VALENTINE'S DAY BARGAINS AND GIVEAWAYS!

Hey, ho, and welcome back to the PRP VALENTINE’S EXTRAVAGANZA! Yep, it’s the “day of love” today—THE Valentine’s Day! We’ve got bargains and giveaway reads for you, your hubby, and your kids and/or grandkids! That old saying “the family that reads together, stays together” is so true…oh, wait…that wasn’t how it went? LOL

Take a look below at some of our offerings for year round reading and stock up here on Valentine’s Day! Be sure and look at yesterday’s post, too, for more links that you might have missed!


Let’s start with another fantastic anthology, A COWBOY CELEBRATION! When the Fourth of July rolls around, it’s time for a good, old-fashioned, rip-roaring COWBOY CELEBRATION! And what could be better than to relax with a book bursting with stories about—AHEM—hot cowboys and their feisty ladies? A COWBOY CELEBRATION pops and sizzles with seven colorful, sensuous stories by some of PRAIRIE ROSE PUBLICATIONS’ best authors. As an added bonus, each story mentions a tasty picnic dish (with recipes included!) for your next COWBOY CELEBRATION!

But don’t wait until July to read these stories—you'll want to dive right in—especially since we’re offering this collection FREE FROM FEB. 13-17!

The Longest Way Home by Lorrie Farrelly—Maddie, an orphan, is torn when her father shows up to reclaim her from her adoptive mother.
LORRIE’S STORY WON THE BEST SHORT FICTION PRIZE IN THE WESTERN FICTIONEERS PEACEMAKER AWARDS!

Winner Takes All by Meg Mims—Cora Peterson's plan to beat her rival at a picnic auction brings about a surprising end and an unexpected love...

For the Love of Grace by Julia Daniels—Poppy travels west to find her sister—but her own happily-ever-after awaits, as well.

Brighter Tomorrows by Beverly Wells—Callie trusts no man. Chase Matlock is fearful to love again. He gets his man, she gets her adventure, and together they find it all.

Second Chance at Love by Agnes Alexander—A temporary living arrangement might lead to something else when love enters the mix.

Never Had a Chance by Angela Raines—How can a deadly trick bring two people the love they didn't know they needed?

Forged by Fire by Linda Carroll-Bradd—Can a wounded soul find solace in the attentions from a cook who nurtures through her culinary creations?
Snap up this wonderful collection of stories AND accompanying recipes today for FREE!
GET IT HERE:
https://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Celebration-Lorrie-Farrelly-ebook/dp/B00ZLY2WN8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1486966952&sr=1-1&keywords=A+Cowboy+Celebration




Do you love a little “supernatural” in your romance? Well, here’s a collection of romantic western-y ghost tales to share around a campfire—or a fireplace, if you’re snowed in on Valentine’s Day! COWBOYS, CREATURES, AND CALICO, VOL. 1 is guaranteed to make you wonder what in the world–or in the “other” world—is going on. But are you sure you really want to know? Don’t be scared—everyone knows, LOVE conquers all!

The Sheriff of Hel’n Gone by Lorrie Farrelly is a supernatural tale of a western lawman who must live one hellish Halloween night over and over, until a young woman from the future finds her way back to save him.

In Tanya Hanson’s The Bridesmaid, a bridegroom is doomed to marry a woman he becomes terrified of…but finds her bridesmaid is the love he’s been dreaming of. But will his sleeping or waking hours become his true nightmare?

Sarah J. McNeal’s The Beast of Hazard is a story about a predator that stalks the small community where veterinarian Joey Wilding practices. But is the vicious animal-killer on the loose of this world, or another?

Author Shayna Matthews makes a riveting debut with her tale of The Legend of Venture Canyon, about an exotic young woman who dances in the circus…where the show must go on—at all costs—and love survives everything.

Cher’ley Grogg’s story, Wild Injuns, Wicked Trains, and Cerulean Blue is an unforgettable tale of a young woman who comes west to get a sensational newspaper article and pictures, but in doing so, finds out that she will never leave.

