Well, this release date snuck right up on me!
After the devastating Southern California wildfires in January 2025, a group of 100+ romance authors banded together to create something special. We wanted to help amidst all the destruction and loss, and what better cause for authors to support than libraries in affected areas?
In only a few months, we wrote, edited, proofread, formatted, and have now released To L.A. With Love: A Charity Anthology, a collection of romance short stories and poems. Everyone involved donated their time, labor, and expertise, and all profits will benefit libraries in Altadena and Pacific Palisades, the two communities hardest hit.
Included in the anthology is my short story, Quarrels & Quills.
Augusta Woodbury has pined for Knox for years, but he’s treated her as a child her entire life, despite her now being a grown woman. Knox St. Claire has long been attracted to Augusta, but she’s the sister of his best friend and off limits. When Augusta’s mother hosts a house party to find her a suitable husband, Knox is consumed by jealousy at the thought of her marrying another. For her part, Augusta can’t get past the presence of Knox at the party as her brother’s guest. She writes a letter to him, never expecting anyone to see it. When an anonymous person replies, a strange correspondence begins. Will it lead to love before it’s too late for the two of them?
Tropes include:
- Brother’s best friend/best friend’s sister
- Enemies(ish) to lovers/sort-of friends to lovers
- House party
- Secret letters
- Mutual pining
Read on for an excerpt:
“Knox!” Her hand flew up to rest between her ample breasts. “What are you doing here?” Her eyes moved to where his banyan gaped at the neck before darting back to his face.
He shrugged, biting back a smile. “Couldn’t sleep. I thought I’d try reading for a bit. Why are you here?”
She shoved her shoulders back, which only served to emphasize her magnificent chest. He felt rather noble, only allowing himselfthe briefest glance, even though she likely couldn’t see his face with the fire behind him.
“I live here. I can be in this library if I wish.” The stubborn set of her jaw and her pointed little chin only made him want to tease her.
“Are you having a midnight rendezvous with a lover?” he asked, relishing her sharp gasp.
“Knox St. Claire, you are a reprobate! I was…looking for this book.” She grabbed a volume off the nearest shelf and brandished it.
“Your choice of reading material is Modern Methods for the Modern Farmer?”
She narrowed her eyes at his challenging tone. “Yes. I’ve been desperate to read it.”
He tilted his head at her. “You’d like to learn about using manure to obtain more fertile crops?”
“I like to learn many things.”
With that parting shot, she whirled away from him and marched back across the library, head held high as Knox chuckled. Quietness no longer an issue, she slammed the door shut behind her, and he laughed outright.
Get your eBook copy of To LA With Love: A Charity Anthology today! Click on this link to find your platform.
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