LOVE FIESTA STYLE by San Antonio Romance Authors (SARA) – Release Day

I’m excited to announce my first book release for 2019. 19TH HOLE FIESTA, my sweet multicultural second-chance story set in a San Antonio golf tournament in April is one of the 17 shorts in San Antonio Romance Authors’ Love Fiesta Style anthology. Here’s the blurb:

A stray golf ball reunites childhood best friends Grace Diaz and Nick Andrews. They lost touch because of a youthful misunderstanding. Now, their attraction to each other is stronger than ever. Will their reunion be for keeps, or will they say goodbye again after the 19th Hole Fiesta ends?

You’re invited to the biggest party in Texas – San Antonio’s Fiesta!

Explore the most romantic city in the Lone Star State through 17 incredible stories created exclusively for this anthology.

Love Fiesta Style features a mermaid at a majestic coronation, college sweethearts reuniting at a war widows’ ball, a cowboy spying his dream woman at an art show, friends igniting into lovers over a night-time parade, a spirit playing matchmaker for a chef and his customer, plus much more.

Whether you like your romances mild, medium, or hot, the San Antonio Romance Authors have you covered.

Buy your copy today and fall in Love Fiesta Style!

Available in ebook and paperback from Amazon. FREE for Kindle Unlimited subscribers.

MOONLIGHT, MONSTERS & MAGIC: A Paranormal Romance Sexy Shorts Collection

MOONLIGHT, MONSTERS & MAGIC

A Paranormal Romance Sexy Shorts Collection

Put 13 wickedly talented authors together into one collection and what will you get?

MOONLIGHT and MONSTERS and MAGIC, oh my!

Find tales of shifters and witches, ghosts and mythical creatures, and even an angel or two in this supernatural anthology of paranormal romance stories, featuring award-winning paranormal romance author, Linda G. Hill.

Treat yourself to a phenomenal read!

One click here:

Books2Read
Amazon
Google Play
Kobo
Barnes & Noble
Apple iBooks

SYNOPSES

DIWATA by Zara M Baily

With his life at stake, Comandante Julio Gomez arrives in the Philippines, hoping to reverse a century-old curse that a mountain nymph placed on his ancestor. Julio doesn’t expect to meet the woman from his troubled dreams.

A woman whose fate is intrinsically linked with his. For in her hands lies his salvation …

Or his eternal damnation.

LOVE OUT OF THE ASHES by Tabetha Waite

For years, Markus Henley has been haunted by a recurring dream—a sensual vision of a mysterious woman. He finally encounters her on a fateful trip, but not everything is as it appears …

Tormented by a terrible tragedy that has broken her spirit, Laura Tipton feels she has nothing left. Then Markus arrives to awaken her spirit. In more ways than one.

HONEY AND HER GRUMPY BEAR by Taylor Morgan

Someone’s been sleeping in my bed…

Everett’s spent his life mistrusting humans. The last thing this shifter needs is a week with his sister’s sweet-as-honey best-friend underfoot. As his desire surges, he resolves to push Honey away—for good.

This man is just right.

Mari’s living her dream: opening a café in a small Tennessee mountain town. The only thing left on her list is her dream man. Lucky for her, she’s now living with him for a week. And she knows just how to trap a hungry bear.

When this bear reveals the truth of his growly nature, will Goldilocks run away?

SWAN SONG by Everleigh Allen

During Liah’s once-in-a-lifetime trip to Ireland, things begin to get weird. Even as she becomes more isolated, a magical world opens up to her.

Torn between Fiachra and his mesmerizing voice, and the mysterious and handsome Eóghan, Liah finds herself seemingly trapped in a world where nothing makes sense.

Meanwhile, someone is out to get her. But who?

HEART OF STONE by Emmaline Warden

As a lady’s maid, Annie craves stability and security. But she knows her destiny is greater than her reality.

When Theo approaches her, claiming to be her soulmate from a past life, she is left questioning and afraid. Can she accept that there is a world larger than her own guiding her existence? Will she take the leap of faith and believe in the magic that made Theo appear?

THE SECRETS OF HICKORY HOLLOW by Belle Langtree

A royal warlock and his playboy minion need the help of two sisters in order to save their clan from a wretched curse. Through true love, rooted in two separate worlds, a magical prophecy unfolds.

True love is the cure for any curse. True love and tree nuts, that is!

LEAVING LIMBO by Lucinda Cox

Jaxx Carter, ghost hunter, needs a legitimate haunting to establish his career as an Internet star. Too bad he doesn’t think ghosts are real.

