Tandoori Texan Tales

      Raj Dore
     Tandoori Texan Tales

These six tales are filled with humor, passion, joys, sorrows and the whole gamut of human emotions that one encounters when two cultures meet. Whether you are from the Indian sub-continent or not, you will empathize with the characters. Having picked it up you will not put the book down until you have read it from cover to cover.Some Excerpts from the Book:The Celebrity:The First Class was very sparsely occupied, just two or three people in all those 20 odd seats. I spotted one face that struck my solar plexus like a ton of bricks. She was wearing Salvar-kameez and had covered a good portion of her head with the Dupatta. She pretended to be engrossed in a book, quite oblivious of the surroundings. The setting sun shone through the window on her side. She was wearing very large sunglasses that covered almost one-third of her face. Very obviously, she valued her privacy very dearly and did not want to be recognized. Even then, it struck me that she seemed very familiar, as if I might have met her some where, some time. But I just could not place a label on that face. I kept walking and came back to my seat.The sun had set after a while. The lights had been dimmed. Only some soft lights at the aisle were kept on. Some passengers had turned on their reading lights. I stood up and walked toward the First Class cabin once again, wanting to take another look at this mysterious passenger. The reading light illuminated her face partially; it was still buried in the book. Only then slowly, it all came back to me. She was Archana Roy. Yes, oh my God! It was indeed she. I had watched her on the movie screen so many times...............................................I heard a gentle knock on the intermediate door. She had seen the news on her TV as well. She was flushed pink and visibly shaken. She was in tears. She pleaded if she could come in, as she was scared and shocked beyond belief. I let her come in. We were both still in the same clothes we had been in all day. We sat on the bed resting our backs on the pillow and headboard. We were watching the breaking news, clasping our hands with horror in our eyes. I could feel that she wanted to clasp me and hold me close. But I was just too confused and emotionally broken myself to make any kind of physical response to her overtures...........................................She asked if she could leave the intermediate door open. I readily agreed. As she went into her room she turned and told me over her shoulder to give her a wake up call at 5:30, if she was not already awake.I could see that her bathroom door was also half-ajar. I could see her full image reflected on the large mirror at the sink. She was probably unaware of that or she might have purposely wanted it that way. She took her Dupatta and hung it on the peg at the opposite wall. Then she slowly removed the hooks on the back of her Kameez one by one and slowly slid it over her head. Turned around and hung that also on the peg....................................... One by one everything came off and she disrobed completely. Her ivory complexion and smooth skin made her look like Neptune under moonlight.She pulled out a brush from her handbag, stroked her dark brown hair a few times. She took out an elastic band and bound her hair into a ponytail. Then she splashed her face with cold running water. Rubbed some soap all over to remove the makeup. She rinsed her face finally and covered it with fresh laundered hand towel from the rack. Her clean spotless natural skin without any makeup shone looking even prettier. Then she pulled out a brown paper package from the handbag and removed a T-shirt. She pulled it over her head and let it fall all the way down to her ankles. It was a top-to-toe large T-shirt with "Welcome to Arkansas" written on the back with a picture of a sunrise behind Ozark Mountains in the front. Obviously this was the piece of article that had started the whole rigmarole that evening. Or should I say it was the cause of our survival today. I heard her switch off the light and get into her bed...........................................

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    The Jester's Daughter

      Peter D Wilson
     The Jester's Daughter

A romance between a castle servant girl in the 1430s and the page of a visiting bishop falls foul of social conventions, while one in the family of present-day occupants is imperilled by misunderstandings. Both are linked by a portrait of the girl that has somehow survived the intervening centuries and seems connected with the resolution of both difficulties.John Randall brings his friend Anne to visit his parents’ home, the small castle of Ernscar in northern England. Anne is fascinated by a mediaeval portrait in her room, believed to represent Alison Miller, daughter of the castle Fool in the fifteenth century, and on subsequent visits sees in it signs of anxiety reflecting Anne’s own concerns about the direction of her relationship with John.In the 1430s Alison forms an attachment to Nicholas, page to the then Lord Robert Ernscar’s friend Bishop Justin, who visits occasionally for conferences about their response to political problems under Henry VI. Justin and Robert are kindly disposed towards the couple, but like Alison’s own family recognise that the difference in social status seems to preclude their union. However, a scheme to resolve a particular problem of Justin’s requires that Nicholas be quickly married, and the difficulties are overcome by formal adoption of the youngsters into their respective patrons’ families.During a sleepless night Anne, worrying about the lack of the progress with John that she had been reluctant to urge on him for fear of rejection, resolves to force the issue one way or the other the next day. He then admits having been in exactly the same quandary which is thus resolved. After purchasing an engagement ring they visit an early church of architectural interest where they find records suggesting a happy outcome for the marriage of Alison and Nicholas.

