Content notes for all fiction can he found here.
Aloha to You - A City Complications Novella
Seth is an aspiring journalist stuck in a day job he hates. When he interviews a DC-based lei maker he finds himself drawn to Adriana's non-traditional approach to following her dreams. But will his doubts about her approach ultimately be their undoing?
Adriana's already learned the dangers of living a life partially on line. She has set up boundaries and routines to keep herself safe. But it turns out routine can get a little, well, routine. Will Seth be the perfect addition to her life, or further proof that trusting others always ends in tears?
Some people have to find their dreams, Some people make them.
Available at multiple etailers - universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/4XZnd6
And in print: https://bookshop.org/books/aloha-to-you/9781393545323
Undercover Bridesmaid - A City Complications Novel Rafe has been using charm both in and out of work. Finding himself the only groomsman at a weather interrupted bachelor party isn't going to stop him from having fun.
Felicia has made a living for herself helping out brides by posing as one of their bridesmaids. She's used to handling all sorts of unexpected hitches, but a solo groomsman who keeps showing up at all the bachelorette events is a new one for her. It doesn't matter if he's hot, Felicia's there to make the bride happy not herself. Not even if the bride decides a little matchmaking might make her happy.
Available at multiple etailers - universal book link: https://books2read.com/u/bwd8BY
And in print: https://bookshop.org/books/undercover-bridesmaid/9781386003878
Hot Bartender - A City Complications Novel Louise’s fast fingers and social media savvy have her spreading the story of a first date gone weird on social media. But every story needs a good ending. And Louise just told the world that she’s dating the bartender now.
Except Louise doesn't really remember doing that. Oops. But he is nice. And hot.
Zane has been watching Louise have a series of first dates that all end with her chatting with him at the bar. Can he convince her he's just the change of pace she needs?
Available at multiple etailers - universal book link: https://books2read.com/u/4AKVMJ
And in print: https://bookshop.org/books/hot-bartender/9781393128922
Repeated Burn - A City Entanglements Novella -
Raven is already having a bad Monday, and the appearance of her ex's new ex is not helping. She delivers Sienna to her brother Marcus, planning to wash her hands of the whole thing.
But the universe seems determined to throw her and Marcus together.
Marcus is used to cleaning up his little sister's messes. They usually don't involve attractive women. He is drawn to Raven's independence and her confidence.
But Raven's been burned by those who claimed to love her time and again. Will she be able to trust that Marcus is ready for the long haul?
This story originally appeared in the Do It Again Anthology. Available at etailers here: https://books2read.com/u/3GvlpL
And in print: https://bookshop.org/books/repeated-burn/9798201696856
Bored By the Billionaire - A City Entanglements Novella -
Lulu Williams is bored with dating billionaires. She has just ditched the latest and is on a late night train back to DC when she encounters a handsome stranger. They get kicked out of the quiet car together and agree to go from the train to a hotel room to explore this sexual tension. Lulu figures Aiden will be the perfect palate cleanser. He wasn’t supposed to also be an interesting guy who doesn’t treat her purse mogul life as a cute hobby, who takes her to museums, and eats fried food from a bag. And he especially wasn’t supposed to be a billionaire.
Available at etailers here: https://books2read.com/u/47O6GL
And in print: https://bookshop.org/books/bored-by-the-billionaire/9798201048518
Clear as Ice - A City Entanglements Novella -
Sienna is no stranger to social media. When she unwittingly starts something claiming there are no Asian Americans in hockey, and then discovers there is one on her hometown team, she knows it's up to her to make amends. And given her new no dating this year rule, she won't have any trouble keeping things professional.
Al is used to people acting like he's the first or only Asian American in hockey. As the Domes' season moves towards the playoffs, he knows how to keep focused just on hockey. Even as Sienna turns out to be more than he expected in so many ways.
Scenes from this were originally posted on my blog for #HockeyFiction. Now the whole story will be available.
Available at etailers here: https://books2read.com/u/mvXreX
And in print: https://bookshop.org/books/clear-as-ice/9798201254728
Not an Ending - a Bonus Epilogue -
Sienna knows something is up when her brother Marcus invites them all to opening day for the hockey team. Sienna's fiance will be on the ice, but maybe Marcus has a reason for having invited so many of their friends to a night of hockey. More than just showing off the fancy seats.
Available to newsletter subscribers - Newsletter sign up.
Of Kings and Queens - A City Entanglements Novella -
Jia has been focusing on work. Working somewhere that is not either of the rival restaurants that helped her parent's divorce make the news.
But the DC celebration for King Kamehameha Day brings her Ken, someone who seems unconnected to the family drama.
Ken's been making some life changes, so his mom volunteers him to help his aunt at her flower shop. He finds himself with a box of lei at a new to him celebration trying to impress a woman he just met.
Fate seems to have brought Ken and Jia a little fun. But maybe, they aren't as unconnected to each other's drama as they thought.
Available at etailers here: https://books2read.com/u/bQAPVv
And in print: https://bit.ly/3MoW0pT
Lost in Transit - a Bonus Short Story - Jia and Ken go on an unexpected detour when their plans to meet up for lunch go awry. Available for Ream subscribers and newsletter subscribers.
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Troubled By Love - A Too Busy Romance Novella- Amy's now ex sent Dan to her. Living in a new city and having to go get an abortion and dump her ex was not how Amy imagined this new chapter of her life going.