Veteran author Linda Carroll-Bradd’s story, Wanderer, Come Home, is a poignant tale of the discovery of true love and trust amidst some strange Samhain happenings on a small farm.
IT’S FREE! COME ON DOWN AND SNAP IT UP!
GET IT HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Cowboys-Creatures-Calico-Lorrie-Farrelly-ebook/dp/B00NVX5Y2C/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1486967026&sr=1-1&keywords=Cowboys%2C+Creatures+and+Calico+Vol.+1





Need a good ol’ western read—or NINE? Take this opportunity to get some excellent western short stories all under one cover in TRIPLE SHOT WESTERNS. Three stories from each of three of the best western authors in the field take you back to the days when men settled their differences with their fists and guns on the dusty streets of Small Town America. Mountain men, miners, lawmen, outlaws and drifters come alive in these stories that create this great collection of tales for lovers of the Old West.

Authors John D. Nesbitt, Kevin Crisp, and Les Williams offer up an assortment of nine stories of western action that will keep you turning the pages until you finish every last exciting tale!
FREE RIGHT NOW, FEB. 13-17!
GET IT HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Triple-Shot-Westerns-John-Nesbitt-ebook/dp/B01CPQ3XJQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1486967104&sr=1-1&keywords=Triple+Shot+Westerns



From the old west to the future—who can pass up a little “moon” gazing on Valentine’s Day? Author Michael E. Gonzales has penned an excellent sci-fi story, THE UNBORN GALAXY BOOK 1: DARK MOON RISING, of moon colonization—and catastrophe—that you won’t want to put down.
When a disastrous quake strikes the Moon, only eight survivors remain. One man rises to lead the others to safety, only to discover an alien base beneath the Moon’s surface. Can the small band of humans trust the aliens to help them back to Earth, or will they bring global genocide, instead? Will Earth live to see the Dark Moon Rising?
This week you can snap up DARK MOON RISING for only .99!
GET IT HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Moon-Rising-Unborn-Galaxy-ebook/dp/B01CBNSAEG/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1486967156&sr=1-6&keywords=Dark+Moon+Rising



And here’s another “night” story you might like—ECHOES IN THE NIGHT by B.J. Betts! Set in the turbulent 1970’s, this story of loss and love will touch your heart. Two brothers go to Viet Nam and are caught in some of the bloodiest fighting of the war. Only one comes home.

Matthew Manning receives a hero’s welcome when he returns to his small Iowa hometown…but he’s no hero. If his family and friends knew the truth—that he’d been the cause of Marcus’s death—would they be so welcoming? But the unexpected love of a woman helps him recover from the horrors of war and his consuming guilt over his brother’s death. Together, can they banish the Echoes in the Night?
Snap it up for .99!
GET IT HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Echoes-Night-B-J-Betts-ebook/dp/B00LGTS6F0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1486967227&sr=1-1&keywords=Echoes+in+the+Night


Oh, here’s something different for the cat lover in your life! From magic to murder, from felines to faeries, the authors of NINE DEADLY LIVES spin thirteen tales featuring those sometimes aloof and occasionally dangerous but always adorable creatures we know and love as cats! Whether it's mystery, fantasy, historical, or romance, these cat tales provide plenty of entertainment and thrills!

In Livia J. Washburn’s SECOND NATURE, a Hollywood stuntwoman must solve an attempted murder case—on a cat!

Can Dominique dare to hope she—the girl everyone shunned—could win the love of sexy Bran MacKenzie, the most popular guy in town? In Deborah Macgillivray’s SHOES, SHADES, AND FAERYDUST, it might happen!

In Cheryl Pierson's story, Lovey Villines’s cat, Mr. Fred, is the only witness to her possible murder. Brady Rowe, a veteran police officer, searches for a key that will open MR. FRED’S TREASURE BOX and possibly clear everything up.

In Mollie Hunt’s CAT’S CRADLE, a cat lady discovers a stray kitten trapped in a gym bag. She finds herself pursued through Portland’s warehouse district by gun-wielding thugs.

