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Archive for 'anthology'
Friday, July 26th, 2024
Sources aren’t sure when Julia Collins was born, but a number of them place her birth in 1842, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. All sources believe her to have been freeborn and possibly the stepdaughter of Enoch Gilchrist a noted abolitionist, Underground railroad conductor, active member of the local African Methodist Episcopal Church, and ardent fighter for African Americans’ legal rights.
She married Stephen Collins, a barber, Civil War veteran and commander of a veterans’ organization for African American civil war soldiers in Williamsport. They had a daughter, Annie, and raised her with Stephen’s child from his first marriage, Sarah. Both are believed to have been under ten years of age when Julia died.
She was appointed a teacher for the African children in Williamsport and began teaching on April 11,1864.
The Christian Recorder, a newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, published six essays by Julia from 1864 to 1865. The essays titled “Mental Improvement”, “School Teaching”, “Intelligent Women”, “A Letter from Oswego: Originality of Ideas”, “Life is Earnest”, and “Memory and Imagination” dealt with racial uplift and empowerment. Because Julia references the works of writers like Shakespeare, Longfellow and Tennyson in her essays many assume she belonged to a highly educated middle or upper middle-class family.
In 1865, The Christian Recorder serialized Julia’s novel, The Curse of Caste, or The Slave Bride, every week for eight months. The story focused on the trials and tribulations suffered by a mother and daughter due to the issues of racial identity and interracial marriage. Julia died of tuberculosis in November 1865, leaving incomplete one of the first novels ever written by an African American woman. Doing research on a different topic, two scholars, William Andrews and Mitch Kachun, learned of Julia and her works. They had her novel published with the Oxford University Press in 2007.
A Pennsylvania State Historical Marker honoring her in Williamsport celebrates her for three firsts: the first marker in Lycoming County to honor a woman, an African American and someone in the arts. The marker was dedicated on June 19, 2010 and unveiled on Williamsport’s River Walk near where Collins’ home and school are believed to have been located. Julia’s descendants were present for the unveiling. One of them as well as a picture of the full marker can be seen here: https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/feature-articles/discovering-julia-collins. The marker’s citation begins, “Essayist, teacher, and author, her work, The Curse of Caste, is considered to be among the first published novels by an African American woman.”
As I learned about Julia, I couldn’t help but think of these words penned by John Greenleaf Whittier in his poem Maud Muller:
“For of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been!'”
If tuberculosis hadn’t cut short her life, who knows what other works Julia may have produced. For a chance at a $10 Amazon gift card, share your thoughts about Julia or any “it might have beens!” that you’re aware of.
“Her Heavenly Phantom” by Michal Scott
from Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology #8
Forced into a marriage of convenience neither wants, a mild-mannered banker with an intriguing secret discovers his reluctant bride has a secret, too
Excerpt from “Her Heavenly Phantom”…
Prim, proper, and modest.
Not at all the adjectives Harold Broadman would have used to describe his dream bride. But then the woman standing to his right here in his mother’s parlor, saying “I do” was not his dream bride.
Relaxed, seductive, and flashy.
Those adjectives described his dream bride. His lady of the balcony. What circumstances could have made that dream woman his intended?
The minister harrumphed. Harold shook himself out of his thoughts and answered, “I do.”
His father and father-in-law exchanged hearty congratulations.
“Welcome to the Hampton family, William,” Emily’s father said. “I see great things in our future.”
Unwed and pregnant, Emily Hampton needed a husband. Newly freed and hungry for a foothold among the ranks of the Black elite in 1880s Brooklyn, William Broadman had the answer.
His son Harold.
The warmth shared between the two men stood in stark contrast to the cold chaste kiss Harold and his bride shared. Their coolness continued as they walked up the aisle. Guests, oblivious to their shared contempt, showered them with hugs and handshakes. Harold shivered even more as his father and father-in-law back-patted themselves and toasted the couple’s future happiness at the wedding reception. No doubt the arctic chill between the couple would extend to their first lay as man and wife, too.
