In the Gloaming

THIEF OF HEARTS by J. C. Wilder This novella is billed as a futuristic romance. Set in the near future of 2024, there is little focus on the futuristic aspect. That having been said this little story sizzled! Harper McRae, former professional cat burglar, is forced out of retirement due to her stepbrother's lack of self control. The aspiring politician is being blackmailed by a local mobster. Although Harper feels he deserves anything he gets, she can't allow her stepmother to suffer the shame. Fortunately the opportunity to save his reputation comes when Harper is invited to Ross "Blackie" Ryan's (the mobster's) anniversary bash. Security is lax and Blackie's dated systems are no match for Harper. Unfortunately she's a bit rusty from lack of practice. Cracking the safe in Ryan's office takes longer than expected and so intense is her concentration that she is unaware that someone else has entered the room. Not only is she caught but by the worst imaginable person, Chase, her former partner and ex lover. Chase, the man she'd caught with another woman in his arms, the man who had broken her heart. Chase is there for the same reason as Harper, to liberate some blackmail evidence against a client. He'd seen Harper enter the office and had decided to let her do the work for him. She was a sight for sore eyes and although he'd been with plenty of women since she'd walked out in him without allowing him an explanation, he'd never felt a thing for any of them. His heart had always belonged to Harper. Unfortunately one of Blackie's guards hears a noise coming from the boss's office. What to do? Think empty room with a couch. Yowza! Will the pair make a clean break or a clean getaway? The only way to find out is by reading this scorching short story. Turn up the air and grab some ice water! J. C. Wilder scores again. ABHAINN'S KISS by Carolan Ivey The great Lady has woken the spinner Cadwyn from a thousand year sleep as a stone to spin the life thread of an emerging life that will be important to Fae and mankind alike. The child, Abhainn, is to be the last of the Asrae - the Fae of All waters. The Asrae had been cursed when Abhainn's ancestor Afon, destracted by her human lover, failed to take her place in the Circle at the Great Gathering. The mortal man, Blaen of Craighmor lost his lover and his King that night. Afon had become one with the water, and without Blaen by his side King Arthur had perished in battle. In his anger and grief Blaen strikes the sacred alter stone breaking off a piece vowing that Fae magic would never blind him or his kin from that day forward. The rift between the Fae and mortals had begun. Mortals had lost their belief in the Faery world and Avalon saw mortal men no more until.... So intent on keeping the spark of this vital life alive, Cadwyn had woven a piece of her own apron into the thread binding stone and water, strengthening the young life. She failed to notice the end of the moon water thread touching the lif

Rowena, a sworn sword to the Aleanian, has been sent out to save one of their alliance's oracles who is being held by a warlord. As she journeys to the warlord Dorjan's village, Kael drops in most unexpectedly and is not welcome. Kael, a very powerful Heron (a sword mage), is needed for the journey though, whether Rowena likes it or not. And he's hoping by accompanying Rowena on her mission he might keep her alive and might also seal the twin bond between them. Kael and Rowena met when she was fourteen, way to early to have any kind of relationship even though they both knew it was there....now twelve years later Rowena has hardened her heart towards Kael due to the pain she endured in his staying away from her for so long. The Heron's Call is an amazing book! Rowena starts out as this strong independent swordswoman, but in the presence of the man who holds her heart is cold and bitter. Kael on the other hand is this charismatic guy who's waited for the right time to claim her, knows he affects her and sets to work to melt her heart. Isabo Kelly did an amazing job at writing these characters feelings so that the reader could feel the pain of holding back and then the sheer joy when their love evolves. This story is the epitome of "...and they lived happily ever after" and should be put on everyone's must read list. Raine reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed