A friendship on the rocks. A heartfelt decision that has to be made. Successful film director, Hannah Richards, could never have imagined that in an blink of an eye the love of her life would be gone forever. Nor would she have ever envisaged that her late partner's best friend—the acclaimed actress Alisa Forbes, would be the one to help her pick up the pieces.

    Researched and written during the quarantine of 2020.

    Sometimes it’s a sprinkle, and sometimes it’s a deluge. This is the wetter one.Drew Keen is not a people-person. No surprise, she’s lived in the Northwoods for the last decade, living simply and working freelance photography jobs for National Geographic. Finally, the loneliness persuades her to attend her college reunion, intent on reconnecting with the one that got away.Amber Richards has gone to every class reunion, hoping to see Drew, who fell off the grid after their graduation led to an inevitable breakup. She didn't expect Drew to be there this year either.She also didn't expect to spend her reunion time with an old flame, running away from her in the Northwoods.

    In both subject and sound, it was like nothing else on the radio. It defied the cynicism and apathy of Generation X; it challenged the aesthetic expectations for a "pop song" (or even a "protest song"), fusing blues, opera, rock and gospel; and it demanded accountability in an era of corporate greed, globalization and environmental indifference. A massive hit globally (reaching #1 in over fifteen countries), it wasn't even offered as a single in the United States. Yet nearly two decades later, it stands as one of Jackson's greatest artistic achievements. In this groundbreaking monograph, author Joseph Vogel details the song's context and evolution from its inception in Vienna in 1988, to its release and reception in 1995, to Jackson's final live performance in Munich in 1999. Based on original research, including interviews with the song's key participants, Earth Song: Inside Michael Jackson's Magnum Opus offers a fascinating reassessment of this prophetic musical statement.

    That she would never be a part of her family’s legacy. But when her posh, cozy world went up in flames, she was forced to return to her small hometown of Bardstown, Kentucky, and face a bitter truth. That she was stuck there, working in the family business, whether she liked it or not.And it wasn’t that bad. Until Charlotte realized that her boss was Marlow Miller.Marlow and Charlotte are exact opposites in every imaginable way, yet Charlotte can’t seem to get enough of the sexy-southern-as-you-could-get-woman. But the problem is, Marlow doesn’t want anything to do with her. Everyone in Bardstown knew that the Millers and the Livingstons had been at war for decades, and for good reason. And if her parents found out she was falling hard and fast for a Miller woman, her life might actually be over. And Marlow’s would be, too. This enemies to lovers, rich girl/poor girl novel is a modern twist of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

    Maggie is a funeral director from Indiana who lives a double life. Bug is a ten-year-old boy in the Pennsylvania foster care system who is sent to live with an aunt he doesn't know. Jimmy is a former paramedic and prescription drug addict on his way to meet a woman he met online who thinks he's a successful doctor. Helen is a Chicago insurance investigator who is leaving her marriage in search of the woman she wants to be. Four strangers, all traveling to Boston in search of better lives, are tied together in ways they don't even realize. Each are trying to fill the void of what's missing in their lives. Sometimes it takes a tragedy to overcome all that we lack.

    In reality, she was battling depression, drug addiction and trauma. Her firsthand experience with sexual assault and substance abuse, combined with the explosive effects of social media storytelling, ignited a desire in her to eradicate shame around our greatest struggles. In Recovering from Reality, Alexis shares how she learned to turn embarrassment into empowerment, using her public meltdown as an opportunity to pull back the covers on the misogyny and abuse that fuels so much of popular culture. With profound insight, Alexis shows how women can stand up and heal from the institutionalized and systemic trauma that keeps them from recognizing how powerful they truly are. From panhandling drugs on the streets to partying with some of the biggest rock stars in the world (often on the same day), Alexis’ life was more than just pretty wild; it was nearly fatal. After facing up to six years in the correctional system due to her burglary conviction, Alexis got sober at the age of 19 and began to build the extraordinary life she lives today. Recovering From Reality documents her journey, tells the true story behind the “Bling Ring” and explains why her involvement became a defining moment in her life. In this gripping memoir, Alexis shares what it’s like to go from hot mess to hot mom, showing how we all have the power to change the world, and to find our true passion and meaning through some of our most shameful experiences. Inspired by her public journey from reality TV meme to sobriety, motherhood and wellness, Alexis is living proof that you can heal yourself - if you’re willing to recover from reality.

    But when the glitter fades, she relocates to the little village of Cauthwell to start over. Relationships are off the table, but she manages to find plenty of temporary company in her area. Until, that is, she takes on an auction for a very special client. Kim Besson is lost. After her father dies she gives up her life in Manchester and heads to Cauthwell to sell the family home. With no family or friends, she has no idea what to do with the next stage of her life. When enigmatic, charming, older woman, Philippa, comes into her life, she starts to realise just what it is she might have been missing. But surely someone like Philippa wouldn’t be interested in a country girl like her… When big city meets small town, home is what you find.

    She loves her anonymity and the peace it affords her high up in the mountains of West Virginia.Danica’s utopia comes to a screeching halt when she rescues a car accident victim named Heather Jansen who suffers from retro grade amnesia in one of the worst blizzard storms in West Virginia history while on her journey into the mountains to confront her cheating lover.Can Danica put her fears aside to pursue a love that has always eluded her and will Heather’s worst nightmares result in the ultimate love she has always longed for? Only time has the answers to all of these unanswered questions.