Enter Burroughs Manor, an unexplored estate with ties to Jaxx’s family. A tall, dark stranger awaits him there, to give him a night he’ll never forget.

THE DOCTOR AND THE WOLF by Chele MacCabe

Jake Campbell knows at five years old that Ashley Jerome is his one true mate. When she leaves for medical school, he and his wolf are devastated.

When Ashley returns to open her practice, Jake makes up mysterious ailments just to see her. On the day she falls into his arms—with the help of her best friend—Jake and Ashley immediately make their first date.

But when the big and bads show up–what will a doctor and her wolf do?

WHITE by Sera Taíno

Thiago undergoes open heart surgery, but complications arise.

At the same time, Clara is involved in a catastrophic car accident.

What happens when you meet your soulmate on the brink of death? Hovering on the precipice, does love stand a chance?

FORTUNE FAVORS THE FELINE by Elizabeth Langley

What would you do if you got exactly what you wished for?

What if your best friend wasn’t who you thought he was?

Olivia has looked for true love her whole life. She just didn’t know it was always there, right by her side … demanding to be fed.

When a birthday gift leads her in a familiar, yet different direction, will Olivia let down her guard and let love win?

MISS CARLISLE by Emma Brady

On a pitch-black night, a country doctor comes across a place of mystery and magic. He becomes trapped inside a manor house during a storm with a beautiful young nurse he can’t resist, and the troubled spirit of Lady Winship, lurking in the shadows.

The elements of horror and romance come together in a dark love story that will haunt you.

SAVING FAITH by Allegra Johnson

In a modern world where the Salem Witch Trials exist, Faith is a witch being hunted.

Gabe is an investigator sworn to hunt her down. Perhaps their relationship was doomed from the start.

But when Faith drinks her mother’s potion and disappears, Gabe’s true hunt begins, this time for love.

PIXIE by Linda G. Hill

Merryn, a pixie temporarily exiled, wakes up to an unfamiliar world.

Ivy, a lonely young widow, has a decision to make concerning a suitor who misses the mark in every way.

When Merryn stumbles into Ivy’s life they dance around each other, knowing he will soon disappear.

Can they resist? Yes. As long as they never touch.

REVIEWS

“This was a wonderful book for those who love paranormal romance. Ghosts, magic, shifters, witches, and more are all here in these pages.”

~ Paranormal Romance Guild

“Sexy, fun, and easy-to-read anthology with several five-star stories. Diverse authors, varied stories and styles. Something for everyone. A great read.”

~ Amazon Customer

“Fun and sexy with a variety of heat between each story. There should be something for every kind of romance reader in this collection.”

~ Romance Reader

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Zara M Baily writes multicultural romance short stories that are erotic, paranormal, fantasy, and perhaps also historical in the future. One thing is for certain: Zara doesn’t do, and won’t ever do, sweet. Or clean. Her sexytimes may be dirty at times, but they’re always, always consensual and responsible.

Follow Zara here:
Facebook Profile: zaram.baily.3
Facebook Author Page: ZaraMBaily
Goodreads: Zara_M_Baily
Instagram: zarambaily

Tabetha Waite is the award-winning author of the Ways of Love historical romance series. She makes her home in Missouri with her husband and two daughters. She loves to hear from her readers!

Follow Tabetha here:
Website: authortabethawaite.wix.com/romance
Facebook Profile: tabetha.waite
Facebook Author Page: totallytabetha
Instagram: tabethawaite
Twitter: @totallytabetha

Taylor Morgan has always had a penchant for fairy tales—and not the Disney sort. Currently, she is creating tales that feature heroes who are more likely to hide in the woods than ride off into the sunset, and the heroines who claim their hearts. Taylor lives in Alabama with her husband, daughter, and dog. If missing, she’s probably holed up with a new book, a blanket, and a glass of wine or a Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Follow Taylor here:
Facebook: tmsorenson
Instagram: booksandbevvys

Everleigh Allen writes creative stories with a mysterious, mythical, magical, and racy edge. Her tales bring her readers into worlds that she wants to visit herself.

She lives in Texas with her husband, three of her four children, and a zoo of animals. She is also a sculptor and artist in multiple mediums. A writer of fiction that has been featured online for years, the MOONLIGHT, MONSTERS & MAGIC anthology is Everleigh’s first published work.