In Isabella Norse’s THE NERD IN SHINING ARMOR, working girl Abby needs a hero. Ryan, her neighbor, needs an assistant. Can a battle-scarred tabby with a penchant for quoting from Star Wars bring them together?

Rochelle Spencer’s tale, THE CAT ON COOGAN’S BLUFF, involves a cranky detective who uncovers secrets about baseball, Harlem, and cats.

In MISSING LYNX, Clay More pens a story that seems to never end. It is 1926, and the world mourns silent movie heart-throb Rudolph Valentino but Rudolph’s death is only the first in a series of tragedies in this supernatural feline murder mystery tale from the silent movie era.

Mary Price has been given the impossible task of reading three romance novels in three days in C. A. Jamison’s story, DREAM WEAVER. A newly-adopted cat has her dreaming of a handsome blue-eyed stranger.

In Mariah Lynne’s CLAWS FOR JUSTICE, two cats learn their time at the shelter is up. The furry duo finds a clever way to escape their fate, only to find their caretaker, Robby, dead. They now must make it their mission to find Robby’s killer.

WHO LET THE CATS OUT? by Faye Rapoport DesPres—A mysterious fire tears through the main house of the Jane S. Dooley Cat Shelter. The shelter’s director, vows to keep the shelter open. She has two mysteries: Who set the fire, and who let the cats out?

In Brandy Herr’s tale, after Larry's wife walks out on him, the sudden arrival of a mysterious calico cat appears to be just what he needs to lift his spirits. But appearances can be deceiving. Will THE CALICO be a blessing... or a curse?

Angela Crider Neary pens a supernatural story about an enchanting cat named ANGEL, a series of suspicious fires, and a Colorado sheriff who finds himself wondering if cats really do have nine lives—and trying to figure out who the next victim will be.

Bill Crider’s THE EASTER CAT—When Hollywood private-eye Bill Ferrel gave a ride to the Easter Bunny, he thought he was just doing a friend a favor. How was he to know he’d wind up chasing a cat through the jungle and trying to prevent a murder?

GET IT HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Nine-Deadly-Lives-Anthology-Fiction-ebook/dp/B015UN87HO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1486965061&sr=1-1&keywords=Nine+Deadly+Lives

HEARTS AND SPURS is an “oldie but a goodie” fun collection of Valentine tales being offered FREE OF CHARGE Feb. 13-17! How do you capture a cowboy's heart? HEARTS AND SPURS is a collection of nine stories by some of western romance’s best—just in time for Valentine's Day! Some excellent stories of handsome cowboys and the women who captivate them await your reading pleasure in HEARTS AND SPURS.

HEARTS AND SPURS features nine sensual Valentine's Day love stories of the old west that will leave no doubt—Cupid is a cowboy, and he's playing for keeps!

GET IT HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Hearts-Spurs-Linda-Broday-ebook/dp/B00HU5SCYE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1486946975&sr=1-1&keywords=Hearts+and+Spurs

LARIATS, LETTERS, AND LACE—VALENTINE’S COLLECTION FOR ONLY .99!
It’s nearing Valentine’s Day, and that all-important letter or card could mean romance for a special couple…from a new love to those who’ve wanted to speak up for a while, but have only just gathered the courage. A fateful letter could be the catalyst to match-making, or one that brings news that could change everything. No matter if it’s a newly-discovered love or one that’s been simmering, the contents of these missives could turn someone’s world upside down—just in time for Valentine’s Day!

GET IT HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Lariats-Letters-Lace-Agnes-Alexander-ebook/dp/B01B86B6U2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1486947069&sr=1-1&keywords=Letters%2C+Lariats%2C+and+Lace



BE SURE TO CHECK YESTERDAY'S POST FOR LINKS FOR OTHER GREAT FREE AND "ALMOST FREE" STORIES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY!

