“I would offer you love with my tongue and adept devotion, until your doubts forget to breathe.”
Romantic suspense
FEATURED: Ruckus by Zoe Dawson
Ruckus by Zoe Dawson For U.S. Navy SEAL, Bowie “Ruckus” Cooper, going on a mission into the most dangerous place on earth wasn’t new, neither were the orders to tag and bag an international criminal, but when Bowie finds a captive American reporter, that wasn’t...
FEATURED: Desiree’s Revenge by K.C. Carson
Prologue
November 28, 1972
What the hell just happened? wondered Tony Marino.
Tony had been walking home from a poker game in Brooklyn’s Little Italy, the Bensonhurst section. The private detective was enjoying the midnight peace and quiet on the neighborhood’s normally busy Eighteenth Avenue. The street at that hour was mostly deserted, lit only by streetlights, a few bars and, on nights like this one, the moon. He was taking his time, minding his own business.
Around 77th Street, though, a lone figure on the other side of the street caught his eye. This was a woman, a tall, slender one, wearing a waist-length bolero-type leather jacket, tight jeans and low-heeled boots. She carried no handbag or purse, which struck him as unusual for any woman, anywhere. Her relaxed, confident stride was that of a dancer, he mused, or maybe a runway model. An image of an Arabian thoroughbred flew into his head.
That probably would have been enough to draw his attention, but there was something else. This was a Black woman, walking by herself in Bensonhurst late at night. One of the things Tony’s mother taught him to despise about his neighborhood’s culture was its insularity, especially its often-virulent racism. Black people risked their lives by venturing there. Any Black person out alone at any time, but especially a woman late at night, had to be in danger. He decided to keep an eye on this one. What was she doing here? he wondered. Where could she possibly be going?
He watched a patrol car slow to a crawl as it drew up close. He thought the cops might hassle her, but the car drove on.
As she crossed 80th Street, three men tumbled out of Giovanni’s Bar, laughing and play-fighting with one another. One was tall and thin, another short and pudgy. The third looked like a bodybuilder. Their laughter stopped when they saw the woman coming up the block. In an instant, they had her surrounded. She stopped walking. They closed in. The muscleman gestured toward an alley between two buildings. Tony couldn’t hear what they were calling to her or at her, but he could tell she was in trouble. He started running towards them. By the time he was halfway across the street, she’d dispatched the short one with a straight kick to the groin and a vicious chop to the neck, and the tall one with a roundhouse kick to the chest. When she turned to the muscleman, though, he pulled a gun out of his waistband. Tony closed the last few yards in seconds, just in time to bring the butt of his own .45 down on the back of the man’s head.
As the predator crumpled to the ground, Tony asked the woman, “Are you all right?”
This was the first time he could see her in full light. She was a couple of inches taller than his five-ten, athletically built and dark-skinned, with high cheekbones, full lips and big black eyes. He was mesmerized. Those big eyes were blazing though, not with gratitude but with anger.
“Just what the hell you think you’re doin’?” she barked. This was the last thing he expected to hear.
“This guy had a gun,” he stammered. “You were in trouble.”
“And who asked for a white knight to ride in and rescue this damsel in distress? I’m pretty damn sure it weren’t me!”
“But he had a gun. He was turning to point it at you.”
“I know that. And that gun would’ve been flyin’ out of his hands in a split-second, if you didn’t show up and ruin everything.”
Tony didn’t know what to say. What did she mean, “ruin everything?” He thought he might have saved her life. But she turned and marched away, fast. He caught up and asked, “Can I give you a lift? My car’s on the next block.”
“No. I don’t need nothin’ from you. Get away from me. Go!”
He was totally perplexed by her fury. At the same time, he was thinking, God, she’s beautiful!
The episode ended when they reached the subway station. She turned, pointed her finger at him, and commanded, “Don’t even think about followin’.” Then she disappeared down the stairs.
The rest of the way home, the rest of the night, Tony couldn’t get her out of his mind. Who was this woman? he wondered. And what the hell just happened?
Featured Post: Reaching for Forever by Tara Eldana
I am a recently retired, multi-award-winning staff writer for a weekly community newspaper chain in metro Detroit. I became hooked on romance fiction when my 11th-grade English teacher rejected my book report, saying the book was much too easy for me, and insisted I read and report on Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca.
After some life-changing health issues, and covering over a dozen murder and criminal sexual conduct trials, I decided to write the kind of stories I like to read, stories with happy endings.
I love the romance genre and love letting my characters take control of their stories. I write under the pen name of Tara Eldana.
