Tag Archives: J L Hayes

Wednesday Briefs: August 28, 2024

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.

Jonlyn of the Urionites: Part 11 by J Ray Lamb

Jonlyn and Narthun walked into the master bedroom. A large bed took up most of the room, made up for two. Narthun and Jonlyn looked at each other, then looked at the closet on each side of the bed. Each was stocked with clothing and grooming needs that catered to each.

“Is that a tub of hot water for bathing?” Narthun asked.

“Yes, yes it is. I should have asked Bipeon if there was another bedroom prepared for you. They’ve assumed that you and I are bedding together. I didn’t know that this would be happening.” Jonlyn all but whispered…

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Wednesday Briefs: August 21, 2024

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.

Dracula #25(6.3) by J L Hayes

“So you are traveling to Vienna?” Andrei asked between hearty bites of bread and cheese. He offered a hunk of the cheese to Avram as well, who accepted it, appreciating its salty flavor.

“We are,” Avram replied cautiously. He had no reason to think the smuggler would betray their whereabouts. Not like he wasn’t aware of their destination anyway. He knew what the next leg of their journey was and where his cousin would conveying them from there.  But Avram was concerned that the man not possess any information that could potentially bring him trouble. Maybe he was just being paranoid, but better he should err on the side of caution than see an innocent person be hurt.  Truth be told, he didn’t believe the villagers would even have the desire to track them down, much less the extra resources. Why would they bother? Out of sight, out of mind. Life would go on as usual for all concerned. Not like he and Nico hadn’t

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Wednesday Briefs: August 14, 2024

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.

Dracula #25(6.2) by J L Hayes

Avram had intended to remain awake, in case Nico should want him for something. But the gentle rocking of the boat, coupled with the warm sunshine that spread through his weary limbs like an old familiar friend, lulled him into a dreamless sleep. The flapping of wings woke him with a start.  He opened his eyes to find Andrei sat next to him, a large loaf of bread in his hands. As Avram watched, the man would break off a piece and toss it onto the rail, after which a large pelican would swoop down, snatch it up greedily, then fly silently away, no doubt to await the next morsel.

“Feel better?” Andrei swiveled his head toward Avram before helping himself to some of the bread. Avram noticed a fair-sized hunk of cheese also rested on the man’s thigh.

Avram nodded. “How long was I

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Wednesday Briefs: August 7, 2024

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.

Dracula #24 (6.1) by J L Hayes

Avram released a grateful sigh as the early morning breeze lightly kissed his cheek even as the sun began to peek over the horizon behind them, lighting their way. Andrei had predicted they would be able to hoist the sail soon. And then they could relax for a bit, have something to eat. In the meantime, he was utilizing his long barge pole to propel them along the Bistritza River.

Dracula was already at rest below, but Avram couldn’t begrudge him that. He had actually worked all night, and it was largely thanks to his efforts that they had come as far as they had. And oh, what a night it had been!

Before they’d left the church the night before,

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Wednesday Briefs: July 31, 2024

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.

Dracula #24(6.1) by J L Hayes

Avram released a grateful sigh as the early morning breeze lightly kissed his cheek even as the sun began to peek over the horizon behind them, lighting their way. Andrei had predicted they would be able to hoist the sail soon. And then they could relax for a bit, have something to eat. In the meantime, he was utilizing his long barge pole to propel them along the Bistritza River.

Dracula was already at rest below, but Avram couldn’t begrudge him that. He had actually worked all night, and it was largely thanks to his efforts that they had come as far as they had. And oh, what a night it had been!

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Wednesday Briefs: July 24, 2024

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.

Jonlyn of the Urionites: Part 9 by J Ray Lamb

Trayvr turned to face Narthun and looked at him with a stern fatherly face,  “Urion is aware of the thoughts that you both have in your hearts. Nothing is hidden from his knowledge.”

Jonlyn looked at Trayvr and saw a twinkle in his eyes but said nothing.

Travyr continued speaking, “Urion is aware of the feelings you both have for each other. You both are trying to fight them which is the honorable thing to do. However, Urion, and most anyone else, can see that there is an undeniable chemistry between you. It’s as if Urion himself had played matchmaker.

 
 

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Wednesday Briefs: July 17, 2024

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.

Dracula #23(5.6) by J L Hayes

Dracula awakened with a start, the images of the past retreating, melting back into the furthest reaches of his troubled soul.

Was ist lost?” Concern was evident in Avram’s voice.

Dracula glanced up. Apparently, at some point, he had slid down from his previous position leaning against Avram so that his head was pillowed in the other man’s lap. Avram’s troubled visage looked down at him from above, his curly forelocks almost hanging in the vampire’s face.

“Nothing is wrong,” Dracula insisted with

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Wednesday Briefs: July 10, 2024

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.

Dracula #22 (5.5) by J L Hayes

A woman lies in a large elaborately carved bed piled high with thick colorful blankets—maroon and black and royal blue—decorated with elaborate designs intricately embroidered. Her thin figure is dwarfed by the mound of bedclothes as well as the thick pile of pillows where she lays her head. A young boy sits by her side, on the edge of the bed. He grips her hand, as if he can transfer his own strength to his ailing mother. His hazel eyes are anxious as he scans her pale face.  But he doesn’t speak aloud his apprehensions, simply holds on for dear life.

Another spasm seizes the woman. She half-rises from the bed, fighting for

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Wednesday Briefs: July 3, 2024

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.

Dracula #21 (5.4) by J L Hayes

Avram was impressed. Gunther was possessed of a great deal of chutzpah to dare to talk to the vampire in that manner. Of course he didn’t realize what Nico was, but he knew enough to not antagonize him, and normally he was the mildest of men, filled with priestly goodwill and all.  The interactions between Gunther and Dracula over the years had been limited, and usually concerned with Avram, but Dracula had not always come across as someone of infinite patience. Rather, one might even say he was demanding. Not surprising that the villagers steered well clear of him on the rare occasions when he came to Bistritza, and why he seldom came anywhere near them.  Gunther was a very protective friend… and Dracula was a very protective guardian. They clearly had not liked one another almost from the beginning but had tolerated each other for Avram’s sake.

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Wednesday Briefs: June 26, 2024

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.

Dracula #20 (5.3) by J L Hayes

“It’s only me.” Gunther’s disembodied voice came floating down to them from above. Moments later, his black-robed body came into view as he plodded down the steps and joined them, one of the candles from the altar in his hand.  He set the candle into a wall sconce that Avram hadn’t even realized was there until that moment. It wasn’t much, but it was a definite relief from the previous gloom. Avram searched his friend’s countenance by the light of the flickering flames, hoping his expression would reveal the result of his encounter with the villagers, but Gunther’s face betrayed nothing.

Avram shot a quick glance at his employer.  He noticed that

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