Dan has been working hard to get his food truck going. Picking up ride shares, bartending, and barely sleeping, has all been to support that goal. Amy is the first person to make him wonder if he should be finding time for things that aren't work.
After a few months of texting they decide to make a go of it. But when her ex shows up, Amy will have to figure out have things really changed?
Available in e: https://books2read.com/u/4DDXLd
And in print: bit.ly/3shWg3U
Tricked By Love - A Too Busy Romance Novel- Lillian doesn’t date bartenders. Xavier doesn’t do secret relationships. They are both about to break their rules.
Lillian’s brother is a bartender, and the bartender circle in DC is too small for her to date within that pool. She meets a hot guy on the customer side of a bar and goes home with him. When she discovers he is a bartender too, she decides they never need to meet again. And that works, until he shows up to Thanksgiving dinner.
Xavier’s family drama means he likes things clear and upfront. But he never forgot Lillian, and when they end up seated at the same dinner table, he decides he’ll agree to just about anything for another chance with her.
Except secret relationships never stay secret for too long. When Lillian’s brother and Xavier start looking into working together, Lillian and Xavier are either going to need to go public or end things.
Available in ebook and print. E: https://books2read.com/u/boM599 And Print: https://bookshop.org/p/books/tricked-by-love-tara-kennedy/21418650?ean=9798223366195
Presented with Love - A Too Busy Romance Novella -
When a flight snafu puts Helena in the airport hotel bar next to a hot guy, she takes full advantage. The hookup is hot, but the guy disappears on her. And when finally she gets to Las Vegas it turns out her tutu has signed her up for a televised competition based on a Hawaiian Christmas song, and one of the other contestants is that guy who ghosted her? Helena's competitive spirit kicks into gear.
Makoa is good at hockey, it's off-ice where he seems to fumble. So when he finds his mom has signed him up for a TV show, well, he's hoping for a Christmas miracle. Because Helena is rightfully annoyed at him, and he needs to stay in the competition long enough to prove he's worth another chance. Otherwise this will be his last day of Christmas.
Availe in e: Universal Link: https://bit.ly/3YtYSt6 And in print: https://bookshop.org/p/books/presented-with-love-tara-kennedy/21901429?ean=9798227004680
I Belong to You - A Fairytale Remix
Makena meets Leif at an open mic night.
They hit it off and she feels comfortable sharing about her mo'o and nixie abilities - her attachments to Rock Creek, where she has taken on water protection duties.
Leif never stays in one place too long, travelling most of the year as tour manager for his dad's rock band.
But for once he's considering what he might be leaving behind. But his parents are concerned once they learn he's been hanging out by the old mill. There may be a bargain left undone, and Makena and Leif together may have reminded the gods to finish things.
Coming February 2025!
Tattoos and Amnesia - A short standalone meet cute
A short story about a Corey who is hoping tattoo artist Zan can answer some question for him. Questions he should be able to remember.
Available for free on the newsletter: https://buttondown.email/talkapedia/archive/tattoos-and-amnesia-a-short-meet-cute-story/
Cocker on the Porch - A Short Romance - The discovery of an abandoned dog of the front porch leads Wendy to team up with her neighbor Tuan in more ways than one. Originally released as part of the Cocky Cockers Anthology, available free at multiple etailers. Universal link: https://books2read.com/u/meqDOl.
Bait Girl - A Short Story - By day, Lucy is just a normal student trying to get through her final year of high school and figure out what's next. By night, Lucy dons her party girl persona Zoe, gathering info and intervening to help other girls who might be in trouble. She's the bait girl. It's amazing how some eyeliner and some giggles make you blend in. Well, to everyone except this one boy. Will Lucy let him distract her from her mission?
Content warnings listed here.
Available at multiple etailers: Universal link: http://books2read.com/u/mlez1P
Called to the Water - A Short Story - Moana is a mermaid with a thing for kararoke, swimming, and maybe a tiny little grudge. Available in Commuter Lit: https://commuterlit.com/2023/10/monday-called-to-the-water/.
Dream Catchers - An Anthology - Edited by Julie Bylli Johnson - All the stories in this anthology center around the prompt: I think I'm having someone else's dreams. My story Balloon Dreams is about a woman who, after a weird dream, hops into a hot air balloon to see if a change in perspective helps, and discovers that there's a cute balloon pilot. Dream God's Assignment is about dream god Pahulu, who is asked to send a dream message to a friend's granddaughter. .
Available on Amazon in e and paperback: https://amzn.to/4aFVrmv
Narration: A Girl Bike Home Alone at Night by Georgie Morvis - I had the chance to narrate this flash story about a Pina having a strange encounter on a bike ride home. It's part of the Cast of Wonders flash fiction episode here: https://www.castofwonders.org/2023/12/cast-of-wonders-564-little-wonders-42-flash-fiction-contest-winners/
Non-Fiction
Let's Talk About Fictional Sex: Writing Sex Scenes That Deepen Character
Sex scenes provide authors an opportunity to explore their characters more deeply. (Pun intended!) Fiction is not a how-to manual, but sex scenes are about more than how much description the author dedicates to the act.
The choices characters make, from communication to contraception, are an often underutilized way demonstrate your characters' experiences and expectations of both the world and their relationship expectations. In this series, we’ll take a look at some of the basics of how the choices characters make regarding sex reveal their character.
Started as a newsletter series, but expanded into book form, available in ebook here: https://books2read.com/u/3LRExe