Preorder buylink: rb.gy/vv3268
Tagged: African-American, anthology, Guest Blogger, historical, historical romance, short story
Posted in Contests!, General | 4 People Said | Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Debra Guyette - Anna Taylor Sweringen - Mary Preston -
Wednesday, July 24th, 2024
Summer is here! It’s time to get out there and enjoy every second of it. Here’s my foolproof plan for enjoying a summer’s day at home.
Step #1
Get an adult beverage. Wine is always an excellent choice but here’s one that’s been a family favorite for years. Mix it up, put it in the freezer, and it’s a cool, refreshing drink whenever you want one.
Summer Slush
Ingredients:
1 – 12 oz can of frozen orange juice
1 – 12 oz can of frozen lemonade
¾ cup of sugar
5 cups of water
2 cups of vodka
In large freezer proof container, mix in order given and freeze.
Serve ½ glass of slush with 7 up or ginger ale.
Step #2
Snacks. There should always be snacks. Unlike winter, when I admit to going heavy on the sweets, this time of year I crave the fresh fruits of summer—apricots, cherries, watermelon, grapes. These are not always easy to get where I live. Some cheese and crackers, maybe some hummus. For dessert—because there should always be dessert—some excellent dark chocolate. These backyard picnic-style snack foods are also a great way to avoid having to cook.
Step #3
A good book. Reading is the way I relax and let go of all my worries. I live in an apartment, so I love to take my book out on my balcony, relax in my lawn chair, and enjoy a refreshing beverage—iced tea or something with a little more zip. (See Step #1)
And if you’re looking for something to read, you might want to check out the Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology. The great thing about an anthology is the stories are shorter and you can sample a variety of authors—perfect for a relaxing afternoon in the sun
Inside Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology, you’ll find stories by some of the hottest romance writers out there for readers who crave mysterious, enigmatic men and women who may not be who they claim to be. Perhaps they’re the new next-door neighbor with a secret mission, an alien from a far-away galaxy looking for his fated mate, or a spy trying to catch a foreign agent. Whatever their secrets, intrigue and passion follow…
My contribution is “Perfect Stranger” – An undercover DEA agent must keep his identity secret from the woman he’s falling for, a woman he’s also investigating.
Coming July 30th. Preorder your copy today.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D5SQ4P2P/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/secret-identities-delilah-devlin/1145674531
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/secret-identities-8
About the Author
N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, assassins, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.
Visit her at:
Website: http://www.njwalters.com
Blog: http://www.njwalters.blogspot.com
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/gdblg5
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/N.J.WaltersAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/njwaltersauthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/NJWalters
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/njwalters
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/n-j-walters
Tagged: anthology, erotic romance, Guest Blogger, recipe, romantic suspense, short story
Posted in General | Someone Said | Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Mary Dellenbusch -
Monday, July 22nd, 2024
   
If you’ve visited this blog lately, you know that there’s something fun happening over at another website I run, Delilah’s Collections. It only gets active for a few months a year, but when it does, it’s very, very busy! We’re running a campaign now through the release of our latest collection, Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology on July 30th. It’s a fun way to get to know the authors who’ve written stories for the anthology—maybe you already know them, maybe you don’t! But did I mention there will be multiple opportunities to win prizes or pick up some freebies?
Now back to those images… They represent the current posts from the authors who are eager to meet you!
For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, let me know whether you’ve been over to the Collections website to “meet” our new authors!
A reminder about what’s releasing tomorrow!!
Pre-order your copy now!
Tagged: anthology, Bad Boys, bounty hunter, Montana Bounty Hunters
Posted in Contests!, New Release | 5 People Said | Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Debra Guyette - Kerry pruett - Colleen C. - Jennifer Beyer - BN -
Sunday, July 21st, 2024
It was a productive week once we got past the AC issue on Monday. You really, really appreciate your conveniences when they aren’t there. It was a busy week. I tend to write best when I’m under a hard deadline, and I really felt the pressure to complete Cyrus, so the story flowed all the way up to the day before I had to upload it! I wish my muse was more disciplined, but that’s just not how it works. I have to let go and let it do its thing. When I surrender and take myself out of the process, that’s when the good stuff comes. And I know that’s more crazy author talk, but if the shoe fits… Anyway, here’s my report card for last week’s work and my plan for the upcoming week. Sharing these “report cards” does help because I feel like I have to accomplish things or I look lazy. LOL
Report Card
Last week…
- The AC was fixed on Monday! By Tuesday, the temperature inside the house, including my basement office, was at last livable! Yay!