Calls for Submission: Kids and Cats and Christmas

Deadlines are creeping up on us, but there’s still time to submit to the following Prairie Rose Publications anthologies. Three are Christmas-themed, two seek short memoirs, and one is just plain fun. All will be published in 2015.

Click the title to find out more about the anthology on our website, PrairieRosePublications.com.

Submit all manuscripts to Editor-in-Chief Cheryl Pierson at cheryl@prairierosepublications.net. Put the name of the anthology in the subject line of the email and a brief synopsis in the body.  Attach the completed story as a Word document in 12-point Times New Roman type, double-spaced.


Nine Deadly Lives: An Anthology of Feline Fiction
Imprint: Fire Star Press
Theme: cats
Length: 6,000 to 8,000 words
Deadline: August 15, 2015

Cats: charming, lovable creatures or deadly, razor-clawed predators? This mixture of the sweet and the dangerous is one of the things that makes cats endlessly fascinating and appealing. Got a story featuring one or more feline fiends? Send it in!

No graphic violence, sex, or excessive cursing, please.

Memories from Maple Street, USA: Leaving Childhood Behind
Imprint: Sundown Press
Theme: childhood memories
Length: 1,500 to 3,000 words
Deadline: September 15, 2015

The journey from child to adult is filled with wonder. Between the freedom of childhood and the workaday life of modern adults one learns a host of lessons, and everyone experiences a turning point when he or she knows the world has shifted and nothing will ever be the same.

From the touching to the humorous, the inspirational to the adventurous, if you have a childhood memory you’ll never forget, now is the time to put fingers to keyboard and recount that special moment.

A Mail-Order Christmas Bride
Imprint: Prairie Rose Publications
Theme: mail-order brides
Length: 10,000 to 15,000 words
Deadline: October 1, 2015

Christmas is the season of good cheer, family, and tradition. Imagine leaving familiar comforts behind to marry a man you don’t know. Would that bring a bride long-awaited happiness or sorrow? Why would a man send for a bride during the season of joy? Perhaps one or both of them have never known the spirit of Christmas, and they’re eager to discover what they’ve been missing. Maybe they’re desperate to escape the pain Christmas evokes. Did her family disown her? Is he isolated...or alone in a crowd? Whether they’re running to or from all that makes the holiday season special, it’s up to you to give them the most memorable Christmas ever with the best gift of all: love that will last a lifetime.

Send us your tale about a happily-ever-after Christmas in the old west. Stories may be sweet to hot, but no erotica, please.

One Christmas Knight
Imprint: Prairie Rose Publications
Theme: medieval love
Length: 10,000 to 15,000 words
Deadline: October 1, 2015
Many of today’s Christmas traditions saw their genesis during the Middle Ages, when kings, knights, lords, and ladies lived in splendor while serfs and vassals endured squalid conditions. What would make Christmas special for medieval heroes and heroines? Whether they’re fighting to retain all they own or battling to change their personal circumstances—or perhaps the world at large—it’s up to you to unite a hero and heroine with the lifetime love of their dreams.

Send us your tale about a happily-ever-after Christmas in medieval times . Stories may be sweet to hot, but no erotica, please.

Memories from Maple Street, USA: The Best Christmas Ever
Imprint: Sundown Press
Theme: childhood Christmas memories
Length: 1,500 to 3,000 words
Deadline: November 15, 2015
Christmas is a magical time, especially for children. Can you remember one special childhood Christmas that stood out from all the rest? Maybe you received a present you’d wanted more than anything else...or perhaps a loved one came home unexpectedly. Amidst all the excitement and fond memories of family and loved ones, maybe you found a quiet moment to think about the true meaning of Christmas...and that was the best Christmas of all.

Wander down Memory Lane and tell a true, firsthand story. We look forward to helping you share the best Christmas ever.

Anthology Submission Deadlines are Looming

Anthologies are popular with Prairie Rose Publications readers. That’s why the company publishes several each year. As one reviewer noted, “It’s nice to find so many good stories all in one place.” Readers frequently mention how Prairie Rose anthologies have introduced them to new favorite authors.

