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Publishing News

Have you ever played Whamageddon or listened to “Last Christmas?” If so, my tiny romance, “Whamageddon Love Story,” the kick-off for Micromance Magazine’s holiday issue, is for you! If you like it, please leave a heart or a comment over at Micromance!

In other news, I’m in a chapbook! Written Tales Chapbook XV: Echoes of Ink is available now on Amazon. My story, “Letting Go,” is not a romance, but a murder mystery starring a police officer and the ex-girlfriend who still has a hold on him. This story took over two years to find a good home, and I’m so happy to finally have it in print.

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Flash Fiction

Last week’s Flash Fiction Magic prompt over on Instagram was “a nameless child.” I weaseled around the prompt a little bit, but I love the little romance I came up with, and wanted to share it with you!

Clara exited the story time room, startling when she came face to face with the guy her coworker, Amelia, had called “Hot Dad” when he and his preschooler had checked in that morning. The little girl, who wore her auburn hair in two cute little pigtails, had refused to say her name during the welcome song, but Clara had learned enough to amend her grown-up’s name to “Uncle Pat.” Uncle Pat’s blue eyes and brown stubble were even more appealing up close.

“Can I help with something?” Clara asked, ignoring her suddenly sweaty palms and disheveled, post-teapot-song hairdo. He’d already seen her tip her spout, so her appearance at this point didn’t even matter. Her mortification was complete.

“Um,” Pat said, smiling at his niece diligently working on a chunky puzzle at one of the kid-sized tables. “I’m babysitting. They have a new baby at home, and we just needed to get her out of the house. Her name is Alice, by the way.” He cleared his throat. “Anyway, I just wondered if you might be able to recommend some books? Like, about being a big sister?”

Be still her librarian heart. Pat could not possibly know how much Clara loved a scruffy man’s man dressed in flannel asking for picture books about new babies. “Absolutely,” She motioned for him to follow her into the stacks and led him to the 300s shelf in Children’s Nonfiction. “Here’s the section you want.” She tugged a couple of favorites from their places. “These are popular ones, but you can take a look and see what you like.”

“I appreciate it,” said Pat sheepishly. “I haven’t been in a library since high school, and let me tell you, my librarian back then was nothing like you.”

Clara felt her cheeks flush as she laughed in surprise. “I hope that’s a compliment!”

“Oh, yeah,” Pat said, also blushing just a bit. “It definitely is. She mostly just yelled at us and threatened to send us back to class.”

“Well, the worst you’ll get from me is a sing-along of forty-five verses of The Wheels on the Bus.”

Pat chuckled. “Hey, that was cute. My favorite was the wipers.” He waved his hands back and forth. “Swish swish swish.”

“The kids love that one,” Clara agreed, grinning over his imitation of her movements. “Speaking of, I need to go see who else needs help, but come by the desk when you’re ready to check out.”

Amelia had dealt with most of the crowd already, but Clara accepted compliments and high-fives and helped a couple more moms find books before Pat and Alice made their way over to the children’s desk. “I think we’ve decided on this one,” Pat said, laying one of Clara’s suggestions in front of her, along with Alice’s library card.

“Great choice,” Clara said, smiling, finding that she was all fluttery over the thought of him selecting something she had recommended. Forget swish swish swish, her heart was going like the bus’s motor: zoom, zoom zoom. She printed the due date slip, and placed it inside the book, wishing she had a reason to keep him another few minutes. “Anything else I can do for you?”

Alice tugged on her uncle’s shirt, and he bent down so she could whisper in his ear. “Something about a sticker?” he said, looking puzzled.

“Oh! Of course!” Clara opened the drawer and pulled out two rolls, one with truck stickers and one with cat stickers, and held them out to Alice. “Which would you like?”

Alice pointed to the cats, and Clara peeled one off and handed it over. Then, she had a sudden stroke of inspiration. “Uncle Pat,” she said playfully. “I think you need one too.” From another drawer, she drew out a sheet of plain labels. With a Sharpie, she jotted her phone number on one of the blank rectangles, and before she could chicken out, stuck it to Pat’s sleeve.

Pat grinned broadly when he saw what she’d done. “Does this mean we can meet for coffee?”

“Or tea,” joked Clara, and the pleasant way he laughed as he and Alice left the library stuck with her all the rest of the day like a catchy story time tune, only better.

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57 days until the release of The Bennetts Bloom…

Pair this quote with “All the Years” by Wild Child, one of the songs on my Fern & Dave Playlist.