    She muddles through daily routines, her only respite coming in the form of a harmless crush on Rebecca Greenway. Claire believes that the sexy restaurant manager is safely unavailable. But when Rebecca shows signs of interest, Claire's past unravels, revealing an immeasurable love and a dark secret. .an outstanding contribution to lesbian fiction. Author Margaret A. Helms deftly alternates past and present events in the life of Claire Blevins to build an enthralling and intriguing story. Her rich prose, compelling plot, lively pace, and strongly-drawn characters make The Fifth Stage an outstanding contribution to lesbian fiction. -- Nann Dunne, editor and publisher of Just About Write (www.justaboutwrite.com), author of The War Between the Hearts, and other stories.

    :)""This short story was pretty exciting. I truly enjoyed reading this story. Look forward to more reads by Paris Rivera." Steamy, sizzling and tantalizing erotica for couples, singles, lesbians, and those who are bicurious.A respectable married woman, college professor Bella has a strange encounter with a beautiful girl on the train and falls under her spell. Entranced by the girl’s dark Latin looks and daring, Bella soon discovers that the girl is one of her students. But can she resist her provocative advances? In a series of sensual and taboo-breaking encounters, Bella surrenders progressively to her burning desire for this amazing girl. But is there also a more disturbing side to the girl’s character? A series of disturbing messages lead inexorably to a heart-thumping climax that brings Bella to the edge of death…4,200 wordsExcerpt: The girl on the train must have been about 20, fashionable, maybe working in advertising. She had dreamy dark brown eyes and luscious curly dark brown hair. With a coffee complexion, she looked maybe Italian or Spanish. Bella was browsing dream homes in her magazine when suddenly she felt a finger touching her knee lightly like a butterfly. “Sorry to bother you,” a warm and slightly husky voice interjected, “but this is the train to Bunstable, isn’t it?” Bella was flustered: “Er… yes… yes…”. The girl’s heady perfume smelled a little of oranges.Bella could somehow not keep from glancing periodically at this girl. The girl’s high cheekbones, large eyes and full lips were offset with a long neck and a fit lithe body that seemed to ripple and shimmer in a pink silk blouse and sparkly purple skirt. Glancing up, Bella had the distinct impression that an extra button was undone on the girl’s blouse. Could that really be the case? Bella was intrigued, but went back to her article and tried hard to concentrate. After a while, she glanced again at the girl’s neckline. This time Bella was pretty sure – yet another button had been undone! Could this really be happening? All the while, the girl did not look up but stayed focused on her book. Somehow the discussion of rock gardens and topiary in Bella’s magazine article was losing a little of its allure, but she tried her best to retain her composure and take in the words. At the same time, she sensed – though it was hard to believe it – that the girl’s elegant ring-clad fingers were edging towards the centre of that pink blouse again, and when Bella looked up one more time, she was not disappointed. A fourth button had now been undone, and Bella could see a fragment of white lace on the girl’s bra. The girl’s breasts were large and high, and Bella felt a warm rush in her stomach and a flush of blood coming to her cheeks. She had always been fairly straight, but this young lady was definitely tapping into something different. Admittedly this part of the compartment was secluded, but the girl was virtually undressing on a public train! And a fifth button! Bella could now catch a glimpse of the girl’s tanned taut tummy. And a sixth… Was that a tattoo? Close to the girl’s belly button was a little drawing of ice-cream cone melting in the hot sun.

    All her years of loving women have cost her more than life itself- her family. Without looking back after being kicked out of her parent's home when they discover her secret life in a shoe box of love letters, Sand unexpectedly receives a phone call from a family friend, bearing the tragic news that her mother has passed from breast cancer. At her family's request, she's asked to not attend the funeral. With so much agony already instilled, Sand just adds that to the collection, turning to her liquid pain killer to temporarily ease the hurt. Over the next few months, Rene's 'alone time' has allowed her a chance to evaluate her relationship with her lover, Sand, and forces her to question her own sexuality. Recycled through the foster system as early as four, Rene is one whose become accustomed to change. Even when she falls for a banker who just happens to be white, doesn't surprise her. But the day he proposes to her, does. As she struggles with ways to tell him she's currently involved with another woman, observing his gay-bashing behavior makes it difficult to do. While her heart says one thing her mind says another, leaving her confused and secretive all over again. As Sand and Rene face separate challenges, that is the least bit of their problems. The neighborhood's 'queen-pen' who everyone knows as Chyna, is not one to be played with. With her ears to the streets and her eyes on every dollar floating around Dallas, Texas, it's impossible for anything to get past her. So when she propositions Sand and Rene, it's no strange coincidence. Not when you have a motive of your own.

    Despite being sickly and weak, she has a talent for magic. It’s a shame that her family, her father in particular, doesn’t appreciate her talent, but Jessalyn still has plans. Even in her greatest imaginings, she never considered how far those plans would take her.

    No Guilt. No Boundaries. Renee Matthews is starting over. Free of a demanding ex-husband who left her feeling worthless, she's ready for a purely physical connection, on her terms. Sex in the dark with a total stranger--a night of breathless passion without complications. An online ad leads to the first of many anonymous trysts. And when one partner takes her into a darker realm of pleasure, Renee discovers hungers she never knew she possessed. Renee knows these encounters are risky. Nothing has ever compared to such exhilarating desire--certainly not her ex, or the "perfect" potential boyfriend her parents keep pushing her way. But as the excitement escalates, so does the danger. And walking away from her midnight lover may be more difficult than Renee ever expected. . . "The sensuality of the narrative style, the intensity of the characters' emotions, and the complexity of the plot are all satisfying." --Eroticarevealed.com on Every Dark Desire

    He wanted to be off in Europe with his friends, or off on a beach somewhere. Anywhere, would have been better than back home at the family business. He was resigned to a boring summer, until Frank caught a glimpse of the new neighbor his parent’s had. She was tall, blonde and single. It was the winning combination, as far as he was concerned. Frank was starting to see a glimmer of hope for his summer. All he had to do, was convince Julie.