Featured Post: Illusions of Time: Selena’s Tale by Sabina Dazdarevic
Sabina Dazdarevic is a passionate storyteller with a love for crafting tales that blend mystery, emotion, and the supernatural. Inspired by a fascination with time, illusions, and human resilience, she created the story of Selena – a journey through fear, loyalty, and self-discovery. When not writing, Dazdarevic enjoys exploring history, uncovering lesser-known myths, and finding inspiration in nature. Her works often reflect themes of courage and the complexity of human connections.
Featured Post: Commanding Sia by Zoe Dawson
Zoe Dawson lives in North Carolina. She discovered romance in her teens and has been spinning stories in her head ever since. Her heroes are sexy males with a disregard for danger and whether reluctant, gung-ho, or caught up in the action, show their hearts of gold.
Her imagination runs wild with romances from sensual to scorching including romantic comedy, new adult, romantic suspense, small town and urban fantasy. Look below to explore the many avenues to her writing. She believes that it’s all about the happily ever afters and always will be.
Featured Post: DARK LITTLE SECRETS by Willow Rose
Willow Rose is a multi-million-copy best-selling Author and an ALL-star Author of more than 100 novels.
She has sold more than six million books that are translated into many languages.
Willow’s books are fast-paced, nail-biting pageturners with twists you won’t see coming.
That’s why her fans call her The Queen of Plot Twists.
Willow lives on Florida’s Space Coast with her kids, two cats, and her Goldendoodle. When she is not writing or reading, you will find her surfing and watching the dolphins play in the waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
Check out one of our featured posts!
FEATURED: Brokenness and New Beginnings: A Story of Hope For Those Facing Separation and Divorce by Francis P. DeLellis
About Featured Book: Brokenness and New Beginnings: A Story of Hope For Those Facing Separation and Divorce by Francis P. DeLellis A survivor of separation and divorce, Francis P. DeLellis opens his heart and all the pain it held for the world to see, with the hope of...
FEATURED: My Brother’s Best Friends by Natasha L. Black
About Featured Book: My Brother's Best Friends by Natasha L. Black "There's zero chance of knowing who the father is. Identical triplets share almost identical DNA." The words slam into me like a freight train. Oh. Hell. How did I let this happen? After losing my job...
FEATURED: Silver Fox Daddies by Liz Archer
About Featured Book: Silver Fox Daddies by Liz Archer Three silver fox bikers. Two pink lines. One drunk voicemail. And zero clue who the daddy is. I’m a librarian. But one drunk voicemail later, I lost my v-card to three bikers twice my age. Now I’m pregnant… And the...
FEATURED: Claimed by the Deputies by Kai Lesy
About Featured Book: Claimed by the Deputies by Kai Lesy One moment I’m alone, fantasizing about the grumpy silver-fox next door. The next, my vibrator explodes. Then... He. Shows. Up. Sheriff Lucas Riggs. My next-door neighbor with a hero complex and a jawline made...
FEATURED: Southpaw by Dennis Gilfeather
About Featured Book: Dennis Gilfeather, Southpaw by Dennis Gilfeather Dennis Gilfeather a young Scottish pugilist who practices the noble art of boxing.... "There seemed to be a huge gaping hole inside of me. I wanted some answers but didn’t know where to look. I felt...
FEATURED: Mind Unleashed: Mastering Your Mental Potential by NP Chambers
About Featured Book: Mind Unleashed: Mastering Your Mental Potential by Np Chambers Master the Inner Workings of Your Mind Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your mind and transform your life? Dive into a compelling journey of mental mastery with Mind...
FEATURED: Shine a Light by Nicky Corcoran
About Featured Book: Shine a Light by Nicky Corcoran My book ‘Shine a Light’ is an updated version (Updated in May 2025). The paperback is written in English and is priced at £5.50. It is also available in kindle unlimited for free. ‘Shine A Light’ puts a spotlight on...
FEATURED: His Son’s Ex by K.C. Crowne
About Featured Book: His Son's Ex by K.C. Crowne Crashing my ex’s wedding was for closure… Until his plastic bride called me fat in front of everyone. Three hundred witnesses. Dead silence. That's when the Mafia king put her in her place. Dante Bellacino. Devil in an...
Featured Author Interview: Joachim Lépine
Tell us about yourself.: I teach marketing for people who hate marketing with a passion. As a translator by trade who built two highly successful businesses from the ground up, I love helping fellow introverts translate their natural qualities into marketing...
FEATURED: Solving Pain Without Pills – When the answer is not in a bottle by Dr. Evette Rose
About Featured Book: Solving Pain Without Pills - When the answer is not in a bottle by Dr. Evette Rose Book is FREE from 24 - 27 June If you’ve been chasing relief from pain through prescriptions, quick fixes, or endless appointments — and still find yourself...