Right now, four calls for submission are open at two of PRP’s imprints: Fire Star Press and Sundown Press. More anthologies are planned for 2015, so keep an eye out for those calls for submission, as well.

For the time being, get your stories in for these. Email completed manuscripts, attached as a Word document, to Editor-in-Chief Cheryl Pierson at prairierosepublications@yahoo.com. Please put the title of the anthology in the subject line.

Nine Deadly Lives: An Anthology of Feline Felonies
Imprint: Fire Star Press
Theme: cats and mystery
Length: 6,000 to 8,000 words
Deadline: August 1, 2015

Cats...charming, lovable creatures or deadly, razor-clawed predators? This mixture of the sweet and the dangerous is one of the things that makes cats endlessly fascinating and appealing. Got a story featuring one or more feline fiends? Send it in!

No graphic violence, sex, or excessive cursing, please.


Memories from Maple Street, USA
Imprint: Sundown Press
Theme: childhood memories
Length: 1,500 to 3,000 words
Deadline: September 1, 2015

Growing up is a miraculous time. The journey from the freedom of childhood to the workaday life of modern adults is filled with both poignancy and wonder, but everyone experiences a turning point when he or she knows the world has shifted and nothing will ever be the same.

From the touching to the humorous, the inspirational to the adventurous, if you have a childhood memory you’ll never forget, now is the time to put pen to paper and recount that special moment.

Memories from Maple Street, USA: The Best Christmas Ever
Imprint: Sundown Press
Theme: childhood Christmas memories
Length: 1,500 to 3,000 words
Deadline: November 1, 2015

Christmas is a time of wonder and joy, especially for children. Can you remember one special childhood Christmas that stood out from all the rest? Maybe you received a present you’d wanted more than anything else...or perhaps a loved one came home unexpectedly. Amidst all the excitement and fond memories of family and loved ones, maybe you had a quiet moment or two to think about the true meaning of Christmas...and that was the best Christmas of all.

Wander back down Memory Lane and put your pen to paper. We look forward to helping you share the best Christmas ever.


A Song to Remember
Imprint: Fire Star Press
Theme: the music of life and love
Length: 15,000 to 25,000 words
Heat: sweet to spicy (no erotica, please)
Deadline: January 1, 2016

Some song titles evoke memories not only of the song, but also of the time…the era…the place. They call for stories all their own. At Prairie Rose Publications imprint Fire Star Press, evocative songs from days gone by inspired a new line of novella-length stories: A Song to Remember. Each book in the series will be what we call a “duet,” because each will contain two romantic tales. The two stories in each volume will be set in the same decade and share a common theme.

Someone to Watch Over Me: 1940s—Paranormal
This novella duet lends itself to all kinds of intrigue. Stories should be set in the 1940s. We’re not looking for graphic horror or sex—just an “aha” moment and the inevitable decision: What will your hero or heroine do when they discover exactly who—or what—watches over them?

If I Loved You: 1950s—Misunderstood love
Lovers misunderstand one another in so many ways and for so many reasons. Events, people, places, things…any and all of them can get in the way of a happily-ever-after ending. The possibilities are endless. How will your hero and heroine meet and surmount the challenge?

This Magic Moment: 1960s—A revealing moment changes everything
The 1960s was one of the most turbulent decades in American history. “Free love,” rock-and-roll, and the civil rights movement changed society daily. In these stories, a revelation changes everything. What magic moment will drive your story?

Wonderful Tonight: 1970s—Can true love happen in just one night?
As impossible as it seems, some couples do find love at first sight…or at least in one night. We’re looking for tales about couples who may be barely acquainted or perhaps just met. What kind of wonderful—or maybe not so wonderful—night brings your characters to the brink of true love? These stories should be no hotter than spicy.

I’m On Fire: 1980s—Unlikely love blossoms
What would make your hero or heroine fall so in love with his or her polar opposite as to say “I’m on Fire”? If you have a story set in the 1980s about any unlikely pair, we’d love to see it. Make the story sizzle: This duet will be spicy to hot.

