Showing results by narrator "Abby Craden" in All Categories

Five short stories that give glimpses into the lives of Griffin, Jorie, and the other characters from Second Nature.

The inequity of domestic life is one of the most profound and perplexing conundrums of our time. In an era of seemingly unprecedented feminist activism, enlightenment, and change, data shows that one area of gender inequality stubbornly remains: the unequal amount of parental work that falls on women, no matter their class or professional status.

A broken heart an estranged relationship with her mother and a chronic incurable illness. The odds seem stacked against world renowned glass artist Sydney Reamer. That is until one difficult night in the ER, Dr. Samantha Vays enters her life. Having forfeited a successful career to join her family medical practice. Samantha is also having doubts about marrying her fiancé.

Since emigrating from Bangladesh, 14-year-old Nadira and her family have been living in New York City on expired visas, hoping to realize their dream of becoming legal U.S. citizens. But after 9/11, everything changes. Suddenly being Muslim means you are dangerous - a suspected terrorist. When Nadira's father is arrested and detained at the U.S.-Canadian border, Nadira and her older sister, Aisha, are told to carry on as if everything is the same. The teachers at Flushing High don't ask any questions, but Aisha falls apart....

Successful New York editor Jen Gibbs is at the top of her game with her new position at Vida House Publishing - until a mysterious manuscript from an old slush pile appears on her desk. Turning the pages, Jen finds herself drawn into the life of Sarra, a mixed-race Melungeon girl trapped y dangerous men in turn-of-the-century Appalachia.

Determined to find a husband, Miss Eleanor "Nell" Bowman attends a ball put on by the Duchess of Greycliffe, fondly referred to as the Duchess of Love. But she roundly dismisses the suitors the matchmaking hostess has invited on her behalf. For it's the duchess' dashing son Ned, Lord Edward, who long ago captured Nell's heart - and roused her desire. All it takes is a pair of conveniently misplaced silky red bloomers to set the handsome widower's gaze on this unusual girl who is clearly more than meets the eye.

Lou McCallister owns Howl, the only surviving queer bar in Boston. When an investment opportunity to save the floundering bar is inadvertently sabotaged by Clementine Darby, Howl's newest employee, Lou is ready to give up. Now Clem will do anything she can to make it right and keep Howl alive, but will she be able to save the bar in time? This sapphic Coyote Ugly reimagining brings the funny and the feels.

Meeting Jackson Steele was a shock to my senses. Confident and commanding, he could take charge of any room...or any woman. And he hungered for me. Our bond was immediate, our passion untamed. I wanted to surrender completely, but I couldn't risk him knowing the truth about my past. Yet Jackson carried secrets too, and in our desire we found our escape. Learning to trust is never easy. My mind told me to run. But heart had never felt a fire this strong - one that could save me...or scar me forever.

Experience three novellas about the joys and trials of sisterhood.

Aspiring actress Jamie Archer is on the run. From herself. From her wild-child ways. From the screwed up life that she left behind in Los Angeles. And, most of all, from Ryan Hunter - the first man who has the potential to break through her defenses to see the dark fears and secrets she hides. Stark International security chief Ryan Hunter knows only one thing for sure - he wants Jamie. Wants to hold her, make love to her, possess her, and claim her.

Finnley O'Connell is at a crossroads when her life takes an unexpected turn after getting fired from her family's lawn care business. Seeking refuge in Chicago with her gay uncle, Finnley discovers a vibrant city and a new sense of freedom. But it's meeting Emerson, a captivating and mysterious woman, that truly changes everything. Drawn to Emerson's strength and vulnerability, Finnley begins to untangle the threads of her own heart and identity. What begins as a temporary escape turns into a journey of self-discovery.

When sexy Stark Security Chief Ryan Hunter whisks his girlfriend Jamie Archer away for a passionate, romance-filled weekend so he can finally pop the question, he's certain that the answer will be an enthusiastic yes. So when Jamie tries to avoid the conversation, hiding her fears of commitment and change under a blanket of wild sensuality and decadent playtime in bed, Ryan is more determined than ever to convince Jamie that they belong together.

Nineteen-year-old Whit Conrad leaves her conservative Pennsylvania home for sunny California, looking for independence, a fresh start, and a place to stash her grief. She promptly finds a job at a tattoo parlor, a craptastic first apartment, and one friend - Ryan - who is a little less friend, a little more benefits. Deo Beckett is a soulful surfer with a passion for tattoos and beautiful women. On the eve of his twenty-second birthday, he finds himself living with his grandfather, recently unemployed, and seriously adrift.

Today's teenagers spend about nine hours per day online. Parents of this ultra-connected generation struggle with decisions completely new to parenting: Should an 8-year-old be allowed to go on social media? How can parents help their children gain the most from the best aspects of the digital age? How can we keep kids safe from digital harm?

In the final showdown between the forces of dark and light, Mal and Chrysabelle face not only Tatiana but the ancient evil that now controls her: the Castus Sanguis. Chrysabelle gathers her friends and family around her, forming a plan to bring an end to the chaos surrounding them. But the Castus is the most powerful being they've ever come up against. Defeating such evil will require a great sacrifice from someone on the side of light.

Connie dates men. Sure, she's just dumped one, and she'll take her time finding another one. Instead she finds Kasey who happens to be a woman, a lesbian, actually. Connie assumes they'll be good friends, but soon realizes she wants more.

Tessa is close to giving up on her authoritative parents and their demands, on her studies, and on everything in her life, including Dylan. She can run away and leave it all behind or stay to fight against her controlling family and win back Dylan. She has a feeling he needs her, so how can she leave when he's the only man who’s ever made her feel alive?

Screw honey, this bear craves chocolate. Mason, a true ladies' man and a big teddy of a bear, is on a mission to protect the shifter community. Who is he to complain if that task requires him to guard FUC's tech wizard - a curvy mocha hottie who knows how to bring him to his knees?

Five brothers in all but blood, five girls who love them, emerging from a past fraught with darkness and danger. There are wedding bells, and baby cries and laughter all around. They have found their happy ending. Only one cloud is marring these blue skies, and it has to do with Zane, the rock of the brotherhood. Nobody knows exactly what is wrong, but here’s the thing, folks: There are five of us, and we stand all for one and one for all. If you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us. We protect our own.

LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan is struggling to move forward after the death of her brother in Afghanistan and taking a life in the line of duty. Her stoic parents offer little support – they refuse to address anything difficult, and she’s afraid their relationship is eroding beyond the point of recovery.