- I completed writing/editing Cyrus. It was formatted and uploaded for its release on Tuesday!
- I worked on the last edits of the stories inside the Secret Identities anthology.
- I gave up on the short story I was trying to write for Secret Identities and started another, but it’s not working either even though I’m 3/4 of the way into it. I might have to reject my own story for the anthology because it’s just not good enough. There’s a first time for everything, and I have to be honest with myself. I think the theme just didn’t work for me, and after reading the great stories that are going to make up the new volume, I’m not going to embarrass myself. 🙂
- I swam every day, sometimes twice a day!
- I’m still complying with Weight Watchers, despite the week from hell when we ate fast food at least once a day. I’ve maintained a 5.5-pound loss.
This next week…
- Cyrus releases this week! Early Tuesday morning to be exact! You know I’ll be promoting the heck out of the first West Yellowstone bounty hunter book!
- I’ll finish editing stories in the Secret Identities anthology. Then I’ll compile the stories into the anthology and ready them for publication on the 30th!
- I will begin editing another author’s manuscript!
- I’ll begin work on my next novel, Built Like Mack, the next We Are Dead Horse story.
- I’ll continue swimming and counting those points on Weight Watchers!
Open Contests
On the Delilah’s Collections website!
GETTING TO KNOW BRENT ARCHER (CONTEST) — Last day to enter! 2 winners! Win an Amazon gift card!- GETTING TO KNOW CINDY TANNER (CONTEST) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
- GETTING TO KNOW AVA CUVAY (CONTEST) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
Here, on this site!
Gabbi Grey: Pushing Boundaries (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win a FREE book!It’s getting hot in here! (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!Saturday Puzzle Contest: I’ve been through the desert… — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!- Gabbi Grey: Avoiding the Middle Book Slump (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
- Word Search: Things to See in Yellowstone… (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
- Caviar and Frogs…whuuutt? (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
- Gabbi Grey: Something a Little Different (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
- Saturday Puzzle-Contest: A Grizzly Beginning (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
Tagged: anthology, Montana Bounty Hunters, Motivation, planning
Posted in Contests!, Real Life | Say Something | Link
Friday, July 19th, 2024
Hello Delilah! Thank you for welcoming me here today! I’m happy to share news about my latest anthology project. Protect My Heart has brought together a dynamic group of authors writing romantic suspense stories! The premise for these short stories is simple—heroes and heroines. Who doesn’t love a good hero or heroine story?
Naturally, I had to put a twist on that.
Probably not surprising to anyone who knows me and has read my stories—especially the newer ones.
I summoned my Plot Whisperer (and dear friend) and offered her the parameters—some kind of bodyguard/cop/firefighter…something like that. 15k words. I wanted to write a gay romance. I write these because I’m pretty good at it and because I love inclusion. Love is love. Love Without Limits is my personal tagline.
Plot Whisperer…did her magic. And I wound up writing a rom-com with a dash of suspense. It’s not what readers might expect, but it’s certainly something I hope they enjoy! After all, a bodyguard tasked with protecting a Ming vase on a film set isn’t an everyday story. Throw in a designer who doesn’t have a brain-to-mouth filter and sexy times ensue.
Protect My Heart
Protect. Defend. Love?
What do firefighters, bodyguards, marines, and Texas Rangers have in common? They do whatever it takes to keep us safe.
But when Cupid has them in his sights, our protectors land neck deep in trouble. They willingly risk their lives, but dare they risk their hearts?
Protect My Heart is a steamy collection from USA Today best-selling and award-winning romance authors curated by The New Romance Café.
Authors:
Kalli Dean
Sharon Michalove
Rubi Jade
Chelle Pimblott
Bella Paige
Harper Michaels
Angela Breen
Bonnie Poirier
Heather Osborne
Lisabel Chretien
MacKade
Angelica Kate
Amy Stephens
Annee Jones
Serafina Jax
Ryleigh Sloan
Gabbi Grey
Toni Denise
Sophia Vincent
Elizabeth Salo
Michelle Moncrieff
Emma Marie Cormier
The anthology will only be available for a limited time.
