I don’t need things, Felicity, I need you!” His heart ached as it bombarded the inside of his chest. “I’ve done everything in my power to make you happy. I don’t know what else I could have done. And for the record, I’m not the one who’s given up here!” He raised his voice too, finally giving in to the pent up frustration he’d been harbouring.

“James, we want different things, accept it. Move on…please!” She opened the door and he made a grab for her. She swung around and crashed into his arms. Without thinking he took her face in his hands and kissed her with all the passion he could muster. To his amazement she didn’t slap him; she kissed him back. Dropping her suitcase she seemed overwhelmed by desire, anger, passion, lust, whatever the hell it was; she grabbed at his dark, shaggy hair as he ran his hands through hers; desperate to express his love for her; desperate to make her change her mind.

He moved from her mouth to her neck, his kisses urgent. Her head rolled backward and she moaned, grabbing at his T-shirt and pulling it over his head in one swift aggressive move. Before either could realize what they were doing or how they got there, they staggered backward and tumbled, wrapped around each other, onto the bed; their lips locked as their tongues danced and probed each other’s mouths.

Review

By Shona

Through the Glass is emotional, heart warming, funny and frustrating.

Flick and Jim's story is a roller coaster ride from start to finish. From the first chapter I was sucked in and I couldn't stop reading, I just had to know what happened.

Flick, she is frustrating and annoying to begin with. I wanted to reach into my kindle give her a shake and tell her to open her eyes. Penny, Flick's mother influences her life in more ways than one. Surely all you want is for your daughter to be happy right? A painter at heart but in her mind she needs the successful job, successful rich husband but at what cost? She then started to grow on me and I started to like her and wanted to know what was really going on deep down.

Jim, he is a loveable, kind, gorgeous and his Scots accent just adds to the appeal. He loves Flick more than anything and all he wants is for her to be happy. He's a simple guy doesn't need expensive things or a fancy job all he needs is Flick. You can't help but love him.

When you love someone do you break your own heart for them to be happy, even when you know it's not truly what they want from life or do you fight?

Love moves in mysterious ways.

Through the Glass made me cry, laugh, angry and sit on the edge of my seat. You can picture all the places Lisa talks about, it's like you there in the book watching it all happen. Beautifully written and gripping from start to finish. Memorable and a must read.

About the Author

Lisa is a happily married to her soul-mate and has two crazy dogs. She especially enjoys being creative and now writes almost full time! 

In 2012 Lisa and her family relocated from England to their beloved Scotland; a place of happy holidays and memories for them. Her new location now features in all of her books. Writing has always been something Lisa has enjoyed, although in the past it has centered on poetry and song lyrics, some of which appear in her stories.

The story in her debut novel, Bridge Over the Atlantic, was building in her mind for a long while but, until the relocation, she never had the time to put it down in black and white. Through the Glass is Lisa's second novel and number three is due for release January 2014; making the move north of the border has certainly given Lisa the opportunity to pursue her dream. Being signed to 5 Prince Publishing has made that dream a reality.

Lisa's books are for adults ages 17+ due to mature content.

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