Stand Alone Stories
Lipstick & Liars
Nineteen years of marriage means a lot of love, laughter, and heartache between two people. A lot can happen in nineteen years: young lovers might become young parents, maybe climb the ladder of responsibility in their careers, they might acquire a beautiful home and fancy cars and big screen TVs…and they might lose sight of each other and the love that brought them together.
Ava and Logan McKinley are in the middle-marriage years. They both have successful careers, and they both love their children unconditionally—though in recent years, both kids have challenged their patience. In the midst of fifty-hour work weeks, little financial issues here and there (as simple as a forgotten bill), one child constantly in trouble and the other with a reading disorder, intimacy has been forgotten, sex is just another thing on a long to-do list, and every conversation between them turns into a shouting match.
When Logan takes his wedding ring off and announces to family and friends that he and Ava are dealing with some issues, he’s relieved to finally have some room to breathe. The trouble with creating a little space? It leaves room for someone else to fill it.
Cozy Casita Christmas
Since his ex-wife is getting remarried two days before Christmas and both of his kids will be with her for the holidays, Savion Merchant packs his bags and heads south. His vacation agenda includes a little bit of Arizona sunshine, some reading, and maybe a cold beer or two. His plans certainly don’t include finding a topless sunbather at the house he’s been told is his for the week.
Mia Griffey’s family is scattered for the holidays, planning to celebrate in January. So, why not kick back in her friend’s Arizona home for the week, work on her tan, and drink some good wine? When Savion finds her in a compromised position, she’s a little surprised and a little embarrassed but agreeable to sharing the beautiful home and casita with him for the holiday.
Things heat up quickly between them, but will they run out of steam when real life calls?
