To Love and To Cherish - Vol 3 - Lives and Wives

All For Love
Is the dream of marriage and a happy ever after life over for Tara and Cheri?
Blurb:
Tara knows that she and Cheri belong together, yet Cheri's increasingly volatile behavior is driving them apart. They need a miracle, or two, to save their relationship.
Cheri is tormented by insecurity and terrified she’ll lose Tara for good if she dares to confide her guilty secret but time is running out for the truth game.
In a final attempt to win Cheri's hand in marriage, Tara risks all for love.
Excerpt:
“What do you mean, you’re not going?” I glanced up from the tickets in my hands and my heart sank. Cheri’s implacable stance promised a confrontation I could well do without, after a long day in court. “What’s changed? You were all for going to this when we put our names into the draw for tonight’s special showing.”
Where had my beautiful, vivacious lover gone? What had happened to change her into this surly impostor, who bore no resemblance to the angel I’d set my heart on marrying from the day she walked into my life with her bright smile and easy wit? Compassion stirred in my heart. I wanted to enfold her in my arms. Hold her tight and comfort her. To take away the hurt, if only I knew what it was, but I didn’t. How could I, when she hardly spoke any more, let alone confided her darkest secrets.
“So? Lighten up, Tara.”
“So…” I barely held onto my temper. “Is that all you have to say? You begged me to try for these tickets because, according to you, Lee Delahaye is your inspiration, and this event not only supports your favorite charity but is also a once in a lifetime opportunity to see some of her early body art, alongside all her regular artwork.”
“Did I? I honestly can’t remember.” Cheri shrugged, avoiding my gaze as she raked paint-stained fingers through her short dark-blond hair.
Clearly bra-less, her breasts thrust against her shirt as she expelled a ragged breath. My pussy pulsed, demanding instant satisfaction as I fought an overwhelming urge to rip the fabric apart and feast upon the sweet buds below. I clenched my fists and drove my fingernails deep into my palms to stop myself from reaching for her. Doing so would only drive her further away. I’d finally given up trying to love or comfort her, since every time I got near her lately she rejected me.
“Do you know, or even care, how much these fucking tickets cost me?” I felt the sting of my accusation and immediately wished the words unsaid. A dark red stain spread across her pale cheeks as if I’d physically slapped her.
“No, I don’t.” For what seemed an eternity, Cheri just stared blankly at me, like she had no idea who I was, then she turned away and stomped across the hall. “Take somebody else or sell them if you’re that concerned about the money, but count me out.” She barely broke her stride to fling the final caustic rebuff over her shoulder. A thunderous slam of the bedroom door punctuated her words.
I resisted the urge to follow. Experience told me no good would come from doing so. I glanced down at the gilt-edged, engraved pasteboard still grasped in my hand, shook my head and tossed the tickets into the trash. I couldn’t bear to worry about them or the two thousand dollars they had cost me when my main concern was Cheri. This episode typified her strange behavior; up one minute, down the next.
AUTHOR BIO:
DALIA CRAIG WRITES MAINLY LESBIAN EROTIC ROMANCE. RECENT RELEASES INCLUDE, TAMING BRYANA, LOVING ELLIE, AND HOLD ME TIGHT, ALL PUBLISHED BY LOVEYOUDIVINE.
SHE ALSO HAS STORIES IN THE PRINT ANTHOLOGIES, WHERE THE GIRLS ARE: URBAN LESBIAN EROTICA AND BEST LESBIAN ROMANCE 2010 FROM CLEIS PRESS.
For more information visit www.daliacraig.com