Follow Everleigh here:
Facebook Profile: AuthorEverleighAllen
Facebook Author Page: EverleighAllenAuthor
Instagram: everleighallen

Emmaline Warden lives in Colorado with her husband, four Chaos Makers, and a menagerie of animals. Her love of romance began with an accidental copy of Susan Elizabeth Phillips’s Dream a Little Dream, and a trip to D.C. When she is not writing, she can be found outdoors with her kids, at the dog park with “her boys,” or with her nose buried in a book.

Follow Emmaline here:
Facebook: emmaline.warden
Instagram: authoremmalinewarden
Twitter: @emmaline_warden

Belle Langtree’s passion for hot, sexy romance began in the late seventies, after reading The Flame and The Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss. Over the years, her book club friends encouraged her to write her own love stories. Belle lives in the great State of Michigan with her loving husband of fifty happy years and their wild and crazy rescue pup named Faith Fu Fu.

Follow Belle on:
Facebook: lorey.frazher
Instagram: loreyfrazher
Twitter: @LFrazher

Lucinda Cox lives in Los Angeles with her family and five houseplants. She writes about love, because love is all you need.

Follow Lucinda on:
Twitter: @coxwrites

Chele MacCabe has spent the last several years learning to string words together to tell stories. After all that practice and playing with her favorite fandom, she is ready to share her imagination with the rest of the world. She lives in the mountains with her mister, the short and the medium sized ones, and the critters that have found their way into their lives.

Follow Chele here:
Facebook: Chele MacCabe
Tumblr: chele20035
Twitter: @chele20035

Sera Taíno was born to Puerto Rican parents in New Jersey. She writes romances featuring the kinds of women she grew up around. Sera currently lives in Florida with her husband and two sons, and teaches English Lit by day. A voracious reader as well as an avid outdoors person, she’s often torn between curling up on a sofa with a cup of coffee and a good book, and taking off for a long run on the trails around her house.

Follow Sera here:
Facebook: seratainowrites
Goodreads: sera_taino
Pinterest: serataino
Tumblr: serataino
Twitter: @serataino

Elizabeth Langley has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. Her love of romance novels started in her early twenties and has continued throughout her life. She is currently working on a few contemporary novels that she hopes to release within the next year. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, two children, one bonus child, three neurotic cats (one of which is probably an alien disguised as a cat), an energetic Corgi, and a homicidal rabbit.

Follow her on:
Facebook: lizlangleyauthor

Emma Brady is a mid-western author of historical romance, set primarily in the Victorian period. She loves Gothic stories and has always loved Wuthering Heights. Her favorite part of Halloween is getting to dress up and pretend to be anything she likes.

Follow her on:
Facebook: hotbooklover

Allegra Johnson is an up-and-coming indie author who enjoys writing steamy love stories. She can be found stumbling throughout Romancelandia, figuring out this author thing one book at a time.

You can follow her amusing adventures in writing and learn more about her books at:
Facebook: stumblingauthor
Instagram: allegra_johnson
Twitter: @Allegra55302863

Linda G. Hill has been writing out-of-this world romance stories since she was a child. Living vicariously through the characters in her head, she’s experienced the kinds of love that mortals only dream of. In reality, she’s just a mom, an author, an editor, and a couch potato if there ever was one.

Linda’s published works include the award-winning Gothic paranormal romance novel The Magician’s Curse, and its sequel, The Magician’s Blood, as well as All Good Stories, a romcom novelette, and several short stories published by Transmundane Press and The Phoenix Quill.

You can find Linda at the following:
Website: lindaghill
Facebook: lindaghill.fiction
Twitter: @LindaGHill

BORACAY VOWS Recipe – Lumpia

In Boracay Vows, lumpia is one of the dishes Marissa Lopez prepared for Krista and Blake when they went to Quezon to meet the family. It also happened to be a belated birthday celebration for Krista, so there were plenty of food.

There are many variations of lumpia – sariwa (fresh), Shanghai (thin pork spring rolls), hubad (unwrapped), vegetable, or with meat. The latest version I made has chicken in it, but can be done with ground pork or shrimp. Some people call it lumpiang togue, which translates to spring rolls with bean sprouts. Others use cabbage instead of bean sprouts, or sometimes both in their vegetable spring rolls. There’s not just one way of making these, all of them delicious.