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    Yakima Nights

      Archie Kennedy
     Yakima Nights

While conducting a field problem, Andre, an enlisted soldier, fall in love with 2nd Lieutenant Taylor Coles. Both are in committed relationships and unsuccessfully try to keep their love from getting out of hand. However, once they learn that there will be a 30 day training event; they try to pursue a relationship while keeping it under wraps.Bob has led a structured, exemplary life…until his hidden obsession finally boils over, forcing him to find the answer no matter where the ultimate truth leads. Estimated reading time - ten minutes.

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    Occurrence at a Fountain

      Rich Amada
     Occurrence at a Fountain

Make a wish and it just might come true…especially if the right man overhears and has the audacity to approach. A short, romantic story about a chance opportunity for an unplanned kiss.Make a wish and it just might come true…especially if the right man overhears and has the audacity to approach. A short, romantic story about a chance opportunity for an unplanned kiss.He's recently divorced. She's yearning for romance. They both happen upon each other at a fountain in a town square. They don't know each other, but could this be the perfect time for lovely moment?

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    Fresh Start - The Rosewoods Series prequel

      Katrina Abbott
     Fresh Start - The Rosewoods Series prequel

For new readers, enjoy this introduction to The Rosewoods, an exciting romantic Young Adult series for readers who love fun, flirty love stories. And for loyal fans of the series, enjoy this peek at what happened before Taking the Reins.Brooklyn Prescott (at least that’s what it says on her passport) was living the life of a boring, unnoticeable girl. She was almost invisible at the school in London that she’d been attending for the past two years since her family moved from the States for her father’s job. Nearly friendless and definitely boyfriendless, Brooklyn is gearing up to start her junior year when her father drops a huge bomb: she’s returning to the States on her own to attend an exclusive boarding school. Because high school isn’t hard enough, she’s about to become the new girl at The Rosewood Academy for Academic Excellence, a school for the kids of the rich and famous. Terrified of what that’s going to mean for her social life (though really, it couldn’t be much worse) Brooklyn knows she has no choice and prepares herself for whatever is to come. But the trip back to America--what promised to be a long and boring overseas flight—is anything but boring and instead turns into the kind of pivotal experience a girl will remember forever.

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    Catalyst

      Shelly Crane
     Catalyst

In the third installment of the Collide series, we start off with Sherry, taken prisoner in the enforcement facility. The little bunker family must now decide whether it's worth the risk to try to save her or if it would bring doom to them all. Lily has started showing signs of her gift progressing, which may not be a desirable thing. And as Marissa starts to act strangely, Jeff must come to terms that there may be more to her illness that meets the eye. Daniel, the Lighter who shocked Lillian with his human emotions will reappear, but for what purpose? Will Sherry be rescued before it's too late? Will Daniel prove to be a genuine miracle? Will Cain be able to fully get over his love for Sherry and move on with Lillian? And how much more trouble can the new Taker cause for the rebels? Some will make it and some won't as the story continues.

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    Seventh Grave and No Body

      Darynda Jones
     Seventh Grave and No Body

Twelve. Twelve of the deadliest beasts ever forged in the fires of hell have escaped onto our plane, and they want nothing more than to rip out the jugular of Charley Davidson and serve her lifeless, mangled body to Satan for dinner. So there’s that. But Charley has more on her plate than a mob of testy hellhounds. For one thing, her father has disappeared, and the more she retraces his last steps, the more she learns he was conducting an investigation of his own, one that has Charley questioning everything she’s ever known about him. Add to that an ex-BFF who is haunting her night and day, a rash of suicides that has authorities baffled, and a drop-dead sexy fiancé who has attracted the attentions of a local celebrity, and Charley is not having the best week of her life. A tad north of hell, a hop, skip, and a jump past the realm of eternity, is a little place called Earth, and Charley Davidson, grim reaper extraordinaire, is determined to do everything in her power to protect it. We’re doomed.

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    Claimed by Shadow

      Karen Chance
     Claimed by Shadow

Clairvoyant Cassie Palmer has inherited new magical powers-including the ability to travel through time. But it's a whole lot of responsibility she'd rather not have. Now she's the most popular girl in town, as an assortment of vamps, fey, and mages try to convince, force, or seduce her—and her magic—over to their side. But one particular master vampire didn't ask what Cassie wanted before putting a claim on her. He had a spell cast that binds her to him, and now she doesn't know if what she feels for him is real—or imagined…

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    Forsaken by Night

      Larissa Ione
     Forsaken by Night

Desire collides with danger as a vampire and a shapeshifter cross paths in this searing MoonBound Clan story from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling paranormal romance author Larissa Ione. After accidentally shifting into a wolf—and getting stuck—Tehya, herself a vampire, has spent the last twelve years as the pet of Lobo, another vampire who has the unique gift of communicating with wolves. When Lobo found Tehya starving and nearly frozen to death, he took her in and nursed her back to health, all the while completely unaware that she was really a fellow vampire. But there was always something special about her, and he finds out exactly how special after she’s injured and returned to her true form. Desire collides with danger as he soon finds that he must protect not only Tehya but also himself... Originally published in the Blood Red Kiss anthology.

