No, I haven’t lost my mind. This is what should have been posted on Wednesday, and I apologize for the lateness of this post – both to my writers and to our readers – but I was unable to post, as my computer died Monday and I didn’t get back online until after Wednesday had passed. But better late than never, right? Enjoy!
Julie L. Hayes
Here is a list of all the authors flashing this week, along with a brief snippet from their latest free work. Click the link after the snippet to be taken to the complete story on the author’s home page.
“Home sweet home for the next week,” Thorn said, swinging his door open. The hinges creaked, and Thorn winced. “I’ll have to oil that.”
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Rattletrap #12 by Tali Spencer
Jedd took the seat. There were no open tables and no one else was extending an invitation. At this point his only goal was to eat, drink, and prevent any kind of hostile outbreak. It probably helped that this seat placed his back faced the mess hall door—where Ussim stood propped like a gateway guardian. The way the Ghisr leader’s gaze locked on his every time their eyes met made his flesh crawl. Not that the look Plant was giving him was much better.
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Thwarted: Part XXXVII by Renee Stevens
Lost Inside: Chapter 36 by Cia Nordwell
The crowded Tigers bent in a wave of moving bodies, like saplings before a strong wind. Here and there, one hesitated, until a single Tiger still stood. Benny eyed him. Some of the Tigers he’d grown up with were gone, including his family, and there were a lot of strangers he didn’t recognize. He’d met many of Yuri’s clan when they merged with his, but he didn’t recognize the massive Tiger staring at the body sprawled at Benny’s feet.
“Are you challenging me?” Benny laid his ears back and bared his fangs. He didn’t want to fight, but damned if
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Soul Seekers: The Hollow by JC Wallace
To Touch the Sky: #6 by M.A. Church
Hawk called his best friend, Jason. He needed to talk to someone about what happened in his bar. A short time later there was a knock at his door.
“Come on in. I’m in the kitchen.”
“Hey man, how’s it going?”
Hawk shrugged and pushed the glass of sweet tea he’d fixed over to Jason. “It’s going. Want anything to eat?”
“No thanks, I’m good.” Hawk took the glass and sipped. “So…”
“So…” Hawk fidgeted.
“Hawk? What’s going on?” Jason sipped his tea.
Hawk flopped down at the kitchen table, waving for Jason to have a seat too. “Remember that vision of my mate from long ago?”
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Hope: Chapter 43 by Chris T. Kat
I opened my eyes, swallowing convulsively, and stared at my surroundings. It seemed we were in some sort of log cabin that consisted of one large room. On my left, I saw a rustic kitchen, done in dark wood, with gleaming pans hanging on one side of the polished stove. A counter separated the kitchen from the rest of the room, with a few high chairs lined up around the counter.
On my right, there was a wide area consisting of two large, dark leather armchairs, set about a round table crafted from glittering glass pieces.
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The Case
If I could turn back time.
If I could find a way.
Dammit, I hate that Cher song – even more so given the situation I’m in. What a time for that tune to stick in my head.
If I could actually turn back time, I certainly wouldn’t be here now. I wouldn’t have taken that blasted case, and I wouldn’t be panicking, wondering what the heck to do next.
I made a rookie mistake; I assumed. The woman seemed so genuine when she walked into my office. It was a straight forward suspected cheating case. All I had to do was follow her husband for a while and take a few pictures to see if he was sleeping with his secretary, or bangin’ someone else. She was sure he was nailing someone, and it wasn’t her.
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Washed Right Out: Chapter Five by Sarah Hayes
He sighed and called his Jojo…
“And that was that.” Riley shrugged.
Sonia gripped the armrest of his chair so hard her manicure left crescent-shaped indents in the leather. “That is certainly not that. You’re not even going to tell us how the phone call went? After making us sit through every other minute detail?”
“Well, I mean, isn’t it obvious? We broke up.”
“We’re not getting details, are we?”
“Nope.” Riley made a ‘zipped lips’ motion. “That’s the story as it’s fit to print. No further details necessary.”
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Cyan: Chapter 16 by Nephylim
While he hovered outside, the door flew open and Cyan came bounding out, so fast he almost knocked Robin over. “Tell her,” Cyan demanded. “She won’t believe me. She says I’m leaping to conclusions and making demands like I always do. Tell her.”
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The first tattoo was of a blade on my neck. A simple black blade that came to my aid when I found the person who it was meant for. He left me with words that made little sense at the time. Porch, rain, blue eyes, where the blade is there it shall go.
When my eyes opened, I sat up drowsy from the session, and he sent me out into the world. He told me to return when the deed was done.
“What deed?” My eyes narrowed.
“You’ll know when it is done.” He handed me a satchel with a change of clothes, and currency.
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The Midnight Swimmer; by L.M. Brown
Robin slipped through the gate and into the back garden, just as he had numerous times in recent months. The renovation of the local swimming baths had reduced him to this. Trespassing in someone else’s garden and using their pool while they were tucked up in bed for the night. He couldn’t wait for the baths to reopen.
He noticed the envelope taped to the gate as soon as he closed it behind him. His name was on the front in thick black letters.
“Shit.” Who would leave him an envelope? Who even knew he was here?
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Don’t Look Back #12 (3.2) by Julie Lynn Hayes
By the time Lee released him, Marshall’s breath was coming in heavy gasps and his head was spinning—and the wannabe dance partner had disappeared. Guess he could catch a clue. Marshall didn’t mind. There were plenty more where he came from. Including the sexy man who’d just kissed him stupid.
“Wanna dance, cowboy?” Lee asked in a sultry voice.
Marshall broke into a wide grin. “Hot damn, you know it!”
“Then don’t you think you should get up? I don’t see that dance floor moving up here anytime soon.”
Warmth spread through Marshall’s cheeks, and he heard Roy snicker. But he didn’t mind. There wasn’t anything but love behind those words. Love and a bit of fun.
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Noah’s New Plan: Chapter 35 by Rob Colton
Noah sat in his car staring out the window. He was dreading going inside. Pulling out his cell phone, he checked the time. He’d told Eli to stay home and that he’d be there within the hour.
That meant going inside and taking care of this.
But the last thing he wanted to do was deal with Derek and his bullshit. The condo was under contract now, and this would be the last time Noah had to mess with Derek.
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Wednesday Briefs 
Better late than never 🙂