Ingredients:

Vegetable oil
extra firm tofu, drained and cut into small squares
small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 cup of cooked chicken, shredded (optional, if vegetarian)
1 cup of shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped (optional, if vegetarian)
1 carrot, peeled and julienned
1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut thinly on a bias
8 oz. mung bean sprouts
salt and pepper to taste
1 package of lumpia wrapper

Instructions:

Heat oil in a wok or pan. Add tofu and fry until brown. Remove and set aside.
Add garlic and onion to hot oil and cook until softened. Pour the fish sauce on the side of the wok. Cook until smell goes away (2-3 minutes).
Stir in shrimp (if using) and cook until pink. Add chicken, green beans, carrots, and bean sprouts. Cook until all ingredients are combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and drain. Mix in the tofu. Let cool.
Lay the wrapper on a flat surface. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling two inches from the top. Fold the top end of the wrapper over the mixture. Fold the sides and roll tightly into a log. Brush the bottom end with water to seal completely. Repeat until there’s no more filling or wrapper. (At this point you can stop to freeze the wrapped lumpia until you’re ready to eat it.)
In a skillet, heat about two inches of oil. Add spring rolls with the seam side down. Fry, turning once or twice (about 2 minutes per side) until golden brown.
Serve hot and crispy with garlic-spiced vinegar dip. Enjoy!

Boracay Vows is available in eBook and paperback from major online retailers. Signed copy of the paperback can be purchased from this website.

MAKING UP by Lucy Parker – Happy Book Birthday!

Author of Act Like It and Pretty Face Lucy Parker returns readers to the West End, where it’s fireworks onstage and off in a sexy enemies-to-lovers showdown.

SYNOPSIS

Once upon a time, circus artist Trix Lane was the best around. Her spark vanished with her confidence, though, and reclaiming either has proved…difficult. So when the star of The Festival of Masks is nixed and Trix is unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight, it’s exactly the push she needs. But the joy over her sudden elevation in status is cut short by a new hire on the makeup team.

Leo Magasiva: disgraced wizard of special effects. He of the beautiful voice and impressive beard. Complete dickhead and—in an unexpected twist—an enragingly good kisser.

To Leo, something about Trix is…different. Lovely. Beautiful, even though the pint-size, pink-haired former bane of his existence still spends most of her waking hours working to annoy him. They’ve barely been able to spend two minutes together for years, and now he can’t get enough of her. On stage. At home. In his bed.

When it comes to commitment, Trix has been there, done that, never wants to do it again. Leo’s this close to the job of a lifetime, which would take him away from London—and from Trix. Their past is a constant barrier between them.

It seems hopeless.

Utterly impossible.

And yet…

Buy Making Up here:

Amazon US: https://goo.gl/CTLJJd
Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/EgCUHC
B & N: https://goo.gl/KmWz8p
Kobo: https://goo.gl/KeXKig

REVIEW

I lovedlovedloved Making Up. I read it so fast, now I want to read it again. Well, after I read Pretty Face first. I’ve had that book for ages. Planned to read it after Act Like It while I was in England, but I never got around to it. I’m not sure if my opinion of Trix will change. We shall see.

For now, I love her. She’s feisty and vulnerable at the same time. Her confidence was shaken by a manipulative ex but she got past the insecurities, by herself and also with Leo’s support. I adore that she’s fiercely protective of Leo and had the hero moment with the saboteur. Also with Cat, the biatch sister.

And, Leo? I adore him. He’s everything a romantic hero should be. He’s had many bad things happen to him, but he did not turn bitter. He’s talented, witty, and oh-so-kind. His lines are swoon worthy.

Happiness. She was, still unbelievably, happiness.
“You make me happy. It’s as simple as that. And I make you happy. Whether you’re ready to acknowledge that or not.”
“Fight for me, too.”

Waaah, he made me cry. And laugh. Both of them did. Their banter was zingy and their sci-fi fandom is so endearingly geeky.

What I adored above all is Lucy’s writing. It’s so visual. She described the acrobatics, the makeup, the actions, the feelings so incredibly well that the scenes played like a movie in my mind. What a great talent. Another big plus is the fascinating secondary characters. They’re diverse and added so much color to the story without taking center stage.

If I have to look for something to complain about it has to be the numerous villains (Trix’s ex, the show’s stage manager, Leo’s saboteur, and especially Cat). I just loved the romance between Leo and Trix so much to the point that it overpowered my objections over the antagonists completely.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lucy Parker lives in the gorgeous Central Otago region of New Zealand, where she feels lucky every day to look out at mountains, lakes, and vineyards. She has a degree in Art History, loves museums and art galleries, and doodles unrecognizable flowers when she has writer’s block.