Wicked Game: 1990s—Circumstances aren’t always what they seem
In these two stories, love or desire drives characters to do things they otherwise would not have considered. Friends, family, or life itself might conspire against the couple, trapping them in a web of deceit, forcing them to work together to survive a threat...or simply reevaluate the way they view the world. It’s up to you to determine the reasoning and rules for love’s wicked game.

More information about these and all other submission opportunities at the Prairie Rose Publications family of imprints may be found on the Calls for Submission page at the website.

CALLS FOR SUBMISSION at Prairie Rose

In addition to accepting manuscript submissions for novels, novellas, and short stories whenever anyone wants to send them, Prairie Rose Publications currently seeks submissions for two anthologies and one series.

A Cowboy Celebration

Imprint: Prairie Rose Publications
Theme: love on the Fourth of July
Length: 10,000 to 15,000 words
Deadline: May 1, 2015
Heat: sweet to spicy (no erotica, please)

Fireworks, fried chicken, and true love…

What kind of Fourth of July cowboy celebration is going on at Prairie Rose Publications? Well, hold on to your Stetsons, because we’re bringing out another hot-as-a-firecracker bunch of stories that take place on American Independence Day.

This collection will contain some great Fourth of July stories for everyone, along with the mention of a “special recipe” in each story. The recipes will be included in the back of the book. We had great success with this in the past—and this time, we’re looking for a tasty dish that might be taken to a Fourth of July picnic. These will be western historical romance stories that have a happily-ever-after ending, just in time for an Independence Day release.

Rugged cowboys, daring heroines, and a Fourth of July holiday in the mix are a sure-fire way to get ready for a hot, hot summer.

Your story needs to include mention of a certain food, and the recipe will need to be submitted in a separate document for inclusion at the end of the book. Stories should be 10K-15K in length. Any heat level is fine for this anthology. (We do not publish erotica.)

Deadline for submissions is May 1, 2015.

Email the completed manuscript, along with a query letter (in the body of the email), to Editor in Chief Cheryl Pierson at prairierosepublications@yahoo.com. Please put COWBOY CELEBRATION SUBMISSION in the subject line.

Don't forget: All submissions must be in Times New Roman 12-point font, double-spaced, with one-inch margins.

We look forward to reading the best summer love stories you can dream up, featuring heart-stopping cowboys, saucy heroines, and whatever excitement you can create for them during A Cowboy Celebration.

Nine Deadly Lives: An Anthology of Feline Felonies

Imprint: Fire Star Press
Theme: Cozy mystery
Length: 6,000 to 8,000 words
Deadline: May 1, 2015

Cats...charming, lovable creatures or deadly, razor-clawed predators? This mixture of the sweet and the dangerous is one of the things that makes cats endlessly fascinating and appealing.

If you have a cozy mystery story featuring one or more of our feline friends, Fire Star Press wants to hear from you. Nine Deadly Lives, an anthology of cozy cat mysteries, is now open for submissions. Stories should be 6000 to 8000 words, with no graphic violence, sex, or language.

Deadline for submissions is May 1, 2015.

Submissions must be emailed as an attached Word document to Livia Reasoner at livia@flash.net.

We look forward to reading your submissions!

Duets Series

Imprint: Fire Star Press
Theme: The music of life and love
Length: 15,000 to 25,000 words
Deadline: November 1, 2015
Heat: sweet to spicy (no erotica, please)

Some song titles evoke memories not only of the song, but also of the time…the era…the place. They call for stories all their own, and at Fire Star Press they’ve inspired a new line of novella-length stories we’re calling “duets” because each book will contain two romantic tales.

Someone to Watch Over Me: 1940s—Paranormal

When you think of the song "Someone To Watch Over Me," you probably think of the comfort of a safe haven in the arms of your true love. But what if the “someone” was not what he or she appeared to be? What if he were a ghost from the past, or a figment of the future? What if she were an alien from another world or a shapeshifter? This novella duet lends itself to all kinds of intrigue. Stories should be set in the 1940s. We’re not looking for graphic horror or sex—just an “aha” moment and the inevitable decision: What will your hero or heroine do when they discover exactly who—or what—watches over them?