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    Once a Princess

      Sherwood Smith
     Once a Princess

Sasha’s mother, Sun, was once swept away from a Ren Faire to another world by a prince—literally—but there was no happy ending. Sun’s prince disappeared, and a wicked king took the Khanerenth throne. In the years since, Sasha and Sun have been back on Earth and on the run. Mom and daughter don’t quite see eye to eye on the situation—Sasha wants to stand and fight. Sun insists her prince will return for them one day; it’s safer to stay hidden. Then Sasha is tricked into crossing the portal to Khanerenth. She’s more than ready to join the resistance, kick some bad-guy butt, and fix the broken kingdom. But…is the stylish pirate Zathdar the bad guy? Or artistic, dreamy Prince Jehan? Back on Earth, Sun is furious Sasha has been kidnapped. Sun might once have been a rotten princess, but nobody messes with Mom! Product Warnings This title contains a kick-butt mother-daughter team, a wicked king, a witty pirate with an unfortunate taste for neon colors, inept resistance fighters, a dreamy prince who gallops earnestly hither and yon, and a kick-butt princess in waiting. Swashbuckling in a magic world—L.A. style!

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    The Hard Way

      Katie Ashley
     The Hard Way

Cade Hall has always been the golden boy of the gridiron. Because of his talent at football, coupled with his father’s wealth, he’s always gotten his way. But when a night of drunken debauchery lands him in hot water with the college athletic board, neither his influential father nor his charming grin can save him. He finds it a total buzz kill when he is sentenced to community service with troubled youth at an inner-city shelter. But his nightmare is only beginning when his greatest high school regret is the very one in charge of the program, and she has him by the balls in more ways than one. For Avery Prescott, senior year was a nightmare of epic proportions, and Cade Hall played the lead villain. After she fled her small town for college in the bright lights of Atlanta, she thought she had escaped the painful memories of her past. She never could have imagined Cade would waltz through the door of the outreach program she presided over. But Avery has news for Cade--she isn’t the same shy, doormat of a girl she was in high school. Since she holds Cade's football future in her hands, she’s more than ready to make payback a real bitch. Will the two stay in the defensive zone or discover that sometimes life's greatest lessons are learned the hard way?

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    Thou Shalt Not Road Trip

      Antony John
     Thou Shalt Not Road Trip

One crazy road trip that's a mix of rejection, redemption, and romance When sixteen-year-old Luke's book, Hallelujah, becomes a national bestseller, his publishing house sends him on a cross-country book tour with his older brother, Matt, as chauffeur. But when irresponsible Matt offers to drive Luke's ex-soul mate, Fran, across the country too, things get a little crazy. On the trip, Luke must loosen up, discover what it truly means to have faith, and do what it takes to get the girl he loves. Told with Antony John's signature wit and authenticity, and featuring smart, singular characters who jump off the page and into your heart, this story is a spiritual awakening and rockin' road trip in one.

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    Parineeta

      Hiranya Borah
     Parineeta

Parineeta had been in love for three decades with a person whom she never told till her last days.She married to a person double of her age against her will. After death of her husband, she had to sell her body to a heartless man. Nevertheless, he gave sufficient money to Parineeta for higher studies of her sons. After the sons got jobs, one of them accused their mother as prostitute.In Parineeta I tried to depict the agony of a young girl who had to marry a man double of her age. Her problem was manifested as she could not tell the person whom he loves, till her death. Her sacrifice for her sons were also not appreciated, rather ridiculed and condemned by her own sons. She had to surrender her body to her husband against her will and then she had to submit her body to a heartless animal for money and physical needs. My ‘Parineeta’ is not based on any real characters living or dead. Association of my name to Parineeta is just to make the story more realistic. I am no way fit into the character as such. Therefore, if any reader finds some similarity in character of Parineeta, it is pure coincidence only.The life of Parineeta is full of un-contended life of a young girl who grew up to face all nonsense of life and one day she died without any ripple in the minds of those for whom she lived with agony of selling her body and soul whom she never loved.

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    Keys To Redemption

      Erica Gilbreath
     Keys To Redemption

Three years ago Evelyn Tyrell lost her husband to a senseless act of violence. Now a widow, she is trying her best to navigate the world of single motherhood. When police officer Stacy Walsh enters the picture, suddenly everything changes. But when certain truths regarding her husband's death come to light and Stacy seems to be the key, Evelyn will be tested as she never has before.When 26 year old Evelyn Tyrell loses her husband to a senseless act of violence she closes herself off to the world for the next three years focusing only on her young son and God. However, when a chance encounter unexpectedly puts her in the pathway of police officer Stacy Walsh suddenly everything is turned upside down. As their relationship grows and facts about her husband's death begin to resurface both individuals will be put to the test like they never imagined.

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