When she’s not writing, working or sleeping, she happily tackles the towering pile of to-be-read books that never gets any smaller. Thankfully, there’s always another story waiting.

Her interest in romantic fiction began with a pre-teen viewing of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (Firth-style), which prompted her to read the book as well. A family friend introduced her to Georgette Heyer, and the rest was history.

Happy Book Birthday – NEW YORK ENGAGEMENT

Love takes you to unexpected places
Krista Lopez has traveled from the white sands of Boracay Island to the bright lights of New York City for love. Once again out of her element, Krista embraces Carpe diem as a motto. With her boyfriend by her side, she has confidence to take on The Big Apple and the prospect of …

Meeting the Parents
Blake Ryan won the approval of his girlfriend’s conservative family when they met in the Philippines. Now, he’s eager to introduce the woman he loves to his Irish-American clan. To share his past with her as he prepares to ask her to be part of his future. But an urgent call in the middle of the night reminds him that things can change …

In a New York Minute
A terrible crime and his family’s mixed reception of Krista conspire to derail their plans for a stress-free vacation. Will the circumstances cool Krista and Blake’s romance? Or will they seize the day and strengthen their bond?

Now available from your favorite etailers:

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To my husband, B, and our son, Stevie, for always inspiring and supporting me.

To my editor, Linda Hill, for giving me proper guidance. This could have gone so differently if you didn’t show me the way.

To Trish Smith, for brainstorming the plot with me.

To my high school kabarkada, Dr. Love Mariano and Grace Soriano, for the expert medical consult.

To my Beta Readers: Milly Bellegris, Gena Gilliam, Sue Schober, and Violet Olivo, for your invaluable input. They improved my story tremendously.

To my cover artist, Lucy Rhodes, for finding Krista in New York. I adore working with you. You’re so spot on and we’re super in-sync. I always look forward to our working chats.

To Tessa Dare, for giving me the idea for Krista’s back story.

Thank you all. Marami’ng salamat.

NEW YORK ENGAGEMENT – Cover Story

Krista Lopez, with her American boyfriend Blake Ryan, goes from the white sands and blue waters of Boracay Island to the bright lights and majestic skyscrapers of New York City.

From white bikini to red winter coat.

From sun to snow.

It’s important for me to show that NEW YORK ENGAGEMENT is a continuation of Krista and Blake’s romance and I believe the cover delivers completely. It certainly looks like the same girl on the cover. The hat, and the way she holds, it is an excellent identifier. The fonts, the colors, and the composition are all in sync with my Carpe Diem Chronicles brand.

Like the grotto in Boracay, The Empire State building is easily recognizable as a symbol of New York City. There was never any question that it would be on the cover of any book I write that is set in The Big Apple.

Many thanks to Render Compose for finding Krista once again and for being so easy to work with. This cover was done in only a couple of days – another quick turnaround considering my designer is in Australia and I’m in the USA. Thanks, Lucy.

I hope y’all like the cover of NEW YORK ENGAGEMENT as much as I do and grab a copy for yourself. .

Buy link here: https://books2read.com/NewYorkEngagement

Camp NaNo Winner Again!

25,555 words. 100 pages. 20 days.

New York Engagement is the sequel to Boracay Vows. As I teased in the Author’s Note, Krista and Blake are in New York City to meet the Ryans, celebrate Blake’s birthday, and spend their first holidays as a couple. An unfortunate accident leads to secrets being revealed, leaving Krista with questions regarding her identity. I hope to publish this in May. Cover will be revealed here soon.

You’ve met Aidan Ryan in Boracay Vows. He’s here again in NYE being all autocratic. I’m excited to write about him and Maddie next for Singapore Fling. I’m targeting an August release for this one.

You’ll also meet Craig Ryan for the first time. He’s the hero of Samui Heat, Carpe Diem Chronicles 3. I was inspired by Jason Momoa when I started writing him. I wish I can write fast enough. I really want to share these stories with you.

There are more, but I won’t spoil you. Come back here next week for more details.

ARC Book Review – East In Paradise

I’ve read and loved thousands of romance novels for over thirty years. My biggest complaint and the reason I’m writing my own series is that I haven’t read MY story yet. Right now, I can honestly say Tif Marcelo’s East in Paradise, Book 2 of her Journey to the Heart series, has come the closest.

A Filipino-American heroine. Check. Military Veteran hero. Also check. Heroine has a younger sister. That’s me as well. Our first date was at Napa Valley, quite similar to the setting of Paraiso Retreats.