If I Loved You: 1950s—Misunderstood love

If I Loved You will contain two stories of misunderstood love set in the 1950s. This could be anything from a series of events that are misunderstood by one partner or the other to one big misunderstanding that could cloud the issue of a relationship forever. A man sees his intended bride kiss another man on the cheek and gaze into his eyes and calls off the wedding, only to discover later the man is her brother. A woman learns her boyfriend’s tumultuous break up with her happens because he’s found out some devastating news: He’s suffering from an illness that will take all his energy to battle, and he doesn’t want to burden her. The possibilities are endless.

This Magic Moment: 1960s—A revealing moment changes everything

This Magic Moment will contain two stories set in the 1960s, one of the most turbulent times in American history. "Free love," rock-and-roll, and the civil rights movement changed society daily. In these stories, a revelation changes everything. Maybe a civil rights worker must decide between his passion for his job and his passion for his woman. A Woodstock musician realizes the love he feels for his girlfriend is stronger than the music he makes with his band when he sees her leaving the festival. A preacher’s daughter becomes pregnant and her boyfriend, whom her parents despise, shows them what love truly is when he learns he’s going to be a dad. These are just a few examples of the kind of thing we’re looking for in This Magic Moment. What “magic moment” will drive your story?

Wonderful Tonight: 1970s—Can true love happen in just one night?

Eric Clapton's “Wonderful Tonight” tells the story of what happens to a couple in one single night. That’s what we’re looking for in this novella duet, set in the 1970s, with a twist. In the song, the couple has been together a while, but in these two stories, we are looking for tales about couples who may be barely acquainted, or maybe just met. An incident throws them into a situation where they find love. We’re not talking about just lust, but also a mutual caring that blossoms into the fragile beginnings of love between two people. These stories should be no hotter than spicy, given these parameters. We’re eager to see what kind of wonderful—or maybe not so wonderful—night brings your characters to the brink of true love.

I'm On Fire: 1980s—Unlikely love blossoms

Bruce Springsteen’s hit "I’m On Fire" is the inspiration for this duet of 1980s-set stories about love between two people who are a highly unlikely match. Remember Pretty Woman? Trading Places? The real-life romance of Prince Edward and Wallis Simpson? If you have a story about an interracial couple, a librarian and a party guy, a rock star and a schoolteacher, a wealthy heiress and her chauffeur—any unlikely pair for the decade—we’d love to see it. Make the story sizzle: This duet will be spicy to hot, but no erotica, please. What would make your hero or heroine say “I’m on fire”?

Wicked Game: 1990s—Circumstances aren’t always what they seem

Chris Isaak’s haunting hit “Wicked Game” makes us wonder about the things people will do for desire. The two stories in this volume will feature characters who do something they wouldn't ever have done ordinarily…but are driven to do for the love or desire of another person. Maybe the “wicked games” people play trap two people in a web of deceit. Perhaps a faulty news report threatens to destroy one or both lives, or maybe friends, family, or life itself conspire against the couple to keep them apart by playing one against the other. Could be the hero sets out to destroy the heroine for some reason, only to realize the object of his hatred is not the monster he thought she was.It’s up to you to determine the reasoning and rules for love’s Wicked Game.

If you have a novella-length story idea for one or more of the duet books, e-mail editor Cheryl Pierson at prairierosepublications@yahoo.com and let let her know your interest so she can plan accordingly and “pair up” potential stories. Please put DUETS INQUIRY in the subject line. Both published and un-published storytellers are welcome to submit.

Deadline for submissions is November 1, 2015.

The line will debut in 2016.

Here are today's burning questions:

 

Authors, which of the above sounds like the most fun?

 

Readers, what story would you like to see in any of the above? You just might inspire an author to write it!