No Rough Handling by Gabbi Grey
Hallstein
Here I am, a highly-skilled professional bodyguard who’s never lost a client, guarding…a vase. That’s right, home decor. It’s Ming Dynasty and worth a cool three-million, but this TV-show assignment has me bored out of my skull. The set decorator, however, has definitely caught my eye.
Myles
Adding a real Ming vase to my set was brilliant, bringing my legendary flair into play. Of course, the cost of the vase requires a stuffy, all-business, unfairly hot and attractive bodyguard. The urge to tempt Hallsy into some shenanigans is irresistible. Question is, can he resist me?
Links:
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/TNRC2024ProtectMyHeart
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Protect-Heart-Protector-Anthology-Collection-ebook/dp/B0CJ8PG4M8
Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199017137-protect-my-heart
Anyway, I love writing these shorts—something to keep my mind occupied between the longer books—of which I write plenty as well. I really hope readers will nab this limited time anthology and smile as they read the huge variety of books.
Thanks for hosting me, Delilah. I’d love to give away a $5 Amazon gift card to one lucky commenter. What’s your favorite setting for a book? Or, what setting would you love to see more of? I’ll randomly select one commenter for a prize!
About the Gabbi Grey
USA Today Bestselling author Gabbi Grey lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black and Gabbi Powell.
Tagged: anthology, contemporary romance, gay romance
Posted in Contests!, General | 6 People Said | Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Colleen C. - Mary Preston - BN - Debra Guyette - Jennifer Beyer -
Monday, July 8th, 2024
UPDATE: The winner is…Deb Brown!
*~*~*
What indeed? If you’ve visited this blog during the past couple of weeks, you know that there’s something fun happening over at another website I run, Delilah’s Collections. It only gets active for a few months a year, but when it does, it’s like a firehose of activities!
We’re running a little campaign now through the release of our latest collection, Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology, which will drop on July 30th. It’s a fun getting to know the authors activity, filled with interesting tidbits about them and multiple opportunities to win prizes or pick up some freebies.
Now back to those images… They represent the first four posts from the authors who are eager to meet you!
For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, let me know whether you’ve been over to the Collections website to “meet” our new authors!
Tagged: anthology, Bad Boys, erotic romance, short story
Posted in Contests!, General | 12 People Said | Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Ann Ivey - Mary McCoy - Beckie - flchen - Delilah -
Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024
This month will be a firehose of books coming at you! Yay!
The first two are re-releases of stories in a series of three, and I’m writing the fourth and final book, which comes your way in September. The books are hot—like smutty, erotic hot. If you’re into that, you don’t want to miss them. And who doesn’t like hot firefighters?!
Pre-order your copy!
Pre-order your copy!
Next up, is the first book in the new Montana Bounty Hunters: West Yellowstone series! Cyrus is sexy if a bit, reserved (grumpy). The woman who sets her cap for him will find coaxing him into better humor, and into her bed, quite a challenge.
Pre-order your copy!
Finally, Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology will close out the month! I hope you’ll follow along as we introduce you to the authors who’ve contributed their wonderful stories to this volume! We’re running contests on the Collections website that you won’t want to miss!
Preorder your copy!
Open Contests
- Getting to know Cameron Allie! (CONTEST + 2 FREE Reads!) — 10 Winners! FREE reads for all!
- We’re gearing up for the release of Secret Identities! — Win an Amazon gift card!
- Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Meet me on the bridge… — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
- Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway (Contest) — Win a signed book + some hand-painted goodies!
- It’s my birthday, but I’m giving away the gift! — Everyone, get your FREE copy. This offer ends soon!
- What’s Coming Soon & the Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Orange you glad you stopped by? — Win an Amazon gift card!
- June into July (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
Tagged: anthology, bounty hunter, contemporary romance, erotic romance, Montana Bounty Hunters
Posted in Contests!, New Release | Comments Off on Books coming this month + Open Contests! | Link
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