Embracing The Fire
The deep chill of a Vermont winter will require lots of firewood, so canoe and wilderness guide Brandy Latham welcomes the help of her best friend, Stephanie Watkins. Together they saw, split and stack as they’ve done for many years – but what will happen when new fires ignite between them?
Blurb:
The deep chill of a Vermont winter will require lots of firewood, so canoe and wilderness guide Brandy Latham welcomes the help of her best friend, Stephanie Watkins. Freshly settled in the lakeside house where she spent so many summers with her grandparents, Brandy’s ready to think about warmth of a different kind, and she knows just who she wants to share it with.
Fresh from her divorce, Stephanie is finally clear what she wants, and it’s Brandy. Has she been reading the signals right? Together the two friends saw, split and stack as they’ve done for many years. Can they dare to claim the fire that now ignites between them?
Excerpt:
Bending over in the shower, Brandy welcomed the shards of water slicing across her lower back and buttocks. Although she guided fishing parties on area lakes, even the work required to set up and break up camp and paddle canoes against the wind didn't compare to the strenuous exercise of sawing, splitting, and stacking wood.
She turned and soaped her breasts. If she was aching, how must Stephanie be feeling? She seldom guided anymore. Since she’d had to support her loser of a husband she'd taken on the job of assistant manager at the grocery store-a job with stress, but not as physically demanding as guiding or sawing wood.
Brandy shuttered her eyes and let the steaming water have its way. Would Stephanie welcome a massage? It had been on the tip of her tongue to invite her to share a shower, but that would've been too much, too quick.
Not that she hadn't waited for years to follow up on that one night of bliss they'd shared after their high school graduation. Well, at least it had been bliss for her. It might not have been quite that for Stephanie. She had hooked up with Jerry as soon as he'd gotten back from his Guard weekend. Then they'd gotten serious.
Cringing, Brandy still hated remembering having to stand beside Stephanie at the wedding. That had been pure hell, but Stephanie never noticed. She thought she was entering heaven. The bastard even tried to hit on Brandy a couple times. After the first time she said something to Stephanie, but she was beyond listening. From that point on Brandy bided her time trying to be supportive but doing nothing to sour the friendship she and Stephanie had shared from the time either one of them could remember.
Stepping out of the shower and grabbing a towel, Brandy worked on her hair and tried to keep her pulse steady. She would never do anything to sever their relationship, but she had to know if there wasn't more possible for them. She knew her own heart, but she wasn't certain Stephanie had a clue.
She thought she'd caught Stephanie eying her differently a few times over the last couple months. Her divorce had been final for three months now. As far as she knew, Stephanie wasn't dating. And she'd certainly know if she was. She doubted there was a secret between them-except for her desire to love Stephanie wholly and completely.
Author Bio:
Adriana Kraft is the pen name for a married couple writing erotic romance together. Published at Extasy Books and Whiskey Creek Press Torrid, their novels and short stories garner top reviews and are available in e-book and print. Genres include straight m/f, lesbian, bisexual, ménage and polyamory, with both contemporary and paranormal settings. They hope readers will relish their novels at least half as much as they have relished writing them, and they highly recommend sharing the sizzling fiction with a partner. It may take longer to finish the book, but Adriana believes a good book is meant to be savored!
www.adrianakraft.com
This Magic
At the end of her life, a woman reflects on the magical love she shared with her partner.
Blurb:
Old age may slow the steps, and dim the sight, but it cannot smother the flame of love that burns within the heart. An elderly woman takes time to reflect on the love she shared with her beloved partner, thinking of it as a kind of magic. Her thoughts and memories conjure a moment of magical bliss.
Author Bio:
Meg Leigh lives on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. She shares a home with her partner, Sandra and two cats at the foot of some of the most awesome mountains in Australia. She writes Lesbian and Gay romance and erotica and likes to include an element of the paranormal in her stories.
www.megliegh.wordpress.com


Together Forever
Mira has finally worked up the courage to ask her girlfriend to marry her but the answer she gets isn’t what she expected.
Blurb:
Mira has everything she’s ever dreamed about. A house, a steady job and a great girlfriend. Her only wish is that they could make it official and tie the knot for real. She spends the whole day prepping to propose, only the answer she gets isn’t what she expected. The government has thrown a wrench into her plans and it’s up to her and her lover Lainey to work things out so they can be together forever.
Excerpt:
I held the dustpan towards her. "I broke part of your present."
She reached down and took me by the arm, pulling me to my feet in one easy movement. I hesitated, and she took the dustpan from me and set it aside. "Now what's this about a present?"
I pointed to the meal on the table, noting the absence of glassware. I quickly marched over to the cabinets and pulled out two regular glasses. The plain blue cups clashed with the fine china and real silverware I had laid out but I chose to ignore the fact and focus on more pleasant things.
"I made you dinner."
Her hand went to her chest and she gasped. "What did I do wrong this time?"
I swatted her on the arm, my hand pausing momentarily to enjoy the firm feel of her muscles beneath her sweaty work shirt. "That's not funny. I've been practicing. Look!"
I pointed to the table and her eyes widened. "You made that yourself?"
I nodded. "Yes I did and it took me all afternoon." I glanced at the clock behind her head and realized it wasn't quite six yet. "I had a special surprise planned, and you've ruined it by coming home early. Why you home early?"
"I finished hooking up ol’ Ms. Thompson's new shower and thought I'd come home to see what you were doing." She wiggled her eyebrows in my direction, noticing for the first time what I was wearing. "Doesn't look like I've ruined a thing." Her eyes glanced sideways at the table and then back to me. "The roast looks almost as tasty as you do." She closed the small space that separated us, her lips mere inches from mine. "If that's the main course you must be for dessert." Lainey grinned widely and put one hand on the back of my neck, her fingers gently stroking my hair where it touched my neck. I felt the caress all the way down to my clit. "You know how partial I am to sweets. Maybe I should eat you first."
My knees felt suddenly weak. Even though she was still dressed in her work clothes and smudged with pipe grease and sweat she looked like my favorite fantasy come to life. How I got so lucky to find her I'll never know. I still consider the pipe that burst in my basement all those years ago the best day of my life. It got me a date and my own personal plumber. You just can't go wrong when you're getting your pipes serviced daily.
Author Bio:
Author Beth Wylde writes what she likes to read; which includes a little bit of everything. Her muse is an equal opportunity plot bunny that believes everyone, no matter their kink, color, gender or orientation is entitled, to love, acceptance and steaming HOT sex.
She currently writes for loveyoudivine, Torquere Press, Phaze, eXcessica and Logical Lust Publishing. When she isn’t writing she can still be found online either chatting or working on endless promotion. You can reach her personally at b.wylde@yahoo.com or check out her work at her website: www.bethwylde.com
For more updates on signings, contests and new releases join her yahoo group at:
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/bethwylde