I can say though that you don’t have to be a Filipino to relate to the characters and enjoy this book. East has a feisty, resolute heroine in Bryn, who has a goal and knows what she has to do in order to achieve it. It has an admirable hero in Mitchell, who served his country and has a great sense of responsibility towards his family’s legacy. This book is about dreams, family, and love.

The conflicts are very current, very real in the world we live in today. The secondary characters are well-rounded with both good and bad mixed in. The hero and heroine are characterized realistically with strengths and weaknesses.

Where it might have faltered for me a bit is when Bryn appeared to be too aggressive and Mitch didn’t assert himself fast enough. I knew they were going to get their happily-ever-after eventually, but it was an uncomfortable feeling reading it so close to the end without their final and most explosive conflict being resolved.

Overall, I enjoyed East in Paradise, especially the celebration of Filipino culture in the food and relationships. I give it four solid stars.

Note: I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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About The Book:

When an entrepreneur and an Army reservist end up in their own reality show fauxmance, they have to decide whether their love exists just for the cameras…or if it’s for real in this warmhearted romance, perfect for foodies and wine lovers!

Bryn Aquino, the former manager of a Filipino restaurant, knows the value of hard work. With a shiny new MBA in tow and an investor, she’s ready to start her own business: a culinary retreat where visitors can relax, cook, and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Dubbed Paraiso Retreats, she leases the childhood home of army reservist Mitchell Dunford—who returned from Afghanistan to revive his family’s vineyard—but finds herself in a bind when her investor pulls out of the business.

When the retreat catches an internet live stream producer’s eye through social media channels, Bryn is offered the opportunity of a lifetime—to document her journey in exchange for a hefty paycheck. Excited, Bryn happily agrees to the arrangement…only to find out that she’s going to have to fake an onscreen romance with her indifferent landlord in order to keep her audience interested.

As Mitchell and Bryn put on a show for the cameras, they find their romance isn’t hard to fake. They’ve got more in common under their bluster, banter, and doubts. As their relationship heats up and the cameras keep rolling, the line between show and reality blurs. And when the pressures of family, business, and the audience stack against them, will their romance survive internet stardom? Or was it just for show?

East in Paradise is available today from the following retailers:

Amazon
B&N
Kobo
iBooks

WhereLoveAlwaysWins

Sun And Moon

Today, August 21, 2017, there is a Total Solar Eclipse – the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, at one point totally covering the sun and turning day into night.

Today is also the 12th anniversary of our church wedding. For the special occasion, we put together a CD of our favorite love songs that we played during the ceremony and the reception afterwards. One of the songs is Sun and Moon from the musical Miss Saigon. American military husband, Asian wife – it fits. Of course, our story turned out better than that of Kim and Chris. For truly, we have been blessed, my husband and I.

KIM
you are sunlight and I moon
joined by the gods of fortune
midnight and high noon
sharing the sky
we have been blessed, you and I

CHRIS
you are here like a mystery
I’m from a world that’s so different
from all that you are
how in the light of one night
did we come so far?

KIM
outside day starts to dawn

CHRIS
your moon still floats on high

KIM
the birds awake

CHRIS
the stars shine too

KIM
my hands still shake

CHRIS
I reach for you

BOTH
and we meet in the sky!

KIM
you are sunlight and I moon
joined here
bright’ning the sky
with the flame
of love

BOTH
made of
sunlight
moonlight

Celebrating Loving Day Every Day

On June 12, we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Loving v. Virginia, the landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court which invalidated the state laws prohibiting interracial marriage.

I celebrate because I’m a direct beneficiary of this decision. My husband’s American, I’m Filipino. He’s white, I’m brown. In 2005, we were able to marry legally because we could, because we were allowed. I celebrate not just on June 12, but every day. Thanks to Richard and Mildred Loving. Thanks to the US Supreme Court in 1967.

The Lovings’ story, my own story, and the stories of more than half a million interracial couples are the inspirations for my books. I’m also encouraged by the great multicultural romances I’ve been reading recently. Surely, they too have been inspired by real-life stories of mixed-race pairings. Some of them are: Courtney Milan’s Cyclone series beginning with Trade Me (Chinese-American heroine); Alisha Rai’s upcoming Forbidden Hearts series with its first book Hate to Want You (Japanese-Hawaiian heroine); and Tif Marcelo’s North to You (Filipino-American hero), the first book of her Journey to the Heart series.